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Experienced photographers who has been in the industry for well over 10 years will know the basics and can concentrate on the latest styles and trends in wedding photography. To feel comfortable, visit the various photographers’ websites. Be aware that lack of experience is usually the most common reason why some photographers have cheaper prices than others. Peter recalls how a girl once told him how, "I searched the web for the cheapest possible photographer I could lay my hands on, because I couldn't for the life of me, think why anyone would want to spend thousands of dollars on a whole bunch of photos..." She then went onto say, " ...I have never regretted anything more in my entire life."
4. Is the work I'm seeing all yours or a combination
of work from more than one photographer?
This will only apply to studios that hire shooters. Photographers who work from home generally are the only photographer that business has, but Peter personally knows of a few home studios that hire shooters to photograph weddings (most of who are perfectly fine). So ensure you see the work only from the photographer who will be photographing your wedding.
5. Do I receive the negatives &/or high resolution
digital images or do they remain your property?
Who owns the copyright to the negatives?
This is an all-important question and one of the most commonly asked question Peter has come across. Don't just assume you get the negatives from your photographer because you think you own them. Most do offer you the option to have the negatives either as a package or as an optional extra cost. As to the copyright question, according to the copyright law photographers own the negatives. You own the copyright. However, photographers usually insist on you signing over that copyright to the studio at the time of booking. Otherwise they may decline to photograph your wedding. The reason for this (signing over the copyright) is so that the photographer can control where your wedding images end up, such as which magazines or other publications. Most magazines assume that the photographer owns the copyright to those images or that they have permission from the owner of the copyright (if no agreement to the contrary exists) to publish those photos. If you have a package which includes the negatives, you will have license to copy those negatives from a photo lab for your family and friends without breaching copyright. Remember, however, that you don't have the right to publish any of those photographs in any form of media without specific written permission from your photographer (often referred to as a limited license). It is best to sort out if and when you will receive the negatives prior to signing a contract or paying the booking fee. Some photographers may make the negatives available to you free of charge after a certain time has elapsed. So be specific with regard to the negative ownership.
6. Are you able to customise a package for us?
Don't assume that you have to take the standard packages. If you have special photographic requirements, then ask your photographer if you can vary the package and what is the variation cost. Most are happy to oblige, but if your photographer is not flexible, ask for other alternatives. For example, it may not be policy for them to include negatives but they may be happy to release them after 12 months. If you prefer two 20” x 60” wall prints rather than 200 6"x4" prints, just ask your photographer if it’s possible. Don’t lose your preferred photographer because you are too scared to ask questions! |
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