I receive enquiries across various channels from couples considering booking me as their wedding photographer. Often these enquiries are from couples who have already looked at my website, so may already be familiar with the services that I offer, and my pricing.
However, they sometimes have other things they would like to discuss, before proceeding with a booking… So I thought it would be helpful for me to consolidate the most common questions, into a single blog post, to help my future couples get the information they need straight away.
If I’ve missed anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
We love what we see - how do we book you?
Firstly send me an enquiry form, (or direct email) containing the details about your big day, including the date and location/venue. I will reply within 48 hours (often same day), confirming my availability and making a recommendation on the package you may wish to consider.
At this point, if you want to go straight ahead with a booking, just let me know, and i will prepare an online contract containing my terms and conditions, for your review and acceptance. You’ll then need to make a deposit payment to secure your date.
If you want to have an optional chat first prior to booking, thats also fine!
Can we meet in person or have a call prior to booking you?
With so much information already online, many couples choose to discuss everything via email, rather than requesting a meeting prior to booking. However, I’m always happy to have a pre-booking video call when requested. So, if you’d like to discuss your plans in more detail before proceeding with a booking, just let me know and I will arrange this at a mutually convenient time for us.
In all instances, I arrange a video call with my couples around 4 weeks prior to the big day, to meet, and run through all of the details of your big day, as things are usually a bit more finalised by then.
Where are you based, and are travel expenses included in your pricing?
I’m based in Burton Upon Trent, in Staffordshire, so mostly attract couples from Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire of which travel fees are already factored into my published pricing. When asked to travel further afield, I’lll advise during the enquiry process if any travel expenses apply, but I always keep these to a minimum, and they would be agreed up front as part of the contract.
What are your payment terms, and how do we pay you?
To secure your date, you’ll need to pay an initial payment of 25%, or £100 (whichever is the greatest), within 2 weeks of accepting your contract, and the final balance payment is due 6 weeks prior to your wedding.
For your convenience I support a range of secure online payment methods, including credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or direct BACS bank transfer.
How soon do we need to secure our date with you?
After you’ve locked in your date, and your venue is confirmed, booking your photographer is arguably the next most important thing to do, so please don’t hesitate as key dates during the wedding season can get fully booked early.
Please note, I soft limit myself to one wedding booking per day, and two per week to ensure I can give my couples the very best service on their wedding day.
What time should we book your coverage from?
It depends on which portions of the day you would like me to focus on. For smaller ceremony only coverage, I recommend photographic coverage starting 30mins prior to the ceremony. However, for longer wedding timelines where I’m providing all day coverage, I will usually start 1-2 hours prior to the ceremony, as this allows me to document a more complete story of your day, e.g. getting ready, first looks, guest arrivals etc.
If you’re unsure, let me know the high level timeline, and I will advise you how my services can fit in with your plans.
Will you be the person photographing our wedding?
Yes, you’re hiring me, Grant Archer (G Archer Photo) to photograph your wedding, as the primary photographer.
Have you worked at our venue previously?
Whilst I’ve visited and/or photographed weddings at many venues over the years, yours may or may not be one I’ve worked at previously. If I’ve photographed a wedding at your venue, I will usually advise you of this during the enquiry process.
Rest assured, if I haven’t, I always try to visit the venue ahead of your big day to meet with the wedding coordinator/planner, to have a look around the venue and ensure I am familiar with the space - so please don’t worry!
What’s it like to work with me on the day?
My role is to observe and document your day as it happens, so I try to blend in as a guest as much as possible, and make everyone feel comfortable. However, you can also expect me to give direction where needed, for example during any staged moments such as a confetti toss, or your group photos, or where the unexpected may happen during your day.
I describe myself as a calm yet confident and supportive presence on your wedding day, and take pride in ensuring my couples have the very best experience, from the enquiry process, all the way through to delivering your photos - and my couples agree!
How do formal group photos work on the day?
