Why hiring a professional Wedding Photographer is SO important

Easy View Photography’s wedding page already touched upon the importance of having a wedding photographer but due to the amount of questions received about this, this blog is dedicated to looking at this subject a little closer. Of course it is tempting to ask a friend with a decent camera to take pictures or even leaving the picture taking to guests. It might even be tempting to hire a non-wedding photographer to take pictures – after all, if they can take cute images of friends at a party is this so different?

As a photography business, we have heard many of those suggestions, and unfortunately, we have also heard many horror stories as a result. All too often couples end up disappointed with the end result and with the images being the only lasting memory you will have of the day, these memories will end up being tarnished by the negative experience of reviewing badly taken images. As it is impossible to re-create these images, those beautiful memories will be lost forever.

The cost of photography

The only reason that has ever been cited to us as to why a couple wouldn’t choose to have a wedding photographer is the cost associated with wedding photography. While we appreciate that it constitutes a fair amount of the wedding budget and some people might only have a small budget, we have also heard comments such as “it’s a lot of money for just one day”. Well, this isn’t accurate. A Photographer will meet with you for an initial consultation, they will then have to email you before the wedding, they will listen to your plans and answer your questions. Then on the day of the wedding they will be with you for 10-12 hours. After this, they will edit your wedding, going through the thousands of images they took and cutting it down to 500 (ish) images for you to look though. All these images will be edited individually; this process can take weeks.

Not only is there the time, there is the cost of running their photography business. Most photographers will shoot with 2 cameras each costing thousands. They will carry a multitude of lenses each costing hundreds of pounds, some thousands, flash guns, spare batteries, memory cards among a whole host of other technical kit. All in all wedding photography isn’t cheap because it isn’t a cheap business to set up, run or maintain.

Still not convinced? Keep your eyes peeled for the next blog.

What to expect from your Family Photo Shoot

Getting comfortable

While most children are used to having their pictures taken, having a family photo shoot is usually a new experience for them. All of a sudden, there is a stranger standing in front of them with a big camera and an even bigger lens which can be super exciting and daunting at once. It is therefore important that in the first few minutes everyone becomes comfortable with one another. In the past, Andy has achieved this by telling children that he “needed help” setting up the camera or finding a good spot as most kids will love the attention and the opportunity to explore a little. If a child is particularly shy, it can sometimes help to show them the camera and ask them if they can see it “wink” when the shutter clicks.

First poses

Once everyone is settled and feeling comfortable around the camera, we try to get the images and poses we want done straight away as children in particular become easily bored or frustrated. If there are any particular poses you must have or images you have seen which inspired you, please share them with us as soon as possible before the actual shoot as that way these will be done first. Early on, kids won't mind sitting on laps or smiling, however, this cooperation seldom lasts for long.

Do not stress!

Even with the best intentions,  sometimes a child won’t cooperate even for the first posed photo and although it’s understandable that a parent might feel stressed when this happens, it’s important that you continue to look at the camera and not down at your child who may be pouting. Having a professional camera allows a photographer to take a large number of clicks within a short amount of time and more often than not, Andy is able to elicit a cheeky grin from a child while taking pictures. It would be a shame that if during that brief moment where the child smiling, his or her parents are staring down in distress instead of looking at the camera. And if your child is really not cooperating at all, Andy will just get up and say, “We’ll get one in a few minutes. Let's explore” which will lighten the mood and allow everyone to relax before trying again.

Keep moving

When doing a family photo shoot, it’s important to keep moving as little kids won’t let you stop moving anyway. We don't expect to be able to sit and adjust a pose for more than 20 seconds but instead will tell children (and their parents) to hug or tickle or kiss on the cheek and click away. After that, we will get up and walk to another spot where we have the kids picking flowers or throwing leaves or climbing a tree It is important that we let the children interact with the location and the more the adults join in the better. While moving along will provide a variety of photos, it also allows everyone to release some energy making it possible to try for posed pictures again.  

