Are you my photographer?

An expert tip from Carolyn Pongracz of In Bloom Photography

Right now you (and hundreds of other brides) are looking for the photographer that's the right fit for your wedding. It’s essential to meet with photographers that have caught your eye, but how do you know if the photographer you're meeting with is "The One"?

I've compiled a list of my most Frequently Asked Questions - ones that you may wish to ask potential photographers. The truth is, when you're meeting with a wedding photographer, you can consider it a job interview for them - and you'll be making your decision on whether or not you should hire them. So, you want to take note of how your photographer answers. For example, are they confident or unsure? You're trying to get a feel for their personality and how it meshes with yours, their knowledge of photography, and their experience in shooting weddings similar to yours. So no question is a silly question. Go ahead and ask!

Here are a few to add to your list:

* What style of photography do you mainly shoot? (traditional, candid/photojournalistic, fashion – there are many different styles out there and most photographers shoot a combination of them.)

* How long have you been shooting weddings/how many weddings have you shot?

* Are you the person who will actually be shooting our wedding?

* What if you are sick and can't cover our wedding?

* What kind of equipment do you bring with you? Do you have back-ups?

* Do you shoot in black & white as well as colour? Why or why not?

* What kind of input can we have on our photos? Can we provide a shot list?

* How many photos will I receive after my wedding?

* How long does it take to get my photos after the wedding?

* Can I see samples of your albums and prints?

* Is the photo lab where you get prints made a professional lab (i.e. mainly deals with pro-photographers) and not a consumer lab?

* Are your prints and albums of professional quality with archival acid-free papers? What kind of finishes can I get? (matte, glossy, linen, metallic, pearl, etc.)

* Do you offer other products like canvas gallery wraps, thank you cards, and other specific items?

* Explain your retouching process on the proofs included on my DVD (i.e. are they colour corrected, what file format are the images on the disc, etc.?).

* Explain your retouching process for images that I order as prints or in albums (are they fully retouched, skin is flawless, distractions removed, sharpened for printing, etc.?).

* How long do I have to order prints and albums from you?

* What kind of files and file sizes are on my wedding disc?

* What do you wear to a wedding while you're shooting?

* Can I see a FULL wedding's worth of photos (i.e. not just your best ones)?

* Can I get some references from past clients of yours?

* What is your usual payment plan?

* What is your cancellation policy?