|
|
Why Should I Hire a Professional Photographer?
When Should I Book My Photographer?
How Do You Classify Your Style of Photography?
What Sort of Equipment Do You Use?
Are Your Packages Flexible?
Do You Shoot Black and White? Does It Cost More?
How Many Photographers Will Be At My Wedding?
Do I Get to Keep My Proofs?
What Are the Hidden Costs?
Who Will My Photographer Be?
Are You Familiar with My Reception Facility? My Church?
Who Has to Be at the Formals?
How Late Will You Be At the Wedding? Are There Overtime Charges?
Do I Have to Feed You?
Do You Charge Extra to Shoot More Film?
How Do I Pay You? Are There Payment Plans? How Much For a Deposit?
When Will You Arrive at My Wedding? How Early Do I Have to Be Ready?
What Happens During My Wedding Day?
When Do I Get to See My Pictures?
Why Should I Hire a Professional Photographer?
A professional photographer is your best chance of getting both the style and caliber of pictures that will become family heirlooms as the years go by. Through the course of a year, your photographer can be involved in as many as 100 or more weddings, which gives him or her a very good idea of what will (or can) happen at your wedding. This translates into less unpleasant surprises for you and your family. While many amatuer photographers take wonderful pictures, a professional photographer is likely to be more consistent in his photographic skills, giving you more pictures of finer quality. Also, many family members seem to respond better to directions given by a professional photographer, than they do to a friend or family member. For most couples, after their first anniversary, all that will remain of their wedding day is a boxed wedding dress and their wedding album. With all the time, effort, and planning that is put into a wedding, your photography is not a place cut corners.
When Should I Book My Photographer?
Your professional photographer should be booked as soon as possible. The photographers at Timethief Photography are often booked between one and two years ahead for popular dates. Picking a photographer is a very personal matter. Not only do you need to find a photographer whose style matches what you are looking for, you also have to find a photographer whose company you will enjoy, and whose judgement you trust. Remember, the bride will typically spend more time with her photographer on her wedding day, than almost anyone else involved in her wedding. His or her experience, professionalism, and rapport with the bridal couple can make a wedding flow smoothly and easily, making for wonderful memories. It would be a great shame find out that your ideal photographer was unavailable because you waited too long to retain him.
How Do You Classify Your Style of Photography?
The photography at Timethief Photography is a hybrid. We believe that it is very important to capture classic formal groups. Many families turn these photographs into wall hangings that are viewed and cherished for years to come. In this sense, we are very Traditional. We also believe in putting a creative "twist" on the classic groups. This is especially apparent with pictures of the wedding party and friend/buddy groups. These are usually looked at as the "Fun" shots, since we are generally laughing and having a good time as a group. Then there are our creative shots, the ones that we tend to make us proudest. These show themselves in our shots of the bride and groom alone, or as a couple. Many say these are our Artistic images. Lastly, there is a healthy dash of candid pictures, usually at the reception (although there are examples peppered throughout the day). The reaction we get most often to these pictures is a grin and the question, "When did you take that??" This is the Photojournalistic side of our personalities. So our style would best be described as Fun, Traditionally Artisic, with a Photojournalistic Flair. We feel that wedding photography is lacking without each of these elements.
What Sort of Equipment Do You Use? Do You Have Backup Equipment
The photographers at Timethief Photography use a variety of professional grade equipment. The equipment that goes out to each and every job we do is determined by the needs of that client. For wedding work, we use professional grade digital cameras, with a range of lenses. The cameras and lenses we use allow us to make the luscious enlargements that we create for our clients and for display. The creative use lenses, as well as the artistic use of flash and available light photography, allow us to capture the wide variety of images our customers have come to expect. In the event of a camera malfunction (a rare event, as we lovingly maintain and use our gear), we have duplicate gear and spare parts, as well as alternative equipment to use as a fallback, all on location. Like you, our goal is to get the shot and create the memory. We always knew that "be prepared" stuff would come in handy some day.....
Are Your Packages Flexible?
The packages we have created at Timethief Photography come from years of experience and dealing with many bride's needs and desires. In these packages, you will find a range and variety that we feel will fufill all your needs. Having said that, we know that we could not hope that every bridal couple will find these packages perfect. Whether your desire is to have your wall hanging mounted on canvas, upgrade the quality of your wedding album, or play with your parent albums (more pages, bigger prints, or both anyone?), we have a way to satisfy your every need. First you pick your package. Then, once you get your proofs, you decide what you need. If you want to make your 16" x 20" wall portrait into a 20" x 24" wall portrait, you trade in the 16" x 20" and get a credit, which you now spend toward your 20" x 24" portrait. While you cannot use this method to reduce the cost of a package, the package you choose is infinitely flexible, and totally personal. The short answer is Yes, our packages are quite flexible.
Do You Shoot Black and White? Does It Cost More?
Black and white photography is an easy and beautiful way to lend a timeless and classy feel to your wedding images. Another beauiful and popular option is color toned images, such as the classic Sepia toned print. Thanks to the use of our digital equipment, black & white, sepia, and even a mix of b&w and color (the picture is black and white, while, say, the flowers are in color) are easily accomplished. While the majority of a typical proof book will be in color, sprinkled throughout will be examples of black & white, sepia, and even the much sought after color splash images. And these effects can be applied to any of the color images. While there is a nominal fee to make the color splash images, there is no additional cost for black & white or sepia images.