Take a break

While family photo shoots should be short and sweet, there may be times when breaks are needed and if snacks are on hand, even better. Small snacks that don't make crumbs are the best for these occasions such as pieces of fruit, fruit snacks or trail mix as they can be eaten quickly and won't smear all over faces. Cookies or crisps on the other hand can make a big mess as crumbs will be everywhere – on faces, fingers and cloths.

Booking Family photoshoots – How it works

When considering booking a family photo shoot, we are often asked how it works and what the process is. Well to make it easy we have created a 50 second video which explains the process in 7 simple steps: Family photo shoots – How it works video

Of course we will always be on hand if there are any questions which may well pop up and do review our blog page as this may well provide you with some great insights; the blog on What to Wear in Family Photoshoots is particularly popular.

Winter Weddings

Autumn and winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular with couples wishing to tie the knot and understandably so. Many wedding suppliers and venues are able to offer great discounts during these quieter months. It is also the perfect time of the year for honeymoons to exotic destinations such as the Caribbean and places like Thailand.

So while these points make a perfect argument to book your wedding during the months of November to February, there is normally one thing on a couples mindthat makes them feel uneasy – the weather (and with that the lack of light!).

Thankfully as an experienced wedding photographer, Andy doesn’t break out in sweat when faced with shooting a winter wedding. Quite the opposite is true. With the English weather being so unpredictable, light and sunshine is never a guarantee even in the summer which means a photographer must always be prepared. Difficult situations often bring out the most creative results and when faced with dimly lit settings, you can search out areas usually or areas that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Shadows can be equally as intriguing as light. Of course, with it becoming darker much sooner, this also allows for some great twilight images which could otherwise be missed in the summer.

 The same also goes for "Bad weather”. With rain come umbrellas (the quintessential British accessory) and a certain energy that is only caught when people are trying to get from A to B without getting wet. And for those who are not afraid of a bit of rain, it is possible to capture some great images with rain drops in them. From experience we can say that it hardly ever rains solidly all day  and when it does stop, streets have been given a shimmering coat where subtle reflections give the images a new dimension and puddles have formed which show the most fascinating reflections.

If you decide to book a winter wedding, a experienced wedding photographer is key to getting some good images from the day. Not only will they have a “good camera” but they will also understand what is technically required of them and the structure of the day and how the light behaves throughout that day.

Vouchers

With Easy View Photography’s diary filling up quickly for 2018, we thought it would be a good idea to remind our lovely clients that we do offer vouchers as well.

So, if you are getting married and wanting to reduce your wedding photography bill a little, why not ask friends and family to buy some vouchers? Or have you recently announced your pregnancy and are wanting to celebrate this great occasion with a beautiful baby bump shoot? Or are your little ones growing so fast you can barely keep up and you want to make sure you are able to hold on to those memories? Then why not ask for photography vouchers for these great occasions?

All vouchers are nicely designed and come with an envelope to hold them in. If you would prefer to send a voucher as a surprise gift that’s not a problem as we can take care of this too.

If you would like to purchase a voucher for yourself or a loved one, simply contact us.

Tips for families before their Family Photo Shoot

Choose your clothing carefully

Ensure you choose your clothes in advance and make sure that your chosen outfit is comfortable and attractive.  Would you prefer for you family photos to look soft and elegant?  If so, chose neutral colours such as creams and pastels with soft, flowing fabrics.  Want to showcase the fun side of your family?  Choose coordinating colors with bold accent colours. If you are still unsure of what to wear, read our What to wear in Family Photo Shoots blog post.

Be well rested and fed

Don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. It’s difficult to have fun when you can’t think about anything else but food and children especially struggle if they haven’t had anything to eat. So if you are planning on eating after the shoot, make sure you have some snacks handy.

Leave plenty of time to get ready

It can be stressful getting everyone ready for a shoot, even more so if young children are involved so make sure you leave plenty of time. There is nothing worse than trying to get pictures representing happy family times when only a few minutes before, there were arguments because one family members wasn’t getting ready quickly enough.

