GETTA Help
Questions to ask a photographer before booking
A good booking conversation should remove uncertainty about who will attend, what will be delivered and what happens if plans change. Use the questions that fit your job rather than treating them as a script.
Availability and relevant experience
- Are you available for the date, location and hours in my brief?
- Have you photographed this kind of event, subject or setting before?
- Can I see a complete relevant gallery or project?
- Will you personally photograph it, or will somebody else attend?
Deliverables and editing
- What finished images or products are included?
- How do you select and edit the photographs?
- Is detailed retouching included or separately priced?
- How and approximately when will the finished work be delivered?
- Are the delivered files suitable for printing, online use or both?
Contingencies
- What is your backup plan for equipment failure?
- What happens if you are ill or unable to attend?
- For outdoor work, how would poor weather or a location problem be handled?
- How are image files backed up during and after the job?
Money, changes and rights
- What deposit and payment schedule apply?
- What are the cancellation, postponement and rescheduling terms?
- How are overtime, travel or additional requests charged?
- What permission will I have to copy, print, publish or commercially use the images?
- May you publish the images in your portfolio, and can that be discussed if privacy matters?
Confirm the answers
Ask for a written quotation or agreement recording the scope, date, deliverables, fees, cancellation position and usage rights. If an important answer is vague, resolve it before paying a deposit.