How Many Photographers Will Be At My Wedding?
It is our practice at Timethief Photography to send out one photographer and at least one assistant to every wedding we cover. This allows us to have two, appropriately attired, people taking care of your photographic needs. Generally, both people are qualified photographers, but, it is our ardent belief that one person be responsible for your wedding images. Your photographer can tell you what your wedding coverage crew will look like.
Do I Get to Keep My Proofs?
All the packages at Timethief Photography include both the proofs of your wedding. We do require that you return the proof book with your wedding album order, so that we may refer to it as we process your order. The proof book is returned to you along with your wedding album and the other items in your order. If you order a duplicate set of proofs, only one set need be turned in with your album order. Our feeling is that you will enjoy your proof album far more than we will, not to mention the fact that you will be able to tell a more complete story of your wedding with all the images. Enjoy!
What Are the Hidden Costs?
As a matter of policy, we at Timethief Photography do not believe in hidden costs. For a great number of our clients our package price is the final cost of their package. Any additional charges for services you request (additional photographers, extra time, etc) will be listed on your contract before you are asked for your signature. It is entirely possible for you to pick a package, pay for it, and never incur another expense. Our experience has been that most of our clients find images that they, their families, or friends want reprinted. There is never, however, any pressure to purchase additional images, or any attempt to hide a charge or fee. Ever.
Who Will My Photographer Be?
While any of the staff of Timethief Photography are more than happy to help a client in any way they can, your primary contact will be with your photographer. There are a number of reasons for this. First, we do not want you to feel that you were taken advantage of by having one person sell you our services, establish a relationship with you, only to find out that someone else is shooting your wedding. We avoid all sorts of hard feelings simply by having you deal with your photographer from square one. In addition, the rapport between a photographer and a bridal couple is very important. If the chemistry is not there, it can be a very long wedding day for all involved. Allowing a bridal couple and a photographer to develop a relationship goes a long way to alleviate problems. Secondly, your photographer is tasked as the person primarily responsible for the success of your wedding coverage. As such, it is best to have most of the communication between the bridal couple and the studio go through your photographer. Quite frankly, there should never be a question in your mind who your Timethief Photography photographer is.
Are You Familiar with My Reception Facility? My Church?
Because of the number of weddings that Timethief Photography has done, we are familiar with most of the major facilities in the area, as well as many of the places of worship. In fact, we have first name relationships with many of the banquet captains, sales staffs, and even owners of some of the finest facilities in the area. It is also likely that we know many of the vendors you will have working for you on your wedding day. If you have a special request for pictures on your wedding day (a bench where the two of you met, or maybe a tree where you carved your initials), please tell your photographer, so that he can craft your vision into a cherished photograph.
Who Has to Be at the Formals?
As much as we hate to answer a question with a question, our response is usually, "Who do you want to be in your formal pictures?" The fact of the matter is that there is no hard or fast rule about who needs to be present for the formals (we would really appreciate it if the bride and the groom were there, though!). Generally, the immediate family of both the bride and groom (parents, siblings, the wedding party, and the bridal couple are present for the formals. If you have a close-knit extended family, we have seen the rich uncles and crazy cousins show up as well. One thing to keep in mind is that there is the opportunity for a second round of family pictures at the reception. Often, we do the immediate family and bridal party as "formals," and after the meal (and before things get really crazy), we do the extended family as "informals." These informal groups are still posed, but they tend to be a bit more relaxed, and allow the personalities of the family to show a little more. Make sure to tell your photographer any and all ideas you have for family, work friends, and college buddy shots!
How Late Will You Be At the Wedding? Are There Overtime Charges?
At Timethief Photography, we believe that you retained us to photograph your wedding, to capture the highlights of your special day, and to put the essence of the first day of the rest of your life together into images that you can keep and share forever. Every wedding is different, and we know that one size does not truly fit all. Some of our weddings have long intermissions between the ceremony and the reception. To us, this means we have the time to take extra pictures, possibly at a variety of locations, to have some fun with your wedding party and the bridal couple, and capture that special "different" image. This is why we include up to 10 hours of coverage. There comes a point in every wedding where the coverage is complete, and generally nothing particular is likely to happen. Typically, this occurs shortly after the throwing of the bouquet and garter, or after the anniversary dance. Your photographer will let you know that he has all he needs, and will ask, "Are there any other pictures you would like that we haven't done?" While we are not at your wedding until the end, your coverage is complete, and we do not have to look at our watch and we have yet to be put in the awkward position of asking for additional money from you on your wedding day (who wants to do that??). Talk to your photographer if you feel you may need more time.
Do I Have to Feed You?
