Q. My Ceremony is at 4.00pm - what time does the studio start shooting the bridal party getting ready?

A. We start coverage 2-3 hours before the average ceremony - this gives us enough time to cover most of the natural interaction within the bride's friends and family as they prepare. Although you might start getting ready earlier than that, the last 3 hours is the best time for us to shoot.

Q. Can we take some family portraits before the church?

A. It's tempting to take some portraits before heading off to the church. It's not such a good idea - for two reasons. Firstly you best made plans to be ready an hour before the ceremony usually go out the window. We've seen everything from intense flooding to bridesmaids being sewn into their dresses. It's best not to plan to do anything other than get ready for your wedding. If you're ready with an hour to spare, take a break, drink a coffee, meditate... The second reason is lighting. With the sun directly overhead and hard shadows, it's just not a great time of day to take pictures. Your portraits come alive in the late afternoon light after your ceremony - or on another scheduled day entirely. Many high-end studios now refuse to offer a portrait session on the day of your wedding. When expectations are high and the studio wants to deliver top-notch imagery, they will often push for a shoot a couple of days before the wedding.

Q. Can / do you also shoot the groomsmen getting ready? Is it included in the cost?

A. We've often included footage of "the guys" getting ready at no extra cost if they are nearby. By "nearby" we mean, across the road, walking distance. If they are further away than that we will split the team and send some shooters their way - at an additional cost. Check our current rates.

Q. Can I pay for an extended, or raw version of the video?

A. We are currently using is a 35mm HD format. While this produces pretty amazing looking footage, the file sizes are pretty astronomical. Moreover, the depth of field of quality 35mm lenses is very challenging to work with. We cannot therefore produce a RAW or extended version of your wedding video.

Q. Can I hire another videographer to provide a raw extended version?

A. Absolutely. We very often work with Wendell Mitchell and Alan Montano - who we consider to be the de facto standards of the longer format video. We have shot video of a couple of weddings where we provided our usual edited videos and photography while either Alan or Wendell provided the longer RAW versions. We enjoy working together and share a mutual respect in the event.

Q. Can I book just photography or video separately?

A. Yes. Each service is available in its own right - although we frequently run discounts to push booking both products. Remember that the edited video uses some of the best still photographs so it's adviseable to use the studio for both if you know you want both services for certain.

Q. What is included in the price of the photography package?

A. The complete rates and products are available here.

Q. What is included in the price of the video package?

A. The complete rates and products are available here.

Q. Why is the studio significantly more expensive than most other providers?

A. There are many reasons:

1. Under Pressure... jtography is the brainchild of commercial photographer James O'Connor. James and his team have worked under pressure on assignment covering the 2006 World Cup for TSTT in Bahrain, Panama and Germany; produced commercial imagery on the Guyanese interior with no electricity; worked with many major and minor celebrities covering aspects of their personal lives; were the official photographers accredited to cover the Spouses Programme of the 5th Summit of the Americas; and somehow manage to keep up with the annual Coast 2 Coast Race producing calendar-quality imagery and exciting video. jtography stands the best chance of delivering stunning still and motion imagery under just about any conditions.

2. At what price creativity... While it's easy to compare packages, number of prints, number of photographs, etc. it does not give you the whole picture. The jtography team consistently push the envelope for creativity, making imagery that always deserves a second look. Ensuring that the major facets of your wedding are covered in beautiful detail is only half the picture... equal effort is put into creating images that are unique, different and special enough to make you stop and think: that's my wedding??!

3. Equipment. Just about every camera, lens or light that the studio brings to each shoot is hands down the highest quality available anywhere in the world. The team is adamant about quality, using prime (fixed) lenses instead of zooms and 35mm HD video instead of camcorders for video. This is all consequently some of the most expensive gear available in the world. :-)

Q. What is 35mm HD video?

A. Thought you'd never ask! :-) the difference between our video system and most other systems available in the region is that it features interchangeable lenses that are extremely sensitive to low light. Hence ambient lighting in your wedding looks nicer and the quality of the video is drastically improved. The system also boasts an extremely shallow depth of field. That means we can be much more selective about what is in or out of focus which helps us tell better stories - even though it's much harder to use.

Q. I hate when the videographer shines a light in my face during the party. Does that have to happen?

A. Sure, if we're feeling lazy... which is never. Apart from our cameras being much more capable in low light, straight on camera lighting is just about the least flattering way to shoot stills or video. In all our work you will notice that the lighting comes from the side of the camera, creating subtle shadow detail and adding depth to the final shot. That lighting angle is also a hundred times more bearable to the people we are shooting. Very often, they are unaware that they are being filmed. Try shining a torch directly into your eyes vs from somewhere over your shoulder to see the difference it makes. Wireless, off-camera lighting is the key to professional image results and it is the very first rule that lazy videographers break.

Q. Can I book photography now and decide on video later?

A. You can book either service whenever you want. However, a 50% deposit is the only way to secure your date for each service and there's no guarantee that the other service will still be available at a later date. Moreover, there is currently a discount for bookings made for both services (still and video) at the same time.

Q. How can I make my pictures come out better?

A. Smile... even when it's pouring with rain and your family is on the phone negotiating with the Fire Service to have the groom collected from floodwaters far from the church (true story by the way, and the smiles never disappeared). Seriously? Go with the flow - remember that we shoot approximately 1 picture per minute - and the video is rolling... there's only one way to look back at the coverage and see yourself having a wonderful, happy time. Other than that, read this FAQ thouroughly for ideas on improving the final shot... and then hire a decent studio :-)

Q. I've hired the studio - now, how many extra mouths do I have to feed?

A. Typically the photography package entails two shooters. Video requires another two. 

Q. Exactly what equipment do you use to produce the stills and video at my wedding?

A. That is top secret. Could tell you but then...

Q. What are the studio's requirements for decent coverage?

A. Ambient lighting. Dinner. Prime Parking.

1. Some ambient light. Do not have your wedding in a cave with only a small camp-fire to ward off lions and hyenas. If you are having an outdoor, open air reception with no tents you do need to string up some lanterns or icicle lights to add a little warmth. The more the merrier.

2. Dinner. First of all the studio's staff absolutely must eat when the bride and groom eat. Why? Because that is the ONLY time we are not shooting. Waiting respectfully for all your guests to finish being served is not going to cut it because as soon as we sit down to eat, the bride and groom are getting ready to hit the dance floor. This needs to be communicated to your caterer / coordinator early o'clock. We also need to eat where we can keep a close eye on the reception. Hiding us in a cupboard under the stairs is not wise.

3. Prime parking. Because we shoot the portrait session we arrive at the reception venue at the same time as the bride and groom. This means we're exactly LAST to reach. The bride and groom get delivered to the door and the studio has to park 400 cars away and RUN to get in and setup before you. Not a good idea. A reserved parking spot for the studio at your venue is essential and you need to  communicate that to your coordinator or security.

Need more answers? Add your question in the comments section below and we’ll integrate it into the FAQ above and send you the answer. Or you can contact the studio