Home of Myrtle Beach Photographer Ryan Smith

Common Wedding Questions and Information
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• What is the CD of the entire session and can I print from it?
• What is the process for setting up a wedding photography appointment?
• What does it mean that you offer a free bridal or engagement session with a wedding?
• Do you offer an option for a second photographer?
• What are some general suggestions for wedding location preparations for good photography?
• How do you feel about other family or friend photographers during the wedding?
• Suggestions to keep in mind for creative and romantic portraits:
• How long do I have to purchase my images?
• What is the turn around time on an order?
• How long does it take to see your proofs?
• Why do you suggest beach photography in the evening hours only?

What is the CD of the entire session and can I print from it?

For Weddings:
Typically for a 6 hour wedding I take 1000-1500 shots. Many of these will be multiple shots of the same pose, so I will narrow the shots down to typically between 700-1000 and reject ones I do not feel are the best. Many times I also will put up a gallery of all the reception shots for you to view, because there can be hundreds and you might see something special in a picture that I wouldn't.  A Wedding Photo CD will contain all of these shots that you would see in your online gallery.

Please Note CD will be shipped separately from pictures by USPS.

What are the resolution options?
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• Standard Photo CD (High or Full resolution recommended for reprints)
  At least 800x600 resolution suitable for small prints, maximum of 4x6 depending on printing service, pc and small digital photo frame viewing and e-mail.
  
800x600 Example
• High Resolution Photo CD
  At least 1600x1200 resolution suitable for up to 8x10 prints as well as high resolution large photo frames.
  
1600x1200 Example
• Full Resolution CD
  Original full resolution files suitable for enlargement printing and any other use desired.
  
Full Resolution Example
• Photo CD files are available on CD, DVD or as instant digital download.

You are allowed to print as many images from the CD as you like, there is no copyright protection or watermarks.  I will provide a copyright release form on request, normally this is not required for printing. Most locations such as Wal-Mart can print images for you directly from the CD if desired or you can copy them to your pc or a memory card.    Please see this page on Smugmug.com for very good information on required resolution for a desired print size.

What is the process for setting up a wedding photography appointment?

Please send me an e-mail or give me a call to find out if your desired date is available and the amount of time you need me for, as well as let me know any questions that you have. If you will be available locally we can meet at my home office to discuss details and I can show you examples of my work. If you prefer we can also meet at another location such as your wedding location. If you are from out of town and can't meet locally we can discuss and set up the appointment through e-mail or over the phone. After you decide to use me for your wedding photography, I will e-mail or give you in person a basic contract that list the date of your wedding. I ask $200 deposit to hold the date of the wedding along with the signed contract.

What does it mean that you offer a free bridal or engagement session with a wedding?

If I have a contract with you for an upcoming wedding, I offer a bridal or engagement session down at the beach at no charge. My typical location for this is at the Myrtle Beach State Park. This would be the same type of session that would normally have a sitting fee of $195. After viewing the proofs from your session online, you can pick any package from my portrait photography page to purchase prints from your session.

Do you offer an option for a second photographer?

Typically I do all the actual photography myself, everything you see on this site was done by myself personally. With the speed of the latest DSLR Cameras, portable flashes, and on camera metering, photography is a lot different than it used to be years ago. I can take pictures very quickly without a lot of setup required. I typically don't find I need a second photographer to capture everything. Typically I get shots of the bride preparations, then spend some time with the groomsmen and other family, and still have plenty of time to meet the bride before she is finished with preparations. I always get to a location early to get plenty of detail shots of the location and decorations.

The way I work during the ceremony is I have a special strap that allows me to hang two DSLR cameras comfortably. One has a 70-200mm portrait lens and one has a 24-70mm wide angle, and I can switch between the cameras very quickly. That way I can walk around the ceremony and capture everything that I need too.  I think having really good modern equipment eliminates a lot of need for a assistant.  I'm not saying it wouldn't make it easier on me sometimes, but I'm just used to working by myself and it works for me. 

However if you really feel that you would like a second photographer, please contact me as I have associates that can be hired to work as my second, we can arrange a price for your particular situation and needs.

