What to ask?

[Amanda27Sep08]

We are going to see our photographer next Saturday to finalise a couple of things, wondering whether anyone can suggest some questions that I should be asking?

Hopefully this will be our last main meeting before the day, except a quick run over everything the week before.

Also, does anyone have a full list of photos that we would want taken??

How is everyone working their mock photos? We would need to do them in front of everyone when we enter the reception..I feel a bit strange doing this!

Thanks

[~**Jen**~]

Just confirm everything with them. What is included in the package, how long they will be there for, what time they will arrive. Confirm they know where to go and how to get there.

With the list, I really wish I had done this as I missed a few. Write a list of the groupings you would like - family, friends etc. also if there are any specific locations you would like write those down too.

We didn't have mock photos. Our photographer was there all night. I didn't like the idea of staged photos.

Hope that helps!

[DJPlus]

Hi Amanda - Here are some questions to ask which I hope will assist you at your meeting with the photographer. You have already addressed some of these questions, however I have included them as they may help other brides who are just starting their planning;

* Do you specialise in wedding photography, and do you have a portfolio that I can view?
* Do you take formal portraits, candids or photojournalistic shots? Are you able to mix photography styles?
* Which are you most comfortable with - colour or black & white?
* Will you shoot our wedding by yourself or with assistance?
* What kind of preset packages do you have?
* What other photography services do you offer?
* What photo album styles do you have available, and what are the costs?
* Will your photography equipment shoot at any levels of light?
* How long will you be at the wedding ceremony and reception?
* Do you charge a fee for travel, and is there an extra charge to go to a third location?
* If there’s a planned delay between the wedding and reception, do you add additional charges?
* How many photos or rolls of film will you shoot?
* What sizes of prints do you offer? What’s the cost breakdown for each?
* Can you retouch images if necessary, and what technology do you use to do that?
* What other digital services do you offer?
* Do you offer Internet services like online proofing?
* Is there a minimum order requirement for prints or reprints?
* How much do you charge for photograph reprints?
* Do you keep the negatives and, if so, for how long?
* Are we able to purchase the negatives?
* How long after the wedding day will we get delivery?
* By what date should we book your services?
* How much is the deposit, and when is it due?
* How much is the balance, and when is it due?
* What is your cancellation policy and are there penalties?

With regards to a full list of photos that you would want taken - I hope this will get the ball rolling, obviously some of these will not be applicable but will give you ideas. Your photographer should be familiar with what is required if they specialise in weddings;

At the Bride’s House

Getting Hair and Makeup Done
Invitation
Bride holding parents wedding photo
Brides hands holding Invitation
Bride with compact, lipstick, applying makeup
Bride using Comb or Brush
The Page Boy’s Pillow with the Bridal Bouquet
Mother Adjusting Veil
Bride and Bridesmaids Getting Dressed
Bride Putting on Garter
Bride in Dressing Room with Mirror
Bride / Maid of Honour in mirror
Bride / Mother in mirror
Bride Pinning Corsage on Mother
Flower Girl Handing Bouquet to Bride
Portrait of Mother and Bride
Portrait of Father And Bride
Brothers and Sisters and Bride
Bride-Full Length
Bride-Half Length
Bride-Close Up
Bride with mother-Full Length
Bride with mother-Close Up
Bride with Mum soft-focus
Bride with father-Full Length
Bride with father-Close Up
Bride pinning on father's boutonniere
Bride with Both Parents-Full Length
Bride with Parents-Close Up
Bride with Grandparents-Full Length
Bride with Grandparents-Close Up
Bride with sisters-Full Length
Bride with sisters-Close Up
Bride with brothers-Full Length
Bride with brothers-Close Up
Bride with immediate family
Bride with Maid of Honour-Full Length
Bride with Maid of Honour-Close Up
Bride with bridesmaids-Full Length
Bride with bridesmaids -Close Up
Bride and flower girl/page boy
Flower girl handing bouquet to bride
Bride Leaving House
Father Helping Bride into Car

The Groom Before the Ceremony

The Groom and Best Man Candid Gag Shot
Groom-Full Length
Groom-Half Length
Groom-Close Up
Groom putting on bow tie
Groom with mother-Full Length
Groom with mother-Close Up
Groom with father-Full Length
Groom with father-Close Up
Groom with Parents-Full Length
Groom with Parents-Close Up
Groom with Grandparents-Full Length
Groom with Grandparents-Close Up
Groom with sisters-Full Length
Groom with sisters-Close Up
Groom with brothers-Full Length
Groom with brothers-Close Up
Groom with Immediate Family

