Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer

How many wedding photos do we receive? 

There is no limit to the number of digital photos you receive. On average couples choosing full day coverage will receive a minimum of 400 colour photos plus black and white conversions.

Are our wedding photos copyright free? 

Copyright is shared allowing you to make unlimited prints and share your wedding photos with your family and friends, for no profitable gain. You are welcome to upload them to your own social media accounts. Tagging the Diane Frazer Photography Facebook page is much appreciated.

Where will we be able to view our wedding photos? 

I feel it is important to publish your photos in a password protected area on my website initially to ensure you see them first rather than in a blog post or on social media in the public domain.

Are all the photos on your website from real weddings taken by the photographer who will capture our day? 

Yes, it is important to see the quality of work your photographer has captured within the time and weather constraints of a typical wedding day rather than a few images of a model wedding couple from a styled wedding fashion shoot or another photographer in the same company who shots in the same style.

Can we view complete weddings? 

A wide selection of images throughout the day in different lighting conditions have been used in my portfolio. Complete weddings can be viewed if you know the wedding couple. Please ask them for their client area password.

Will our photos get used for marketing?

I will always ask you for consent to use your photos showing identities for marketing once you have received them and I am happy to respect any decisions for your wedding photos to remain private.

How long should we allow for group and couple portraits?

There is often 2 hours between the end of ceremony and wedding breakfast (plus travel time if at more than one venue) which is the allocated time for a drinks reception and portraits. 

As a guide large group portraits involving all your guests will take approximately 15 minutes (including gathering everyone together). I allow a further 15-25 minutes for immediate family portraits which depends on the number you request and recommend a minimum of 10 minutes for wedding couple portraits.

To ensure you get a good balance of portraits and socialising time, some small portraits and guest requests can be taken later on in the day after your wedding breakfast.

How many group photos are we allowed?

As many as you like because it is your wedding day! I don't set a limit to the number you can have. Once I've captured the essential portraits you have requested you can choose whether to spend time socialising with your guests or having more combinations and variety of portraits.

I would like contemporary photos but my parents would like some formal portraits...

You can have both on this one off occasion. It takes a few seconds to have a traditional portrait with everyone facing the camera before capturing the contemporary relaxed informal photos.

I am not keen on having my photograph taken...

There is no need to worry. I am experienced professional photographer who has taken portraits of hundreds of people over the years. There will be so many different things going on during your wedding day you will not notice me. Group photos will be fun to make you feel at ease.

I have seen a photograph in a bridal magazine that I really like...

Show me the photo letting me know what it is you like about the image. I will then take inspiration from it to produce something similar for you.

Do you work alone or with another photographer?

I chose to work alone and have been highly commended from wedding couples and their guests for my work ethic which captures a good variety throughout the day. Unless you have a huge venue with over 200 guests, having more than one photographer can be intrusive with people feeling like Big Brother is watching them. Many registrars and vicars also comment on how pleased they are when they hear I am working alone especially if the ceremony is in a small room or church.

Are you able to capture Groom preparations as well as the Bride?

Yes, it is possible to do both because it can be intrusive for your photographer to be hanging around in the often small preparations room all morning from the moment you've had breakfast until you leave for the ceremony! 

When the groomsmen are getting ready at the same venue I can pop between the rooms to capture a good variety.

For bridal preparations at home I would make you aware of the time I plan to leave for the ceremony venue (usually one hour before the ceremony) so that I can capture your bridesmaids fastening up your dress and Mum putting on your veil before I leave. This could be beneficial to you too as bridal shops recommend that some lace up dresses are put on early so that you can tighten the dress half an hour later for the perfect fit. 

On arrival at the church I can capture the groomsmen putting on their ties and button holes. I have even stopped at a pub en route to the ceremony before now for a quick photograph of the groomsmen!

Have you photographed at our venue before?

This isn't actually important because another wedding captured at the same venue can often be different in the same way that a pre-wedding visit shouldn't be called a lighting test.

Our light is constantly changing by the natural factors of the weather (hard light on a bright day or soft light diffused by clouds) and the season (high warm light of summer or low cooler limited light in winter). Your choice of room layout (window backlit registrars table) and decorations (backgrounds) also play a part plus indoor lighting can also change at the last minute by the venue or DJ to alter the ambient mood.

Effectively the best reassurance for ensuring your photographer is going to capture a beautifully lit wedding at your venue is good experience at a variety of locations showing an ability to adapt and produce a consistent standard of work.

Where is your favourite venue to photograph?

