Your wedding is a totally unique unrepeatable event - The times that I have been told by prospective clients that a family member, who is good with a camera, “will be taking our pictures in order to save money”. Not necessarily a very wise move.

At the end of the day, the cake will be eaten, the champagne will be drunk, the dress will be packed away, and you will be left with only your photographs.

I don't pretend to be the cheapest, nor am I the most expensive. I just believe in providing the high quality that you deserve and will work with you to "Tailor" your pictures for your big day. For ease of ordering, there is a range of packages and you can mix and match the elements of each to match your requirements, or I can quote for something completely different. I can cover everything from simple occasions to very grand affairs with the same amount of care and attention to detail.

Whether you prefer a traditional wedding approach or a more personalised style, Richard Cook Photography offers a courteous and friendly approach and with more than 20 years professional experience, you are guaranteed a high quality service. My wedding coverage includes the following:

Personal service and attention at all times

Modern coverage with reportage, & classic styles

No restriction on amount of images taken Fun & relaxed approach

Online viewing with convenience of ordering your prints and enlargements over a secure web link

Colour, black and white or a combination of both

Handmade, high quality wedding albums (by Middlewall or Belissimo), personalised with a choice of finishes and styles

Unusually, I can also provide, by request, a Portable Studio, at no extra charge, complete with lights and backdrop, which is set up at the Reception Venue after the main pictures have been taken This allows your guests the option of having their pictures taken and ordering prints online via a secure internet link. This is a great idea, as a wedding is one of the few occasions when large numbers of family members are together in one place. I am available for commissions throughout Kent and beyond. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

About the Photographer by Richard Cook I first took up the reins, of professional photography in 1983, when the senior photographer at the Church Commissioners was taken ill and I was asked to fill the gap, temporarily, as it was known that I was a keen amateur at the time.

In 1986 the senior man returned and I was asked to stay on as his deputy. The following year, I undertook a National Diploma in Art & Design (Photography) course at Amberley Road Institute in Paddington, London, to gain my qualifications. It was soon after this course, in 1991, that I also gained my Licentiateship of the British Institute of Professional Photography.

In 1998, it was decided that the Church Commissioners, no longer required a photographic department and so I worked for the Church of England Record Centre, while still being asked to take photographs when required. After a while the work started to dry up as any photography was being farmed out! And so in 2002, redundancy was offered and I welcomed it with open arms. At last I could be my own boss. Having been a Church Commissioners photographer, I am in a fairly unique position of knowing what makes a church wedding "tick" and this puts me in good stead when dealing with the officiating priest. Apart from weddings, my other big passion is portrait photography and I try to add a high level of originality into all forms of this genre. A lot of my contemporaries use a formulaic approach with the result being that one photographer's work looks pretty much like another’s. I now exclusively shoot my work digitally, having successfully experimented with the medium at weddings through 2003 & 2004. The quality, now is at least as good as medium format film and certainly far superior to 35mm, with the advantages of the ability to switch between colour and black & white using the same camera, and faster turnaround time for proof images. Like any artist, I like to put my style "signature" on my work. Too many photographers, I find, are going for “look-alike” styles, whereas I like to present something a little more original.

Wedding Price list 2014 (These are intended as a guide only and the prices, number of prints etc. can be adjusted or “mixed and matched” to suit your individual requirements) You will be presented with a set of proofs either online, on CD or on good old fashioned paper, from which to choose your final album selection. The prices you see are what you pay with no hidden extras. Simple Basic Package £350.00 Up to 1 hour 30 min coverage (approx) CD of 50 chosen images or a set of 5” x 7” prints Optimum Basic Package £450 Around 2-3 hours of Photography A CD of 100 carefully edited images at full size in a standard presentation case or a small photobook Package 1 £700

Pre-wedding Consultation

1/2 Wedding Day Coverage (approx)

Groom and Best Man

Bride and Bridesmaids’ arrival

Ceremony and group photos afterwards, including formal and informal shots of the Bride and Groom (reportage style shots also taken during the course of the proceedings) Includes mock cake cutting shot if reception is within easy reach.

30 pictures in a standard white 30cm x 30cm Picture Book album.

A CD of all carefully edited images at full size in a presentation case

10” x 8” Framed print

Package 2 £945.00 Pre-wedding Consultation

Groom and Best Man

Bride and Bridesmaids’ arrival

Ceremony and group photos afterwards, including formal and informal shots of the Bride and Groom (reportage style shots also taken during the course of the proceedings and mock cake cutting where possible).

