BEFORE THE DAY
WILL YOU TRAVEL?
I’ve done weddings all up and down the British Isles (literally, London to Lerwick). If you are getting married outside West Yorkshire, get in touch with me to quote for any additional travel and accommodation costs.
WE HATE HAVING OUR PICTURE TAKEN – WILL YOU STILL BE ABLE TO GET GOOD PHOTOS OF US?
Yes! 99% of people feel this way, I promise. Having photographed hundreds of people, I am a firm believer that we all look our best when we are enjoying ourselves. So to get great pictures, it’s really that simple: your only job is to enjoy yourself! I will also do my best to relax you and help you feel at ease.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
I certainly do. I have full Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Equipment cover. I also bring back-up cameras with me in case of an equipment failure.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I am a big fan of travelling light and find that I can be much less intrusive and ultimately get better shots this way. I use two Nikon D750 cameras, a full-frame professional model. Usually one of these has a standard zoom lens on throughout the day, whilst the other switches between a prime 50mm lens, and a 135mm lens – particularly useful when I’m at a distance from the action, like in church. I usually use one or two flash speedlights for the evening and dancing as needed.
ON THE DAY
CAN YOU FIT INTO THE TIMINGS OF OUR DAY?
That’s my aim! Any documentary photographer worth their salt, should be working off your schedule, not creating their own. It’s a good idea to discuss your timings with me as early as possible to ensure the practicalities work. The only guideline I would give is to set aside 20 minutes at some point for some portraits of just the two of you and 20 minutes if you’d like a few group photos. These are best done outdoors in daylight if possible.
CAN WE PROVIDE YOU WITH A MEAL?
Yes, please! (Vegetarian and gluten-free please.) As I’ll be working a long day, it really helps to know a hot meal is on its way. It works well to be fed at the same time as the other guests as they don’t want to be photographed eating, so this is the best time for me to have a break too. I’ll find a quiet spot away from the party to eat and check through the images captured to that point.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU'RE ILL ON OUR WEDDING DAY?
I’ve not had this happen yet, and will always do my utmost to make it to your wedding (it’s not the kind of job where you call in sick on account of a tickly cough!). In the worst case scenario that I’m incapacitated, I’m well connected to a network of wedding photographers and will aim to get you a suitable replacement.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
We bring umbrellas and dance in it! Seriously, rain is always going to be on the cards with a British wedding. At the first wedding I ever photographed, the heavens completely opened. Since then, I think at least half have had some element of bad weather to battle with! The show will still go on, you’ll still have fun and I’ll still get great pictures – fear not!
HOW MANY FORMAL GROUP PHOTOS DO WE NEED?
Gathering and arranging guests can be very time-consuming and eat into the rest of your day, however, family group photos are a valuable record and often older relatives especially appreciate them. Don’t panic and feel obliged to do every iteration to cover all the bases – I recommend just five or six of close family and the bridal party, to avoid it taking too long.
AFTER THE WEDDING
WHEN WILL MY PHOTOGRAPHS BE READY?
I aim to put a sneak preview on my website and facebook within a week of your wedding. Within six weeks I will edit all your photographs and send you a link to your password-protected online gallery (which you can share with friends and family) and will post your USB package. From there, we can discuss the album if you are ordering one.
HOW MUCH RETOUCHING/PHOTOSHOP WORK DO YOU DO?
The editing process is a large part of any digital photographer’s job, in much the same way that the darkroom process is an integral part of film photography. Images will be carefully worked through in my signature Hannah Beatrice style, with adjustments made for exposure, colour, contrast and cropping to ensure that they evoke the scene as well as possible and in the way I remember it. I will retouch any glaring distractions in a picture but I’m a big fan of real, natural beauty, so I don’t airbrush skin or change anyone’s shape!
DO YOU SUPPLY BLACK & WHITE AS WELL AS COLOUR?
Some images work better in colour, some in black & white. For portraits and group shots I usually include both, and the rest will be a mixture. If you are brave and interested in an artistic black & white coverage only, I would love to do this for you! Just speak to me about it beforehand.
WHO OWNS THE COPYRIGHT?
Copyright is automatically legally granted to a photographer on creating an image. I provide clients with high resolution digital files and printing rights so they can print unlimited copies for personal use, whilst I maintain moral ownership and copyright. Full terms and conditions are included on the booking form.
HOW MANY PHOTOS DO WE GET?
In a world where we now take 1 trillion photos a year, less really is more! Have you ever sat through a three hour film that really should have been half that length? My job is to carefully craft a story from your day. A smaller, better considered selection of images should always be preferred – it will be more accessible to you and future generations, giving you the opportunity to truly enjoy each picture. As a guide, I provide approximately 400 pictures which is more than enough to include all the important bits, important people and important moments, minus the ‘bloopers’ (blinks, unflattering expressions and duplicates).
CAN WE PAY EXTRA FOR THE RAW FILES?
RAW files are unfinished files. Even the picture you see displayed on the back of a camera has been processed! I take time and care to process and create each of your images to the highest standards and in keeping with my vision, so I only release these completed images. RAW files will never be made available to clients because they are unfinished and unusable.
THE BOOKING PROCESS
SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
If you’ve had a good look through my portfolio and think we’d be a good match, I’d love to hear from you! First off, head over to my contact page and send me a message to check my availability for your wedding date if you’ve not already. Then let’s meet up for a chat over Zoom where you can ask me all your burning questions. At this point, I’ll also provide you with a booking form for you to fill in when you’re ready.
WHEN AND HOW WILL WE NEED TO PAY?
A non-refundable booking fee of £300 is required on booking to secure your date. The remaining balance is due six weeks prior to the wedding date. You can pay by cheque or bank transfer. Albums, prints and thank you cards can be ordered anytime up to one year after the wedding, payable at the time of ordering.