FAQ

Below are some hints on planning your perfect wedding day!

To help maximize photo opportunities on your wedding day some planning is essential. Below are some suggestions and guides for incorporating a successful photo shoot into your wedding day.

How much time is required for photography?
There are 4 major events in a wedding day to consider to ensure there is enough time available for photo opportunities:
* Bride and bridesmaids, & then groom & groomsmen getting ready.
* Wedding Ceremony (at a Church or other location)
* Bridal party, and then photos with family.
* Reception, - table shots, cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.

Bride and bridesmaids getting ready
It is good idea for the photographer to arrive at the location where the bride is getting ready at least 1 hour before the wedding.
Some candid photographic opportunities usually present themselves while everyone is getting ready.

Formal photographs that are recommended are:
* individual shots of the bride
* individual shots of each bridesmaid
* all the girls together as a group
* the bride and her parents
* the groom & groomsmen getting ready

It is a good idea that you allow approximately - 45 minutes for these photographs.

Wedding Ceremony (at a Church or other location)
Photography will be the last thing on your mind at this stage of the day, and as such there should be no consideration of photography during the ceremony. There will be ample opportunity for photography simply by the nature of the event, as every one will be looking their best and love will be in the air. Our job is to simply document and capture the event so that you can enjoy it for years to come.

It is suggested that family photographs are taken, & finished within 15 minutes of the ceremony ending. Family photographs are very important, and the ceremony is perhaps the only time during the day that you can be certain that everyone will be present. Allow no more that 15 minutes for family photos, and if there are any special combination's of family you would like photographed together, please make a list for us.

Bridal group photography
After the wedding ceremony it is time to head to a suitable location for bridal group photography. An open park, garden or beach are very suitable examples. If time permits it is recommended that 2 or more different locations are used to give you some variety in your photographs.

This is time that we can get creative and capture that special photograph that you will be proud to hang on your wall.

There is a time tested set of images that we like to capture that include:
* bride and groom together in at least 3 different situations
* each bridal party couple together
* the entire bridal group in at least 2 situations
* candid shots of the bridal group

Once we have secured these images, we will try some more adventurous photography!

We recommend that you allow at least 1 hour (excluding travel time) for bridal group photography.

You don't want to rush, as we want you to look relaxed and happy, so allow plenty of time, and bring plenty of refreshments to ensure the bridal group photography is an enjoyable and and productive part of your day.
Be aware of when "sunset" happens! - we need at least an hour to photograph you all before this!

Reception: - At the reception we like to secure photographs of:
* the bridal group entering the reception (while being announced by the MC)
* cutting of the cake
* a group shot of the guests at each table (if applicable)
* Bouquet toss, garter toss first dance..

The only requirement for photography at this time of the day is that you have fun!

Weather considerations
Even though the chances of inclement weather are usually slim, it is a good idea to have a plan (regarding locations) to cope with less than ideal conditions.

All that is needed is to have a nominated location that can be used in wet and/or windy conditions. It is important to do this before the wedding day so that any approval for public areas or buildings can be obtained in advance.

Good examples of suitable locations include:
* a historic building with antique aesthetics for inside photography
* a decorative foyer of a classy hotel
* on old train station (with cover)
* a local pub that has character
* any building that has a large veranda for cover
* a beach sunset location - in good weather!!

Sunset
The time of year and in particular when the sun will set is very important for wedding photography. If it becomes dark too early in the afternoon then suitable conditions for photography can be severely limited.

Sunset can also provide exceptional conditions for photography.
I will let you know how much time we have available on your day - well in advance!

Example itinerary
If you choose us as your wedding photographer, we will discus the day with you and ensure that an itinerary is made.

Below is an example itinerary. As you can see it is simple, but gives a good guide to the day and helps ensure that there will be no surprises.
*Wedding date: Sat ??/??/????
*1.00pm - Girls @ Brides house
*casual shots of getting ready
*formal shots of bridesmaids
*bride with parents
*2.00pm - Girls leaving for Church
*photographer to arrive at church early to photograph Groom and boys
*3.00pm - Ceremony @ Church
*document all steps of ceremony
*signing of the register
*3.30pm - Family photos @ Church
*4.00pm - Bridal group photos @ park opposite church (wet weather option - old Railway under the veranda and foyer of the hotel)
*gardens
*boardwalk and lookout
*gazebo
*5.00pm (approximately) - should be finished bridal group photo’s. Leave for reception.
*6.00pm - Reception.
*cutting of cake
*table group shots

Other FAQ's. -Ok, How do I book?
Give me a call! We’ll have a chat about what you’re looking for, I’ll answer any further questions you may have.

We are having a function. Can you print pictures for us on site?
Yes I can! If you or your company are having an important event or function and would like professional pictures taken, printed immediately on site, and presented in "presentation folders" we have the equipment to do it!

How do I confirm a booking?
A deposit is required to hold a wedding booking, the remainder payable two weeks prior to the day.

What do we wear for a portrait session?
Whatever you are comfortable in! The choice is entirely yours – just think about what you hope to achieve in your pictures and dress accordingly. Are you looking for a contemporary relaxed family picture? Then jeans work very well, and perhaps same coloured shirts.
Short's are a no no for men in family portraiture.

Bright contrasting colours (no clashing colours!) make a high impact with children, but can be distracting on adults.

Everyone in black or white can look effective too. The key is to know what you’re looking for – or bring a selection and work together to create some different looks. Choose clothing in similar colours or neutral tones so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright compared to the rest of the group.

The goal of any portrait is to direct the viewers attention to the face or faces in the portrait. Simple, long-sleeved garments in natural colours always work well, but:
Bold stripes, checks and prints are confusing.
Bright colours, such as red or orange, will tend to overpower the face and ruin the portrait.
Ladies should wear light, natural make-up, and unobtrusive jewelery.

WHAT DO WE DO DURING THE SHOOT? I HATE HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN!
Whatever you or the kids are comfortable with! If you feel awkward, the pictures won’t be great. My aim is to get you having fun and enjoying yourselves – fairly quickly you’ll forget that you hate having your picture taken, and you’ll love the pictures we get as a result. What we do is entirely dependent on what happens on the day!