16 questions for your wedding photographer

Happy New Year. Of course among wedding professional we look at the next six to eight weeks as "booking season." Easily half of our business for the upcoming year is scheduled during the next several weeks. To help brides and grooms, here is a list of pretty effective questions built from my years of experience working with couples and working with others.

1. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

"Wedding photojournalist" has become a buzzword which has lost its specific meaning with it surge in popularity among photographers. Often, the term "photojournalist" means candid-looking when used by photographers and studios to describe their own work. Often these photographers will set up and reenact a few things during your wedding day but rely heavily upon traditional portraiture for a lot of your photos... there is nothing wrong with this approach if you are comfortable with that. But a true wedding photojournalist has the talent and ability to anticipate, observe and "see" moments as they happen, thus really documenting the flavor and fun of your day with very rarely any need to "stage" things.

2. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

Many, many wedding shooters out there work full-time jobs in something other than photography. Their plan is to grow and develop by gaining experience and building a client base which will ultimately allow them to go full-time. A full-time photographer has already made the personal and professional investment of their time and energy to create a valued, sought-after business. Look for the full-time shooters if you want a photographer with experience and who can give their undivided attention to all details about your wedding before during and after your event.

3. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

This question helps you to gauge who your photographer is as a person and artist. Gauge the person's passion and energy. Does he/she seem enthusiastic or kind of flat? People who love what they do have a tendency to be very good at what they do, and they tend to make the process enjoyable and fun. And knowing a little about what makes the person tick is a good way to feel out what kind of a "fit" personality-wise you may be. After all, you will be spending an entire day with your photographer, so do what you can to be sure the person you pick will be genuinely excited to be there and pleasant throughout that day.

4. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

It's not uncommon for photographers and larger studios to have a network of shooters. If you learn the person you are talking to will not be the shooter. Insist you talk to the person who will and also insist you see their personal portfolio.

5. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

A formals/posed groupings worksheet is sometimes necessary when planning when and how to get that part of your wedding. I know I have one. Of note: if you are keen on hiring a wedding photojournalist and have a bunch of photojournalism style shots you have seen elsewhere for your wedding, it's wise limit your shot suggestions to a handful. It is important when capturing the unique qualities and moments of your wedding to keep it open-ended for your photojournalist. A good wedding photojournalist cannot produce every photo you can think of, but he/she can produce photos you never dreamed of.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

This is a popular request by couples. The discs can vary widely in price. Also ask if there are any discounts applied to the CD/DVD after a certain time has passed from the wedding., i.e. half-price two years after the wedding.

7. What kind of color correction and adjustments do you make to the files on the CD/DVD.

It is nice to have your pictures in hand to keep safe and make whatever prints you like. Keep in mind all digital images on the disc should be toned, adjusted and worked a little to make an adequate print. I usually tell all my clients if they want the very best gallery quality prints with minimal fuss, they may want to think about ordering the photography products from me and not on their own from a disc. I can provide more superior quality control over five 8x10 prints than I can 500 image files.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

This is fairly self-explanatory. A real live person who has worked with a photographer will give you valuable information.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

Chances are slim you will ever have to worry about this. Enough venues out there require a certificate of insurance for a photographer to work an event at their venue it is worth asking. More importantly, a photographer who will produce a professional standard for you operates their business with professional standards focused on the long-term viability of their business.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

It really shouldn't take half a year to receive an album, your proofs or any other products. A caveat: although it is not always possible, try to be timely with any input your photographer requires as far as albums, edits to help this process along.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

You should have some input into important keepsakes of your wedding. Some photographers charge extra for a certain number of changes to the albums they design for you prior to the printing and binding of any album. Beware of time deadlines too, they are necessary to preventing production bottlenecks.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

If working with a digital photographer, online proofing (when you first get to see your photos online) should be completed within a couple of weeks of your event. The time period of online availability for those galleries varies among photographers. Some post them for three months, others post for a full year. Check with your photographer.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

Any succesfull, established professional photographer should have a network of shooters available for emergency help. You should have written assurance the substitute photographer will be a competent professional.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

Self explanatory.

15. What associations do you belong to?

I find most couples don't care but it is one (among many) useful ways to gauge a photographer's qualifications and professional commitment.

