Booking a wedding photographer - Questions...

[RastaManBob]

Hello!

Firstly, I know that self advertisement is an issue on the forum - I'm not sure this is something that I agree with, otherwise I may have not needed to have made this thread - however I hope I'm posting within the guidelines. If not, apologies and please do delete the thread!

So: My fiancée and I have decided, somewhat last minute, to set a date for our wedding. The opportunity to get married ten years to the day that we got together is more appealing than waiting longer and perhaps doing something differently. As a result, we're having a very small wedding with only very close family - Likely less than twenty people! I'm actually happy with this and quite excited about it. It might be a bit unusual but that does not bother me... Another advantage to this approach is that we can maintain a reduced budget - not needing to cater to so many people - leaving money for other, possibly more useful, things post-wedding.

My partner and I are in agreement that we should get a photographer as, no matter how small the ceremony, the sentimental value of the photographs will be high. However, due to the nature of a small wedding a lot of the 'standard' packages that I'm seeing seem a little overboard for our requirements. We do not want a photographer for bride/groom preparation, for example, and it's unlikely we would require a photographer right into the evening... We're not even sure we'll 'do' the first dance thing and I can imagine it being difficult for a photographer to work for a whole day with a small number of people to work with. I imagine something like photographs at the registry office (during and after), maybe a short photo shoot out and about somewhere (?) and then possibly briefly at the reception (just to record the room, etc) maybe changing the order of events slightly so that we can cut the cake earlier and get shots of that. Nothing is nailed down yet.

Unfortunately neither my partner nor I have any photography experience or that of dealing with photographers. So a few questions:

1) Can you guys give me any important questions I should ask any photographer I approach? E.g., licensing, camera used, minimum resolution of images supplied, etc.

2) We're working to a budget but it's hard to know the 'market rate'. What would you expect to pay for the sort of requirements I've outlined? There does seem to be quite a range of options available, are you able to recommend anybody in particular? As a result of lack of knowledge in the area it's appealing to pick the cheapest photographer who seems to take good shots but I'm aware that - within reason - it's likely you get what you pay for.

I'm sure there were more questions that I wanted to ask but they've escaped me. If there is anything else you think might be useful please do advise, otherwise if I think of anything I'll post back...

For reference, we will be getting married in Hillingdon with a reception in Twickenham. The date is in December of this year, so last minute and possibly a little late to have free choice as many photographers, I imagine, get booked up months in advanced. Having said that, I imagine December to be a pretty quiet month for weddings!

Thanks!

Dan.

 

[Raymond Lin]

There is no right or wrong questions to ask, there are only questions that you want answers to.

Don't let a "small" wedding be an obstacle to pick your favourite photographer, the number of people is not a reason a photographer willing to shoot (or not) a wedding. A wedding is a wedding, size is not important.

Ask about pricing, as about what you will get with the packages, ask about how you can use the photos - prints, sharing, Facebook etc. Ask for a sample contract, read it. Ask to see sample work of a full wedding.

 

[D.P.]

Don't expect a photographer that normally charges say 1.5k to shoot your wedding for £300 since it is so small. The number of people make little difference, it is the hours worked, equipment use, processing time, album, insurance, travel etc that makes up the pricing. Since your wedding is likely to be shorter, no prep photos and no evening then the reduced time is what will reduce costs, if the photographer wants to take on such a job. For profesionals it a question of shooting a short low key wedding at a discount or getting another wedding at full price. If your wedding is I. The off season you have a higher chance of getting an arrangement.

Really all you can do is call up a photographer you like, explain what you want and see what price they quote if they will do it.

As for Question 1), your questions are kind of irrelevant. Instead I would ask:
1) is there 1 or 2 photographers, if the latter what is the experience if the 2nd shooter?
2) do you have full insurance
3) do you have a backup photographer in case you are sick
4) back up equipment
5) do you get any digitals
6) album choices
7) look at complete albums of prior weddings, not just a portfolio of oick n mixed best photos.

 

[RastaManBob]

Thank you very much for the helpful responses Stepping back a moment; is there a particular website you could recommend to help find a photographer? So far I've just been searching Google... We'd found one we liked and they were in budget however they've moved (website not updated) and so they want extra to cover travel expenses. This added on to some of the answers to your recommended questions being a bit worrying ('Do you have a backup photographer in case you are sick?' 'No but I do not get ill often/ever') means the search may have to continue...

Thanks!

 

[An Exception]

This added on to some of the answers to your recommended questions being a bit worrying ('Do you have a backup photographer in case you are sick?' 'No but I do not get ill often/ever') means the search may have to continue...

Thanks!

