Questions to Ask Your Photographer Before Booking | Photographer in California
Picking your photographer in California for any of your needs is a big decision! Did you know that not all photographers shoot everything? Most photographers actually specialize in just a few genres of photography. For example - I focus on weddings, portraits and Real Estate. You probably won’t find me taking sports photos on the sideline of a game or capturing products that will be sold. But that’s okay! Because when photographers specialize in just a few things, they end up becoming masters of those specific types of photos which means you can trust them to deliver to you high quality, professional photos and go above and beyond your expectations. In this blog, I’m sharing with you some questions you can ask your photographer as you are looking to book with them to make sure that you pick the perfect photographer for your needs!
Looking for a Wedding Photographer?
If you are looking for a photographer in California (or anywhere else) for your wedding or portrait session, it’s important that you click with them. This is especially important on wedding days. The last thing you want is to have someone that you don’t vibe with very well trying to take photos of you on what should be the happiest day of your life. Not all photographers are a great fit for your wedding - and that’s okay! Because we truly want you to have the BEST wedding experience possible, and part of that is making sure that you choose the right photographer in California to join you as you start the rest of your life. On wedding days, you see your photographer and planner more than anybody else - yes, even more than your spouse! So it’s important that you get to know them on a personal level and feel like you’re just talking to a friend. This makes you much more relaxed and allows you to trust what your photographer asks you to do. Here are some questions to ask your potential wedding photographer to help determine if they’re the right fit for you.
Tell us about yourself! What are your hobbies, what do you enjoy, what do you do in your free time?
What’s your favorite part about shooting weddings?
Are you available for my date?
Do you include a second photographer?
How many weddings will you be photographing that same weekend?
What is included in your standard package?
Can we see a couple example galleries of past weddings?
Do you charge travel fees?
Do you accept payments in installations?
Do you have liability insurance?
Looking for a Portrait Photographer
When searching for a portrait photographer in California, you need to find out what they specialize in. Yes, even portrait photographers niche down and specialize more specifically! For example, you won’t find me shooting a boudoir session, but you WILL see me shooting families and couples a lot - even seniors! While another portrait photographer might not ever work with families but they have a full calendar of high school seniors and college graduates.
What type of portrait photography do you shoot the most?
Have you ever shot {session type} before? {a senior session, a family session, an engagement session, etc.}
What dates do you have available?
What kind of portrait packages do you offer?
Can I order prints through you?
How soon will we have photos?
Can you help us plan our outfits?
Do you have location suggestions?
What are the payment options?
What will happen if we can’t make it and need to reschedule?
Do you do the photoshoots yourself or do you have associate photographers?
Real Estate Photographer in California
When choosing a Real Estate photographer in California, you want someone who you know is dependable, timely and professional. They need to know how to take pictures of your home or property from multiple angles and get wide shots along with detail shots. A Real Estate photographer will even be able to help guide you on what exact photos you would need that would benefit the purpose you have for taking the photos in the first place.
Are you insured?
Do you stage each room before photographing it?
Do you offer Matterport 3D tours?
How many photos per room will I get?
Do you offer detail images?
Do you have a contract?
How fast can I get the images?
What payment methods do you accept?
And there you have it! If you follow these questions and suggestions when picking your photographer in California (or anywhere else, for that matter) you won’t go wrong! Follow along for more tips and tricks!
-Love, Jen