Frequently Asked
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+ Lets talk about the elephant in the room. How much do you charge?
My coverage comes in 6, 8 and 10 hours packages starting at $4,200 inc. GST - no need to fill out a 45 page questionaire and send through an e-mail to get prices, I'm open and transprent about it in my price guide.
+ We’re eloping Sun-Thurs, do you have a different rate for that?
I sure do. Elopements are a dream and I simply adore covering them. For a Sun-Thurs elopement under 30 people I offer 3 hours for $2,500 inc. GST. I can also do Fri+Saturday if booked 3 months out.
+ Our wedding is a 5 hour drive and 15km uphill hike away, do you charge travel?
Firstly, a wedding location that I’d have to hike to? Count me in. Look - I’m allowed to dream. Travel is a bit of a funny one, I really only charge if it’s more than 2 hours away from home (Melbourne), and that’s just a small fee for a basic air b’n’b in the area.
+ How do we book?
When you’ve decided, simply drop me an e-mail! It’s a 20% non-refundable deposit to lock in the date
+ When do I need to book my wedding photographer?
It's a good idea to book your wedding photographer at least 12 months out from your chosen date. And popular dates in March can sometimes fill up 18-20 months in advance! So, it’s definitely worth getting in touch as soon as you've decided that you're interested! There's nothing more painful than missing out on your chosen vendors. If you are not sure where to start, generally couples book the venue first, followed by the photographer and celebrant.
+ What makes a good wedding photographer?
So many things! And not just the photos either (although obviously the end result is critical!).
I really think a good connection is important – after all this is someone who you will be spending your wedding day with! You want someone you feel comfortable with and who will put you at ease. Look for friendly and easy-going people to work with – the last thing you want on your wedding day is stress!
When you are doing your research, look for photographers with a consistent editing style. If all their photos look and feel a similar way you will have a good idea of how your own photos will look.
Finally, the best photographers are those who have invested in their gear and know how to use it. You might be able to take great pics with your iPhone – but for special events you need (at a minimum) dual card memory recording and cameras that can handle extremely low light.
+ When should we take the couple photos?
This really is up to you! Traditionally couple shots are taken after the ceremony, once family & wedding party photos have been taken. But nowadays more and more couples are mixing it up a little. This might mean taking your couple photos in the morning or before the ceremony, leaving you more time to relax with your family and friends at the actual event.
There are really no hard and fast rules, but one thing to keep in mind is lighting! Taking photos in the midday sun on a beach with no shade cover is doable; but you won't get the best results. In an ideal world the best time for photos is within 45 minutes of sunrise or sunset. You can find more tips on lighting in my Journal.
+ Could you please hold the date whilst we look at some other photographers?
Sadly I really can’t, if another couple come along ready to book on the spot, I can’t hold a date for someone that is undecided.
+ Do you work with another photographer?
I’d say roughly 95% of the time it’s just me (unless you're also booking stop motion photos)! I do enjoy working with a 2nd photographer as well when the occasion calls for it. Mainly if the couple is getting ready separately and pretty far away from each other. I’ve been to well over 150 weddings (look, I never kept count) and for my candid approach I generally find the cameras around = the less awkward things feel for you guys. Something I would love to convey to some i-pad wielding overzealous aunties.
+ Can we meet you before we book?
Of course! I think it’s super important to make sure we’re a good fit before the day and I’m always happy to catch up for a drink or two and have a chat. I conduct all inital meetings via zoom, unless you're keen to catch up for a drink in Brunswick.
+ We are super, super nervous about having photos done. What do you suggest?
Oh, I totally get it. I also don’t enjoy the whole camera in front of me thing. A few things can help, firstly try to remember that a camera at its most basic form is essentially just a little black box that lets light in. Just a tool. My entire job is trying to make you notice that less. If you’re really, really worried about it I suggest doing an engagement shoot (or the Ultimate Third Wheel Experience) as I like to call it.
+ Do you also do video?
We do some videos, stop-motion vid of the day as well as some super-8 film, it's important to note this doesn't include audio, so if you want a more traditonal video it's best to get a videographer
+ How many photos does a wedding photographer take?
I usually take north of 3000+ photos on the day. Then I go through and cull any of the not-so-great ones (strange blinks, duplicates etc). I usually deliver a final gallery of roughly 600 images depending on the number of hours I’m shooting for.
+ How long does a wedding photographer work for?
There's a lot more involved in wedding photography than just taking pictures on the day. In the lead up I'll be emailing or calling the couple to arrange timelines and discuss photo locations, coordinating with the videographer (if you've hired one!) and of course planning out travel time and accommodation if needed.
On the day of your wedding, I'll be there for 6, 8 or 10 hours depending on the package you've chosen to book in. As soon as I am done for the day, I'll immediately backup the photos to a hard-drive and my cloud-based backup system.
Within a few days of your wedding, I'll send through 30 or so sneak peek images so you have something to share with family and friends straight away. Then I'll spend many (many!) hours going through the gallery, selecting all the good photos and cropping, grading and balancing them in lightroom. Once that's all done, I'll export them and do any final adjustments than need doing in photoshop. Then the final product is uploaded to my online gallery system and shared with you so you can easily share it with family and friends.
+ Does a wedding photographer take photos of both partners getting ready?
Absolutely! Depending on your priorities and locations we can photograph both of you getting ready on the day. The way to make the best use of this time is to ensure you're showered and have your hair and makeup done (if applicable!) by the time I am due to arrive; then pop all of the lovely little details that you want captured to one side. I usually only need an hour with each partner; or an hour and a half if you're getting ready together!
+ Does a wedding photographer stay for the wedding reception?
I'm more than happy to stay for the entire reception if that's what you guys want!
That being said, unless there is some special late night entertainment or surprises planned, I generally run out of unique things to capture after an hour or so of dancefloor activities. If you're wondering if you need a photographer for your entire reception let's have a chat and see what fits your day best.
+ Can we get a group photo of all our guests from our wedding photographer?
You certainly can! However, in situations where you're a bit pressed for time (such as a tight reception timeline with less than an hour for all the photos) I'd advise skipping the big group photo, since they can be time-consuming to arrange.
But if a photo with everyone in it is important to you- it's a good idea to get the celebrant to mention it towards the end of the ceremony. This way your guests will know where they're supposed to be (rather than making a beeline for the bar)