Your Best 2015 Wedding Photography Package

Quality Wedding Photography

I know how you feel when you are faced with a myriad of photographers offering an even greater offering of wedding photography packages. And, even though you want to capture those special moment of your wedding, unfortunately your budget is not a bottomless pit.

The Solution

Juggling quality with budget is one of the most difficult things to get right, especially when it comes to weddings and all the expectations placed upon you. So, with this in mind I have come up with, what many believe is the perfect solution. A top quality wedding photography package that is affordable.

The Photography Package

This fantastic photography package includes all this:

• Coverage from Bridal Prep to Speeches before the meal
• Carefully edited images provided in colour and Black and White on Printable DVD
• Hand crafted 12 page Italian designer wedding album, with 9 individual pictures
• Every wedding album image is expertly enhanced and photo-shopped!

Can you see the quality and professionalism included this special package? With over 25 years experience our photographers have the skill and natural talent it takes to make the most out of every wedding - no matter what the weather is doing! So for this mastery, for this exceptional Italian wedding album can be yours for only 995.00

Booking

To ensure your date is available please call Duncan on 07795 681 507

Our website: www.portrait-wedding-photographers.co.uk

Our Email: info@portrait-wedding-photographers.co.uk

Serving Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Co Durham, Teesside and beyond

Wedding Photography Packages

In life everything is a balancing act, wedding photography packages also require getting the balance correct between on the one hand price, and on the other the depth of service you want. The one thing you should not have to balance is quality. The one thing in life that’s a guarantee is that low prices equals low quality which in turn equals very upset brides. So whichever package you decide to go for make sure the quality is there in everyone!

The Very Best Wedding Photography Packages:

As you would expect these packages contain everything you might want, at a price tag to match. So what kind of things does a bride expect, when the budgets run to a couple of thousand? Most would be looking for full day coverage from two photographers. Full wedding coverage would include things like the Bride getting hair and makeup done in the morning, commonly referred to as “Bridal Prep”. From here your wedding photographer would also capture pictures of the Grooms party and then guest arrivals at the church or other venue. What the wedding is all about, (officially) is the ceremony, two photographers here, can get the emotional shots from in front and the beautiful shots of your wedding dress and laid out train from the back. As you emerge, there follows confetti shots, maybe some more formal group shots and definitely some fantastic posed and natural shots of just the Bride and Groom together. In most weddings these photographs would make up the bulk, but for the Bride who wants everything there is much more. Photographs of the wedding breakfast and the speeches, then there’s the cutting of the wedding cake. As the evening draws on the photography takes a more informal role where guests are captured enjoying themselves and finally the newlyweds take to the floor for the first dance. This is usually where the wedding coverage ends, but it has been known for the photographers to attend more informal celebrations on the day after the wedding, maybe a barbecue or a pool party perhaps.

With all these photographs what would be the best ways to show these off? No we are not talking about key rings or mugs with your pictures on, but individually designed and lovingly handcrafted wedding albums. When all the very best pictures are assembled together, they become greater than the sum of the individual photographs. They all come together beautifully to tell the story of all that happened on the day you were married. Printed and then bound together on the best photographic paper available, embraced by covers available in fine leathers, metals, silks and other gorgeous materials. Various sizes are available to adorn the biggest of coffee tables.

For the most exclusive packages one wedding album, as stunning as it is will not be enough. Perhaps some items of wall art such as canvas prints or beautifully framed prints will bring more memories back to life. In today’s high tech world everyone loves mobile. Your wedding memories can be mobile too! Imagine having then available on your lap top, tablet pc, ipad and mobile phone. Instantly available to show friends and family when and wherever you may be.

Other Wedding Photography Packages:

To swing the wedding balance so that your investment in the photography is less, then there are photography packages where you can trim off some of the services you don’t need.

Maybe you feel that you could miss off the Bridal Prep, or the first dance perhaps. You could certainly down size on the album and go for something smaller, or with fewer pages or less luxurious covers. Many couples love having at least one framed enlargement around their home, a permanent reminder of this special day. So you could cut down on the amount of wall art and perhaps having the benefit of carrying your wedding photos is something you wouldn't miss either.

Can you see that by chatting with your wedding photographer, you should be able to pick the services you need and at the same time make your wedding package affordable? It is worthwhile noting too, that additional items such as parents albums, canvas prints and printable DVDs can normally be acquired after the wedding and don’t have to be included in the initial wedding package.

