Weddings

What is a pre-wedding shoot? This is where we take you out on location somewhere a few months before the wedding and do some cool shots of you together. We can go through the timing of the day at this stage too, to make sure we deliver the best possible use of our services to you.

Do we have to?

Yes, but it’s worth it, trust us. We used to let the odd couple wriggle out of it claiming terminal shyness or ‘unphotogenicness’. Not anymore.  We must insist on this one.

But why?

Because you will enjoy it. Not only that but you will be very pleasantly surprised with the results. It also gives you a chance to get to know us before the big day and vice versa. You will learn how to be a little more relaxed with us and our cameras, resulting in even more fabulous wedding photos. It makes a difference, believe us.

I HATE having my photo taken!

Most of our clients approach the pre-wedding shoot with a mixture of mild apprehension and sheer dread. So, if you think you are alone not liking to have your photo taken, you’re not. It appears to be universal. Every week, at least once, we hear people say that they have never had a nice photo taken of themselves and we love nothing better than to prove them wrong.

What if I can’t get “himself” to come with me?!

It’s often the men who have to be dragged along to the pre-wedding shoot with an “amn’t I great to be going along with this” kind of look on their faces, in an “I’d better be earning loads of brownie points” type of style. And funnily enough it’s them who end up enjoying it most and agreeing that it is definitely worth it. Seriously.

Is there any other reason we should do the Pre-Wedding Shoot?

Absolutely. It’s a great excuse to get some professional photos of you as a couple in your regular clothes;ones that don’t involve either of you stretching out your arm and turning the camera around to capture yourselves (how many of THOSE do we all have?!). The wedding attire is fantastic of course but it can be equally fantastic, and often something we mean to do but never get around to, to have some informal shots too. They compliment the formal ones and are invaluable in years to come when you will look back and marvel at how young and gorgeous you were! Not to mention priceless for the generations to come.

Do we have to buy the pre-wedding photos?

No. You are under no obligation to purchase them. We will prepare a slideshow for you and wow you with how fabulous you really are. After that it’s up to you what to do with them. The most important thing has been to get to know you and help you relax with our cameras around before the big day.

Can we buy some if we want to?

Yes of course you can. They are available as prints or all framed up however you’d like them. You can have your favourites at low res to share on Facebook or email to your friends. You can even get them in a beautiful guest register, which your guests can sign and you get to treasure. This is the most popular option.

What is a sign book exactly?

This is really a fancy Guest Register. It’s a beautifully bound, contemporary album where you can have your favourite pre-wedding photos. That in itself is gorgeous and you can get one simply for photos, not for signing. For the Sign Book though, we leave some space around the photos where your guests can leave their messages to you on the day of your wedding – while admiring your photos! When it’s all signed up, it really is something priceless to keep those memories alive for many years to come.

Can we get an album just for the photos, not for signing?

Yes, of course you can. These are also very popular, it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

How long does  the pre-wedding shoot take?

Typically an hour and a half, sometimes more, sometimes less.

What if it’s raining?

Unless it’s one of those days where it’s incessant rain with no let up at all, we will go ahead. We will reschedule if the worst comes to the worst. Sometimes when the sun breaks through the clouds on those in between days, the light can be excellent for photography. Don’t worry if the sun isn’t shining though (this applies to the wedding day too) some of the best photos happen without it. No, really.

What should we wear?

Whatever you feel comfortable in. Feel free to bring a change of clothes to vary the look. Bright colours are good. Throw those killer heels in the bag girls if you want to, but have comfy ones too for walking. Actually, wellies can be your friend sometimes when you hang around with us, as there could be some mud or sand involved. All sorts of accessories are great, like hats and scarves, your favourite jewellery…even musical instruments if that’s what you’re into. We are open to all your ideas. The only thing we advise against is not too short or too tight for the ladies in the skirt department, since it restricts the things we like to do (don’t worry, it’s not painful, promise).

Can we bring our dog?

Did somebody mention dogs?! LOVE ‘em! So if you have a best friend or two, they are more than welcome to tag along, as long as they will be happy to wait in the car for a little while when we need you on your own. The same applies to kids if you have some of those as well-except for the bit about leaving them in the car of course. Who says you should never work with dogs or children?!

Where are you based?

We both live in Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.

Do you travel to other counties?

Yes, of course we do. We do charge travelling expenses though for long distances.

