Frequently Asked Questions: Weddings

Frequently Asked Questions

Quality wedding photography is an investment that appreciates over time, and we appreciate you investing in us! We pride ourselves in making you feel comfortable, relaxed, and flawless every step of the way, and ensuring that all of your questions are answered is an integral part of the process. Listed below are our most frequently asked questions regarding weddings.

Q: How do I reserve my wedding date?

Once we have determined that we are available on your requested date, all that is needed to secure your wedding date is to sign your contract & pay the non-refundable retainer fee. Only once a signed contract is in place & retainer fee is paid does your wedding date become reserved. You have 14 days from the time that you inquire about booking a wedding to complete the contract and send payment before the date in question is opened back up to another potential client. The retainer fee ranges from $800 – $1000 depending on package chosen.

Q: What is a retainer, why is it non-refundable, and what does it cover?

A retainer is a non-refundable deposit to hold your wedding date. In exchange for the retainer, we agree to reserve the specified date exclusively for you and will not pursue other work for that particular date, regardless if a higher paying opportunity arises. This also covers loss of business opportunity and availability, loss of income, and any time invested on the client (all sessions, correspondences, assistance, meetings/consultations, coordinations, etc.) The retainer is be applied to reduce the total cost of services.

Q: Do you work with a second photographer?

Years of experience photographing weddings has taught me to always employ a second photographer. Having this assistance allows me to focus on the creative aspects & artistry that is paramount in delivering images that I am proud of, that meet & often exceed Ahnvee Photography’s high-standards, & that are truly worthy of you & your big day! My second shooter guarantees that not a single priceless moment escapes the memories that you have entrusted me with capturing! There are a variety of other benefits to a second photographer, such as he/she doubling as an assistant to ensure that all variables & conditions are at optimal performance levels, as well as guaranteeing that not a single moment is missed while I am answering nature’s call.

Q: Can we give you a list of specific shots to take?

We pride ourselves on capturing the raw emotion of your big day. While we will certainly go over any non-traditional moments that you wish to be included during your wedding consultation, you can count on us to capture the very best of your wedding with the Ahnvee art & creativity displayed in our portfolio.

Q: What happens if you are sick on our wedding day?

Unless I am on my death-bed, I will be there! We’ve worked through a stomach virus, a sprained foot, and migraines just to name a few! But in the instance that I am totally incapacitated, I have a team of dedicated professionals who accurately represent my style & are willing to fill in for me during any unforeseen emergency.

Q: What is your shooting style?

Distinct, artistic, & inventive! I like to think of myself as having a natural approach that incorporates an equal balance of lifestyle & editorial photojournalism.

We try to show appreciation and exhibition of how beautiful the natural state of the subject matter is. However, we use an energetic but elegant approach to finding that perfect moment with precision and skill. We work hard to be unique – from backdrops and angles to lighting and artistic editing; we strive to drop jaws!

Q: What is your editing style?

We pride ourselves in showing special attention to each and every photo by hand editing each image individually to ensure consistency and optimal quality. Editing-wise, we are known for staying true to color and displaying your natural beauty.We tend to prefer clean, vibrant, and contrasty, and we don’t typically subscribe to trends.

View the award-winning gallery here.

Q: When will we receive our photos?

I will cull through your images & rate them from 1 to 3 stars. 3-star images are the best of the best & will receive the most detailed edits (retouching, removal of distracting objects, color correction & more), as these are the most likely to end up on your walls! 2-star images will receive basic edits, and 1-star images will receive color and exposure correction edits only. 1-star images are included because they are most likely meaningful but contain an element that makes them not the best of photos.

Q: Will you need to attend our rehearsal?

My presence at the rehearsal is not necessary. The pre-wedding consultation will cover the day’s events & the venue layout. We will also create a specific timeline to guarantee that all of your priceless moments are included in your wedding session.

Q:Do you need to see our venue before the wedding day?

It isn’t necessary for me to visit the venue prior to the wedding. Some venues are included in our previous sessions & others we research to gain an understanding of all necessary visual aesthetics. We are well-prepared for all circumstances that could arise! However, if it lends more to your comfort that we visit the venue prior to your big day, we are here to help in any way we can in order to make your day as stress-free as possible!

Q: How far will you travel?

Wedding sessions throughout central and south of Louisiana are not subject to travel fees. Areas that fall outside this area within Louisiana include areas north of Alexandria and south of New Orleans. I am willing to travel out of the specified area  (and out of state!) for weddings, for which travel and accommodation fees are dependent upon the specific location.

Q: If we are running behind, will you stay later in order to get all of the moments that we wish to have captured?

We have experienced a number of weddings & understand the chaos that can ensue.  Especially when alcohol is involved!  We will make all arrangements to include everything that you’ve mentioned during your consultation, with the aid of a detailed timeline.  However, we do offer a discounted rate of $300/hour above & beyond your existing package, should you require our services for longer than anticipated.

Q: Is it ok if my family/ friends take photos also?

I have never shot a wedding where friends & family didn’t take photos. However, guests can sometimes impede the process without meaning to. In order to guarantee that you have the best images & that all priceless moments are captured adequately, I humbly request that guests refrain from taking photos when I am actively shooting.

Q: How many photographs will we receive?

I’m unable to guarantee an exact number of photos due to the variety of factors that take place. These factors include hours of coverage, whether or not a second photographer is involved, access, quality, lighting conditions, church & event regulations, etc. You can expect no less than 350 final images.

Q: Do you deliver every image that you take?

Generally, alcohol & dance floors don’t mesh well with cameras! Weird faces, closed eyes & wardrobe malfunctions are more common than you might think, so its typically a safe assumption that you won’t want the unflattering images. With that being said we will never withhold any meaningful images.

Q: What rights do we have to the images?

While Ahnvee Photography is the legal & rightful copyright owner of the digital images, we grant you permission to reproduce your images & make an unlimited number of prints for personal use only. Friends & family may purchase prints or digital copies from Ahnvee Photography only.

Photos may be printed but not altered or edited in any way other than by Ahnvee Photography. Alterations are a copyright violation! Images are also not to be used for commercial or editorial purposes or entered into competition without the expressed written consent of Ahnvee Photography.

Q: How can I go about printing the digital images? Do you have any recommendations for printing labs? 

Yes, you can print directly from your gallery, using a trusted professional lab. The lab is White House Custom Color (WHCC), and you can order through them via your gallery and have them shipped to your address. With WHCC, you’re guaranteed quality prints of your images to ensure that your memories are preserved to the highest standard! Because I encourage printing from a professional lab, the prints are priced at my cost and are not up-charged for my profit.

For more information on choosing a print lab check out this comparison we did > http://ahnveephotography.com/professional-labs-vs-consumer-labs-for-printing/