Wedding Photography FAQ - Planning Hints and Tips.
Q 2.01. How does the wedding day usually play out in your experience? How much time should we schedule between the service and reception for photos? Answer
Q 2.02. What do we do about photography if the weather doesn't co-operate on my wedding day? Answer
Q 2.03. Are the guests at my wedding also allowed to take pictures while you are shooting? Answer
Q 2.04. Can you recommend some good locations for wedding pictures? Answer
Q 2.05. I have a list of posed shots that I'd like taken of some family members. Can give this list to you before my wedding day? Answer
Q 2.06. Should I provide a meal at the reception for (you) the photographers? Answer
Q 2.07. Help! I'm freaking out! The wedding date is coming fast, and the info that I filled in on my contract a year ago for times and locations has changed! When / where should I send the new info? Answer
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Answers.
Q 2.01. How does the wedding day usually play out in your experience? How much time should we schedule between the service and reception for photos?
A. Generally, for things to be relaxed and enjoyable, you'll need an hour per location. That can include travel time between locations, assuming the distance is not too great.
Note that one of the most common mistakes a couple can make during the planning stage of a wedding is to arrange for more locations than time will reasonably allow. Having more locations than you have time for will make your day less enjoyable - and because our style of shooting is very natural and non-restrictive, this will likely be reflected in your photos. Keep in mind that the pictures are not so much about the location as much as they are about the people and the emotion. In fact, our best pictures from each wedding most often have nothing to do with the location.
We've outlined a schedule here that is based on 5 hours coverage. A time line such as this tends to work well and allows for a relaxed day for the couple and provides a nice variety of photographs.
Getting Ready Before Ceremony, Two Hours: Coverage starts of the Bride about two hours before the Ceremony. These are exclusively candid pictures, as any required posed photos are handled later, when everyone is more relaxed and ready to have fun after the ceremony.
Ceremony, One Hour: Both photographers roam and document the actual marriage ceremony. We usually get to this location about 30 minutes before the ceremony start time to get candid shots of the groomsmen and the guests. The amount of coverage during the ceremony depends on the location - if the marriage is taking place in a church, there may be limitations on when pictures can be taken during the proceedings.
After Ceremony Group Photos, About One Hour: The group (Bridal Party, Family, etc.) can go to one location for pictures. There are a number of ways to use this time depending on the type of pictures the couple wants. If there is not a significant number of posed shots, this can be a fun time where people just mingle and we capture natural personalities.
After Group Photos, About One Hour: The Couple goes off alone for pictures. This is often a relaxing time for them, and they breathe a sigh of relief. It's a good time to unwind before going on to the reception, so these can be a mix of candid and fun shots at a few different locations, as time permits.
This schedule can be expanded upon based around the ceremony start time. For example, with 7 hours we'd suggest getting both the Bride and Groom before the ceremony with coverage starting about 3 hours before the ceremony, usually with the Groom. A staged cake cutting and coverage during the first part of the reception can be included as well. This can be expanding on further with our largest package for complete coverage, including the first dances.
Note that these examples are provided only as a suggested guideline. If your day is planned to be non-conventional, these ideas may not suit you.
Q 2.02. What do we do about photography if the weather doesn't co-operate on my wedding day?
A. It's a good idea to have an indoor location arranged in case of bad weather on your wedding day. There is often a cost associated with having this option, but considering how rapidly the weather can change in Newfoundland, and the amount of money you've likely already spent on your wedding, we think it really is money well spent!
For weddings taking place in the City of St. John's, there are several establishments that rent on an hourly basis for this purpose. One such place that is often used by our clients is the Winterholme Heritage Inn. This is perhaps the most beautiful old ornate building in the province, with a large common area that can accommodate small groups of up to 20 people. We've not yet seen an indoor location more suited to wedding pictures and highly recommended this location.
In any case, we have all the necessary lighting to shoot entirely indoors in any location. After all, this is Newfoundland, and we are prepared!
Q 2.03. Are the guests at my wedding allowed to also take pictures while you are shooting? How about the videographer?
A. Yes, we have no problem with other people taking pictures, provided that they are not an obstacle to us completing our work.
Q 2.04. Can you recommend some good locations for wedding pictures?
A. This depends largely on your taste and where your service and reception are taking place.
However, because it's not uncommon for either the bride or groom to be unfamilar with the province, we've compiled this list of popular wedding photography locations for St. John's.
Q 2.05. I have a list of posed shots that I'd like taken of some family members. Can I give you this list before my wedding day?
A. Generally, we find that our best work is captured "in the moment" and that working from a pose list tends to limit creativity. While our photographers have years of combined experience in traditional posed photography, it is not the style that is showcased on this web site and is therefore not the style for which we are usually hired, nor the style we prefer to shoot when covering a wedding.
However, we do understand the need for some posed pictures, especially when the family is all together in one place for the first time in a long time, as is often the case with a Newfoundland wedding.
When posed shots are required, we try to keep them brief and fun. If you have a pose list, we suggest that it be trusted to someone who knows the names and faces of all those involved - we'll work with this person to quickly get some nice shots of each grouping. This would usually take place right after the ceremony.
Q 2.06. Should I provide a meal at the reception for (you) the photographers?
A. Although we do appreciate such a generous offer, we have a policy of not eating at the reception - we are usually very focused (no pun intended) and far too busy with the work at hand.
It is worth noting that, as stated in our contract, we do schedule a 30 minute break during any shoot that is 8 hours or more in duration. While this break is often scheduled during the reception, it is staggered between two photographers to provide maximum coverage and flexibility.
Q 2.07. Help! I'm freaking out! The wedding date is coming fast, and the info that I filled in on my contract a year ago for times and locations has changed! When / where should I send the new info?
A. Details of times and locations can be sent to us via our Client Date Details page. Please feel free to wait until your plans are set before sending this info.
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