What are some general suggestions for wedding location preparations?

Outdoor Weddings:
If at all possible plan the wedding in the evening closer to sunset. The best time for romantic couple portraits is right before sunset. For the reception try to avoid having a black background for dancing. Hanging lights and bulbs or some type of light in the background can make a big difference. Also lighting is much easier if the reception is in a tent for flash bouncing then if it's outdoors at night, but I have ways to work with just about any circumstance. In other words hang lights wherever you can and try to light up the dancing area with nice, warm romantic lighting as much as possible.

DJ Strobe Lights:
Please ask the DJ if possible to cut the disco lights down low during important dances or to avoid hitting the dancers with the lights.  Light that throws color or patterns on the walls or roof are great, but ideally you would not want them to hit the crowd if you want to avoid strange very bright spots in your pictures. Also be careful with multicolor disco lights, these are fine but remember every picture with have a different strange color cast from the lights.

Don't rush the flower and garter toss to make sure I get ready for some good shots. If anything unusual is being done please let me know ahead to be ready.

Later in the evening when it's time to shoot some fun dancing shots, it would be wonderful if you and the wedding party would occasionally turn and dance facing toward the photographer. Don't do this a lot, just once in a while have everyone show off for the camera a little. 

How do I feel about other family or friend photographers during the wedding?

I actually decided to add this question after a recent wedding. I'm a really easy going guy. I never mind other photographers during the ceremony or family pictures. In fact I've had many times I will wait while everyone gets their shot. My goal is really to be the nicest, and most accommodating photographer you have dealt with.  The only thing I realized I do have to draw the line however is during the couple portraits. I recently had a family member follow me around the entire time with her own DSLR camera, and instruct and pose the couple.  I kept trying to say that letting the couple relax and be natural is really the best. If you really want the benefit of my experience you will have to make sure we get time alone for your portraits.  If the family members want to take a lot of pictures, tell them to get family and friend shots that I'm not available for while we are doing your portraits.  I really think it will make all of us more relaxed.

Suggestions to keep in mind for creative and romantic portraits:

Relax! That can be hard to do, but I will do my best to get a couple relaxed and having fun with the photography. I always bring along some posing ideas, sometimes they help to get warmed up.  But the last thing you want is for your pictures to look posed, formal, and like everyone else's.  The best thing to do is to pick a good location, and then just start having fun.  You can hug, kiss, play, dance around or anything you like.  The goal is to make it look like the photographer isn't even there. If you have an idea, no matter how silly it might be, let me know. I always say you never know what is going to work and turn out special, it never hurts to try.

What is the turn around time on a picture order?

Typically after I receive your payment I get your order sent for printing within just a few days.  The printing service has a fast turn around time, I've never had it take more than a week for a client to receive an order.  I can't guarantee a time but usually a maximum of 1 1/2 to 2 weeks.

Of course wedding albums will take longer to be completed. My printing service usually prepares and ships an album in about 4 weeks. If you add to that the time it takes for me to prepare the images for the album, 6-8 weeks at the most under normal circumstances.

How long does it take to see your proofs on this website?

Typically it takes less than a week to process the images from your session and post them online, however there may be times it takes longer when I'm very busy or for a wedding or a large event.

Why do you suggest beach photography only in the early morning or evening hours?

Unlike in a studio, in nature you have to use whatever light you can find.  The best place for a portrait is in the shade, away from direct sunlight.  However, on the beach, shade is something that is very hard to find.  In direct overhead sunlight, shadows on the face can be very harsh, for example there will be shadows under your eyes and nose.   If you have ever seen a typical beach snapshot, you will see faces that look unattractive and eyes that are closed or squinting.  This is why it's really best to avoid the times of the day when the sun is overhead.

Later in the day, around an hour or so before sunset, the light becomes much softer and easier to deal with.  I do have tricks that can help reduce the effect of harsh sunlight like good positioning and using fill flash.  For larger family groups, the light becomes even more difficult to manage.  That is why for a large group of 6 or more I highly recommend photography no more than an hour before sunset for beautiful images.

Wedding photography common questions and answers