FAQ’s

Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding wedding photography that you may find helpful. If you have a question to ask, which has not been answered here, please get in touch. I will be only happy to help.

How soon do I need to book my photographer ?

As early as you possibly can. For weekend weddings in the summer months, dates can be booked out as far as 2-2.5 years in advance. As soon as your deposit is paid, your date is saved for you alone. I only photograph one wedding per day.

How long have you been in the industry ? How many weddings have you photographed ?

I began my career in the photography industry at the tender age of 15 years old, working for a professional photography firm. I have now had 29 years in the industry I love, and I have covered over 1200 weddings in my time as a professional. I cannot stress enough how much employing an experienced wedding photographer is essential on your wedding day.

How far do you travel ?

I cover the whole of the UK, Europe, and further afield with my wedding photography. The prices for the wedding plans are exactly the same, with just travel and accommodation added to the overall costs, if required. I regularly cover weddings in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the London area, as well as destination weddings worldwide. Special arrangements and costs can be discussed and agreed for specific travel requirements needed for locations at great distances in the UK, and international assignments.

What makes you stand out from other photographers ?

I like to think my images answer that question for me, but constantly winning National and Regional awards over the last 29 years helps back up this statement. I am always looking for innovate ideas, new techniques, new equipment, new methods of post production, and bringing you new products to keep things fresh and exiting. Staying ahead of the game is key to me. As well as this, I regularly get complimented on my warm personality, my images and my albums being different to anything anyone has seen anywhere before. I also limit the number of weddings I undertake each year. This way, it helps to maintain quality and the high standards I set myself.

We love your work, but live too far away to meet in person. How do we overcome this problem ?

I have clients who have booked my services solely from my images online, and who live too far away to make it possible to meet before the event. Not only in this country, but recently Dubai, Cambodia, and Australia, and Ireland. In the event that this happens, I always suggest a Skype call, to discuss your requirements for the day, meet myself before the wedding (all be it not in person), and view some of my albums and work, further to looking at my website. If you do not have the facility for a Skype call, then a regular telephone call can be arranged at your convenience.

Will it be you photographing my wedding ?

Absolutely. You are hiring me to photograph your big day, not another photographer working under my name.

How much is a wedding plan deposit ?

A non refundable deposit of £250 is payable on booking your wedding plan, with the balance of your wedding plan due one calendar month before the actual day of your wedding. If you do wish to pay anything from your outstanding balance before the due date, you may do so. Deposits may be paid with cash, cheque, credit/debit cards, bank transfer, Paypal, and more. Please ask for further details. Payment for album upgrades, print orders etc after the wedding are due in full when placing the orders. After paying your deposit, the date is reserved exclusively for you, and ALL other commissioned work enquiries are turned away.

Are your wedding plans flexible ?

Although I have designed a list of  certain wedding plans I offer for your ease, each plan has some flexibility to allow you to customize it to suit your own requirements. For example certain items can be swapped for others to give the freedom to arrive at the wedding plan and products that you want for your big day. Albums, products and services are updated, and added to constantly.

Can we give you a list of required photographs ?

Absolutely, it is your big day, and any images you require with certain guests, or any specific location, will be photographed for you. The greater input, the better. Even parents and guests with photograph requests will be taken. Any lists will be taken on the wedding day, so none of your requests will be missed. Normally 99% of most lists will be covered anyway, but there maybe that unusual or specific image you require that is out of the ordinary, so I would recommend you making a list. If you have a vast list of required images, please make sure time is allowed to complete the list.

Do you mind if family and friends take pictures with their cameras ?

Absolutely not !! In fact I encourage it !! It is after all, a happy occasion that people will want to relive via their photographs. I do not mind people photographing in the background while I take group images at all, but ask guests not to follow on while I take you away for your intimate bride and groom portraits, because other people can be distracting while taking these images of the two of you. Other than this, I don’t mind cameras during the first dance, cake cutting, speeches etc

Can we go to a location to have photographs taken ?

This is a big recommendation on the wedding day. If you have a location that is special to you both (perhaps, where you got engaged, or where you frequently walk), then having images taken at the location is not a problem. It is also another location to add extra uniqueness to your final album. Please ask for further details regarding time allowances you need to make to your wedding day, for your chosen location. If you want to leave the location up to myself, I have years of experience photographing people in great locations around the North East and the rest of the country. If you wish for bridesmaids and groomsmen to join you at your chosen location, that is also not a problem.

What if we have bad weather on the wedding day ?

