FAQs

FAQs – QUICK LINKS

MONEY – LEGAL –  ARRANGEMENTS ON THE DAY – MY PHOTOS

Please remember that if you have a question about my wedding photography that is not in this list then contact me by email or phone and I will answer it.

Money

Q –  How can I pay you?

A –  I take cheques and bank transfers.

Q –  How much is your booking fee?

A –  I ask couples for a booking fee of £375.

Q –  Is my booking fee returnable?

A –  No. Your booking fee books me for the day of your wedding, and is not returnable if you cancel your wedding. If you change the date of your wedding, then if I am free on that date the booking fee still stands.

Q –  How long do I have to pay you?

A –  The full amount must be paid one month before the wedding. Part payments can be made beforehand. Please discuss this with me, and we can make an arrangement that suits us both.

Q –  Do you offer discounts?

A –  I spend time every year ensuring that I make a reasonable profit out of wedding photography and my prices reflect that. I do not expect my clients to be misled by old advertising gimmicks e.g. it is £1500 not £1499 and I will not use pressure selling to increase my overall income on the wedding. I will give you an opportunity to purchase additional photos etc. but there will not be any pressure. Please note that I used the word income not profit. When you take out the cost of the albums, petrol, insurance, pension, taxes and the purchase/repair/replacement of equipment then there is not a lot left. I expect to work for approximately 40 hours per wedding, sometimes more, to produce the best photographs of your special day. In short, No!

Q –  How far in advance of the wedding do we need to book?

A –  As soon as you have decided to book me. I will accept the first booking for any given date as soon as I have received the signed contract and booking fee. I cannot save a date, no matter how much I would like to do your wedding, as you may decide to choose another photographer and I may not get another booking.

Q –  Our parents are paying for our wedding, including the photography. They have quite firm views on what should happen and we do not completely agree with them. How will you resolve any conflict.

A –  I make it quite clear that I work for the bride and groom, irrespective of who is paying the bill. I will only have the bride and groom sign the contract, so that is who I work for. Your wishes are the important ones to me. I am useful as a mediator and they will probably be happy but your wishes come first.

Legal

Q –  Do you have insurance?

A –  Yes, I have full public liability and indemnity insurance. I would not work without it!

Q –  Do I need to sign a contract?

A –  Yes, absolutely! The contract protects both of us. It is a legally binding agreement of what is to be done, by whom and when. If there is a dispute later, it can help a third party to resolve it. Also, if there is cause to make a claim against my professional indemnity insurance, then my insurers won’t handle the claim if there is no contract.

My advice to anyone choosing a photographer is that if the photographer doesn’t bother with a contract, then walk away. It may well save a lot of grief and heartache later.

Q –  Is it necessary for me to meet you before I sign the contract?

A –  I would say, “Yes, if at all possible.” There may be occasions when you are unable to do so – a destination wedding for example. If that is the case then talk to me on the phone. You should get a sufficient idea whether our personalities are going to be a good enough match. Your first conversation with your photographer should not be when you arrive at the church, registry office or other location for your wedding. If you are a mismatch then it is too late – and it will affect your photographs! Personally I like to meet at least twice, once when you book and again for the engagement shoot. This is when I find out how you react to being photographed, give you a few posing hints and generally have a relaxing time.

Q –  What if we cancel our wedding?

A –  First and foremost you must tell me and all your other suppliers. A phone call/email is very helpful but also it should be put into writing, signed by the person(s) signing the contract and at the earliest opportunity. The contract stipulates what amount of money is due.* The booking fee is not refundable. Obviously I will not want you to cancel but we live in the real world and circumstances can change. It is for this reason that I recommend that all brides take out wedding insurance so that if something unexpected does occur, then the insurance will help take some of the pain out of what is an expensive time.

*Number of days prior to the date for performance of the Services

Percentage of the total price payable

More than 120 days 0%

Between 61 and 120 days 50%

Between 31 and 60 days 80%

Between 15 and 30 days 90%

Between 8 and 14 days 95%

7 days or less 100%

Arrangements on the day

Q –  Will you ever do two weddings on the same day?

A –  No. The day I photograph your wedding, my focus will be entirely on your wedding.

Q –  What areas do you cover?

A –  Principally Cornwall and Devon, but I am happy to travel further. There will be charges for accommodation if needed and additional travel costs.

Q –  Do you take the bride and groom away from everyone else to take photos?

A –  Yes I do but I try to spend 10 – 15 minutes on two or three occasions throughout the day. Most times the guests do not notice you are missing and it gives us an opportunity to use different locations. If you wish to spend time at a certain location that is away from the wedding party then we can arrange this. It depends on what you want!

Q –  What do you think about guests taking photographs?

A –  This is an interesting question, and one that has raised much debate. One point made in favour of professional photographers is that we’re not generally emotionally involved. The photos are in focus as I do not have tears in my eyes!

For your guests, while they wish to record every moment of your important day, being behind a camera or phone can distance them from proceedings, which would be a shame from their perspective. Plus, when you look at your wedding photos do you want to see lots of highly coloured phones, iPads and cameras in the photographs of you walking down the aisle or would you rather have nothing detracting from you two VIP’s? If I am taking group photos then I have no objection to guests taking a quick snapshot but I would rather they did not start directing you how to pose. It can delay things when I am working to get certain shots against a deadline. I have had quests walking in front of me to take their photos without waiting for me to take your photo and getting quite annoyed when I point out that I am there to take photos that you are paying for. Some couples now request that guests leave their cameras, iPads, phones etc in their cars or at home. You are going to receive all the acceptable photos when you collect your album; your guests can also see them online and order their own copies.

My photos

Q –  Can you Photoshop me to make me more beautiful / thinner / curvier / less hung-over?

A –  I have truly never seen a bride who was not beautiful on her wedding day. You won’t need Photoshopping, trust me!

Q –  Why can’t I just have a USB stick with the photos on? Why must I order prints or an album?

A –  In the past I used to offer this service, but people used to get the photos printed cheaply, and they often look dreadful. As a professional, I don’t want my work to look cheap and nasty, as it reflects badly on me, and damages my reputation with other potential clients. If I take charge of the printing process, I can ensure you get the best quality prints, as well as protecting myself. I hope you understand!

Q –  Do you create black & white photographs?

A –  All photographs are created digitally in colour and all can be converted to black & white. If you would like to see any photograph in black & white then please ask.

Q –  When will we be able to see our photos?

A –  I usually have your photos ready for when you return from honeymoon. If however you wish to have a different time scale then we can discuss this when we meet.

Q –  How many photos will we receive?

A –  I will provide you with a selection that will tell the story of your day. If I have taken four or five photos of a scene you will receive two as I will discard the poorer ones, the ones where people are blinking or failing to look their best etc. You will get between 300 to 400 quality photos, occasionally more, for an all day wedding. My experience is that if a couple has more than that amount of photos, they find it very hard to choose their favourites for an album.

Q –  The florist, cake maker and make-up artist all would like copies of the photos for their portfolios. Can they ask you for them?

A –  Yes, no problem! All that I ask is that they credit me with taking the photographs so that I get some benefit from this free service. It is probably better that they contact me directly so that they are aware of how they may use them.