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Yvette Craig
Yvette Craig specialises in photo-journalism and lifestyle photography. Contact: www.yvettecraigphotography.co.uk |
Yvette Craig answers all your Photography related questions |
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How long do we need for photos?
Q. We're currently trying to work out timings for our wedding day, and have no idea how long to allow for all the pictures we want taken. Can you give us approximate timings for our photography?
A. Yvette Craig says: It depends on where you are getting married and how many photographs you want to have taken on the day. However, a good example would be as follows: Ceremony 2pm to 2.30pm, photography 2.30pm to 4/4.30pm. This will give you enough time for all your must-have photographs, including candid shots and some time alone with your photographer. There will always be variations to the amount of time required, which will depend on things like your list of photographs, guests willingness to be photographed, and the weather. |
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Photophobic
Q. We hate having our photographs taken so our wedding photographer has said that we should have a pre-wedding shoot. What's the point in this?
A. Yvette Craig says: For me, the pre-wedding shoot is one of the most important aspects of the wedding photography because it helps develop a real relationship between the client and the photographer. It also helps the bride and groom feel more at ease on their wedding day.
A pre-wedding shoot should help you with your discomfort at having your photos taken and will also give you the opportunity to see some images of the two of you together before the big day. |
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Mix it up
Q. We only want candid, natural photos of our wedding day. Do we really need to have formal photographs as well?
A. Yvette Craig says: It is important to have a mixture of both as it would be very hard to put together an album of just reportage images.
Candid photographs, to a degree, also need to be set up. It's best to talk to your photographer about what you would like and listen to their advice on the best way forward.
I find people actually choose to have the formal ones in the album even when they have said they prefer candid, so it's best not to limit your options. |
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Kids on camera
Q. We have several small bridesmaids and page boys at our forthcoming wedding. How can we make sure that they behave for the photos and that the photographer captures their spirit on the day?
A. Yvette Craig says: Most photographers are experienced at photographing children at weddings and most will do any group line ups that involve them first.
If a child is reluctant to be photographed, it is often best if their parent picks them up.
For more candid shots the photographer will often use a long lens and capture them from a distance. |
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Group together
Q. We are having a large wedding. Whilst we do not want lots of group photographs we do want some, particularly of family members who are visiting from all over the world. We really do not want to allow more than 30 minutes for the group photographs, so that we can allow more time for photographs of just the two of us. How can we make sure we get all the photos we want in the time limit we have set?
A. Yvette Craig says: The best thing to do ahead of your wedding meeting with your photographer is to sit down and write a list of all the must-have group shots.
Consider which ones, if any, you want in your album and which ones, if any, you will buy to frame. The reason I say 'if any' is experience shows that whilst people will often request a lot of group photographs they never actually put them in the album or, indeed, buy them.
Once you have decided on what you really do want, and I would try and limit it to between eight and 10, write their names next to the group e.g Smith family - Jane, Ted, Jake, Freddie, Alice, nanny Smith and great aunt Sylvia.
This makes it a lot easier on the day as there is no element of doubt. When you have your meeting with your photographer suggest two people, one from each side of the family, who will help on the day, as this will speed things up. |
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Publish and be damned
Q. We had a photography package for our wedding that included photographs on a disc. We have since submitted these to a wedding magazine for a real life wedding and the photographer has said that we can?t do that because she owns copyright. Who is right?
A. Yvette Craig says: Generally when you have photographs supplied on a disc it is for your own personal use, and not for use commercially.
In some cases a photographer may want to be paid a fee, as you are using the photos for something that they were not supplied for. It may, however, be that the photographer just wants to be credited with the work and a link to the website.
If it has already gone to print and your photographer has not been credited, then it may be that you have to ask the magazine to print something in the next issue crediting your photographer.
If it has not yet been printed, speak to the photographer and ask if they are happy to accept a credit only. Many will be happy to do so as it?s a great way of getting their pictures noticed, but it is always advisable to ask first. |
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How can we save money?
Q. Everyone is talking about the credit crunch so much that we are now nervous about how much we are spending on a photographer for our wedding. We want great photographs but aren?t sure if we can afford what we originally booked. What do you advise?
A. Yvette Craig says: When looking at your budget for the various things you have planned for your wedding, it is always worth looking at what you are spending on other aspects of the day before you cut your photography budget; after all when you put away the dress, have eaten the last piece of cake, sent the last thank you card etc the only lasting reminder will be the photographs.
Many people make the mistake of either not having photographs professionally done or going with a very cheap option and then regretting it. If you have made as many cut backs as you can and money is still tight, it may be worth asking your photographer if you can have your package converted to a pictures on disc option with the view to getting an album done at a later date. |
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