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I think I might want you to be my wedding photographer; what should I do now?
Yay! I am thrilled that you are considering me to be a part of your special day! But first things first: please contact me to make sure your date is available. Once we verify that it is, we’ll chat — either over the phone or in person — about your wedding! I want to learn all about what you have planned and what you envision for your day. At this meeting, I’ll be happy to go over my wedding collections with you to determine what coverage would best meet your needs. I can also show you photos from other weddings I’ve shot, as well as sample prints, canvases, and albums so that you’ll know what kind of finished product you can expect!
Will you be the photographer on our wedding day?
Yes! I am always the primary photographer shooting your wedding. I will also bring an assistant with me who may take photographs throughout the day.
How do I book you for my wedding?
It’s as simple as signing a contract and paying a retainer! To hold your wedding date on my calendar, I require a retainer of $1000 or 1/3 of the contract price, whichever is greater. I accept personal checks, or you can pay by credit or debit card through PayPal.
The remaining balance is due three weeks before your wedding date.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the nature of the wedding photography business, the retainer is non-refundable. After you book me, I must turn down other weddings on the same date, and because wedding photographers are often booked far in advance, I am not likely to be able to find another wedding on your date if you have to cancel.
What is the deal with the engagement session?
All of my wedding collections include a complimentary engagement session as well as a print credit. That’s because I think it’s really important that I meet you both, get to know you a bit, and get you feeling comfortable with me and comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding. So we’ll schedule your engagement session for a convenient weekend and then head out and have some fun together! The location options for your shoot are unlimited, and we’ll be sure to get images you’ll love. You can then use your print credit to purchase any products you’d like, including save-the-date cards, an album, or even a gallery-wrap canvas to display at your wedding reception.
What information will you need from me before the wedding day?
As your wedding day approaches, I’ll contact you to find out about some of the details of your wedding day. I’ll ask for the names of your wedding planner, the officiant, your wedding party, your parents, grandparents, and any other VIPs who will be taking part in your special day. Together we’ll put together a list of all the “must-have” shots: bride with her grandfather, tough-guy shot of groom with groomsmen, extended family portrait, etc. We’ll also discuss whether the bride and groom will be seeing each other before the ceremony — called a “first look” — or whether you’ll wait to take portraits together until afterwards. Based on your answer to this very important question, I’ll help you devise a photography schedule for your wedding day. All of this pre-wedding preparation will make things run crazy-smooth on the big day — I promise!
Do you recommend a “first look”?
The decision whether or not to see each other before the ceremony is a personal one, but from a photographer’s standpoint, the “first look” is preferable. We make it a very special moment — just the two of you (and me!) in a secluded place with some private time together before the real hustle and bustle begins. Without everyone else around, I’m able to capture your emotions and expressions much more intimately. And if you need any more incentive: when I’m able to photograph the bride and groom together before the wedding, they get to spend more time partying at their reception!
What is a “day after” session? Do you recommend one?
A “day after” session is when the bride, the groom, me, and my camera head out to an awesome location the day after the wedding to get some totally relaxed, totally hot photos of the two of you — alone! By this point, all the pressure’s off. You don’t have to worry about wrinkling your dress or messing up your hair. You don’t have to worry that you’re missing your reception and ignoring your guests while you’re having your photos taken. You can focus completely on each other and the love the two of you share; this — uninterrupted by any other obligations — will make for some incredible portraits. I absolutely recommend the day-after session. I really wish I had done one after my own wedding.
What happens after the wedding?
After the wedding, I’ll sort through all your photos and spend up to four weeks digitally processing and enhancing your photos. Once I’m finished, I will upload your portraits to my online proofing gallery, e-mail you the password, and then you’ll be able to see your images on my website! Feel free to share the link and password with family and friends. Your gallery will remain live for 60 days, so please place all print orders during this time.
If your wedding collection includes a slideshow, that will be created shortly after your online gallery is posted.
What will be in my online proofing gallery?
Your online proofing gallery will consist of several smaller galleries representing each part of your wedding day — “getting ready” shots, the “first look,” formals, the ceremony, and the reception, for example. The photos in these galleries will receive basic digital enhancements and may be in color or black-and-white, depending on which I think looks best. If there’s a particular black-and-white image that you’d like to see in color, or vice versa, just let me know. There will also be one sub-gallery called “photographer’s favorites” that contains my favorite images from your wedding day. These images will be more extensively and artistically enhanced — blemishes and stray hairs will be removed, more artistic processing effects will be applied, etc. Here is a visual example of the different levels of re-touching:
Because of the great amount of time needed to apply this final level of digital enhancement to each image, only the “favorites” will initially receive this treatment. But any image you order as a print and every image you choose to include in your wedding album will also receive this special level of attention and care. The “favorites” gallery is intended to show you the possibilities for all of your images.
How do I order prints?
You — and your family and friends — will be able to order prints from the comfort of your own home through your online proofing gallery. Each image can be added to your online shopping cart in whatever size you choose. When you check out, you’ll receive an invoice by e-mail. Then you can either send me a check for your order or pay online with a credit or debit card through PayPal.
Please note that I won’t begin processing your order until I receive payment.
Does it really make a difference whether I order prints from you or Walgreen’s?
It really, really does! All of my prints are archival quality and are printed professionally on long-lasting paper in a luster finish to protect from handling and fingerprints. All prints 11×14 or larger are professionally mounted and sprayed with a protective coating for longevity. No print you order from any one-hour photo lab will match the quality of the prints you’ll receive from me. You’ve already made a significant investment in your wedding images, so please don’t gamble on prints that are not guaranteed to last!
What is the album design process?
First, I’ll ask you to send me a list of the photos you absolutely must have in your album. Based on that list, I’ll take a first crack at the album design and e-mail you digital album proofs. Then you’ll have the opportunity to give me feedback. I’ll make some final tweaks based on your comments, you’ll give your final approval, and then it’s off to the printer! From that date, expect to wait six to eight weeks for your finished album to be delivered. But it’ll absolutely be worth it!
When will I receive the DVD of high-resolution images? What exactly is on the DVD?
You’ll receive your DVD shortly after you receive your wedding album. The DVD will contain every image from your online proofing gallery — including the “photographer’s favorites.”
Have a question I haven’t answered? Contact me!