40+ pictures in a high quality personalised, Large Picture Book style album.

10” x 8” Framed print

A CD of all carefully edited images at full size in a presentation case

Package 3 £1,890.00 The Ultimate Wedding day Photo Package including an “Engagement” Pre-Shoot Pre Wedding Consultation Whole coverage of your wedding day. Starting from bride at home through to speeches and first dance. High Quality 12" x 12" Personalised Bellissimo or Infinity album with up to 80+ images* printed directly on to quality paper. *(You choose 80 favourite images and we work around these to produce the album) A CD of all edited images at full size in a presentation case 12” x 16” Framed print

Larger Media Only Package

150 images chosen by you and presented on a CD-R or DVD-R We take the photos, you print them out and assemble your own album. Images are yours to print out as many times as you like. You are assigned with full dual copyright (Additional images can be purchased at £3.00 each) Total price for this Package : Coverage as for package 3, £650 *Extra Services

Photography at Bride’s home (1 hour before Ceremony): Please add £50.00 to Package 1

Photography of Speeches and informal Reception pictures: Please add £100.00 to Package 1

Travel outside of a 40 miles radius of Sittingbourne is charged at 35p per mile.

Overnight accommodation, if required, would be charged at cost and would be agreed between both parties.

CD of edited images £250 (Covers copyright and permissions to print). If you would like to discuss your particular requirements with me, please telephone me on: 01795 478522 or 07765 256354.

Non Refundable 20% deposit payable on booking followed by balance by cheque, made payable to “Richard Cook”, up to 10 days before the wedding

Wedding Reprints, Enlargements and Parents Albums

Parents/Friends Album, 5” x 4 “Traditional style” (20 pictures) £120.00

Parents/Friends Album, Picture Book Style £150.00

Various prints are available to order including hand -framed pictures, Canvas stretched prints and Canvas

Wraps. Frames are in various finishes.

When choosing a canvas wrapped image, please make sure that there is a reasonable margin around the

main subject, to allow for the wrap. (See illustration).

Prices are available separately by request or reprints can also be ordered online after the wedding via my

secure website.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further assistance.

Frequently asked Wedding Photography Questions

1. Do you charge for quotes ?

Not at all. Quotations are provided freely without any charges or obligations. I can give you an estimate from a simple e-mail or telephone enquiry, but for an accurate quote I would need to discuss in more detail with you the details of the wedding, e.g. location of the wedding, the numbers of guests invited, and whether or not you are likely to want candid photographs from the wedding breakfast as well.

2. Do you have fixed package options or do you tailor your quotes?

I do have package options but these can be mixed and matched to provide your ideal package. I can also give a quote based on your exact requirements. Meeting prospective clients enables me to establish their preferences and gain a better understanding of what they are looking for from their photographer.

3. I am a student on a very tight wedding budget and wasn't going to have a photographer as they are all too expensive. Can you help?

Of course! You don't have to have an "all singing all dancing package" that you cannot afford and don't actually need. That is why every quote I give is tailored to you. So to keep the cost down, you could for example -

Provide your own wedding album for the photographs

Have smaller photographs than a standard wedding album

Even limit the number of pictures taken to just a handful outside the registry office

These are just some of the simpler ways to minimise on expenditure. Don't forget you will need all the wedding information to hand Why not contact me with your requirements and see what can be arranged?

4. Am I under any obligation to use your services having received your quote ?

No. You are under no obligations whatsoever, and may use anyone you like.

5. Do you need a deposit?

Yes. Once I have given you a quote and you have decided to use my services, I will require a deposit equal to 20% of the total order to secure the booking.

6. Would I have to come to you, or would you come to me to discuss what I want ?

I am quite happy to come to you to discuss your requirements if you live locally say within 30 miles or so of Sittingbourne. If you live further away than that, then I would suggest we discuss the bulk of what you need over the telephone, and then arrange to meet at a later date. You are welcome to come to me, though please bear in mind that with my busy schedule it will more than likely have to be an evening or a weekend.

7. How long will it take for me to get my photographs, after the pictures are taken ?

Typically four to five weeks. Again I like to deliver the album personally whenever possible. If this is not convenient, then I will make arrangements to have your album delivered by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Any enlargements and reprints you decide to order after looking through your album, will take about the same length of time to arrive.

