What is the first thing you do once you get engaged? Take selfies of course! 😉 Well, after that you will have to start planning your wedding!
As you start to get info together from different suppliers, wedding photographers in particular, you will notice that they offer different packages/collections.
Questions you might have then are:
“How many hours are needed to photograph my wedding?”, “What is an engagement shoot?”, “How many photos will I get?” or “Can I get the unedited images?”
1. “How many hours are needed to photograph my wedding?”
The wedding collections I offer are either 3/6/9/10 hours.
Here is a list of all the different parts of a wedding day than can be photographed with the time needed indicated:
Decor (20-30min), bride & groom prep (2 – 2.5 hours), ceremony (45min – 1hr), family (20min), bridal party (30min), couple (1hr) & reception (2-3hr).
3 hours: This is for small weddings; either an elopement or one where you only want photos of the ceremony, family and you as a couple. This is ideal if you are on a budget, but you still want quality – this way you get beautiful photos of your day without spending too much.
6 hours: Also suitable for a morning wedding; you might want photos of you getting ready, and then also a few photos of your brunch/lunch after the ceremony.
This package could also work for afternoon weddings, you can either take more photos of you getting ready, or use the time at the reception.
9 & 10 hours: Ideal for a full wedding day where you want all the different parts of your wedding day photographed.
TIP: Always keep the time from driving in between venues in mind. If you are getting married at a different location than the venue etc. As the hours for photography run consecutively. That is why I always suggest that you should either get ready at the venue, or very close by. And don’t have your ceremony an hour away from your reception venue.
NOTE: I always arrive at the venue at least 1 hour before my said time on the time schedule, this allows me to look for locations where I want to take your couple photos (location scouting).
P.S. – A added a timeline example for you at the end of this post.
2. “What is an Engagement shoot?”
You might be thinking; ‘We are already engaged, why do we need an engagement shoot?” An engagement shoot is a couple shoot of you and your fiance. Engagement shoot is just what it is called in the ‘wedding world’, you don’t have to pretend to propose again.
With my collections, I included an engagement session with some packages. This shoot is for 1 hour, at a location that is special to you as a couple. Or you can choose between the beach, mountains, forest, vineyard or urban.
NOTE: Included with all my engagement sessions are Love In Motion Highlight Films; a 1-2min highlight video of your session. No, it is not a slideshow if your photos, it is an actual video that I film and edit with a pretty song 🙂
You can use these photos/video for your save the date or invite.
3. “How many photos will I get?”
With each collection you will get a certain amount of edited images. It can be anything from 300-900 images, depends on which package you choose.
NOTE: It is not common in the photography world for the photographer to give you RAW or unedited images. The reason for this is because the editing plays a big role in the end result of the photos. We have to make sure the overall look and feel of the photos all match, and tell the story of your wedding. So make sure you like the editing style of the photographer you choose.
My images are edited so that it has a warm, natural & vibrant look and feel. I also remove any unwanted spots/blemishes from close up photos (of the couple).
4. “What is a second shooter & assistant?”
An assistant is usually not a professional photographer, or they are still an amateur & learning about wedding photography. They help the photographer by carrying bags and setting up flashes.
A second shooter/photographer is a professional photographer, who has the same photography style as the main photographer. This photographer usually takes photos from a different angle as the main photographer. They also sometimes photograph the groom prep while the main photographer is with the bride.
NOTE: With some of my collections there is already a 2nd photographer included. The reason why it is mostly expensive to add on a second photographer, is because they are also a professional and have to use their time and equipment for your wedding.
TIMELINE EXAMPLE
13:00-13:30 Decor
13:30-14:00 Bride (accessories/make-up):
14:00-14:30 Groom (if the groom is getting ready at the same venue or the 2nd photographer will photograph the groom)
14:30-15:45 Bride (portraits/getting ready – bride must be dressed at least 45min before she has to leave for the ceremony)
16:00-16:45 Ceremony (this includes signing, confetti)
16:45-17:15 Family photos
17:30-18:00 Bridal party (during this time it will be pre-drinks/canapés)
18:00-19:00 Couple (if possible split this time in half, and use the other 30min for some sunset photos – this will only work for summer weddings)
19:00- 22:00 Reception (make sure that all the formal things fit into the time left. It is best to get these done early, with not a lot of breaks in between. Then you and your guests can enjoy the evening)
TIP: Get married 30min earlier,then you can spend 20min with your guests at the pre-drinks. Then your time schedule could start at 12:30.
TIP: Please make sure that the getting ready locations are neat and tidy for the photos. Have all your accessories ready for photos and bring a wedding invite as well. Try to choose a room that has lots of natural light. And no green/red walls, natural colours are best. It is also great if this location is at the venue itself, or very close by. This helps with less travel time.
NOTE: For morning weddings the time schedule will look different from the one above. You could also add in a first look (you two seeing each other BEFORE the ceremony – such a special moment)
