wedding photography faq
What is your photography style?
On the day we will generally shoot a variety of styles depending on the emphasis you wish. At a meeting before the day we look at folio samples and discuss various aspects of the day including the style of images you want.
Often it is a balance between more animated and candid style of photography and a more directed graphic style.
No one style is more correct than the other—and either style can equally expresses the day how the couple see it. After 20 years of shooting our experience allows us to be flexible and to really go for the style you had in mind.
The art of wedding photography has many dimensions. It is often a balancing act—the photographer must ask on the day: is the bride better when she moves or is posed? What is her best feature? What is her worst? When does she look her best? What is the best light to complement her face? What makes her smile? (Well, usually the groom, of course.) And then there is the consideration of the locations…
How many weddings has Serendipity Photographed?
We have shot over 2000 weddings in 20 years giving us a wealth of experience to bring to your wedding. We are familiar with ceremonial styles of many cultures, traditions and have catered to a vast variety of unique requests, allowing us to work with you in a very personal way.
We also have a very multicultural experience with wedding styles, and have shot hundreds of Asian weddings; amongst them many Vietnamese and Indian weddings. We have also shot ample Orthodox style weddings such as Greek and Serbian.
How many photos do you generally take on the day?
We usually shoot about 2000 to 3000 images. We find that brides and grooms are so sensitive to their looks and expressions it is nearly impossible to shoot too much of them. They see qualities in the images adding value to the shoot, so having choice.
We also shoot in the superior RAW format.
What is RAW?
While most wedding photographers shoot the simple JPEG format with its limited latitude—we shoot RAW. This allows us to shoot more freely and in situations that would be other wise impossible for good results. This results in a happier more flowing wedding day—less adjusting of the camera and more focussing with the couple.
RAW allows for better post production allowing us to have fine degrees of control over the details of the final image. If you are interested, check out this website for a quick introduction to RAW.
Do you photograph weddings beyond the Melbourne metropolitan area?
More couples are considering options out side melbourne metropolitan area such as wineries and farms. It also tends to be the case that once there then there is no further travel so we do not charge extra for location 100km from the CBD such as Sorrento on the Peninsula or Geelong
Paris, Rome, Bali and Singapore?
We love exciting travel and are willing to organise great travel wedding package deals. With the Australian dollar very high destination weddings are now exciting option and we are very willing to help you out!
What happens if I want more photos later on for friends or relatives?
At Serendipity we're enthusiastic about supplying our photos to you in a way that will fulfil your needs in the years and decades to come. Packages at the moment generally come with 1000 Jpeg files with copyright for you to print.
Do you put the photos on line?
If you wish. We can arrange photo gallery on-line of a set of photos you request.
What types of albums?
Our standard albums are 30cm x 45 cm (12" x 18") edge to edge borderless albums where the prints are mounted down on to the album. The images are shot digitally of course—designed and then retouched digitally by us.
How long do these albums last compared to traditional matted albums?
Our experience—since we have albums mounted this way that are now 15 years old—is that they last very well. The photographic paper, infact, wears less that the cardboard sections of the albums. We find that there is no special treatment that is needed for the photo mounted pages. The opposite is true of the matted album where the card tends to soil easily and gloves are best worn. The edge to edge album however is easily cleaned with a cloth damp with turpentine.
How many locations do you go to?
As many as you like. More is not always better though. More varied happy photography time is what we are usually after. Often what that means is going to a couple of places where we can have a variety of backdrops and ideas.
How much location photography time do I need?
One hour of actual photography time with the couple is a good starting point. Some times this can take some time to get after we factor in makeup time, travel time, eatimg time, etc. It can vary on many factors. For some couples it takes a little time to get the hang of being photographed and we need to have some game playing and just plain goofing around, while others are just too plain being in love, being on a wedding or just plain goofy to care about if a camera is being pointed at them or not.
In an hour of location time we could shoot between 200 to 600 images—providing a lot of choice when it comes to selecting images for the album. With more time we would shoot a bit slower and vary the style of the shots and back drop more. With even more time we could jump in the cars to get some completely different looks and even get a bite to eat. It is best during the location photography that you have some time alone away from you bridal party and guests as this photography will be more natural and relaxed—it will be the only time during the whole day that you are nearly alone.
Do we go to the grooms place?
Absolutely. It can help with the running of the day. We can shoot family pictures and we also break the ice with being photographed making it so so much better during locations—it all happens so much easier.
Do you take family pictures?
Of course. In fact we think that family pictures are very important. At the pre-wedding planning session 2-3 weeks before your wedding we go into some detail about how best to organise these shoots.