Duncan Malloch has been a professional wedding photographer since 1984, has owned his own studio and has taught at an arts college and adult learning center. He has written many article and blogs on wedding photography for the benefit of couples and inexperienced photographers. He still undertakes wedding commissions in the UK and abroad and he can be contacted through the following web links:

Portrait Wedding Photographers

Wedding Photographers Leeds

Darlington Wedding Photographers

Kent Wedding Photographers

Palm Beach Wedding Photographers 

Explanation of Camera Operating Modes for Wedding Photography

First of all this guide is not intended for professional photographers, who with years of experience will have their own preferred settings.

Many of the camera users I know, including those I spot at weddings taking pictures have their cameras permanently stuck in auto mode. I am not knocking auto mode because a lot of knowledge and electronic wizardry has gone into making this a “best fit” option for many photographers. I just wanted to let you know how you can use some of the other settings to perhaps take an even better picture.

TV – Shutter Priority. When you select this mode, you are telling the camera which speed to use, the electronics in the camera then work out the best aperture for a perfect exposure. So why is shutter speed important? If  you are taking pictures of motor cars racing, or your children running in the park, if you have a fast shutter speed you are more likely to stop the action perfectly. If you had a slow shutter speed then you would find that the cars were blurry and perhaps the arms and legs of your children.

“At a wedding” – I choose speeds faster than  1/60^th to ensure there is no blurring. However during the first dance I switch between speeds and I prefer slower than 1/10^th as this captures the movement in the brides dress as she is swept across the dance floor.

AV – Aperture Priority. When you select this camera mode, you are instructing the camera which aperture to select. Once again the cameras electronic circuits work out the best shutter speed for a perfect exposure. The most common use of aperture priority is to control the amount of background blur.

“At a wedding” – I choose a wide aperture f16 or above to ensure everyone in a group shot is in focus and so is the background. I would chose an aperture of f4 if I wanted to blur the background.

M - MANUAL . You set both the shutter speed and the aperture. There is no need to fear this setting. You use the light meter indications inside the camera viewfinder to either expose correctly, or under or over expose as necessary.

“At a wedding” – I would use manual mode sparingly. Preferring to use either TV or AV.

P – Program.  If you are a beginner and haven’t got time to work out the best settings for shutter speed and aperture, then please use this mode. The camera adjusts the settings for you automatically. Keep an eye on them though, as shutter speeds can drop down and cause motion blur at lower light levels.

“At a wedding” – If I wanted to get a lot of general shots in similar lighting conditions I would use Program. Why? Because sometimes getting “the shot” or “capturing the exact moment” is more important that twiddling knobs!

ISO – This is the one important factor, not controlled with the mode knob, but is heavily interlinked with its use. The higher the ISO number the more sensitive the camera senor is to light. So you would choose a higher ISO number when shooting inside a church, for instance. Be careful though, because the higher the ISO the grainier or noisier your pictures become. Try taking a series of pictures at different ISO settings. When things get too noisy, go back a setting and then try not to use the higher settings unless it is a must have shot.

Photography either as a professional or as an amateur should be fun. Get out there and experiment, using the different modes and see what effects this has on your pictures. There are still lots of camera clubs about and certainly lots of forums to help you on the internet. Take lots of photographs and do print the ones you like. Photographs look different in print, than on your computer screen.

Duncan Malloch has been a keen photographer since the age of 9. At 10 he was taking, developing and printing black and white photos in his own darkroom. In 1984 he shot his first wedding as a professional. Since then he has won awards from the master photographers association and taught photography at a local college.

Portrait WeddingPhotographers  his wedding photography company can be found on Google

Wedding Photography Should be Inside-Out

How do you choose a wedding photographer, is a question that has been asked by brides for years and years. The process is made more difficult, because it’s not like buying a car. When you buy a car, you can see it, you can sit in it, have a test drive, feel how it handles, even how it smells.

Wedding photography is different. You are investing in something that, yes you can view sample albums, but it’s not your experience.  So you don’t know the extras that the service brings. I know photographers that have bought photos from stock libraries to complete an album, and when asked is this all your work, what do you think they say? Errr "of course."

But do you know something, something more important than photographs? To be a great wedding photographer the greatest skill you need is to be good with people. Taking pictures is secondary! OMG I hear you say. Let’s think about it some more. Most couples still get married at a church and then go off to some hotel for their reception. The reception provides a wedding coordinator don’t they? But are they with you as you and your Bridesmaids get ready? Are they with you at the church? No they are not. But you know who is....Your wedding photographer!

