frequently asked questions

THE STYLE

WHY SHOULD I APPOINT YOU?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A DOCUMENTARY?
DOES THIS MEAN LESS POSED GROUP SHOTS?
THE REPORTAGE STYLE IS QUITE POPULAR.  WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR SERVICE?
CAN I HAVE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS?
ARE THE PRINTS GLOSS OR MATTE?

WHY SHOULD I APPOINT YOU?

My overall objective is to provide a photographic approach which takes a large step away from the confined and formal tradition of mainly posed groups, whilst retaining all the best features of that formal tradition.  The extra dimension I can offer is in the area of creative observational photography (also known as reportage photography).

My key aim is to provide you with a complete documentary of your day in an informal and relaxed style, with the right mix of traditional photography and observational photography.  I can offer quality and quantity in the production of a minimum of 250 prints over a benchmark 5 hour period.

My personal style is relaxed and informal and, above all, unobtrusive, with a strong commitment to customer care and satisfaction. You will be buying into a professional, friendly and concerned attitude as well as quality photography.

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WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A DOCUMENTARY?

Typically, a wedding day starts with preparations in the morning and the arrivals of the prospective partners and their guests, moves through the ceremony to a relaxation period and then on to a reception and often an evening event.  This is why I offer coverage sufficient to photograph all events and people from the preparations onwards, creating a photographic documentary of your day in an interesting style.  You will end up with a large selection of captured moments, many of which you may have missed yourself because of your own commitments on the day.

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DOES THIS MEAN LESS POSED GROUP SHOTS?

Not at all.  A client's requirements are discussed in advance and confirmed through a written brief so, in the final analysis, you are in control by specifying your requirements.  All 'must haves' you request will be given priority.  There is a separate advice sheet in my information pack on group photography.

Please note that I make myself readily available on the day itself for unplanned group photographs, when people meet up and request a photograph of themselves together.  The agreed list can be supplemented with ad hoc group photographs in this way.  There is also no need to specify any photographs beyond the formal groups, unless you wish to point out some unusual building feature to act as a backdrop or specify other preferences.  I have my own 'hit list' of the main events in a wedding, such as the bride arriving, cutting the cake, etc.  This also includes environmental photographs, such as the wedding décor, table design and so forth.  We can talk through all this when we draw up the brief together before your day.

Time allowing on the day (which is always the case), I also concentrate on securing those special 'off beat' shots which can so lift a wedding portfolio above the average.

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THE REPORTAGE STYLE IS QUITE POPULAR.  WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR SERVICE?

You will have to decide this yourself from the material you have before you and my portfolio photographs.  Quality is a very subjective matter.  If you like my photographic style, you can appoint me on the basis of that alone.  After all, it is primarily photography which is being considered here.

There are many clients' wedding portfolios to view online on this website, which you can use to test quality.  Samples appear throughout the information pack, available by post on request.

The only things I can add are that:

   there is a large quantity of photographs on offer:  for the Premium Package of 5 hours, this amounts to a minimum of
     250 photographs at a large size throughout of 9" x 6" in colour and/or black and white, plus your own web portfolio
     thrown in

   previous clients without exception have appreciated the fact that my photographic background has not been solely in
     wedding photography but has encompassed the wholly different fields of commercial and travel photography at various
     times:  this level of diverse experience has enabled them to have photographs in a much fresher style than those
     produced by a traditional wedding photographer

   because of my concentration on shooting as much variety as possible during the day to provide a minimum of 250
     quality prints, there will always be in excess of that number available which you are welcome to have on top of the
     minimum:  this helps with handing out prints to family and friends and reduces the cost of reprints

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CAN I HAVE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS?

Yes.  You can have only colour or only black and white or any rough percentage mix of them.  There is no extra charge for black and white.

If you go to the trouble of colour co-ordinating various elements of your wedding décor, it seems a shame to lose that in black and white.  Therefore, I would normally recommend that black and white is best suited to the informal reportage style of photography.

Black and white is shot at source in the camera and is not produced from colour negatives, although I can do this for you after your wedding, should you like to have a particular colour photograph in black and white also.

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ARE THE PRINTS GLOSS OR MATTE?

Matte.  This gives an attractive satin finish (sometimes known as lustre also).  I think it looks more professional than shiny gloss.  Matte also has the added advantage of being more resistant to fingerprint marks.  However, you can specify gloss paper, if you prefer.

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