When I am not working I love capturing landscapes by the river or visiting the coast and for that reason I would have to say any venues with ponds, lakes or by a river. I love the creative opportunities created by reflections. I'm proud to be a recommended supplier at two riverside venues. Bisham Abbey and the Crowne Plaza in Reading.

How would you describe your style?

Timeless, relaxed and fun photography with a mixture of reportage, portraits and candid moments. Fashionable effects such as vintage, high key and spot colour can be applied to some images if requested and added to your collection in the same way as black and white conversions.

Does the photographer who captures our day edit our photos and design our wedding album?

It is important for consistancy to have the photographer who captures your day working for you at all stages including booking consultations, pre-wedding meetings, editing your photos and designing your album.

I plan ideas for your album whilst photographing your wedding to capture the essential images needed to create your bespoke design and what is important to you. The only outsourcing I do is the printing of albums, frames, prints and giftware.

Are parent albums included in your wedding packages?

Albums are optional after you have seen your photos. Parents can choose to have a discounted small replica of the wedding couple's album. Alternatively they can order their own separately choosing their own favourite photos with their own bespoke design, in their favourite style of album. 

Are you happy for guests to take photos?

Guests are an important part of your day. I am happy for them to take photos providing they do not obstruct me from doing my job. The overall decision on guest photography during your ceremony will be down to your officiant and yourselves. I do however recommend that guests take photos sparingly during the ceremony so that their faces are in the background of your photos rather than their cameras, phones and tablets!

What camera do you use?

I have professional cameras which take high quality RAW file photos. Having two memory card slots in my camera allows me to back your wedding photos up as they are taken. I carry back up of all other equipment too. All my photographic equipment is serviced on a regular basis to ensure it is in good reliable working condition.

Can you video our wedding?

I specialise in still photography, however I can work alongside a videographer booked separately. Videographers I have worked with include CKS Productions and Posterity Video Productions.

We are getting married abroad and having a party we would like photographed when we get home. What would the price be?

Please have a look at my event photography packages if you are not having a ceremony for your UK celebrations. For blessings and renewing of vows, normal wedding packages will apply.

Do you have the insurances required?

Yes, I have public liability and professional indemnity insurance. I am DBS checked and a member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers. 

How long have you been a professional photographer?

I started working at a portrait studio in 2005 after graduating with a first class honours degree in Professional Photographic Imaging. I was promoted to Style Director of Photography in 2008 and later that year established Diane Frazer Photography.

How many weddings have you photographed?

I photographed my first wedding in August 2009 at Cantley House Hotel and at the time of writing I have captured over 150 weddings at various venues across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire and Wiltshire. 

What was your first camera?

A 1980's brightly coloured plastic toy camera, aged 3! I loved capturing moments even though it couldn't hold any film! Toddlers of today are very lucky with access to digital technology!

When do you take a break during our day?

I never take a designated break because I do not like to miss out on any photographic opportunites! I usually sit in a room near to the wedding breakfast room whilst your eating and pop back in between courses to capture the laughter at the tables.

Are we to feed you at the wedding breakfast?

A main meal or working lunch is much appreciated at weddings if I am staying to capture the first dance or later than 7pm.

How far in advance should I book?

I recommend booking once you have your venue and your wedding date confirmed. Once a deposit has been paid I am committed to your wedding day. I make no other work or any social plans. Start and approximate finish times are confirmed three months before.

When do I pay?

A deposit is required to reserve me to photograph your wedding and put towards your chosen wedding coverage package (attendance and digital photos). The balance for the coverage package is due one calendar month before your wedding day and with optional albums, frames, prints and giftware chosen and paid for after your wedding. Payment methods are cheque, internet bank transfer, PayPal account or debit/credit card via PayPal (no account needed). Balance payments can be paid in installments with the final payment one month before the wedding.

What happens if we are forced to postpone or cancel due to Covid-19?

All wedding couples who postpone due to Covid-19 will have payments transferred to the new date free of charge.

In the event of cancellation due to Covid-19 refunds will be given if the pre-wedding portrait session included in all packages has not taken place and a wedding photography service can't be provided. This could be my unavailability on a rearranged date, government social restrictions preventing me attending, registrars cancelling, or the venue being closed.

With all the uncertainty of timescales pre-wedding meetings can be arranged closer to the wedding day instead of the usual 2 to 3 months before to reduce the risk of wedding couples losing their deposit. Wedding couples would receive digital copies of the pre-wedding portraits if the deposit is retained.

If you have a question that isn't featured above please contact me.