01
Absolutely! It’s always a good idea to ask a photographer to see a full wedding gallery. Browsing through a couple will give you a sense of that photographer’s shooting and editing style, how they deal with varying — and sometimes difficult — lighting situations, as well as their ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. Do keep in mind, however, that no two weddings are alike. While every wedding presents a distinct set of challenges, each also affords unique creative opportunities for photographers (and videographers) to embrace.
Does your business have insurance?
02
Yes! Any reputable wedding professional should carry insurance that covers liability, equipment, and injury. If a photographer or other professional does not carry liability insurance, they are potentially putting you, your property, and your family at risk. If in doubt, ask them to provide a copy of their liability certificate. Most venues require vendors to provide proof of liability insurance before they are permitted to operate on site. Knowing your photographer has business insurance assures you that things will be handled properly and professionally during any unforeseen circumstance (for instance, if your photographer’s equipment is accidentally broken by one of your guests). With the proper coverage, that incident would be handled by the photographer’s insurance provider and wouldn’t become a burden to you or your guest.
How do we book you for our wedding, elopement or engagement?
03
When you’re ready to book, we’ll send you a contract and invoice to review and sign. Once the signed contract and deposit are received, your date is reserved!
How far in advance from the wedding date do you require bookings?
04
For weddings scheduled between May and November (peak wedding season), we typically book 9 to 14 months in advance. Keep in mind that without a signed contract and deposit, we cannot reserve your date.
If our package includes an engagement session, how far in advance should we schedule it?
05
If you plan to use your engagement portraits for save the date cards — or if you’re planning to order enlarged portraits or wall art for your reception — then we should schedule your engagement session as far in advance as possible. Otherwise 3 to 6 months before the wedding date is more than enough time!
Should we hire a hair and makeup artist for our engagement session? What about wardrobe?
06
Chances are you’ve decided to hire a hair and makeup artist for your wedding day. Most couples opt for a HMU for their engagement portraits as well. In fact, most have the same HMU for both occasions! If you need recommendations, just let us know. We know a number of great HMU’s in your area and can even provide style guides for your portrait session!
How would you describe your photography style?
07
My shooting style is primarily photojournalistic (also known as reportage). In other words I like to capture and document the events — and moments — of the day as they unfold, genuinely and with as little outside manipulation as possible. Why? Because it’s your wedding day, and the most important thing is for you (and your guests) to be present and experience it as it happens. You don’t want to feel like you’re on the set of an 8-hour photoshoot! This approach provides you with the best possible experience, as well as a more sincere, genuine wedding album that you’ll cherish for the rest of your lives! This is not to say that I don’t take charge and pose couples (and families) when it’s called for. Some couples want a great deal of direction and choreography during portrait time, while others prefer a more organic, candid approach. An experienced photographer can handle both with ease!
How would you describe your working style?
08
The easy answer to this question is, “It depends on the wedding.” Some call for a photographer to remain behind the scenes and blend into the background as much as possible, while others require more direct engagement. In other words, a photographer’s working style is really dictated by the style, energy and demands of the wedding. On your big day, you’ll spend more time with your photographer than any other vendor, which is why it's imperative that you meet your potential photographer in person — or at least have a good video or phone chat — before making a decision. This helps you get to know one another and allows you to determine whether you and the photographer will make the perfect creative team for your project. In my experience, the more I understand a potential client's personality and story, the better I am able to help make their vision a reality!
Do you specialize in indoor or outdoor weddings? Or both?
09
Both. The skills and equipment needed to shoot indoor weddings vs. outdoor weddings differ more than you might think! It’s important that your photographer can handle shooting in any lighting condition: from gorgeous “golden hour” light to harsh, unforgiving noonday sun; from beautifully lit chapels to dark churches. An experienced photographer will have the skills and equipment necessary to handle any lighting situation. If your reception is indoors — or if your ceremony occurs mid-day under a cloudless sky! — off-camera flash is non-negotiable. If your photographer does not have the proper equipment, or if they “prefer” not to use flash because they are a so-called “natural light photographer”, this is a serious red flag. (The phrase “I’m a natural light photographer” is often code for “I don’t know how to use off-camera flash” or “I’m not comfortable using off-camera flash”.)
Can your packages be customized?
10
Definitely! We offer a number of half-day, full-day and elopement packages based on what most couples need and want. But every wedding is different and not all couples want the same thing! Which is why we’re happy to tailor any of our packages or offer a completely custom quote to suit your specific needs and budget. Just get in touch for a consultation and we’ll take care of you!
Can we pay in installments?
11
Hiring a professional wedding photographer can get pricey, but you do get what you pay for! We value your business and want to do everything we can to help you have an unforgettable wedding experience. If you’d like to work out an installment plan for the deposit, we’re happy to help. Just get in touch and we can discuss options!
