Essex Wedding Photographers in Braintree
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions and answers. If your question is not listed here then please contact us for more information. We are always happy to help.
Q. What is your wedding photography style ?
A. Our style is documentary reportage capturing your day as it unfolds, from bridal preparations all the way through, into the evening for your 'first dance' and the celebrations with your guests. Candid photography during the reception, and the few posed photos chosen by yourselves, along with images of the finer details, means your whole day is captured in it's entirety. We endeavor to catch those little intimate looks, and hilarious moments that become memories to laugh about again and again on seeing the photographs.
Q. What areas of the country do you cover and would you be willing to travel ?
A. We are based in Braintree, Essex. Our main cover is Essex and the surrounding counties. However, we are happy to travel and have photographed weddings further afield in places like Cheshire and Ireland.
Q. How long is your photography coverage ?
A. As long as you want it to be. This is all agreed in advance when we meet to discuss your day. Our packages are completely flexible so we can just do the ceremony and posed shots afterwards, go right from the bride getting ready to the end of the night, or anything inbetween.
Q. What is included in your packages ?
A. An initial meeting to discuss you and your requirements and tailor a package to suit you. A second meeting, often at your venue to enable us to see the venue through your eyes and take a few photos of the two of you to get you comfortable with us taking photos. A third meeting a few weeks before your big day to finalise all the details and running schedule for the day. Attendance at your church wedding rehearsal, we have found it helps to meet your vicar, priest, father before the day and discuss logistics with them. It is also lovely to meet some of your wedding party and family so they know who we are on the day as well. All our packages include an online gallery, USB stick of high resolution images, and a DVD of images set to music.
Optional extras can include - Albums. Additional USB sticks and DVD's.
Q. How many photographs will be on the USB stick and DVD ?
A. There is no set number as we constantly photograph throughout the day. The number is therefore dependent on your style of wedding and the images you require as well as the length of time we are in attendance. Typically a full day shoot could produce about 500 images.
Q. Will I get the option of black and white or colour photographs ?
A. We photograph in colour and then decide when processing which images work best in colour or black and white. If you want all colour or all black and white photographs be sure to let us know at one of our meetings.
Q. Who owns the copyright for our photographs and can we print our own ?
A. With the USB stick you are free to print as many copies as you wish. We include a copyright release in our contracts, which means you can print them yourself or have any lab print them for you. Copyright simply means we are the creator of the images, and we therefore own the copyright, but you are free to print and share your photographs as much as you like.
Q. What is the online gallery you mention in your packages ?
A link to your gallery can be found on our website. This then takes you to your album page where you and your guests can view and order prints and canvases to be delivered directly to your home address.
Q. Do you offer engagement shoots ?
A. Yes we do for a small fee, but if you then book us for your wedding within 12 months, the fee is then deducted from your wedding package cost. Engagement shoots usually take place at your home, in your garden or a local park depending on what you are most comfortable with.
Q. Can we give you a list of photographs to take ?
A. Yes, please do. We want to make sure you get exactly what you want, but please do delegate a person on the day to pull people together as sadly we are not clairvoyant and do not know who cousin Rebecca, uncle Lewis or best friend Steven are or what they look like. Also remember, the more photographs on your list the more time you will need to allow for them to be taken.
Q. Do you have insurance and can you provide a copy to my venue if they request it ?
A. Yes, definitely. We carry both professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance and are happy to provide copies of these.
Q. What is your payment schedule ?
A. We require a £250 non-refundable deposit at the time of booking with the balance due 2 weeks before your wedding.
Q. If I need to cancel my wedding, is the deposit refundable ?
A. In most cases, no. The deposit guarantees that we will hold that date exclusively for you and not take any other bookings for that date. It also covers the costs of any meetings and visits to your venue and behind the scenes administration work.
Q. If we are running late, will you stay later than scheduled ?
A. Of course, most weddings experience some delays or over-runs and this is factored into our prices.
Q. Can our family and friends take pictures with their own cameras ?
A. Yes they can, we just ask that they respect our presence and don't try and push in front of us. The only time we would prefer them not to be snapping away is when we are shooting your private images as they can be a distraction.
Q. What happens if it rains on the day ?
A. Don't Panic ! Sadly our British weather does not always co-operate with us and no matter what time of year you get married there is always a possibility of rain. In the summer months it is often only a passing shower and we can always get the outside shots when the shower passes. If it is wall to wall rain we can always take your photographs indoors. The church or venue are always great backdrops, especially when decorated for your special day. This is also one of the reasons we visit your venue before the day as it allows us to formulate contingency plans for locations for rainy days.
Q. What equipment do you own and use ?
A. Canon digital SLR's. One each on the day with a spare back-up as well just in case. Several different lenses ranging from fixed portrait lenses to zoom lenses. A bucket load of memory cards, speedlights, studio lights, and several little props to add that little bit of fun and magic to your images.
Q. How do we make a booking ?
A. Use the contact form on the website, email or telephone us directly on 07884 931 601 to set up an initial meeting to discuss your special day.
Q. Will we get to meet you before the day ?
A. Yes, we like to meet you so we can taylor a package specifically to you. We then meet again a few weeks before the day to go over and finalise all the details.
Q. I don't know anything about photography, how do I choose my Essex wedding photographer ?
A. The internet is your friend, so use it. Look at as many photographers as it takes to find one whose style of photography you like. Once you have found one you like, arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Personality is key. Your photographer is one of the few suppliers who will be with you all day, so you need to make sure you get on well with them and have a rapport.
If you arrange a meeting with us and for whatever reason are not happy do not be afraid to say no. We will not be offended if you choose to use someone else. We want your day to be a success no matter who you choose for your photography.
Q. What if I don't like having my photograph taken ?
A. This is why we use traditional and reportage styles of photography. This means you are not endlessly posing and feeling uncomfortable. We can also arrange a pre-wedding shoot for a small fee of £50.00 to allow you to become comfortable with us and more relaxed about the photos on the day.