Cheese is for crackers

“Cheese” causes very unnatural smiles and results in strained and often unflattering photographs. Instead of saying “cheese” step back and allow the photographer to naturally interact with your family. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. 

Have fun with your family

Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air.  Give your spouse a sweet kiss on the check.  Have fun.  Laugh. Joke.  Doing these things will allow the photographer to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family.  Show your photographer who you really are so that they have the opportunity to capture your love through their lens.

Photo video's

Having recently posted a number of photo video's (also sometimes referred to as slideshows to music or photo DVD) on EVP's Facebook page, a large number of clients have approached us asking if we could create video's for them too. While this is something which we have provided in the past, it is not something which we had actively promoted but we do feel that this is a great way to relive special memories.

What type of photo video's can be created?

We can create photo video's from any type of shoot:

Wedding photo video's  

Usually having a large amount of pictures to choose from, this type of video can vary in length depending on the couple's requirements though our recommended length is around 8 to 10 minutes. The theme and music can be tailored and also include songs special to the couple. They are great for a couple to relive their wedding day but also make for great presents for parents or loved ones who were unable to attend the special day.

Engagement photo video's

A photo video of your engagement can be something great to be shared with your guests on your wedding day if you would like to share some special snaps of yourself. They are also great for those sending their wedding invites electronically as this can be lovey accompaniment to the invites. Sending an electronic invite can save a couple a considerable amount of time and cost while a photo video still allows them to provide something with a personal touch.

Family photo video's

Images from a family shoot are great for a photo video to hold on to that magical family time and make great presents for family members. These tend to be a little shorter, around 3 minutes but can, like any other photo video, be customised to the personal taste of our clients.

Any other photo video's

No matter what type of shoot you have had or would like, we are able to to create a photo video. Just contact us to discus what you are after.

Can you create a photo video from existing photo's?

If you have some old, treasured memories from which you would like a photo video, we may well be able to help you. The length of the video will depend on how many suitable images you have. We will be able to tell you what can be done after viewing your images.

What does a photo video cost?

The cost for a photo video will depend on what type of shoot the video is created from and how may images need processing. It will also depend on whether they are images taken from one of our photo shoots or existing images as these may need additional editing for suitability. For a quote please contact us.

5 things your Wedding Photographer wants you to know

In 30 years from now, as you are re-counting your wedding day for your children and grandchildren, you will bring out your wedding album to show them just how beautiful the day was. Your wedding photos are truly something you will hold dear for decades to come. Great wedding photographers know this and therefore take their jobs incredibly seriously. We want to make sure you get the best possible pictures of your special day and have the following tips to ensure this happens:

1. Your wedding is about you. Do what you want.

Don’t feel constrained by tradition, or allow yourself to be pushed around by your wedding planner/mother/mother-in-law - do what you want on your wedding day! A wedding is about you and your partner. Everything else might be important, but secondary.

2. Good photos take time

Good photos rarely happen in 30 minutes, so allocate a reasonable amount of time to get them. This doesn’t mean that you have to take hours out of your special day, though it’s wise to consider taking 1 to 2 hours for your post-ceremony images. While this can seem like a lot, the time does tend to fly and considering the overall length of the day, it only takes up a small amount of your day.

3. Your dress is probably going to get dirty

If you resign yourself to the fact that your dress will get dirty, it will be much easier to come to terms with it when it happens. Dresses and shoes are very expensive but you don’t want to be worrying about them all day. Your photographer may take you to some tricky locations - those beautiful images of newlyweds strolling in sunlit fields don’t just happen – you may need to trudge through some muddy fields and climb over a fence or two.

4. Consider banning mobile phones and tablets at the ceremony

Mobile devices held up in the air during the ceremony can not only cause distractions but also interfere with your ceremony photography, after all, you don’t want to be looking at images of all your friends and family pointing mobile phones at you rather than actually paying attention to the proceedings. It’s not too much to ask of guests that they hold off from taking their own photos during the ceremony, and instead simply enjoy the occasion.