Do you offer film options in addition to digital images?
12
If you love the nostalgia and aesthetic of film and want to add a little extra flair to your wedding album, we do offer film as an add-on to any package. Film types and rolls, development and scanning vary widely but we’re happy to provide you with some options!
How much is an extra hour of coverage?
13
Whether the reception goes a little longer than expected or your timeline falls a little behind schedule, there are bound to be times when you need your photographer to stay longer than the time for which they are contracted. Our overage fees depend on both the length of the wedding day and distance and will be clearly stated in the contract so there are no surprises!
Does the package I’m purchasing include coverage for the entire day?
14
Our contract will specify start and end times based on your timeline and what you want photographed. Typically full-day wedding coverage (8 to 12 hours) begins with bridal party prep (“getting ready”) and ends with the send-off at the close of the reception. Some couples choose to omit getting ready photos while others omit (or do not even plan) a send-off at the reception. We will customize your package to include the appropriate amount of coverage based on your needs.
Do you offer album or print sales?
15
The late Pat Conroy once said, “The most powerful words in English are, Tell me a story.” Just as it is with the written word, so too with photographs, which are so much more than mere mementos. They are memories made from light, from the precious stuff of life. They tell your story, a story born from love! You’ve invested in a photographer that you absolutely love and now have hundreds of gorgeous high-resolution digital images. It’s time for those photos to sit and gather dust on a hard drive, right No! What better way to preserve your story than with quality prints or a handcrafted album? Our luxury wedding albums are individually handcrafted using premium photographic and press papers. Featuring seamless spreads, ultra-thick pages, and one-piece wraparound cover deigns, a signature wedding album is the ultimate heirloom for brides and grooms.
Do you offer coverage of pre-wedding events, such as rehearsal dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties?
16
Yes. We can add rehearsal dinner coverage (or coverage of any other non-wedding day event) as an á la carte option or we can work it into the price of your package.
Do you travel for destination weddings or destination elopements?
17
Absolutely! We offer photography and videography services anywhere in the world! Get in touch and we can discuss all the details.
Have you shot at our venue before? If not, are you willing to check out the venue before the wedding day?
18
We have shot at hundreds of venues in Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and California. If we’re familiar with your venue and have shot it before, we’ll let you know. And if we haven’t, we’d love to schedule a time to check it out before your big day!
How long is the turnaround time to receive our images?
19
During peak wedding season (May thru November) turnaround time for editing and delivering your gallery is typically 3-4 weeks (though we do like to deliver a few sneak peeks a day or two after the wedding). Delivery time for video takes a bit longer (typically 4-6 weeks) during peak wedding season. During off-peak months (December thru April) turnaround time is typically 1-2 weeks. Delivery time for prints ordered directly through our lab is 2 business days. Album delivery time varies based on a number of factors (materials, special engraving or embossing options, etc.).
How many images will I receive?
20
Every wedding is different, and no photographer can guarantee an exact number. We typically deliver 75 to 100 images per hour of coverage. You should expect to receive at least this much from any photographer. A full-day wedding gallery is usually between 400 and 900 images.
How do you share access to the photos?
21
We deliver all of our wedding images in a private online gallery. You may share this gallery (and download permissions) with anyone you choose! If your wedding package includes a custom engraved USB drive, your images will be included on both the drive and the online gallery.
Do you have an assistant or second shooter?
22
Yes, we have assistants on site (when needed) and second shooters available for full-day or half-day coverage. If your wedding package does not include a second shooter, we can always add one for an additional charge.
Do you have a list of recommended or preferred vendors?
23
We do! See our “Preferred Vendors” link for a list of excellent wedding venues, hair and makeup artists, florists, officiants, DJ’s, caterers and other wedding professionals.
I don’t have a wedding coordinator! Can you help me create a wedding day timeline?
24
Of course we can! Although we encourage you to hire a wedding planner for your big day, we understand that it’s not always in the budget. If that’s the case, get in touch and we can help you craft a timeline that will keep your wedding day flowing smoothly!
My (friend, uncle, aunt, co-worker) has a nice camera and wants to take pictures too. Is that alright?
25
This is probably one of the most dreaded questions for a wedding photographer. Although your friend (uncle, aunt, co-worker) is probably a wonderful person and a great photographer, your wedding is not the time or place for them (or anyone else really) to practice their photography skills. Your photographer and/or videographer doesn’t need to worry about sharing the aisle with anyone during your first kiss or reaching around someone when you cut the cake. The same goes for cell phones during your ceremony. Let your guests be guests and be fully present during your special day. Leave the photography and videography to us!
