FAQs

Will Katsu be my photographer?

Absolutely! Katsu will be your photographer whenever possible, capturing your special day with care and attention.
Once your wedding date is set, we recommend contacting Katsu as early as possible to secure your preferred date.

Who’s Katsu? What’s his story?

Katsu was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. In his late teens, he became a professional sprint cyclist in the velodrome world of Keirin a high-speed track racing sport, similar to the Olympics, where people would bet on him like a racing horse! In his early 20s, Katsu moved first to Sydney, then to London, and began his career as a freelance wedding photographer using his film camera while working for a Japanese wedding agency. In 1996, he founded his own photography studio, Sydney Creative Photography (our sister brand). Ever since, Katsu has been turning fleeting wedding moments into timeless memories with energy, care, and a touch of magic — for over 25 years, and loving every moment!

Will we have an opportunity to meet up before we book you?

Yes, absolutely! Katsu would love to meet you before you make your decision. Whether it’s over a coffee in Surry Hills or a relaxed Zoom chat from the comfort of your home, Katsu understands that you’re likely in the early stages of wedding planning. Katsu is happy to walk you through everything you need to know, answer any questions you might have, and have a friendly chat.

How many photos will we receive?

We always say, “The more fun you have, the more photos you’ll get!” Typically, you can expect around 100–150 beautifully varied, non-duplicated photos per hour. For example, an 8-hour wedding usually yields 1,000–1,400 “WOW” photos — sometimes even more! Most couples are pleasantly surprised by the variety and number, and some even jokingly call Katsu the “Japanese Ninja Photographer” for how seamlessly he captures every moment.

When will our photos be ready after the wedding?

Your wedding photos will be ready within 4 weeks. Once beautifully edited, we’ll create a private online gallery, accessible for 12 months. You can view, download, and share both high-resolution images for printing and low-resolution images for easy sharing. All photos are provided logo-free, ready for albums, prints, or social media.

Do you offer wedding video?

Absolutely! We have a dedicated team of wedding videographers who’ve worked with us for many years. Our videography style matches our photography — documentary, cinematic, and natural — capturing candid, relaxed, and fun moments throughout your day. If you love our photos, you’ll definitely fall in love with our videos too. Videos are delivered within 12 weeks. You can view highlight videos and find more details on our videography page.

Do you take a mix of natural, candid, and formal (classic/posed) photos?

Yes! My wedding photography style is mainly natural and candid, but I’ll gently guide you whenever it helps. I’ll help with little things like where to stand, where to look, how to hold your bouquet, and I’ll make sure family photos are nicely arranged. I’ll also give small adjustments like straightening posture or relaxing your arms, so everything feels easy while still helping you look your best.

Do we need to lock in our package when we book you?

No rush! You don’t need to select your package until about two weeks before your wedding. By then, your schedule will be clearer, making it easier to choose the perfect package. That said, it’s important to secure your date early — our weekends often book 1–2 years in advance!

We are camera shy and we don’t know how to pose. Can you still take good photos of us?

Absolutely—no need to worry at all! Just show up on your wedding day and enjoy yourselves (big smiles definitely help!). Most of our couples feel a bit camera shy or haven’t been professionally photographed before, so you’re definitely not alone. Katsu will gently guide you throughout the day—nothing stiff or awkward, just simple direction on where to stand, what to do, and where to look. Our goal is for you to relax, have fun, and be yourselves, so we can capture those natural, candid moments without you even realising it.

Is there anything you don’t recommend?

We usually recommend keeping your photography and videography team together, rather than mixing teams from different studios. It’s not that it can’t work—but when teams haven’t worked together before, they can sometimes get in each other’s way or have different styles on the day. Our team has worked together for years—we even communicate with just a look from across the room—so everything flows naturally without missing a moment (or blocking each other). It keeps the day stress-free and ensures your photos and films feel seamless and consistent from start to finish.

Can our uncle (or a family member) take photos during the wedding?

Yes! They’re welcome to take photos throughout the day, but during the ceremony we ask that they stay seated and don’t use flash. This ensures we can capture all your special moments smoothly and beautifully.

Do you need us to send you a list of family photos that we want?

You’re welcome to send us a list, but it’s not essential. We understand that we may not recognise all your family members or friends just from names alone. To make things run smoothly, we recommend having a family member or friend help gather and call out people for the different family photo combinations. Don’t worry — we’ll guide the process and make sure everything runs efficiently.

Do you need anything from us before your wedding day?

It would be wonderful if you could share your run sheet, a list of your bridal party’s names, and details of the other wedding suppliers you’ve booked. This helps us know what’s happening and who we’ll be working with. Chances are, many of your suppliers are already our friends!

How should we stand during the ceremony?

