Wedding and Portrait Frequently Asked Questions

You are a unique individual with your own taste in style and know what you like and dislike. So choose someone who can fit your style and not you to theirs. Think about whether you would like your photos to be a classical style or have a modern look and feel. You may want a little of both.

For example, the weddings I have shot have been a combination of both with some reportage/photo journalistic thrown in. With your wedding schedule in mind, think about your day and how you would like each part portrayed. Let's look at a quick example:

Bridal Getting Ready : Photojournalistic
Morning Bridal Party : Classical and Modern
Bride's portrait session: Modern
Ceremony : Classical
Formal Photo's : Classical
Bride and Groom : Romantic/Modern

So we can see a combination of styles in this example.

Now with this in mind, you should start to look through photographers portfolio's to see if they can acheive the styles you have in mind. Also remember your budget. Can't forget that. Be focused and stick to it. Most photogaphers prices escalate once you start including products into their packages. Take a look around at these product prices, you can get cheap frames and albums but is that what you want to immortalise your wedding day. All photographers include high quality items that will present your photos in the best way.

You could choose a photographer who will take all your photos and present you with a DVD of high quality images which you can use to purchase your products. Or alternatively, choose one of their packages that suits your needs. Most will offer or provide you with the opportunity to pick and choose.

Here is a checklist that you can use in your decision making process:



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As soon as possible. Don't worry if your wedding day is months or years away, don't try and put off the booking. The sooner the better. You will want to meet them and see if their personality fits well with you. You may end up meeting a few photographers before you are able to find one that you get on well with. If you leave it till later then you put yourself in a postion where you may have to settle for the first one that is free. Not a good position to be in as you have now lost some control.

If they offer an engagement package then I highly recommend you take this up. It will provide you the opportunity to work with them and see their style and manner. If it fits well, then great. Your confidence will grow and you need not worry on the day. If not then atleast you have some engagement photos from the result.


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I employ varied techniques that are appropriate for weddings. My eye for composition and framing has evolved by shooting many different subjects and styles so I can bring unusual and pleasant viewpoints that you would not necessarily attribute to traditional wedding photography.

I am a big fan of using off camera lighting in some of the creative sessions as the mood and feeling of a picture can change to a more intimate expression. Personally, I look forward to certain points during a wedding day; The Bridal session in the morning and the Bride and Groom romance sessions because that is when I can be really creative.

I am happy to peform classical wedding photography if you so prefer. I default to modern/edgy styles.



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I believe it is very important that we discuss your wedding and plan your activities together. A coffee shop that is convenient to both of us or one that is preferably close to the venue is a good place to meet as it provides the opportunity to scope for shooting locations and even try out some ideas.

Bring along a schedule of your day and make sure you highlight any special requirements you may have. If you have been browsing through magazines and looking through websites and found shots you like then bring them along to show the photographer what you like. Also bring along what you don't like. This is important because you can show what you don't want from the photographer, who can then concentrate on what you like.

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During the consultancy session, we can discuss all of your requirements. If we are able to plan in your requirements without compromising the schedule or causing any undue risk that we are unable to mitigate then anything is possible.

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During the consultancy, you should discuss this. You should consider the following:



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Due to the nature of weddings; fast moving, one time opportunities for a photo, all expected shots cannot be guaranteed. If you have any specific situations in mind then please let me know before the wedding day.

For the formal shots of friends and family, I would recommend that a list of the groups is provided. As long as all group members co-operate and there are no limitations in location or time then it should be possible to complete the group photos. During the ceremony, if there are no limitations imposed by the venue or the priest/officiate then I will be constantly taking photos and know when the key moments are.

Depending on the package you have chosen, we can say that I will be taking creative shots during the following periods and so have a free reign :-


You should document a formal list and volunteer a person that can work with me to organise people for the following sessions :-


So that it helps you decide if I am the right photographer for you, I prefer to shoot freestyle throughout the day and will use your list of formal photos to direct the scripted shoots. Unfortunately, I will reject lists with minute details as it will be too restrictive and I prefer not to keep referring to a list of must haves. Moments are lost this way and many are precious.

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I hope that the British weather is kind to you on the day. But if it does happen then we will discuss the backup schedule and locations during the consultancy. Typically, we will need a backup location for the formal photos and for the Bride and Groom romantic creative session. If you have decided to have any part of your day held outdoors then I would highly advise on some kind of cover. It formalises the event and also provides as backup cover.

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I hope that this would not happen but if it does then I will refund all monies paid and if possible will let you know ahead of time. We can discuss a backup photographer strategy at your consultancy.

