I aim to make planning your wedding - and your wedding photography - as straightforward as possible. Here are some commonly asked questions about what to expect if you hire me as your wedding photographer including what happens before, during and after the big day.

Wedding Photography FAQ

Q. What is Photojournalism/Reportage/Documentary style?

The WPJA, Wedding Photo Journalist Association describes it as photographers who are "quietly capturing the real moments as they happen for the bride and groom. It is our goal to use photography to tell the story of your wedding day, not dictate it for you." I can't think of a more perfect definition of what I do. I am a storyteller of your day as it unfolde.

Q. What are lo res and hi res files? why do you offer both?

A. This is a way of referring to large image file (hi res) that are suitable for very fine quality printing up to large sizes and what are used in a wedding album, and smaller image files (lo res), which are not quite good enough to be printed but look perfect for those of you who want to upload your wedding photos to you wedding blog, or a social networking site.

Q. Blimey! These wedding photographers seem to cost a lot. What am I getting for my money?

A. I offer a complete and dedicated service. Whilst it seems like a large sum to pay up front for many people, broken down it is made up of many involved components such as the pre-wedding consultation and the personal research I do into your wedding. With the album packages I make no profit on the albums. Unlike many photographers I also include my travel within mainland UK. On the wedding day itself I will be shooting for up to 18 hours or so and for each hour spent shooting, there will then be around 3 hours of post production on the photos - cropping, adjusting the colour balances, treating them with cool retro tints (if this is something you have requested), and making sure every photo is perfect. Many photographers will only be there for a set amount of hours and miss key moments because of this. My definition of the whole day is the whole day, not missing anything - many of the most brilliant and emotive photos are often taken at the evening celebration.

Q. How can I book you, and what about the boring knitty gritty official stuff?

A. After deciding you would like to hire me (and I have your wedding date available) to secure the booking I require a 20% deposit. You can pay the remaining balance however you wish - by instalments or in one transaction, but it is due by the date of the wedding. When the booking is made and the deposit has been received I will post you an agreement outlining the terms of the package you have chosen along with two copies of my contract with the full terms and conditions on it - you sign both and return one to me. This is so you are completely protected and we have everything in writing. To see an example contract and my terms and conditions, click Here.

Q. I am having a destination wedding overseas, but im nervous about hiring a local photographer. What do I do?

A. I offer a destination photography service. I think it is so important to have a photographer with whom you have already built a rapport with. I am a great traveller and have spent a lot of time globetrotting on a shoestring and so my expenses for doing this would be little more than a plane ticket and accommodation.

What to expect once you've hired me

Before the wedding:

Part of what I love about my job is getting to know the couples. For every wedding I shoot there are many emails exchanged and phone-calls made and I am here to answer any questions you have and work with you to get your photography perfect. Where possible it's also great to meet you and your partner in person too and all my packages include a face to face consultation. If geography allows we can do this at the venue and walk through it together even. One of the first things I do is ask you to fill in a short questionnaire about your wedding. This helps me as I can get an idea of what the day will be like, including very small details like the theme and wedding party number. Every couple has their own vision of what their wedding photos will look like, and every wedding is an individual celebration. Your wedding photos will be your lasting images of the day – the people, the setting, the dress! It is vital that you have a photographer who understands what you want your photos to look like and that we work together. I really pride myself on getting to know you and your wedding inside out and exactly what you want from the photography of the day to make sure I get the images you will love.

The Wedding Day:

I start the day when you do with the 'getting ready' shots. These are lovely, natural images that really capture all of your excitement and the nerves. If you go for 2 photographers with my deluxe package this means one of us can be with you, the other with your partner. I then follow you through the whole day - taking photos of the guests, the ceremony (the first time you see each other!), portraits of you and your partner, the bridal party and other formal portraits and all celebrations that follow. I make sure I get everyone in the wedding party at various stages throughout the day.

Before the day itself we will have worked together on a basic itinerary or schedule for me to work to and also on a list of your VIP's - close friends and family members you want to make sure get my attention! That way you can get on with enjoying your big day and I can take responsibility for making sure you will have the pictures you want to remember the day with. This itinerary should include 30-40 minutes somewhere in the day where you, your partner and I can go off and take beautiful portraits of just the two of you (and the bridal party if you wish) that are styled to make the most of the feel and look of your wedding and produce images you can treasure. It allows you to have some fun (including props like signs or frames into the photos) or keep it formal and chic. This allocated time is also when, if you wish to include bridesmaids, groomsmen they can join us for 10 minutes or so too. The best time for this to happen might be between the ceremony and wedding breakfast, or before the reception starts. 

Of course the day will also include group and family portraits. Again it is good to schedule time for this before the big day itself. A good time might be straight after the ceremony before anyone has the chance to escape! However, I try to keep these shots to an absolute minimum as they can really cut into your day and detract from the enjoyment of you and your guests.  I will work with you to take a few of the whole wedding party as swiftly and fuss-free as possible. My recommendation would be to simply have a couple of shots of you with your closest family, then with some extended family, then a few with everyone at the wedding as opposed to separate shots of all the many different combinations. Of course if that is what you want I am more than happy to do it.

Q. How many photos will you take?

A. I can take up to 1000 but I carefully edit and choose every photo that ends up in your final selection which will be around 3-400.

After the Wedding:

Q. How long till I can see the photos

A. For all my clients (with standard or deluxe packages) I carefully and professionally crop and process each of the 400 photos using Photoshop. This takes a couple of days. Once this is done all the photos will be uploaded to your private proofing gallery and you can log in with your client log in (which I will email to you) and start looking through and enjoying the images straight away. The log in for this gallery can be shared with family and friends. A few days after the gallery is up, the 10 DVDs with the images will arrive with the hi and lo res versions for you to share with your nearest and dearest - whether that be using Facebook or with a full blown viewing party.

Then you and your partner have the fun job of picking the best images from the proofing gallery to be printer in your album.

If you choose the Wedding Lite package, then it will take a week or two to get the DVD's to you.

Q. How long till my album will arrive?

A. This can take a hugely varying amount of time. Firstly you need to pick your favourite images using the online proofing tool (60 images are included in your package. You can of choose more but it will cost extra). If you dont like choosing them online of course you can just choose them from the DVD and then send me the photo file names. Once these images have been chosen the next step is for you to choose what kind of cover and binding you would like from the selection from the incredible album companies I work with. After that it is a case of me designing the albums and once it is all submitted they should be with you within 2 weeks. The 2 album companies I work with are the best in their fields. Sim 2000's adaptability and superior print quality give good value for money without compromising on design and the impeccable Queensberry produce pieces of art that are  unlike any other album I have seen

Q. Why should I choose Pippa Bennett Photography?

A. I care about your wedding photos. Getting you the photos you want of your wedding is very important to me and a responsibility I take seriously. I enjoy capturing the beautiful memories of your special day and unlike many photographers who just turn up and snap, I spend time getting to know you and your wedding. I have also put a lot of care into researching every element of the packages I offer to make sure my service is the perfect balance of luxury and value for money - including the albums I offer which are the best quality in the world. Lots of photographers don’t offer the full day that isn't limited but a certain number of hours, and very few include their travel expenses. I also give you all the best shots on the DVD which many photographers will make you pay extra for. Beyond the initial package you are not tied to ordering evrything you want from me.   

You can Download a sample copy of my Terms & Conditions or wedding contract here (this link is for a 'standard' wedding package and is being used purely as an example. You will get your own tailored contract for your booking)