Natural Weddings Faq
2. Do we get all the pictures?
3. How many pictures do you take?
4. How quickly will the pictures be ready?
5. Can we get a DVD of all the pictures?
6. Will you photograph everyone
7. What would be your standard group photography?
8. Do we have to have group pictures?
9. Aren’t natural style pictures just snaps?
10. Will we know that you are there?
11. What about videos?
12. Do you shoot with film?
13. What about winter weddings?
14. How do your art books work?
15. Do we have to meet you to book you?
16. Do you visit the wedding locations before the day?
17. When do we pay you?
1. How long do you stay at the wedding for?
That depends on which package you book and to an extent, what kind of event you have. Weddings that are all in one location can generally squeeze a bit more coverage because there is less travel involved,
A Level 1 package would generally allow for coverage from one half to three-quarters of an hour before the ceremony at the place of the ceremony, through the drinks until the meal starts. We really are not clock watchers so if the time over runs a little that’s not really an issue to us. The level two package includes coverage of getting ready at home or hotel beforehand and would include any speeches taking place before the meal while the level 3 goes on to include coverage of the meal until the first dance.
2. Do we get all the pictures?
Everyone gets what we call a storybook, which is a binder containing a postcard size print of everything we shoot on the day that passes our rigorous sitting process. We will edit out blinks or shots that do not have the best expression and correct all the images so the colour and exposure are spot on.
The number of pictures taken depends on the size of the crowd, the amount of time available and other issues like the weather. An average wedding if there is such a thing, will result in around 4-500 images in the storybook, but we don’t count and are more interested in capturing the spirit of the day to a high standard rather than worrying about the number of clicks
If then wedding was on a Saturday you can expect the pictures to be online at by the following Wednesday, sometimes sooner. We generally put little cards on the reception tables with the web address on them.
If you have chose a level 2 package or above I will send a PDF proof of the art book whilst you are on honeymoon, often a week or so from the wedding, and the storybook, the binder of all; the pictures, will be ready about 10 days after the event, so I usually say to people that they can collect it as soon as they return from their honeymoon.
Yes you can. I charge £140 for a DVD slide show that will run on a PC or a TV that shows all the pictures to music on a loop, or £350 for a disk with everything on it at Hi-Res for your storage, safe keeping and, if you are a bit of a Photoshop fiddler, your tweaking! You can also print from that disk.
6. Will you photograph everyone
Our aim is always to try and get a great natural portrait shot of everyone who is at the wedding, plus a good number of storytelling shots that paint the picture of what happened on the day, along with some formal and groups shots if you would like them. Clearly we will try very hard to get shots of everyone and it is unusually that we do not, but if timer is short or the person in question hides away, it is possible they will get missed. Therefore it is important that if there are any people who simply must be photographed you either make sure that you request a formal shot with them in or assign an usher to point them out to us for special attention.
We would photograph the bridal party (maids and ushers and the bride and groom), both sets of parents separately and together in whatever format they may take, shoot one family and then the other family and the rest is up to you. Often that would be all, but we are sometimes asked to photograph grandparents, friends and so on, all with the bride and groom. We try to ensure that group photographs take no more that 15 minutes.
We would also take some time out to photograph the bride and groom as well. This can often be done at the reception before the guests arrive or, controversially according to some caterers, in the gap after you have finished your main course and before the main course is served. This will give at least 10 minutes of free time where everyone is occupied, no one will miss your absence and we will not be getting in anyone’s way. In the summer the light is lower and warmer and you will be relaxed and grateful for the break. This actually works really well and I try and work like this when at all possible.
No, of course not. Many couples loath the thought of them and I fully understand why! It is up to you, but do warn your families if you propose not to have any formal shots as it may well be them that object and possibly ask.
9. Aren’t natural style pictures just snaps?
Yes, in the sense that the camera makes a snapping noise when you take them. Otherwise, no. True reportage or photojournalistic wedding photography (you’ll find oh so many phrases to describe the same thing) involves, in addition to the technical skills, a sense of ‘the moment’, pressing the button at that time when the subject reveals a bit of its personality, when the composition works, when the wind blows or the child glances. Its about creating a record of an instant when everything comes together, sometimes only for that instant, to make a beautiful image where there was previously only disparate elements.
