Have a Flawless, Confidence Boosting Consultation with Key West Photographers
So, you are looking for a Key West wedding photographer — great. But what are the questions to ask your wedding photographer when interviewing them?
I have been in the Key West wedding market for almost 15 years now and I can tell you, without doubt, that some of the most talented, hardworking, and fun wedding photographers are in the Key West area. So, lucky you. You have probably had a tough time narrowing down your options.
If you haven’t already narrowed down your choices to 3-5 photographers, you need to do that first. I even have a whole blog dedicated to that and you can find that here.
After you have found a few photographers whose websites, work, and responsiveness speak to you, you need to start setting up calls to see who you connect with — and to make sure your perception of them lives up to who they actually are.
Why You Always Need a Consultation With Your Photographer BEFORE Hiring Them
First of all, why do you even need a consultation before you hire a photographer? Shouldn’t it be enough if they were recommended by your planner? Or that they have 100 5-star reviews? Or even that you absolutely love their website and their work?
The answer is a resounding “no”. None of those are reason enough to not have a consultation.
You need to talk to most, if not every vendor that you hire. The hard truth is that websites can be misleading, reviews can be faked, and other vendors sometimes recommend friends rather than the people who do the best job. The only true way is to talk to them and basically interview them to make sure they are the best person for you and your partner. You want to make sure they are real people.
You can find so much out by having a conversation with someone — whether it is over Zoom or just a good old-fashioned phone call.
Things to Look For During the Consultation
So you have a few calls set up with Key West wedding photographers (that you hopefully found on this site!). What exactly are you looking for when you talk to them?
Here are the main things I think you need to look for when you talk to photographers.
Do you like their answers to your questions?
This one is kind of obvious but important nonetheless. Do you like how they answer your questions? If you don’t want to do a first look and they say they only photograph weddings with first looks, then they probably aren’t for you.
Do they listen to you?
Can you tell that they are really listening to you? Are they responding to what you say and do they seem to understand and respect your vision? It is easy to tell if someone is really listening or just going through the motions. Someone who is really listening will have thoughtful replies and things to add. Someone who is just going through the motions will give you a lot of “uh-huhs” and not have a lot to add to the conversation.
Do They Know What They Are Talking About?
This one is pretty simple – do they know what they are talking about? Are they confident and assured? And do you have confidence that they will be able to take control and know exactly what to do — in any situation — on the day of your wedding?
Can You Be Their Friend?
Ok, this one is a little misleading but hear me out. You really don’t have to become your photographer’s best friend. I mean, maybe you will become their best friend and that is great — but it isn’t really necessary.
What is necessary is that you could be their friend. Are they easy to get along with? Will your wedding party and family feel comfortable with them? And are they easy-going?
You will spend a lot of time with your photographer on the day of your wedding. You really want to make sure that you are comfortable with them and that they add to the dynamics of the day, in a good way.
Only Good Vibes
And, finally, do you get a good vibe from them? Never underestimate the power of listening to your intuition. If there is one photographer who really stands out and just feels right, don’t discount that feeling.
Questions to Ask When Looking for a Wedding Photographer
Here are some important — and all too often overlooked — questions to ask your Key West wedding photographer before booking.
*Will you be the one photographing my wedding? This may seem a bit strange but a lot of photographers now have associate photographers or teams that they use and, if you don’t read the fine print, you may have a little surprise on your wedding day. This is best known beforehand.
*What is your policy if something happens and you can’t photograph my wedding? This is obviously a worst-case scenario but unfortunately, life does happen sometimes. Knowing what to expect before you are in a stressful situation is important. Chances are it won’t come to this but better safe than sorry. And more than anything, a clear, well-thought-out idea means that the photographer has at least thought things through, which is what you want.
*How many weddings (approximately) have you photographed? Or how long have you been doing this professionally? Don’t be surprised if they can’t give you a firm number, knowing how many years is probably a more realistic expectation. This will help you gauge how much experience they have.
*How do you organize formal photos? This is an uber-important question. Unless you and your family just love photos, you probably don’t want to spend hours taking photos before or after your ceremony. Ask your photographer what they do to minimize the amount of time spent on photos and how long they usually take. You want someone quick, organized, and on top of the game.
*And in the same vein, “Do you request a shot list of formal photos that I want?” In order to make your photography experience the most seamless and to avoid missing any important photos, I highly recommend getting a shot list to your photographer. Think this through before the wedding, like a few months before so you aren’t in the last-minute frenzy, and maybe even run the list by your parents and soon-to-be inlaws to make sure you aren’t missing something important. Also noteworthy, make sure you don’t go overboard with photos. Do you really need a photo with each individual sibling or could a group photo do? Be realistic but also focus on what, and who, you value most.
*Ask about any additional events or experiences you may want to be photographed. It may not be in an already created package but most photographers would love to come the night before to photograph a sunset sail. Or maybe you could do an engagement session a few days before the wedding. Just ask.
*Are there any additional fees (travel, editing, etc) not included in the proposal I received? The answer should be “no”. And if it isn’t, be leery. You want someone upfront and you don’t want additional charges thrown in unexpectedly at the end.
*What is the booking/payment process? Is it easy? Do they do online contracts? Payment plans? Get the information you need. It may help you decide which direction to go if you are torn between two photographers.
*Are all of the images that I receive edited? There is a trend among some photographers to only edit some of the images. This may or may not be important to you — but if it is, ask.
*What is your cancellation/refund policy? Hopefully, it will never come to that, obviously but if COVID taught us anything it was to always be prepared. The photographer you choose should have a rock-solid, clear-as-day policy for cancellations, postponements, and refunds.
*Do you have insurance? Chances are really good, like really good, that no policies will ever be called upon from your wedding. BUT most venues require proof of insurance from your vendors (not just photographers). Make sure they have this before you hire them so you don’t run into any issues down the road. Plus, as a legit business, they should just have insurance. It is just good business practice.
Let’s Get Your Key West Wedding Photographer Hired!
So there you have it — my best questions to ask when looking for your Key West wedding photographer. Let me know how it works for you and if it helped you narrow down who the perfect photographer for you and your wedding is!
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