I'm back with part three of my "Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer" series! Today's subject: after the wedding logistics. Enjoy!

1. Do you do post production?

Shooting and post-production style go hand-in-hand. As a photojournalist, I want my images to reflect exactly what I saw, so I process my images accordingly, only touching them up lightly (with the exception being black and white images, of course.)

2. What is your turnaround for weddings, i.e. how long after our wedding will we get to see our photos?

The anticipation of waiting for your wedding photos can almost be unbearable! Of course, I was excited to see mine even while we were taking them, so that didn’t help. If your big day is at the height of wedding season, it is possible that you may have to wait a few months to see your images. Make sure that you at least know beforehand so that you aren’t sitting around waiting for your photos.

I shoot a low wedding volume so that I can ensure quality and immediate service to my couples. Each couple should get to see their wedding photos either at their viewing appointment (preferred) or with an online gallery within the month (and as early as a week.)

3. Can guests buy prints?

Whether you have 5 guests or 500, someone other than you will probably want their own prints or digital images, especially if they are in them. I create an online gallery specifically for wedding guests with all friends and family photos, generally up within a few days of the wedding. Guests can order prints and digital downloads directly from the gallery to have them shipped straight to their homes or downloaded directly onto their devices.

4. What is the ordering process for photos and products?

Knowing how to choose and order whatever products you would like before you book your photographer can save you time and a headache later on. I start with a viewing appointment at my studio (apartment) where you get to sit back and relax on my comfy couch while viewing your gorgeous photos for the first time on a big TV screen. If you are decisive and ready to go, this is the perfect time to select the photos for your album as well as any prints, cards, gift albums, etc. that you know you already want as same-day purchases receive a 10% discount. However, it is perfectly fine for you to need more time choosing your photos! Regardless, you will receive a link to your password protected online gallery on my website where you can create “favorites sets” such as images for your album and share them with me so I can create your products. Once I have created mock-ups, I will send you a digital proof of each product before placing the order. You can also order prints, cards, ornaments and more directly from the gallery.

5. When wilI I receive my photos and products?

Again, know when you will receive your photos and products so that you don’t wait by the door! If you work with me, it should take about a week to get your products upon placing an order.

6. What is your philosophy on digital images?

Unless your photographer is shooting all film (more power to her!), she will be working with digital and can thus offer digital images. How many and for what price is totally up to the photographer. From shoot and burn photographers - or those who shoot the digitals and immediately put them on a disk for delivery without editing or printing - to solely print photographers, the subject of digital image offering is an interesting one. (Stay tuned for my blog post on the topic.) These days, most people want at least a few images for social media so all of my collections come with a flash drive of all images included in the photo album. However, I strongly believe that the best way to enjoy a photo is in your hands, or on a wall, not simply on a screen. All of my wedding collections come with a beautifully-bound photo album printed on fine art pages that will last through years and years of page-turning enjoyment.

7. Who has copyright of the images?

Thanks to my toughest class in college, Mass Comm Law, I now [mostly] understand copyright law and licensing agreements. This varies photographer to photographer, but for my business I retain copyright of all images in that I retain the sole rights to edit, sell and reproduce the images. However, you will have a personal use licensing agreement (printed with your flash drive) necessary if you choose to print your images elsewhere. This license also allows you to share photos online - giving me photo credit, of course.

8. Do you post on social media?

I know few photographers who don’t utilize social media these days. Make sure you know and approve of being featured on your photographer’s social media and blog. For instance, I always post a sneak peek or two immediately after the wedding, a larger gallery on Facebook after our viewing appointment, and a blog post once you have received your products. If you don't want to be featured online, make sure you make that known beforehand.

9. Will you be my wedding photographer??

Once you've asked all your logistics questions and you know that she is the photographer for you, this is the only question you have left to ask. And boy is it a good one to hear! Of course, the wedding photography planning process is not done by a long shot simply after booking your photographer, but if you have the right one at least you know she will be there to guide you through your big day and beyond so that you can treasure those important memories for the rest of your life.