What about other countries?

Oh yes, our passports are all in order and we will go anywhere you choose. We are even multi-lingual so France or Italy would be ideal!

What time does your wedding coverage start on the morning of a wedding?

Usually an hour or two before the ceremony.

What time does your wedding coverage end?

Usually when you are mingling with your guests just before your reception banquet.

Do you stay on longer to cover the speeches and the dancing?

At the request of the Bride and Groom we can stay on longer but do charge a fee for this.

Do you take group shots?

Yes, of course we do. On the day we will take any photos you want us to. It is your day after all.

How long does this take?

It varies. Lots of people are opting not to have group shots at all or simply one of each family. In this case we do it after the ceremony at the church before everyone disperses. You will have appointed somebody from each side to have the necessary people gathered together to speed things up. It should only take 10 or 15 minutes in this case. If group shots are your thing and you want tonnes of them however, do bear in mind that gathering people together takes time so you need to plan this into your schedule. We are happy to share some tips with you on the timing of the day when we meet you for the pre-wedding shoot.

Where do we go to do the Bridal Party and Couple shots after the ceremony?

If you have any ideas for this stage we would love to hear them. This is where we can go as far as you want with our creative sides. We are happy to give you some ideas too if you’re not sure where to go or what to do. We usually have a fair idea about what will work for you once we’ve spent some time with you at your pre-wedding shoot. All couples are different.

So, who comes with us after the ceremony for these photos?

Just the Bride and Groom and the Bridal Party. It can really slow things down and make things tricky to organise if an entourage troops along for this bit. Plus, we find everyone is more relaxed without an audience since most people are a little uncomfortable getting their photo taken. It’s an opportunity for all the guests to head to the reception venue and get the party started. We only keep the Bridal Party for a short time, after which we take you on your own for some more intimate couple shots. Again, just the couple on their own makes for better, more relaxed intimate portraits.

How long does this take?

Again, it varies from wedding to wedding. In some cases it could even be as little as twenty minutes but we will spend as much time as you like. We love doing the creative bit. It does take a little time to create the WOW factor photos which most people book us for in the first place though. The distance between the church and the reception is a factor to consider when it comes to time here and how much everything inevitably gets delayed up to this point in spite of everyone’s good intentions.

“I’m NOT going to be late walking down the aisle and the ceremony will be over in an hour!“

You may have every intention of walking down that aisle on time but we have only ever seen ONE bride actually pull it off (go Dawn!). If it’s very important to you then you better tell your guests that in advance. Whatever it is about us Irish, ’tis impossible to get us all seated in the church at the designated time of the wedding ceremony. Otherwise, resign yourself to the fact that you may have to go around the block a few times to allow your guests be in the church ahead of you.

Why are we telling you this? Only because it’s important from the point of view of timing and the other things you will have planned to do before the reception. If the wedding is at one, then it is more than likely that you will be leaving the church yard approximately two hours later at three. Don’t forget that you will have to sign the register; be congratulated be everyone filing out of the church; chat to your guests and let them take your photo with them and stuff; get a couple of photos with your family.

We don’t mind how long anything takes on your wedding day and we will never interrupt the flow of it. Some hotels will charge you if you are late sitting down to the meal (understandably) though and when you have only factored an hour for the ceremony when in fact it takes closer to two, we have seen too many times how this throws people into a panic (which the camera picks up) and inevitably it’s our few minutes with you which gets squished in the middle between church and reception. Now we do perform a little photo magic for you but miracles are a touch beyond us. But forewarned is forearmed as they say, and once you are aware of all this you can plan accordingly. Just saying.

What if I don’t want any ‘Formal’  ‘Posed’ photos?

If you are reading this, chances are you like our style already. Most of these photos that you have admired were, in fact, set up by us, so even if they don’t look ‘posed’, they actually are to a certain degree. Our style may LOOK effortless and that’s a good thing, but it doesn’t happen ‘automatically’. A lot of thought and effort goes into producing those photos. So be prepared for some posing…but only ever in a GOOD way of course. Again, the pre-wedding shoot will have eased all your concerns about this and you will actually enjoy the whole experience. Oh yes, you will.

What if it’s raining?

Lots of things can be done with the help of umbrellas if it’s not too wet and windy, otherwise we will find some sheltered spot and do some interior shots too, it’s not the end of the world.