When you meet your Marriage Celebrant, let them know you’d like to face your family and guests during the ceremony.
Some celebrants naturally stand between the couple the entire time, which can make it tricky for us (and your guests) to capture your expressions — often we end up photographing the backs or shoulders instead. Ideally, your celebrant should stand at the end of the bridal party, facing your guests. This way, your loved ones can see your face, you can see theirs, and we can capture all the special moments beautifully.

We would prefer that none of our photos or videos are shared on Instagram or your website.
Is that okay?

Absolutely, that’s no problem at all — your privacy is really important to us. Just let us know, and we will ensure none of your photos or videos are shared on our website, Instagram, or any other platforms.

What time will you arrive for getting-ready photos?

We arrive once hair and makeup is finished and your artist is packing up. We then spend around 1.5 hours capturing the bride’s preparation. This means we typically arrive about 1.5 hours before you leave for the ceremony.

Do we need the second photographer?

It’s easy to think that an additional second photographer just means more photos, but that’s not really the case, in my opinion.
Katsu is experienced enough to capture your day solo and can usually cover everything comfortably on his own. A second photographer often ends up capturing similar moments from different angles rather than adding a lot of new variety. A second photographer is most useful for very large weddings (300+ guests), or venues like big churches where movement is limited and it’s hard to cover everything from one position. Most couples are surprised by how much I can capture beautifully with just one photographer.

We are looking for an LGBTQI+ friendly photographer for our wedding. Have you photographed many same-sex weddings?

Yes — we are a Sydney-based LGBTQI+ friendly wedding photography and videography team, based in Surry Hills, and our photographer Katsu genuinely loves celebrating all rainbow couples. We’ve had the honour of capturing LGBTQI+ and same-sex weddings across Sydney, from intimate elopements to joyful full-day celebrations. Katsu was also involved in supporting Australia’s marriage equality movement leading up to the passing of the same-sex marriage law in 2017. It’s something he holds close to his heart, and it reflects a long-standing belief that every couple deserves to have their love seen, respected, and celebrated. We would be honoured to capture your day.

How many photographers / videographers do we get?

Typically, Katsu photographs weddings solo. (For larger weddings, a second photographer can be added as an optional extra if needed.) For videography, Katsu works with a trusted team of two videographers he’s collaborated with for over 15 years. Our lead videographer, Sunny, works closely alongside Katsu throughout the day, ensuring a seamless photo and video flow. Our second videographer joins 30 minutes before the ceremony to prepare and fine-tune everything — including audio, lighting, and camera positioning — and to liaise with the venue and your celebrant. This ensures every key moment is captured smoothly and with care from multiple angles before you arrive at the venue.

Do you only photograph weddings?

Around 80% of our work focuses on wedding photography and videography, but we also specialise in high-end corporate and government events through our sister brand, Sydney Creative Photography. We’ve captured major events at NSW Parliament, international summits at the ICC, and in luxury hotels, delivering polished, professional results. Our work has also been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, and News Corp.

How do we secure you?

Simply complete our online booking form/agreement and pay the booking fee — $1,000 for photography only or $2,000 for photography and videography (non-refundable). Once your date is secured, we'll reserve the day exclusively for you. You can then finalise your package and any add-ons, such as a wedding album, up to two weeks before your wedding.

Do you know any other good wedding suppliers — Make-up artists, Florists, DJ, or Marriage Celebrants?

Absolutely! With over 25 years in Sydney’s wedding scene, we’ve worked with—and gotten to know—lots of Sydney’s wedding suppliers. When you book with us, we’ll share “Katsu’s Favourite Wedding Suppliers,” a handpicked list of trusted pros we’ve collaborated with before. These aren’t just good at what they do—they’re genuine, lovely people we enjoy working with, and we know they’ll make your day even better. Working with suppliers we know and trust makes everything run smoothly—it’s a win-win for everyone!

How do you travel on our wedding day?

Katsu often scoots between locations — a fun way to capture the action! Depending on your wedding logistics, we sometimes ask for a lift between getting ready, the ceremony, photoshoots, and reception. If videography is included, Katsu typically travels with the videographers.

We are only having a little ceremony just us and 2 witnesses. Can you photograph our ceremony and take some photos of us after the ceremony?

Of course! Intimate ceremonies usually last around 15–20 minutes. We can also visit your favourite spots for photos before or after the ceremony to capture beautiful memories of your special day. For more details, please check out ou Elopements Page.

How much time do you need for our photos on our wedding day?

We recommend allowing time for each part of your day so everything is captured naturally and without feeling rushed:

• Groom getting ready: ~1 hour

• Bride getting ready: ~1.5 hours

• Ceremony: 20–30 minutes

• Family/group photos: 20–30 minutes

• Location photos: 1–2 hours

If you’re getting ready together, we usually allow around 1.5 hours for both of you. We’ll guide the flow on the day so everything stays relaxed and runs smoothly.