Whenever I meet up with couples to chat about wedding photography, I usually get asked lots of the same questions. So I thought I’d share some of my most frequently asked questions being a wedding photographer in the Southern Highlands, South Coast and Goulburn area.
How long have you been a wedding photographer?
I picked up my first camera in 2006 for a trip to visit family in Sweden. I immediately fell in love with the freedom and creativity that photography gave me. The constantly changing landscapes and lighting presents a challenge, there is something so rewarding about capturing special moments, often in unexpected times and in unexpected spots. I loved walking past something that I normally wouldn’t stop to look at, but now would find amazing details and beauty in the mundane. I was hooked. After lots of work and practice shoots I opened my photography business in 2008. I’ve now been a full time professional photographer since 2014 and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Do you only photograph in the Southern Highlands, South Coast NSW and Goulburn regions?
While most of my work is in the Southern Highlands, South Coast, Goulburn and Canberra areas I love to photograph everywhere! If your wedding or shoot is somewhere far off the beaten track, in rural Australia or anywhere country then I’d love to hear from you. I’ve shot lots of weddings out at Griffith, Condobolin, Canowindra, Forbes, Orange, Thredbo and the Snowy Mountains. I’ve got a 4WD and a swag – and am known to pull up on the side of the road for some shut eye on the way home from weddings!
Where should we have our wedding?
Where you have your wedding can often be the biggest decision you make organising your wedding, and the style of venue really does shape the vibe of your day. Choosing a wedding reception venue that gives a relaxed vibe and “feels” right is important. And remember you only get married once, and at the end of the day it is about you and your partner, so don’t feel pressured to choose somewhere just because it is on trend or it fits your exact budget. There’s beautiful places all over Australia, with the Southern Highlands, Goulburn (Southern Tablelands) and South Coast areas having some of the best. If you want some suggestions on venues just let me know, be more than happy to help.
Do you have a few Southern Highlands wedding venue favourites
All times of the year have their pros and cons. My personal thought is that any time of the year is great – EXCEPT for the the middle of Summer! Autumn and Spring have the benefit of the weather being a bit kinder in general and the colours from the trees at this time of the year, especially if your wedding is in the Southern Highlands, are spectacular. The light in Autumn, Spring and Winter is also a little more diffused than the harsh/bright Summer light, and can make for stunning images. I find sunsets in general are often more spectacular in the colder months of the year too.
Do you work with wedding videographers and should we have one?
I shoot in a relaxed natural style, which means that if you choose a videographer that wants to run the whole day and choreograph and stage every moment it clashes with my relaxed, candid style – I want you to enjoy your wedding and not be told what to do all day! So have a chat and I’ll recommend you some awesome wedding videography teams that I like to partner with.
Do you travel to photograph weddings in other areas or destination weddings?
I love to travel to photograph weddings. We have a caravan so often load up the kids (and the dog) and head out as a family to shoots around Australia. The North Coast NSW, Orange, Griffith, Forbes, Daylesford, and the Mornington Peninsula are just some of the places we have towed the Van along to capture country weddings. And that slower pace means that rather than jumping on planes and the rush of that allows me to scope out the area and I often get inspiration and an idea of the light before the big day.
Do you charge for accomodation or travel?
Each case is different with travel and accomodation costs with wedding photography packages. But most of the time if I can get away with packing my swag and sleeping in that on the side of the road then I’m all good. Sometimes if it’s a massive drive to where your wedding is taking place I’ll chat about organising accommodation so I can have a bit of a shower and a clean up before your wedding!
How much does a wedding photographer cost and what are your wedding photography prices?
Prices can be a big decider on many things, but the saying of “you get what you paid for” is true here too. While you may be able to get a great deal on coverage, the supplier may not have the same experience, equipment, insurances and creativity that you get with a higher priced photographer. And you cant really beat experience. You need to be careful not to just jump at the cheapest option, find someone who can show you a portfolio of the whole wedding day, not just a styled planned shoot. There are lots of styles of wedding photography out there. Choose a style you love and meet up/chat with potential photographers. You want to choose someone who has a personality that you gel with.
I’ve been doing this for so long, that nothing will phase me or stress me out. I’ll stay relaxed, which helps keeps you and your bridal party relaxed, no matter what the elements (or life) throws at you on the big day. Your wedding photographer spends more time with you on your wedding day than any one else. If you find your photographer annoying – they are going to be ‘third wheeling’ with you all day so keep that in mind! If you feel like my style is a fit for you, you want a relaxed, natural, candid photographer and you’re after my prices just contact me via my Contact Page
Do you do commercial photography?
Yep. Though I shoot a lot of weddings I do still do commercial photography too. My work includes corporate headshots, architecture, product photography and real estate. Just throw me a message via my Contact Page.
Do you do family portrait photography?
I love doing family portraits! If you have somewhere special, somewhere that means something to the family then lets go there and get some shots. I shoot it all relaxed and fun so even the kids should have a good time doing it. I honesty can say that you wont regret getting some beautiful family photos taken. I am guilty of not getting my camera out with my wife and kids enough, but when we do we really treasure those images!
Do you use drones?
Absolutely! When shooting in the wide open spaces of Goulburn, Southern Highlands and South Coast and on private farms its amazing to get that higher perspective. So happy to chat about getting some drone coverage on your day.
Any other questions for the wedding photographers southern highlands?
If you are still reading this right up until now that’s a pretty good sign I might be the right kind of wedding photographer for you. If you’ve got any other questions that I haven’t answered then feel free to shoot me a line and we can have a chat about it hopefully over a cuppa. Cheers! Magnus.
