1. Are you a full-time photographer? Yes. I am a full-time photographer and my income is totally dependent upon the continuation of my profession and my business.
2. Do you do all types of weddings? Yes, I do. Amidst all the advice and the hype that is written about wedding preparations, the actual day is centred on two people, and if I think I can get on with those two people (and if they get on with me) then I’ll cover that wedding, no matter how big or small it may be. Rarely, for instance, will I cover a wedding in which there is no opportunity to meet the couple before the day, as I believe it is essential that there is a rapport between the photographer and the customer.
3. What will it cost me? Less than you think, actually. Statistics suggest that in 2007, the average cost of a stills-only wedding photographer is £1,000, so if you start with that figure in mind, you won’t be disappointed and may even be a little bit pleased.
The cliché is true – every wedding is unique – and yours is very unique.
The best thing to do is to sit down with us, in our studio or at your home, and simply go through what ideas you have, what ideas we can offer, and we’ll put a price together which suits your budget, while giving you maximum coverage.
4. How do you work out costs? With a calculator! Seriously, the variables are so great, that it is difficult to offer any averages, but here are some of the aspects that need to be considered…
Day of the week – Saturdays are prime wedding days, but there are discounts available weekday weddings, and for January/February wedding dates.
Number of persons attending wedding/reception – logically the greater number of attendees, the more time it takes to photograph and process.
Location – we are in South Cornelly (South Wales), travelling time and costs to Glasgow, for instance, need to be evaluated.
Time – I don’t charge by the hour – that would be too restrictive. I have known brides turn up at the church 45 minutes late only to find that the priest has been taken ill and a replacement is en route.
Nothing can be taken for granted, which is why I only ever take one wedding booking per day, with nothing else at all in the diary. No photographer could give you 100% attention if he/she is constantly watching the clock.
5. So what would you recommend?
Pre-wedding Photoshoot – Optional, but recommended – and totally FREE inside your wedding package.
We believe that a pre-wedding photoshoot is an essential component of any wedding package, because it provides a wonderful opportunity for the photographer and the couple to get to know each other, to build a rapport which can be carried across into the big day and help the day flow.
It also provides an excellent opportunity for the couple to ask questions, to begin planning the choreography of the day, to learn more about “posing” – (simple things like the best way of standing for long periods) – and to think freely about their big day in a fun and friendly way.
Similarly, it provides an opportunity for me to gauge how the couple photograph, and which angles are best suited to the individuals etc.
Full coverage on the day – because I’m booked out for the day, my time is your time, and the typical coverage would be:-
With bride and bridesmaids/page-boys to capture the pre-wedding nerves, the hair being combed, the face being painted, the little faces being wiped clean (for the third time!) – amidst all the apparent mayhem and chaos, there are moments of fun and beauty which just need to be caught.
Depending on distance between location and wedding venue, I would capture the bride getting into the car/transport, and then whiz over to the wedding venue to capture the nervous bridegroom, waiting outside the church or leaning on the bar!
Photograph late arrivals at venue, the arrival of bride and attendants, with brief photo-opportunities before the service.
Photography during the actual service would be dependent upon the local rules and regulations, but I would normally cover the signing of the register etc. and then the group photographs, at a nearby location.
Sometimes, if the weather and opportunity exists, I will go with bride & groom (plus attendants if required) to a suitable location for some personal photographs – on the beach, in a park, or country house.
Then the reception, the meal, any entertainment, special customs, speeches etc., and all the time, taking candid and fun photos of whatever is going down at the time.
Normally, I would leave after the bride and groom dance, but nothing is normal and I’m quite happy to do whatever I need to do to give you the fullest coverage.
6. Do you have your own studio?
Yes. It is an important and very useful back-up in case of bad weather, to know that there is a studio where the bride & groom and main attendees can go to have photographs taken if the weather is too inclement, and the venue does not have sufficient space or backdrop. We can even arrange for a back-up photographic session after the event (or honeymoon).
