Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How long have you been shooting weddings?

I photographed my first wedding in 2008 in Mississippi. My photography has changed quite a bit since then!

HOW MANY WEDDINGS HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED?

My cumulative total is quite different compared to your average wedding photographer. Because my business is in Vegas, with a booming chapel and elopement scene, I’ve photographed well over 1500 weddings, engagements, and elopements!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘WEDDING’ AND ELOPEMENT’?

When I refer to a wedding, I’m talking about the traditional, all-day wedding event with ceremony and reception and guests…lots of guests! When I refer to an elopement, I’m speaking of a shorter (usually 1 or 2 hour) wedding day when the bride and groom sneak to Vegas to get married in an intimate ceremony.

DO YOU SHOOT DIGITAL OR FILM?

For your wedding, I shoot digitally. When I’m not photographing weddings, I love to shoot and develop my own film!

WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?

My main camera is a Canon 5D MKIV. My secondary cameras are a Canon 5D MkIII and a Mamiya 645D (Medium Format Film!!). My favorite lenses are the 85mm f/1.2, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8.

DO YOU SHOOT IN COLOR AND/OR BLACK AND WHITE?

In camera I shoot everything in color. During post processing I convert roughly 15%-20% of the photos to black and white depending on lighting and mood.

CAN I GIVE YOU A LIST OF SPECIFIC SHOTS WE WOULD LIKE?

You’re certainly more than welcome to send over a list of specific shots you’d like me to take. I do, however, recommend that the list be small. Sticking to a shot list can actually hinder the creativity of the day and cause me to miss moments that are unique and genuine to you as a couple, and your wedding day.

IF MY WEDDING SITE IS OUT OF YOUR AREA, DO YOU CHARGE A TRAVEL FEE AND WHAT DOES THAT COVER?

I do have a small travel fee of $150 for weddings within a half day’s drive of Vegas. For weddings further than a half-day’s drive, I charge a one time fee of$150 and additionally lodging/per every day I’m away from Vegas.

CAN I CUSTOMIZE A PACKAGE BASED ON MY NEEDS?

Absolutely. I can send you an A La Carte list of services and products.

HOW LONG AFTER THE WEDDING WILL I GET THE PROOFS?

1-3 weeks

WILL THEY BE VIEWABLE ONLINE?

Most definitely. You receive an online gallery with all of your photos from your photo session. From there you’re able to download photos, or purchase prints and canvases! You’re also able to share your online gallery with friends and family!

WILL YOU BE POSTING ABOUT OUR WEDDING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?

I do try to post each and every photo session I do! Sometimes life gets a little hectic and I miss a few photo sessions to post online and in social media. So though there is a very good chance I’ll be posting about your wedding or photo session, it is not guaranteed.

WILL YOU BE SUBMITTING OUR WEDDING PHOTOS TO MAGAZINES OR BLOGS?

I love submitting weddings to magazines and blogs! There is a chance I will submit yours to be published. If this happens, you’ll most likely receive an email from the editor or writer in charge of the specific publication your photos will be appearing in to let you know about the publication and to gain a bit more info from you.

HOW LONG AFTER I ORDER MY PHOTOS/ALBUM WILL I RECEIVE THEM?

Approximately 1-2 weeks.

WILL YOU GIVE ME THE DIGITAL NEGATIVES AND/OR THE DIGITAL IMAGES, AND IS THERE A FEE FOR THAT? WILL THE DIGITAL IMAGES BE HIGH-RESOLUTION?

Some of my wedding packages include your digital images in high-resolution. Within the packages this is known as “Print Rights”. If your package doesn’t contain Print Rights, you have the option of purchasing them at a later time, or individually from your online gallery in the form of high resolution images.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT?

As soon as you’ve decided on which package you’re going to choose and let me know, I’ll send you over a formal proposal outlining all of the package contents. This proposal also includes my contract and invoice to pay your retainer.

HOW MUCH OF A DEPOSIT DO YOU REQUIRE AND WHEN IS IT DUE? DO YOU OFFER A PAYMENT PLAN? 

I require a 50% non-refundable retainer at the time of contract signing to secure your wedding or photo session date. The remaining balance is due 3 weeks prior to your event date.   All payments are done in 2 equal parts.

DO YOU HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Yes. :) 
If a venue or other vendor is requesting to be added to my policy, request the specific wording they'd like added, and I will make it happen.

IS IT OKAY IF OTHER PEOPLE TAKE PHOTOS WHILE YOU'RE TAKING PHOTOS?

Guests are always welcome to take photographs while I’m photographing you or your event so long as they do not hinder our photo session together. I do, however, ask that no other professional photographers be present while I am photographing your event, including other hired vendors sans my secondary photographers or assitants.

CAN I HAVE the RAW, unedited IMAGES?

I do not provide access to RAW or unedited image files to clients.  The reason for this is because the digital photography process is two-fold taking place both in camera, and afterward during the post-processing period.  As an artist, I do not consider the image complete until it has gone through post-processing and therefore will not hand over an incomplete image to clients.

IF MY EVENT LASTS LONGER THAN EXPECTED, WILL YOU STAY? IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE?

I can certainly stay longer if needed. There is an hourly A La Carte photography coverage fee of $400/per additional hour of coverage needed.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK YOU?

My booking policy is 1 month before your scheduled event date up to within 1 year of the date of inquiry, depending on availability.

WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED FROM ME BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY?

As much information as you want to give me is always appreciated, but the bare minimum would be your event date, venue/location, type of event (ie all day wedding, elopement, etc), and estimated photography budget.

WILL THERE BE A SECOND SHOOTER OR ANY ASSISTANTS?

If your photography package includes a second shooter/assistant, they are guaranteed to be at your wedding or event. If you have a package that does not include a second shooter/assistant, you still may get one, though their presence is not guaranteed.

HOW LONG AFTER THE WEDDING DO WE GET TO SEE THE PHOTOS?

Approximately 1-3 weeks.

DO YOU OWN THE COPYRIGHT TO THE PHOTOS?

Yes. This is what it means to own the copyright: I retain the ability to say that I created the photo, and can alter it and publish it without restriction. You, as the client, are still able to buy the “Print Rights” (or they may already be included within your package), which gives you the ability to print and reproduce the images at your discretion.  

CAN I SEE A LIST OF REFERENCES AND/OR REVIEWS?

HOW MANY PHOTOS DO I GET?

I shoot approximately 70-120 images per hour.

WILL YOU PHOTOSHOP MY PHOTOS IF I FEEL THEY NEED TO BE PHOTOSHOPPED?

All photos include light retouching at no additional cost. This includes color correction and light skin or blemish retouching. Any specific photoshop requests outside of what is already included within your package will be subject to a $3/per image fee.

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WILL YOU PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR US TO OUR PHOTO LOCATION(S)?

Nevada requires that a business have a specific transportation permit in order to legally, and safely, transport clients.  Because my photography business does not deal with transportation specifically, my insurance will not allow me to transport any clients.  Because of this, all clients must make their own transportation plans for photo sessions separately.