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      WELCOME TO MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FAQ

      Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you both on your upcoming wedding, there are many exciting times ahead in the coming months as you approach the big day. For some people finding a wedding photographer can be a daunting task which raises lots of questions, so I've put together this guide which I hope will help you. Please click on any of the headings below for more information about each topic.

      Tell us a little about yourself . . . who are you?

      As you could probably work out from the name of my business, my name is Simon Brettell, I've been photographing weddings professionally since 2012. I've always had a fascination with cameras and photography, probably due to the influence of my dad when I was growing up. He was always brandishing his Canon AE-1 film camera throughout my childhood, it was the first camera that I learnt to use and I still have it today. It's funny to think now, that in the smart phone era, virtually everyone has a camera in their pocket these days. But when I was growing up in the 80's and 90's, if you wanted to take pictures you had to carry a dedicated camera with you. Out of my group of friends, I was the kid that always had a camera with them, which has resulted in me now having mountains of photos and negatives filling up my cupboards.

      What is your photography style?
      One of the most important decisions to make when choosing your wedding photographer is to pick someone whose visual style and aesthetic matches your own ideas of how you envisage your wedding and who will capture it in the way you would like to remember. I specialise in reportage / documentary style photography and I aim to capture your wedding as it really happens, without setting scenes up. I take images that are natural, informal and describe the real story and emotions of your day. I take images that cover your whole wedding day, from the widest of landscapes to the smallest details. Although I spend most of the wedding day capturing natural, candid moments I also make sure to spend some time doing a few epic portraits with the bride and groom away from the main group at a couple of points throughout the day.
      If you're a documentary / reportage photographer do you still do group shots?
      Yes, of course, I'm more than willing to do group shots as these are essential pictures for many people and often important photos for parents. However; group shots can be time consuming, so I recommend that they are limited to about 5 or 6 different groups with each group being made up of no more than 8 people. This is so that these can be done quickly so as to not interrupt the flow of the day. For the purpose of working out the timings of your day I recommend that you allocate about 5 minutes per group, therefore 6 different groups will require approximately 30 minutes.
      How do you work on the wedding day?
      Being as I’m primarily a reportage / documentary style photographer, for the majority of the day, I try to be as hands off as I can. Blending in with your wedding guests, working discreetly to capture real moments and allowing you to spend as much time as possible enjoying your big day with your family and friends. During the group shots and portrait session parts of the day I work a little differently, giving plenty of help and direction to ensure that everyone looks their best. Most importantly of all I try to make the experience fun.
      What wedding photography packages do you offer?
      I like to keep things as simple as possible so offer two basic packages, full day coverage or half day.
      What’s included with full day coverage?
      Coverage starts up to 2 hours before the bride is due to leave for the ceremony. This allows enough time to photograph all the details (dress, shoes etc) and to capture the atmosphere and excitement of the pre-wedding bridal preparations. Coverage then continues throughout the rest of the day ending an hour after the first dance. Additional hours can be booked if extended coverage is required. For full day coverage I provide a minimum of 400 images. 002 - Wedisson Award Winning Photographer
      What’s included with half day coverage?
      Half day coverage is for 6 contiguous hours of coverage. The start (and hence the end) time is decided by the bride and groom so that the 6 hours coverage overlaps with the part of the day they want capturing. For half day coverage I provide a minimum of 200 images. Bridesmaid getting ready at the The Wheatsheaf Inn
      Ok . . . so what's the cost / price?
      Please contact me using the details on the CONTACT page to receive a copy of my latest and most up to date pricing information.
      How far will you travel for our wedding?
      Although I'm based in Harborne in Birmingham I travel all over the UK and abroad for destination weddings. I have photographed weddings from Scotland in the north to St Ives in the south. From Torquay to Turkey. 067-digbeth-wedding-photographer-vanessa-and-paul
      How do we get our images?
      I supply you with full resolution, full colour, digital copies of your wedding photos in JPEG format. The photos are uploaded to a secure password protected on-line gallery to make sharing easy. Also included is an mp4 formatted highlights slideshow of selected images. There is also an additional option for a full black and white edit of your entire wedding gallery in addition the standard colour edit.
      Do we get copyright of the images?
      The UK Designs and Patents Act 1988 states that when a photograph is taken and the image is created the photographer owns the copyright. However; I grant all my clients a right to copy, print and share the images providing they are for personal use by the clients, friends and relatives.
      How long does it take to get our pictures?
      I try to get a sneak peek image on-line the day after the wedding and aim to deliver the slideshow and your full set of images within a month. If you need a faster delivery than this then there is also an option for an expedited editing service with a two week turn around. Please note that this can only be offered in limited numbers.
