WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A WITH EVA BRADLEY
‘Over 20+ years, I’ve shot more than 800 weddings in Hawke’s Bay and around New Zealand. I’m there to tell the story of how your wedding felt, not just document how it looked.’
What is your style and philosophy around wedding photography?
Two words describe my style: candid and classical. My driving principle as I record your wedding story is to create wedding photography that will remind you in years to come how you felt, not just be a record of how you looked. I want your grandchildren to immediately see that your wedding was the best day of your life, bar none. I also want those grandchildren to love the photography, not cringe at how 2020s your filters were.
So…how do I do that? Well, lots of it comes down to my creative and technical skill and experience gained over two decades shooting weddings, but mostly it is my way of working with couples and bridal parties so that laughter dominates and you feel like you can be yourselves. You're not just signing up for what I can do with a camera that others can't, but who I am when I’m with you. Importantly, I also resist the temptation to indulge in fashion filters and editorial poses. Beautifully developed natural colours, classic black and whites and natural chemistry between people in love is what I’m about. This ain’t no fashion shoot, its real life, real love and it should look that way.
What are your prices?
Most couples invest between $5,800 and $6,700 for full wedding day storytelling coverage - but you can spend less. I also do small weddings and elopements mid-week/out-of-season.
My collections are designed around documenting the flow of the day rather than fixed hourly packages.
If this approach feels like the right fit, please get in touch and I would be happy to share the full collection details.
How experienced are you and is it your full-time job?
I’ve photographed more than 800 weddings over the past 21 years, across Hawke’s Bay and throughout New Zealand. It is a six-day-a-week, full-time job for about 7/8 months of the year, and I combine it with a busy schedule of commercial/family shoots and web design. I would argue there is no one in Hawke’s Bay that’s shot more weddings than me, and quite possibly across all of NZ.
Experience matters as much as creativity, because weddings move quickly and unpredictably. Knowing how to anticipate moments, manage changing light and weather and keep the day flowing calmly is something that only comes from photographing many weddings over many years. I know all of my couples feel a huge sense of reassurance working with me because they know they can trust me.
What kind of weddings do you love to photograph?
I only shoot 15 weddings a year (it used to be 50!) and am drawn to weddings where the focus is on family, connection and celebrating in a way that feels genuine rather than performative.
Every wedding is different, but the moments that stay with me are always the same: laughter with friends, emotional moments with parents, and the feeling of everyone you love being together in one place.
What is included in your coverage?
I’m a wedding storyteller so coverage starts with getting ready, and continues in a documentary style through to the start of the reception, or right through the speeches, cake cutting and dancing (most of my couples choose to include the reception but it’s optional). I don't base coverage on a set number of hours because weddings don't all slot into a 6 or 10-hour box. You’re also not paying for my time but for the creativity, experience and peace-of-mind I bring to your wedding day, after being a full time Hawke’s Bay wedding photographer for 21 years and shooting more than 800 weddings.
I also believe you should have ownership of your wedding photos (and in NZ if you commission a photographer you legally own copyright - it’s just that a lot of photographers ask you to contract out of this.) It’s up to you if I have permission to share any of your images on my social media (I’m always keen and grateful for this privilege!).
Editing is another intangible asset that comes with your investment. Professional editing is a craft learned over many years and involves a full week’s work following your wedding. Because I don’t use filters or apply batch presets, every image is a bespoke piece of art that gets my focus and creative expertise. I believe in the craft and I don’t use AI software to sort / select my images or auto-edit them (which is increasingly common).
When is the best time to book, and how do we do that?
If you are planning a summer wedding in Hawke’s Bay (or elsewhere), the best advice I can give is to book early. I take bookings from 18 months prior to your wedding and prices are fixed at the time of booking. But even in summer, I often have dates free a few months out so it's always worth getting in touch. I require a 20% non-refundable retainer and completed booking agreement to confirm your date.
Do we meet before the wedding?
Hell yes! I want you to feel like you’re working with a new friend on your wedding day, not a vendor. By the end of it I usually feel gutted to leave because I’ve got to know you, your love story and your family. The feeling of connection is honestly a big part of why I love what I do.
Even if you can’t meet me in person, a quick video chat on Zoom or WhatsApp helps with that ‘gut feeling’ I want you to feel that I’m the right fit, and that you can trust me, my creativity and my experience.
I also find an early meeting makes my couples feel incredibly organised as I’ll give them some guidance around timelines and how to structure the day - even if they are yet to decide if I’m ‘the one’.
I make a great coffee at my beachside home-based studio in Bay View, Napier, and you’ll get to meet my PA, Pablo the sausage dog (I’m kind of embarrassed to say he has his own Instagram page) and I can show you some albums and just get a feel for if we’re the right fit.
Even if you’re not in Hawke’s Bay or I am driving to your wedding outside Hawke’s Bay, I’ll still catch up with you, even if it’s just the day before when I’m location scouting.
Do you travel, and what is the cost of that?
Although I am mostly a Hawke's Bay wedding photographer, I love to be creative in new places but this depends on the time of year and the location. If you’re planning a wedding beyond Hawke’s Bay, I’d love to hear about your plans. Minimal travel costs just to cover fuel and accommodation are based on how far your wedding is from my base in Napier.
When do we get our photos?
Because of the detailed post-production that goes into all of my weddings, my turn-around time is one month for all photos from your wedding. But I know you'll be itching for a sneak peek so I’ll send you a link to download around 30 early edits a couple of days after your wedding.
Do you have insurance and back-up gear? What happens if you are sick, or it rains?
I have full insurance and lots of backup gear - that’s part of being a full-time professional. I’ve been knocked unconscious and had my waters break during a wedding and still carried on (not at the same wedding, fortunately!) I’ve never been unable to shoot a wedding because of sickness but I also count a number of other Hawke’s Bay wedding photographers as good friends - and we are all there for each other when emergencies occasionally call for it.
Being a local also means I know all the best places to sneak out of bad weather and how to work with the unique way Hawke’s Bay weather works. We’ll have the ‘rain chat’ three days out if I feel it’s necessary and make a solid plan.
Aren’t you a bit over weddings after 21 years?
HELL NO! Like, seriously, I’m totally addicted. I need to warn you - I love what I do so much, I’m likely to be having more fun on your wedding day than you are.
If my approach to wedding photography resonates with you, I would love to hear about your plans.
Please get in touch to check availability and we can arrange a relaxed chat, either over Zoom or in person if you’re local.
