Questions to ask when booking a Colorado Elopement Photographer
Questions to ask when booking a Colorado Elopement Photographer
Should i hire a local colorado elopement photographer?
You can hire someone that isn’t local to Colorado but if you’re planning on hiring a photographer that can help with all things planning, I’d suggest hiring someone local to the area. Destination elopements are really popular right now, so you’ll see more photographers that are out of state advertising that they do destination elopements or being very vague about their actual location.
You don’t want to run into any surprises along the way.
Why is this such an important question? Over the years both couples and photographers that are outside of Colorado have reached out asking for help on certain locations, permits and timeline ideas. Often times the photographer has no idea what to expect and doesn’t have the time or isn’t willing to fly out early to do location scouting. There’s also the factor that getting married in the mountains can be dangerous. You need to be working with someone that’s experienced in bad weather conditions, has backup location ideas and is prepared for what it takes especially if you’re hiking.
ask to see a full gallery prior to booking your elopement photographer
Always look at the photographer’s website to see if they have full blog posts prior to booking. And if the photographer doesn’t have full day coverage posts make sure and request at least two full galleries before you book. You’re paying top dollar for a photographer so you deserve the best and need to be confident that the person you’re hiring knows how to work in different lighting and weather situations.
Don’t ONLY trust the Instagram portfolio.
Instagram is for show casing a photographer’s best or curated work only, it’s a good place to start but ask for that full elopement day so you can see how details are captured, candid moments, first-looks, harsh light, dancing etc basically all the moments you care about BUT remember that it’s not your day so what happens when you celebrate will look differently.
how should i prepare for my mountain elopement in colorado?
ask your colorado elopement photographer if they help with planning
A destination or local elopement that involves travel, lodging, activities and multiple locations does take a bit more planning than you’d thing. Try and find an experienced elopement photographer that knows the area and can assist you in the following:
- location planning
- backup options
- permits
- vendor recommendations
- timeline building
- activity recommendations
The last thing you want to be doing is digging through the internet trying to find answers to your questions or reaching out to random vendors unsure if they can be trusted with your day. Choose to work with a photographer that’s an expert in the industry and can answer your questions with ease and for any thing they don’t know, they’re willing to put in the work to find answers for you.
Elopements are intimate celebrations and you need to work with someone that you’ll feel comfortable WITH spending the day together
Few people enjoy jumping on phone calls, but just know the bit of anxiety or possible awkwardness goes both ways and as soon as you start chatting the nerves calm and you’ll be so glad you met up or hopped on a call. You’re going to be spending the most special day of your lives with someone you’ve just met so make sure you’re comfortable hanging together.
One of my friends always says couples just need to make sure that you’re not a psychopath, I think there’s a lot of truth there. Lol!
Plan out a few questions that you’d like to ask the photographer and also see how they handle the call. Are they talking the whole time or are they listening to you? Are they asking you questions about your day and how they can solve your problems and make the process better for you?
5. Why should we hire you?
ask why you should hire the elopement photographer
This is an opportunity for a photographer to let you know why you’d benefit from working with them. It’s not just about epic photos, but the total experience and the way you’ll feel once it’s all said and done. Find someone that you know will be there to answer any questions along the way.
Find a photographer that will give you the space that you’d like day of but also capture the moments you want to look back on for years to come. These things matter and it’s your day so you get to be as picky as you’d like.
BONUS QUESTIONS!
Do you have insurance?
Do you have backup equipment?
Do you backup your photos before delivery?
How long have you been a photographer?
How would you describe your photography style?
Can we bring our pets?
Where do we get our marriage license?
How do we book you?
Do you charge reschedule fees?
