1. What is your style of photography? What is ‘photojournalism’?
I love being able to capture the little things that combine to make a wedding special. The tears, the laughter, the love, the looks of surprise and shock. The setting, the shoes, the sunset…. and you get my drift. Understandably then, I like to let the moment speak for itself. Photojournalism involves the careful and skilful documentation of these elements to tell a story. The more natural the photos, the more accurate the story told. I’m a scientist by training, and so as you would expect, I have a keen eye for detail. This puts me in a great position to capture and preserve the finer beautiful details and intimate moments of your day that often go overlooked or forgotten – the same details that make it special to you – without getting in the way.
2. What is all-day coverage?
When you add together the time it takes to get ready, travel to the location of the ceremony, get married in front of friends and family, sneak a kiss with your new life-long parter, be spoilt with your own photo-shoot and then celebrate with friends and family again at the reception – it becomes a near impossible task to fit your wedding into a standard 8-hour working day. And yet, some photographers are only willing to be there for that long. I want to capture as many memories as I can, and I don’t like the idea of restricting how long I have to capture them. For those that want me there, I will be there. I usually start my day with the bride’s preparations, about 30-45 minutes before she has finished her hair & makeup and I keep going until all the reception formalities are over (heck, I even enjoy getting on the dance floor myself if the music is right!). In most cases, I’m there right until the bride & groom have left their own reception. My full working day is usually between 12-16 hours.
3. How much do you cost?
Prices are listed on my pricing page. Packages can be customised to suit your requirements to ensure you feel absolutely spoilt rotten on your special day! I like to be upfront, so there are no hidden costs. My stated prices include travel, photo editing, album revisions, my insurance, materials & equipment costs, the license to print and share your own photos and all the little things that often go undetected by unsuspecting couples.
4. How many photos will I receive and when will I get to see them?
My philosophy is that quality far surpasses quantity. Depending on the type of wedding, at the end of a typical full-day you can expect anywhere from 200-400 individually crafted and edited images, that together will tell a memorable story.
It generally takes eight weeks for a full set of low resolution files to be ready for viewing. These files can then be used for proofing the album design and for the selection of enlargement prints. Although it often takes a lot quicker than this, eight weeks is generally the deadline I set myself.
5. How do we book you? When and how should payment be made?
Bookings are confirmed with the payment of a deposit to secure the date of your wedding or event. Likewise, I insist that we meet and go over the finer details of the wedding contract. For weddings, a 50% retainer is required at the time of booking to confirm your booking and reserve your date. The remaining balance is to be paid fourteen-days (two weeks) prior to the wedding. I currently accept cash payment, direct bank deposit and cheque. I can also accept payments via PayPal (PayPal transfer and Credit Cards authenticated by PayPal) but this incurs a 5% surcharge. In the event that full payment has not been made by the wedding day, I will still attend and provide the photography coverage as required. However, no photos shall be released and/or edited until payment is received. More information is outlined in my wedding contract – email me to arrange a meeting and I will be more than happy to go over all the finer details with you!
6. Can you help us plan our day? Can we meet with you to discuss the details of our wedding?
Certainly! In fact, I insist that we meet and indulge in the finest coffee/wine/ice-cream/chocolate treat together! Not only is a personal meeting a good way for us to chat and get to know each other, but it allows me to understand your vision of your special day. By also understanding your personal dynamics and character, photography becomes a lot more personal and the end result becomes a truer reflection of you. I want to become your friend and not just the hired help. This differentiates me from hiring the big photography studios who commission or distribute their jobs to a bank of waiting photographers. You won’t know who you get on the day and you can’t guarantee that you get along with them or like their style.
7. My cousin/uncle/sister/grandmother is a photo geek, and will want to take photos too, is this okay?
This is fine, except for when guests interfere with the composition of my own photos. Guests can take photos on either side of me, if they wish. They are just as excited as I am about capturing the moment! However, at times when I am trying to compose group or formal shots, I would strongly encourage you to (politely!) ask them to refrain. The reason for this is simple – it takes about three times longer to capture the perfect shot when I have other “photographers” around me trying to capture the same angle. The subjects of the photo often look bewildered in front of the sea of cameras before them, and don’t give their attention to the professional. I have to take more photos to get the shot right, and the subjects have to stand for longer with the look of bewilderment in their eyes. Not exactly the perfect wedding look!
8. Do you offer prints and enlargements? Can our friends & family view and purchase prints online too?
Definitely! Once the final set of photos are ready, low resolution watermarked copies are uploaded to our secure online client gallery. It is up to you then, to share the password and access details with your friends and family for them to be able to view all your photos. The online gallery has an integrated purchasing system that allows you and your guests to order prints & fine art enlargements of your favourite shots. This purchasing system employs the services of a photography studio whom I have dealt with extensively in the past. They will look after your order (with my direction and under my guidance) to ensure that you get the finest quality prints and enlargements delivered to your door for an incredibly reasonable price.
9. What is the difference between the lovebirds engagement session and lovebirds pre-wedding photo shoot?
An engagement session (e-session) is an opportunity for us to get to know each other before the big day and gives you the chance to get used to being in front of my camera! Usually only an hour or two long at a single location, e-sessions allow me to work out what works for you and introduces you to my style of photography. They can be organised up to one week before the wedding, and if done with enough time, the photos can be used towards prints & guestbooks to be displayed at your wedding.
A pre-wedding shoot is typically a whole day (up to 6 hours) of relaxed, photo-filled fun! Whether you decide you would like to do it in your bridal attire or not is totally up to you – but we get to spend the entire day together driving around and capturing some beautiful moments of you and your loved one. I’d recommend you bring a couple of changes of clothes, and make it as personalised a photo shoot as possible – that includes bringing props, gizmos and gadgets that define you and your love for each other. It is an opportunity to escape from the stress of wedding planning and just enjoy yourselves along the way!
10. How much photo editing do you do?
All of the final images from your day are individually edited (i.e. colour correction, exposure correction, cropping) to ensure you only get the best final product. Generally, I’ve calculated that for every hour of photo coverage, approximately two to three hours of processing takes place and my prices include this editing time. Post-production does not include airbrushing unless I feel it is absolutely necessary. If requested, airbrushing can be provided – a service that will be incorporated into the package price.
11. Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes. The booking retainer is non-refundable or transferable in the event of cancellation – it being the agreed loss suffered by the photographer due to cancellation. Cancellation within two weeks of the wedding or event will also result in payment in full. All payments made are not refundable, although I may offer a full/partial refund according to my assessment of the situation. All cancellations must be in writing, so please do not hesitate to contact me should any issues arise. Weddings and events that are postponed to a later date will retain the booking fee as long as I can re-schedule for the new date and time. Further information is outlined in my wedding contract - email me to arrange a meeting and I will be more than happy to go over all the finer details with you!