Congratulations on your engagement – I’m so excited for you! Whether you just started planning or you are halfway done, here is a ton of information to help!
PHOTO LOCATIONS IN PHILADELPHIA
Brides and grooms always ask me for the best locations for their portrait or bridal party photos. There are so many great locations throughout Philadelphia. I have compiled a list for brides and grooms so they can see the location and also learn a little bit more about what the space has to offer.
WEDDING PLANNING
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VENDORS WE LOVE
From venues to florists here are a few vendors that clients loved and we loved working with!
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MISCELLANEOUS
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VENUES
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CATERERS
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PLANNERS
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DJ’S AND BANDS
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HAIR AND MAKEUP
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VIDEOGRAPHERS
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FLORISTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO WE BOOK?
First we need to make sure I’m available for your date! You can inquire here and once we meet for coffee or chat over the phone about what you’re looking for, we can proceed with booking your date. A non-refundable deposit and signed contract is required to hold your wedding date.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE BOOK?
We celebrate! You crossed one more thing off of your wedding to-do list. After you book your date we can proceed with planning your engagement session. Then, if there is still some time to go before your wedding I will reach out here and there just to say “Hi”. About 6-8 weeks prior to your date I will send you a questionnaire that asks about everything I need to know to perfectly photograph your wedding. After receiving your answers we plan your timeline. Then the week prior to your wedding day I’ll just re-confirm all of the details.
WHERE SHOULD WE DO OUR PHOTOS?
Most family photos are done at the ceremony location but that choice is up to you. Every wedding is unique and we will plan locations accordingly. If you are getting married in Philadelphia I have a list of popular locations above along with their websites and whether or not a permit is required.
WHAT HAPPENS ON MY WEDDING DAY?
Every wedding is unique so there is no single answer to this question however, my style is the same no matter what. I try to just be a fly on the wall during most of the day while just offering my guidance where it is needed. During more of the staged photos I will let you know where to stand and what to do (such as getting dressed or during family formals). For portraits I try to keep the photos as candid as possible with natural posing. After my time is done for the day I backup all of your photos immediately.
WHO PHOTOGRAPHS MY WEDDING?
I am the owner and main photographer and will always be the lead photographer on your wedding day. Second photographers are chosen on a wedding-by-wedding basis from a network of talented photographers.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
I sure do! Safety is my thing and so is being prepared for anything.
WHAT IS COVERED IN YOUR CONTRACT?
My contract is designed to protect myself and my clients. It protects you if anything should happen to me and I can’t photograph your wedding. The contract also provides a print release for your photos that allows you to print your photos anywhere you would like. This does not however, give the client the full copyright. My contract also includes a model release, so that I can use your beautiful photos on my website or to post a sneak peak to Facebook and/or Instagram.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKUP PLAN?
If for some horrible reason, I am unable to photograph your wedding I will present you with two options – I will refund your entire payment and help you find another photographer, or I will choose a photographer to take my place that day. I am a part of a very large network of photographers and work closely with several that I would call first in the case of any emergency.
WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT PHOTO PERMITS?
If the space we have chosen for your photos requires a permit, I will handle applying for and obtaining the necessary permits after which I will send you an invoice for the fees. The permit fees are not included in your package price.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
Yes! A $1000.00 deposit is required for all weddings with the balance due two weeks prior to your wedding. We can create a custom payment plan that you are comfortable with as long as the deposit and final balances are paid on time. You can check out more information regarding pricing here.
HOW DO YOUR GIVE THE IMAGES TO YOUR BRIDES AND GROOMS?
All of my collections include an online gallery where you can download your photos.
HOW DO I ORDER PRINTS AND PRODUCTS?
Typical products like prints and canvases can be ordered through your online gallery. If you are interested in an album just send me an email! We will work together to design something amazing!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WEDDING
Lookout for a sneak peak within a few days of your wedding! Final galleries are delivered in six weeks and include a private, password-protected online gallery where you can download your photos and share with friends and family. If your package includes it, a USB package will be delivered in 6 weeks as well. If you chose to add on an album you can select your favorite photos directly from your online gallery. From there I will design the proofs for your review. After the final draft is approved I send them to my printer. The entire album process can take about 8-10 weeks.
WHAT IS YOUR STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
My style of photography fits my personality as in, I’m not confined to just one thing. You could say that my work is mostly photojournalistic in the sense that I like to hang back and capture what is going on in front of me. At the same time I also pose my couples for a good portion of their portraits because no one wants pictures where they are hunched over or standing in a way that isn’t flattering. I want my brides and grooms to have photos that capture them at their best. Sometimes that means I may offer guidance as to where to put your dress or shoes on. Sometimes it means I just stay out of your way and capture the day. Regardless, you will end up with amazing pictures.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH ENGAGEMENTS?
I love to photograph engagements (and proposals too)! I think it is a great way to get to know a couple and for them to get to know me. It allows me to preserve your natural personalities so you can remember what you were really like at this time in your lives. Also, it’s a great time to photograph the future Mr. and Mrs. at some of your favorite locations since sometimes that just isn’t possible on the wedding day.
DO YOU BRING YOUR OWN LIGHTING?
I sure do! Some venues and getting ready rooms are just not conducive to amazing photography! Sometimes it is raining and all portraits must be done inside. Sometimes there are no windows. I always bring my own lighting for any scenario.
WHAT WILL YOU WEAR?
My assistants, second shooters, and I will always dress professionally. That means no yoga pants! You can also check out my Instagram for some behind the scenes photos!
DO YOU BRING A SECOND SHOOTER?
My classic and dream packages both include a second shooter. Sometimes my second shooter will assist me in holding lights, sometimes they are on their own photographing the bride or groom. I think that having that extra set of hands and an extra person capturing your day is always a great extra to have.
HOW MANY IMAGES DO YOU DELIVER?
Every wedding is different and the amount of images you receive depends a lot on whether or not we photograph you and your bridal party getting ready, if you have a first look, how many family photos you would like, and if you have a lot of details. I guarantee a minimum of 500 images for every wedding.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
In the event of cancellation, there will be no refunds on the deposit. If any payments were made in addition the deposit, they will be refunded up to a certain time.
CAN WE MEET IN PERSON?
Of course! I love to meet with brides and grooms to go over their needs, budget and any questions they have regarding my packages and experience. We can meet in my Riverton, NJ studio (which is located just a minutes from Philadelphia) or at a location closer to you.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE POOR SITUATIONS?
Patiently. Something will come up at every wedding that is not a part of the plan. There is usually nothing you can do except go with the flow. If something is within my power to fix, then by all means I will do that.
DO YOU RELEASE ALL PHOTOS?
I do not release every single photo. I go through every photo taken at your wedding and choose the best ones. This means that I do not release blurry or poorly lit photos, or photos that just didn’t work out. I will not release work that is subpar. That being said, you still end up with hundreds of photos and you can trust that you will receive quality work.
DO YOU RETOUCH PHOTOS?
Every photo is edited in some way. I do basic color corrections to every photo. Some photos also require minor exposure corrections. I also soften skin and fix blemishes on any portrait.