Frequently Asked Questions
A small selection of our most popular questions:
Before your Wedding
How far will you travel?
I am based in Somersham near St Ives, Cambridgeshire and am happy to cover weddings throughout Cambridgeshire, North Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk and Essex.
Weddings within an hours drive of St Ives where I can cover your wedding and return home within the same day there is no additional travel charge. Longer trips and those needing an overnight stay will have a suppliment added which we will agree when you book to cover this additional cost.
I am getting married abroad will you photograph our wedding?
As long as you cover all expenses and realise that I will need to be with you for more than a single day ~ flying in at least the day before and remaining at least a day after. If you would like a price to cover your wedding please provide full details of your plans in order for me to provide you with a personal quotation.
On the Day
How long will you cover my Wedding for?
My photography is designed around specific events during your day rather than a particular time so this is very much in your hands. Your wedding is unique, I believe your wedding is a special reflection of you both as a couple and so your photography coverage should be chosen to reflect you and fit with your plans for your day.
Do you use flash during our ceremony?
I prefer to capture this special part of your day relying completely on natural light. Flash can be very distracting for you and your Wedding Official and is something many officials will discourage on your day.
Can we have group photos?
I am asked this one a lot and the answer is ~ Yes if you would like them ~ it is up to you. Your family may expect to see some group photos and will ask on the day, I can do as many or as few as you would like. I do ask that you provide me with a list of the groups prior to your day and also the support of a family member or two so that on the day we can work through these as quickly as possible to ensure that you can spend more time enjoying your day.
What happens if it rains on my Wedding Day?
As you look through my Wedding Gallery you will see umbrellas and wellies - if you plan for wet and it's dry that's great. Some couples prefer to stay indoors when it rains and others head outside with wellies and brollies ~ it's up to you ~ embrace the weather, plan for it and most importantly enjoy your day.
Do you carry back up kit?
Yes, I carry two cameras, each camera contains two cards automatically making a second copy of each image, a number of lenses, flash/lights to cover most eventualities. If in the unlikely event of camera failure I would simply carry on with the other one.
Do you use additional lighting for evening photos?
I carry additional lighting to create lovely images if you would like those moments captured. If you are enjoying your party and don't want evening/sunset shots then say and the extra lights will remain in the car.
How do your couples look so relaxed?
All of the couples in my gallery are everyday people on their wedding day who trusted me to create something special for them. I watch to see how you stand naturally and interact with each other and then suggest small tweaks - move a hand, a shoulder, a knee if needed. I take your ideas, add another perspective and then create something lovely for you. Additional lighting can be set up at speed or in advance and many of my evening images are captured in a matter of minutes in the lull between the end of your Wedding Breakfast and before your evening guests begin arriving - a perfect time for a quiet walk, a little alone time away from everyone else.
I normally dislike having my photo taken - can you help?
It is very common to be nervous in front of the camera and I am often told by my couples that they don’t enjoy having their picture taken - it is not something they are used to, feel self conscious and have concerns. The secret is if you feel relaxed and understand a good photo is simply a reflection of your unique personality. If you have any concerns like your chin, arms, height, achne confide in me and I’ll work around it – I can do clever things to make you look your best by choosing the right angle or background to minimise your worry. I’ll help you to feel relaxed which is the key to a natural photo. You might also like to consider a pre-wedding photo session - designed to help you to relax and chat about anything you feel I should know. It will help you get used to the camera and the experience of being photographed so it doesn’t feel unusual on your wedding day. It is truly awesome how many of my couples who have a pre-wedding session will adopt their pre-agreed stance without me having to say a word as they understand why and how this will ensure that they receive amazing images from their day.
Do we feed you on the day?
If I am with you for only a short period during your day then no food is not necessary. If you have me booked for the majority of, or all of, your day then rather than leave me eating warm sandwiches in the car organising something with your venue (it doesn't need to be anything like your guests) would be lovely.
After Your Wedding
Will we see every photo you take?
There are usually far to many to show ~ I go through each and every photo taken during your day removing any which don't meet my expectations - where the look isn't quite right, there are duplicates or where eyes are closed. The actual number I show will be a great representation of your wedding and will depend very much on what you have going on during your day as well as your chosen level of coverage. On average you will normally view about 50 images for each hour I am with you.
How long until we can see our Wedding photos?
I know you will be keen to see your photos as soon as possible (some are so excited) so I allow time in my diary to start editing your photos straight after your Wedding. This means that you are able to have a relaxed viewing of your photos almost as soon as you return from your honeymoon either in person or on-line ~ we agree a date for this together before your wedding and I will have all of your photos ready for you to view on that date. No long waits or delays!!
For those who are delaying their honeymoon till later in the year your photos will be ready to view about 21 days after your wedding.
Do you edit our photos?
Yes, I personally edit every image I deliver to you using a range of professional software tools.
Can our friends and family view our photos?
As soon as you have your private viewing I upload your images to your secure on-line gallery for all your friends and family to view. During your day I leave little table cards for your guests to take away to enable them to access your photos, I also add the date your images will go live to our cards so your friends and family don't have to ask you when your images will be ready while you are away! If they would like to purchase any prints these can be purchased through your on-line gallery.
Can we/our parents purchase albums, prints, frames and canvas wraps after our wedding?
Yes, once you have seen your images and they are live in your on-line gallery you are welcome to choose the images you would like printing and framed.
Can we choose the photos for our album or do you do this?
I want you to be involved at every stage to ensure your album is perfect for you. You choose the images you would like included in your album and from this I produce a draft/proof for you which you can let me know any changes you would like. I will not place your album order until you have signed off the final proof we have produced together.
We are not sure we want our images posted on Social Media, is this ok?
Yes of course just let me know ~ one of the questions on my booking form covers where are you happy for your images to appear just for this reason.
Booking
We want to book you, how do we do it?
Simply contact me and either arrange for a relaxed no obligation chat about your day or request a copy of my booking form to complete at home. Once I have your completed booking form and you have paid my booking fee of 20% that's it I am booked. As soon as I have received your booking I will write to you to confirm the details back to you so that you have everything in writing. Your balance is then due for payment one month prior to your Wedding.
Can we split our payments up to make it easier?
As long as your final payment is completed one month prior we can agree payment terms if you would like.
We are not getting married for a few years but love your work, should we wait until nearer the time?
It is best to book as soon as you have your date and venue booked that way you know you have it done ~ I would hate for you to ring me closer to your date and find that I am already booked for another couple.
I am having a very small wedding, just close friends and family, should I still have professional Photography?
If your photography is important to you and you would like to cherish the memory of your day then yes hiring a professional photographer is definately the best way to go. My Short Day Collections were created out of requests for small family weddings and has been very popular with both 1st and 2nd weddings ~ short coverage including your ceremony with family photographs either in pub, restaurant or hotel gardens (or local park) and departing as you are seated with your family for your wedding breakfast (family lunch). Many love a small album of images or a stunning piece of wall art in addition to their USB ~ just let me know what you would like.
Extras
Are you insured?
Yes, I have both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance cover.
What if you are sick?
It would need to be something quite bad for me to miss your day once you have booked. However if it was completely unavoidable I do know a number of local photographers as well as having links to a much wider network, so if I was unable to attend I would contact my network to find you another photographer.
Ready to take the next step ~
Let's Talk
Wedding Photographer Cambridgeshire