Planning your pre-wedding album can be confounding for a first-timer. What with all the planning, decisions to make, not to mention the costs and time spent figuring out everything on your own, wanting a pre-wedding photoshoot but not knowing where to start. What do I ask? Have I covered all the grounds? How do I go about asking this, or that? Pricing? How do photographers charge?
Check out our Behind the Scenes of a Prewedding Photoshoot.
Check out our article on Prewedding shoot locations.
Table of Contents
1. How long in advance should I hold my pre-wedding photoshoot?
Couples usually hold a pre-wedding shoot 6 months before the actual wedding happens. 6 months might sound like an overly estimated figure, but do bear in mind to leave time in case of unexpected circumstances such as wet weather conditions, errors in printing, and clashing schedules between you and your photographer.
Wet weather plans may require a push back in the schedule of shooting, which is also subject to photographer’s availability and of course, your own schedule.
Most photographers are swamped on weekends, so it may be difficult to engage one then. We recommend sparing one or two weekdays, since most photographers are less busy on a weekday, and scenic locations are less likely to be crowded, making it ideal for a photoshoot. It’s also good to work out the possible dates between you and your partner before discussing the schedule with your photographer; it really saves you a lot of hassle.
Album printing also takes time, usually a period of at least 2-3 months with editing, framing, designing the album to the final process of bringing the album to life in print. More time to shoot is always better than a rushed schedule, so you don’t get stressed out with planning other aspects of the actual wedding. We recommend at least 6 months before the big day.
2. Is a makeup/hair stylist provided or do I have to source one on my own?
Another question to note is the bit on makeup. Some photographers offer packages that include hiring a hair and makeup artist, some don’t, so always check with them!
3. Style
Photographers have their own style of shooting. The cinematographics, wide-angled shoots, lighting preference, tone or colour edits – style. Check out the portfolios of the different photographers before placing an appointment with them, we can’t stress this enough. Big names in the industry, like that famous photographer that your fellow colleagues engaged for their own wedding may not necessarily be what you want in your own album; it all boils down to personal taste & preferences. It’s always good to talk to your photographer, find out what’s the standard style of deliverables you will be receiving at the end of the day.
Another pro-tip to find out about the style your photographer adopts, you’ll find it’s better to talk to your photographer face-to-face. Ask him the thought process behind every photograph, what are the questions or things he would say to put the couple into a certain pose. It will help you greatly to know what to expect before you engage the photographer.
4. What are the final deliverables I am getting at the end of this?
Number of wedding pictures, softcopies and hardcopies, quality and picture resolutions – these are all popular questions (and legitimate concerns) that couples should always check with their photographers.
Soft copy is the most popular option of delivering final photographs. Thumb drives, google drive links, Dropbox links, or even CD (if anyone still owns a DVD-reader).
Some photographers even include printing the photos out as a part of the package they offer, and you might find such packages appealing because it saves you time to source for printing services on your own.
It’s always good to communicate with your photographer, find out the options offered, the choices you have. You don’t want to end up with too little photos to fill up on your final album!
5. Location/ wet weather plans
Most photographers also have frequent go-tos for pre-wedding photoshoots in Singapore if you don’t have a clue on where to begin. Alternatively, you can check out 5 locations to shoot a pre-wedding album in Singapore
Weather is an unpredictable element, and you certainly can’t be outdoors shooting on a lalang field when the monsoon downpour hits, or when the skies are grey the wind threatens to destroy your perfectly done-up hairdo. Some photographers allow a push back on shooting schedules, some charge an additional surcharge for the extra hours incurred. Others might have a wet weather backup plan at a different location. These nitty-gritty details may seem unimportant, but these little pockets of information left out can really rack up your bills and cause misunderstandings if your concerns are not properly communicated across.
6. Pricing
Most photographers charge by the hour, and prices range from $150-$250 per hour. Do check out the packages available; they offer rates at more worthwhile prices. Usually, hourly rates are cheaper the higher the number of hours booked.
But, just because photographers offer packages of more than 3 hours does not mean you need to take one up. If you have already engaged your own photographer for bridal shoots, then you probably need just a few more pictures to supplement the ones you already have. In that case, you should only book another 1 or 2 hours of pre-wedding photoshoot, which will give you approximately 30 to 50 photos.
Take Note! Not all rates are shown on the Internet, or company websites are regularly updated, so be sure to send in an email enquiry to confirm the rates. Inflation’s a bummer, and you don’t want to find yourself caught in the situation of paying more than your budget allows.
Other Popular FAQs: no need to ask your photographer, we’ll answer it for you!
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When is the best time for a photoshoot?
When the sky lights up in varying shades of orange, purple and pink is typically the best timing for a photoshoot. Something about the sunset, or the sunrise, that adds a beautiful finishing touch to your photos. Popular hours in the morning lies between 7-9am, and 5-7pm in the evening.
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What type of equipment are you using?
To be honest, equipment matters less than the skills of the photographer you’re hiring. Even the most mediocre camera can produce amazing shots with the right pair of hands, so don’t trouble yourself with an extra worry!