As primarily a documentary photographer, I place more emphasis on capturing the candid moments that naturally occur throughout the wedding day. However, I fully appreciate that formal group photos are an expectation for most couples following the ceremony, so I always offer this as part of my coverage, but encourage my couples to limit this to around 6 combinations to ensure formal staged photos don’t consume too much time of your day, or become too repetitive. Regardless, I try to make this portion of the day as fun and efficient as possible, so you and you guests can get back to the celebrations!
How will couples portraits work on the day?
They’re an important element for most couples (even those that say they hate having their photo taken), so I always recommend we allow time for it in the schedule (15-30 mins is usually enough) - usually following your group photos, and/or later in the evening, dependent on your timeline.
However, I always keep things super fun and relaxed - we start by going for a short walk around the venue, where I’ll give you gentle direction as needed, to get you into the best looking your best... and before you know it, you’ll be back celebrating with your guests in no time!
How and when will we receive our photographs?
I like to provide my couples with a mini sneak peek within 48 hours of their wedding day - next day where possible! The full gallery can take up to 12 weeks to deliver (as stated in the contract). However, whenever possible I endeavour to beat my own deadline, and deliver your full gallery to you within 4 weeks.
Your gallery will be presented via a beautiful private online gallery, where you can view, share and download the full resolution photographs. From here you can also order physical printed items, such as prints and photo albums if you wish.
Can we buy prints or albums from you?
Yes you can, I offer a curated selection of high quality printed products such as prints (in a range of sizes), premium albums and framed wall art. These can either be pre-ordered during the booking process (to leverage exclusive pricing), or can be purchased after the gallery has been delivered, at any point.
Do you edit our photographs?
Yes I do - every final image that you receive has been personally curated and edited by me in the style that you see across my portfolio. As a matter of principle, this work is never outsourced to another third party, or AI tool.
All edits are done in my personal style, and typically consist of corrective and creative colour, contrast and exposure adjustments - they do not include heavy “photo-shopping” (such as excessive skin smoothing, facial feature alteration and other extreme alterations).
Can you shoot our wedding on film?
I love film, so yes I can! Either entirely on film, or as a supplement to digital coverage - in both cases a supplementary charge applies to cover the time and materials involved in film photography.
If you’re considering this, please let me know during your enquiry and I will take you through this in more detail.
Do you also offer a wedding highlight video?
Yes! Whilst I am photography first, I describe myself as a hybrid shooter, which means I shoot both stills and video alongside each other using the same equipment. This allows me to produce a 2-5 min highlight video as an add-on to all photography packages.
I don’t currently offer full video only coverage, whilst it is something I can technically do no problem (did I mention I co-shot a feature film, which you watch on most streaming platforms?!), I am happy to either refer you to a recommended videographer colleague, or build it into the scope of my services under one contract for your convenience.
What equipment do you use during a wedding day?
As a professional, I’ll always bring the right tools for the job, and I have many! However, my personal choice of camera equipment for weddings is a pair of matching professional-grade digital cameras and lenses, covering a range of focal lengths for every creative situation. Importantly this also provides an immediate back-up solution, should I have any equipment failures during a key moment on the wedding day…
As a documentary photographer, my preference is to work with the available light for a more atmospheric and natural record of your day. However, I do also bring external lighting with me (flashes), should the environment or situation require it.
When asked to shoot film, I am typically using a premium Leica camera, and either colour or black and white professional grade film (e.g. Kodak Portra 400/800, Tri-X) - I always ask my couples if they have a preference on colour or B&W too.
Are you insured?
Yes - all of my camera equipment is fully insured, and I have professional indemnity and public liability cover. If your venue requires to see a copy of my insurance, please let me know.
Do we need to feed you?
No, but it’s always appreciated on full-day bookings, and/or where your timeline overlaps with standard mealtimes, to be provided with a meal and refreshment. All I ask, is that you notify me ahead of time if I haven’t been catered for, so that I come prepared for your day, and don’t need to dash out to buy a sandwich!
Thanks for reading, and I hope this FAQ was helpful!
If you like what you see, and want to check my availability for you own special day, please send me an enquiry today and I’ll be happy to help you further.