7 Questions to Ask Your Long Island Wedding Photographer

There are many so many choices of vendors for your Long Island wedding. When choosing businesses to create what you envision for your wedding day, it’s essential to find people you feel comfortable with and trust. It’s especially important when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer. Unlike the rest of your vendors, your photographer will be with you all day capturing memories you’ll look back on for the rest of your life. There are so many options, so how can you find the best Long Island wedding photographer for you? 

As you’re interviewing potential photographers, take time to determine not just their prices, but also the style and quality of their images and whether their personality would be a good fit for you and your wedding day. Not sure what to ask? Check out these seven essential questions to help get you started!

How would you describe your photography style?

Every photographer has a different style for their photos. Some like to observe and take documentary-style photos of the day, while others specialize in carefully choreographed images. Most will do both, as needed, thought the wedding day. What is most important is how they capture images.  Ask your photographer not only to describe their photography style but also their approach to photographing weddings.  Ask them to show examples from previous weddings they’ve shot to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Have you shot a wedding at our venue before?

It often helps to have a photographer who is familiar with your venue and knows the best spots nearby for photos. However, if they’ve never shot a wedding at your venue before, that isn’t a deal-breaker. Ask if they’ll be checking out the venue before the wedding to find the perfect photo backdrops. It isn’t necessary for a photographer to have photographed a whole wedding at your location before, but it is important that he or she has seen the location with their own eyes.

What’s included in your wedding package?

Most photographers have standard packages as well as extras you can add on for an additional fee. Be sure to ask what’s included in the packages, like the number of hours and prints or digital files, and be aware of any fees for travel or other costs. It is important that your wedding photographer understands what is most important to you and creates a package or collection that gives you exactly what you want. 

What happens in the event of an emergency?

Be sure to ask any potential photographer about their backup plan in case they’re ill or unable to photograph your wedding because of an emergency. This may feel like an awkward question, but it’s important to know there’s a solid Plan B in place so you’ll get the wedding photos you want, regardless of unexpected circumstances.

Can we view full galleries of your recent weddings?

You might have fallen in love with a photographer’s work when you saw it on their website, but a full gallery from a previous wedding can give you a better idea of the photographer’s style and skill. A complete gallery will also help you see if the photographer is consistent with the quality of their images.

How long have you been photographing weddings, and how many weddings have you shot?

It’s a great idea to ask about your potential photographer’s experience level, as well as their workload. You don’t want to hire someone who’s never photographed a wedding before to capture images of your big day. 

What do you love about photographing weddings?

This question may sound like small talk, but it’s an excellent way to get a better understanding of a photographer’s personality and how they’ll approach your wedding day. After all, you want a photographer who’s (almost) as excited about your wedding as you are!

Taking time to interview potential photographers gives you a chance to ask all these important questions and address any concerns you have about your wedding day. Before speaking with a photographer, be sure to write down a list of questions you have and any other details you want to know to ensure that you’re prepared. 

Everyone has a camera on their phone, but you already know that you wouldn’t want to leave capturing important moments to chance. Finding the best Long Island wedding photographer for you is important. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you would like!

If you would like to learn about our style and approach to photographing Long Island weddings, you can find out more below. We take incredible pride in learning about what you value and providing an incredible experience from beginning to end. 

Already know you want to talk to us? Contact us now!

Choosing a Location for Your Engagement Session | Long Island Wedding Photographer

Location. It’s not the most important part of your engagement photography session, but it can have a big impact on how your images turn out. Choosing the right location for you as a couple may require some thought and compromise, but it will be worth it to get images you love. Thankfully, Long Island has many nearby locations that are absolutely stunning.

Pick a place that suits you as a couple

When choosing a location for your engagement photos, think about your lifestyles and how you like to spend your time. Do you love exploring new places and going on adventures? Choose one of your favorite spots in town or even go hiking! Do you like to visit local restaurants or coffee shops? Order a latte and settle in. Maybe you’re a homebody and you feel most comfortable on your couch. Opt for a lifestyle session in your home then. Your engagement photos should encapsulate the love you feel for each other and what makes your relationship unique to the two of you.

 Think about what you want to wear

If you’re not sure where to have your engagement session but you absolutely know what outfit you’re going to wear, then let your clothes guide you. For example, you wouldn’t wear a formal dress to the beach or a flowing gown in an urban environment. Consider where your clothes would fit in best, and if you’re unsure, talk to your photographer. They’re likely to have plenty of great locations in mind!

 Draw inspiration from your love story

Think about the places that have been part of your relationship: where the two of you first met, the location of your first date, where you or your partner proposed. If you attended school together or met at a local event venue, consider incorporating this location into your engagement session. It’s a sentimental touch that reminds both of you of where it all started and how far you’ve come together.

Head to your hometown

Whether you both share a hometown or you’ve made your home in a new place together, the place your love story blossomed and grew can be the perfect spot for your engagement photos. Maybe you met in college and want to incorporate your alma mater into your session. Think about the places that matter most to you and how they can help you tell your love story.

Choose a favorite date spot

Do you have a favorite local restaurant or coffee shop? Maybe you have a museum you like to visit. If there’s a nearby spot that you love to enjoy together, it can be the perfect location for your engagement session. You’ll already feel comfortable in a familiar place, so you can focus on each other and worry less about the camera pointed at you.

Keep the time of day in mind

When it comes to photography, lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a sunset or golden hour shoot in mind, talk to your photographer about the best places to capture that specific type of lighting. And if you’re just not sure what time of day has the best light, I guarantee your photographer will know!

Plan for the season

If you want fall photos with changing leaves or spring photos with blossoming trees, do some research and find out where the best natural colors are in your area. And don’t forget to plan your outfits accordingly! Be sure to check the weather before your engagement session to know what clothes you need to wear, and don’t be afraid to bundle up if it promises to be cold out. Cozy photos can be very cute!

Visit your venue

If you’ve already chosen a wedding venue, it can be a romantic location for your engagement session. This is an especially good idea if your venue is picturesque or has a beautiful garden or outdoor area that you can walk through. You can even recreate some of your engagement photos on your wedding day!

If you would like to learn more about the services and packages I offer for your special day, please contact me at any time! I would love the opportunity to explain how I can work with you to understand your vision and exceed your expectations. You can also find out some more information about engagement sessions as well as wedding services.