15 Questions to Ask Your Westchester Wedding Photographer
When it comes to choosing a Westchester wedding photographer, I’m sure you have hundreds of questions running your head. After all, your wedding photographer plays a vital role in capturing the unforgettable moments of your special day! They allow you to fully immerse yourself in the celebration with peace of mind and the stunning images will become cherished keepsakes! So, choosing a photographer who aligns with your style and vibes is important. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 15 key questions you should ask your Westchester wedding photographer to ensure you’re a great match. Take a look below!
Table of Contents
15 Key Questions to Ask Your Westchester Wedding Photographer!
1. Is my wedding date available?
This seems like the obvious first question, but make sure to confirm this before continuing the conversation! If they’re already booked, you’ll know it’s time to continue your search.
2. How long have you been photographing weddings?
While there’s nothing wrong with hiring a budding Westchester wedding photographer (we all started somewhere, right?), you want to know their skill level ahead of time. Seasoned professionals are going to be well prepared for any situation, while a new photographer may be learning on the fly. This question will help you to know if they’re equipped to carry out the job.
3. Can we see the full galleries of a few of your recent weddings?
“Yes” should always be the answer to this question! There are a few reasons for this. If the wedding photographer isn’t willing to show full samples of their work, they might be hiding something. Full galleries show how a photographer would handle different situations, and not just the best of the best shots on social media. You need to know what you’re investing in and the true value of it.
When the photographer IS willing to show galleries, make sure you ask to see ones that align with your day. Similar venue types, times of year, multiple weather situations, etc, so you know you will still have beautiful memories of your day.
4. How would you describe your photography style?
While there’s no right answer to this question, their response should inspire you and align beautifully with the vision you’ve been creating in your mind! For me, I describe my style as natural, romantic and timeless. I want my couples wedding photos to stand the test of time and show their authentic personalities.
5. How would you describe your approach?
Besides inquiring about their photography style, another essential thing to ask is how they work. Do you want someone who will seamlessly capture candid moments? Or do you prefer that your Westchester wedding photographer be more visible and take charge of choreographing images? No matter how they respond, the photographer’s answer should align with what you’re looking for. With a calm and laid-back approach, I capture wedding days with a mix of traditional portraits, giving some direction. Still, I take a documentary approach most of the day, capturing moments as they naturally unfold.
6. How many other weddings will you photograph that weekend?
Again, there isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question, but you should feel comfortable with the response. If you are having a destination wedding, for example, it’s not ideal to hire someone who has a wedding elsewhere the night before. You may also be concerned about whether your photographer will be on time if they were working all night before your big day.
7. Have you ever shot a wedding at our venue? If not, do you plan to check the venue out in advance?
It’s totally okay if your Westchester wedding photographer hasn’t worked at your venue. It may be one they’ve always dreamed of working at, and you’d be giving them the opportunity! It’s also perfectly okay if they can’t make it out there in advance. After all, they have hectic lives like the rest of us, too! Most photographers I know and work with in the industry arrive early on the day of the wedding and make sure to scout the location well in advance. Just ask about their process!
8. Will you have any assistants or second shooters with you on our wedding day?
This is an important question to ask to get details on if it’s needed, any extra fees, if it’s an add-on option for your package, and so on. For me, I almost always work with a second photographer. I’ve worked with my second shooters for years and they are so much more than an assistant. I see them as an extension of me in the photography style, approach and personality on the wedding day. They are equally experienced and know exactly what I’m looking for.
9. What’s included in your standard package? Can I customize a package to fit my needs?
Most Westchester wedding photographers have an investment guide that breaks down their packages, while others create custom packages with you based on your needs. A standard package could include a certain amount of coverage, multiple photographers, and digital images. More advanced packages could include engagement sessions, albums, more coverage, and so on. Check out their investment guide and ask questions as you see fit!
10. How many hours do we need?
This is always a good discussion to talk about your timeline, locations, and your vision. Your photographer should be able to give you a recommendation based on the information you provide. Typically, coverage of a wedding is continuous and starts from when the photographer arrives. Events that are captured during a standard day with 8-hour coverage normally include preparing for the day, detail photos, the ceremony, family and wedding party photos, couple photos, and reception photos.
11. How and when will we receive the images?
Post-production is a lengthy process that involves selecting the best images, completing multiple rounds of edits, and curating a gallery. As a result, don’t expect to receive your wedding photos back the same weekend or even within the same week. Most photographers typically deliver their images anywhere from six to twelve weeks after the wedding. To manage your expectations, be sure to ask about their turnaround time and ensure you feel comfortable with it.
12. Can we order prints or albums directly from you?
Again, there are no right or wrong answers here. If you have the time and access to a professional printing service and an album design company, or if you plan to design your own album, you may not need your photographer to provide these services. However, if you anticipate that you won’t have the time or ability to create your own album or select prints, and you value having high-quality heirlooms, it is important to choose a photographer who can manage this aspect for you. Be sure to ask your potential Westchester wedding photographer for product samples and inquire about their process.
13. What is your backup plan?
This is always an important question because you need to know what to do if something were to go wrong. Also, some venues require vendors to have their own liability insurance policy to work there. Ask about if they have insurance, what their emergency policy is, if they have a backup photographer, and how they back up files during and after the day.
14. Can you recommend a videographer?
Choosing a wedding photographer who collaborates well with other key vendors, especially the videographer, is a significant advantage. Even if the photo and video services come from different companies, they will need to work together as a team on your wedding day. Therefore, it’s important to know that they have successfully collaborated in the past. For me, one of the first things I send couples after booking is a Wedding Guide filled with tips and recommended vendors, including videographers.
15. What do love and marriage mean to you?
To understand what your photographer values and whether it aligns with your own, ask them how they perceive love, weddings, and marriage. Their response will also help you determine if they support diversity and inclusion.
I Hope These Questions Help You Find the Best Westchester Wedding Photographer for Your Big Day!
When it comes to choosing your Westchester wedding photographer, ensuring they align with your vision is vital. That’s why I always recommend asking at least these key 15 questions! And while my answers are also in this blog post, I’m an open book and would be thrilled to answer any other questions you might have when it comes to your wedding photography. As a Westchester wedding photographer with over a decade of experience in photographing stunning wedding days, I’d love to capture your special day. View more of my portfolio, and reach out today to start the conversation!
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