Got a question?
1.
WHAT STYLE OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU OFFER? ALTERNATIVE, REPORTAGE, DOCUMENTARY...?
I'm a documentary photographer, therefore my style is very much reportage style with a creative twist. I love getting in on the action capturing real moments full of love and joy. I tell your story, just as it was in a natural, relaxed way.
That said, I'm certainly influenced by other styles of wedding photography. I love to set aside time for couple portraits and I think family group images are super important to include on the day, but I try to keep these as quick and relaxed as possible. Organising people takes time (someone has always run off to the loo) So not only do I miss out on some amazing moments from your day but so do you. I have a set list we can work from - and adapt to suit you. This way you get the best of both worlds.
2.
HOW FAR DO YOU TRAVEL?
I am based in Birmingham and I cover all of the Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire and beyond. I love nothing more than to travel so I’m ready to go when you are.
I offer UK wide wedding photography and will happily travel to Europe and further afield for destination weddings. For England and Wales, my wedding prices are fully inclusive of any travel and accommodation costs. If your wedding is more than 2 hours drive away, I will travel the night before so I’m with you in good time and raring to go.
3.
ON THE WEDDING DAY, HOW DO YOU APPROACH TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS?
I like to snap the action as it unfolds. I’ll observe and explore, taking note of everything that’s happening. I shoot in an unobtrusive way making you feel comfortable so you can just get on with enjoying the your awesome and fun day! You can read more about my approach here.
4.
HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL WE GET?
I'll be shooting throughout your wedding taking as many photographs of the fun as possible/needed, but in terms of final delivery this vastly depends on the size of the wedding, length of the day that you book me for and what’s going on! As a guide, you will receive around 400 images for an all-day wedding. I'll photograph every element of your day, anything that looks interesting and wonderful so if there is more I will give you more! I don’t limit what I give you, removing test shots, blinks, miss fires, duplicates etc.
5.
Will we get a photo of every guest at our wedding?
I’ll be honest, though I try my absolute best to get a candid of everyone at your wedding, due to the dynamic nature of wedding days (and I’m just one person!) it is nearly impossible to get a photo of every single guest. People move around, or are facing away during speeches (even if I do my best to move about to capture everyone), are in spaces that are tight to get around without being super obtrusive, others are off doing ‘wedding jobs’ so aren’t around at all points, sometimes people avoid the camera and I’ve even had guests ask me not to take any photos of them. Though I try my best I’m no magician, I will be photographing lots of different elements during your wedding day, and as in question no.4 I don’t hold anything lovely back! If you want more coverage of your guests I always recommend booking a second shooter (but even then a photo of everyone isn’t a guarantee for all of the reasons listed above). You can also do creative things like get an instax camera to use as your guestbook or hire a photobooth!
6.
HOW LONG AFTER THE WEDDING WILL WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOGRAPHS?
As a guide I aim for 10 weeks, but during the summer (main wedding season) months this can be 12 weeks. This really takes time, just like if I was working with film, I spend time developing each image in my own signature style, only in a digital darkroom. Don’t worry though, I always send a little sneak peek of what’s to come to keep you going until then (also so you can get those thank you cards out!)
7.
WHO OWNS COPYRIGHT OF THE IMAGES?
This always remains with the photographer, which basically means you can't modify (Instagram filter, crop etc.), sell or enter the photographs into competitions. But you do have a license to print or share the photographs yourself.
8.
CAN WE PRINT THE IMAGES OURSELVES?
Yes, it's your wedding day and the photos are yours to share and print as you want!
You can purchase prints through your online gallery for ease (it's super easy to use and the prints are fab!) but if you don't want to use my printer of choice, you don't have to. Please be aware that quality differs from printer to printer so if you need any recommendations I’d be happy to help.
9.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR CAMERA BREAKS, AND DO YOU BACK UP YOUR IMAGES?
Don't worry, I've been doing this for some time now. I bring two cameras that I use on the day, plus a backup (you never know).
I have a variety of lenses with me, crazy amounts of memory cards, plus a load of spare batteries. My main cameras have two memory cards so it automatically creates a backup of your images on the day. After your wedding I carefully back up your images a number of times on separate hard-drives, and I don’t delete the main cards I shot on, up until your photographs are safely in your hands.
Basically I have it covered.
10.
ARE YOU INSURED?
Yuh-huh, I'm fully insured both for public liability and professional indemnity. I am also a member of The Guild of Photographers.
11.
DO YOU PHOTOSHOP?
NO! Repeat after me, you are frickin’ awesome. I don’t do any kind of shape changing, skin smoothing or anything to make you not you. That said, if you come out in a mountain sized pimple in the centre of your forehead, I’ll remove that from photos where it’s obvious, unless you have an attachment to it… basically you want ‘photoshoping’ I’m probably not the photographer for you.
12.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE ILL ON THE DAY?
This has never happened, but rest assured I have a large network of photographers I would call upon who are all brilliant at what they do and would step in for me in an instant.
13.
DO YOU OFFER ENGAGEMENT / pre wedding / couple PHOTO shoots?
Yes! These can be a lot of fun, not only will you get some lovely shots of you together, it is also a great way for us to take a stroll, get to know one another before your wedding and ease any in front of the camera fears.
If I could have a pound for every time someone says 'I'm like Chandler Bing in front of a camera' seriously folks! More about this here.
14.
DO YOU WORK WITH A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
Yes! You can absolutely add a second shooter to your wedding package, for weddings with more then 100 guests I’d certainly recommend one. I love working with a second photographer, and nothing could be better than an extra set of eyes on your wedding day. You can read more about second shooters in my blog post here.
15.
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
Hurrah! Assuming you like what you hear so far, then just get in touch giving me as much information about your wedding day as you have at this point and what you are looking for in your photographer. We can have a chat, either online via Skype, by phone or even better in person in Birmingham.
There are two simple steps to complete your booking. Complete and sign a contract along with paying a booking fee. Then all is left to do for you is to plan your wedding (not much then!)
16.
WHAT IS THE BOOKING FEE AND WHEN IS THE FINAL BALANCE DUE?
For full day weddings the booking fee is £500, this covers pre planning and admin in the lead up to your wedding date, contributes to ongoing business costs such as public liability insurance, kit maintenance, things like Client Relationship Management software, gallery hosting, you get the idea! This also secures your date, so at that point I turn any other enquiries I get for your date away!
The final balance is due on the first day of the month before your wedding. For example if you are getting married in August your final balance would be due on the 1st July.
17.
CAN I ASK ABOUT...?
Yes, yes, yes. I know how much you want to be sure about this decision. So whatever your query, I’m all ears.