8. Do I get the files too?

Sorry not normally. The files and the copyright to the pictures will remain mine. Reproduction of any photographer's image in any form without their consent is a breach of Copyright. If you would like reprints, please order them via the secure weblink or contact me directly. If you would like a CD of images there is an additional charge to cover copyright etc.

9. Is it easy to get re-prints or enlargements ?

Yes. Simply give the picture identity number from the photograph in the album, and the quantity and size you require alternatively you will be able to order online from my secure site.

10. How many pictures are you likely to take ?

That will depend entirely on you and the occasion! What we discuss for the day will be a good guide as to what you want from me. Weddings can run from just a handful to over 100 pictures, so if you decide to add more on the day, don't worry. The list you give me is not a hard and fast rule, but a guide of your preferences.

11. Do you do candid rather than posed shots ?

I prefer candid shots as they are the most natural and give the best sense of atmosphere for the occasion, but as their occurrence is not predictable, they are unlikely to be the only type of shots in the album. Posed shots do look stunning, so most couples opt for their wedding album to have the traditional pictures as the main core of their album, with any candid pictures from the shoot and the party afterwards as well. There do tend to be several funny moments captured on the day in amongst the candids, and these add a lovely relaxed atmosphere to the album, proving what a great day you had.

12. Do you accept adverts on your website ?

Under certain conditions, yes. The web site links are listed as a convenience to our visitors. There are no annoying pop-ups on the site, rotating banners or irritating windows that won't close. All adverts are confined to sections where you would expect to see them, i.e. link pages. To get onto those pages the advertiser has agreed to meet certain conditions, and has either reciprocated with a link on their web site for my site, or has paid a fee. The adverts are exactly that, adverts. They are by no means an endorsement of the company or their products by Richard Cook Photography. We take no responsibility and give no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of these third-party sites, though we do try not to promote those which may cause offence. If you feel a particular company web site is unsuitable, please contact me with the exact web site address of the material you believe is unsuitable. If we concur with your assessment, the link will be deleted from our pages. If you use the services of one of the companies from our link pages, please tell them you found their information on our site, as we like to promote local businesses where possible.

13. I have family abroad that cannot get to the wedding. Can I have an online album so they can see the pictures?

An online wedding album is not a problem and in fact is my standard technique to allow guests to order their prints online (see above), as I would create a web site specifically for your wedding and put the entire album online. Accessed via a unique password

14. What’s your primary style?

I prefer reportage [candid] wherever possible, as the results look so much better, but posed or staged shots look absolutely stunning too.

15. Do you shoot in colour or black and white? Or both?

That's up to you! We would discuss your requirements for the day, and if you want both that's not a problem. Most people naturally opt for colour, but black and white can be so much more dramatic not only that but with the advent of digital, images can be converted to Black & White afterwards, whereas before one had to carry two sets of film stock..

16. What kind of input can we have on the direction of the shots? Can we give you a shot list to work from?

Your input is vital as it will guide the way I take shots on the day. You are the customer, so what you want in your album is more important that what I want to do. Like most photographers I have a list of the shots that most people go for plus a few more that I like to take. If you decided to use my services I would discuss with you the type of shots that you want, and send you a list of ideas for shots. You then decide on what you want to add or remove from the idea's list, and give me a list of what you want me to take on the day. If you decide to add more shots on the day just tell me what changes or additions you want to make. The list you give me is not a hard and fast guide that cannot be altered, so it won't be a problem if you add more later.

17. Are you the person who will actually take our pictures? If not, can we meet the person who will be?

I am the person taking the pictures

18. Can we meet any assistants who will also be taking pictures?

It's not a problem if you want to meet the photographer and his assistant (who is usually my wife), but only the photographer actually takes the photographs.

19. How many other weddings will you also photograph that day?

None. I do not accept double bookings and insist on only having one wedding per day so I can concentrate on what you want from me, rather than worrying about getting to the next job on time. Simple rule, one wedding - one day.

20. What kind of equipment will you bring with you? How intrusive will lighting, tripods, etc. be?

A typical wedding will require a medium sized camera and bag with accessories, memory cards, etc. a reflector or two, and at least one tripod. I try to avoid large lighting on a shoot as the setting up and constant adjustments required would make the photographs take up too much of your wedding day. You want to remember your wedding, not your photographer being an absolute pain in the neck and dominating your day.

