10 questions to ask your photographer

for a successful shoot!

Whether you're looking for a photo shoot, an indoor or outdoor portrait, a corporate or institutional photo report or shots for your event, you need to choose the perfect professional photographer to meet your needs.
But it's not always easy to find the ideal profile to capture your expectations.

Let these 10 questions guide you in your search.

1 - Are you available as a pro photographer?

You're organizing an event (party, reception, team building, sports event, press conference...) and all that's left is to find the photographer to immortalize the moment?
The first thing to do is to check with your photographer about his or her availability. Whether it's for a wedding, a corporate event or a portrait, professional photographers' schedules can fill up a long time in advance.
So don't hesitate to find out as soon as possible and book the date you want.

2 - Can we meet?

A meeting is a moment of sharing, exchange and feeling.
This meeting will enable you to make initial contact with your photographer, to understand his or her vision and work. It's an opportunity to get to know and build a bond of trust with the person who will illustrate your emotions.
It's a key moment when the professional photographer will answer all your questions and when you'll discover the full range of his or her services.

This exchange can be face-to-face, but all other means of communication are also welcome. Do you live too far away, or do you have a busy schedule? Today, there's nothing to limit contact: appointments can just as easily be made by telephone or video.

3 - What is your style of photography?

You can't choose a photographer without knowing his work!
You need to visualize, understand and appreciate his photographic style. It's important to see what he's produced before, and to be in tune with the type of images he makes.
Ask to look at his portfolio; it's one of the best ways to get to know the artist, his originality, his signature and his talent! And determine whether he's the perfect photographer to capture your event.

4 - What are your corporate photography rates?

The sinews of war... The question may seem a little abrupt, but it's necessary, even vital.
The photographer first tries to understand your needs and expectations, so as to offer you the best possible package.

5 - How will the photo shoot go?

You've never asked a professional to take photos of your events, or you've never posed for a photographer? Rest assured, the photographer is also there to guide you. He'll be able to answer all your questions about his work and how he can achieve the best images. Trust his vision and creativity.

During a reportage, the professional photographer captures and reflects emotions in the best possible way. He plays with light and the elements to produce creative shots that reflect your aspirations.

During a portrait session, if you're not used to it, he is! The photographer will put you at ease and guide you through the poses. Trust and connection will come naturally. Live the moment and let the light shine on you!

6 - Do you work alone or with a team of photographers?

Being a photographer is a rather lonely job. But what if something unexpected happens? The date is set; the photographer is unable to carry out the assignment. He needs to be able to find a replacement at a moment's notice.

What's more, some assignments require several photographers and several angles of view. So it's important for you to know whether your photographer works alone or as part of a team, and whether he or she can offer you a quality colleague.

7 - How many photos do you deliver?

It's quite complicated for the photographer to determine the exact number of images he'll be able to deliver. It all depends on the assignment and the time spent on location. It's best not to settle on a set number of images. For us, as long as an image is good and relevant, it will be included in the selection.

8 - How long does it take to receive the images I order?

Once the event is over, all you want to do is relive those moments as quickly as possible by immersing yourself in the photos. You can't wait to see the photos, to show them off and share them, and that's understandable.
The deadline varies greatly depending on the type of report, but the response from photographers is often the same: as quickly as possible.
In some cases, it's possible to get a few photos the same day and a small selection the next day. Sometimes, however, you'll need a little patience to get the full selection of shots. After all, shooting is only a small part of the photographer's job. After the shoot, the photographer edits and retouches the selected images. So delivery time will depend above all on the professional photographer's workload in post-production. But it's worth the wait!

9 - In what format will I receive the photos?

With digital photography, anything is possible!
The images produced by your photographer can be sent by e-mail via a Wetransfer link, by FTP, on a gallery available on the Web, by USB key, or printed. It's all up to you.

The same applies to file size. The choice is yours! It's always preferable to receive the report in high definition, but you can also request additional images in lower resolution, as they are more suitable for the Internet and social networks.

10 - Can I use the images as I wish? What are my rights to the photos?

When hiring a photographer, it's important to discuss how you intend to use the images. Indeed, the price can vary depending on how the photos will be distributed. Are the photos for commercial purposes? Are they just private memories, or are they intended for publication on a website? What are your rights to the images produced by the photographer you've hired?

It is therefore essential to discuss with the photographer the extent to which you want and can share the images. And conversely, how and where he can use photos of your event (on his website, his networks, etc.).

As you can see, choosing a photographer is above all a question of feeling, a style of images you like and a few technical details ;)
Find your photographer thanks to our network of professionals in Wallonia, Brussels, Belgium and Luxembourg. We can help you with all your photography needs and immortalize all your moments.

Share your emotions!