Backup photographer? It's a bit of a silly question for the poster to include in the list really. The answer is at short notice you will likely have to rely on family and friends, as most photographers he knows that are any good will already be booked up.

There is always going to be some **risk** that you cannot avoid, else you would also need a backup bride and groom. I would recommend wedding insurance though.

If it's a two person team, there is potentially at least one person who should be able to get to your wedding and take some pictures.
You could also try an agency or something.. but a photographer that actually takes pictures that you will want to look at more than once, will likely work for themselves rather than an agency of some kind.

Have you not seen any websites and LOVED their pictures?
Personally that would be my No.1 criteria


Edit:
Btw, maybe it's just me, but I rarely get asked these kinds of questions.
I'm glad I don't, else I would be seriously worried about the impression my blog was giving people.

What people usually ask me is things like..

"How did I get into photography, and how long have you been doing it."
"What's your approach like, can you talk me through a typical day."
"I don't like having my picture taken, would you recommend having an engagement shoot."
"Do you need dinner."
"How long after the wedding will the pictures likely be ready, and is there a time limit in ordering an album."

 

[a1ex2001]

Backup photographer? It's a bit of a silly question for the poster to include in the list really. The answer is at short notice you will likely have to rely on family and friends, as most photographers he knows that are any good will already be booked up.

Was going to say the same! I know wedding photographers get a bit obsessive about backup gear to the point where if you haven't got two of everything possibly three then you shouldn't be charging and can't possibly be doing it 'right' but I wasn't aware this now extended to a backup photographer! Does the couple need to pay them 1-2k to be available 'just in case'?

Mind you my biggest fear is showing up to a friends wedding and the photographer not showing so they ask me to step in as I took some great drunken pictures at so and so's reception!

Back on topic OP google togs in your area find ones who's work you like then contact them, ignore pricing/packages on websites you need to talk about your specific situation and see what they say! Some will just quote the normal price as that is what they want to make per wedding others will be more flexible if they can start late and finish early on a day that was free in the calendar anyway!

 

[D.P.]

Was going to say the same! I know wedding photographers get a bit obsessive about backup gear to the point where if you haven't got two of everything possibly three then you shouldn't be charging and can't possibly be doing it 'right' but I wasn't aware this now extended to a backup photographer! Does the couple need to pay them 1-2k to be available 'just in case'?

Mind you my biggest fear is showing up to a friends wedding and the photographer not showing so they ask me to step in as I took some great drunken pictures at so and so's reception!

Back on topic OP google togs in your area find ones who's work you like then contact them, ignore pricing/packages on websites you need to talk about your specific situation and see what they say! Some will just quote the normal price as that is what they want to make per wedding others will be more flexible if they can start late and finish early on a day that was free in the calendar anyway!

It is very common actually. A wedding is a very important occasion for most people and it is very unprofessional for a wedding photographer not to be able to sort out a last minute alternative if they become too ill to shoot the wedding. Mostly they will just make a professional agreement with local areas photographers that they get along with, each covering each others backs. No guarantees of course but if you make an agreement with 4 or 5 other togs to support each other in emergencies then there is a good chance at least one of them will be able and willing to cover. The price wont change at all and the original contract is the only contract that stays valid, just takes all the stress away from the wedding couple so they don't panic the night before their big day knowing that someone is going to do whatever they can to make it all right.
My brother in law is a backup wedding photographer for several local togs. He second shoots with them from time to time but isn't a full time photographer himself. I do professional events photography form time to time at the local university but I am mainly listed as a backup photographer.


At my wedding my wife organized a bagpipe player in secret. Turned out he got ill but he called a friend who happened to be relatively famous piper to cover for him. that is just what professional do, and for soemthign important as wedding there is also a moral duty to try to do the right thing.

 

[An Exception]

It is very common actually. A wedding is a very important occasion for most people and it is very unprofessional for a wedding photographer not to be able to sort out a last minute alternative if they become too ill to shoot the wedding. Mostly they will just make a professional agreement with local areas photographers that they get along with, each covering each others backs. No guarantees of course but if you make an agreement with 4 or 5 other togs to support each other in emergencies then there is a good chance at least one of them will be able and willing to cover. The price wont change at all and the original contract is the only contract that stays valid, just takes all the stress away from the wedding couple so they don't panic the night before their big day knowing that someone is going to do whatever they can to make it all right.
My brother in law is a backup wedding photographer for several local togs. He second shoots with them from time to time but isn't a full time photographer himself. I do professional events photography form time to time at the local university but I am mainly listed as a backup photographer.


