Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions please contact us.
Are you professional photographers?
Yes, we are full-time, professional photographers, specialising in wedding photography, boudoir photography and portraiture. The FAQ's below relate mostly to wedding photography as this is our main genre.
What’s your primary style of photography?
We specialise in what’s known as reportage photography, which means we capture you and your guests at your most natural to create a true account of your day, rather than focussing on heavily posed shots. You’re welcome to have posed photographs too, of course, and we will take these alongside more spur of the moment shots. We take a wide variety of photographs to capture all kinds of moods and scenes.
How many weddings do you photograph a year?
We photograph between forty and fifty weddings each year.
How do you tend to work?
Reportage style goes hand in hand with being very discreet – our aim is to ensure that you and your guests don’t actually realise that photographs are being taken at all (aside from traditional group shots of course). We use long lenses so that we can keep our distance from guests, who can enjoy the day without feeling watched. This is of particular importance to us: the less noticeable we are, the more relaxed you and your guests will be, and this will be reflected in your photographs.
How will you make your photography personal to our wedding?
Each wedding is unique, each venue is different and every bride and groom respond in their own way to being in front of the lens. You are bound to have an idea of the kind of photographs you prefer and we will very quickly ascertain how best to photograph you and your day, and by its very nature it will be personal to you.
We don’t like having our photograph taken. How will you cope with this?
It is very common for people to be uncomfortable in front of the lens and we are used to dealing with this issue. We aren’t fond of having our photograph taken either so we completely understand! You will be very busy on your wedding day, so most of the time you will be unaware that you are being photographed and we work in an exceptionally discreet manner so you won't feel on show. For more staged photographs we tend to take photographs just before and just after the ‘actual’ photograph is being taken, which means that the results are very natural even if you feel that you look rather tense! The main thing is that with our expertise you are bound to forget we are even there.
Can we have a say in the shots that are taken?
Yes of course. We recommend that you spend some time considering the kind of photographs that you would like us to take. For your convenience we provide you with a list of suggested photographs in your information pack. If you have any particular shots in mind, such as romantic poses, fun shots or particular groups of people, please do let us know. Equally, on the day itself, feel free to make as many spontaneous suggestions as you wish. This often brings the best results, as you and your guests will be photographed 'in the moment'.
Can our guests take photographs too?
We actively encourage it! We will give plenty of opportunity for your friends and family to take photographs and we’re more than happy for guests to take photographs at the same time as us.
Can we visit the venue/s with you before our wedding?
Yes, if you wish. It is not absolutely necessary from our perspective, in that wedding photography tends to unfold naturally on the day, and photographic opportunities present themselves as the day progresses. If there are any particular areas of your venue that you would like to use for photography just let us know, and if you’d feel more reassured by showing us in person we’d be only too happy to visit your venue/s with you.
What kind of equipment will you be using?
We use the latest in digital equipment. With a range of Canon cameras, telephoto and wide-angle lenses we capture a wide range of styles.
Do you have backup equipment?
Yes. We will come armed with several cameras, all of which are excellent in quality and sharpness, as well as plenty of back-up batteries, memory cards, flash guns etc., so we will be well-prepared for the unlikely event of equipment failure.
How do you intend to dress?
We will be smart but comfortably dressed – we very much feel that we are guests at your wedding and as such will dress discreetly but accordingly.
What happens if you get stuck in traffic?
We always leave plenty of time for the journey to eliminate the risk of delay.Touch wood, we have to date never been delayed and we always arrive five to ten minutes early for your peace of mind. If we are involved in an accident we will telephone an allocated contact (normally your Best Man) and advise them of the situation.
Are there any travel costs involved?
We charge no travel costs. Sometimes if we are to attend a wedding that is more than a two-hour drive away, we may ask for a nominal fee to help towards fuel charges, but this will be discussed on booking. For international weddings we do not charge for our travel time, but flights and hotel accommodation should be provided.
We want ‘getting ready’ photographs but the Bride is likely to be a bit stressed. How will you help her to relax about photography?
It’s perfectly normal for a bride to be anxious on her wedding day! We will work around how you are feeling on the day but you will find that very quickly you get used to being in front of the lens and your preparations will keep you busy enough not to realise you are being photographed. We’ll focus on the details first – shoes, dress, flowers, jewellery etc., so that you get used to having the camera around, and when you’re ready we can turn our attention to you.
Will you photograph our actual ceremony?
If your ceremony venue permits, yes. We are very much in the hands of the official who is to marry you but on the whole most venues understand that ceremony photographs are important to each wedding couple. We will always check with the venue on the day and normally find we are permitted because we are so discreet. If we are granted permission to photograph your ceremony we will take photographs only at opportune moments - during natural pauses and not during key moments of your ceremony - so as not to be a distraction. We do find that churches tend not to allow flash photography during the ceremony, but our lenses are very fast and we can still capture those special moments for you. It is always worth checking with your venue, of course, and letting them know in advance that your photographer is particularly discreet, does not move around during the ceremony and does not take photographs while vows are being said, usually helps to have permission granted.
What happens if you are not permitted?
If we are not given permission to take photographs throughout your ceremony, and if time permits, we can easily stage key shots afterwards (exchange of rings, the kiss, signing the register etc.). In this instance it is worth letting your venue know that this is the intention.
Do you or our ushers organise group photographs?
It would be very helpful if your ushers are primed to help organise group photographs simply because they are likely to know who’s who. It helps to keep things running smoothly so that guests are not kept waiting and so that you have more time to mingle. If your Best Man or one of your Ushers has a strong voice it would be appreciated for him to make announcements, but if not, we are more than happy to do so.
