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FAQ

Getting Started

How far in advance do I need to book you?  The best advice is to secure your date as soon as possible.  Couples typically book their wedding photographers 12 to 18 months in advance and dates book up quickly, especially the spring and summer weekends. If your wedding is only a few months away, though, don’t be afraid to reach out to check and see if your date is still available!

When will I receive a written contract?  We will review the contract during your initial consultation.  The contract protects both you and us, and clearly defines the terms of service, the expectations, and the pricing.  After we agree on the details and you are ready to book with us, a signed copy be yours to keep.

How much is the deposit?  When is it due?  The non-refundable deposit is 10% of the wedding package price, which is due within 7 days of receiving your signed contract. The remaining balance is due 7 days before your wedding date.

Are you the photographer who will shoot my wedding?  I am the photographer who will shoot your wedding.

Do you include engagement photos in your packages?  Yes, in select packages.

If my wedding location is outside your normal area, do you charge a travel fee?  I enjoy travelling, and will be happy to work with you.  Whether yours is a destination wedding, or simply outside of Northern California, I am sure we can find a solution.

Do you have a portfolio of recent weddings you’ve shot that I can see?  Definitely! You are welcome to view the wedding galleries that are posted on the website.  If you would like to see all of the images that we deliver to a bride, I am happy to share those during the initial consultation.

Do you have liability insurance?  Absolutely, we are covered! Should your venue request a copy, feel free to direct them right to me and we’ll get it taken care of.

Engagement Photographs

How long does the engagement shoot typically last?  It varies based on clothing and location choices, but typically lasts about 1 hour.

How many locations do you allow for an engagement shoot?  We suggest choosing one or two local, meaningful locations for your engagement photos.

How many outfits should we bring to an engagement shoot?  1 or 2 is just fine – most couples choose to bring both a casual outfit along with one that is slightly dressier.

How long will it take until I receive my engagement photographs?  We will post your high-resolution engagement photographs in an online gallery within 1 to 2 weeks of your engagement session.

Wedding Photographs

What do wedding collections include?   All packages include images edited in-house, a social-media-optimized online gallery, and a USB Drive with high-resolution images.  Full packages add an initial consultation session including timeline planning and full wedding day coverage.

Do all wedding collections include an album?  Not all of our packages include albums. If you choose to purchase one, we will create a unique custom design that tells the story of your day. You will be able to review and approve the design before it is created. The hand built, leather bound album will be delivered directly to your door.

What information do you need from me before the wedding day?  At the initial consultation, we will go over a questionnaire that we need filled out within two weeks, so that we can begin our planning. This includes information such as the timeline for the day, locations, and written list of requested images, and family formal group for photographs.

Can you come visit my venue prior to the wedding?  Absolutely!  We prefer to attend the wedding rehearsal, actually.  We can get re-acquainted with the venue, we can meet the celebrant to discuss any restrictions that they or the venue may have (limited flash use, for example), we can meet your families and your bridal party before The Big Day, and we can review any last-minute items with you.

What happens if the wedding photographer gets sick or there is an emergency? Do you have a backup plan?  In the unlikely event that I am unable to photograph your wedding, we would bring in another (trusted) photographer in an emergent situation from within our network.  All of the images from your wedding will still be edited in-house, to make sure they meet our quality standards.

Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?  Yes, and it’s actually helpful to know what inspires you, what look you want, and any specific shots you have in mind.  We don’t carry a “shot list” all day – it distracts from capturing the emotions and the flow of your day.

On the wedding day, do you pick out the locations to photograph at? How many can we choose?  It’s up to you – and this is one of the things we discuss during the initial consultation.  If you have a favorite or meaningful spot, we can make it work – and we can also help you with ideas for gorgeous locations.  If you plan time between the ceremony and reception, do things or go to locations that are fun.  It’s your wedding day, and this is all about your story.

What time will you arrive at the site and for how long will you shoot?  We will arrive while you are getting ready, usually 60 to 90 minutes before you need to leave for the ceremony.  This allows us to photograph details like gown and shoes and rings, along with those often emotional last moments with your bridesmaids and your parents.

If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?  All of our packages include full-day coverage.  Your wedding day is too important to be limited by a clock.

How will you be dressed?  We will be dressed professionally, to fit the style of your wedding.

Is it okay if other people take photos while you’re photographing?  Everyone has cameras on their phones today – it’s an Instagram world.  Of course everyone will be excited on your wedding day, and we fully expect them to take pictures.  It only becomes a problem when guests are cause us to miss important moments – when they get in the way, frankly, of us doing the job for which you are paying.  If that happens, we will ask that they refrain from taking photos.

How can I make sure I look good in my photos?  Be relaxed, be yourself, and enjoy your day as if we aren’t there.  We work hard to be unobtrusive, so that you can focus on the incredible experience and feelings of the day.  Natural emotions come through the camera, and we’ll be sure to capture them.  We’ll work with you on timeline planning, too, so that you can be comfortable knowing that we have time to get everything done, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.