At my wedding my wife organized a bagpipe player in secret. Turned out he got ill but he called a friend who happened to be relatively famous piper to cover for him. that is just what professional do, and for soemthign important as wedding there is also a moral duty to try to do the right thing.

I think you would need more than 5 contacts. In August for example, it's very uncommon not to be booked EVERY weekend. Of course, try to assist your clients by giving them a list of recommended photographers (assuming your actually capable). However it's very foolish to promise clients something you can't actually be sure you can deliver. It also depends what market segment you occupy. If your product is low end to average, like for like replacements are far more plentiful. If however your clients have sought you out and fallen in love with your particular style. Sending a uncle bob isn't going to cut it. You'l need to refund them regardless.

Edit:

Just out of curiosity. When you got a mate to photograph your wedding, did you also make sure to have another backup photographer friend?

 

[D.P.]

I think you would need more than 5 contacts. In August for example, it's very uncommon not to be booked EVERY weekend. Of course, try to assist your clients by giving them a list of recommended photographers (assuming your actually capable). However it's very foolish to promise clients something you can't actually be sure you can deliver. It also depends what market segment you occupy. If your product is low end to average, like for like replacements are far more plentiful. If however your clients have sought you out and fallen in love with your particular style. Sending a uncle bob isn't going to cut it. You'l need to refund them regardless.

Edit:

Just out of curiosity. When you got a mate to photograph your wedding, did you also make sure to have another backup photographer friend?

The more contacts the better of course, the point is if you form a professional agreement between like minded photographers that don't want to have their reputation destroyed because they let a wedding couple down then you can greatly reduced the chances of disaster. You can never guarantee anything, but you can always promise to do your best for your client to minimize risks. The contract needs to stipulate that clearly. That is what separates professionals form amateurs.

Of course you will need to make arrangement with photographers that offer a similar style to your own, but that is hardly difficult since in wedding work everyone is pretty much copying whatever the latest fad is, be it high-key or low-sat or whatever 2015 flavor of the month is. It is only natural that a tog will form agreements with others at the same abilities, styles and price points. Sure that can be tough in some small rural backwater but in general there are loads of wedding photographers out their that think their work is above average. If they thought their work was below average then they likely wouldn't be doing be it in the first place LOL.


I didn't get a mate to photograph my wedding, I got my Brother in law who second shoots weddings because I like his style. There was a professional full time wedding and event photographer as a guest (wife's family member) and another professional photojournalist for a large German newspaper, plus some else who I have no idea what he does but he had a stack of gear with him and provided us with some great photos.

 

[Akagi]

Get mrk (Robbie Khan) on the case!

 

[Vertigo]

Whilst finding a photographer whose work you like and then approaching them to see if they're interested is certainly a good way of going about it, you could come at it from the other direction.

There's a "business & pro" section over on the TP forums with a sub-forum for jobs wanted and offered. Most of the people in there seem to be professional wedding photographers and there's no harm in posting in there with your dates, requiremens, budget and so forth and seeing if any of the regulars tender for the job. You could then visit their sites and check out their work & style to see if it appeals to you. Just a thought.

 

[An Exception]

I didn't get a mate to photograph my wedding, I got my Brother in law who second shoots weddings because I like his style. There was a professional full time wedding and event photographer as a guest (wife's family member) and another professional photojournalist for a large German newspaper, plus some else who I have no idea what he does but he had a stack of gear with him and provided us with some great photos.

I think I remember seeing some. You posted some samples in a church and a children's playground a while back if I remember correctly?
A close family member being the official photographer probably isn't for everyone though, but glad it worked out for you.

 

[D.P.]

I think I remember seeing some. You posted some samples in a church and a children's playground a while back if I remember correctly?
A close family member being the official photographer probably isn't for everyone though, but glad it worked out for you.

That is right. Photographers weren't allowed and the church and it was proving very hard to get a professional organized from 4000 miles away. Certainly not a god idea for most people but it all depends what you want. Coincidentally, a colleague also married a German in Germany and got her sister who is a pro tog to photograph the wedding.

Weddings are expensive and everyone has different priorities, so if you have faith in a friend who can replicate a 3000euro photographer then it is an option IF, and only IF, you don't put pressure on the friend. the thing is there are loads of talented hobbyists out there that have second shot weddings with good success and want to have more a go at something more official. Been there myself.

 

[blairw]

We've booked Rhys (An Exception) to be our wedding photographer... he's traveling a fair distance, Oxfordshire to Edinburgh to do so... so god help us if he is unwell as any local contact he did have more than likely wouldn't be making a similar trip!

Wedding insurance is what you need!

Also - we booked him because we love his work, that is exactly where I would start when looking for someone for you're day. I think forums such as this are invaluable for this sort of thing.