FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
for Documentary Wedding Photography
1. What is documentary wedding photography? / 甚麼是紀實婚禮攝影？
Documentary Wedding Photography, also known as Wedding Photojournalism or Wedding Reportage, as the name suggests, refers to capturing weddings in a journalistic photography style, emphasizing capturing real moments and narrating real stories. Unlike mainstream traditional wedding photography, documentary wedding photographers do not lead the proceedings of the wedding or direct and pose the newlyweds and guests. Instead, they observe and capture candid, genuine moments, instead of fabricating them or offering guidances, thus preserving the most authentic memories and emotions of the wedding. It's worth noting that while there are many vendors claiming to be documentary wedding photographers, they often focus primarily on staged shots. Except for individual requests from the couple to photograph a small number of portraits on their wedding day, I strictly adhere to the principles of documentary wedding photography, ensuring a true record of the entire wedding story.
紀實婚禮攝影 / Documentary Wedding Photography, 也被稱作 Wedding Photojournalism 或 Wedding Reportage (或作 「婚禮攝影記者」)，顧名思義，是指以新聞攝影的方式拍攝婚禮，強調拍攝真實發生的時刻、敍述真實發生的故事。和主流的傳統婚禮攝影截然不同， 紀實婚禮攝影師不會主導婚禮的進行，或對新人和賓客進行各種指導和擺拍，而是從旁觀察，透過鏡頭，保留婚禮最真實的回憶與情感，務求所拍下的畫面都是真實，而非由攝影師導演或虛構出來。值得留意的是，市面上不乏自稱紀實婚禮攝影師的業者，實際上卻仍以擺拍為主；除了新人個別要求在婚禮當日拍攝少量人像照片外，我一向嚴格遵守紀實婚禮攝影的原則，確保如實紀錄整個婚禮過程。
2. Do you do formal group portraits? / 你是否會拍攝傳統的團體合照?
Generally speaking, as a documentary wedding photographer who captures real moments, I do not take posed group portraits. There are three reasons for this: First, it somewhat contradicts the idea of documentary photography; Second, group portraits consume a lot of time, therefore the photographer will inevitably miss many spontaneous moments; Third, photography technology has advanced significantly compared to the past, and guests can easily take group photos even with their smartphones. Furthermore, couples hire documentary wedding photographers to capture authentic moments, not the typical group shots. That being said, I understand that some couples may also want traditional group portraits, especially in Chinese weddings in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan, that includes photos taken during the tea ceremony with elders.
Therefore, I usually advise couples as follows: for small weddings (with fewer than 40 guests), they can schedule a specific period for group photos, typically around 20 to 30 minutes, often right after the ceremony. For large weddings (with more than 40 guests), they can opt for a two-photographers package, where my secondary photographer will focus primarily on group photos. This way, I can focus entirely on capturing real moments without any concerns.
作為拍攝真實時刻的紀實婚禮攝影師，一般來說，是不會拍攝需要擺拍的團體合照，原因有三點：一、那有點違背了紀實的本意；二、團體合照會耗用大量時間，導致攝影師錯失很多正在發生的時刻；三、攝影技術與過去比較已進步很多，賓客甚至可以輕易地用手提電話拍攝合照，再者，新人花費聘請紀實婚禮攝影師，目的就是為了捕捉真實的畫面，而非千篇一律的團體合照。話需如此，我亦理解部份新人希望同時拍攝傳統的團體合照，尤其在香港、台灣，華人婚禮，特別有這種需求 (包括長輩敬茶儀式的合照)。因此，通常我會這樣建議新人，如果是小型婚禮 (人數約40人以下)，可以特別安排一個合照時段，約20至30分鐘，通常加插在典禮或證婚儀式後；如果是大型婚禮 (人數40人以上)，可以選擇雙攝影師方案，我的攝影師搭檔會主力負責合照的部份。這樣，我可以毫無顧慮，全心全意拍攝真實發生的畫面。
3. Do you do bride and groom portraits? / 你是否會拍攝新人的人像照？
Similar to the logic behind formal group photos, documentary wedding photographers generally avoid staged portraits. Intimate moments between the couple will unfold naturally during the wedding, and are often more valuable than staged shots. However, if the couple still desires some portraits together, a specific time can be arranged, typically referred to as a "private session," lasting around fifteen to thirty minutes (adjustable according to needs). During this time, the couple can enjoy private moments away from the guests, and I will be there to capture it. If the couple chooses a two-photographers package, my secondary photographer will cater for staged shots, and I will capture those natural moments. For the rest of the time, you can fully enjoy your wedding without feeling encroached upon by the photographer.
與團體合照的邏輯一樣，紀實婚禮攝影師一般來說是會避免擺拍的人像照，而且在婚禮過程中，自然會有一對新人的甜蜜畫面，比擺拍照片更有價值。但如果新人還是希望有一些二人合照，也可以安排一個特定時段，通常稱為 ‘private session’ ，約十五至三十分鐘 (視需要而調整)，新人可以遠離賓客，享受專屬的二人時光，我則會從旁拍攝。如果選擇雙攝影師方案，我的攝影師搭檔會主力擺拍，我會側拍捕捉一些自然的瞬間。同理，其餘時間，你可以盡情享受婚禮，毋須被攝影師霸佔美好的時光。
4. Do you do wedding videography? / 你是否提供婚禮影片拍攝？
Photography and videography are tasks that cannot be handled simultaneously by one person. Even if it were possible, the quality of the work would inevitably suffer. Therefore, I focus solely on still photography. You may hire a separate professional wedding videography team to film your wedding. However, please note that in wedding industry of Hong Kong and Taiwan, it is quite rare to find videography teams that shoot in a documentary style. They tend to stage and give directions to the subjects, and this can, to some extent, impact the work of documentary-style still photographers. Despite this, I will still use my experience and intuition to capture those authentic moments.
