Choosing your wedding photographer is a big and sometimes daunting decision so I’ve put together some questions you might want to ask before taking the leap. If there’s anything else you’re curious about, please feel free to get in touch. I’m always up for a chat.
What is “documentary” photography and does it include a couple shoot?
In a nutshell documentary photography is fly-on-the wall photography that captures raw, honest moments as they happen. Good documentary images require a certain degree of familiarity and intimacy so in our pre-wedding meet up, please don’t be shy. Tell us what you like and dislike, show us your quirks, share any insecurities you might have. We’ll take what we learn and use it to make images that capture your unique connection.
While we love candid documentary photography, we are equally passionate about portraiture. So yes, you will absolutely get a couple shoot, should you want one (not everyone does, and that’s also okay). We focus on portraiture (the “posed” stuff) twice in the day – bride and groom portraits taken separately before the ceremony and again during your couple shoot, preferably in the hour before sunset when the light is soft and golden.
Will you tell us how to pose?
Even the most natural portraits require some direction – where to stand, how to angle your face to get the best light, and sometimes how to relax. Some couples need a lot of direction (it can be scary standing in front of a camera for the first time) and others are quite comfortable simply engaging with each other and letting us shoot. We will provide as much or as little direction as you need and if you ever feel uncomfortable, just shout and we’ll try something different. We choose shooting locations away from your guests so you don’t have to feel shy. Just relax and have fun; after all its one of the few times during the day that you get to spend one-on-one time together.
What about family shots?
We understand the importance of family shots at a wedding since it’s one of those rare occasions that everyone comes together under the same roof. Having said that, it can be a very stressful process for the couple if made too complicated. We recommend scheduling family photos for just after the post-ceremony hugs and kisses, before everyone has a chance to wander off, and don’t make the list of images too long. We strongly discourage anything more than 10 combinations e.g. bride’s family, groom’s family, bride & groom’s family etc. The moment you step into female cousins, male cousins and so on, you’re in for a long and uncomfortable ride that eats into your couple shoot and general fun time.
Do you always shoot together?
Yes! We work as a team, lending our own perspective and eye to your wedding day, while creating a final album that is aesthetically cohesive.
Will you photograph every guest at my wedding?
While we strive to capture as many of your loved ones as possible, we value moments over box ticking. We don’t do table shots but if there is anyone who you want a photo with, please feel free to grab one of us for an on-the-spot portrait. We’re never far away!
How long do you shoot for?
Our packages range from 7 to 10 hours, and you’re always welcome to contact us for customised multi-day packages.
How many photos do we get and how long do we have to wait?
Our packages range from 350 to 600 professionally edited images, delivered on a USB stick in both print and web friendly resolutions. We will email you and post to social media a handful of sneak peaks in the days following your wedding and your full edit will be complete 6 – 8 weeks later.
Do you retouch your images?
Editing is an integral part of modern digital photography, and it’s part of the creative process that we really enjoy. We put a lot of time into ensuring that your edit has a coherent look and feel, staying true to our love of honest documentary photography while creating a body of images that is beautiful and well thought out. We do remove anything temporary (stress spots for example) but we do not stretch, eliminate or skinny-fy that which is naturally yours. Imperfections are beautiful, and we would hate your wedding edit to look like an overworked magazine editorial.
What gear do you use?
We shoot with Canon full frame bodies and a variety of prime and zoom lenses, our favourites being the 24 – 70mm, 35mm and 85mm primes. We like sticking close to those we photograph so don’t rely too heavily on zoom lenses, except during the ceremony when it’s important not to intrude.
What is the best time of day to get married?
Of course we have to answer this question according to light. The best light, “golden hour” as they say, is in the very early morning and late afternoon to early evening. Although we have shot a sunrise wedding (and loved it), most couples opt to have their ceremony in the afternoon. The best time for your couple shoot is the hour before sunset, so if photography is important to you, take this into account and work backwards to decide what time your ceremony should start.
Do we need to cater for you?
Yes please. We’re with you the entire day and although we’re always busy, we do need fifteen minutes to eat dinner. While we don’t need a place in your seating plan, please ensure there is somewhere for us to sit, and its best if we eat at the same time as the main table so that we can get food out of the way and continue capturing the magic.
Do you charge a travel fee and do you need a place to sleep?
We charge the AA rate for any venue more than 80km out of Cape Town and flight costs if you’re getting married somewhere outside the Western Cape. If your venue is more than 100km out of the city, please arrange shared accommodation for us. We finish late and after a hard day’s work, a long drive home could be dangerous.
Do you shoot destination weddings?
Yes! We’re travellers at heart with continually itchy feet so needless to say we love destination weddings. Our rate remains the same as at home (no additional charge for travel days), but you will have to cover flight fees and two nights accommodation. Using any spare time before and after the wedding, we’ll also capture special aspects of your chosen destination through travel, street and landscape photography.
What can we do to ensure we get the best possible wedding photos?
This is a great question, and one that we think all couples should ask (although we are a little biased!) Here are a few things you can do to make sure your wedding photographs are the best they can be:
- Choose a room with lots of natural light to get ready – good light makes for great photographs.
- Ladies, please ensure that makeup and hair are finished 30 minutes before the ceremony starts so that we have enough time to shoot beautiful bride and bridesmaid’s portraits.
- Guys, please don’t suit up before one of us gets to you, as its best to shoot the actual process of you getting ready. Staged shots of you putting on cufflinks can end up looking a little, well, staged.
- Send us a list of the family photos you want (try keep it to ten or less), and ask your MC or someone who is familiar with both families to help organise everyone into their different groups. The more streamlined this process, the less time it will take, and the happier you will be.
- Urge your guests to keep their cellphones and iPads tucked away during the ceremony. Glowing screens don’t photograph well, and if your loved ones are too busy snapping, they won’t really be present.
- Wedding party, try to avoid stripes. It might sound pedantic but striped shirts create unattractive interference with digitally shot images that detract from the subject and emotion of the photograph.
- It might be tough to let go of the reigns, but if you can manage it, please trust us to shoot your wedding using our own creative intuition and experience. Micro-managing your photographers can be incredibly stifling and won’t lead to your best photos.
- Schedule your couple shoot for sunset going into early evening, when the light is soft and beautiful.
- Relax, have fun and most importantly, be yourself!