Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take some formal family, group & bridal party portraits? YES of course. Although technically speaking these are not 'Wedding Photojournalism' I understand some are wanted & therefore happy to allocate time during the day.
Do you take detail images? Absolutely YES. I look for these everywhere throughout the day. You will have spent a lot of time and effort choosing these and I am keen to record them for you.
Do you photograph engagement parties? YES. It is also a great occasion and opportunity for me to meet with all your family and friends, and so when it comes to your wedding day everyone knows each other much better, and this will make for even more …
Are there any travel costs? Around Melbourne & surrounding areas there are no extra travel costs. I am available to photograph interstate & overseas for which extra costs apply.
Will you stay till the end? Often YES as I don't like to miss a thing. E.g. The above moment is the last one captured at a wedding as the bride headed off into the night with a bottle of Jim Beam.
Why are some photographers cheaper? 'Newbies' use weddings to get experience and use low end equipment. Afterwards they quickly transfer images to a disk with little or no editing, and that's if they even turn up! Your wedding is certainly not the t…
How reliable is your equipment? I use the very latest pro-level digital cameras and a variety of flashes, wide angle and zoom lenses, quality memory cards. I also carry backup gear. A small fortunes worth!
Will you work with another photographer? Absolutely, why not? E.g. You can have me along as your "Specialist Wedding Photojournalist" in addition to any other formal wedding photographer you may have booked. I will be everywhere at your wedding, lik…
What happens if it rains? I adapt to the conditions on the day. If that means more photos indoors then that's fine, the moments will still be there to capture rain, hail or shine on any wedding day.
 

More Questions

Should we (the client) provide meals for you at the reception?

When myself (and team) are photographing all day we always appreciate it when meals are provided. Food and drink keeps our energy levels up, and your guests will not like having photos taken whilst they are eating anyway, so it is a good time for us to eat too.

Are you available every weekend of the year?

Generally YES I am available to capture weddings throughout all seasons - including mid-week events too. However I do have bookings up to 2 years in advance so please check availability and book me in as early as you can.

*** NOTE: I never photograph multiple weddings back-to-back (three days in a row e.g. Friday, Saturday and Sunday). I prefer to capture only ONE wedding per weekend so I am always 'fresh' and fully attentive to each couple. This also allows me enough time after each wedding to properly backup, edit and finish off all the images without being rushed or pressured.

Is there a booking amount to be paid?

The industry standard is to normally a 30% deposit (retainer) which locks away your date and I then stop advertising it as available. The final balance can be paid anytime before the wedding date. I also accept monthly payments if that helps, or other arrangements that may suit.

Do you have any hidden expenses?  

No. The price list with packages and add-ons outlines exactly what is included.

What happens if my wedding goes a little longer than expected?

No stress, I do not get up and leave when a certain amount of hours you booked me for are exactly up. E.g. I would never force you to do a rushed cake cutting just so as I can get away on time. I like to stay till the very end, and in fact I'm often the one seen running like the Paparazzi after the wedding car as the couple leave the reception.

How long before we get our images?

I ask that you allow me approximately 6 to 8 weeks. The reason why it takes this long is that it’s not good to rush the process. I personally edit each and every photo, and I do NOT outsource this important task to agencies or overseas editors in place like India and China. The wait is well worth it, and I keep in touch with you to let you know how it is all going.
> Note: An express editing add-on option is available if you need your images earlier (7 to 10 days), ask for a pricing guide for more details.

What happens if we lose our images?

Don't worry I keep full backups for at least five years, both onsite and offsite at various locations. Also every couple gets a FREE Online Wedding Album (for 12 months) so you can always download copies and/or extend the hosting time for a modest fee.

Do you use film or digital?

These days I only photograph using digital cameras. Film is slow to use and cumbersome compared to digital especially during a wedding day. I would never mess around with film cameras when digital is far quicker to capture precious moments.

How do we book you?

Please use the >>> Check Your Date form on my pricing to see if I am available for your date.