Light Pictures Photography

HOW MUCH DO WE NEED TO INVEST FOR OUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?

We outline our Wedding pricing structure, and all our other simple photography services, on our "Pricing" page, in the main “Info” menu.  If you would like to know a little bit more, first we need to know your date is free, so send us a “Contact” form, in the menu, and we will answer all your queries.

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT ENGAGING YOUR SERVICES FOR OUR WEDDING / ENGAGEMENT / OTHER?

After having a good look around the website, you should finally arrive at the ’CONTACT’ page*.
Drop us a note and include a few details about your event. Providing the date is available, we will usually set up a time to have a further chat in person, over the phone or via Skype. As for dates, it’s a first-come, first-served basis. A retainer / deposit of $1,200 will reserve your date.

*You can also contact us directly via matt [at] lightpictures.com.au or give us a call on +61(0)424 267285 – but we do prefer you use the Contact Form if possible.

WHEN IS THE BALANCE OF PAYMENT DUE?

The remaining balance is due up to 14 days prior to your wedding day. Payment plans are available upon request for Albums and extra Add-ons to any Photography only Collections.

HOW MUCH DO COUPLES USUALLY SPEND?

Most spend about $6,000 – $6,500. For this you will receive a beautiful album and just about everything else most people require from a wedding photographer to tell the “story” of their big day in full. We are very happy to say that the “Timeless Collection” is our most popular choice.

WHAT DOES “ALL DAY COVERAGE” MEAN AND WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE THIS OPTION?

There is no fine print when it comes to our all day coverage. It would be needed if your wedding happens to have an early start and late finish, especially for non-western style multi ceremony events. However, as a guide only, generally the ladies start the day first and we aim to arrive about 60-90 mins after the first hair and makeup artist arrives (assuming you have 2-3 bridesmaids being ‘made-up’ prior to the bride). At the end of the night our photographer will finish once all major events end (bouquet toss or a fancy farewell) or before midnight (whichever comes first). If the evening will just carry on after the first dance, with no major event happening, we will stay a while for some dance floor action, then once we are content we have enough photos we may ask kindly if we may go home to bed. If you choose to have a second photographer on the day, they will start with the gentlemen when requested and stay until the first dance is over.

WHY CHOOSE AN ALBUM?

Quite simply so that you don’t have to worry about designing and printing an album yourself. All too often we hear of couples not getting around to printing their own albums – it takes a fair amount of time and effort and can find an eternal place on the ‘to do’ list. 
Your wedding images deserve to be on display, in print, this is why we meticulously edit every image you receive.
Our album makers are considered to be among the best in the world and only service professional photographers. The final hand-made product is extremely high quality while also being very reasonably priced, and we can honestly say that every couple who holds one in their hand before they have decided, wants one. We have also booked couples who have merely looked through one of our previous couples’ albums and were extremely impressed.
We highly recommend considering our professional albums to display your images in print to enjoy for lifetimes to come.
See some examples here.

WHAT’S THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS?

Basically, we can be in two places at once. Having two photographers means that both the bride and groom will receive coverage during their preparation and arrival to the ceremony. It will also ensure that every detail, almost every guest, and every special moment is captured. We work as a team to maximize the variety of images you receive (Matt loves a stunning wide angle, symmetrical image while our 2nd shooter will be in place to capture those close up intimate moments, and anything else going on whilst Matt is mostly focused on the bride and groom). Our couples have also valued the balance and perspective that comes with having both a male and female photographer on the day, so generally our 2nd shooter is a lady.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY TO TAKE PHOTOS?

The hour or so before the sun goes down is a wonderful time to shoot portraits – this ‘Golden Hour’ is renowned among photographers for the qualities of its light and creative possibilities. Sometimes your big day is governed by a time schedule that’s out of your hands, but ultimately if we are looking for the best time to go out on a bridal party shoot, this is the time to give us the best chance to get some serious “wow factor”!
There is a handy calculator, and some examples of photography taken in this prime time, in our info feature “Lighting – The Golden Hour“

DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS?

In 2019 we will not be charging travel fees for weddings located in Byron Bay, and Brisbane and its surrounds (within 2 hours). We often travel to Sydney, Melbourne and out of Australia for work (and also for pleasure). Please inquire and we’ll give you a very reasonable quote for your interstate or destination wedding, but as a general rule we will cover half of the traveling costs!

AFTER THE WEDDING HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE OUR IMAGES?

You can expect to receive your online storybook 2-5 weeks after your wedding (depending on the time of year it happens). The online storybook is approximately 6-10 minutes in length and, as the name suggests, is a beautiful recap of your wedding day and is ideal to share with family and friends – you can watch a “Love Story” or two on our main page. A private online gallery containing all of your images is made available a week or so after the storybook. You can also share the Gallery with your wedding guests and high quality print orders can be made via the gallery. Albums, extras and your USB containing your entire set of images can take 2-3 extra weeks to be delivered once any albums have been submitted to print.

HOW MANY IMAGES WILL WE RECEIVE?

We believe in quality, not quantity. For all day weddings, we deliver at least 500 fully edited images when it’s just Matt shooting, 750 when a 2nd shooter comes along, and up to 1000 images (or more) for longer, multiple ceremony single day weddings – we once did a wedding that spanned over 7 days, with 5 days of photography, and the couple received 3500 fully edited images. These are all approximate numbers, generally there will be a fair few more than what we have stated.

WILL WE GET ALL OUR IMAGES?

Yes, every package you choose and every shoot we do gives you all fully edited, high-resolution and low resolution files on USB. All images displayed on our website are selected from our clients final image folio, so every image you receive is generally edited to the standard you see here.

HOW CAN WE PAY YOU?

Most clients use direct bank deposit or cash. We do accept Paypal (which can also take Credit Cards without you needing a Paypal account) but we ask you to cover the 5% surcharge we incur. Whatever works best for you.

WHAT GEAR DO YOU USE?

We have invested significantly in professional grade equipment, including:

Fujifilm Mirrorless X-T2’s (x2)
Canon 5D mark II and 5D mark III

The best professional Fuji X series and Canon lenses available such as

Fuji X 16mm F/1.4 WR
Fuji X 23mm F/1.4 R
Fuji X 23mm F/2.0 WR
Fuji X 35mm F/1.4
Fuji X 56mm F/1.2
Fuji X 90mm F/2.0 WR
Canon 45mm F/2.8 TS
Canon 50mm F/1.2L
Canon 100mm F/2.8L macro
Canon 24-70 F/2.8L II
Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L II IS

Canon and Fujifilm Speedlites & 3 flash trigger system
Manfrotto Tripod & Monopod
Thinktank, Crumpler and Lowepro Camera bags

We use Adobe Lightroom CC and Photoshop 5 and CC for editing images, along with a suite of other plug-in software and filters (Alien Skin, Nik Effex, VSCO, light factory… the list goes on).

DO YOU HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?

More and more wedding venues insist on 3rd party service providers (such as photographers) having public liability insurance when working on their premises. We are fully insured against public liability to the tune of $10M.

DO YOU HAVE A STUDIO?

Yes. All of our shoots are ‘on location’ however, we have home studios in St. Lucia, Brisbane and Bangalow, Byron Bay for client interviews and album viewings.  We are also happy to meet at a mutually convenient location, whether it be your home or somewhere in between.
Most of our clients live “out of town” so we are more than happy to meet via Skype, or just have a good on the phone.

……any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask!