Q&A
(aka FAQ, aka MY 2cents WORTH, aka FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH)

Just a few q’s and a’s that might help you along the way.

We’re not very good at having our photo taken…

Oh man - me neither! But this is my speciality. AND one of the reasons why I got into photography. I love making imagery that makes someone go ‘oh, I actually look pretty good’… I want you to see YOU how everyone else sees you!! I won’t give away all my secrets, but basically I keep things super casual for you, with a bit of direction here and there and will get you, being the best version of you. The aim is to feel like I’m not really there, but there in a super fun, casual and laid back way.
( *** all images below are of couples who are ‘a bit shit in front of the camera’ - their words-ish ( I may have paraphrased) not mine. I’ll let you be the judge! ***)

How long do you need for the portraits?

So this will depend on a variety of things. For eg. what time your ceremony is; how long you have between the ceremony and reception; how far it is between the ceremony and reception; what the weather is doing; if you want to go off somewhere; what time the sun is setting. There are so many different scenarios and it very much depends on what you want from your day. I can talk you through all the different options when you have some idea of where & when your ceremony and reception are! The bottom line is though, if it all goes a bit pear shaped, and there are freak torrential rain storms, or you lose power at your reception, or the car breaks down, or we’re caught in the crossfire of an inter-galactic war of the worlds….. your photographer should be able to nail whatever situation you’re in. I can work with whatever situation I’m given - be it 5 mins or 2 hours. Be it a roller door or an epic view. No matter what, we’ll make some magic together. I’ve got you.

What if it rains?

Well if it’s going to rain, it’s going to rain. If it’s windy, it’ll be windy. I believe it all comes down to how you embrace the weather and how far you’re willing to go? Personally I love the wind and rain and what you can get in those conditions… for me a messy hair windy shot is an all time favourite. Look, if it’s arctic conditions and you’re turning blue, we won’t be out in the elements for hours. But if you’ve booked me, I’d like to think you trust me. So my advice is, work out in advance what you’re willing to endure/embrace, let me know, and have that mindset ready to go on the day. And together we’ll come up with the goods. If you’re willing to climb the highest mountain, then I will pack my walking boots and will be right by your side.

Do you take group & family photos?

Yeah I do!! And to be honest, they’re pretty important. Not all families have the luxury of living near each other, so I totally get that you might want to take advantage of that. And by you, I mean, your families… ;) I advise you to allow 5-10 mins per family photo - and that’s not how long it takes me to take the photo - it’s how long it takes to wrangle all your people and getting them into a straight line - you’d be surprised at how difficult some adults find this!! And in saying that, of course you don’t have to be in a straight line.. we can get our vanity fair on for sure… just may need a few extra mins. Kids in family photos - yes please. And please don’t worry if they’re not looking or doing their own thing.. this is one of my favourite things about kids and how completely uninhibited they are. Now - group photos… that’s a whole different ball game. Not gonna lie - they are the bane of my life… they take a lot longer than you expect, I need to get really high to fit everyone in, someone is always hiding, it requires someone helping to get people into position and did I mention they take a really long time. Now, in saying all that - this is your party and if you want an ‘all group’ photo then that’s what I’ll do for you. Just give me a megaphone and a ladder!!

How many images do we get, and how long does it take?

I’m not going to lie, I’m an over shooter! Which means you’ll get a shit load of images - probably more than you need. I know that there is a theory of ‘less is more’ and ‘quality over quantity’ - but my own personal theory is, that photography is subjective and my favourite images may not be your favourite images. So if there is a sequence of images where they differ ever so slightly, I give them all to you. I’m also a people person. So I will shoot the shit out of your people (in the nicest possible way) and you get all (the edited ones) of these too. In my humble opinion, it’s the people that make a wedding. Your people. And that’s what I’m going to shoot. There have been times, where loved ones have passed away, and the photos I have taken have been some of the last taken of them. These images become even more important, so I don’t want to stick to some random number of images I have to give you.

