People love to ask questions and I love to give answers! Here are the top ones I get asked:
Do you only shoot weddings and couples?
I most definitely do offer maternity, family and lifestyle photography! Due to limited spaces with I do only take a select few new families a year as well as offer mini sessions on specific dates in the summer and early fall. Full sessions start at $395. Please fill out the contact form to inquire on availability and full details.
Do we get the RAW/unedited files?
No. The images selected for final delivery reflect my high standards and everything else that isn’t achieved in camera. Please rest assured though that any images not delivered truly are outtakes! I don’t deliver a maximum amount of images, so every viable image is edited and delivered.
Do you deliver images on CD or USB? If not how do we get our images?
Unfortunately no. The reason is that technology is changing so quickly and a lot of those dated ways of storing images are not reliable. A small scratch on a CD could mean the loss of so many images. I choose to use an online delivery system called Pass which stores both the high-resolution images as well as social media friendly ones which are compressed to look sharp without taking ages to upload! Basically Pass is the cloud (what comes next I have no clue but it will be just as awesome!). Your gallery is available for you to view, print, share and save your images for 10 years!!! I always suggest to download and keep a few back up copies on your own cloud storage and hard drives too just in case the cloud has issues. After 1 year of storage on the cloud the images do get archived in a sense that to download them it will take several hours this is because it is a GINORMOUS cloud with millions of data stored on it so to ensure that amazing photographers like me get to keep uploading high resolution images they need to make it as fast as possible somehow and after a year you technically should have downloaded a few and printed them right?????
How many pictures do we get?
My goal is to capture as many of the moments, emotions and details of your day in the time frame of the contracted hours. I generally deliver around 50-80 images per hour of wedding coverage. For families and lifestyle it is usually 30-80 per hour (or sometimes when clients really rock it in 30 mins!)
How long until we get our wedding day pictures?
I’m proud to have one of the fastest turn-around times in the area with a next day preview of some of the day’s best. Generally by the time you wake up your first morning as Mr & Mrs you will have a preview from me of some of my favourite images from the day. My wedding galleries are delivered complete and ready for album design in 3 weeks. Album layout previews will be sent out the same week as your wedding gallery for your review (if you are ordering one). Once your album design is chosen along with cover options the album arrives in 2-3 weeks time (with the exception of business holiday closures). So from wedding day to sitting down sharing your gorgeous album at your coffee table with a friend you’re looking at 6 weeks. I do give myself wiggle room in the event of any health or other unexpected life events that may cause any delay. Quick delivery of amazing images is the icing on the cake for me so I do try my best to stay on it.
Can we view a full wedding day gallery?
I enjoy sharing my work so yes please ask and I will send you a full gallery link or grab a coffee head over to explore my portfolio and blog.
How much time should we plan for our wedding photos?
This is all about proper planning! I gladly assist in the planning of your wedding day timeline that will accommodate the time we need! I usually suggest 2 hrs but again it depends on the timeline, travel between venues, etc. I have in a pinch had to do full wedding day photos in 30 minutes and completed that task like superwoman but wouldn’t suggest it lol. I will provide a few sample timeline ideas to help create the perfect one that suits your day. If you are working with a wedding planner then we will all make sure our timelines work together. I share tips on my blog posts so be sure to check there as well!
Are you insured?
You betcha I am! Would anyone drive a car that isn’t insured or travel to another country without medical insurance? no, so why run a business that is not insured! I have full liability insurance as well as coverage for all my gear (you saw that list and if you add it up it wasn’t cheap to buy!).
What equipment do you use?
I can be considered somewhat of a hoarder (I would prefer to be called a gear geek) when it comes to this so here is what is in my bags:
2 Nikon d750s
2 Canon EOS SLR 35mm film cameras
Sigma 24 1.4 art lens
Sigma 35 1.4 art lens
Sigma 50 1.4 art lens
Sigma 135 1.8 art lens
3 yongnuo flashes with transmitters/ receivers
Magmod magsphere, magbounce and grids
Do you travel for engagement sessions?
I’m sorry have we met? Of course I do!!! I love a good adventure! If you’re a couple who travels to the mountains to hike together… lets go there rather than in town photos! If there’s an incredibly special place to you and we need to drive 3 hours to get there.. lets go! I love engagement sessions that tell a story of adventure and love. As much as I love a good adventure I do need to be sure I am covered for gas, travel, any accommodation that may arise so there may be additional travel fees.
Do you have a second shooter?
I have built up relationships with several other wedding photographers who share my passion and style. I would be extremely thrilled to have anyone of them by my side on your wedding day! So yes I have a list of my ladies to come with me on your wedding day providing they are available (most book a year out). I prefer to only use professional photographers as my second photographers to keep my quality consistent.
What do you wear?
I’m a professional so I dress like one. I love dresses so I usually wear my favorite pocket dress or dress pants with a blouse and blazer (weather permitting on all this). I’m all about comfy shoes so I usually have a pair of comfy flats and if we are heading off into fields I’ll bring along a pair of boots. I always bring a change of clothes so yes if I end up covered in dirt, mud or swamp water (yuck but it has happened) I will be showing up to the reception in an entirely new outfit!
When should we book you?
The best time to book me is as soon as you have secured your venue of choice. Generally 10-14 months before your wedding, however last minute bookings I sometimes end up available for too. I only accept a handful of international weddings a year so it is best to book those 12-14 months out or email me once you have a plan.
How do we book you?
I like to get to know my couples and learn about their expectations to make sure we are a good fit for one another. Once we meet and decide we will be a good fit to work together we will go over contract details along with your non-refundable retainer to reserve the date which is $1000. The balance is due 30 days before the wedding. You’re able to make your own payment plan between booking and balance due if you wish as you’ll have an online account to keep track of your payments and balance.
Where are you located?
Currently I am living in Alberta however I travel frequently to the Okanagan to visit family as well as everywhere for weddings and adventure engagements/elopements. I travel throughout all of Canada as well as worldwide. I’m really just a plane ride away and I am a regular at the airport so it’s no big deal to make a special trip anywhere in the world!
How do I know if we are a good fit together?
My ideal clients are ones who are both involved in the wedding day planning, adventurous and are genuine. They aren’t just looking for a photographer but rather looking for someone who they connect with who will capture their love story to be admired for ages to come. They don’t stop when the camera stops… heck they don’t even notice the camera because they just married their best friend and aren’t worried about getting Pinterest photos, they want their love story not someone else’s. They snuggle up, dance together and laugh a lot.
I hope this helps and please always feel free to contact me with any questions…the planning process can be daunting so rather than being confused like Alyssa here wondering what to do just ask!