What ALBUMS do you use?

We are very fussy when it comes to showcasing our work. Our style has been described as fresh, contemporary and editorial, so finding an album supplier which reflected this style was important to us. Most of the albums we came across were tired and dated. Others, while attractive right now, were merely gimmicks with a short shelf life of popularity. Having literally searched the world for the best albums we could find, we have chosen two suppliers, Queensberry Albums from New Zealand and Kiss Wedding Books from the U.S.

Queensberry has managed to combine traditional and modern in a seamless combination, which makes them gorgeous right now, and something to be treasured for generations to come. Their quality, colour reproduction and attention to detail is exemplary. There is no finer album supplier available in the world, in our opinion.

With Queensberry there is an almost endless range of shapes, sizes and covers to choose from. For the discerning client a Queensberry Duo album is a truly unique choice. These albums combine the best of traditional and contemporary albums. Matted overlay pages combine with flushmount to give clients the very best of the traditional and contemporary worlds.

We have also chosen Kiss Wedding Books from California. They come in a square format in 8, 10 and 12 inches, with linen or leather covers. The linen albums have magazine type pages while the leather-covered ones are digital flushmount albums; this means that the pages are quite hard and robust and they lay flat when opened.

You can check out their website on www.queensberry.com and www.kissweddingbooks.com to get an idea of what they are like but you’d need to see them in the “flesh” and touch them to appreciate their quality.

Do you design the albums yourselves?

We use the latest technology and album design software to produce our layouts, which are then sent to our suppliers to be printed and bound in their luxurious albums. We prefer clean, simple designs that tell the story of the day and compliment each other visually on the page.

Album design is something we take great care over, in order to make your photos maximize their potential. We do not use templates – in other words simply drop your photos into pre-designed slots. We prefer to wait until we see your photos and design them from scratch, based on the inspiration we get for how they flow on the page. Yes, this is time consuming but it’s important to us. This means that you receive a product which is unique to you.  It is real labour of love on our part, as we are passionate about what we do-from the shooting to the designing. We shoot the wedding with the album in mind to tell the story of your day.

When do we get to see the photos and the album design?

We will pre-design your layouts (or spreads) for you to view with your photo slideshow after the wedding. This means that the time you will have to wait for receipt of the finished product is significantly less than you might expect. We are just as anxious as you are to see the album “in the flesh”. Once the design has been approved by you, we can have the album to you in as little as 8 weeks. You can arrange your viewing as soon as you come back from honeymoon. We will show you a slideshow on our big screen, so be sure and have a couple of tissues handy!

You will be given an opportunity to make a number of swaps (normally 3) to your album free of charge. After this a charge will apply. We find that our clients are generally very pleased with their album design, as they appreciate our expertise in this area, and changes are minimal.

Can I pick the photos before you design the album?

We found that when the client choose a limited number of photos to put into an album, it resulted in a jumble of images which did not tell the story of the day or relate to each other on a page. By pre-designing we are able to use our objectivity to choose the best photos in order to maximise the potential of your album. It would be much less time consuming to leave the picking to the client but we want people to look at your album and say ‘WOW’. From the feedback we are getting from our clients, this is exactly what is happening. It also removes a lot of stress from the couple trying to decide which photos to pick. We use our expert eye to see which images will compliment each other, in order to create a page that draws the viewer into it, much like a good painting. It is our album design, as well as our gorgeous photos and Photoshop skills, which set us apart from our competitors.  This should be part of your reason for booking Fotissima to capture your wedding.  Album design is usually as important to our clients as it is to us. This does not mean that you have no control over the final album, it merely helps you attain the best album possible.

Traditional albums, where there is one photo per page, do not need to be designed. There is no skill in placing these photos in an album. It is relatively easy for the client to choose their favourite, unrelated 20 or 30 photos and this is how wedding albums were done in the past, with a small number of formal shots. We are very generous too with the amount of pages and photos you receive in your album as standard.

How many photos are in the album?

Technology has come a long way, and we have embraced it to use our creativity to the full with our album design. The possibilities are endless and we are constantly coming up with new ideas. Some pages will only have one photo, others may have twenty. Unfortunately there is no way of predicting an exact number per album, as each one is unique. As every one of our clients is unique, so should their album be.

What if I don’t want want an album? Can I just have the digital files?

