WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER
What to expect from our first meeting
So you’ve liked what you’ve seen on my website and blog and I’m available on the date of your wedding, I’ve sent you further information and my fees are suited to your budget. Ideally we’d then meet in person at my home in St Ouen, Jersey, where I’ll be able to share my portfolio of work including some complete wedding albums. We can discuss your plans for your day and I can explain in more detail how I work. I do understand that it’s not always possible to meet in person if you are booking from overseas or live out of area. If that’s the case we can speak on the phone or communicate via Skype.
If you decide that I am the right photographer for you, I will require a signed contract (booking form) as well as a £400 non-refundable deposit. As soon as I have received these, my services will be secured on your date.
The importance of getting to know your photographer before your wedding
I work very closely with couples, building a relationship and a good rapport. An essential part of that process is an engagement shoot. Not only will you come away with some amazing photos of the two of you but also we will be able to develop a sense of comfort and trust between us. It also gives me a chance to get to know you better so I’m not a stranger showing up on your wedding day.
Rather than ‘posing’ couples, I prefer to give gently direction, helping people to feel comfortable in front of the camera and me, so that their real personality can shine through. The engagement shoot can be a lot of fun so come prepared to focus on one another, laugh and be affectionate!
You’ll receive a slip mounted print of your choice from the day. You may even choose to create a signature frame using your image (I’ve some beautiful frames to choose from!). I will also create some business sized cards using recycled card which will feature up to 10 images from your engagement shoot on one side and my website details on the reverse so your wedding guests can have access to view your images on the password protected gallery.
How to ensure that you get great wedding photographs – the key to a smooth running wedding day
They say that the weddings that run the smoothest are the best organised ones! When you have made your initial booking, I will send you an itinerary form which you’ll need to complete and return to me about 3 weeks before your wedding. I like to know the exact running times of the day, who all the major ‘players’ are, any special considerations (such as divorced parents and new partners names), as well as any specific photography requests. I understand that formal group shots are an important type of photograph to have at your wedding as a record of your family and of those that attended your day so I will ask you to list these too. However, I would advise that these are kept to a minimum, approximately 6 – 8 max, so as to not interrupt the flow of your wedding celebrations. You will have commissioned me for my reportage style of photography, and an important part of my work will be to capture beautifully spontaneous images of your family and friends for you.
Something else I will send you is an example of a day planner in the form of an excel spreadsheet (I was a management accountant in a former life – old habits!). Actually it is a really good way delegating tasks and creating a framework for the day, even if it helps to plant that initial seed!
I will also conduct a recce of your venue/s and meet the events organizer where possible so that I’m fully informed of the schedule for the day and know the environment. This also gives me the opportunity to assess the best place for your group and portrait shots.
I will be on hand to answer any queries you have in the run up to your wedding, so please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Your big day has arrived – what to expect on your wedding day
Other than the time of your ceremony and wedding breakfast, your wedding day is a fluid event and I’ll be very close by throughout the day and into the evening to capture all those moments.
I like to blend into the background and shoot unobtrusively. Just after you’ve become Mr and Mrs, I like to give you some time with your guests for congratulations while I capture some spontaneous shots (circumstances may dictate otherwise – e.g. if you have church ceremony and choose to have your group shots outside the church). I always like to take your group shots before the wedding breakfast and according to the time of day and the light, I’ll whisk you both off for your ‘couple’ shots. I don’t like to keep a couple away from their guests for long, but these shots will form an important part of your collection and the time away gives you a chance to be alone for a while and take a moment to yourselves (well almost!). If you’re lucky enough to have wall to wall sunshine for your wedding, I’d strongly advise taking your portrait shots when the sun is lower in the sky later on in the day. Obviously the scheduling will depend on the time of year but I’ll be armed with the knowledge of sunset times and tidal tables (probably more relevant to my Jersey weddings) and we’ll discuss these points before your wedding day arrives.
So onto the speeches. I’ll be on hand to capture all those tender moments, entertaining lines and all those spontaneous reactions they provoke – I absolutely love capturing these images! I’ll pack up my bags once I’ve photographed your first dance and a bit of the partying…
What to expect after your wedding celebrations – viewing your wedding gallery
I aim to edit your images and upload them to your password protected gallery within 2 – 3 weeks of your wedding (during the height of the wedding season please allow 3-4 weeks). Once you’ve proofed your images, I will change the password on your gallery to the one printed on the back of your ‘gallery notification cards’ so your family and friends can view your images. I will then send you a set of contact sheets to begin the process of image selection for your album. Most couples come back and see me to refresh their memories on the choice of albums and it’s always great to catch up. Once I’ve received your contact sheets back with your image selection, I will begin designing your album. I will send you a link to my online album proofing software where you’ll be able to view your first draft and approve and comment on page spreads. From sign off, albums take approximately seven weeks to produce. I design albums on a first come first served basis as I think this is a fairest way. If you require a pre Christmas delivery, I can provide you with a deadline for submissions.
Keeping in touch
As your photographer you will have my 100% enthusiasm. Each one of my wedding shoots involves love, energy and hours of work to produce beautifully crafted, creative images of one of the most intimate significant days of your lives. It can feel a bit sad when it comes to saying goodbye, so I’m always delighted to stay in touch with couples via my Blog or Facebook page. Even so, nothing beats a cup of coffee and a piece of cake!