Tips for planning your Wedding Day

What to ask your photographer!

This week is all about tips for planning your wedding!

The first tip this week that I want to talk about is what to ask your photographer! Since I am a photographer I’ve got a few things in mind. A lot of enquiries I get are very similar with their questions and I also get a lot of “I’m not sure if this is normal to ask” comments, or when it gets to the consultation most people are unsure what we are even going to talk about. So here it is, your down-low on what to ask your photographer. 

• “How many photos will we get?” I get asked this a lot. This is completely OK to ask because there are packages out there that with some photographers where they offer a certain number of photos, however, I personally do not give a certain number of images. It all depends on the day, how many “events” there are throughout, how many locations (ceremony, couples shoot, reception etc) and it also depends on the photographers shooting style. I personally photograph as much as I can and I’m not worried about how many I take because it’s all down to the edit, and so that final number can range anywhere from 600-1200. Basically, you get what’s good and I don’t reduce that to a certain number. But always make sure you do ask your photographer, just in case they have those other types of packages.
• “Do we get black & white photos?” Another common question! With me? Yes. You get everything in colour and black & white. Some photographers will offer a mixture and pick what looks better in colour or what looks good in black and white. There is no right or wrong here, it depends what you’re after and how your photographer works. Personally, I provide everything and let you decide what looks good in colour or black and white, it’s all on preference. But you may want a package that only gives you what looks good in either colour or black & white. This is also totally acceptable to ask of your photographer. Always ask, there are no wrong questions.

• “How many hours do you shoot?” I’m always asked this. I have two packages a half-day and a full day, I do offer bespoke quotes for some couples who are looking for an in-between or a ceremony only. I also now have “Covid packages”. But overall I’m not photographing a number of hours, it’s all on events. A full day would include preparation up to the party, whether there are 6 hours between those or 15 hours! It’s all down to your day. There are photographers who shoot a number of hours rather than events, so make sure you ask and ensure everything you need is covered. Remember if your wedding isn’t conventional then it’s also cool to ask for a bespoke quote.

• “Do I get photos on disc or USB?” Yep, people still over here asking for CDs, haha. It’s all good though, not everyone is up to date with tech. Always ask what’s included in your package, you want to know every detail. If you chose a package with me you’d get:
  • Online gallery to share with friends & family & access to order prints directly from a photo lab.
  • Wooden inscribed box with USB (containing all images) and a number of free prints.
  • A “First Look” preview gallery delivered within a few days after your day.
  • All photos in colour and Black & White.
• “How long until I get my photos?” Every photographer works differently and so this is a valid question. I find that during the busy wedding season it can take time so it could all come down to when you get married. Personally, I take 6-8 weeks, but I do say it can be longer during peak season. 
• “Do you edit yourself?” This is not a question I always get but if the client dabbles in photography then it will come up. I do, I love the edit and it’s a big element of the process. I find it a bit weird if you take the photo and then someone else does the edit, that’s two different personalities working on the same image. However, some photographers work closely with a company for the edit. They may cull the photos and just have a company add on their preset (filter), and this means their processes may be a bit quicker. Either way, it’s totally OK to ask and understand your photographer’s process. 

• “Do you travel for weddings?” This can be from destination weddings across Europe, or even travelling to Cornwall or Scotland. Your photographer might be in another part of the world or country, it’s OK to ask. I personally travel everywhere, I charge the National rate per mile and a fee to cover accommodation. So you get your very own personal quote for your request, and I always break this down. If you’ve seen a photographer you love that is based somewhere not near to you, always ask the question, you never know.
• “Will you take group shots? ” These days “documentary” or “reportage” photography is popular, and it’s definitely something I am known for. So everyone wonders if I will still do group shots ‘even though I don’t want them’. YES, always. We still work ‘group shots’ into the day and we discuss this in the consultation, this is where I help you create a list of the people to include. For example, your mates? Do you know I’m following you around all day, how many times are one of the girls in your group going to get you all together for a shot on someone’s phone? And when they do, I’m there! Or the lads on the dancefloor getting in for a group shot, I’m also going to be there, or your sister wanting a family shot of her husband and kids? She can grab me any time throughout the day. All of those don’t have to be in the group shot section. That time is about the immediate family and a quick few shots. Overall I try to make it at a max of half an hour. I want you enjoying your day, I don’t want fake smiles and looking over to your guests thinking they’re having all of the fun. So most of your day is casually documented, but we still do some of the posed bits (IF YOU WANT). 

• ALWAYS ASK TO SEE A FULL ALBUM. Super important to always ask to see a link to a full wedding album. After all, what you see on Instagram is the best of the best! Which is a given, really. But seeing a whole album really gives you a proper perspective of what you will receive. I like to find out what kind of wedding you’re having and send you links to a few albums that might be similar. Not only do you see what I can capture in a day but you also you can get some ideas too.
• How long do you stay after the first dance? This really depends. I’m always there for an hour to get some of the party, but sometimes if the dance floor is going off I stay much longer, especially if I have no wedding the next day. But you will always have a “party” album in your gallery and I’ll get as much as I can. 

Thanks so much for reading, keep an eye out for more tips tomorrow! <3