You may not see the value of having an album now, but in years to come you will be glad you have it. How many photos do we all have on our hard drives in this digital age, which will never be printed? How many photos get lost when a hard drive gives up or a computer gets stolen?

The difference in seeing your photos on a computer screen and in an album or a frame is extraordinary. We cannot describe to you how much you will appreciate the album when you have it in your hands. There is simply no comparison to the digital files. For this reason we insist on including an album in our package. It would be so much easier and less expensive for us if we didn’t, but when you have your album, you will see why it is worth it.

How do I book you for my wedding?

You can email us or call us, whatever suits you. All the contact details are on our website. We will check to see if your date is available and then send you a pricelist. If you wish to secure your date we will send you out a contract, which you return to us with a booking deposit. Simple as that.

Can you hold my date for me without a booking deposit?

Unfortunately not. We get so many enquiries that it would be impossible to hold all the dates. So it’s first come, first served, with a signed contract and a deposit really. That’s the fairest way for everyone.

Family Photo Shoots

What is it? This is where we take you and the kids out and about, to a location of your choice, and let the kids enjoy it, while capturing it with our cameras. Relaxed, natural portraits with the FUN factor to catch everybody just being themselves.

How long does it take?

Typically an hour and a half, sometimes more sometimes less. We usually instinctively know when the kids have had enough of the camera-not to mention the grown ups! We generally go with the flow until we feel we have the images we need.

How do I book a session?

Just drop us an email or give us a ring, whichever suits you best, and we will take it from there.

Do you work weekends?

Yes, although our summer schedule is pretty full with weddings. Contact us and we will be sure to find a time and day that works for everyone.

Where does it take place?

If you have any ideas for a location for the session we would love to hear about it. We are always looking for new ones. There are a few places in our local areas we tend to go to which are child friendly. The idea is to let the kids be themselves to make natural, happy photos, so plenty of space for them to run and play is great. We can start at your house if you like, where the kids feel most relaxed.

What should we wear?

Some people like help picking out the right clothes, even accessories, and we are happy to do that with you. You might be surprised by the little things that make a big difference to the photos. It could be something really simple like the colours in a t-shirt or a cute little scarf. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Feel free to bring a change or throw a few bits and pieces in a bag and bring it along if you’re undecided.

Do you photograph babies?

Oh yes, we love to shoot babies(with our cameras!). The ideal time is when they are newborns and just want to sleep all the time. This time is so fleeting and so fantastic to record in photos especially because, in a few short weeks, you find it hard to believe that they were ever so teenchy. It is a stage which is often missed because, obviously, it is quite a hectic time, especially when it’s a first baby, but is well worth making the effort.

Is there another ideal age to photograph a baby?

Yes, after the newborn stage it’s probably best to wait until they are able to sit up unsupported. After they have discovered crawling it can be hard to get them to stay still for long enough to get a photograph!

What about teenagers?

We like to get them involved in the preparation for the shoot and make them feel like super models and rock stars on the day. We can cater for their hobbies and passions in life to really capture their personalities so they are welcome to bring props along too like guitars and stuff. We can make them feel special by doing a separate shoot just for them or incorporate it into a family shoot, whatever works best for you.

Do the grown-ups HAVE to be in the photos?

No, of course not. Don’t rule it out though. It isn’t often you get the chance to be in the photos with the kids and, while most adults are reluctant to step in front of the camera at first, they actually end up enjoying it and are really glad they did it. Think about how precious the photos will be in years to come, to you, your kids and even your grandchildren. It is not always today that the photos are at their most appreciated. Think about the old photos you treasure today.

Can we bring the Grandparents?

To be sure. Too often we don’t have enough photos of our Grandparents. Capturing the three generations is always good.

What about pets?

Oh yes! We love dogs especially. Sure why not.

What happens after the session?

We will prepare a slideshow of your photos for you to view on our big screen or online.

Do I have to purchase any of the photos?

You are under no obligation to purchase any photos from the session, but be prepared to want them all!

How can I buy them?

You can purchase individual prints or downloads through the client area of our website. You can avail of any of our presentation methods to compliment your home such as frames or canvases. Or you can get them in a specially designed album.

What do most people choose to do?

