Things To Know Before Booking
Who actually takes the pictures?
Myself - Rob - and my fiancée, Sarah. We work together well as a team. For part day bookings, one photographer is used and this could be either of us.
If we book, will there be a contract to sign?
Of course. The contract is designed to protect both parties. Boring, but essential.
What do we need to do to secure our date? Can you hold the date for us?
To book our services for your wedding date, you will need to sign the contract and pay the deposit. Dates cannot be reserved without these. We've tried 'holding' dates in the past and it can end up with some very awkward situations, so now, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much is the deposit and when is the rest of the money due?
The deposit is usually £250 and will need to be paid at the same time your contract is signed. We do reserve the right to ask for a higher desposit under some circumstances. Please note, that the deposit is non-refundable in the event of you cancelling our services. The balance is due no later than four weeks before the wedding day and we will issue an invoice in advance of this..
Do you ever work for anyone else?
Generally no, although we have helped other wedding photography companies when one of their staff has been ill or unavailable.
We want to book a long time in advance - how far ahead will you book?
At the present time we are taking bookings on for 2010 and 2011. If you are interested in 2012, please contact us.
Do your prices include VAT?
As a small business we fall under the legal threshold for VAT, therefore no VAT is payable by you on any of our products or services.
What happens if you are ill?
A really common question and one that should always be asked. The chances of both us being so ill that we cannot work are pretty slim. Rob also belongs to the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers (SWPP) which means we have a network of people to contact in the event of an absolute emergency. We also know many of the local wedding photographers who are usually happy to help out if they are available. If the worst happens and we cannot get anyone to fill our shoes, you'll get all your money back, including the deposit. Realistically, this is the most anyone could promise, even larger studios with more staff.
I never feel comfortable in front of the camera and don't like having my picture taken - what can you do?
We don't expect anyone to act like they've been modelling for the last ten years. We are comfortable with putting people into positions where they feel good and look their best to the camera. Our all-day coverage option includes a pre-wedding shoot some weeks ahead of the wedding. This gives us chance to get to know each other a little and will make you feel a little more comfy in front of the lens.
Are you insured?
Of course. As a full-time photography business having appropriate insurance is an absolute must. We carry full public liability and indemnity insurance.
About The Wedding Day
You say you take photographs "all day" - but what does this mean?
'All day' usually starts with the bridal preparations in the morning and concludes with the first-dance in the evening. In the vast majority of weddings we cover this means about 10am to about 8pm - ie. 10 hours. We take a common-sense approach to timekeeping but if you want us to cover events that fall well outside of those hours, or if events overrun by a significant amount, we may have to charge a little extra.
Can you cover the bride and the groom getting ready in different locations?
If it's logistically possible then Sarah and I usually cover both the bride and groom's morning preparations. It really depends on the distances involved but we always try to accomodate it within reason.
How many group shots will there be?
We encourage our clients to keep the formal group pictures to a minimum. This doesn't mean leaving people out, but carefully considering who is in each picture. Group photos can eat up a significant portion of time so getting multiple combinations of everyone is usually unnecessary. We have a list of about 6-8 basic groups that we use as our standard. If you require more we're very happy to accommodate your needs but remember there will need to be enough time allocated.
How do you handle the group pictures?
We control what happens in front of the camera, so we'll position people and get them to stand in the right way without being too fussy. The best-man and ushers will be expected to help gather people up so we can get through the groups as quickly as possible. We don't want to impose on your big day any longer than necessary.
How many pictures will you take on the day?
Lots! However we always aim to present between 300 and 400 completed images to you. Part day coverage would be less, obviously.
Is it OK if some of the guests take pictures too?
Yes, this is fine, except when we take the couple off for photos of them alone when we ask that nobody else follows. During the group photos we usually ask people to wait until we have the shot before taking their own snaps - this is to avoid the groups' eyes all going in different directions!
After The Wedding
How long will it be before we can see the pictures?
We always try to deliver the initial presentation within 4 weeks. It may sometimes take longer depending on our workload but we'll keep you informed anyway. If time allows, we'll make every effort to get a 'sneek peek' preview up online within a few days of the wedding.
Do I get proofs?
You will receive a lovely, personalised softcover book showing all the presented images, numbered for your reference. The book is yours to keep and extra copies can be ordered if required, even at a later date.
How many pictures can I have in my album?
As many as you like. We do not limit the number of pictures in albums but instead charge by the page. Just bear in mind that the more pictures you have, the more crowded the album will look and cramming them in is never a good idea.
Do we have any say over how the album will look?
Of course, although understand that you are hiring us to deliver a finished product to you so we will advise on all aspects of the layout. We will present an initial design based on what we think looks great. You are then welcome to ask for amendments. If there are more than two lots of design changes we reserve the right to charge a re-design fee based on the amount of work involved. You will be required to sign-off on the design before the album order is submitted, after which point, no further changes can be made. Most people generally only want a small number of alterations.
We have friends and family coming from all over the place - will they be able to see the pictures?
Yes - we will create an online gallery of the pictures so people see them from anywhere in the world. People will also be able to order prints and have them sent to their homes. The gallery will be password protected and will usually be accessible for six months after the wedding.
We may want to order reprints in the future - how long do you keep the pictures for?
Your pictures will be archived permanently, so future reprints are no problem. However the price is likely to rise after longer than six months.
Do we get the high-res images on a disc?
With our album packages, the high-res images (or "digital negatives" as some call them) are available to purchase as an add-on. If you don't require an album, you can of course book us for 'files only' coverage.
I want the high-res files so I can make my own album and prints - is this OK?
Of course, but remember that the albums we offer are sold only to the industry trade. You can certainly buy cheaper products, but the quality and attention to detail will be considerably lower than the products we offer as standard. With prints, we put an awful lot of time and effort into making each one look the best it can be. We only use professional printing labs (no, we don't use Asda!) and we quality-check every print before delivering it to you.