In terms of time, my aim is to get your images to you within 4-6 weeks. However, in quieter times then it’s less and sometimes, in super busy times, it’ll be a bit longer. ** update as of 23/3/23 - I have 14 weddings in my backlog - 2022 was super crazy busy and in March 23 alone, I’m shooting 8 weedings….**
But if it is the latter, then I will inform you of the situation. In either situation, you ALWAYS get a couple of, what I like to call, ‘sneaky peek’ images - either the same night - or the next day.

Kids at weddings. Yay or Nay?

I’m definitely in the yay camp. But again, it kind of comes down to your mindset and what you want from your wedding. Kids can be unpredictable - which I’m actually a big fan of - especially as it generally means they are so much more uninhibited than adults - also a wonderful thing. They can take a bit of looking after and a bit of thought. And if their parents, are special people in your lives then you can see it two different ways… a) let’s give them (the parents) a break so they can let their hair down… ergo - a no kid’s wedding. b) more the merrier - bring ALL the children and then the parent’s don’t have to work out the logistical nightmare of childcare!
But I’ll say it again - this is your shindig - so do what works for you.

What are this Saturday’s Tattslotto numbers?

I did a little shout out to see what ‘the people’ wanted to know about. This was one of the questions. I can’t tell you. And if I could, I’m not entirely sure, I would share that information with you anyway. #justsaying

Do we really need dancing photos?

Hells to the yeah you do!… is what I want to say. One of my favourite parts of the day… and I’m not going to lie, I have mastered the art of dancing AND shooting. It’s one of my favourite things. I’ve always loved a good dance. I remember when I was very young and I was told I was going to a Disco - I was so flipping excited - it’s a very distinctive memory. So you can maybe understand my bitter disappointment when I found out I was actually being taken to a BISTRO - and not a disco!! I’ve made up for it since!! But yeah - if you can fit my hours around having me there for your dancing - then it’s a big YES from me. One bit of advice… is that the best dancefloors are the ones where the couple cutting some fine grooves too!! ( Disclaimer - those moves don’t even have to be that fine - people will love you no matter what kind of grooves you’re cutting!)

Now for some quick fire q’s…

Can we meet you?

Of course - we can meet IRL (in real life - cos I’m so down with the kids!! ;) ) or if our calendars are too hectic, we can meet digitally - FaceTime, Skype or FB video!! It’s slightly awkward, but it does mean you can wear your pj’s if you want!! It’s a good thing to do - that way we can see if we vibe off each other and if we’re a good fit. You don’t want me hanging around all day if you find me annoying!!

Where are you based?

I’m based in Beaumaris. I love a good road trip and I have a passport with itchy feet - so am totally down with climbing the highest mountains with you - I will follow you wherever you go!

How do we book you?

Once we’ve had a chat, or enough email banter for you to think ‘shit yeah, we want Anna to shoot our wedding’.. then I’ll raise a deposit invoice and a contract and once they’re dealt with, we’ll be ready to rock and roll. Feel free to use me too - as a sounding board, as a vendor referrer, as a timeline drafter… I’ve done this a few times now, so am more than happy to help out where I can.

What are your (guilty) pleasures?

Ok. Here we go… Chocolate coated licorice, Mojitos ( I have a lime tree and grow mint in my garden for this very reason), Birke’n’socks (birkenstocks with socks!), Dirty Dancing (the movie), 70’s disco music (although they don’t play much on Triple J), UK Music Festivals (we took the kids to Glastonbury 2015 which was AHHHMAYZING), B&W photos ( I would love to shoot a wedding and edit it only in b&w!), rainy days and snuggling on the sofa with a good movie, chips (crisps) and chocolate with my family - and fortunately they’re old enough that we can watch pretty much anything.
AND of course my doggos - two gorgeous Newfoundlands, Primrose & Lorelei (Prim and Lori) and we are all completely obsessed by them.