10 questions to ask when hiring a KC wedding photographer

It feels like so many people have been getting engaged over the last couple months, so I wanted to take a moment to provide a list of questions you should ask your KC wedding photographer, as well as my answers. To all of you newly engaged couples, congratulations!! I can relate to the excitement you must be feeling and I hope this post helps you plan your perfect day, and find a photographer just right for you! 🙂

1. Why are you worth what you charge as a KC wedding photographer?

Every wedding has a budget. There are so many things to pay for that day, and I can understand how it might seem like an okay idea to skimp on photography. However, when it is all said and done, out of everything you’ve paid for to go into this celebration, the photos (and video if you hire a videographer) are going to be how you look back on that day. They are going to be the photos you show your family for generations to come. Consider photography an investment instead of an expense of the day.

I offer coverage for 8 to 10 hours, and a second photographer can be hired. Photos will be sorted and edited into folders within your gallery for delivery. The packages also come with a 10×10 album, so you have a tangible product to show from your big day. See more about weddings here!

2. Do you shoot with natural light, artificial light or both?

I try to shoot with as much natural light as possible because I think it is gorgeous. However, that is not always an option for receptions and/or some indoor areas. I shoot with both natural and artificial lighting, but only use the artificial lighting when it is needed. I have a flash system I love, and I am confident your images will be incredible. 

3. Do you back up your files in case of a tragedy (like a fire)? And do you have back up equipment?

Yes, I have a backup system. I shoot all sessions and weddings on two cards that are duplicates of each other. Every photo is immediately in two places. Then,  I back up files from the day to a hard drive during the reception, and then back up reception photos prior to leaving. So now your images are in three places. 

When I get home, I hook my hard drive to my desktop, get the back-up hard drive from the fireproof safe, and back up all the images from your day. Then the back-up drive goes back in the safe. Once your gallery is edited, I copy the edited images to the back-up drive and begin the upload to your online gallery. Your edited images are then stored in three places – two hard drives and your gallery. 

I get two new hard drives at the beginning of each year instead of deleting or reformatting an old hard drive. When I’m not using a past working drive it is also stored in the safe. 

4. Will I receive high-resolution digital images? 

All of the wedding packages include high-resolution digital images from the day delivered in an online gallery and an heirloom album. The album included with the packages is 10 spreads (20 pages). Additional pages can be added for a fee. Other products, like canvases and parent albums, can also be ordered. And, you can order prints or canvases through the gallery or download and print yourself. I would be happy to direct you toward some high quality consumer labs to make sure you get the most from your photos.

5. How do you make us feel relaxed in front of the camera?

My goal is to build up a good relationship with my couple during the engagement session so that when the wedding day arrives, we have a good rapport to go on. They know how I work, and I know what poses they like so we get images they love! 

I work to get to know the wedding party and parents during the detail and getting ready images in order to help everyone relax when we take more photos later. There are so many emotions on a wedding day, and once everyone stops thinking about the camera focused on them, it’s amazing how many natural reactions are captured.

6. How do you describe your shooting style? What kind of editing is done on the photos? What is your turnaround time for the photos?

I have a light and airy style that will stand the test of time, and my goal is to shoot your images in a way that naturally compliments this. My editing is basic color-correcting and straightening to maximize the photos impact. I want your images to reflect what you look like and give you true to life skin tones. 

I will select the best images from the day to edit and to be delivered to you in a downloadable gallery. Typical turnaround time for the gallery is about four weeks.

7. Will you help me with my timeline for the wedding day? And on that note, do you tell the whole story of the day?

I would love to help with the timeline or work with your planner to create one, and have some suggestions for you! In my opinion, the wedding is so much more than the ceremony and reception. It starts with the excitement that morning when everyone is getting ready, and continues throughout the whole day for those involved. Capturing memories from the whole day is the best way to tell the story in the future. One of my favorite things is when a couple does a first look! It gives us so much more time to get those amazing bride and groom portraits. 🙂

8. Do you have a contract? What happens if you get sick on my day?

Yes, I have a contract, and I have never been sick on a wedding day or missed a photo session due to an illness. The contract is a way to protect the both of us, and if I were to get sick on your day, I would hire another KC wedding photographer with a similar style and client experience to cover the wedding in my place as an associate. I would still edit and deliver your final images. 

9. What will we do if it rains, snows or there is any other inclement weather?

If there’s any inclement weather, we will adapt and continue. And if there’s rain, we will do portraits on the porch, under some cover and we can always hope for a break in the rain.  And if it snows? How lovely would some photos in the freshly fallen snow be? Plans are situational, and to be prepared for all of them it depends on the time of year and the location. We will work together to make sure your day is as gorgeous as you’d imagined. And don’t forget about that artificial light that we can use for indoor photos. 😉 

10. What would you like for dinner?

This may seem like a silly question, but when a photographer is on their feet all day hustling to capture your big day, giving them a moment to sit down is so appreciated. If I’m allowed a chance to sit down, refuel and get some water, I will be better prepared to tackle all of the reception activities and not be thinking about how loud my stomach is growling. Something like this may seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve heard some unfortunate stories. 

My couples have always been awesome and understand that I eat while they eat so that I never miss a photo opportunity!

Want to get in touch?

I am so excited you found me! And I hope this helps you on your search for a KC wedding photographer. Just so you to know your email is going to make my day, and I’ll probably do a little happy dance when it hits my inbox. I love email because it helps me keep all our important conversations in one place versus spreading the conversation out over email, text, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc. You can expect to hear from me within 24 hours. You can contact me here, or just shoot me an email at kelsey@kelseyalumbaugh.com

Originally published as “Finding a wedding photographer: Questions to ask + my answers” on January 29, 2017.