Watch Out - You May Get What You Pay For!

I sometimes dip in and out of the bridal forums – I like to keep totally in touch with the current trends and way of thinking of our brides. It helps to make me a better photographer I think because for me in order to do that I need to almost be inside my brides head if this makes sense.

Think the way she is thinking, see the things she is seeing, pre-empt what she is about to do so I’m in the right place at the right time and know when to ask for pictures and when to just keep quiet and go about the job of documenting the day as it unfolds.

So, knowing what the latest fad or craze is for table decorations for example ensures that when my couple have decorated their tables that way I don’t miss the all important details in the shots I take.

Equally when I am putting together my marketing materials it’s good to know what’s “in” and what’s “out” – so if I want to make my wedding packs look like and be made from pocket folds then my brides will identify with them because they may be considering these for their invitations. It’s good to keep in touch.

It’s also good to keep in touch and clued up on how the wedding photography market is perceived by most brides to be (apologies to any grooms to be who may be reading this post for referring to the brides but I see very few grooms on the forums and deal with very few grooms at the enquiry stage).

So I was a little sad, if not surprised, to see one post this week on one of the most popular forums made by a desperate bride to be who had that morning received through the post her wedding photography “deposit” back from her photographer along with an accompanying letter stating that due to the recession etc. she was ceasing the business.

The bride had gone on to say that for £450 she was getting an album and a printable CD along with all day photography. The problem here is that whilst the photographer concerned “probably” had another job during the week from which she subsidised her weekend photography long term this can not be sustained. In short there is not only no profit in that kind of pricing – worse than that – each time that photographer offered such a package, whether she realised it or not, she is making a loss.

Not long ago one of the few reasonably priced UK album manufacturers went bust. It had a massive knock on effect throughout the wedding photography industry. Not only could photographers who offered cheaper packages not get the promised albums the replacement ones they could get cost more. So where this lady photographer may have thought she could price the wedding at £450, knowing she could obtain a “cheap” album for her client once this company went bust then she had no cushion in place to be able to supply an alternative without losing even more money. There must come a point (obviously there did – hence the return of the deposit) where it’s no longer viable to carry on haemorrhaging money in the name of business. It’s a sad state of affairs.

There was no place for this lady to go with this other than to take the action she did – although it must have been terribly distressing for the bride. In including the printable CD she was not going to gain any reprint sales either – so had no hope at all of picking up any of her shortfall.

The scariest part of this whole sorry story though is that it is repeated all of the UK virtually every weekend. So consider this – if the album and the prints in the album are costing the photographer virtually all the money they are making from the booking then what is left for other necessities such as Professional Indemnity Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, back up cameras and lenses, additional lenses to ensure they are properly equipped for the job, a flash gun and back up flash gun, the necessary pc and software to process the images? Training – even the most accomplished of us still need to keep working on this one! A reliable car – which they know is going to start when they turn the key and get them to the wedding, suitable wedding attire? Tax – both personal and VAT required on products they buy in to enable them to fulfil the contract?

Ok – so we’ve established that these guys are flying pretty close to the wind in most cases. They are certainly much braver than I am! But it doesn’t end here either. What happens if they are sick and can’t photograph the wedding? Who is going to step in and take their place? Or indeed if they cease trading as this one did? At this level it’s unlikely that they will have insurance to cover it or a network of other photographers who will be willing to step in and bail them out.

So what steps can you take to protect yourself against the unthinkable happening? The advice I’m going to give now should apply whatever price you have agreed to pay for your wedding photography. Following years of experience in the business this is the absolute minimum protection you should be looking for from your photographer.

A – Ask about insurance. Your photographer should have adequate Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance, in addition to this I would also want to know that they keep all their equipment fully insured too. Accidents do happen and what if that lens they dropped at last weeks wedding costs too much for them to replace before yours? I would want to know they had it covered!

B – Basics. Do they have enough kit and back up kit to undertake the commission you are paying them for, regardless of the weather? If it’s raining and they have to shoot your entire wedding indoors do they have the necessary lighting equipment to enable them to do this? Furthermore, do they have the knowledge and skills necessary to use the equipment? Do they have the skill necessary to produce pleasing pictures for you and not just “snap shots”? Once the wedding has been photographed do they have the basic equipment necessary to produce your finished pictures? If producing an album for you do they have the design skills and creativity necessary to make that album look it’s best?