How many photographs will you take? How many photographs will you deliver?  For Full Weddings, we take anywhere from 750 to 1,500 photographs on your wedding day, and around half that for Intimate Weddings.  After your wedding has been edited and the best, most authentic images have been selected, we will deliver 350 to 500 photos.

How do you ensure our images are safe?  While photographing, we use two cards so that all of the images have a back up.  The picture files are downloaded for in-house editing, and then backed up to offline storage.  Your photos will exist in 3 different locations, just to be safe.

How do you edit?  All of the images are closely examined and the best ones are retained for finer editing, which includes adjusting exposure, balance, composition, toning, and sharpening.  Keeping our editing in-house allows us to ensure a consistent and natural look to all of the images.  If you have a specific request for editing, we are happy to discuss it with you, although extensive editing will incur additional charges.

What are the restrictions for sharing photos online or printing? Do you own the copyright to the photos?   Your photos will be delivered to you on a USB drive, in high resolution and without watermarks.  You will have an royalty-free license to re-print your images in whatever way you choose, as often as you choose, including sharing on social media.  The only thing you may not do is re-sell the images without permission of the photographer.

Will you be posting about our wedding on your social media sites or your photography website?  Yes.  We are as excited about beautiful images as you are.

How long after the wedding will I get my photographs? Can I download them online? Or do I get a USB?  Your images will be posted in an online gallery within 2 weeks of your wedding, and you will receive a link to that gallery that you can share with friends and family.  Gallery images will be watermarked and in lower resolution, and those images can be downloaded and shared.  You will receive a USB drive of your high-resolution images within 4 weeks of your wedding.

The Other Stuff

What equipment do you use?  We shoot still images on professional DSLR cameras.

Cameras:  Nikon Z6 (primary and backup)

Lenses:  Nikon 35mm F1.8  //   Nikon 85mm F1.8  //   Nikon 24-70 F2.8  //   Nikon 70-200 F2.8

Lighting:   Nikon Speedlight SB 600   //   Mag Mod Flash Modifiers

Editing:  Adobe Lightroom

Do you only photograph weddings?  Primarily, yes.  Very occasionally, I will photograph families or children, and have completed some assignments for non-profit organizations.  I also photograph landscapes and travel scenes, and you can see some of that work on the website.  I started taking pictures because I enjoyed it, and I don’t want to lose that feeling.

FAQ

Getting Started

How far in advance do I need to book you?  The best advice is to secure your date as soon as possible.  Couples typically book their wedding photographers 12 to 18 months in advance and dates book up quickly, especially the spring and summer weekends. If your wedding is only a few months away, though, don’t be afraid to reach out to check and see if your date is still available!

When will I receive a written contract?  We will review the contract during your initial consultation.  The contract protects both you and us, and clearly defines the terms of service, the expectations, and the pricing.  After we agree on the details and you are ready to book with us, a signed copy be yours to keep.

How much is the deposit?  When is it due?  The non-refundable deposit is 10% of the wedding package price, which is due within 7 days of receiving your signed contract. The remaining balance is due 7 days before your wedding date.

Are you the photographer who will shoot my wedding?  I am the photographer who will shoot your wedding.

Do you include engagement photos in your packages?  Yes, in select packages.

If my wedding location is outside your normal area, do you charge a travel fee?  I enjoy travelling, and will be happy to work with you.  Whether yours is a destination wedding, or simply outside of Northern California, I am sure we can find a solution.

Do you have a portfolio of recent weddings you’ve shot that I can see?  Definitely! You are welcome to view the wedding galleries that are posted on the website.  If you would like to see all of the images that we deliver to a bride, I am happy to share those during the initial consultation.

Do you have liability insurance?  Absolutely, we are covered! Should your venue request a copy, feel free to direct them right to me and we’ll get it taken care of.

Engagement Photographs

How long does the engagement shoot typically last?  It varies based on clothing and location choices, but typically lasts about 1 hour.

How many locations do you allow for an engagement shoot?  We suggest choosing one or two local, meaningful locations for your engagement photos.

How many outfits should we bring to an engagement shoot?  1 or 2 is just fine – most couples choose to bring both a casual outfit along with one that is slightly dressier.

How long will it take until I receive my engagement photographs?  We will post your high-resolution engagement photographs in an online gallery within 1 to 2 weeks of your engagement session.

Wedding Photographs

What do wedding collections include?   All packages include images edited in-house, a social-media-optimized online gallery, and a USB Drive with high-resolution images.  Full packages add an initial consultation session including timeline planning and full wedding day coverage.

Do all wedding collections include an album?  Not all of our packages include albums. If you choose to purchase one, we will create a unique custom design that tells the story of your day. You will be able to review and approve the design before it is created. The hand built, leather bound album will be delivered directly to your door.

