5 Essential Questions to Ask BEFORE Booking Your Wedding Photographer

Hey there! Tiff here! Believe it or not, although the photographers are the most crucial part of the wedding day (other than the bride or groom), couples tend to spend the least amount of time booking them. Choosing the perfect photographer for your wedding is a big deal. Your wedding photos will be something you cherish for years to come, so it's super important to find a photographer who understands your vision and can capture your special day flawlessly. Here are the top 5 questions you need to ask before booking your wedding photographer.

1. What is your photography style?

First off, you'll want to ask about their photography style. Every photographer has their own unique style, so make sure their style matches what you're looking for. Do you want traditional, posed shots or a more candid and documentary-style approach? Take a look at their portfolio and check out weddings they've done before to see if their style fits with your vision.

2. How many weddings have you shot?

Next, ask about their experience. You want a photographer who has shot plenty of weddings before and knows what they're doing. Ask about their experience, how long they've been in the business, and how many weddings they typically shoot in a year. You want to make sure they have the skills and experience to capture your special day perfectly.

2. What equipment do you use?

Find out what equipment they use. A professional photographer will have high-quality equipment to capture your wedding day. Some photographer’s consider themselves “professional” if they can produce a phone for your wedding. That’s why it is important to ask!

Ask about the type of camera and lenses they use, as well as any lighting or other equipment they may need. A good photographer will also have backup equipment in case of any technical issues, so your photos are captured without any hiccups.

4. What is your turnaround time?

Ask about the turnaround time for delivering the photos. You'll be super excited to see your wedding photos, so it's important to know how long it will take for your photographer to deliver them. Ask about their post-processing workflow and how long it typically takes for them to edit and deliver the final images. This will help you plan accordingly and set expectations.

5. What is included in all of your packages?

Finally, find out what's included in their packages. Ask about the number of hours they'll be shooting, the number of photos you can expect to receive, and whether or not any prints or albums are included. Make sure you know exactly what you're getting so that there are no surprises after the fact.

In summary, finding the perfect photographer for your wedding is a big deal. By asking these top 5 questions, you'll be well on your way to finding a photographer who understands your vision and can deliver the results you're looking for. Happy wedding planning!

The Most Fantastic Backyard Engagement Party Ever!

When you think of a backyard engagement party, what comes to mind?

Maybe a dusty red grill being operated by Dad in his infamous “Kiss the Chef ” apron?

Maybe you even think of large white laminate tables covered in leaves from last autumn, a few streamers, and ketchup from your last family reunion? Maybe you think of mom running around picking up red plastic cups and opening big brown trash bags.

I can attest, this was not that type of event.

When my client contacted me to tell me she was throwing a backyard engagement family, I thought, “hmmmm, well this should be interesting!” As a custom, I always ask for details about the decorations, lighting, etc. But, I could have never imagined that what I was entering was an engagement wonderland.

The bride-to-be’s father built a deck specifically for this event complete with steps. A private bartender was brought in to liven up the adults. Tables were not adorned with streamers, but with beautiful purple orchids. The father wasn’t sweating away in front of a dusty grill, but dressed in a stylish blue suit greeting the guests.

The mother wasn’t walking around feverishly looking for plastic cups. Instead, entered a Iranian queen decked in a smart purple cocktail lacy dress and magnetic smile. You would have thought she was the bride by the cheers and ululation of the relatives. Yet, in the midst of her celebrity, she sought me out, grabbed my hand, and asked me a laundry list of rapid fire questions: “Have you eaten? Are you satisfied? You must eat!!” After she affirmed my well-being and that I was in fact not a starving artist, she proceeded to make the rounds as “Mother of the Bride.”

Never had I been treated so well at an event.

I could sit here all day and describe the event. But let’s let the 1000 words do the trick!

Sweet 16 and Growing Up

I never thought that I would look back one day and say “I vaguely remember being 16.” I thought that I would remember my teenage years; every detail; every friend; every triumph and every fail.

The truth is that I remember very little. But what I do remember is formidable and lasting.

I remember having friends and meeting them at the mall for an afternoon of shopping. That was my first taste of independence. I didn’t drive. But I do remember riding in cars with boy for the first time (without my parent’s knowledge of course). I also remember the feeling of turning sixteen and remembering the famed movie “Sixteen Candles” and thinking that this would be my future.

It’s funny to think about these things now as I re-edit photos from this shoot I shot back in 2021. I watched this young woman go from being a typically teenager to being a “young woman” all in the span of a rainy evening.

As I spend the next few weeks catching up on my blog, I look forward to sharing more of these introspective moments with you, my audience. It is important to feel what I felt when I shot these photos to embody the why and the how. The experience is just as important as the final product.