Thanks

Andrew

http://www.andrew-miller.co.uk

http://www.newport-wedding-photography.co.uk

http://www.st-pierre-weddings.co.uk

This is simple. Really simple. They belong to me. All of them. Including the ones that look really terrible. Yes, even the one’s with your eyes closed and your mouth full of food – they belong to me!

If you purchase a DVD option you get a license to use the images ‘as is’ for your own personal use. This means you can not:

• Amend the image
• Edit the image
• Sell the image
• Do anything with the image other than print it (including getting some IT geek to put together a slideshow of my images.)

You are also not supposed to give the images to other people (such as your videographer) who then use my photographs in sone other way. If he or she asks permission then fine. If no permission is granted then you are breaking the law!

What you can do is print the image either at home or in a local high street lab. The same applies to the Facebook CD’s. I don’t mind if you want to use them for your own Facebook page or ‘tag’ the photos etc. Just don’t edit the photograph.

This isn’t so much about me wanting to make more money or being over protective.  It is more about making sure that the photographs I edit and crop etc stay as I intended.

If someone else edits the image or crops it then the photograph will loose the ‘look’ – meaning that when other people look at my work that you or someone else has edited the image will not look it’s best… and my reputation (and business) may be damaged.

If you want a particular photograph edited in a particular way – just ask!!

So, to all you brides out there who have done this – give yourselves a slap on the wrist!!

Thanks

Andrew Miller

Newport Wedding Photography, Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller Photography on Facebook

Thanks

Andrew

http://www.andrew-miller.co.uk

http://www.newport-wedding-photography.co.uk

http://www.st-pierre-weddings.co.uk

When you consider that I have also been to Pembrokeshire, London and North wales for weddings that accounts for decent percentage of my weddings, so I must be doing something right in terms of photography, prices and albums!

So, a big thank you to Nicola & Nigel, Heather & Jonny, Katy & Jeff and all the rest of my couples for booking me! I still have one wedding left at Cwrt Bleddyn; that of Maria & Stewart towards the end of October.

In partial celebration of the wedding fayre on the 23rd and one of the last special offers from me this year you can get a fabulous canvas as a complimentary wedding gift from me if you book Cwrt Bleddyn AND myself.  The canvas is 16″x23″ and can be any photo from your wedding or pre-wedding shoot.

Complimentary Canvas for Cwrt Bleddyn from Andrew Miller Photography

In addition you also still get to benefit from the special offers I have as a preferred supplier of wedding photography to Cwrt Bleddyn.

Newport Wedding Photography, Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller Photography on Facebook

http://maps.google.com/coupons/page?oi=lbc&did=0_14399402389434943615&hl=en-US&gl=US

A few helpful hints and tips on things to think about for getting married!

BIG TIP – work out a budget that you want to pay and stick to it! (The average cost of a UK wedding is in the region of £24,000)

1. Arrange the wedding venue
2. Arrange the venue for the reception or wedding breakfast if different from point 1
3. Arrange your photographer

There, that is the hard part over with! Actually, only kidding! The first three bits are the ones you need to get sorted and in the dairy first.

Venue – Do you want a church wedding or a civil service?  If the answer is a church wedding then slightly different rules may apply depending on where it is you are getting married, and which faith you are getting married in.

For example, Church in Wales will only marry couples that live in the parish of the church. Church of England will marry people outside the parish. (Or they did at the last time of asking).  Also be aware that if you are marrying in a church then a blessing is must, don’t moan to the vicar or priest about the religious bits!

It is also best to check with the vicar where the photographers are allowed to be.  Some do not mind them being at the front of the church whilst others will want the photographers at the back of the church.  This will have an impact on the photographs you will receive.

Wedding Breakfast – if this is a different venue than the ceremony itself then you should be asking yourself what kind of wedding breakfast do you want, how many guests will be coming, is there accommodation available, does the venue include things like a disco as part of the price. More on the details of this later, but it pays to get the best place that you can afford.

Wedding Photographer – Have a good look through the magazines and websites at the styles of photographers out there. Check out Google and search for photographers. Don’t limit yourself to local photographers either – the one you want may just be in the next county!

Photographers pricing comes in a wide variety of sizes, from cheap and cheerful £199 to over £5000.  As a rough estimate you should be looking at spending approximately 10% of your budget on the photographer. Remember – once the day is over you only have the photographs to look back on. It pays not to scrimp in this area so go with a professional.

Choosing a photographer to go with is difficult – best option is to visit the wedding fayres and speak to them in person.  Check out their albums, personalities, any deals they have on offer and how willing they are to accommodate your wishes, will they hold the price if you book a year or more in advance? See the blog for more info on choosing a photographer.

Details details, its all in the details!!

Next up is the colour scheme. What are you going to choose? Your bridesmaids, groom, best man, ushers etc should all have some of that colour picked out to help them go together.

The colour scheme should also move into the flowers you want to have so think carefully about the date of your wedding as you may be paying for flowers that are out of season!

Will you choose a colour that can match the seats at the venue?

The Dress or should that be THE DRESS!!!

The dress is one of the most important parts of your outfit. Actually – it is the most important part of your outfit!  Choose your dress carefully and think about the time of day and year you will be getting married.  Think about how the dress will look from the back (especially important if your photographer isn’t allowed at the front for photographs!).  Will you be wearing a short bolero jacket or similar?

Get out with your girl friends and get the mam’s involved (keeps them busy!) and try on as many dresses as possible to get the feel of what is out there and what you like.  Take your camera phone with you and snap away so you can remember what they look like on. (Remember to take shots form the back as well!!)

