F.A.Q.
Below are clients' commonly asked questions. If you don't see your question below, please use the contact form above to ask me.
1.) What's your timeline for delivering photos, albums, DVDs, etc... after a wedding?
Within the first two weeks after your wedding, I'll blog your wedding highlights.
Within two months of the event, your photos will be online in a password-protected gallery where you and your friends and family can order prints.
2.) How does the album ordering and design process work?
You pick out your favorite 50-80 photos for the album in your online photo gallery. Then I design the first album proof and include other detail shots.
After the client suggests photo edits to the first draft (usually just swapping a couple photos out for ones that include another family member), I make the desired changes and show the final proof to the client for one more quick look to make sure the changes where made correctly.
Upon final client approval, I send the album to the album-making company. Should the client request additional edits after the second review, additional costs may accrue.
3.) How many photos will I receive from my wedding day?
You will receive at least 600 photos on a DVD, separated into folders such as "getting ready," "ceremony," "formal portraits," etc...
At least 20 of these photos will be retouched and given artistic edits (these are the photos that are posted on my blog).
4.) How does the print ordering process work?
All prints ordered through me are printed on the highest quality of photographic paper and receive retouching and the extra "oomph" I give to photos in which you see on my blog.
5.) Do you photograph formal family portraits during weddings?
While my style is more documentary, I view formal family portraits as an important historic record and should be handled with the utmost of care. At the same time, I want your family and guests to enjoy your wedding, so I handle formal portraits in the most time-efficient manner possible.
By receiving grouping lists from clients prior to their wedding and asking for a family member to be responsible for helping me gather people, together, we are able to achieve this task.
6.) What is a second photographer, and should I hire one?
A second photographer allows for more coverage of guests and different vantage points throughout the ceremony and reception. I work with "seconds" who are not only professional and talented, but who are also friendly without being pushy.
I strongly recommend booking a package with a second photographer if you have more than 100 guests.
The other bonus to having a second photographer is that should I become incapacitated on your wedding day - which means I'm in the hospital in a coma - the second photographer becomes the primary photographer.
7.) What happens if you can't attend the wedding?
You mean what happens if I'm in the hospital while in a coma? (I recognize your wedding day only happens once in a lifetime, therefore a little cold won't prevent me from making it to your wedding.) If you have a second photographer, they will become the primary photographer and will hire another second photographer.
If you don't have a second photographer, then I (or my appointed family member) will send out an alert to all of the Chicago wedding photography community that you are in DIRE need of a photographer. Believe it or not, Chicago wedding photographers are a pretty tight-knit group and love to help each other out. You will also be free to look for a photographer at the same time.
HOWEVER, knock on wood, you will never be in this kind of situation.
8.) Should I give you a list of poses and events I want covered during my wedding?
This isn't necessary. I'm pretty fast on my feet and know my way around events. You will most likely receive all of the shots you are hoping for, plus more.
The other problem with these types of lists is that it takes my attention away from capturing your unique story. You can't really look down at a list and notice what's going around you at the same time, right? True photojournalistic coverage requires an open mind to creatively see your wedding day in a new light.
9.) Are you available for destination weddings and engagements?
Yes! I love these. New locations completely inspire me. Please contact me and I will create a custom quote for you.
10.) I'm going to have a [Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Hindu, Jain, Mormon, Civil Commitment, etc...] wedding at a [temple, cathedral, boat, very dark restaurant, circus, etc...]. Have you shot one of those? Do you think you can photograph it and capture my important moments?
Yes! With my photojournalist skills, I can capture any event because I'm looking for emotion and listening to the ceremony for all of the important clues as to what makes a wedding special. Plus, I'm an avid learner of different cultures (after all, I have a political science degree specializing in international affairs), and will study and work with you prior to your ceremony so I am familiar with the meaning behind each action.
This zest for learning about new cultures and people also enables me to view weddings at venues I've already been to with fresh eyes. Every wedding is special.
1.) What's your timeline for delivering photos, albums, DVDs, etc... after a wedding?
Within the first two weeks after your wedding, I'll blog your wedding highlights.
Within two months of the event, your photos will be online in a password-protected gallery where you and your friends and family can order prints.
2.) How does the album ordering and design process work?
You pick out your favorite 50-80 photos for the album in your online photo gallery. Then I design the first album proof and include other detail shots.
After the client suggests photo edits to the first draft (usually just swapping a couple photos out for ones that include another family member), I make the desired changes and show the final proof to the client for one more quick look to make sure the changes where made correctly.
Upon final client approval, I send the album to the album-making company. Should the client request additional edits after the second review, additional costs may accrue.
3.) How many photos will I receive from my wedding day?
You will receive at least 600 photos on a DVD, separated into folders such as "getting ready," "ceremony," "formal portraits," etc...
At least 20 of these photos will be retouched and given artistic edits (these are the photos that are posted on my blog).
4.) How does the print ordering process work?
All prints ordered through me are printed on the highest quality of photographic paper and receive retouching and the extra "oomph" I give to photos in which you see on my blog.
5.) Do you photograph formal family portraits during weddings?
While my style is more documentary, I view formal family portraits as an important historic record and should be handled with the utmost of care. At the same time, I want your family and guests to enjoy your wedding, so I handle formal portraits in the most time-efficient manner possible.
By receiving grouping lists from clients prior to their wedding and asking for a family member to be responsible for helping me gather people, together, we are able to achieve this task.
6.) What is a second photographer, and should I hire one?
A second photographer allows for more coverage of guests and different vantage points throughout the ceremony and reception. I work with "seconds" who are not only professional and talented, but who are also friendly without being pushy.
I strongly recommend booking a package with a second photographer if you have more than 100 guests.
The other bonus to having a second photographer is that should I become incapacitated on your wedding day - which means I'm in the hospital in a coma - the second photographer becomes the primary photographer.
7.) What happens if you can't attend the wedding?
You mean what happens if I'm in the hospital while in a coma? (I recognize your wedding day only happens once in a lifetime, therefore a little cold won't prevent me from making it to your wedding.) If you have a second photographer, they will become the primary photographer and will hire another second photographer.
If you don't have a second photographer, then I (or my appointed family member) will send out an alert to all of the Chicago wedding photography community that you are in DIRE need of a photographer. Believe it or not, Chicago wedding photographers are a pretty tight-knit group and love to help each other out. You will also be free to look for a photographer at the same time.
HOWEVER, knock on wood, you will never be in this kind of situation.
8.) Should I give you a list of poses and events I want covered during my wedding?
This isn't necessary. I'm pretty fast on my feet and know my way around events. You will most likely receive all of the shots you are hoping for, plus more.
The other problem with these types of lists is that it takes my attention away from capturing your unique story. You can't really look down at a list and notice what's going around you at the same time, right? True photojournalistic coverage requires an open mind to creatively see your wedding day in a new light.
9.) Are you available for destination weddings and engagements?
Yes! I love these. New locations completely inspire me. Please contact me and I will create a custom quote for you.
10.) I'm going to have a [Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Hindu, Jain, Mormon, Civil Commitment, etc...] wedding at a [temple, cathedral, boat, very dark restaurant, circus, etc...]. Have you shot one of those? Do you think you can photograph it and capture my important moments?
Yes! With my photojournalist skills, I can capture any event because I'm looking for emotion and listening to the ceremony for all of the important clues as to what makes a wedding special. Plus, I'm an avid learner of different cultures (after all, I have a political science degree specializing in international affairs), and will study and work with you prior to your ceremony so I am familiar with the meaning behind each action.
This zest for learning about new cultures and people also enables me to view weddings at venues I've already been to with fresh eyes. Every wedding is special.