Hiring a photographer for their wedding is usually the first time a couple reach out to hire a professional photographer. Understandably you may have all sorts of questions, so I've put together a selection of the ones that seem to frequently crop up.
General FAQs
when/what is you availability
Wedding date already set?
Let me know the special day and I can check my diary, I typically keep a diary covering at least 2 years into the future.
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Note. So I can offer the highest level of service and give each Couple's images the time they deserve I only book a set number of weddings each year, so availability is limited.
how much do you charge?
Feel free to get in touch for up-to-date pricing. For an idea of what I can offer browse πππππ’π§π ππ¨π―ππ«ππ π in the ππ§ππ¨ tab.
what is your style?
I talk about this at depth in ππ² ππ©π©π«π¨πππ‘, so please do check that out. You can find it at the top of the ππ§ππ¨ tab.
do you travel for weddings?
can we book you for our destination wedding?
Yes! I'm based in Hertfordshire, but I love travelling!
I've been lucky enough to see most of the UK photographing weddings.
what happens if you're ill? or there is an emergency?
Fortunately this has never happened.
But, it's important and just as much a concern for us photographers.
Should this ever happen, or an emergency occur, I'm part of a network of incredible photographers all similar in style who can be relied upon to cover.
if something where to happen to your camera do you have back-ups?
As well as my full kit, I bring along backup equipment (and in some cases backups for the backups). You can never be too prepared.
are you insured?
I'm fully insured.
I have public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance.
i hate having my photo taken, but i really want nice photographs of us... help!
You're absolutely not alone on this one. I hate it too, so I completely empathise!
My style is very relaxed, a lot of the day I'll blend in with the guests. Even when we step away for a few minutes to grab some portraits I capture you as yourselves. I may give a little direction or encouragement but most of the time I capture your natural interactions.
Portrait Sessions are perfect for these reasons. You'll get to know me better, how I work and have the chance to get relaxed in front of the camera before the big day.
how do we hire you as our wedding photographer?
So you want me to photograph your day? I'm honoured. Let's get you booked in!
Tell me what Coverage you'd like.
I drop a message into your inbox detailing the next steps and linking you to your Contract, Invoice (for Deposit payment) and Consent Release.
Once the above are signed-off, received and completed respectively, I countersign your Contract.
ο»ΏYou've now secured me as your Wedding Photographer. Yay!
can we create a bespoke package?
You sure can. If none of my Packages seem quite right for you, get in touch! We can build a custom package.
what is your refund or cancellation policy? do you have T&C?
You can read my Wedding Coverage Terms and Conditions here which includes information on Refunds and Cancellations.
Will it be you photographing us on the wedding day?
Yes, it will. I love the personal touch of following a couple through the booking process all the way to delivery of their final images.
Booking & Pricing FAQs
can we chat with you before we book?
Absolutely!
If your local to Central Herts I'm more than happy to meet in person - let's talk over a coffee.
If you're based further away, which I know a lot of enquiring couples are, I've found video calls to work perfectly and are super convenient to schedule into a busy diary.
when should we book?
It's best to book as soon as you've decided you want me to be your photographer. Particularly if you're getting married May to August as this is the busiest time for weddings.
I'm not able to hold or reserve dates and once a date has been secured by a couple, it's gone.
how much of a deposit do you require?
To secure your wedding day coverage a deposits is required. Deposits for Packages are as follows:
- The Essentials, Β£100
- Short & Sweet, Β£100
- The Classic, Β£185
- Signature, Β£300
Based on 2023 Packages.
Deposits for bespoke coverage are calculated at 25%.
Do we need to cover travel costs?
It depends.
All packages come with travel included to some degree, which are outlined below:
- ππ©π¦ ππ΄π΄π¦π―π΅πͺπ’ππ΄, only available within 60 minutes of AL7
- ππ©π°π³π΅ & ππΈπ¦π¦π΅ includes the first 50 miles,
- ππ©π¦ πππ’π΄π΄πͺπ€, 125 miles included
- ππͺπ¨π―π’π΅πΆπ³π¦, all expenses covered (except Scotland and Northern Island).
Miles in excess of those included in your chosen package are charged at Β£0.45 per mile (reviewed each year) calculated as in the example below.
AL7 to B16 is 98 miles, with the Short & Sweet package (which includes 75 miles travel) this would be 23 x Β£0.45, so Β£10.35 added to your package charge.
In some cases travel within London postcodes (N, NW, W, SW, SE, E, WC & EC) may incur an additional charge even though mostly within 60 minutes or 50 miles of AL7. Please ask for a quote.
Planning FAQs
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED FROM ME BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY?
Over the years I've found the more prepared I am before the day, the smoother things run on the day, and it's more relaxing for everyone. Because of this, I do ask for a few things from you to prep.
8 to 6 weeks prior to your date you will receive your Wedding & Planning Questionnaire, and we'll schedule in a date for a quick planning 'meeting'.
Your Wedding & Planning Questionnaire collects information about your day - locations, times, photo lists etc.
Do you take group photos? (Family formals)
While my style is primarily natural and documentary I know how cherished Family Formals are - particularly with parents and grandparents!
That being said, if having an hour of posed photos is really important to you, and/or you have an A4-long list of groups you want captured, I'm probably not the photographer for you.
I recommend a maximum of 10 Family Formals so I'm not keeping you from the fun and your guests.
Can we send you a list of all the shots we want?
I request a Family Formals list before the day, with details of who is in each shot. Other than that I just shoot the day naturally as it happens, documenting each moment.
If you have a couple of requests, sure I'm happy to make these work. At the end of the day I need you to trust me to do what I do, and just enjoy your day.
I've found this photo on pinterest, can we replicate it?
I understand why you might want to do this, but I'm not about copying other Photographer's work.
We can take inspiration from it, absolutely. I want to create images that are unique, feel like you and are meaningful to you.
Do we need to provide you with a supplier meal/cover?
No, but thank you for thinking of me.
I know some suppliers include a Meal in their contracts, but I don't. It's simply personal preference, nothing against any caterers - I won't bog you down with my awkward dietary needs and neurotic contamination paranoia!
Photography FAQs
how many images will we receive?
That's not a particularly easy questions to answer. There are so many factors to consider; the length of time I'm with you, the number of guests, whether it's a laid-back day or jam-packed with activity.
On average I deliver around 500 images.
is photoshop used on our images?
Photoshopping isn't really what my work is about. I capture your day as it happens and keep things natural.
When would/do I use it? If I have an almost-perfect shot, but it has an abandoned water bottle front-and-centre stealing the show, of course I'll zap that out. I'm also happy to remove small non-permanent blemishes such as pimples, lipstick on teeth or razor burn on close up shots.
I don't remove birthmarks or any permanent blemishes. I don't remove anything that would make you look different to your true self.
Can we share our photos online?
Absolutely! All images are licensed for Unrestricted Personal Use and Print. You can print your photos anywhere and use them digitally in a personal capacity any way you wish.
Putting it simply, as long as you're not selling your images or making money from them you're good!
Can I print my photos?
Of course!
Your images will have a Full License for Personal Use (have a look at my ππ¨π―ππ«ππ π πππ«π¦π¬ for more information.)
do we have to order prints through you?
I can help with any printing needs! I have a trusted go-to Printers who I've worked with for years (Folio Albums).
However, if you donβt need the extra help you have your digitals to make prints yourself.