攝影和錄影，是不可能由一個人同時兼顧的工作，即使可以，作品質素也必然不佳，因此，我只專心於硬照攝影。新人可以另外聘請專業的婚禮攝錄團隊，為你的婚禮拍攝影片。但請留意，香港和台灣婚攝市場，以紀實方式拍攝的攝錄團隊十分罕見，大部份都採用擺拍方式，因此也或多或少會對硬照的紀實攝影師帶來影響。在此情況下，我仍會憑經驗和觸覺，捕捉那些真實的時刻。
5. Do you edit all the photos? / 你是否會編修所有照片？
Most photographers on the market only edit a certain number of photos, and if clients want additional images, extra fees are typically charged. However, I handpick photos for clients just like a news photographer and editor would, aiming to create a wedding album with a narrative. Every photo provided to clients will be personally edited by me, including basic adjustments to exposure, contrast, and colour. This is included in the price of each package with no additional charges. All photos will be delivered in high-resolution JPEG files; original RAW files will not be provided.
市面上大多數攝影師只會精修一定數量的照片，如新人想增加照片，或需額外收費。我則會為新人挑選照片，就像新聞攝影師和編輯那樣，務求組成一個有敍事性的婚禮圖輯，而每張給予新人的照片，我都會親自修輯過，包括基本的光暗、對比、色彩，而且已包含在每個方案的收費內，沒有額外收費。所有照片，都會以高解像度的 JPEG 檔案交付，原始檔 (RAW檔) 恕不提供。
6. How many photos would I receive? / 我會收到多少照片？
Similar to retouching photos, most wedding photography packages on the market include only a set number of photos, and additional photos typically require extra payment. I never impose limits on the number of photos; if a photo helps tell the story of the wedding, I generally provide it to the clients. In my opinion, the quality of the photos is far more important than the quantity. Generally speaking, for an eight-hour wedding, clients can expect to receive around two hundred to three hundred photos (with the exact number varying based on the actual wedding events).
與修輯照片同理，市面上多數婚禮攝影方案只會包含一定數量的照片，如新人想增加照片，需要額外付費。我從來不會為照片數量設限，如果照片能幫助訴說婚禮的故事，我一般都會給予客人；而且，在我的理念下，照片質量遠比數量重要。一般而言，一個八小時的婚禮，新人大約可以收到二百至三百張照片 (按實際婚禮內容增減)。
7. Do you deliver coloured version of any black and white pictures? / 你會否提供黑白照片的彩色版本？
I have a deep passion for black and white photography. Black and white photos have a timeless quality and can present the emotions and stories in a photo more purely. They are often used by documentary wedding photographers. In fact, many clients find that black-and-white photos leave a more profound impression. However, in some Chinese communities, especially among the older generation, black-and-white photos can be considered a taboo. When I take black and white photos, I also provide their colour versions to clients, so there is no need to worry.
我十分鍾情黑白攝影，黑白照片有超越時間的特質，也能更單純地呈現照片中的情感和故事，向來為頗多紀實婚禮攝影師採用。事實上，不少客人會對黑白照片留下更深刻的印象。而在華人地區，對部份人，尤其是老一輩來說，黑白照片則是一種忌諱。當我拍攝黑白照片，我也會附上其彩色版本給客人，所以大可放心。
8. How long do I need to wait to receive the photos? / 我大概需要等待多久才收到照片？
Since I screen and edit each photo individually, and also process colour versions for black and white photos, I spend double or even more of the post-production time compared to many wedding photographers. This is part of my commitment to photography. Generally, for a full-day wedding, it takes about six to eight weeks to deliver the photos. During the waiting period, I usually send a selection of carefully chosen photos first so that the couple can share the joy with friends and family.
由於我會為每張照片進行篩選和修輯，而且，若為黑白照片，我同時會處理其彩色版本，因此，比起很多婚禮攝影師，我會用上雙倍甚至更多的後期製作時間，這也是我在攝影方面的堅持。一般而言，一個全日婚禮，從拍攝日到交付照片，大概需要六至八個星期。在新人耐心等候之際，我通常會先發送少量精選照片，讓新人能和親友分享喜悅。
9. Do you photograph overseas or destination wedding? / 你會否拍攝海外舉行的婚禮？
Yes. I currently reside in Taiwan and have primarily served clients from Hong Kong in the past. However, besides Hong Kong and Taiwan, I also photograph weddings held in other countries. Among the couples I’ve worked with, many come from various countries. If you’re planning a wedding abroad, feel free to inquire or make a reservation. In addition to the photography fees, transportation and overseas accommodation costs will be charged as needed.
會。我目前居住於台灣，過往主要服務香港的客人，但除了香港、台灣兩地，我也會拍攝於其他國家舉辦的婚禮，在我拍攝過的新人中，也來自眾多不同的國家。如果你將於海外舉辦婚禮，歡迎查詢、預約。在拍攝費用以外，將按需要收取交通及海外住宿費用。
10. How do I reserve your service? / 我可以怎樣預約拍攝？
You can contact and make reservations with me via email, WhatsApp, or Signal; clients in Taiwan can also use LINE. I recommend making a reservation at least six months before the wedding day. Typically, a 30% deposit will be required to secure the reservation date. If circumstances allow, I am also open to last-minute bookings.
你可以透過電郵、WhatsApp、Signal 與我聯絡和預約；台灣的客人也可以使用 LINE。建議最少在婚禮日前半年預約，一般情況下，將收取 30% 按金保留預約日期。若情況許可，當然也會接受臨時預約。