8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer if you’re getting married in Scottsdale, Arizona, LA or Palm Springs, California.
Ensure Your Big Day is Captured Perfectly with These Expert Tips
Planning a wedding in Scottsdale, Arizona, LA or Palm Springs, California? Read on for 8 essential questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer!
Your photographer is one of the most crucial creative partners you’ll hire. They’ll be responsible for documenting the memories of your big day in a way that reflects your unique style and the beauty of your chosen venue. But how do you ensure you’ve chosen the right person for the job? Asking the right questions is key. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the top eight questions couples ask when selecting their luxury wedding photographer in the Southwest and California.
8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
1. What is your photography style?
Answer: This is one of the most essential questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer. You need to connect with your photographer’s style of taking photos as well as editing them.
My photography style is vibrant and bold, drawing inspiration from you, your relationship and the details of your wedding. My editing is a nod to nostalgic film colors, without the wait of actual film development. In every day life I’m inspired by mid-century modern design and pop-art. I love utilizing spaces with unique architecture, color and shapes. Along with a film-inspired and color focused edit, I pride myself on accurate skin tone representation in your photos. A handful of favorites will receive further retouching including the removal of distractions. I have a background in magazine-level retouching, so I am very attuned to colors. This ensures every image is polished yet natural, creating timeless photos that you’ll treasure.
2. Have you worked at our venue before?
Answer: I have extensive experience shooting at a variety of unique wedding and event venues, luxury resorts and nostalgic motels across the Southwest and California. I’m excited to hear about all the amazing features you love about the venue you’ve chosen. If your venue is new to me, I conduct a thorough walkthrough before the event to make necessary preparations for lighting and to showcase the unique features.
3. How do you handle different lighting situations, especially in outdoor settings?
Answer: We have some of the most stunning natural backdrops in the Southwest and California, but they also come with diverse lighting conditions. No matter the location, I use a combination of natural light techniques and high-end lighting equipment to ensure every shot has the perfect exposure to convey the feeling of the moment. For more information on techniques we use during receptions with low lighting check out this article.
4. Can you provide examples of weddings similar to ours that you’ve photographed?
Answer: Absolutely. I always recommend viewing full wedding galleries. I have a broad portfolio that spans a range of weddings. I’m happy to share galleries that match the style or setting of your planned event, giving you a clear idea of what to expect from my work.
5. What is your approach to capturing candid moments?
Answer: Life happens at weddings and the best moments aren’t always in the best light. Candid moments are what make a wedding day truly special. My approach is to blend into the background, allowing me to capture genuine interactions and emotions as they unfold naturally. I’m always ready to step in for those perfect, posed shots when needed, but my goal is to document your day as authentically as possible.
6. Do you offer custom packages, and what do they include?
Answer: Yes, every collection is tailored to your specific needs and vision. Whether you’re looking for wedding weekend coverage, an engagement session, full-day wedding photography, or high-quality albums and prints, I work closely with each couple to create an exclusive and original experience that aligns perfectly with their expectations.
7. How do you ensure our photos will have a timeless quality?
Answer: My editing process produces images that are both contemporary and timeless. I avoid trendy filters and effects, instead focusing on enhancing natural skin tones and vibrant colors. This approach ensures that your photos will remain beautiful and relevant, no matter how much time passes.
8. What’s your backup plan in case of equipment failure or illness?
Answer: I take every precaution to ensure your day is thoughtfully documented without any issues. I always bring backup cameras, lenses, and other equipment. Additionally, I work with a trusted second photographer to cover all angles of your wedding. In the unlikely event of an emergency, I have a network of equally skilled photographers who can step in.
BONUS: How do our images stay safe after the wedding?
Answer: A bonus but still one of the essential questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer. I take important steps to safeguard your wedding photos and that’s part of what sets me apart. I have a very dedicated 4x backup system!
- Your wedding photos stay on their memory cards in a weatherproof container.
- Your wedding photos are on my computer’s local hard drive.
- and 4. They are also are backed up on an TWO external hard drives.
After delivery of your wedding photos I have a 3x backup system:
- They stay on those two external hard drives (I buy new ones every year to fill up!)
- Your wedding photos are backed up on your online gallery for the first year
Real Reviews from #CelebrateWithBish Couples
“Sara and her team are wonderful and super talented! She helped make the planning process super easy especially with a large family and all the portraits that needed to happen. The quality of our photos are amazing and we would definitely recommend her!!”
— Abby + Sebastian
“Bish was the most amazing photographer! We wanted bright and realistic looking photos and she absolutely delivered. She was so amazing to work with and we have become friends through this process. She listened to what we wanted while also putting her own creativity and artistic spin on everything. I am so grateful to have these memories for the rest of my life.”
— Tena + Collin
Feel the Difference for Yourself
Choosing the right wedding photographer is about more than just finding someone who can take pretty pictures. It’s about finding someone who understands your vision, who can handle the unique challenges of your venue, and who will ensure that your memories are documented beautifully and professionally.
If you’re planning a wedding in the Southwest, California, or beyond (we love the East Coast too!) I’d love to chat with you about how I can help make your day unforgettable.
Schedule a Call With Bish
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a phone call or view my website to see more of my work and learn how I can help bring your wedding vision to life.