Getting them in an album is a popular option. Our clients often find it difficult to choose their photos, so having them in an album gives them time to consider what they might like to get framed up on the wall, as well as something to treasure and look at over and over again, sharing with family and friends. Alas too many photos get lost on hard drives in this digital age and it’s never the same as having them in print. It is something that many people mean to do at some point but in our busy lives it can get pushed to one side. Let us do it for you. It will be so worth it, we promise.

Do you do communion portraits? Yes. We generally don’t do them on the day of the communion though. Never ones to take the easy way out and simply take a snapshot outside the church of each child as they pass and put on a cheesy grin, we just would be satisfied with that. We are always striving to create something unique. Because the way we work to achieve natural, relaxed photos, we find we get much more out of our clients when the stress and time constraints of the day aren’t a factor. So, just arrange a shoot with us for after the communion day. You can book it in advance if you like. It gives the children more freedom to be themselves too and none of us need to be overly concerned about getting the outfit dirty. You can even turn it into a family shoot and bring a change of clothes for the little person in question.

Do you do Debs photos?

Yes yes yes. These are great. Again it is often better to do them on a date after the Debs itself because the panic has abated by then. But sometimes we do a group of friends and couples on the day, as long as they have factored the time into their schedule, which can be tricky to organise. It would be too easy for us just to turn up at the venue and do snapshots. We like to invest time into our photos to create something truly individual for everyone. This is a very important moment to document in the life of a young person where they are at a crossroads between childhood and adulthood. These can be very valuable photos to look back and reminisce on in years to come.

Foto-me-Fabulous

What on earth is a ‘Foto-Me-Fabulous’?!

Well you may ask. This is a term we created to mean dressing up in your favourite clothes and accessories, on your own or with your friends, and feeling like a super model for a couple of hours.

Why?

Good question. Well, we LOVE to dress up ourselves for starters. When we had to take some promotional shots of ourselves to launch our website, we got all glammed up and had such a laugh doing it that we were sorry we hadn’t done it years ago and decided it would be a fantastic thing to do with a group of friends, for SO many reasons.

What age group is this aimed at?

Absolutely any age from teenagers to glamorous grannies. it’s popular for a hen party during the day when all your favourite girlfriends are around. It is even fantastic for a mother/daughter occasion or indeed across the three generations if granny is willing to come along.

Does it have to be in a group?

Not at all. You can indulge yourself in your own personal session. Why not, we say. Think of it as another way of pampering yourself. You’ll have the photos forever too, not like the well being you experienced on a day at the spa!

Should I have my make up done for the occasion?

Yes, you could, it can really make a difference to the photos. We can organise that for you too, no problem.

How long would a session last?

Typically between one and two hours.

Where would we go?

Anywhere you like. We’d love to help you to come up with ideas if you need help in the creative department.

What should I wear?

Again, anything you like. We’ve been known to be quite partial to a bit of styling, so we’d love to help you choose, if you can’t decide. Feel free to bring a change of outfit too and fill a bag full of shoes and all manner of bits and bobs!

Can men do a Foto-Me-Fabulous?

But of course they can. We can absolutely Foto-Men-Fabulous too. Definitely.

What happens with the photos after the session?

We give them the super model treatment and make them available for you to view on our big screen or an online gallery.

And then?

You can decide from there what you want to do with them. You can put them into an album, get your favourites framed, share them on Facebook or via email with your friends or all of the above, whatever you like.

Do I have to purchase them?

No obligation whatsoever to purchase the photos.

Could we do this for a Debs maybe?

Absolutely, and it doesn’t have to be on the day of the Debs itself either. In fact, it’s a perfect way to mark the end of your secondary school years and the start of adult life. Everybody should do it! Like most photos, it is often many years later that they are most precious and we are happy to have them.

What about a gang of college friends?

Perfect. Better than a day at the spa to celebrate your friendship. You will have the photos forever and be able to treasure the memories of those happy days. The well-being of the spa has worn off by the following day in most cases!

Am i too old in my thirties or forties to do one of these sessions?

No. NO. No. Definitely not. You are NEVER too old to get nice photos done. Book it NOW! Go on, you know it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but never dared. Why not!

Just Because…

What do you mean?! We mean is that you don’t need a reason to get your photo taken with Fotissima. Just because. Enough said.

PETS?!

Bring ‘em on!!

Vouchers

Do you do them? Yes, of course we do vouchers. They are an ideal present for the people who have everything. For teenagers, families, couples…everyone. Just send us an email and we can arrange it for you. You can even purchase them online.