16. Why should we hire you?

Again, this question is similar in spirit to Question 3. Your photographer's answer should communicate some excitement not just about potentially getting a wedding gig but getting to shoot your wedding.


These are some good starter questions. Add your own and you'll be on your way to some breath-taking images!

Chris Cummins
Owner/Chief Photographer, Glow Imagery
chris@glowimagery.com

Why I love designing your wedding album

For many years, as a staff photojournalist working for daily newspapers across the country, I learned to dread opening the morning paper.

This dread did not arise from some need to avoid the latest roll call of bad news in the world. It was to avoid the enormous letdown of seeing my hard fought artistic efforts presented in horrible layouts that wasted good pictures. Most days it was best to not look at what became of my photos for fear of starting the day on the wrong foot.

Most publications photographers as visual communicators develop a very good eye for how pictures should be used on a page. They understand how to use pictures for the greatest impact and storytelling experience.

Truth be told, this understanding comes from years and years of watching good pictures run too small, cropped awful or ignored entirely.

My suffering was for a good cause. Now, as a wedding photojournalist with my own business here in Kansas City, my eye for good layout and how to use pictures has been a very welcome asset from my wedding clients. It is a joy to take the best pictures I can and present them the best way I can and watch couples react with glee, enormous grins and excitement.

Because of this I like to think of Glow Imagery as a truly comprehensive storytelling approach to your day. It is an excellent experience for my couples before, during and after the wedding.
I have some fun examples: here, here, here and here.

More dance surprises!

Hey all,

I'm knocked out with a cold today. So I'm going to post this thing... more first dance surprises. Again, it's not a wedding I was at but it looks like quite a blast.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for trusting your momentous events and photos to Glow Imagery in 2007.

Looking Back 2007 - Meagan and Mike

Looking Back 2007 - Sarah and Darren III

The groomsmen's concept could be summed up as "Great Leaders in History plus Indiana Jones."

Looking Back 2007 - Sarah and Darren II

Often, before anyone shows up to the church/ceremony location, I will scout around the nearby area to look for backdrops I think may be fun and a little out of the ordinary.

I like to get the safe, traditional stuff shot, done and looking nice and then grab the couple and take chances with some more creative portraits and locations.

For Darren and Sarah's wedding, I knew the costume theme meant traditional poses and settings were not going to work so well for the formal portraits. We did some in the church, but the really fun photos took place at a delapidated machine shop which shared their church's parking lot. It felt like a rock band's album cover shoot, and everyone had a blast.

Looking back 2007 - Sarah and Darren

Sarah and Darren were among 2007's many highlights. When I first met Sarah, she carefully explained the wedding as a Halloween theme in which everyone was going to be in costume.

She welcomed my donning a costume. Knowing how involved my shooting and equipment can be, I was afraid of a burdensome hassle from a costume so I politely declined the idea of a costume.

Boy was it a costume bash! Her wedding party, family and guests took it to the hilt. What a complete blast.

Yes, I did feel a little out of place. But, as is always the case, I really knew I wanted to get really awesome pictures and the best way to get those was to be in my comfort zone. The fun ensued... so did some memorable pictures.

Making it YOUR day

Chances are you have seen this as it flies across cyberspace. This wasn't a wedding I shot but you'll enjoy nonetheless. Such surprise dances are becoming the next big thing for weddings. Your own creative surprises add to the singular quality of your day... it all adds up to a big wad of fun. Enjoy.

Lacy and Josh part 4

Lacy and Josh part 3

Lacy and Josh part 2

Lacy and Josh engagement pictures

Engagement sessions are an excellent time to let your hair down... or in some cases, let your hair up. When Josh and Lacy met me at the park, I was greeted by Josh's ambitious mohawk. The photos flowed easily as we played with autumn surroundings and urban. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in April, Lacy will be a real room-stopping bride. I'll admit the urban surroundings were the most fun with Josh's coif setting the tone.

Welcome to Glow Imagery's new blog

Welcome to what will be a fun place to check out news and happenings with Glow Imagery! New clients. future clients and past clients can all enjoy a web site which celebrates great photos of great couples.