Frequently Asked Questions
What is your photographic style?
I don’t know what the correct word description would be – possibly maybe: emotive reportage. Please have a look through my portfolio, both the wedding and commercial and editorial work, to get an idea of my wedding photography style and feel.
Can you shoot our wedding in the style of “Photographer X?”
No – I shoot the way I see things, if you are not one hundred percent happy with the style and aesthetic you see on my portfolio then I am not the guy for you.
Can we give you a shotlist/list of images we need you to capture on our wedding day?
Yes, you can and are encouraged to give me an idea of the images you would like captured on your wedding day, I make absolutely no guarantees that those images will appear in you final selection though. Planning, time, weather, chance and the general mish mash of the cosmos will ultimately decide on what images are shot, and are useable and beautiful on the day.
How many Group Photos can we have on our wedding day?
I recommend that we not aim at shooting more than 10 group images after the ceremony unless you make extra time available for these images.
How much time do you need to shoot our wedding group photos?
I request that you create a solid list of each group/family photo you want shot and appoint one person from each side of the family to be an official family ‘herder.’ Their task will be to get the required groups together so that I can focus of the composition and lighting for each image. This is necessary as a lot of time is wasted looking for family members that need to appear on certain group photos. This wasted time affects the amount of time we have to spend on you Bride and Groom portraits. I generally need only between 3 and 4 minutes per group shot – once each group is assembled.
How much time do you need to shoot the Bride and Groom Portraits?
I will need approximately 45 minutes to create beautiful atmospheric portraits of the bride and groom. Ideally these 45 minutes should be planned to occur before the sun goes down. I will pre-plan these portraits when I reconnoiter the venue so will have a pretty good idea of available locations and lighting conditions. I encourage you (the bride and groom) to bring with a small bottle of Champagne so that you can relax and enjoy each others company while I set up each shot. I also ask that you limit the amount of guests that will accompany you for these photos. I would rather have just the bride and groom around when we shoot your portraits.
Will we get pictures of every single person at our wedding reception?
If you have specific images you would like of yourselves with various guests, or of specific guests at the reception I ask that you accompany me for half an hour at the reception so that we can locate and photograph those guests or groups. I do endeavor to photograph everyone at the wedding, and generally do so, but as I am meeting a large group of people for the 1st time on the day I can make no guarantees. You could also create a list of reception group images you would like to have and appoint someone to accompany me for half an hour at the reception with the list so that we can lock down all those requested shots.
How long will you stay at the reception?
I have a general maximum shoot time length of 11 hours. I will stay at the reception till all the formal proceedings have been done (speeches, cutting of the cake, throwing of the garter and flowers, 1st dance etc…) and also until I feel I have a nice selection of social images. I will not be the last person to leave the reception, and will leave at once should I feel that my wellbeing or equipment is in danger due to excessively intoxicated or aggressive guest and or their behavior.
Do you have an assistant?
No – mostly not.
Do you work with a second shooter?
No – mostly not.
Do you require a meal?
Yes – if I am shooting the reception, I don’t require a place setting though, I will find a spot to sit and grab a bite to eat.
How does the wedding pre-meet/consultation work?
It is important for me to meet you and view the venue before your wedding day. If at all possible I like to meet at the venue and also at about the same time as the wedding will be held, so that I can get an idea of the venue and the available light. If it is not possible to meet at the venue, I will meet you wherever convenient for you, and view the venue by myself. I do not charge for the consultation unless the distance required to be traveled exceeds the 40km’s included in the package – in which case I will bill you per kilometer.
May our friend or family member be the ‘other’ wedding photographer?
For the most part I have no problems with guests taking pictures. I do however ask that all guests stay seated during the ceremony (nothing worse than friend or family member and his/her camera in the background of critical ceremony images) and always respect that I am the primary photographer during the course of the day.
Do you do video or work with a videographer?
I don’t capture video or have any official ties with any videographers, but can recommend a few local guys. I do not however accept any responsibility for the quality of work delivered by anyone I recommend.
How much retouching do you do on our wedding photographs?
All your selected photos will be run though my digital image workflow process. This includes amongst other adjustments: color correction and balance, contrast and tonal values, hue and saturation as well as sharpening. I then create 3 treatments for you in which you will receive all your images. These include treatments like black and white, sepia, vintage and lomo. I do not do individual airbrushing of skin blemishes and so on as part of any of my standard packages; this may be requested on a image by image basis as an extra option.
Will we get an online wedding album?
Yes, I create and host an online album of a selection of your wedding images for you to share with family and friends. You may elect to choose which photographs go on the album if you wish.
How many images can we expect to get?
I guarantee between 300 and 500 images for the full package, but you would usually get closer to or more than 600 images.
Can we get a disc with every single image you took on the day?
No.
Do I own the rights to the images you send me?
Yes, you may do anything you want with the images except: sell them on as your own, use them/allow them to be used to market the venue and or any service providers, sell them as stock images. You may use the images to enter competitions.
Why should you book me?
Book me if you love the style and aesthetic of my photography and want a calm, chilled out, happy photographer to document your wedding day.
How do we book you?
I need you to sign my photographers contract and pay a deposit to confirm a booking.