Thanks

Newport Wedding Photography, Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller Photography on Facebook

I am often asked at wedding fayres, usually by couples who are newly engaged, what to look for when choosing a wedding photographer and wedding photography packages. (one couple last week were so newly engaged he asked her on the Saturday evening and forgot to bring the ring along!)

Wedding Photography at Clearwell Castle

So, here are a few things to think about…

Wedding Albums – Real or Models?

When you visit a wedding fayre make sure that the albums you see on display are real albums with real brides.  Be careful if the brides and grooms look model gorgeous -it probably means they are models and the albums are samples.  Check that there is a range of bride and groom shapes and sizes.  Everyone wants to display their best work; but not everyone is a size 8!  Real weddings = real brides and grooms = real sizes and shapes!

Is this the photographer who will shoot your wedding?

Is the photographer you see at a wedding fayre or at a meeting the one you are going to use? Again, make sure and get it in writing.  Many low-cost photographers out there use assistants or other part time photographers.  Just think, how realistic is it to be able shoot 150+ weddings per year by yourself?  How is quality control handled?  If the main photographer uses others, they still need to be paid a living wage if they are professionals remember.

Who will put the album together – the photographer or someone else?

Wedding Dresses : Andrew Miller Photography

Overall Charges

Think about what the photographer is charging.  If the cost seems very low compared to other photographers ask yourself why.  What is being compromised? Quality of the albums (see below, that Storybook album may in fact just be a book from a website)? Quality of the photographers? Quality of camera equipment? Less editing of your images?  Are they insured with professional liability and professional indemnity?

Remember, if the price seems too good to be true there is usually a reason!

Quality Wedding Albums

Look at the quality of the wedding albums.  Lots of “Story book” albums are out there but there really is only one true Story Book album maker and that is Graphistudio(www.graphistudio).  Some of my albums can be found here.   Notice how the images merge and faed into each other, how you can really mix the images and tell a true story.  Many manufactures will produce storybook albums that are essentially a digital version of the old fashioned traditional wedding albums.  Have a look at my blog post onWedding Albums for more details.  If you like this digital & traditional style you could easily do it yourself using photobook software.  Just type ‘photobooks’ into google and take your pick.  Check out how inexpensive they are as well – and then think what is your photographer charging if they are selling these as ‘Digital Storybooks’! Here are a few to help you out:

• Photobox
• Blurb
• Jessops

What is included?

The next point is all about what is included.  Look for a photographer who includes everything in the package that you want.  You do not want to be faced with to much choice and possibly extra payments especially seeing as though getting married is so expensive anyway.  You should, at a minimum, look for the following to be included in your packages:

• Pre wedding shoot
• Album with ‘x’ number of pages and ‘y’ number of prints if traditional
• Album with ‘x’ number of pages and ‘y’ number of prints if digital
• Album with ‘x’ number of pages if Graphistudio.
• Smaller parents albums or pocket albums
• All day photography, getting ready shots, speeches, cake cutting, first dance and beyond. (Some photographers charge extra for first dance / evening shots)
• CD or Proof book so you can choose your images
• Online gallery so your friends and family can purchase prints (at reasonable prices!)
• Online payment – good for extra security and especially so as many couple now no longer use cheques.

Do they have a personality?

Next up is the personality of your photographer.  Can you get on with them, can you have a laugh, can you share a joke, are they willing to go the extra mile (take people to the church / venue, help with bridal prep etc).  DO they look smart and presentable, will they boss people about or shout at them? Will they help control the crowds to get that big group photograph?

...I never like looking at the camera!!

You can get a good idea of what they are like when you visit at a wedding fayre.  Do they try and sell to you, possibly ‘hard sell’ approach? Do they just offer you some useful advice and explain what the packages include?

How long to Wait?

How long after your wedding will you get the finished and edited images is next. (Don’t forget the online gallery!) Do they charge for extras like Black & White or Sepia or Spot Colour?

In Summary

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the big three things in a wedding.  If you see the one you like you need to get them booked pronto.  Good photographers (those who only photograph your wedding themselves and do not use others) are at a premium.  Once that date is gone; its gone.

Yes price is an issue, but so is the quality of the product and service your getting.

Ask yourself this question:

“Would I visit my next door neighbour for some root canal work on my tooth or visit a professional (but possibly expensive) dentist?”

I know what my answer would be!

Thanks

Andrew Miller

Newport Wedding Photography, Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller Photography on Facebook

Special offers on Wedding Photography from Andrew Miller Photography

Just print the page and hand it over when you boko your wedding with me!  What could be easier?

(small print – can’t be used in conjunction with any other offer.)

Thanks

Andrew, Newport Wedding Photography

Well last was a fantastic night and 2011 was even better!!  The main room had been dressed to perfection and everyone was wearing the best in glad rags.

Prizes for the raffle ranged form iPad’s to nights away in Marriott hotels around the country. (I would have loved to have bought some tickets but thought better of it!!)

Richard Lansberry (GM St Pierre Marriott) acted as the main compare with other senior management handing out awards for the associates.

A really good atmosphere pervaded the evening and it was great to see people enjoying themselves

The images can be accessed via my main website – www.andrew-miller.co.uk using a dedicated link on the right hand side!

See you next year – in fact Ill see you all on Sunday 22nd!!!

Newport Wedding Photography, Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller Photography on Facebook

So in the spirit of using Facebook to market myself anyone who ‘adds’ me as a friend and books a wedding gets a 10% discount!

Thanks,

Andrew

Andrew Miller Photography Facebook Page