At the Ceremony Location Prior to the Ceremony

Groom and Groomsmen
Groom with Best Man
Groom and best man shaking hands
Adjusting and/or Fumbling with Bow Ties
Groom with Best Man and Minister/Priest/Celebrant
View of venue
Groom, best man and groomsmen
Bridesmaids with Brides mother
Bride’s car arriving
Bride with father and car
Bride with father, car and bridesmaids
Signing Marriage Certificate
Bride and Bridesmaids
Bride and Sisters
Bride and each Sister
Bride and Brothers
Bride and each Brother
Bride and Page Boy
Bride and each Bridesmaid
Bride and Flower Girl
Bride alone close up
Bride alone full length
Bride's parents being seated
Groom's parents being seated
Grandparents being seated
Guests Taking their Seats
Any Shots of Singers or Musicians at Ceremony
Rolling down the aisle runner

During the Ceremony

Groom alone
Groom / Best Man
The Mothers of Bride and Groom being escorted Down the Aisle
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Page Boy
Flower Girl
Maid of Honour
Bride and father going down aisle
Giving away the bride/ Dad's Kiss good-bye
Bride and Groom coming down aisle
Flower girl walking down aisle
Page Boy walking down aisle
Bridesmaids walking down aisle
Maid of Honour walking down aisle
Father walking Bride down aisle
Father giving bride away
Center aisle
Balcony
Overall shot
Signing marriage certificate
Officiant
Officiant, best man, bridesmaids
Bride and Groom exchanging vows
Bride and Groom exchanging rings
First Kiss
Bride and Groom lighting candle
Minister/priest/Celebrant Presenting Couple to Congregation
Bride and Groom Coming Down Aisle
Time Exposure of Area During Ceremony
Bride and Groom facing each other
Special Readings
Butterfly Release
Dove Release
Recessional/ Confetti/Petal Shower/Bubbles
Communion

After the Ceremony at the Ceremony Location

Bride and Groom leaving front of Ceremony
Bride and Groom kissing at back of Chapel / Location
Bride and Groom exiting ceremony location
Bride and Groom Ceremony location steps
Bride and Groom Silhouette
Bride and Groom at door - kissing
Bride and Groom with parents
Bride and Groom and families
Bride showing ring to bridesmaids
Brides ring hand on bouquet
Fun shots
Individual shots of bridesmaids, best man, etc.
Each bridesmaid with her escort groomsman

Limousine/Transportation Photos

Getting into Car or Limo
Shot while seated in Limo
Shots from Front seat into back of Limousine/car
Bride and Groom toasting in the car/limousine
Bride and Groom facing front of car/limousine
Bride and Groom Kissing in Car/Limousine
Bride and Groom in Limousine sitting in back from outside
Bride and Groom looking out Limousine Window
Bridal Party around Limo or Car
Bride and Groom getting into limo
Bride and Groom on horses
Bride and Groom in carriage

Formal/Posed Shots Between the Ceremony and the Reception

Entire Bridal Party
Gag shot of the Bridal Party
Any Bridal Party Couples
Bride with Maid of Honour
Bride alone Full length
Bride alone Close-up
Bride with Bridesmaids
Bride with Each Bridesmaid
Bride with Groomsmen
Bride with Bride’s Family
Bride Alone Portraits
Groom with Best Man
Groom and Groomsmen
Groom Alone Portraits
Groom Full length
Groom Close-up
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Groom and his Dad
Groom and his Mum
Groom with Groom’s entire family
Groom with his Siblings
Groom and his Parents
Groom's Parents Alone
Three Generations: Groom's Side
Three Generations: Bride's Side
Bride's Parents Alone
Bride and her Dad
Bride and her Mum
Bride and her Parents
Bride with her Siblings
Bride and Groom Full length
Bride and Groom-Half Length
Bride and Groom-Close Up
Bride, Groom, Maid of Honour, and Best Man
Flower Girl with Page Boy
Flower Girl with Bride and Groom
Page Boy with Bride and Groom
Wedding party with Bride and Groom
Bride and Groom with Groom's Parents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Parents
Bride and Groom with Groom's Siblings
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Siblings
Bride and Groom with Groom's Grandparents
Bride and Groom with Bride's Grandparents
Bride and Groom w/Bride's extended family
Bride and Groom w/Groom's extended family
Bride and Groom Kissing
Bride and Groom "gazing" at each other
Bride and Groom holding hands
Close-up of rings
Bride and Groom with special friends
Bride with special friends
Groom with special friends
Outdoor Shots of Bride and Groom
Outdoor Shots of Wedding Party
Bride and Groom Multiple Poses
Bride and Groom on beach/sand
Bride and Groom barefoot on the beach with heart drawn in sand
Bride and Groom at waterfall
Bride and Groom at pond
Take bridal party to gardens/beach/car park
Mood shots in gardens