The photographers and assistants at Timethief Photography, do get hungry during the course of the day, and we do require that you feed them as your guests. At the better banquet facilities this is not an issue, as they have policies that ensure the care of the photographers (as well as the other vendors at your wedding - dj, band, videographer, etc). You may want to consider putting your vendors into your seating plan. There are a couple of good reasons for this. First, it helps your photographer out if he can see what is happeneing in the room (you would be amazed at the candids we get just being there). Secondly, if you need your photographer (dj, videographer, etc), for any reason, you can find them. Also, if you do put the vendors in the seating plan, please put them all together. The amount of planning and communication that happens between vendors to make the day go smoothly is amazing (and hidden from your view), and it is greatly enhanced if they are together. So, please feel free to feed the photographers!
Do You Charge Extra to Shoot More Film?
Thanks to the our conversion to digital imaging for our wedding photography, there is no film! Therefore, there is no real limit on how many pictures we can take at your wedding. Your photographer is ultimately responsible for what he or she shoots, and they know your goal is to have great images of your wedding. They are also professionals and know what not to take. Do not expect too many pictures of your guests swinging from the chandeliers (they might sneak one in, though). If there are a plethora of things going on at your wedding, it is expected that your photographer will take lots of pictures. You will also not find your photographer trying to force you to create pictures, just to meet some sort of artificial minimum film count. So, have a great, creative, and diverse day. We'll shoot it -- and present you with outstanding pictures when you get home!
How Do I Pay You? Are There Payment Plans? How Much For a Deposit?
Payment for packages at Timethief Photography can be made either by check, credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express), and cash always works well. Although you can always pay for your wedding package all at once, we find that most people would prefer to break the cost down. We know that the bridal couple has to meet their photographer to sign their contract, again a week or so before the wedding to go over all the details of their special day, and to pick up their proof book. Therefore, we have broken the payments of our packages to match these three meetings. Upon writing the contract, a deposit of 1/3 of the package total is paid, the second 1/3 a week before the wedding, and the final 1/3 when you pick up your proof album. Additionally, most bridal couples place an order for their family and friends when they place their wedding album order. At that time, a deposit of 80% of the additional picture order is required (the wedding album is already paid for), with the balance being due when the pictures are ready.
You can book your Timethief Photography photographer for as little as $300.00. Talk to your photographer for details.
When Will You Arrive at My Wedding? How Early Do I Have to Be Ready?
Your wedding photographer will be meeting the bride where she is getting ready 2 hours before the wedding, presuming that there are no travel issues surrounding your wedding. At that time, the bride should be dressed and ready for photographs. Her attendants, parents, and any siblings should also be ready. The biggest issue we generally have is that the bridal party is late because the hairdresser involved did not know that the bride had to be ready early for pictures. When this happens, the day tends to start off rushed and tense. Please be certain to make sure that your hairdresser, as well as everyone else expected to be in your prebridal photographs, knows that the time to be ready is 2 hours before the wedding! Your day will flow much smoother, and you will find your wedding day far more enjoyable.
What Happens During My Wedding Day?
As far as the photography goes, your wedding day begins 2 hours before the ceremony starts. The bride is photographed by herself, with her attendants (both individually, and as a group), with her parents, her siblings, and anyone else who happens to be about. From there, the photographer heads to the ceremony to take some pictures of the handsome groom and get ready for the bride's arrival. The groom's picture is typically taken alone, with the best man, and with his groomsman as a group. Some of the best pictures we can get of the groom is that moment when his mother puts his boutineer on him! Then its time to take the bride being helped out of the limousine by her father, and walking into the ceremony. Next is the processional, and the wedding itself, captured in all its majesty. After the wedding, it is time to take the formal pictures, whether at the church, reception hall, or somewhere along the way. During the formals, your photographer will try to do the bride and groom with the families first, to allow the families to go to the reception, since the parents tradtionally play the role of host and hostess to the guests. Once the bridal party pictures are done, your photographer concentrates on working with the newlyweds to capture those first romantic moments of matrimony. Then it is off to the reception, where everyone is introduced, toasts are made, glasses clinked, dances danced, cakes cut (don't turn away if you smush!), and a good time is had by all! Of course, each wedding is a unique event, and you and your photographer will certainly sit down and go through the details of your special day, to ensure a good time is had by all.
When Do I Get to See My Pictures?
After your wedding, while you are on your honeymoon, the staff at Timethief Photography is hard at work on your wedding pictures. Generally speaking, your proof album is ready in 3 - 4 weeks. That means that after you return from Tahiti, unwind from your trip, and recover from jet-lag, your wedding proofs will be ready. Incidentally, for a nominal fee, your photographer will be more than happy to accompany you on your honeymoon, and will gladly take pictures of the places you would have seen, had you left the bridal suite! It will take a little longer to get your proof album ready if you take your photographer on the honeymoon with you, or if your wedding coincides with a particularly busy season for the lab. Your photographer can give you an idea about this as you discuss details of your wedding. Be forewarned -- your photographer's swim trunks and sun screen are already packed!
We hope you have found the information in our FAQ Page helpful. If you have any other questions that you think should be added to the page, feel free to forward them to webmaster@timethiefphoto.com so we can consider them. Specific questions for your wedding can be handled either by one of our staff, or your photographer. |
| Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this web site, feel free to email the Webmaster. |
copyright 2000-2004 Timethief Photography
All Rights Reserved