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Q: What do I need to consider when I'm choosing my wedding
photography?
A: Consider "PQP" --
Personality,
Quality, and
Price. Be
your own best wedding planner and shop, look, and compare.
Quality vs. Price --
First, find the photographers you want and work with them to fit their
services into your budget, because when all the planning and partying are
over, your photographs will be THE keepsakes you'll have of your special
day. It only makes sense to get the very best quality your budget
will allow. We understand that, and that's why we offer couples a variety
of packages and options.
Don't be lulled by the highest or lowest prices in the book. Sometimes the most expensive photographer in the book
may not be very experienced, or won't take the type of pictures you want.
Sometimes the least expensive may be cheap but not good quality or the best value.
(A "free" CD of your wedding proofs
is not a good value if the photos aren't good quality. )
Look at
samples and ask questions. Will the photographers charge extra for
formal shots? (We don't.) Will the studio let you make shot selections?
(We'll give you a checklist to help you get started.) If the studio promotes
using two photographers at your
wedding, is one an assistant, or are both fully qualified professionals?
(We are.) Do you get to meet both of them? (We always try to meet our
couples before a shoot. That way, we learn more about each other,
your day, and what you want.)
One of the most overlooked aspects of choosing your wedding photography is
Personality.
Are the photographers easy to work with? Do they listen? Are
they friendly and put people at ease? (When everyone is relaxed and
natural, you'll be amazed at the difference in your pictures!)
Q. How does SRP stand on PQP
(Personality, Quality, Price)?
A. We're always striving to provide excellence, keep on top of the
latest trends (but not being a slave to them) and give you great quality
for great value. And we have loads of personality! We put
everyone at ease quickly, and often get hugs at the end of the day. (Mark is
also great with ties and boutonnières!)
Q: What is SRP's
style of photography?
A:
The best way to describe our style is artistic photojournalism.
Great wedding photographers should be able to take posed pictures,
beautiful shots, and hundreds of candids as each unique moment occurs.
Q. How many photographers will shoot my wedding?
A. We use a two-photographer approach for all our main packages
(Grand, Royal, and Romance). This enables us to be in two places at once
-- which is a distinct advantage for you!
Q: Who gets to make the shot selection?
A: We're constantly being regaled with stories about photographers
who only take candids, or conversely, photographers so mired in tradition
that they'll only take posed pictures of their choosing. That's not
our style. We'll be shooting many, many candids from the moment we
arrive, but we also feel very strongly that
YOU should
be able to pick shots you want. We'll provide a photo checklist to help you get
started, with room to add not-to-miss people or events. We also know
you don't want to hang around forever posing for pictures, so we work to
make that as quick and painless as possible.
Q: How many hours will I need a wedding photographer?
A: This depends on the number of activities you have planned, the
length of the ceremony and reception, and how many group shots you want.
Here's a sample timeline from one of our "Grand" weddings:
Pre-ceremony (we arrive)
1.0 hour (minimum)
Ceremony .5 "
Photos after ceremony .5 "
Reception
+3.0 "
Total length of coverage
5 hours
Here's a sample timeline from a "Royal" wedding:
Pre-ceremony
2.0 hours
Length of ceremony
1.0 "
Photos after ceremony .5 "
Reception
3.5 "
Total length of coverage
7 hours
Please remember, the number of attendants you have does not necessarily
indicate how long your wedding will be. The type of ceremony you
choose, the number of family shots desired, distance to the reception site,
food served (sit-down dinner, buffet, or hor d'eouvres), and
length of reception (dancing, toasting, cake cutting, bouquet & garter
throws, and how long you want to party, party, party), will determine the
length of your wedding & photography needs.
We can also be present for rehearsals, salon shots,
morning-after-the-wedding brunches, etc. We schedule these when you
book your wedding package.
Q. When will SRP begin our wedding coverage?
A. We typically arrive one to
two hours before a ceremony, depending on your desires, how many posed
shots you want beforehand, and where you want to take them. (Shots in front of
the altar take a bit longer to coordinate and need to be finished at least 30 minutes prior to a ceremony.) Plus, seeing your
photographers arrive on time (even when your family may not) increases your comfort zone and lets you know this
wedding is really going to happen!
Q. Should we take all of our posed shots before or after the
ceremony?
A. It depends on what works best for you. Some brides
wouldn't think of letting their grooms see them before the ceremony;
other brides want as many photos taken before the wedding as possible.
The more family shots (bride or groom with siblings, immediate
family, etc.) you take before the ceremony, the shorter your
picture-taking time after the ceremony.
Q. What if we need more photography time than our package covers?
A. We'll talk with you prior to the wedding about all aspects of
your photography -- including how much coverage you'll need. If you
need more time, you can add it at $200
per additional hour.
Q. What if I book one package and decide later I'd like to upgrade
to a larger package?
A. Just let us know before you pay your final balance.
Q. When should I book my
engagement and bridal sessions?
A. As soon as possible.
Saturdays are our busiest days in summer, so please keep that in mind.
The best times to shoot outdoor locations are the two hours after sunrise
and the two hours before sunset. We'll work with your schedule and ours to arrange
the very best time for your session.
Q. What does SRP require
for a deposit?
A. To hold your date for
any of our services, we ask for one-half down at the time of booking.
We provide a contract (to guarantee your date and time) and checklist.
We are astounded and disturbed by the number of stories we've heard about
photographers canceling at the last minute - this will never happen with
Stone Ridge Photographers. As professionals, we will make sure your
wedding is covered!
Q. How do I book my wedding with Stone Ridge Photographers?
A. First, call or e-mail us to see if your date and time are
available. We book weddings over the phone or via
e-mail, but we'd love to meet and talk about your wedding
plans over a cup of coffee.
Q. My Uncle Bill is a really good
photographer and has a nice camera, will he take great pictures?
A. If cost is your most important concern, then Uncle
Bill, or your dad's best friend, or any other good amateur photographer will very likely give you just what you pay for.
Likewise, putting disposable cameras on the tables at your reception and
letting your guests take pictures for you will give you exactly what you
expect and fear. Poorly lit, badly composed, out of focus, poor photographs. A
non-professional photographer is a big risk for your once-in-a-lifetime event! If your desire is to have
excellent images that cover everything that happens, catches the joy and excitement of the day, are well lit and
focused, and will become a treasured keepsake for your family, then budget for and hire a true professional, like
Stone Ridge Photographers!
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