Will I get a copy of the family pictures?
Most packages come with a disk of all the family pictues for you and your family. These are the family pictues shot at each of the houses, after the ceremoniy and during the reception.
What gear do you use?
The short answer is Nikon. The long answer is always take a large range of gear on a wedding and it changes from wedding to wedding. Most of it however most remains in the boot of the car—they are there just in case.
There are always 2 professional camera bodies, 2–4 flashes, 50 gigabytes of memory and 4 or more lenses. Remote lighting techniques is a large part our look so there are always some slaves and then other technical photography things as well…
Do I have to think of location ideas?
Usually not. Just think of the themes that you want. We will think of some location ideas to get the look that you want while optimising the drive time and available light. Feel free to take advantage of our experience garnered over the thousands of weddings we have been on. Often with out of town locations a kick start is useful with a few location ideas for us to check out when we arrive in town.
Are there photography locations you like best?
Yes there are places where we like to photograph—some areas are a little secret and others are quite popular. We often scout out locations ideas as Melbourne is constantly changing, and also to see if we can be inspired by our past locations. We check out if a limo can get there, parking, how the light falls during the day and season and what is near by so we can get some other looks in. With private property such as cafes we introduce ourselves and ask permission and about their attitude towards wedding photography—some venues love it, some not so much. We try to resist venues that charge for wedding photography; often, they are just more fashionable than more photogenic.
Do I need to provide a meal?
Only if you have asked us to stay through mains at the reception.
What is the best sort of day for wedding photography?
While a bright sunny day may be many peoples ideal wedding day—it will hardly appeal to most photographers. A rainy cold day also would not. The perfect day would have cloud or soft light from time to time for portraits and then some sunny conditions for wider landscape and more graphic shots. A bit of rain and wind will add interest and variation in the photography (as much as this idea may not appeal to you).
What if there is rain?
In years past we made separate plans if there was rain—but such plans never worked. Usually if there is rain during location it makes for great shots with great light, great clouds and great drama. And so often we arrive at the next location the rain has stopped. Also, We usually know enough locations around town to find a good wet weather location to make pictures. If it looks as if there is going to be continuous drizzle then we can make our way to the city where there are a huge number of location ideas for both a modern and older romantic looks.
In the suburbs or if it is a passing shower then railway station, inside the cars, local town halls, an underpass for a grungy look, or often under cover at a suburban shopping strip where the bridal part can grab a spot to eat and use the shop fronts as a back drop.
the photography team
Julian Mehan, winner of the Ian Hawthorn Award, comes from a background in engineering, then editorial photography. Julian has shot over a thousand weddings and hundreds of portraits of children and couples. His fashion images are highly regarded in the industry with a lively signature style.
Sally Newell has studied the photographic arts extensively; she graduated with a Distinction in Photography at RMIT, then followed with a postgraduate degree in Art Theory and Film. With her work in the graphics industry and fine arts training, Sally offers Serendipity clients personalised graphic solutions and a clear understanding of individual client photography needs. Sally brings extensive portraiture skills to twenty years of wedding photography; her creative photographic skills and graphics background give an edge to Serendipity Photography's look.
Welly has degrees both in Computer Engineering and Photography, and is also a photographer. He brings a valuable set of skills to todays digital photography workflow. His unique perspective and unparalleled understanding of digital photography and media spearhead the digital and online operation.
background
Serendipity Photography offers a wide range of visual and design services to the Melbourne community including photography, videography and website design. The emphasis is on a quality personalised service, incorporating classic photographic values with a focus aesthetic excellence.
We have shot weddings at a range of locations in Ripponlea, Lincoln of Toorak, Windsor Hotel Melbourne, Bram Leigh Croydon, Luxor Receptions Taylors Lakes, Peninsula Coutry Golf Club, Butleigh Wooton Kew, The Sovereign Northtcote, San Remo Ballroom Calton, Melbourne Aquarium, Park Hyatt Melbourne, Werribee Mansion, Peninsula Reception Docklands, Sumac Reception Docklands, Sketch Reception Docklands, Quat Quatta, 9 (nine) Darling st South Yarra, The International of Brighton, The Point Albert Park, Como Historic House, Sumac Docklands, Sketch Docklands, Riva St Kilda, Park Hyatt Melbourne, Butleigh Wooton Kew, The Point Albert Park, Royce Hotel on st Kilda rd, Regent Theater, Middle Brighton Baths, Carousel Albert Park, Montsalvat Eltham, Merrimu Receptions Murrumbeena, Ballara Receptions Eltham, Hawthorn Receptions in Hawthorn, Contessa Receptions Mt Waverley, Fenix Reception Richmond, The Willows on St Kilda Rd, Tatra, Ascot House Reception, and more.