What information do you need from me before the wedding day?  At the initial consultation, we will go over a questionnaire that we need filled out within two weeks, so that we can begin our planning. This includes information such as the timeline for the day, locations, and written list of requested images, and family formal group for photographs.

Can you come visit my venue prior to the wedding?  Absolutely!  We prefer to attend the wedding rehearsal, actually.  We can get re-acquainted with the venue, we can meet the celebrant to discuss any restrictions that they or the venue may have (limited flash use, for example), we can meet your families and your bridal party before The Big Day, and we can review any last-minute items with you.

What happens if the wedding photographer gets sick or there is an emergency? Do you have a backup plan?  In the unlikely event that I am unable to photograph your wedding, we would bring in another (trusted) photographer in an emergent situation from within our network.  All of the images from your wedding will still be edited in-house, to make sure they meet our quality standards.

Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?  Yes, and it’s actually helpful to know what inspires you, what look you want, and any specific shots you have in mind.  We don’t carry a “shot list” all day – it distracts from capturing the emotions and the flow of your day.

On the wedding day, do you pick out the locations to photograph at? How many can we choose?  It’s up to you – and this is one of the things we discuss during the initial consultation.  If you have a favorite or meaningful spot, we can make it work – and we can also help you with ideas for gorgeous locations.  If you plan time between the ceremony and reception, do things or go to locations that are fun.  It’s your wedding day, and this is all about your story.

What time will you arrive at the site and for how long will you shoot?  We will arrive while you are getting ready, usually 60 to 90 minutes before you need to leave for the ceremony.  This allows us to photograph details like gown and shoes and rings, along with those often emotional last moments with your bridesmaids and your parents.

If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?  All of our packages include full-day coverage.  Your wedding day is too important to be limited by a clock.

How will you be dressed?  We will be dressed professionally, to fit the style of your wedding.

Is it okay if other people take photos while you’re photographing?  Everyone has cameras on their phones today – it’s an Instagram world.  Of course everyone will be excited on your wedding day, and we fully expect them to take pictures.  It only becomes a problem when guests are cause us to miss important moments – when they get in the way, frankly, of us doing the job for which you are paying.  If that happens, we will ask that they refrain from taking photos.

How can I make sure I look good in my photos?  Be relaxed, be yourself, and enjoy your day as if we aren’t there.  We work hard to be unobtrusive, so that you can focus on the incredible experience and feelings of the day.  Natural emotions come through the camera, and we’ll be sure to capture them.  We’ll work with you on timeline planning, too, so that you can be comfortable knowing that we have time to get everything done, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.

How many photographs will you take? How many photographs will you deliver?  For Full Weddings, we take anywhere from 750 to 1,500 photographs on your wedding day, and around half that for Intimate Weddings.  After your wedding has been edited and the best, most authentic images have been selected, we will deliver 350 to 500 photos.

How do you ensure our images are safe?  While photographing, we use two cards so that all of the images have a back up.  The picture files are downloaded for in-house editing, and then backed up to offline storage.  Your photos will exist in 3 different locations, just to be safe.

How do you edit?  All of the images are closely examined and the best ones are retained for finer editing, which includes adjusting exposure, balance, composition, toning, and sharpening.  Keeping our editing in-house allows us to ensure a consistent and natural look to all of the images.  If you have a specific request for editing, we are happy to discuss it with you, although extensive editing will incur additional charges.

What are the restrictions for sharing photos online or printing? Do you own the copyright to the photos?   Your photos will be delivered to you on a USB drive, in high resolution and without watermarks.  You will have an royalty-free license to re-print your images in whatever way you choose, as often as you choose, including sharing on social media.  The only thing you may not do is re-sell the images without permission of the photographer.

Will you be posting about our wedding on your social media sites or your photography website?  Yes.  We are as excited about beautiful images as you are.

How long after the wedding will I get my photographs? Can I download them online? Or do I get a USB?  Your images will be posted in an online gallery within 2 weeks of your wedding, and you will receive a link to that gallery that you can share with friends and family.  Gallery images will be watermarked and in lower resolution, and those images can be downloaded and shared.  You will receive a USB drive of your high-resolution images within 4 weeks of your wedding.

The Other Stuff

What equipment do you use?  We shoot still images on professional DSLR cameras.

Cameras:  Nikon Z6 (primary and backup)

Lenses:  Nikon 35mm F1.8  //   Nikon 85mm F1.8  //   Nikon 24-70 F2.8  //   Nikon 70-200 F2.8

Lighting:   Nikon Speedlight SB 600   //   Mag Mod Flash Modifiers

Editing:  Adobe Lightroom

Do you only photograph weddings?  Primarily, yes.  Very occasionally, I will photograph families or children, and have completed some assignments for non-profit organizations.  I also photograph landscapes and travel scenes, and you can see some of that work on the website.  I started taking pictures because I enjoyed it, and I don’t want to lose that feeling.

Ready to learn more?
ARRANGE A CONSULTATION NOW