Here is a list of general questions and answers – if you have a question that is not answered below email me!
1. When we hire you, will you be the photographer shooting our wedding?
Yes! I am a one woman show here 
I shoot all my weddings alone, I do however highly advice adding on to your package a second shooter. I may bring an assistant with me from time to time. Hiring a second shooter for the day means that you will have another professional photographer at your wedding that will capture different angles, and other items that I may not be able to go to while I am with you.
2. What if your camera or lens fails at the wedding?
I have back up equipment! I have a back up camera body that I bring to all weddings. It has the correct cards that are free and ready to use, plus the batteries are always charged up and ready to go. I also have extra lenses that cover all of my main lenses – in case one breaks I will have a functional one right on the bag around my shoulder. I do have extra tripods/monopods and the works but they usually stay in the trunk unless I know I need them for you wedding day.
3. Why does it only take 30 days to view my proofs online, but could take up to 6 months to receive my CD?
It only takes 30 days for the proofs to become available online for viewing because I go through an do what I call is a “rough edit”. I take out any photos with people blinking, picking their nose, etc. I also go through and do a basic tweak on any photos that need tweaking. This process does not take that long and therefor your photos are ready to view within those 30 days. It takes up to 6 months to receive your CD because after the rough edit I go through each and every photo and give it any special needs that I see fit. This process does take time, but I promise it is worth the wait!
4. How many photographs will you take at my wedding?
I average out between 30-70 photos per hour. I am a little trigger happy as I want to make sure that every moment is covered and then I do a hard edit to make sure that only the best images are kept. I plan all of my shots and so I take more care and time in figuring out the perfect angle, lighting and moment to take the shot.
5. How are my images archived?
Once I am home from your wedding I immediately take all the images off my cards and load them up onto my computer. From there I transfer them onto my external hard drive, then back them up on DVD’s as well. So right off the bat I have them saved in 3 spots. As I go through and edit them I make two folders, one is of high res files which go onto the CD if you order a CD of images, and the other is a low res file that is for online proofing. All these files are also backed up on my external once they are finished.
6. Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG?
I shoot in RAW. The files that are backed up 3 times ( computer, external, dvd) are all the RAW files. I then convert them using Adobe Lightroom into Jpegs. These new Jpeg images are also backed up on my external and later on a DVD. I work then from the Jpegs, and you will receive the Jpg files on your CD if you order the high res CD.
7. Why do you include a complementary engagement session in all of your packages?
I include a complimentary engagement session in all of my packages because this is a key portrait session. This session lets you get to know me and me get to know you two. You are able to see how I work and how my actual shooting style is before the wedding, plus I am able to see if someone is camera shy or anything like that. It lets you be more comfortable with me as your photographer which will show up in the images and provide great results for not only your engagement session, but also your wedding.
8. Okay, we have our day for our engagement session scheduled… now what time should we pick?!
I always suggest 1-2 hours before the sunset. That is what is considered the golden hours in photographer lingo. It is when the lighting is the best for outdoor photography and will provide the best images. I know that not everyone has these times available because of work and other events – but if we are flexible in picking the time then I always suggest 2 hours before the sunset and work from there. I find that morning hours are also a good lighting time – it may not be The Best like 2 hours before sunset but I have done several shoots around 9/10am in the summer and the results are perfect. I do try to stay away from the midday sun as much as possible so shooting between 12-4 isn’t the best – if that is the only time we can meet then I know how to work with the lighting.
9. Wow, I am getting a little sticker shocked at the investment price! What goes behind this cost?
It is just that – an investment. There are several things behind the cost of each package. Most of my clients will only see me for our meetings, your engagement session and your wedding day. I know it is very easy to think that after your wedding day my work is complete but it has actually just started!
Some of the items that go into your package that are behind the investment are:
- The actual coverage of your wedding
- uploading and backing up files from your wedding
- proofing of your images for the online gallery – roughly 3 hours per hour of coverage
- uploading proofs to online gallery
- backing up all final Jpeg files
- hand editing each and ever image from your wedding day
- Album layout and design
- Album modifications
- Album ordering
- DVD development
- Sending files off to printers and fulfilling print orders
- Canvas, extra prints or anything else that your package might include
Besides these items that are in most of my packages there are also costs of running a business which include:
- license
- Insurance
- LTD registration
- Taxes
- Studio space
- Advertising
- Ongoing educational seminars and workshops to further my abilities
- Equipment and back up equipment
Hopefully this helps in understand why having a professional photographer for your wedding day and senior portraits is actually an investment. It is an investment in your time, money and the piece of mind in knowing that you are going to be receiving amazing photographs that you can look back on years from now.
If you have any further questions please email me and I will answer them!