Erika Sidor - Wedding Photography

· What is your photography style?

If you classify wedding photography into two main categories, they would be “Traditional” and “Photojournalistic”. I am a little of both, but with much more emphasis on Photojournalistic- watching the day unfold and unobtrusively getting the shots that say it all. The only posed shots would be the formal family photos, usually taken between the ceremony and reception.

· What does that mean for me?

For one, I will not ask you to smile for me or do anything that isn’t really happening. That means: no pretend kisses, no pretend putting on of the boutonnière, and no contrived scenarios above and beyond the formal shots. (Out of necessity, those need to be staged because of time/coordination restraints before the reception.) If it is really happening, I am really shooting it!

·What does the second photographer do?

Typically, I will start the day with the bride, and the second photographer is with the groom and groomsmen. They usually arrives at the ceremony site with the groom, and can do some shooting before everyone else arrives (church exterior/interiors, program, decorations, architectural details, all the guys dressed and waiting, etc.). Once the ceremony begins, they will work with me to get all the shots we need. For example, if I am shooting with a wide angle lens, they can be shooting with a telephoto and get close-ups. If I am in the front of the church, they can be in the balcony. As I shoot the bride and groom walking out from inside the church, they can be outside to get them coming thru the door. At the reception, while I am shooting the family photos, they is inside getting detail shots of the flowers, tables, table cards, and guests mingling during the cocktail hour. There is no extra charge for a second photographer.

· Is your second photographer experienced?

Yes. My four experienced assistants are Tammy Woodard, Corey Fitzgerald, Mike Nyman, and Tim Mulcahy. My assistant in training is Terri McCabe. I’d be happy to show you samples of their work! However, please realize that I am the main photographer, it is my vision that will be the driving force behind your wedding photos. I would never send someone in my place if you have hired ME. My assistants are there to accentuate the visual storytelling, and are not the primary photographer.

· What if something happens to you and you can't make it to our wedding?

Let me just say that although the chances of this are very slim, it CAN happen. I do have a network of photographers that I can call, but believe me when I say it would have to be an extreme circumstance for this to happen. If I have a cold, I take cold medicine and I am there. Travel plans are made around wedding dates. Your wedding is very important, and I know that you are counting on me.

· What do you wear to weddings?

I almost always wear comfortable black clothing- black shirt, pants, shoes, and photo vest. My photographers vest allows me to have extra batteries, memory cards, lenses, and other pieces of equipment on me at ALL TIMES. My assistants usually wear nice pants and a shirt/tie. They tend to look more like a wedding guest.

· What do you bring for equipment?

I have 3 camera bodies (two Canon 5D’s and one Canon 5D Mark II), 3 Canon flashes, 6 lenses, and plenty of batteries and memory cards. If I work with an assistant, they bring their own equipment. For each wedding, there are 3 bags of equipment- my main bag, my secondary bag, and a bag of extras and miscellaneous supplies. The main bag goes with me everywhere, but most of what I need for shooting will already be in my vest pockets or around my neck!

· How long does it take for the photos to be ready?

I like to have all weddings edited within a week or two of the wedding. The web gallery selections are posted as soon as I have finished all of the edits. The proof book takes another week to come back to me, so usually the proof book and CD’s can be picked up 2 to 3 weeks after your wedding. Albums or books may take a few months, between selecting images to include, creating and editing the draft, and then sending the final layout off for printing. If I am running behind with editing, it may take 4 to 5 weeks…sometimes this will happen at the end of the summer- when I am still shooting weddings each weekend, yet have to go back to my full time photography job at the college.

· When do you need payment?

When you book me as your wedding photographer, there is a $300 deposit to hold the date. That deposit is then subtracted from the final amount. You can bring a check for the balance when you pick up your proof book and CD’s, and checks can be made out to my name. At the moment, I do not accept credit cards.

· What if we want books or albums, too?

I can work with you to make albums or coffee table books. The possibilities are endless, so take some time after the wedding to look over the proof book and think about what you want to do with your images. Prices for these additional books or albums will vary quite a bit- you can spend between a few hundred and a couple of thousand dollars on them. I can show you some examples from different companies and explain the differences to you. I recommend that you take some time to look the proof book over very carefully, and then come up with a list of images to be included in your album.

· Where should we take our CD's for printing?

If it is possible, bring your CD’s to LB Wheaton, they are a photo store on Park Avenue in Worcester. Places like CVS, Walgreens, and Ritz will not give you the same quality that LB Wheaton can. I will give you their business card when you pick up the proof book and CD’s.

· Can you do the printing for us?

Of course! But I give you the CD’s so that you have options. Because you have full rights to use the images, and can work with them in any way you’d like, you can save money. I will also post the edited images in an online gallery that friends and family will be able to purchase prints from, to make things easier for everyone.

Erika Sidor: Photojournalistic Wedding Photography *questions and answers*

Erika Sidor: Photojournalistic Wedding Photography
questions and answers