21. Do you charge by the hour, by the picture or by the roll?

I charge by the number of pictures, and can from experience guide you on how many you are likely to need based on the style of photography you prefer along with the number of guests attending. You may prefer to limit the number of pictures in your album if you need to keep your overheads down, and this can easily be accommodated to suit most client's budgets.

22. If I hire you, am I guaranteed that you will be the one shooting my wedding?

In a word, yes.

23. Are you willing to come extra early to get shots of us before the ceremony if we choose to do that, and would there be an additional fee for this?

Early shots are not a problem, and the fee would be included in the price we discussed for the arrangements you made with me. If you wanted to add this feature later, then yes there would be an additional fee.

24. Do you use film based or digital cameras or a combination of both?

My preference, these days, is for high quality Digital using Nikon equipment

25. Do you charge a fee if the wedding and reception are in more than one location?

Normally no. I don’t charge for two different locations if they are within 30 miles, providing there is sufficient time for me to get between them and set-up. So taking pictures of the bride at home and at the wedding venue is not normally a problem.

26. How long do you expect to be with us on the day of the wedding, and is there an extra charge if it runs a little overtime?

I arrive at the wedding site well in advance of the service. Most weddings last 30-45 minutes, and the average reception lasts 2½ to 3 hours, but I don’t charge any extra unless the ceremony and/or reception are unusually long.

27. Is there anything I can do to make my wedding photography easier for the photographer?

Prepare in advance what you need from me on the day, as this makes things run more smoothly.

Choose your wedding venue with care. The gardens of the hotel may be stunning, but where can you have your photographs taken if it rains?

And most importantly, if you have any questions ..... Please Ask!

28. Do you allow other people to take photographs while you are working?

Generally, I don't mind friends and relatives taking photographs whilst I am working. I do however ask that your guests respect the fact that I have been hired by you to do a job as quickly and efficiently as possible, and it is especially important that I have minimal interference whilst taking photographs. It's fine if someone wants to take a picture after I have photographed a given pose, but excessive numbers of photographs will lead to delays in getting to the reception and this is likely to ruin your caterer's schedule and amongst other things, make your photographs take far longer than you had planned for. I try to work in such a manner that the photographs are not prolonged any more than necessary, and naturally too many interruptions can lead to inappropriate delays. After all, you want to remember your photographer being efficient and professional, not dominating your day.

29. At the reception, are we expected to make arrangements to feed the photographer and assistant too?

As we are there to work, we do not expect to be invited to dine along with the guests. Occasionally we may accept an invitation for a bite to eat especially if it's a particularly long photographic shoot, but in no way do we expect food to be provided. The budgets of most wedding couples must take into account the "per head" rate's caterers charge, and in many cases those expenses limit the number of guests that can be asked to join in the wedding meal. I would hate to think that a wedding guest or two might have been left off your guest list so that you could accommodate feeding my assistant and me! On the refreshment's side, it's nice if we can join in for water, tea, or soft drinks since the work is a bit dehydrating especially in the middle of summer, though we do not drink any alcohol whilst on duty.

30. How much time will the photography take?

To be honest there is no simple answer to this one. You need to plan into your day enough time for the photographer to do the job properly, but you obviously don't want the photography to dominate your day. Do bear in mind that I have never yet seen a wedding that has run to time, and even though I will try wherever possible to speed the photography up a bit for you so you get in for the reception meal on time, be aware that quality is not something you can rush. Some of the shots can be taken candidly and so you won't need to have time set aside for them, but you should discuss your requirements in detail with me to get a good idea on how long you are going to need. Examples for time scales are -

A simple ceremony at the registry office with a few family and friends could have the photography taking perhaps 30 minutes to an hour.

A civil ceremony at a hotel typically has a few posed shots with the groom and best man before the bride arrives, 15-20 minutes, the bride with the wedding car, another 10-20 minutes, and then the posed shots where you will need to allow for 60-90 minutes where all the pictures you have asked for are taken.

A full blown "no photograph limit and photographer with you all day" job, where you will need to allow for say 30-45 minutes in the morning whilst you are at home, another 10-20 minutes with the wedding transport, 60-90 minutes for all the posed shots with your guests, signing the register, etc. informal relaxed shots away from the crowds another 30 minutes, then there's the speeches, cutting the cake, the first dance, the evening disco...and don't forget all those candid shots I'll be taking in between.