5. Give yourself some time alone on the dance-floor

For your first dance with your partner, make sure you allow yourself a bit of time alone together on the dance-floor. Savor it - it’s a minute or two that you should enjoy alone. First dances always make for some beautiful photos and if your bridal party joins the dancefloor too early, you may miss out on that one magic image that could be a treasure to you for the rest of your life.

We hope these tips have come in handy and if you would like to have a chat with us about your big day, please feel free to contact us.

How much does Wedding Photography cost?

When it comes to weddings, there are a lot of things to think about and before you start off, it is important that you are clear on your budget. How much are you looking at spending and how are you going to split it across all the different areas such as venue, food, dress, suit, shoes, flowers, drinks, cake and not forgetting wedding photography?

The average UK wedding photography cost is £992 so it’s important to shop around and see what all the different wedding packages consist of. To make things easy we charge a flat rate covering the entire day, from the pre-ceremony right through to the first dance and it is then up to you to choose whether you would like a frame, album or video. This can significantly reduce the cost for a couple if they want to create photo album’s themselves for example.

What could reduce the cost of your photography?

Time of the year - if you have your wedding in the off season, so in the winter months, then you are likely to get it slightly cheaper as photographers may be willing to do a special deal as many couples look to get married in the spring and summer months.

Coverage – fewer photos can reduce the cost, and by this I mean less time capturing. So instead of the full day you hire them to just capture the ceremony and maybe post-ceremony, so instead of the whole day they are just there for a few hours. Before deciding to go with this option, think about the day you are planning, think about the story you want to be told via photos. How are you and your bridesmaids getting ready - do you want photos of you all getting ready? What about the groom? Do you want photos of the cake cutting or the first dance? Don’t jump the gun and only hire your photographer for a few hours just to save money, think about the whole day and the photos you really want.

Presentation – once the photos have been edited and are ready to go, how do you want them? If you want your photographer to produce a beautiful album for you to relive and tell your wedding day story then this would be an additional cost to just getting all your photos on a CD.

Engagement shoots – this is an optional extra but it is a great way to help get comfortable in front of the camera and around your photographer. It will help you feel more relaxed and calm in front of the camera when having photos taken on the big day itself. As well as a bit of fun you also get some lovely shots of you and your partner, perfect for going on wedding invites or your save the date cards. As we think this is an important aspect of wedding photography, we provide this free of charge for any full day of coverage.

What about a cheap Photographer?

What about the Photographer who can do it for £450? As with anything in this world, there is always something cheaper no matter what it is. However, usually you get what you pay for. Professional cameras and lenses cost thousands of pounds; just because someone has an SLR doesn’t mean it’s going to produce a beautiful image. Experience is also important; photographers need to know where to stand and when to stand there. If you miss that first gaze, that shot is lost forever. Picking a photographer who has done 50 weddings and has received good reviews is clearly a saver choice than someone who has only done a handful. 

What to wear in Family Photo Shoots

Deciding what to wear in family photos can be just as challenging as finding the perfect photographer. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and cherish for years to come so it can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear.

The most important thing when considering what to wear for a family photo shoot is that every family member should dress in a way that that makes them feel confident and comfortable. This will help achieve relaxed and natural photos that reflect true personalities.

Colour matters

While some degree of colour coordination is great, families should not worry too much about matching their outfits. Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching trousers. Instead, keeping the number of colours between 1 and 3 works well. Bright pastel colours seem to work particularly well for children, bringing a sense of fun to the occasion and final images.

When considering what to wear, it might also be worth thinking about your home décor. Do you like bright colours? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colours of your clothes go with the colour scheme of your home.

If possible, try to stick to solid colours, attention should be drawn to faces and personalities and not compete with logos or bold illustrations for our attention. In the same vein, jewellery is great but you wouldn’t want it dominating the imagery.