Capturing the most important day of your life, in all its authentic glory, is indeed a task for a professional. Especially when it comes to Indian weddings, the need to find a team that understands and values the traditions and cultural nuances is all the more, because you do not want to miss a single precious moment to cherish.
That is why it is important to perform due research before narrowing down your options in the city. Take a thorough look through the portfolios of all photographers you are considering to make sure they have enough experience filming Indian weddings.
Once you have found the best Indian wedding photographer in Chicago, it is crucial to interview them and have an open conversation with them about your vision and other requirements so that both parties are on the same page. More importantly, for the best results, it is essential to build a good rapport and friendship with your photography team from day one, so that you get comfortable with the camera and the crew.
Here are 7 questions to ask your photographer to decide if you have found your perfect match.
How long have you been shooting Indian weddings and what types of Indian weddings have you filmed?
This is an essential question that will help you gauge the basic experience level of the photographer. Right off the bat, it will tell you whether the candidate has the kind of knowledge and experience you are looking for. It can also be a screening question to decide whether or not to move forward with the rest of your questions.
For example, your photographer may have ten years of experience shooting Indian weddings, yet if they haven’t filmed a South Indian wedding, which is exactly what you need, you might want to reconsider.
Have a detailed discussion about the weddings the photographer has captured, scan the portfolio and gallery pictures, and see if the elements are all clearly caught.
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
The answer to this question can tell whether the team is systematic and has a plan to handle the events, or if they will have to force a camera on your face all day. Ideally, you need a professional team that plans the shots, has full knowledge of the rituals and ceremonies involved in an Indian wedding, and blends in with the crowd to click natural pictures, almost like a fly on the wall.
At Shan Photography, we have a trained team of photographers who are experts in clicking candid photos by merging with the crowd. We also know and understand Indian wedding rituals more than anyone else being Indian-rooted ourselves, which helps us plan and execute the perfect shots as the events unfold throughout the day.
What kind of equipment will you be using?
The kind of equipment the team has lets you know if you will get the dreamy shots you envisioned for your wedding. Bollywood celebrity weddings have been inspiring Indian couples for years now, and most of them have extravagant magazine quality. To achieve that level of an immersive photography experience, your photographer inevitably needs the best tech. This includes a variety of lenses, angle-setting guides, tripods, drones, a variety of lighting, and more.
Shan Photography is one of the most equipped wedding photographers. From the latest 4K camera lenses to macro lenses, drones, and lighting equipment, we have everything you need to frame the dreamiest wedding pictures you have in mind.
Are you experienced in handling different types of lighting situations?
This is a very important question to ask because an Indian wedding is one of the most extensive personal celebrations in the world. With multiple events spanning two to three days, there is bound to be a whole range of lighting situations for the photographer to handle, starting from golden hour moments, to direct sunlight, to low venue artificial lights, to laser lights, and dim moonlight situations. Your photographer must not only be equipped with the right technology but also be experienced to know how to frame shots in different types of lighting, for the best results.
Can you show me a full gallery?
This can be a solid extension of the previous question. You can examine whether the kind of experience they claim to have matches the work that they have done. Seeing a full gallery also lets you get a clearer idea of their skills, photography concepts, and ideas. This can further let you see if the team follows the same vibe and quality that you want in your wedding photos. Analyze the portfolio head to toe for black and white photos, candids, detailing shots, drone shots, portraits, originality, editing skills, and more. Each of these aspects is very telling of the photographer’s prowess.
Do you have a backup plan in case of an emergency or an inability for your team to shoot my wedding?
We know that life is unpredictable, and emergencies can arise at any time. The only way to tackle an emergency is to be prepared for it. This is a crucial question to ask, as the last thing you want at your wedding is to be stressed out over finding another photographer in case the hired team cannot make it. A professional wedding photographer should ideally have a backup team of photographers, just as experienced and equipped, to shoot your wedding, in case the original team cannot for any reason. It should ideally be their responsibility to cover, in the event of a situation.
How long is the time for delivery and how many photos can I expect?
Different wedding photographers have different ways of operation. Some photographers can give you a set of ready-to-share pictures the next day, or a day after so that you get some great moments to post on your socials. They will proceed to edit the full batch and share them later on, the timeline for which needs to be discussed.
It is always a good idea to be on the same page in all aspects. Make sure you are clear about the deliverables, including the time they need to share the final set of photos, the number of edited photos you can expect to see with the package, whether they include raw unedited images as well, etc. You do not want any surprises or differences of opinion at the time of delivery.
Bottom line
You are entrusting the memories of your wedding day entirely in the hands of your wedding photographer. Hence, by all means, you need a strong rapport and partnership where both sides are heard and understood. Use these 7 questions as a guide when meeting with your photographer and make sure you are on the same page for the best results.
Contact Shan Photography – one of the most authentic and well-equipped wedding photographers, to capture the magical moments of your wedding seamlessly. For more updates check our Instagram.