      Do you provide a wedding photo album?
      The base package does not include an album, this is an optional extra. I currently offer a 12inch x 12inch hardback Italian Tuscany leather bound album with 24 pages / 12 spreads. Additional pages / spreads can be added to the album if desired. The pages are printed on Fujifilm 800g photographic lustre paper with a matt finish. Albums can be ordered upfront at the time of booking or after the wedding. Please note that there is also an option for a vegetarian / vegan friendly microfiber cover for those that prefer not to have leather.
      Do you offer a pre-wedding consultation?
      I offer a free online pre-wedding consultation to all couples making a booking. This usually takes place a couple of months before the wedding so most of your plans for the big day are already in place. This enables me to have a more detailed discussion of the wedding plans with you and allows me to work out the timings for the key events of the day. It's also a great opportunity for us to get to know each other a little better too.
      What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
      A lot of bride and grooms have big concerns about what will happen if it rains on their wedding day, unfortunately the one thing that you can't control is the weather. For me, rain opens up a whole load of creative opportunities which can be used to add a more unique look to your wedding photos. Provided you're willing to come outside with an umbrella then we can still get some epic shots.
      What happens if your camera breaks?
      To protect against equipment failure I have backups of all my critical gear. I currently take a minimum of three camera bodies, ten lenses and five flash guns to each wedding. 076 - Suffolk Wedding Photographer
      Are you insured?
      Yes, I have public liability cover, professional indemnity insurance as well as full equipment cover for all of my photography gear.
      What happens if you're sick or unable to attend?
      I've not missed a wedding yet but to mitigate against illness I'm part of a wedding photography network which currently contains over 200 photographers who work throughout the UK. If the worst were to happen I would be able to refer to the network to try to find cover. If this isn't possible or if you'd prefer to find your own replacement then a full refund would be offered as per the terms of the contract. If you want the ultimate in protection, then I also provide the option of booking a second shooter / second photographer.
      Do you charge extra for mileage / accommodation?
      All travel / accommodation costs are included for UK mainland weddings. An additional charge will be required for destination weddings.
      Do you work with an assistant?
      I shoot all weddings on my own, unless you decide to include a second shooter / second photographer in your package. Assistants were more common in the days of film photography as someone to carry equipment, load film, set up lighting etc. This isn't necessary with modern digital cameras and lightweight lighting equipment. Wedding Photographer Birmingham
      Ok . . . tell me more about a second shooter / second photographer
      A second shooter / second photographer is an additional professional photographer who will be present for the wedding day. They have the same skill levels, equipment and backup gear as the primary photographer and are useful for several different reasons. Having a second photographer on the job can add another dimension to the visual record of the day as it allows for two simultaneous perspectives of all the key moments. It is also essential if you want bride and groom preparation coverage on the morning of the wedding, especially if you are getting ready in different locations. Also using a second shooter will increase the overall image delivery count by approximately 200 pictures. A second shooter can also be useful for larger weddings.
      Do you offer a videography service?
      Yes I do, please see the VIDEOGRAPHY section of my website.
      Can you photograph and video our wedding at the same time?
      I'm a one man business so unfortunately this isn't practical. If you book me to photograph your wedding there are videographers that I regularly work with whom I would be more than happy to recommend to you. And vice versa, If you book me to video your wedding there are a photographers who I would recommend.
      Do you offer a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
      Some couples may prefer that their images are kept private and not used on-line or for marketing purposes. For clients wishing this I offer an option of an NDA. However; being as I gain most of my bookings by promoting my previous weddings this incurs an additional cost to compensate for this.
      How far in advance should we make our booking?
      In order to avoid disappointment it's best to book as soon as you have your date and venue arranged. The longest booking I've taken was over 3 years in advance. However, some couples plan things at very short notice. I've also taken bookings at less than a week’s notice. Book early if you can but if you have a last-minute enquiry please still get in touch. If I'm not available for your wedding day I may still be able to find someone who can help.
      >Do you have any further questions?
      If you have any further questions or concerns, then please don't hesitate to get in touch using the details on the CONTACT page.
      How do we make an enquiry?
      To make an enquiry please get in touch using the details on the CONTACT page. The best way is to fill in the form so that I have all of the relevant information required. Once I have your details I will be back in touch to confirm my availability and I will also send you a copy of my latest and most up to date pricing information. If you haven't seen a reply within 24 hours please check your email spam folder as occasionally responses may end up in there. 047 - Cotswolds Wedding Photography
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      ©2026 COPYRIGHT SIMON BRETTELL PHOTOGRAPHY