Wedding and Event Photography Frequently Asked Questions
(In no particular order)
Q: What is your photography background and how long have you been in business?
A: I have been a photographer since 1997 when I began taking photography courses in high school. I then went on to Lock Haven University where I majored in studio art with a concentration in photography and graphic design. In 2005 I was a second shooter at a friends wedding and have been doing them ever since. I officially started my own business in January of 2006.
Q: What is your style of photography?
A: My style is artistic and a mix between candid (also known as photojournalistic) and creative portraiture.
Q: What if we want formal posed photographs?
A: I will do anything you like but please don’t expect them to look like your mom and dad’s wedding photographs (no offense).
Q: Do you use film or digital?
A: I use only professional level Nikon digital equipment. Digital vs. film gives you more options for post processing and it’s much more cost effective which means you will get more photographs.
Q: Why should we hire you vs. someone offering the same services for half the price?
A: One word, Quality. While I haven’t been around for as long as some of the big name studios, I still have the experience in photography to be able to capture your event in a way you will cherish for years to come.
Q: Why is wedding photography so expensive?
A: There is a lot more that happens behind the scenes to run a business before and after your event than just simply snapping a few photographs. To ensure that you receive that high quality final product you expect, photographers must maintain top of the line cameras and lenses, computers and software for post production, paying our second shooter, gas, advertising and marketing, business insurance and a variety of other expenses on top of hours spent in front of the computer enhancing images and creating albums. All I ask is that you please keep this in mind when trying to bargain down your price as suggested by many of the top bridal magazines. Not as much of that money goes straight into our pocket as you may think.
Q: Do you provide services for destination weddings and what are the fees?
A: Yes, I have a valid passport and am available to travel anywhere worldwide. The only fees to you are my exact costs for transportation, airfare as well as meals and lodging for myself and a second shooter if you choose to have one. Due to greater security post 9/11 I will book my own transportation and lodging to ensure there are no issues upon arrival. All travel fees are due with your retainer and contract to ensure my arrival at your destination wedding.
Q: Do you offer online proofing?
A: Yes. All proofs will be available online with basic color correction. All galleries will be password protected so you have control over who sees your photographs and have no time limit for removal.
Q: Family members and friends are asking me to purchase prints, where can they do this?
A: After returning from your honeymoon the last thing you want to do is collect orders for photographs. To make your life easier prints are available for anyone to purchase through the same gallery as the online proofs. Just give them the website and the password and I will take care of the rest.
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Only for print orders taken through my online proofing site. If you must use a credit card for a deposit I will accept a check written from your credit card account.
Q: Do you offer discounts?
A: I offer discounts on coverage only during the off-season of December through March (Discounts for holidays are not available).
Q: Who creates our album?
A: I will create your album using what I believe to be the best photographs from your day and will send you the pages to view and make changes to if necessary before it prints.
Q: I am put off by photographers who feel the need to be the center of attention on my big day, how do you interact with the guests and bridal party while taking pictures?
A: It has never been my personality to be the center of attention. I will interact with the guests or bridal party during the formal photographs but other than that you won’t even know I am there.
Q: What happens if you are sick and unable to photograph our wedding day?
A: In the very unlikely even that I am sick I will either provide you with a backup photographer of similar style or provide you with a full refund of all monies paid so far.
Q: Are you the photographer that will arrive on our wedding day?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Does the work on your website and in your printed portfolio belong to you or someone else?
A: The photographs you see in the wedding galleries are about 95% mine and 5% my assistants which allows you to see what you can expect when the two are mixed. All other galleries are 100% mine.
Q: Do you bring an assistant or second shooter?
A: I always bring a complimentary second shooter with the exception of destination weddings in which case there will be an extra fee.
Q: My friend or family member wants to bring his/her digital camera and take photographs for me as a wedding present. Is this okay?
A: While it is a very thoughtful gift you have hired me for this same purpose. Guests are more than welcome to take pictures out of the way during the ceremony and reception however they will not be allowed to follow along for the formal photographs. It may sound mean but it’s in your best interest. We have found when 20 people stand behind us with cameras no one knows where to look. If family members insist on giving you photographs as a wedding gift please have them contact me to purchase a gift certificate or a large canvas instead.
Q: I paid for the photographs do I own the copyright to do what I want with them?A: No, as the artist the photographer retains full rights to the photographs at all times.
Q: Are we required to provide a meal or overnight lodging for you?
A: Meals will be required for any event that is 6 hours or longer. Vendor meals are okay. Lodging requirements will vary by event location, please ask.
Q: I found a list of must have shots in my bridal magazine. Can I give it to you to use as a checklist on my wedding day?
A: Such lists are not necessary as we will be sure to take all of the standard photographs. I will give you my own informational packet to fill out with similar information that is special to you and your fiancé such as a bracelet that has been passed down to each generation or a family member that may not be with us much longer.
Q: How do we book our date and what is the payment schedule?
A: Please contact me directly to check the availability of your date. If it is available the retainer to hold the date is 30% of your total price, another 30% is due no later than 1 week before your event date and the final 40% is due upon delivery of your printed proofs.
Q: How many pictures do you take and how many will we receive?
A: There is no limit to the number of photographs I will take at an event. The number you will receive is dependant on the amount of coverage you book. Please reference the investment section for more details.
Q: How long before we can see our photographs?
A: Proofs can be online as early as one week after your event. Printed proofs are available no later than 4-6 weeks after your event.
Q: Why can’t I find a list of set packages like other photographers offer?
A: Most people have specific ideas in mind for their personal package. Rarely are any two the same. To accommodate this and provide maximum value for your dollar, all of my packages are a la carte. First you choose the number of hours you would like coverage for, then the size of the album and finally you add on extras such as enlargements, prints on canvas and parent albums. In this way you pay only for what you want, receiving a package that meets your needs and budget.
Q: Will our photographs be retouched or will we receive them straight from the camera?
A: All proofs will have basic color correction only. Enlargements and albums as well as any other items you may order will have intensive color correction as well as other enhancements.
Q: Will you be using our photographs for advertising and on your website? Do we need to sign a model release for this?
A: Yes, I do use photographs from events on my website and for advertising otherwise how else would you know what my work looks like. Also model release is written into each contract.