It’s also bloomin’ hard work, requires eyes in the back of your head and the stamina of a horse
Apparently not. I am constantly amazed how often we get reports back from brides whose guests ask if they had a professional photographer at all? As I am 6foot 4 and hairy with 2 big cameras and take on average 1100 shots at most weddings. I fail to see how they could not notice, but I am very glad that they do not see me as the aim is to blend in and be invisible, a ‘fly on the wall’, so clearly something good is going on.
Video guys get a lot of bad press amongst photographers. There are some dumb dumbs out there (both photogs and videogs) and you only have to mention ‘we are having a video’ to the average vicar to see them back up against the altar and wave crucifixes in your face. (It’s rumoured that the crazy vicar in the Wallace and Grommit movie was actually sent over the top not by the Were Rabbit but by a Were Videot)
So, videographers can be a pain, getting in the way of the photographer, shining bright lights in your face and all that, but a wedding video is such fun to watch and there are many guys who do a fabulous discrete job and are a pleasure to have around. Ask for recommendations from friends - many will do a great final product but it is how they are on the day that you need to know about.
Alternatively, use our in house video department ?
Not anymore, although I sometimes remember the days when I dropped a few rolls off at the lab and waiting until Wednesday for nice prints to come back. Shooting digital is much harder work for me and consumes hours of my life in front of a computer screen, but so much better for the client and its great fun!
The advantages for the buyer of photography, the bride and groom, are legion. Quality is simply not an issue- digital is as good as film for all the uses wedding photographs are put to. I can shoot more pictures - no one ever blinks in our shots anymore - I can retouch the odd spot or smudge - I can shoot in very low light - I can shoot anything I fancy and be experimental - we can do wonderful things with albums - we can put the pictures on-line - and so on. With complete creative control over the images we can keep the quality absolutely first class. It never been better.
BUT the cameras are expensive, the computers we need are massive and expensive and the amount of time it takes is expensive. Its like the old adage - the best always costs and digital costs, but it is the best way to shoot weddings.
I love winter weddings. The atmosphere, the open fire, mulled wine, and the challenge. There is no doubt, photographically they are more difficult. As an event I think they are great fun and would have no qualms about being married myself in winter. Picture wise you need to be aware that you’ll be indoors much of the time, there won’t be any shots of drinks on the patio and it may well be dark forcing me to use a lot of flash. His can often lead to darker backgrounds. You can check out the winter weddings on our website - the pictures are great, just different.
Any groups will probably have to be done under studio lighting which can be set up in the church after the wedding or in a spare room at the reception- you need to make sure you have allowed for that. Although it may be sunny and you want to spend time outside, the older guests may not be able to cope with that. Indoor groups are actually quite fun and generally look great, especially in the church with the warmth of the altar lights behind and most ministers are surprisingly amenable to their place of worship being used as a makeshift studio.
Two things have affected our business more than anything else over the last 10 years. One is digital and the other is art books, or magazine style albums as they are also known.
I recently assembled a traditional ‘matted’ album for a client , and although its very nice there is none of the flexibility and fabulous design possibilities of the digital book. With an art book I can put what image I want wherever I want – I can use colour, I can use space and text, there is no cropping and there are no limits. I cannot tell you how much more creativity this allows.
Each photography package includes a certain number of images in he album; level 2 allows 75 and level 3 125. When I design the first draught I do not count the images and just produce a book that I love containing all my favourite images from the day. I do not compromise the design because of the cost.
As a result you may find that the proof I send contains some extra images and will consequently cost a little more that the package price. But you have the choice to accept the book as it is or make any changes as you feel appropriate.
When you are happy with the PDF it is sent to be printed sand bound in leather by Glorious Books, a British based album company I owned until 2004.
Not at all. It does help, so we can recognize each other at the wedding for a start, but I am well aware that busy lifestyles and distant locations can sometimes make this difficult. I have done many weddings without meeting the couples beforehand and it has always been completely fine because we have had telephone calls and e-mails to discuss everything.
16. Do you visit the wedding locations before the day?
Generally, no. I don’t find it helps. I always visit the sites but on the morning of the wedding so it is all fresh in my mind and I can plan the day according to the circumstances at the time.
17. When do we pay you?
I take a 10% deposit to book the day which is payable when you complete our paperwork. The balance is due 3 months after the wedding of when you receive your albums, whichever is sooner. We have a positive cash flow and I am well aware that everyone else at the wedding will require you to pay them upfront, so I am happy to give you a break and take payment later on.
