Pricing & Experience
What to Expect When You Work With Me
There are a lot of different ways that wedding photographers price and package our services, and I've used many of them over the years. But what I've found in that time is that I hate it when couples have to guess at the coverage they need, or try to fit their day around a certain number of hours.
That's why I offer one experience, one service level, for all of my clients. If you choose me as your wedding photographer, you're getting me for the whole day, with no limits on time or number of photos.
What is "documentary style"?
My work as a wedding photographer is driven by authentic storytelling. In the photographic world this is often called "documentary-style" photography. But what does this mean in practice?
"Documentary style" is a way of saying I focus on capturing real moments.
At certain times this means I'm completely hands off and capturing what's actually happening with no intervention. For example, when you're having your makeup done on the morning of your wedding, during your ceremony and reception, or when you're catching up with friends and family during cocktail hour. I'll be letting the moments happen and capturing them.
At other times, I will be providing light direction or setting the stage for moments to happen. For example, during the portraits at a wedding, or most of the time during an engagement session.
What you'll never find me doing is setting up stiff and awkward poses. You'll only time I'll ever shout "cheese" is when I see your perfect grazing table.
The Experience
Rainer Macalister as your wedding photographer for your full day - makeup to dancing and everything in between
Fully edited high resolution digital files
A 12-month private gallery to view, download and print your photos.
My travel (almost) anywhere in NZ & Australia
$3,900 (New Zealand)
$4,900 (Australia)
Is travel really included? What are the exceptions?
I love to travel, and like to shoot weddings in a variety of locations, so I don't charge anything for my travel - no travel fee, no extra costs.
You'll notice the higher price for weddings in Australia, which reflects increased travel costs.
There are rare exceptional circumstances where I need to ask for extra help with travel costs. For example, weddings in remote New Zealand islands or rural Australia/North Queensland/WA/NT. If this might be you, just ask for a quote, and I'll keep the costs as low as I can!
What about engagement sessions?
Where possible, I like to offer every couple an engagement session before their wedding. If you've booked wedding photography with me, the session and digital files are completely free.
If you haven't booked me for your wedding, a session with digital files included is $990, or a session only with opportunity purchase prints or files is $190.
For weddings outside of Wellington the engagement session will depend on availability, but I travel regularly and will do my best to fit a session in before your wedding. As an alternative I can also do pre or post-wedding day photos, rehearsal dinner coverage etc, as long as it fits with my travel schedule.
Do you offer prints & albums?
Yes! I offer a range of custom designed and printed photos, including fine art prints, framed prints, magazines and heirloom albums.
What is a "full day"? What are the limits?
A full day means I'm going to capture your wedding day story from start to finish.
I'm going to be available to capture one or both of the wedding couple from when you start getting ready until the dancing at the end of the day.
In our pre-wedding consultation we'll figure out when you want coverage of your preparations to start, and whether we're focusing on one person or can cover both of you (see next question re second photographers).
I won't generally have a set time that I'm finishing up at the end of the night. If your night finishes with an active dancefloor, I'll want to capture a LOT of the action, and I'll use my judgement as to when that is starting to get repetitive.
Can you bring a second photographer?
Yes!
I have established networks of professional photographers in Wellington and some other parts of New Zealand.
And when travelling I can engage the services of a local professional photographer who complements my style.
A second photographer will usually be booked for specific hours of your day. The price is $170 per hour.