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Brides Guide |
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So you have just got engaged, your head is in the clouds and you can't wipe the smile off your face. It's definitely an exciting time. It can also be a little stressful when you think of all the planning and expenses that lay ahead. Its in amongst all this planning, that often one of the important decisions gets overlooked: choosing and booking the right photographer.
You may think that you have plenty of time for that, but there have been many couples who are ready to tie the knot and who end up scrambling at the last minute to find any available photographer, let alone one that is right for them. This will only result in lackluster photos of perhaps the most important day of your life. Start looking at least 6 to 12 months ahead of time, so you can concentrate on the rest of your planning! To help you in that selection process, below are some straight forward answers to some commonly asked wedding photography questions.
- There are so many photographers - how can I simplify finding the right one?
- All photographers are qualified aren't they?
- Why do I need to hire a professional when my friend has a great camera & has offered to shoot my wedding?
- How far in advance do I need to book?
- How much should I budget?
- Why is wedding photography so expensive?
- Is it cheaper to have an off-season or weekday weddings?
- Why do I have to pay up front?
- Should I sign a contract?
- What happens after I book?
- How much time should we set aside for photography?
SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR PHOTO FINESSE:
- How far will you travel to photograph our wedding?
- If you have to travel and/or stay overnight to do our wedding, what extra costs are involved?
- What equipment do you use?
- How many photographs will be taken on the day and how many will we get?
- Any more questions?
There are so many photographers - how can I simplify finding the right one?
Consider some of these pointers in finding the right guy or girl for the job:
- Browse their work. Do their photographs grab you? Does their style of photography reflect the mood you want? I always tell my clients that you can hire a hundred different photographers and you'll get a hundred uniquely distinct set of photos of your day. They might all look amazingly professional, but you need to find the ones that reflect your personality. How? You'll simply know that when you see the photos yourself.
- Interview. Always meet face to face with the photographer. There needs to be some chemistry between you and him or her. After all, this person is going to be a big part of your day. You might be thinking: what does it matter if the photographer isn't social, or has a few quirks. It does. You want someone who has the charisma that everyone will open up to, and most importantly, make them smile. If your photographer just barks out orders to your guests, your photos just won't look natural.
- Make sure they know their stuff. If you know a little about photography, then this is your time to grill him or her with your most difficult questions. Remember, technically competent photographers often get the sharpest, most refined photographs. Ask what kind of equipment they use and why. Ask if they have backup gear, or what type of lighting they plan to use for different situations.
- Ask about post processing. Since you're doing your homework, make sure they do their editing-work. A photographer who knows how to work wonders on the computer will be able to turn out shots that are real works of art.
- Budget. There are lots of things that go into making your wedding a raging success. Arguably the photographer is the most important. Although spending a large percentage of your budget on a rock solid photographer might not impress all your guests, it will certainly deliver joy and emotion to the most important people in your life: your parents, future in-laws, future children, and perhaps even your great-great-grand-children.
All photographers are qualified aren't they?
No they're not! If you want professional results, you need someone who is a recognised and accredited from within the industry. We advise to check any photographers professional status, particularly whether or not they are a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP).
Why do I need to hire a professional when my friend has a great camera & has offered to shoot my wedding?
Because you're a professional in your field as well, you probably want to get the best images possible which are almost never the cheapest images possible. The advent of digital photography has led to a whole group of enthusiasts thinking they're photographers. More people are trying to DIY it every day. And it's true the ‘delete' button on their digital cameras allows them to throw away out-of-focus, awkwardly framed, and terribly exposed images instantly. The result is more people taking bad pictures than ever before!
When you hire a professional, you're not just hiring a person with a more expensive camera than your uncle or aunt. You're hiring someone who knows how to make you look beautiful, using an artistic eye, an ability to put you at ease, and the technical skill to give you a stunning image that everyone will notice. If these things don't matter to you, phone Uncle Bob immediately.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Book Early. Good photographers, just like good florists, good wedding planners, and the best hotels all get booked faster than you can say "I do".
How much should I budget?
Prices can range from as low as $1,000 to well over $10,000. If you are offered a wedding package under $1,000, you are probably dealing with an inexperienced wedding photographer and you could be at risk of inferior photography. In photography as with many other fields you will pay for what you get.