Duncan Malloch Master Photographer on wedding duty

I know that not every Bride wants pictures at her home, getting ready. But a good photographer will insist on being there. Why? Because they want to photograph your wedding inside – out!

What do you mean photograph a wedding inside out? I mean that by building up relationships with close family and friends your wedding photographer becomes an insider, not an outsider! This matters because nearly every Bride nowadays wants natural looking photographs at her wedding. Can you see how these beautiful natural photographs are more easily obtained by an insider, a temporary member of your family?

By being there at the start of your day a wedding photographer gets to know everyone. Gets to meet Dad and help with his tie and button hole. Takes pictures of the Bridesmaids and can offer advice on how to hold their flowers for the best results. The photographer gets to know the Bride, know what makes her tick, can deflect stressful situations and can get her to smile without asking her too.

If everyone is more relaxed do you think you will get better photos?

If you want some advice about choosing a good wedding photographer:

·         Ensure that they offer Bridal preparation coverage

·         Talk to them on the phone to see if you feel comfortable with them

·         Only then should you check that their photography is to your standard

·         Check prices and agree on a package (including bridal prep)

·         Relax

I am of course not saying quality of photographs is unimportant, what I am saying is do you really want to spend the best day of your life with an idiot who tells you to smile all the time? Or with someone who helps you, offers advice and can make you smile or laugh, like a favourite uncle?

Duncan Malloch covering the first dance at a wedding

Whichever wedding photographer you choose, have a fantastic wedding day. Inside out!

Check if Duncan is available for your wedding - CLICK HERE
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Another Bride in the Headlines

In the news items on Yahoo today was news that yet another Bride had her wedding day ruined by a so called professional photographer. I am doing all I can to stop this kind of thing happening, but I need more help.

Please, please please point anyone you know that is getting married to look up out 9 tips on choosing a wedding photographer. With over 25 years professional wedding experience I know a few things on what to look out for. I want all brides to go into their wedding knowing that the choices they made were the best for them and fingers crossed, with good advice their day should be remembered for the right things.

The 9 tips on choosing a wedding photographer is on Blogger as a post and there is a video hosted on You Tube and also on www.portrait-wedding-photographers.co.uk

I and my staff can only do so much. A bride recently chose a photographer who was going to use her wedding pictures as his first sample album. He hadn't shot a wedding before. Really, come on. I can show you where the Crocodile infested river is, but please don't then jump into it head first!

In an effort to help more, because after all these are hard times and budgets are tighter and tighter, we have decided to introduce a new wedding photography package. Called Quality on a budget. It includes two professional and experienced photographers, full wedding coverage, a guarantee of over 400 images, website hosting and copyright free DVD's. All for just £695.

Were will we go. More or less the full length and breadth of the UK. The furthest reaches may attract a little extra for travel costs, but our aim to ensure as many brides as possible get lovely, beautiful pictures to capture the story of her wedding day. What does the Groom get - change from £700!

If you book us or not doesn't really matter to me, please read or watch the 9 tips so you know how to spot a bad photographer. Advice is always free and our phone numbers are on the website. Thank you.

Duncan Malloch is a professional wedding photographer and has been so since 1984. Graduated as an award winning master photographer in 2005. His company is Portrait Wedding Photographers and is based in Darlington but has bases throughout the UK.

Judges Hotel Wedding

Judges Hotel near Yarm is a fantastic venue to host your wedding celebrations. Portrait wedding photographers sent along two of their top North East photographers to capture the day.

Judges Hotel, Courtyard Suite

The Men arrive at Judges

The Bride arrives

Bride and Groom pose in front of the picturesque hotel

Iconic waterfall at Judges Hotel near Yarm

This lovely couple chose a story book album package from Portrait Wedding Photographers.

See their video testimonial on You Tube

You can too, by calling Duncan on 07795681507 today for a free face to face consultation.

Brides. 9 tips to ensure you know what to ask your wedding photographer

The Danger Zone and How to Stay Out of Trouble

The "Danger Zone", I thought this was a blog about wedding photography! Well, of course it is. And although a bit dramatic, we wanted to give all you brides, grooms and other interested parties some advice.

What is the Danger Zone, Duncan?

