FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS!) ABOUT WEDDING COVERAGE

Can you describe your style of wedding photography?

I cover weddings in a very journalistic style. I’m pretty hands-off and unobtrusive in my coverage of the day, but I believe there is a time and place for incredible, casually posed images of the bride and groom and the people they love the most. While I won’t stop you and make you pose while cutting the cake, I would love about an hour (or more!) alone with you both at some point during the day to create some images of you away from your wedding party and guests. My images of the guests at the wedding are almost entirely journalistic, and I prefer to capture guests smiling, laughing, dancing, drinking and having a great time, rather than taking posed “table shots".

Do you do engagement sessions?

Yes, I do. Please take note that most engagement sessions have to be done Tuesday-Thursday because of a heavy wedding schedule, but I occasionally have availability on a Friday or Monday and sometimes the rare Sunday (but not often!).

Do you take posed family images?

Absolutely! Those family images serve as a record of your entire family at an important time in your history together. Before your wedding, I ask you to fill out a questionnaire that lets me know all the people who are going to be in the family portraits. These groupings are quick, easy, and largely informal and I really try to make them pleasant and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Do you travel?

I live in Windermere, Muskoka, but I also spend a lot of time in the GTA as well as many weeks a year in British Columbia. If you commission me to cover your wedding outside of Muskoka, you are hiring someone very experienced with travel for business.

Are you the only photographer?

Yes! I am the primary photographer. When you book me, it’s me who shows up. I always work with an experienced assistant who also shoots some photos on the wedding day, but I can also bring an additional professional photographer with me if your wedding requires extra coverage.

Do you have insurance?

I sure do. My insurance covers all of my equipment, as well as significant liability. If your venue demands a certificate of insurance, I’m happy to provide it.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I use top-of-the-line professional Canon cameras, lenses and flashes, and I have extensive backups for when things invariably break at the exact wrong time. 

How many weddings have you photographed?

I’ve been in business for myself since 2008, and I’ve photographed over 200 weddings. Jeepers!

What is your payment schedule?

A booking fee/retainer of $750 is due to reserve your date. The final amount is due the week of the wedding. I accept e-mail transfer, Visa, Mastercard, cheque and cash.

I have to cancel my wedding. Can I have my retainer back?

No, you cannot. The retainer is non-refundable. The retainer guarantees that I will hold the date exclusively for you and once you’ve signed the contract, I turn down all other commissions for that date.

What if you, like, die or something?

If I die, I can guarantee that I will NOT be at your wedding. However, arrangements will be made to supply you with a suitable replacement from one of the many professional organizations and networking groups to which I belong.

If we decide to commission you for our wedding, when should we book?

ASAP. Since I cannot “hold” dates or “pencil you in”, dates are booked when deposits are received. Most of my clients contract my services within a year of the wedding date. Very rarely, I will have an opening two months down the road, but your chances for booking me two full calendar years ahead are excellent.

If we run overtime, will you stay?

Of course! I have an overtime rate and it goes into effect only with your permission and approval that I continue coverage of your wedding day. I will bill you for those hours after you return from your honeymoon.

Do you offer discounts for off-season or non-Saturday events?

Occasionally discounts are available but these are based on time of year, my travel schedule, and availability. If you have concerns about your budgetary needs, please contact me directly to create a custom package.

Do we need to feed you and your staff at the reception?

It would be really lovely if you did. It doesn’t have to be the same as your sit-down meal (many caterers offer “vendor meals” as an add-on option) but feeding me ensures that I stay creative, cheerful, mobile, and that I don’t faint from starvation. I prefer to eat at the same time as you, because, let’s face it, nobody is at their most photogenic when they’re eating. Also, we want to be finished eating at the same time as you so that we’re ready to continue your coverage.

Can our family and friends take pictures with their cameras? Will that bother you?

Of course they can! I do request they not swarm the family photographs right away because I’d prefer all eyes facing my camera in your images, but I don’t mind at all if they snap away from the background. I do not allow family or friends to come along for the bridal images or the images of you two alone for privacy purposes and because, frankly, other people can be distracting! I welcome other cameras during dancing, cake cutting, and other events; I just ask politely that people respect my presence and not push me out of the way.

How long does it take to get our products and images?

A collection of “sneak peeks” goes out within two weeks of your wedding. Online galleries are posted within six weeks of the wedding date. Upon final approval of album designs, most albums are ready for delivery within 12 weeks.

How many pictures will we get?

The number of photographs taken depends on many things - the number of guests, hours of coverage etc. My average is usually around 50 great finished frames per hour, but often it’s much, much higher.

Do we get to keep the negatives?

I provide the edited, high-resolution digital files (the digital equivalent of negatives). However, I don’t give you every single frame I take – there are many doubles, frames with not-quite-perfect exposure or focus, and a bunch where your eyes are closed. Trust me that I’ll include everything worth including. Also, I do retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competition, professional review, and so on.

Do you come to the rehearsal?

Rehearsal dinner coverage is available if you’d like to add it to your package, otherwise I do not attend the rehearsals.

How does the album design process work?

Should your package include an album, I ask you to select about 50 favourite images to start the design process. Once you choose your images it takes about four weeks to produce your first draft and each round of changes generally takes two business weeks to complete. You will get to preview your album design and make two rounds of changes to it before a change-fee is billed. Once you approve the layout, I will help you choose your album cover style, colour, imprinting, and other small details, then you’ll sign off on the book and it will go to print.

 What is the online gallery?

The online gallery is a private, password protected section on my website where all of your wedding photographs will be placed online for you and your family and friends to view. All you have to do is provide the password to anyone who you want to be able to view the images.