FAQ

What are the advantages of hiring a professional wedding photographer as
opposed to having a friend or family member take the pictures?

 First of all, wedding photography is an art form that implies some talent and artistic flare, and not just knowing how to press the shutter. Professional photographers usually have a wealth of experience, they know what to look for and how to capture those precious moments. Second, there’s a lot of responsibility in it, and it requires a lot of attention and concentration on the subject - you have only one chance to get it right or the moment will be missed forever, so it’s best left to dedicated people. Related to that, the third point is that you invite guests to your wedding to enjoy the occasion and have fun rather than to burden them with, let’s be honest, hard extra work and a lot of responsibility. Besides,  there’s a huge difference in the quality of images taken with professional gear in comparison to layperson’s cameras. There’s much more to it, and a professional kit would cost you few thousand pounds; needless to say, not a lot of people have access to that kind of resources and even fewer know how to get the most out of them. Apart from that, digital photography requires a fair bit of post-editing if you want your pictures to look professional, so the photographer’s job continues after the wedding day is over.

Why do wedding photographers copyright the pictures they take at weddings?
 Is this common?

It’s a very common practice. The way the copyright law works in the UK and most other countries is that the reproduction rights remain with the author (the photographer in this case) unless explicitly handed over to someone else, and it doesn’t really matter who is on the picture. So from a legal point of view, if you’re hiring a photographer and then order prints, you’re buying prints, not copyright. You wouldn’t record a wedding band and then sell CDs, would you? Unfortunately, plagiarism is not entirely unheard of and neither is unauthorised reproduction. At any rate, I suppose the best way forward is to discuss the matter with your prospective photographer and agree the terms. Just make sure whatever you negotiate is noted in the contract.

Is it better to book a wedding photographer who uses film or digital
equipment?

In short, digital. As a matter of fact, I don’t know many wedding photographers using predominantly film cameras - some still carry them for artistic black and white shots, but as a main camera, no. Benefits of going digital are endless, but the main ones are that one can take much more photographs, see the result straight away and adjust camera settings if necessary, and even if the “raw” image is not quite perfect, there’s still a good chance it can be improved with the post editing on a computer.

What is a proof and what are the advantages of the different types of
proofing?

It’s like a menu – all pictures from your wedding in a portfolio, so that you can choose what you want. There are generally two types: the printed one, with miniature pictures, or thumbnails, printed on sheets of paper (sometimes up to 20 on one A4 page or sometimes as an album), or digital, on a CD or as an online gallery with low-resolution mages. With printed proofs it might be easier to make your choice since you have pictures in front of you, but an online gallery allows you to share your photos with your family and friends and order prints on-line, whereas a CD would probably be good enough for Facebook and things like that. Not for printing, though.    

What are the pros and cons of hiring two wedding photographers to take
pictures at a wedding, as compared to only having one photographer taking
pictures?

The pros of having two photographers are that you'll get more photographs, that it will be two different views and photographers can back up one another in case of some equipment failure. The cons are that they might get in each other’s way and sometimes you'll get pictures with one of them in the frame. 

What types of wedding packages do photographers typically offer?

It varies. It’s quite typical, especially for newcomers, to offer a “digital files only” package – i.e., the couple gets a DVD with hi-res files and a reproduction permission, so they can do what they please with it. A more traditional one is "album package" - you get the proofs and can choose  agreed number of photos to go into to an album. Many photographers combine the two, offering DVD with high resolution prints as well as an album. . 

What is the customary deposit to put down, to reserve a photographer for a
date?  When is the balance typically due?

It’s a retainer rather than a deposit. The difference is in legalities: basically, a  retainer is not refundable unless the contract between the couple and photographer is cancelled by the photographer or he fails to fulfil it, whereas a deposit may be refundable. Might sound harsh, but it’s a low-volume seasonal business with bookings made many months in advance, so if a couple pulls out at a short notice, it’s unlikely that another commission can be found.

Usually the retainer is between 20-50% of photographer's fee. The balance is due between one month and two weeks prior to the wedding day. 

Why is there such a large price range among different wedding photographers?

Package and quality, obviously. Everything else apart, there’s a never-ending stream of newcomers: you buy a DSLR, pictures look like nothing you’ve ever taken before, so you think - why not use it as a source of additional income? As a result, the competition is quite tough, although just like with everything else, you usually get what you pay for: at the cheaper end of the scale, much less attention is given to quality, especially if it’s a weekend job. On the other hand, well-established, talented photographers are in demand and they don’t seem to struggle with finding clients, so the fees are higher.

At what point in the wedding planning process should a couple book a
wedding photographer?

It depends on the couple's priorities. For some, the photography is very important and they want to get the best photographer they can afford, in this case it is wise to make a booking as soon as the date is set; others book a photographer at the last moment. But good photographers are highly sought after, so try and book one straight after booking the venue to avoid disappointment.  

What should a couple look for in a wedding photographer?

Most important thing, of course, is the ability to take good pictures that satisfy the couple's taste. It’s always a good idea to take a look at an actual wedding album or a slideshow of full wedding rather than a portfolio; this will give you an idea about the photographer's consistency. It’s also important that you are OK with them personally. And needless to say, the price and package need to match what you want and can afford.

What should a couple beware of with certain wedding photographers?

As with the previous question, ask to see an album, not a portfolio. The latter is a selection of good shots from a number of weddings, but that’s not what you’re looking for. They need to be able to produce a consistent narrative throughout the wedding, not just to take a good shot or two.

And watch out for cowboys, obviously. Make sure it’s a proper business, not someone who think they found  a hobby that pays.

How should a couple determine their wedding photography budget?

As an indication, out of a wedding budget of £15000, be prepared to spend around 10% on photography, so about £1500. However, all depends on tastes, priorities and other circumstances.    

What equipment should a wedding photographer have?

It depends on their style, preferences and the environment. Some photographers use a lot of equipment like flash guns, diffusers, umbrellas, continuous lighting etc., yet those that shoot in reportage style like to keep it light and simple. But, without exception, they all must have at least two things – an SLR camera (digital or film) and a lens; some use zoom lenses, others like to shoot with prime ones, it’s a matter of preference. In any case, all equipment needs to be professional. 

Do prices typically vary for off-season or weekday weddings?

Yes; traditionally the wedding season in the UK is  in the spring- summer time and predominantly on weekends, so most wedding services providers, including photographers, would try to utilize the “quiet” periods and to attract people by offering discounts. The really hi-end photographers don’t seem to do it, though.

Is it possible to get black and white photographs as well as color
photographs, or do couples typically have to decide between one or the
other?

The good thing is, all digital photos are taken in color and all of them can, in principle, be converted into black and white. Usually, a selection of color and black and white photos is offered, but it’s something to discuss with your photographer if you prefer one to another.