Fine Art Wedding Photography
- Q: What is Fine Art Wedding Photography?
- Fine Art Photography is not defined by a set of guidelines or rules therefore I think it's important for clients to know what is meant when I describe myself as a Fine Art Wedding Photographer. It is a description that underpins my style from image capture, processing through to final presentation; it's all about creating a story. Fine Art Wedding Photography is about creating a collective set of photographic images with a strong bias towards natural beauty, relaxed composition and loving expression. Less is definitely more, clean colour, uncluttered compositions that are elegant and naturally sophisticated, think less 'snap shoots' and more selective lifestyle fashion photography.
- Q: Do you cover group shots?
- Yes, I always include a small selection of relaxed group shoots in a clients final collection. These types of shoots are treasured by the family and serve as the best reminder of documents who attended a wedding and are cherished for prosperity for years to come. The remainder of my wedding coverage is complied from portraiture and lifestyle photography. These styles produce an elegant mix of the days proceedings, venue ambiance and the personal elegance the bride and her party bring to the day. Planning a wedding takes many months and many decisions therefore it's important that my photography goes that extra mile to include, and bring together, the entire visual experience that includes all those decisions.
- Q: What is the difference between Reportage photography and Fine Art Photography
- As a Fine Art wedding photographer my aim is to create and capture the most flattering and beautiful photographs from a wedding day. Therefore there has to be a degree of photographer intervention whereby I'll direct the bride and groom to the best locations, make use of the most flattering light and suggest poses that will make them feel comfortable in front of the camera.It is not my style to over pose or suggest quirky ideas that are contray to my aim and the style of imagery I wish to achieve. Reportage photography, or journalistic wedding photography, is to purely document without intervention a wedding day as it naturally proceeds. There are certainly times during the day, such as the ceremony, reception and speeches where I adopt a reportage approach to ensure a compliment mix of natural and crafted shoots for my clients final collection.
- Q: How many images are included in a Full Wedding Collection?
- Although I have said less is more clients on average* receive over 300+ images in their final collection. I don't limit the number of shots I take nor the number included in a clients final collection. (*based on 5hrs coverage increasing with coverage to 450+)
- Q: What is meant by a good quality image?
- The question of quality is very much a two sided answer. First there is technical quality which I will cover in a next. Technical quality is important to me but alone it isn't enough! An image also needs to have a little creativity and emotional quality to it. An image should be informative, purposeful, emotional or simply beautiful. It should tell the viewer something about the day, the people who shared that day, what happened on that day and how that day will come to be remembered. Fine Art wedding photography is about telling a story through a collection of coherent imagery that work together.
- Q: And what about the technical side?
- Image quality is important too which is why I shoot with Canon professional digital SLR cameras as well as a selection of Canon professional lenses. I prefer to shoot with natural ambient light as much as possible. This yields a selection of images with softer diffing light, shade and tone, which is more natural to how we view and experience the world around us. I do however use Flash when indoor lighting levels are insufficient.
- Q: How much does it cost?
- Pricing depends on location, travel requirements, hourly coverage and additional finishing product choices such as albums. I work on an hourly commission rate and allow my clients to selectively choose additional finishing products so that I can remain flexible and build a package which meets their requirements. Prices range from £950 through to £2900 with destination weddings being priced on application.
- Q: How to book a consultation?
- Hiring the right wedding photographer is so important, the photographs stand as a lasting tribute and reminder of a wedding for many years to come. Wedding photographers can be one of the last bookings couples finalise yet we can get booked up very quickly. My booking consultations are complimentary and are a wonderful way for me to get the opportunity to discuss details and aspirations with my couples before their big day. Only when a couple decide to book to I require a (non refundable) £350 booking fee which 'saves the date'. The remaining balance is then due four weeks before the wedding date.
To make an enquiry or request a complimentary consultation or please contact Sarah Gardner HERE