If we want you to stay for longer than our wedding package indicates, what will the charges be?
£50 per additional hour - this is normally agreed before your final balance is due.
If things are running late, will you stay longer than agreed?
It is completely normal for weddings to run a little late – this is not a problem. We will slip away when our photography naturally comes to an end.
What happens if it rains - will the photography be ruined?
Being in the UK does of course increase the chances of rainy weather and it is adviseable to prepare for this by bringing bridal umbrellas, requesting that your guests bring their own umbrellas, and consutling your venue/s as to what happens if it rains on your special day. If it does rain, we will decide with you as to where group photographs may best be taken. Lounge areas, sofas, stair cases, conference rooms, marquees, fireplaces, bridal suite etc., all present great opportunities for photographs during a rainstorm. Please bear in mind that due to the amount of room we have to work with if we are forced to head indoors, the larger group shots may not be possible. Our greatest advice is to not let the rain dampen your spirits - your wedding day will be wonderful, no matter what the weather decides to do.
Can you provide references?
Please refer to our testimonials page – these testimonials have been written by couples whose weddings we have photographed and are 100% genuine and unprompted. Should you wish to contact any of our wedding couples please let us know and we’ll be delighted to put you in touch.
Can we meet the assistant who will be taking pictures?
Of course you can. We have a fantastic team of assistants who act as second camera and we have trained them to Taylor Made Photography Ltd standards.
Can your assistants provide references?
Yes – we can put you in touch with wedding couples who have been photographed by our assistants, and can refer you to certain galleries where assistants have been present.
How soon will we get to see our wedding photos?
Your photographs will be available for viewing on a password-protected gallery area of our website within seventy-two hours of your wedding day (we do try to get them uploaded within 24 hours if we can!). We will contact you via email with a link to our login page and a password that you can use to launch your wedding gallery. You may then forward this to friends and family.
Do you heavily process your photographs?
No. We prefer photographs to be as real to life as possible. Very often heavily processed images (for example when a dramatic sunset is added behind a Bride and Groom) can look rather false and is not the style of photography we are comfortable with. We prefer to offer a true account of your day. Certain photographs benefit from a little saturation but on the whole we try to take each image as we wish for it to be, rather than rely on post-photographic processing.
If we opt for a wedding package that includes a DVD, can we print photographs to give to our friends and family? What about copyright?
As author of your photographs we retain the rights to your photographs but as far as we are concerned they are yours to do with as you wish. We supply your images in high resolution specifically so that you can print your own copies again and again – so feel free to print them, publish them, sell them but we will still hold the official copyright of the images we take so that we have the right to use them for promotional purposes. If you do publish an image, for example in a newspaper or magazine, we would appreciate Taylor Made Photography Ltd being acknowledged.
Do you limit the number of photographs we receive on DVD?
No – you will receive all of your wedding images, not just a selection. Obviously we will discard ‘blinking’ shots and shots that we feel do not complement your day, but the rest will be given to you in high resolution.
How many images can we expect to receive?
You will receive hundreds of wedding images, depending on the weather and the length of time we are with you. From experience, you will receive any number between 250 and 700 images.
Will you help me choose the images for the photobook?
Yes. We will design your photobook proof using those images we feel best represent the story of your wedding day. You can then request any changes you like (please see below).
Will we see our photobook before it goes to print?
Not only will you see it, but you will have full control over it! We personally design each page of your photobook based on the style of photobook you prefer. We will send you an email containing a link to a downloadable proof, and from that you may request any changes you would like. Only when you are happy with your photobook will it go to print.
Can we personalise our photobook?
Yes, there are lots of different upgrades to choose from and we will go through these with you before your photobook goes to print.
Do you have examples of your wedding packages that we can see?
Yes – you are welcome to meet with us and have a look through examples of all of our wedding packages to see if there is something to suit you.
Can we see examples of photographs you have taken of other weddings?
We have numerous examples both in our online gallery and in our stunning photobooks. We are always adding more, so pop back to have a look now and again!
Are you qualified in photography?
Yes, but to be honest we are completely self-taught, which, to us, is the best and most challenging way to learn! Photography presents a life-long learning curve and every photoshoot teaches us something new. That said, we hold Higher Diplomas in photography, and are currently studying for our Master Photographers Association Licentiate memberships and MPA Diploma in Photography Business Practice.
Do you have insurance?
Yes, we hold public liability insurance.
Do you keep copies of our wedding pictures?
We hold four independent digital back-ups of your original wedding images, and two of these are located off-site. We do our utmost to ensure that your images are protected.
How long do you keep our wedding images for?
We will keep your images indefinitely and guarantee them for a period of 365 days from the date of your wedding. However, we do keep your images indefinitely.
Do you have a contract? Can I view it?
Absolutely – Please Contact us for a copy.
If we book with you, will the price we pay change if you put your prices up?
No. The price you agree to pay at the time of booking is the price you will pay when your final balance becomes due, no matter whether you book our services years in advance.
Can we book your services without actually meeting you?
Lots of couples do and we’re very flattered indeed! Just check with us as to our availability and we’ll reserve the day for you with pleasure. All we need for any booking is a deposit of £100 made payable to Taylor Made Photography Ltd and a completed booking form, which we will provide you with once your wedding date has been confirmed as available.
What happens then?
We’ll keep in touch with you from time to time via email, just to let you know that we haven’t forgotten you and that we are here to answer any questions you might have as you plan your wedding.
When is the final balance due?
Around two months before your wedding day we will be in touch to confirm all the details we have regarding your wedding day, and once these have been confirmed we will send you your final invoice, the balance of which is due no later than two weeks before your wedding. If you wish to stagger your payments you’re more than welcome to do so via standing order.