C – Contingency plan. Do they have in place a “plan B” should the unthinkable happen and for some reason they are unable to fulfil their contract with you to photograph the wedding? What happens if they are sick or unable to attend the wedding due to personal reasons? Do they have a network of people, equally competent as themselves who are willing and able to step in at the last minute to ensure all is not lost?

At the end of the day there are wedding photographers around to suit all tastes and budgets. Just because a photographer is a relatively low price does not mean that there should be any compromise in the level of protection that is built in for you, their client. Whilst every photographer at owes it to their clients to ensure that they do undertake their business in a professional, reasonable and fair manner, every bride also owes it to herself to at least look at the photographer who she “thinks” she can’t afford. It could be that the very one she thought she couldn’t afford turned out to be not expensive but priceless.

©Yorkshire Wedding Photographer 2010

A Real Life Wedding Through The Eyes Of A Wedding Photographer

We rang the doorbell.There was no reply. We knew they were in – we could hear the excited chatter drifting down from the open window. We rang again. Eventually a bridesmaid, in a bathrobe, tiara in her hair came to let us in. “Hi, Andy and Sharon – photographers” I explained as she ushered us inside. “Hi there – come on in.” It was the voice of our bride coming from the lounge. We wandered through. There she sat, having her makeup done, looking just beautiful. The light on her was amazing as it shone through the window. I took my shot. The makeup artist smiled in acknowledgement and carried on preparing her bride. I caught her reflection in the mirror, along with “our” bride behind it. I took my shot. This was her moment.

I left Andy documenting the brides preparations and went in search of flowers, shoes, the dress and trinkets which I know go to make up months of careful planning by the bride. The brides’ mother helped me – fussing with the dress, taking it out of the plastic cover which had kept it pristine. She stood back, admiring it as it hung, as yet unworn. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked her hands clenched tightly together under her chin in excitement at the thought of seeing her daughter wearing this beautiful gown in just a few short minutes. I took my shot. This wasn’t her moment – this was “just” the dress. Her moment was coming next.

The bridesmaids fussed around the bride. She was beginning to get nervous now. “Do I look ok?” “Is my hair ok?” were just a few of the questions she asked as she looked for reassurance. Next - the dress. The bridesmaids helped her into it and then the mother of the bride, already looking stunning in her suit stepped forward. The bridesmaids stepped back. They knew their place and how important this was for mum to help her daughter into her dress. Deftly and with the aid of a crochet hook she did up the delicate buttons. This would be the last time she dressed her daughter and she knew how important it was to make sure the dress was sitting just right.

The bride took a deep breath in, the bridesmaids held the dress perfectly in place and her mum
continued doing the buttons. The bride glanced sideways at herself in the mirror. I caught her
glance, saw everyone working together and took my shot. I quickly then moved and focussed in tightly on the perfectly manicured hands doing up the buttons. I took my shot. This was mums’ moment.

I waited at the bottom of the stairs, camera poised watching as my bride carefully lifted her dress enabling her to take each precarious step. She was not used to coming downstairs in such a dress! To fall now would be a disaster. I took my shot and then stepped back to allow her room to descend. Dad stepped forward. I saw his face – a mixture of emotion – this was his little girl on one of the most important days of her life looking well – with the exception of the day she was born, which he remembered so well right now, more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. His eyes filled with tears but he didn’t cry. He fought them off. The bride – at this moment so in touch with her father noticed. I saw them and I took my shot. This was a special moment belonging to the two of them.

The organist struck a chord and then Pachbels’ “Canon in D” rang out throughout the beautiful little church. The groom shuffled nervously as he stood. The chief bridesmaid, holding the hand of the beautiful little flowergirl beamed as she led the bridal party down the aisle and swept past me taking their place at the front. I took my shot. This was their moment.

I swung back round to the groom. He turned towards the direction the bride was coming from, unable to help himself. This was the moment he had been waiting for. I took my shot.

