8 Important Questions To Ask Your Photographer

Hiring a photographer can be stressful. Whether it's for your wedding, family portraits or for an event, you want to be sure the photographer you're hiring will deliver quality photos that you'll treasure forever. There are a lot photographers out there with nice cameras and very little experience trying to take advantage of you. So how do you tell the difference between a professional you can trust, and the other guys? Your first step is to meet and interview them. Here are 8 question that will separate the good from the bad:



1. Can I see your portfolio? This is the easiest way to gauge your potential photographer's skill level. Look at their work. Ask to see specific shots that are of interest to you. A good photographer will have an abundance of examples to show you. Look for things like how they use light, how they pose their subjects, and how they use the location. If they look like snapshots, it's because they are.


2. How would you describe your "style" of photography? Now this doesn't necessarily separate the good from the bad, but it does give you an idea of what to expect. If you're looking for artsy, creative photos, a photographer that describes their style as "classic" may not be the photographer for you. Asking a photographer to do something radically different than what they're used to is a recipe for disaster.

3. What type of camera do you use? This is a good question to ask not because the type of gear they use is important, but because their answer is a good indicator of their skill with it. Do they sound knowledgeable?

4. Do you have backup equipment? Anything can happen during a shoot. Cameras can and do fail. Make sure they have backup equipment that is equivalent to their normal equipment.

5. What kind of experience do you have? A photographer may use the best camera and have an amazing portfolio, but if they have no experience shooting your type of event, hiring them would be a big risk. As with anything in this world, practice makes perfect.

6. Do you have references available? Ask for references and really contact them. Ask them key questions like :

• Were they on time?
• Were they prepared?
• Did any problems arise and how did they deal with them?
• Were you satisfied with the final photos?
• Would you hire them again?

7. Do you provide a written contract? Contracts protect the photographer, their images, and you. A good contract should contain cancellation policies, copyright and reproduction information, client rights, and dispute/arbitration details.


8. Do you have any questions for me? A good photographer will have all kinds of questions for you before the shoot. They should ask you about your expectations and details about the event like location and time of day. If it's a family shoot they should ask about family members and favorite family activities, etc. A photographer that doesn't ask their own questions is not shooting for you, they're shooting for them.


Last but not least, ask yourself if you felt a connection with the photographer and their work. Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease? Use your gut instinct. It rarely leads you in the wrong direction. Good luck!