I aim to arrive at the first location before the start to give enough time for traffic etc. I have a reliable car with a high level of AA cover.

I will never double book or commit to any other event or activity on your day, once your wedding day has been booked and your deposit to retain the day has been paid.

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My two main cameras are the acclaimed Canon 5D Mark II. I have three camera bodies, two of which I will use on the day and one which will remain as a backup and will not be used on the day. I also have 7 professional grade Canon "L" lenses and 3 additional specialist lenses. My lighting solutions include 3 flashes and remote RF controlled flash triggers. I have enough battery power and memory cards to provide backups.

Due to the nature of electronic and mechanical equipment, their durability cannot be guaranteed. If I am aware of a fault then I will act to remedy the issue immediately. If this occurs during a key moment then I will switch to the backup equipment immediately and may result in a slight delay causing some photos to be missed.

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I will only take a break when there is a convenient point in the day, such as when everyone is sitting for the meal or when I am travelling. In between key moments I will be taking detail, candid and photojournalistic shots.

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This depends on the package that you book. An 8 hour day will yield more photos than a 3 hour day. Suffice to say that at a minimum, a "ceremony and formal" package will provide you with a few hundred photos.

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The "proofs" online gallery will be available within 10 days, after the backup process.

The first thing I do is to backup all your photos on 3 separate drives. I then create a working copy and start processing them. I remove all test shots and pick the best of the repeating shots and then perform quick post capture adjustments on all the photos. These are then available to view online within 10 days.

I will send you an email containing the web link and your private username and password. You may forward the email to your friends and family so they can share in the memories.



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I perform a number of steps on the final set of photos that will be available to you. This includes the following:


You can then choose to purchase additinal processing which includes basic fashion type retouching, which is priced per photo.


I also offer what is termed "enhanced retouching" which is primarily skin smoothing and body sculpting, which is priced per photo.


The Enhanced Retouching is a time consuming process but can yield very pleasing high fashion magazine style results. The intensity of the process is reflected in the price. The bride's portrait photo would be best suited for this process.

Click to see TOUCH UP BEFORE & AFTER samples of processing.

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You can use the "proofs" online gallery to add the photos to the shopping cart, specifying the type of retouching you would like in the notes box. Please make sure you double and triple check the list you make as any errors or omissions will be corrected with an additional cost.



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I own all copyright to the photos and they will all contain hidden metadata in the file with my copyright signature. The signature will not appear on the photo itself. I will ask that you sign a model release so that I can use your photos on my portfolio and you will then be licensed to use the photos as you please.
I ask that you please credit me if you publish the photos online and provide a link back to my website. This should hopefully assure you of the pride I have in my photos.

All the negative "RAW" files belong to me and are not available for purchase. You will be provided with hi-res JPG files if you have purchased the DVD.

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The "final" online gallery is password protected so you can disclose this to any person you wish and includes your full set of photos, up to a maximum of 500. All of the images will provide a filename for reference and will contain a copyright watermark that will not be present on the printed photos.

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Please see the Prices section for full details.



The parents' albums are smaller versions of the main wedding album. You decide on the number of pages in the album and you have full control over the wording and the content.


These are constructed in the same format as a traditional book and are laid out in chronological order using pre-defined templates. The wording on the cover and within the book will be of your choosing if you so desire.




The slideshow will include a majority of your photos and will be in an authentic DVD format so it will play on any* DVD player. Any similarly framed or duplicates will not be included so as to maintain the interest of the viewer and will be presented in chronological order. Some of the photos may be in black and white or sepia depending on whether it is appropriate or adds to the mood. The music will be of your choosing.

*Your DVD player will need to be able to play DVD+R/-R media.


You can purchase DVD(s) of your photos that are of web size quality. I can also provide a DVD of your high resolution images in JPG format.

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From the date of when you choose the photos you would like in your albums and agree on the final layout, you should have the products within 4 weeks of the order confirmation date. The DVD of the images, if ordered, will follow shortly thereafter.

Your DVD slideshow, if ordered, will arrive after the album and DVD of hi-res images is complete. It will include as many as will fit within your chosen song's timeline. Your DVD player will need to be able to play DVD+R/-R media.

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The package prices include all costs for any and all venues within the M25 Greater London region. If your venue is outside of the M25 orbital area then we can agree upon the additional expenses and the limit to cover the travel and accommodation costs.

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I have full liability insurance, up to 2 million pounds.

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Please use my Contact Form or alternatively email to contact me. I check my email's on a daily basis and will provide a prompt response within 24 hours.

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