The bride, clinging onto the arm of her father looked simply radiant, her father tenderly put his
hand on hers – this was the last moment she would truly be “my little girl” to him. I took my shot. She turned the corner of the aisle and faced the groom. She looked amazing. I took my shot and swung round towards him. This was her moment.

His eyes were brimming with tears – he was blown away by how simply beautiful she looked. He was in awe of her and totally in love with her. It was written all over his face. I took my shot. The
lady Vicar, who I knew had known the bride for many years simply beamed. This was a proud moment for her as the bride and her father reached the groom she leant forward, whispering private words of encouragement. I took my shot. This was her moment.

“Who gives this lady to be married to this man?” the Vicar asked. Full of emotion dad stepped forward. He tenderly took his daughters hand, lifted it and passed it to the Vicar. “I do” he said.
He glanced at his daughter for one last time, she smiled back of him, full of encouragement and
love, and he stepped back. I took my shot. This was his moment. I quickly refocused on his wife,
just behind him in the congregation and saw her dab her eyes – proud of both of them. I took my
shot. This was her moment too.

Silently I stood with the rest of the congregation as the couple exchanged their vows. Then the
Vicar asked for the rings. The best man stepped forward. So careful not to drop them he placed them on the waiting bible as if they were made of egg shells, the concentration showing on his face – he must not drop them! I took my shot. This was his moment.

The groom picked up the ring and placed it on the brides waiting finger. Stopping only to make
promises to her that would last a life time. She looked at him, they exchanged a glance as he pushed the ring into place. I took my shot. This was his moment.

The bride, hands shaking with emotion, picked up the grooms ring and put it on his finger. She
struggled with her words, tears streaming down her face. They’d almost done it! Months and months of planning and this was her moment. She loved him so much she couldn’t tell him what she wanted him and everyone else to hear. She choked to make her promises. He smiled an encouraging smile – that was all she needed and she pushed the ring home. Their fingers entwined – they were married! I took my shot. This was her moment.

They looked at each other, then looked at the Vicar, an eternity seemed to pass and then we heard the words “You may now kiss the bride.” I took my shot. Then paused, knowing there would be more – they couldn’t help themselves. They kissed again – so full of joy. I took my shot. This was their moment.

The reception room looked amazing. Everything had been planned to perfection by the bride. Every table setting had a little gift or “favour” for each guest. No-one had been left out. The candles on the table made patterns on the white linen as their flames danced in the cooling breeze coming in through the open window. I took my shot. Everything about it was undisturbed, perfect.

Gradually the room filled and guests took their places at the tables, talking excitedly about the
events of the day. Then, the Maitre’D knocked loudly: “Ladies and Gentlemen – please be upstanding for your bride and groom.” The doors burst open and in they came. The bride, bouquet in her hand, was leading the way. The groom, beaming from ear to ear punched the air, triumphantly. He knew the belle of the ball today was his. I took my shot. This was their moment.

They took their seats and their guests cheered. Andy stepped forward and took a picture of the top table from behind with them looking backwards towards him, the entire room and all their guests in the shot behind them. He then took a shot from high above them of the whole room. It looked fantastic with the round tables facing the long top table. We vacated the room and left them to enjoy their wedding breakfast. It was soon time for the speeches. The groom stood up. He started to talk. I raised my camera to my face and started to look like I was taking pictures, tears streaming down my face. I was annoyed with myself. I glanced at Andy across the room – ever the professional – he appeared unmoved and continued on taking the shots I know we needed to make the story complete.

I focussed on the grooms’ mother for a second. Seeing the tears running down her face made it harder to carry on, I shifted the focus slightly onto the groom – his eyes brimming over as he spoke so lovingly about his absent father. This was difficult. He looked directly across at me and I wondered if we were intruding on this – a private moment. He struggled to find his words. The
bride, her eyes full of love for her husband stood up and carried on with his speech as he was choked up and unable to speak further. Then all three of them came together in a deep, mutual
understanding. The groom clung onto his mum – each giving the other support whilst the bride looked on. It was a poignant moment. I took my shot. This moment belonged to his mother.

