Questions to ask your wedding photographer – West Midlands Wedding Photographer 

I work on a lot of Shropshire weddings, and I realise there are alot of questions to ask your wedding photographer!

So, I thought I would put together a list of my most Frequently Asked Questions for wedding photography, or FAQs, to help you with the answers!

Should I hire a full-time professional photographer?

In a word – yes. If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding, you’ll likely search via the internet, social media and word of mouth.

I provide a dedicated, client-focused, exceptional service and I’m always striving to immerse myself in training courses to further my skills and business.

This is what makes me a professional.

Describe your style of photography

My style is elegant and artistic. I have a creative and relaxed approach, enabling me to capture the emotion, which tells your story.

At your wedding I will fit in with your day to tell your story, documenting all the details with a sympathetic and artistic eye.

I will capture your day with elegance, creativity and skill.

Which areas do you cover?

I am based in Shropshire but would describe myself as a West Midlands wedding photographer as I am always happy to travel across the region, surrounding counties and Wales. 

Technically speaking I am a UK-based photographer and am more than happy to travel abroad for destination weddings if required.

Are you fully insured?

This is an important question and its one that all couples should be asking their wedding photographer.

I have professional indemnity insurance along with public liability insurance. I also carry full back-up of professional equipment.

Believe me, no one wants any incidents with your wedding photography more than me.

I check and double check all my equipment and back up and double back up all your images!

Do you shoot in black and white and colour?

I shoot in RAW files then edit the images in post-production to create a gallery of colour and black and white images.

I edit each image and use my professional eye to decide on which would work best in black and white or colour in the editing process.

This means if you want all black and white, or all colour, a mixture, or something turning the other way – I can do it!

 

 Do I need a second photographer?

There are a lot of benefits to having a second shooter and it’s ultimately you – the client, who reaps the rewards of this set-up.

I’ve written a blog all about this topic and you can read more about it here.

How do we book you?

I will initially liaise with you via email but it’s also good to meet up to get to know you before your big day.

You can meet me at my studio or a mutually convenient location to discuss your plans. It’s also lovely to hear your story; how you met, the proposal and all about your choice of venue.

I will get you to complete a booking form and pay a non-refundable deposit of £200. The balance is then due a month before your wedding date.

Do we sign a contract?

Yes, I will get you sign a contract agreement along with your booking form.

Should we book an engagement shoot?

I would recommend you book a pre-wedding shoot as part of your wedding service.

It’s best to arrange the shoot approximately six weeks prior to your wedding day at a mutually convenient location, often at the wedding venue or somewhere special to you both.

During the pre-wedding session I will show you how I work and help you to feel confident in front of the camera in readiness for your wedding.

 “Our experience with Catherine Evans photography began with a pre – wedding shoot; this was such a great idea and really helped us to feel comfortable being in front of the camera to reduce the nerves on the day!” Clare & Mark Irish.

You can read more about this service here.

 Why are there 2 versions of your wedding images – print and screen resolution? 

I provide you with the images in screen resolution – perfect for sharing via email and displaying on any screens.

When it comes to printing, the dpi refers to the amount of ink that is printed on paper. The more ink, the higher the resolution.

300 dots per inch is the standard for quality printing.  When I provide your images in high resolution at 300 ppi they will be very large file sizes so should only be used for photographs you want to print.

Can you provide prints for the guests?

I will provide you with a password protected online gallery and guests can order high quality prints, which will be delivered directly to them.

Do you retain the copyright?

Yes, I do, but you will have domestic copyright for all your images to print, share and create albums for your use, which is exactly what you need.

Please contact me if you’d like more info or to discuss this further. 

How long do you store my wedding images in digital format?

I will archive and store your images for three years. So, I always discuss making copies and printing with you to ensure you also keep your images safe, backed up and most importantly make sure they are seen!

What happens if you are ill on the day?

 We have a network of photographer colleagues who are full-time professionals and are our first contact should an emergency arise.

I have been a professional photographer for well over a decade now, and fortunately I’ve not yet had to call upon a colleague in an emergency.

But if we do you can rest assured, you’re in safe hands.

What happens if it rains on my wedding day?

Please don’t worry about this. It’s unusual to have an entire day of non-stop rain. We always have a ‘Plan B’ for wet weather, as will most venues.

If it’s wet, and you prefer to stay indoors, I’m equipped to shoot beautiful newly wed photos of you using some lighting equipment.

If you feel brave, we can head outside, even in the rain, and shoot a few photos of you walking together under an umbrella. Some of my favourite photos that we’ve taken have been shot in the rain, so be bold and if you’re up for it, so am I!

The biggest difference will be when it comes to shooting the family/group photos. But we can shoot pictures of the smaller groups of family and friends.

How long will it take to see my wedding photos?

During the off-peak season, January – February, your photos can be ready to view online in about three weeks.

For weddings taking place during the busier summer months and through to Christmas, we aim to have the gallery ready to see by your first month anniversary, though 8+ weeks can be necessary if we’ve been particularly busy/taking into account holidays. I will always keep you updated.

How many photos will I receive?

 For all-day coverage (preparations in the morning until first dance), that usually means 500 + unique photos, if you have two photographers, this rises to approximately 800.

Can you provide wedding photographer reviews and testimonials?

Yes, I’m glad you asked! It’s important to make sure your service comes recommended!

I have lots of wonderful feedback from my clients, available to view both on my website, social media, as well as independent sites such as Google.

I hope this answers some of the biggest questions to ask your wedding photographer. You’ll find the answers to many more across my blog.