At the Reception

The Entrance:

Siblings
Parents of bride and groom
Best Man and Maid of Honour
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Flower Girl and Page Boy
Bride and Groom

Dancing:

Bride and Groom Full length First Dance
Bride and Groom Close Ups First Dance
Bride with Bride’s Father
Groom with Groom’s Mother
Parents
Grandparents
Bridal Party
Dance candids
Couples Dancing Fast and Slow
Groups Dancing Fast and Slow
Close ups of Bride and Groom Dancing

Speeches:

Best Man
Maid of Honour
Father of the Bride
Father of the Groom
Bride and Groom with Best Man
Bride and Groom with champagne glasses
Bride and Groom's kiss

The Cake:

Bride and Groom Cutting Cake
Bride feeding Groom
Groom feeding Bride
Bride and Groom's hand over cake showing rings
Record shot of cake before cutting it
Bride and Groom kissing with cake in photo

Bouquet and Garter Toss:

Bride tossing bouquet
Groom Removing Garter
Groom Tossing the Garter
Photo of guests catching garter and bouquet

Miscellaneous Shots:

Candlelight Photos
Good-Bye shots
Gag Shots
Guest candids
Guests at Table
Leaving reception hall
Candid shots
Shots of Band or DJ
“Getaway” Shots
Bonbonniere
Gift Table
Set up of room/reception area before guests arrive


....and of course any others that you personally think will be a great shot.

[Amanda27Sep08]

Holy smokes Serge, thats unreal!!!! Just what i was after!

Hehehe Thanks so much!! I think i'd freak out my photographer giving him a list that long!! I trust that he'll get all I want, but I will give it to him for an idea!

[ozwiccagal]

we are not having fake shots done as we also felt uncomfortable about doing shots that weren't real - but my sister did a fake cake cutting and the photographer whisked them away whilst everyone was having drinks and canapes and no one noticed - if you want to do these sort of shots a good photographer will be able to figure out how to do them without the guests knowing

[~**Jen**~]

I knew Serge would have a list! He always has the best lists!

Also with the "fake shots" can you not make them real? Do the cake cutting as soon as you walk in and the have your first dance?

[Amanda27Sep08]

Thanks Jen, I was thinking about that as well.

I guess I will just have to talk to the Photographer about it all. I just like knowing whats going on straight away when I have a thought!! lol

His package includes Early reception anyway, so depends on how long he allows for that. It might even be worth offering him a meal, or a place setting and he might stay. He's a wonderful guy!

[~**Jen**~]

Originally Posted by Amanda27Sep08

Thanks Jen, I was thinking about that as well.

I guess I will just have to talk to the Photographer about it all. I just like knowing whats going on straight away when I have a thought!! lol

His package includes Early reception anyway, so depends on how long he allows for that. It might even be worth offering him a meal, or a place setting and he might stay. He's a wonderful guy!

Yeah that might be a good idea!

If you organise for your venue to bring everyone in and seat them, then you walk in for your grand entry and walk straight to the cake and cut it and the to the dance floor for your first dance. It may work! Will only take 10 minutes

If he is a nice guy I am sure he wont mind staying a little longer.

You sound like a control freak like me! haha

[Amanda27Sep08]

Uh huh, control freak is definately the word for it!! As soon as I have to give a job to somebody else, I stress about it, thinking it wont get done! Wait, I dont give jobs to anybody else!! I think its easier for me to do it myself hehehe. Im just so much more reliable, even if I do say so myself!!

BUT in saying that, my sisters and sister in law will be making my invitations next week (they are printed and cut to size, just need assembling!). So while i am work, they will be having a party~ Gotta use my resources when I can!

[Sideways Sally]

We have bought meals for both our photographer and DJ who are both staying for the reception (Photographer is leaving at 10:30pm) I've also bought an extra dessert cake for each of the function staff and Karri the reception coordinator!