31. What information do you need to give me an estimate?

It would be helpful if you have thought about the following points before you contact me for a quote -

The date of wedding is -

The time of the wedding service is -

Our wedding ceremony will be at -

Our reception will be at -

The number of people expected to attend the ceremony is -

The number of people expected to attend the reception is -

Do you want the photographer to attend the evening disco?

How many pictures are you looking to have in the finished album?

What size prints would you like in your album? ie 6"x4" / 6"x9" / 8"x12"

Would you like a parents album made?

Colour, black and white or both required?

Will you need to order a wedding album from the photographer or would you like to provide your own?

Will you want an enlargement picture for the home to display on the wall? (A framed 10” x 8” picture is already supplied free of charge)

Is anyone who will be in your photographs affected by stroboscopic light/flash photography, e.g. sufferers of epilepsy?

Any other information you can think of that may be relevant.

32. Can we choose who we want in the pictures?

Naturally! There are a number of the more traditional photo's that get asked for regularly, but you are welcome to change the photo list to suit your needs.

33. Have you been to our wedding location previously?

If it's local then normally yes, but if we haven't been there recently then we will always do a site preliminary inspection to check that nothing has changed and make sure with the owners we can use the areas we want on the day.

34. How long have you been photographing weddings?

Since 1983

35. What happens if we need to change the wedding date after we have booked you?

Providing the new date has not already been booked by someone else, then all that happens is you will need to sign a revised contract with the new details on. If there is an outstanding enquiry for that date that has not been confirmed by the customer, then you would get first choice for that date, having already paid your deposit. If the date you want has already been booked by another client and you are set on wanting that new date for your wedding, then I'm afraid I cannot be your photographer as I will have already contractually agreed to take their photographs. So please bear in mind that when you pay the deposit you also sign a legally binding contract to use my services on a specific date, and by breaking that agreement you would unfortunately forfeit your deposit.

36. What is your payment policy?

A simple one – 20% as deposit, with the balance due up to 10 days before the wedding, which is fairly standard practice amongst wedding photographers.

37. How much should we spend on our wedding photography?

It's difficult to pay too much for something you really like. Yet, price is usually the one obstacle that prevents many clients from selecting what they really want. Often the difference between the price of what you really like and what you feel is "within the budget" is miscalculated. However, when it actually comes down to pounds and pence, it's hard to keep spending "a little bit more here...and a little bit more there" isn't it?

Do remember that your wedding photographs are a quality reflection of the memories of your big day, so some people still feel that they have to put the money "where it shows," but just because one photographer is more expensive than another, does not necessarily make them better. When considering the cost of a photographer you may find that those with big expensive studios sometimes need to charge extra to make up for closing on a Saturday, and where you may think you are paying for a better photographer, you are in actual fact paying for them to close up the studio for the afternoon! You may like to consider that at the same time you're preparing your budget, you will probably end up spending more than you had anticipated, so even after you have all your quotes in, it would still be wise to have a contingency fund just in case.

38. What if I can’t find the answer I need?

Ask me your question directly for a definitive answer

Booking Form

(Wedding Photography)

Date of Wedding……………………………………………………………………………………

Time of Wedding …………………………………………………………………………………..

Bride’s name: ………………………………………………………………………………………

Groom’s name: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact address:……………………………………………………………………………………

Contact Telephone Number:………………………………………………………………………….

Contact Email:…………………………………………………………………………………………

Name and Address of Venue: (Church, Registry Office, Civil Location)

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Name and Address of Reception: (If different from above)

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Booking Fee/Deposit:

A non-refundable booking fee of £………….. (20%) is charged when the client signs the contract, this fee is deducted (in full)

from the total price

Payments:

Following payment of the booking fee, the remaining balance of £…………..is due on or before……………….(10 days prior to

wedding)

Please describe clearly the wedding package or service required and any special picture requests:

(ie Option 2, Bespoke, Magazine style, etc.) Continue on a separate sheet of paper if necessary.

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I the undersigned hereby book Richard Cook Photography for the event described above

Customer Signature(s)…………………………………………………..Date:………………

Photographer’s Signature……………………………………………….Date:………………

Richard Cook Photography (Richard Cook LBIPP) 10 Wilton Terrace, London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1QR

01795 478522 – 07765256354 http://richardcookphotography.yolasite.com

richard.cook111@blueyonder.co.uk

Richard Cook LBIPP, 10 Wilton Terrace, London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1QR Tel: 01795 478522 / Mobile: 07765 256354

Email: richard.cook111@blueyonder.co.uk Web: www.richardcookphotography.yolasite.com