Better wedding photographers will charge upwards of $2,000. Most couples underestimate the cost of good wedding photography, sometimes by as much as 50%. So expect to pay more than twice what you expected. Your total amount you spend on your professional wedding photography will probably be at least 20% of your total wedding budget.
Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Wedding photography today is expensive for many reasons, though relative to the price of your reception or even your gown it is excellent value. Good professional photographers use the highest quality equipment, materials and albums. The running costs and overheads of a high quality photography studio are significant. Professional quality cameras and lenses cost tens of thousands of dollars & need to be maintained and/or replaced regularly. There is also high powered computer equipment needed to process today's high resolution images.
Professional photographers base their prices on several elements:
- The Creation Fee which includes the photographer's expertise and creativity.
- The Number of Hours or Days the photographer spends working on the photo shoot.
- The Expenses and time incurred in that shoot and in post-production.
- The Final Product you leave with which generally includes printed photos, a hand crafted album or a digital file.
Even when someone quotes you a single price for the shoot you request, that price is based on the above. That fee might well include an advance consultation, a 7 hour shoot by an expert professional, out-of-pocket expenses and digital post-production time of up to 24 plus man-hours, plus a final digital file giving you the right to reproduce the image.
Is it cheaper to have an off-season or weekday weddings?
Yes, it can be. Vendors and photographers often offer discounts during times when they are not as busy.
Why do I have to pay up front?
It is normal practice for your photographer to ask for a deposit of between 25% to 50% of the wedding fee and the rest of the money before the wedding.
Paying the deposit will secure the day exclusively for you, and will allow the photographer to get preparations under way, scouting locations etc. Another reason for payment up front is that it minimizes the risk for the photographer. Occasionally a couple may decide at the last minute to cancel the wedding and then the photographer would lose a substantial part of their income without the possibility to book another wedding on short notice.
Should I sign a contract?
Definitely. A wedding photography contract is designed to protect both you and the photographer. It ensures their dedication to your wedding date. If you don't feel comfortable with your photographers contract or you don't understand it, be sure to ask questions.
What happens after I book?
You should receive written communication from the studio confirming your booking. If there are any aspects of the wedding that may effect the photography you should discuss them with the studio ASAP. They may have some helpful suggestions to make. The studio should contact you closer to the wedding day to discuss the final details such as timing, locations, ideas and any requests you have.
How much time should we set aside for photography?
The time the photographer spends photographing your wedding is dependant on the events you want covered. The options are endless, they are entirely up to you, and include:
- Rehearsal dinners and services
- Bride's preparation
- Formal bride and bridesmaid photography
- Formal bride and groom photography
- Wedding ceremony
- Leaving the church (ceremony)
- Formal group photography
- Reception photography, including speeches, first dance, cake cutting and departure of the bride and groom
With all these options it is a good idea to discuss with your photographer what would be appropriate prior to locking in times with your church and/or reception venue. Also keep in mind the size of your bridal party, travel to locations and type of car being used (some vintage cars are very slow!) As a guide, 1.5 - 2.5 hours (excluding travel) is a good amount of photographic time after the service to get the family groups, bridal party and have a location shoot.
SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR PHOTO FINESSE:
How far will you travel to photograph our wedding?
We cover the Illawarra, Wollongong and the surrounding regions at no extra cost: the south cost, the southern highlands and the Sutherland Shire etc. We will consider requests to travel further depending on availability and the client will be responsible for airfares and other travel expenses.
If you have to travel and/or stay overnight to do our wedding, what extra costs are involved?
We will negotiate this with you at the time of booking depending on what is involved. We will try to keep travel expenses to a minimum but for interstate weddings we usually require airfares (best price seats) or vehicle expenses and one nights accommodation (min 3.5 to 4 star hotel).
What equipment do you use?
We always use the latest technology to make sure the quality of your images and products is the absolute best available. Our equipment currently includes the following:
- Canon 5D MkII Digital SLR
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Len
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens
- Canon 580EX II Speedlite Flash
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens
- Sandisk Extreme Compact Flash cards
How many photographs will be taken on the day and how many will we get?
Generally we take 4000+ photos which we edit down to 400-800 for your final proofs
Any more questions?
We hope we have answered many of your questions. If you have any others we haven't thought of, please contact us on 0414 430 040 or send us an enquiry through our Contact Us page.
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