Nine Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer Before You Sign the Contract
De meeste stellen boeken één keer in hun leven een trouwfotograaf. Je hebt dus geen ervaring om op terug te vallen, en de portfolio's zien er allemaal fantastisch uit. Dat is ook niet zo gek: een portfolio bestaat uit de vijftien beste beelden van vijftig bruiloften.
Below are nine questions that are essential when choosing a wedding photographer. I've also included my own answers so you know what you can expect from me.
1. Can we see a complete wedding, from start to finish?
This is the most important question of the nine, and almost nobody asks it. A portfolio shows what someone is capable of. A complete story shows what you actually get: including the hour it rained, the ceremony room with barely any light, and that part of the evening when nobody felt like posing anymore.
With me: just ask during our chat and I'll show you a full day. Not just the highlight reel, but all the ordinary moments too.
2. Who will be there on the day itself?
At some agencies, you book one photographer, but someone else shows up. Be sure to ask explicitly, and ask if you can see that photographer’s work.
As for me: I'm here. Always. You book me, not an agency that sends someone over.
3. Hoeveel foto's krijgen we, en wanneer?
"A nice selection" isn't a real answer. Ask for a minimum number of photos and a delivery time, and make sure you get it in writing. Delivery times can range from three weeks to three months for the exact same price, which makes a huge difference in how much you'll enjoy the experience.
For me: about 180, 260, or 360 edited photos, depending on the collection. A small preview within 48 hours, and the full gallery within three to four weeks.
4. How much will you send on the day itself?
Dit is de vraag die het meeste over de foto's zegt en die het minst wordt gesteld. Sommige fotografen regisseren veel, andere bijna niet. Geen van beide is fout, maar het levert totaal verschillende beelden op, en het bepaalt hoe jullie dag voelt.
Ask the question and see if the answer fits with who you are. Do you like receiving instructions, or does that make you feel uncomfortable?
As for me: I hardly ever take the lead. I can easily handle group photos and a half-hour session just the two of us; for the rest, I just let things happen.
5. What happens if the day runs late?
Weddings almost always run over schedule. Ask how much an extra hour costs, whether the photographer can stay at all, and whether that amount is fixed in advance.
As for me: I’ll stay as long as possible. The rate for an extra hour is listed in the quote upfront, so there are no surprises afterward. If you’re torn between two collections, choose the longer one: it’s always better to book more time in advance than to extend on the day itself.
6. What if you're sick?
A question nobody likes to be asked—and that's exactly why it's useful. There's only one right answer, and that is: there's a plan.
As for me: I work with a network of photographers whom I know and trust and who work in the same way. In the unlikely event that I’m unable to work, there’s a backup plan, and I edit the images myself afterward.
7. Wat zit er níet bij?
This is often where the difference lies between two quotes that seem very similar at first glance. Ask about travel expenses, overtime, a second photographer, albums, and prints.
For me: travel costs are free within a 25-kilometer radius of Zutphen; beyond that, it’s €0.45 per kilometer. A second photographer, a pre-wedding photoshoot, additional albums, and wall prints can be booked separately. All prices are listed in the brochure, so you’ll see them before you make a decision.
8. How are our photos secured, and how long do you keep them?
This is the question that looks furthest into the future. Cards can get damaged, laptops can break, and in ten years, you’ll still want to be able to open those files. Ask how data is stored on the day of the event, what the backup process looks like, and how long the gallery will remain online.
Bij mij: Mijn camera’s slaan alle beelden op twee geheugenkaarten op. Als ik thuiskom (hoe laat het ook is), maak ik meteen twee back-ups: één op een externe harde schijf (NAS) en één in de cloud. Deze cloudserver staat in Duitsland en voldoet aan de eisen die de AVG stelt.
De galerij is minimaal een half jaar voor jullie beschikbaar. Natuurlijk bewaar ik de foto’s ook. Ik bewaar de volledige reportage één jaar. Na dat jaar bewaar ik alleen de selectie die ik jullie heb gestuurd. Deze selectie bewaar ik nog drie jaar op twee plaatsen.
9. What can you do with the photos, and what can I do with them?
Two sides to the story. Are you allowed to print and share the photos yourselves? And can I use them on my website, on Instagram, or in a submission? For some couples, that’s fine; for others, absolutely not. It’s nice to have that clarified upfront rather than afterward.
Bij mij: In mijn Algemene Voorwaarden staat dit uitgebreid beschreven. In het kort: jullie mogen de beelden printen, uitvergroten en delen met wie je maar wilt. Delen op social media mag natuurlijk, het is echter niet toegestaan om dan filters te gebruiken die het uiterlijk van de foto veranderen.
Ik mag de foto’s gebruiken voor mijn portfolio, social media, mijn website of wedstrijden. Wil je dit liever niet? Laat me dit weten en ik houd er rekening mee.
The Question You Can't Ask
There's one more question, and it's one you can't put into words: do we click?
Your photographer is the only vendor who spends the entire day right by your side. They're in the room while you're getting dressed and right there in that quiet moment after saying "I do" when you just want a second to yourselves. If the vibe is right, you won't even notice them after fifteen minutes. If it's not, you'll feel it all day long.
We will only find that out by scheduling a chat. Twenty minutes with no sales pitch, I promise! Schedule a quick chat or send me a message.