I'm glad you asked. The Danger Zone is an area of wedding photography where you must proceed with caution, and double check the credentials of the photographer you book. This area lies between £0 and £700. Couples booking a photographer offering a price in this region must be alert to any danger signs.

We are not saying that all, or even most photographers whose price lists include a package in this price range are dodgy, but the fact is SOME of them are. Infact here at portrait wedding photographers, we (dependant upon season) have packages in this price region.

Why do we have to be careful?

Many photographers, I use this term losely, when starting out, offer most of their services in this price range. Everyone has to start somewhere and wedding photography is a great profession to be in. But there is so much more to it than being able to take a nice picture. Number 1 skill is being able to relate, and build relationships with the wedding party. You have to be naturally outgoing and jolly! Ask a groom to smile more than 3 times and you are likely to get a deserved punch on the nose. There are way to make people smile, without actually asking them to do it!

Equipment: Having one camera is dangerous! Our photographers usually take 3 along to a wedding, 2 flash guns, spare memory cards, spare batteries. We even have a spare photographer!

But my friend booked a new photographer with one camera and got some good photos:

We're not saying dont book a photographer if you have a budget up to £700, just be careful. Weigh up the risks against the cost advantages. Is it worth the risk of losing all your pictures if the camera fails, or that photographer is ill or has to work over time?

What should I look out for?

1. Is the photographer full time? Try calling at different times of day. Is there only a mobile number?

2. Consultation. Ask to see 5 or 6 sample albums, and ask if it is their own work - while looking in their eyes!

3. For Gods Sake do not pay with cash! You're only chance of getting any money back, should something go wrong is to pay with a debit or credit card.

4. Is the material they send you professional, if you get a letter and price list, folded in 3 and stuck in a small envelope with a second class stamp on it, what does that tell you?
5. Ask them what systems they have in place should anything go wrong with their equipment on the day, or with the images on the memory cards/computer.

If you are satisfied with their answers and you get along with them, part with your booking fee and make sure you get a written receipt!

There is an Easy Way:

Our photographers are full time, you can call us anytime between 8 and 8. We have landline numbers and mobile numbers. At the consultation, we usually take along 7 or 8 different albums and even a slideshow on a tablet PC. You can pay by cash, cheque, or debit/credit card. Our information is handed to you in an A4 sized glossy folder and it is printed on heavy weight glossy paper too. We have spare equipment on the day and as soon as possible your precious images are backed up on computer, external hard drives and DVDs.

Contact Us:

Tyneside: 0191 499 0096

Durham: 01325 244 796

Teesside: 01642 699 018

North Yorkshire: 01904 360 251

Europe & USA Enquiries: +44 1429 282 724

Home Counties: 020 3292 0632

Mobile 1: 07795 681 507

Mobile 2: 07980 412 752

Email: info@pwpuk.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedding-Photographers/165183700160077

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/PWP_Photog

Website: http://www.portrait-wedding-photographers.co.uk/

QR Codes???

If you believe all the hype, apparently most of us will be accessing  the internet, through mobile devices in the future. One of the "things" that might help us access certain web pages is the QR code. A bit like a bar code, but if you have a smart phone and an app that reads these codes, the simple act of scanning can take you - as in the code above to our facbook page. Or if you were to scan the one below, our main website:

So in a nutshell thats what a QR code is. They can also be used to generate mobile numbers, texts, etc.

Should you find your way to our facebook wedding photography page via a QR code or other more convential link, it would be great if you added a comment and liked. Cheers for now.

http://www.portrait-wedding-photographers.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wedding-Photographers/165183700160077

Panorama of Judges Hotel near Yarm

In this 3 shot, 3 exposure blending  HDR photograph of Judges Hotel near Yarm, UK. Duncan Malloch of Portrait Wedding Photographers shows just one reason why his skills are in so much demand. 27 years of professional wedding photography experience has expanded his portfolio across the UK, Europe and USA.
Judges is one of those places that makes beautiful wedding photography a pleasure. For this reason there is now a fantastic offer for couples who choose to get married here at Judges near Yarm.
1. A Free no obligation engagement or pre wedding photo shoot at Judges.
2. Two professional wedding photographers.
3. Full Wedding coverage.
4. Minimum guarantee of 400 images.
5. Free internet hosting of proof images.
All this for the unbeatable wedding photography price of £695
To take advantage of this offer and to check availability please call Duncan on 07795 681 507 today, because at this price dates are going fast
info@pwpuk.co.uk