Launching in 2011, Serendipity Media will be offering corporate and childrens' portraiture services. With a background in wedding photography having photographed over 1900 couples, Serendipity intends to provide a range of services peripheral to our core wedding photography.
We offer an online wedding blogging service, which allows you, as well as friends and family from around the world to enjoy your wedding images from any time and place. We also shoot wedding videos and are available to deploy our skills in a variety of environments.
our photography style
Serendipity photography possesses an instantly recognisable style, which is born of the combined experience of their award winning team of photographers and post production technicians. Our style stems from contemporary narrative photography, photo journalism and portraiture. This means that the images of Serendipity focus on the art of visual storytelling, illustrating the physical and emotional landscape of their subjects.
Years ago we recognised that our customers had a need for frank and emotional photography that were often not being met by other photographers. Serendipity fashions a personal photography style which is based upon customers' ideas and preferences. When observing our work, people comment that Serendipity images show real emotion, Serendipity images are confident, refreshing, even a little edgy; the style is light and flowing, unobtrusive but intimate. Relax and let Serendipity's talented team and imagination create beautiful images.
wedding packages
24 side album - $2450
1000 hi res files
10 hrs of photography - extra time at $50 hr
24 side 150+ picture album 30x45 cm
digital magazine style album - 30x45 cm
7 30x45 cm wall prints
or
2 75cm x 112 cm prints and a 30x45 cm print
2 parent albums - magazine style 12 side 23x15 cm
20 side album - $2190
500 hi res files
10 hours
20 side album
30 side album - $3275
1000 hi res files
30 side album-
2 parent albums
10 hours
7 30x45 cm prints
1 75cm x 112 cm print
40 side album - $4075
1000 hi res files
2 parent albums
10 hours
7 30x45 cm prints
3 75cm x 112 cm prints
extra copies of large prints are at -
30cm x 45 cm (12" x 18") - $25
75cm x 112 cm (20" x 30") - $75
** see more detailed price list when you come into the studio **
price variation with season
Winter weddings - $200 off
Friday weddings - $200 off
Midweek wedding - $300 off
booking with serendipity
$750 - Booking fee to hold the date
$600- middle deposit
$900 - 2 weeks before the wedding day
other payments are on album plan and album pickup.
asian and indian weddings
Asian and Indian style wedding days can be arranged also. We understand that these days are very different from a Western wedding day - call and talk to us about our special packages.
See more details at the bottom of this page
asian wedding days
Wedding day
We understand that Asian wedding days have different ceremonies and different emphasis. We have done about 400 asian style weddings of various sorts. We are accommodating when it comes to pre shoots on an earlier day also. These can often be added in at minimal charge. Asian wedding days can be long with early morning starts for groom then bride preparation and ceremonies before the door ceremonies and then tea ceremonies. Then there is lunch. Often a further civil or church ceremony then follows. Then location shoots into the afternoon.
Pre-shoot day
We can often arrange a pre-shoot for minimal cost if it on a week day and is reasonably close to our studio. Often we can arrange a package that includes a large print to be shown at your reception.
Reception
We understand that an Asian reception has a variety of ceremonial events through out the night including a change of dresses.
There a couple of options for the reception. We can go straight to the reception and do the door entry photos and the first hour or so. Or we can come back late such as 8pm for a couple of hours and photograph the cake cutting, first dance and other ceremony when all the guests have arrived.
Indian wedding days
An Indian style wedding is a great photography opportunity with the fantastic saturated colours, decorations and emotion…. The Hindu Ceremony has hundreds of details and moments that need capturing. Also there is also lots of great food at Indian weddings but we hardly ever get time to eat it!
In India wedding generally last for four or more days. In Australia it is usually just two days. We understand that each day is has essential elements. We try to be accommodating with the timing in indian days - especially if one of the days is a weekday - we can often cover both days within the standard package.
Hindu ceremony
We have photographed many Hindu ceremonies and they have all been different. The Hindu ceremony can take some hours and has hundreds of details and moments that need capturing in the mandap and also some action as well.
Also there is also lots of great food at Indian weddings but we hardly ever get time to eat it!
We have shot may Hindu and Muslim ceremonies but also Punjabi (Sikh) and many Sri Lankan ceremonies as well. We have a number of slide shows in the studio also.
Mehndi and Henna
If possible we will try to incorporate the Mehndi day as well.
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