This is very much a husband and wife business, and we have tried the off-site studio idea and found it somewhat cold and unwelcoming, so we have converted the entire ground floor of our detached house into a fully operational studio, waiting rooms, toilets and changing area. Every customer is welcomed with the offer of tea or coffee, whether the assignment is a simple passport photograph or a full blown wedding consultation.
7. Do you have a portfolio that I could review?
Yes. Our portfolio is divided into categories, including families, children, models, weddings, and commercial work. Examples of our work are placed on our website galleries, but you are welcome to visit the studio and view our printed work.
Our other website: http://www.lattephotography.ifp3.com/
8. What EXACTLY is a pre-wedding photoshoot?
We believe that at least one pre-wedding photoshoot is an essential component of any wedding package, because it provides a wonderful opportunity for the photographer and the couple to get to know each other, to build a rapport which can be carried across into the big day and help the day flow.
It also provides an excellent opportunity for the couple to ask questions, to begin planning the choreography of the day, to learn more about “posing” – (simple things like the best way of standing for long periods) – and to think freely about their big day in a fun and friendly way.
Similarly, it provides an opportunity for me to gauge how the couple photograph, and which angles are best suited to the individuals etc. We encourage at least one change of clothing, formal/casual.
We can also offer an additional pre-wedding shoot, within the cost of your unique package, which you can tailor to your needs. Many couples like to have semi-formal photographs of themselves with bridesmaids or page-boys or some particularly soft-focus soft-lighting portraits which would otherwise be difficult to do on the day. Some brides, for instance, like a studio shoot in their wedding lingerie. The important thing is that you call the shots – literally!
9. Is there a booking Fee, and how do I pay?
Booking Deposit (immediate)
Usually £100 / £200 - this must be paid on booking and is non-returnable.
Effectively this books the day in our diary against your event and prevents us from accepting any other work for that day/evening. Any cancellation, for whatever reason, involves us in either losing a day’s work or re-advertising that date as being available.
Second Payment (two weeks before wedding)
Usually £300 - £800 dependent upon package involved.
This must be paid at least 10 working days before the event, or by the date stated on the contract.
This deposit is returnable up to within 48 hours of the event itself, but only where circumstances contrive to prevent the event from actually taking place.
This is technically the payment to cover the photographer’s labour in attending the event.
Final Payment (within 28 days after the wedding)
Highly variable dependent upon “deliverables” – from £150 to £500.
This must be paid within 7 days of your receipt of any deliverables (i.e. wedding album, CD etc) and is technically payment for the labour and materials in processing those deliverables.
We accept cash or cheque, but only have facilities for credit card payments here on our shopping page.
10. How much are any re-prints?
These will be as agreed in the contract, but at current costs are £7.70 for 8 x 10 glossy print in smart presentation frame-mounts. Smaller and larger sizes are available, and we print up to A3 size (16” x 20”) in-house.
11. How can our guests order re-prints?
As part of any wedding package, we give you a secure on-line gallery which requires a unique username and password, from which guests can order.
This service accepts payment by credit card or paypal.
We can offer you “Wedding Gift thank you cards” (see “EXTRAS”) which would include the website address and passwords for your guests to access the site.
12. Do you issue a written contract or agreement?
You would receive a draft contract, based upon telephone or face-to-face discussions, which list the services which we would be providing, and also the “deliverables” which you expect to receive from the assignment.
After any amendments, the draft contract will be firmed up, signed and you receive a copy as a receipt for the booking deposit.
13. Can I have a say in who gets photographed?
Yes of course. Some couples prepare lists in advance, with the best man holding a copy, to assist in the group photographs; some people leave it to the day.
Whatever suits you best – I will always react and respond to whatever you need.
14. Can I choose what goes into my wedding album?
Yes, of course, you can, though you must remember that this will require additional consultation time and a longer delay in getting your hands on the album, particularly if you are having a three month honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. (Just thinking what you’d do for three months on the Isle of Wight, but hey, you’re on your honeymoon – silly thought.)
15. Can I view testimonials from previous weddings?
No problem – these are regularly updated on our website, or are available to view in our studio.