Unfortunately in this country, one thing we cannot guarantee, is the weather. This is where having a photographer with vast experience proves vital. Having a venue with a fantastic interior is great, but if not, this is where a photographers experience and creativity comes in to play. All my equipment is weather sealed, so images can still be taken outside. I even don’t mind getting wet myself, while you stay dry, to capture that perfect image. I also have images in the galleries, taken on rainy days, where, with off camera flash, the rain has actually added to the atmosphere of the image, so all is not lost. I always bring a selection of umbrellas. In the event of a full day washout, I can even return the day after for an hour or so, if you wish to have images taken outside. This is of course subject to my diary being free, the day after your wedding.

How long does it take before I see my wedding photography proofs ?

The average time is 3-4 weeks after the day. I know you will be in a great hurry to view your images as soon as possible, but there is  a great deal of work involved going through all the images during the editing process, making the images ready for viewing. This time frame maybe slightly longer in the busier summer months. It also maybe a little less in the winter months. Your images will be able to be viewed online, on your secure online password protected personal viewing gallery, which is in the ” Client Login ” section on the website. You can share this password with family and friends, who will be able to view and purchase images if they desire. The gallery has no expiry date, so will be able to be viewed indefinitely.

How long does it take to receive my finished album ?

Depending on which album you have selected, the average album design is available to view online in around 8 weeks. This is the longest part of the whole wedding for myself. Album design is taken to the highest standards, and with being the only physical memory left of the wedding day, no corners are cut in this process. I pride myself on my album designs being the absolute best they possibly can be. The initial design will be uploaded on the password section of the website, for you to view, check, and give the go ahead for the album to be sent to the lab for printing. The album then returns from the lab 10-15 working days later.

Do you retouch images ?

Every image is evaluated for colour and exposure before being posted online. Images you choose for your album, or additional prints and wall portraits will be individually assessed to a high standard, and corrected as needed. Fire exit signs, background distractions, hair that has blown over faces, will all be removed. Slight skin softening will also be applied where needed, as will tattoo removal (if required). Special works of art will be produced in albums as part of the album design process. A selection of this kind of image can be viewed in the “Fine Art Wedding Photography Gallery” section of the website.

What if I wish for a few changes to be made to the album design ?

That is no problem at all. This is why the album is uploaded to the password section of the website for you to check the design. I have actually had clients pick wrong images, or images they have missed out, to go into their albums, without noticing until the design is viewed online. You are allowed three image changes, free of charge. This includes a complete new image substituting an old image, and  an image that is required to be a different size, or an image you wish to change the colour it is displayed in the design. If you wish to make more than three changes, each additional change is charged at £10 per change. Please note, one change does include a whole new page layout design. Most photographers will not allow you to view the design before it is printed. At this time, it is too late to make any changes to the design. This is why I find it crucial that a design is viewed before printing.

Do you provide high resolution printable images on a disc or USB ?

Yes we do. There is a disc only plan (no album), some plans where a disc is included, and some other plans where it can be added as an extra. There is a wide range of boxed designer USB, or boxed discs for you to make your choice from.

If I book years in advance, could there be a price increase ?

Absolutely not! From time to time album manufacturers, and printing laboratories do increase their prices. In the event of this happening, please note that I will personally cover the increase in costs myself. Most, if not all other photographers insist that the increase is charged to yourself, will not be greater than 10% of the wedding photography plan. Not so with me, I will cover all price increases across the board, so you can be rest assured that the price that you are quoted, is the price you will pay.

Will you cover my first dance ?

Of course. The first dance is an important part of your big day. Some wedding plans include the coverage of the first dance, and it is available as an added extra on other plans. If the first dance is included for your wedding, not only is this covered, but also images taken outside at night with off camera flash set ups, images taken of any entertainment you may have on the evening, and guests enjoying themselves on the dance floor.

What equipment do you use ?

I use only top of the range Canon cameras, and all lenses are professional ” L grade” lenses. As well as top of the line cameras and lenses, no expense has been spared on Canon speedlites, off camera lighting, the latest in LED lighting, and Bowens studio lighting. I constantly upgrade equipment to keep up with industry standards and new technology, this also includes purchasing the latest post production editing software and album design software from around the globe.

Are you a member of any professional photography associations ?

Absolutely. I find it imperative for customers piece of mind that my photography is backed by the biggest professional organisations world wide. I have been a fully qualified member of the Master Photographers Association in the UK since 1992. This allows me to use the initials L.M.P.A  after my name. I am also a member of the exclusive World Elite Photographers, which you cannot join, unless invited to do so, and lastly Wedding Photography Select, also an organisation that you need an invite to join. These three organisations only allow you to be a member if your work passes the highest of levels of photographic technique and excellence.

Other Photographers

Please do not copy my FAQ’s page. This list has been put together and developed over the many years I have been a professional photographer. A lot of thought, effort, and time has gone into producing this, for my clients . Do justice to your own clients, and compile a list that meets your personal client base. Many thanks.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.