As the Castle staff moved in to clear the tables, I was kicking myself for “losing it” – I was so
taken up by the moment and the friendship I had built up with them as a couple since they booked us for the wedding meant that I was a party to how difficult the day was likely to be for the groom. I had got too close to them hadn’t I? I had allowed myself to become too involved. The groom approached me. What was I going to say to him? He knew I had lost it. “Sharon – thank you.” Was all he said as he hugged me. He didn’t need to say anymore. It said it all. The pictures were important to him. His dad was gone but not forgotten. That moment, during that speech, belonged to his dad.

The couple went off to freshen up and we arranged to meet up with them to take some “Wedding Art” photos. I held the lights and watched in awe as Andy created picture after picture, capturing the intimacy between the two of them. We were there but we were incidental. This was their moment – and the first moment they had been together in private since the day began. It was important to them. It was a special moment. We stood back and quietly went about the business of taking pictures.

“Today This Could Be The Greatest Day Of Our Lives…..” the lyrics said it all. Our couple were lost in the moment. They were alone in a room full of people. No-one else mattered. I took my shot. Again and again I took that shot. This wasn’t just one moment. This was a whole series of moments and it belonged to them. These were their moments.

We took our leave, saying good night to parents, guests and “our” couple. We paused a moment outside to take a few last shots of the Castle floodlit and the celebrations continuing – through the window. We were on the outside looking in for the first time and it was appropriate to take that shot – the celebrations were continuing, we had done our bit now.

Home again, I sat in front of the computer screen and began the task of downloading the cards of the pictures we had taken. Picture after picture flashed in front of me. They were documenting a
perfect day full of moments in time. I felt a lump in my throat when I saw what we had captured
between us, amazed at the beauty of the images Andy had documented as he went. Pictures I hadn’t “seen” as I went about my day.

I poured myself a glass of wine and I knew - this was “my” moment.

© Sharon Malone, Partner Yorkshire Wedding Photographers www.fnsweddings.com

A Wedding Car That Smiles At You!

Regular followers of this blog will know that I don't normally put any text with the photos - preferring to let the pictures speak for themselves. This time however is different. I want to tell you about a very special wedding car we have discovered....

It all started with a family wedding. Of course we were still photographing the wedding! Andy's brother Pete was getting married and Andy was to be best man. For us the day was a little sad in a way as we have recently lost Andy's beloved father Eric and so there was a gap where he should be on the wedding day. Andy's mother, Kath especially was looking forward to Pete's wedding with very mixed emotions as it was the first family occasion without Eric.

When Pete was looking for a wedding car supplier I recommended Chris White and his team from Superior Motor Cars - www.superiormotorcars.co.uk. We recommend Superior Motor cars to all our clients because we know that their service and attention to detail, along with their cars are simply unsurpassed. Plus they're jolly nice people to work with and our couples tell us that the champagne is pretty fantastic too!

I rang Chris a few days before the wedding to run through final timings etc. and upon hearing about our recent loss he very kindly offered us the use of a special car to take Kath and Pete to the church and then Kath and a few others to the venue. The car in question was a fully restored 1972 Volkswagen Campervan!

Well I'm not kidding you this is a car with "kudos". It smiles at you! Not only that with it's superb black and white paint it matches perfectly the main wedding car Sally and Pete had - the 1948 Bentley also pictured below. It can seat up to 6 people - so is perfect for transporting the groom and his ushers in style to the church and is a real car with character. As I've said earlier I usually let the pictures do the talking so without further ado that's what I'll do now but just before I sign off I'd like to say a massive "thank you" to Chris and his team from Superior Motor Cars for helping to make the day so special. To contact Superior Motor Cars, Tel: 01759 368544 or Mob: 07900 956515 or email: info@superiormotorcars.co.uk

Firstly A few pictures of the 1948 Bentley...

Now the 1972 VW Campervan we think smiles at you!

This fabulous car can also be hired from Superior Motor Cars' sister company, Classic Car Hire, Yorkshire - www.classiccarhireyorkshire.co.uk for a very reasonable cost subject to the driver being 25 years of age or older. To contact Classic Car Hire, Tel: 01759 368288 Mob: 07749 425056 0r 07900 956515 or email: info@classiccarhireyorkshire.co.uk

Steve & Gemma - Hazlewood Castle

We were most honoured to be chosen by Steve and Gemma as the Yorkshire Wedding Photographers they wanted to photograph their wedding at Hazlewood Castle.