Fiance2wife.com recently posted, on June 29th, 2008, some typical questions that you should ask a photographer. I’ve probably have answered some of these already in my own posts. I’d like to build a dialog; thus i’d like to answer some questions that the blog addressed. Keep in mind their blog is local to the UK so things might be a bit different; Regardless, these are some typical questions a bride would ask.

Questions provided by fiance2wife.com. Many of these are specific to our practices. I just wanted to respond to these questions because they’re commonly asked throughout the internet and you never know who is searching for these answers on the internet.

How long have you been photographing weddings?
3 years. I started in May of 2005. My first wedding was in milford, Michigan and my second wedding was in east liverpool, Pa. Day after day too.

Are you insured for Professional Indemnity and Public Liability ?

Yes

How many pictures do you take on average ?

About 500-1000 an hour.  Certain parts of the wedding are at a faster pace. Like dinner I do not take photos because people don’t look attractive while eating.

How long do you stay at the wedding ?

Our packages typically cover a full day (8 hours of work). We always courteously check with the bride and groom before leaving. We don’t leave your wedding in the middle of an important event: a dance, cutting the cake, etc.

Do you charge extra for coming to the brides house or staying at the reception ?

No. As long as it is covered within the 8 hours of coverage they’ve planned. I usually consult with the bride in a meeting beforehand to optimize and advice how to spend their time most wisely and find the most best-fit photography package for their unique wedding situation. I’m all for setting up a win-win situation: bride and myself will benefit from beautiful wedding photography.

Do we meet up at the venue to discuss final arrangements nearer the time of the wedding ? It is solely up to the bride and groom. I always would like at least one face to face meeting with the bride and groom before theirwedding

What happens if you are ill on the day of the wedding?

This rarely happens, but we always have a backup plan. I always have backup photographers that i know who are on par of skill and quality with my photography style. I will obviously notify the bride if something happens and then decide where to go from there.

Are your prices fully inclusive of everything we agree ?

This question is a bit more difficult to understand. Most professional wedding photographers (in the US) have a contract with all the specifics and expectations that we will both discuss up front so rarely any disputes or disagreements arise. I do my best to encourage my clients to read over the contract many times before signing and ensure that they are aware of all the specifics that are contained in our agreement.  If your photographer doesn’t have a contract. I would make sure you ask to put something in writing or find another photographer.

How long afterwards is it before I see my pictures ?

This is a good question. Our photography company guarantees photos will be sent and viewed by the client within 7-8 weeks. Most the time we are able to push it even faster. The average turnaround time for photos is 4-6 weeks.

How long does it take after I choose my album prints before the album is ready ?

Album design can go as fast as however the bride and groom choose to move. We go through a round of revisions. Frequently, the bride and groom will go through a round or two of revisions. All in all most albums will take 4-6 weeks to print, and another 4-6 weeks for the design and revisions.

How do relatives and guests order prints and how much are your reprints ?

Reprints are posted on our client site. Every wedding comes with a free online gallery for friends and family to view. By default we upload them to that website and password protect the website up to 2-6 months (depending upon the request of the bride and groom). After that we publicly show them to the general public. You can always ask to keep the gallery private.

How long do you keep the digital files or negatives ?

We guarantee your digital files for up to 3 years. After that we can only provide limited liability of your digital files. We always though try to back them up and store them for life

Can we have colour shots in black and white?

Yes. If you request them. Typically the photographer picks whether shots are in black and white.

Can we view all your online galleries?

Only after a face to face meeting will i grant viewing of most of my online galleries. Some are still in the process of being submitted to the government copyright office.

Are digital files kept in more than one place?

Yes. We back them up onto dvds and store a hard copy (the location I cannot disclose ), then they  are also backed up online and finally backed up on a external hard drive. So there are three copies of your file usually.