Choosing a photographer for your wedding, engagement or family photos and not sure what to ask? Here are 5 questions every couple and family should ask before paying a deposit, so you aren’t disappointed on the day. Plus how each one works with me.
1. How many edited photos do we get, and how soon?
Not every “photo package” is the same. Some photographers deliver 50 edited photos, others 300, so ask about the number up front instead of assuming. Ask about delivery times too. The industry standard is two weeks to a month. If a photographer promises “everything within 3 days”, that’s a warning sign: quality editing takes time.
With me: what you get is written in the contract under “final deliverables”, before you pay a deposit. The edited photos arrive within 20 business days of the shoot, usually as a link to a personal digital album with a code. There you can mark the photos you love with a heart and download them.
2. What happens if something goes wrong?
Weather, equipment failure, illness. A professional photographer should have an answer ready: backup gear, and a plan B if the shoot is outdoors. If there’s no clear answer, that’s an answer too.
With me: I bring backup gear to every shoot, wherever it is. And the contract says up front what happens when weather or another force majeure cancels the day: if it can be postponed, we shoot on another date that works for both of us, on the same terms. If it can’t, you get your deposit back.
3. Is there a contract, and what does it say about using the photos?
Many people miss this one. A good contract clearly defines who owns the RAW files, whether the photographer may use your photos for their own marketing, and what happens if you cancel at short notice.
With me: you sign the contract digitally, from your phone, and get a PDF copy. It says the copyright stays with me, and that I use your photos on social media, my website and my portfolio only if you ticked that you approve when signing. It’s a separate choice, not fine print: you can say no, and you can change your mind later. The cancellation terms are written in it too, depending on how long before the event you cancel.
4. What does your editing style look like, and can we see a full gallery?
Single photos on Instagram always look good. Ask to see a complete gallery from one event, not just the best picks. A full gallery shows consistency, not only the most successful shots.
With me: I look for real moments that tell the story as it is, and add my own creative touch. The site has galleries by type of shoot: events, kids and family and Save the Date, and at our first meeting I’ll also show you an album I shot.
5. Who shows up on the day: you, or a second shooter?
Know in advance who will actually be shooting. Some studios send a second shooter without saying so up front. If it matters to you that the photographer you met is the one behind the camera, get it in writing.
With me: I come to every shoot I book myself, and an extra photographer comes only if we agreed on one. The contract has a “number of photographers” line, so you know how many are coming.
Bonus: gut feeling
Beyond the technical questions: did you feel comfortable on the first call or at the first meeting? A wedding or family event is a sensitive day, and good chemistry with your photographer shows directly in the photos.
With me: I’ve been shooting for 13 years, and before anything else I’m a family man. On the contact form you can choose a message or a call, and it’s always better to talk before you book, so you can feel if it’s the right fit.
Looking for a photographer for your next event in Ashdod and the area? Let’s talk, and I’ll be happy to answer all five questions before you book.