Questions I’m asked as a Wedding Photographer (and the answers)

Hello

Hi

I am getting married on 4th June 2011 & I have a friend who is getting married in September 2011.

I am currently free on the 11th of June – but I am booked 2nd of Sept – what date in Sept is your friend’s wedding?

We are therefore looking for a wedding photographer and am just making some preliminary enquiries.

The style I like is arty/contemporary, I also would like a few natural photos or natural style mixed in.

That’s no problem – my main style is modern reportage, with a lot of low light natural lighting – though I can shoot any style you like.

My parents want traditional shots after the wedding of the family and also of the ceremony,

Not a problem – most couples end up with a selection of more formal shots to keep the parents happy

I would like some arty shots focussing on my dress, the car and outside the church etc.  I have put together some screen shots of what I like and a list of ideas we have so I can meet with you to go through this if I am happy with the initial quote.

Once booked, I include a trip to the venue’s to meet the Bride and Groom in plenty of time before the wedding, it breaks the ice and helps me plan out the day properly – you can show me all your ideas then and we can ensure you get what you want.

I would like to know how much you charge for coverage (i.e how much per hour / day etc) – I would like before the ceremony, the ceremony and some shots outside the church and at the reception venue. Possibly the speeches and first dance although not too bothered about this.

Because of the complexity of what you are asking for and the fact that there’s two of you – here’s a link to my wedding calculator that I use to price up weddings – it isn’t publicly visible, but it will help you to get a pretty accurate idea of my costs over lots of options. http://www.adamreading.com/wedding_pricing.html

I would like a CD with the photos on (can you also confirm if we would own the copy write so that we could print our own pictures from here).

When you buy the disk with the high res images that includes license to print, share, use the pictures in perpetuity – I still always own the copyright, but it doesn’t effect anything that you can do with the finished images, the cost is in the calculator.

I would also like a story book / coffee table book, I am interested in parent books and handbag books, although not essential (also how much would it cost if I purchased additional albums later on?).

I normally keep the albums out of the packages, though there is an option for a starter one. I generally use Graphistudio Albums from Italy as I think they are the best – there’s 100′s of options – so generally this is something the bride and groom leave until after the wedding, once they’ve had time to let the pictures sink in and they are ready to choose the favourites that will make it to the Album. All my couples have taken the DVD of images – and it means they are free to use any album maker or even do it themselves online with my blessing – I’m always there to take over and make one for you whenever you need.

Are photos available on web?  Can we have password access so only friends and family can view?

All Weddings are password protected until released for public viewing at the choice of the bride and groom (not all choose to share publically) this password can be shared with whoever you like. There is also an option to buy a unique url like www.sarahswedding.co.uk etc and have that link through to your pictures via a password for example 1) www.thewestcotts.co.uk – “Halloween” 2) www.joeyandben.co.uk “ashworth” 3) www.rhysandzoe.co.uk “river” the cost for this is in the calculator

How long do you keep the photos for?

You get the DVD to keep – I archive everything off-line, they stay on the web for 3-6 months and on hard disk for ever

Do you do discounts if me and my friend book?  Do you do discounts for military personnel?

Every package is worked out individually, I am always willing to discuss a deal

How much is a print?

My prints are provided by a high end professional Lab – I have no control over they’re future costs, but can tell you today’s prices… http://www.adamreading.com/?Action=SPL&pplan=5790650.83157a14bc4161459332

How much are prints if we order them a year or so after the wedding?

I try to only put up the prices when the costs increase there’s no surcharge just because it’s a year later.

Do you edit/re-touch the photos and if so how much does this cost?

In general I put up 600-1500 pictures for the Bride and Groom to proof – they then take out any that they don’t want to be on their on-line gallery. Then I ask them for their 100 favourite shots from the day and these I crop, colour balance etc and make Black & White versions of. These generally tend to be the ones used in the albums and this editing is included in the cost. Any other editing, like blemish removal, or specialist retouching can be subcontracted out, normally about £100 an hour. (though so far I’ve never had a need to do this)

Please can you let me know what qualifications you have?

I failed A level photography 24 years ago at Henley College

How long you have been a photographer?

Hmmm – well I suppose about 28 yrs – though it would be fairer to say I rediscovered a passion for photography about 5 years ago when I met my wife – I’ve been shooting concerts for bands, the BBC, the local papers and about 1500 fans a month for about 4 years, you can see a lot of my work on www.adamreading.com

How many weddings have you done?

Right now, 5 shot – and a further 7 booked prior to yours next year – I try not to take on too many Weddings as I am really passionate about providing a really individual service, and each booking matters to me, I always like to talk to the Bride before agreeing to accept their deposit.

Do you belong to any associations, such as BPPA?

Yes, I am a member of the SWPP – http://www.swpp.co.uk/

Do you have insurance?

Yes, I have Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employers Liability as well as accident and theft insurance – adamreading photography is a limited company which operates professionally

How many assistance do you have?

My wife attends all our Weddings to assist, carry things, put saftey pins in broken wedding dresses, and is also a fully qualified make-up artist who can be booked as part of the package for £200 to include Bride and Bride’s Mum’s make-up – (with a pre-wedding trial make-up at our home/studio in Reading) and then £50 extra per bridesmaid (Assuming they are at the sa

me getting ready venue as the bride). This also assumes our being booked to take photos of the Bride preparing

What do you do if you are sick on the day?  Do you have another photographer who covers this?

Firstly, I would have to be very ill to be unable to attend one of my couples weddings – but because of my concert photography, I have a group of 6 or 7 trusted photographers, all of whom work in a similar style and in the event of an accident or similar, we would contact all of these and offer you the services of one of them should you so desire – if you decided against that – we would offer a full refund of any monies received. Similarly if you wanted to book a second shooter (another photographer taking extra shots from different locations/angles) I would book one of these photographers to assist.