Question 1

How far in advance should we book you for our wedding?

Accepted Answer

Typically, couples book me about 12 months before their wedding date. I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible about my availability, even if you’re planning on a shorter time frame.

Question 2

Do you shoot with second photographers?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the size of your wedding, I will shoot with a second photographer. Sometimes I bring an assistant to help me. Don’t worry, this won’t cost you extra because they are included in my packages.

Question 3

Will we get all our pictures?

Accepted Answer

I'm an over-shooter, thus having a lot of images of the same thing, test shots, un-usable ones, etc. I go through every single photo to pick the right ones to edit that are usable, so you don't have to. You will get all the best ones! The amount of edited photos will be different based on coverage time and other variables. With that in mind, I deliver a minimum of 100 edited images for sessions, 300 for elopements/micro weddings, and 500 for full weddings.

Question 4

Do you also offer video services?

Accepted Answer

No, but I can recommend you some amazing videographers.

Question 5

How long will it take to see our pictures?

Accepted Answer

My turnaround time varies by season, the package you chose, how many pictures I took, etc. Typically, you’ll be able to view your photos online about 6-12 weeks after your wedding. And 2-4 weeks after your session date for engagement photos. Within this time, you can also expect to receive a few sneak peeks within 5 days after your wedding. I do not send sneak peeks for engagement shoots.

Question 6

Do you have insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do! Just let me know if your venue requires a certificate of liability, and I’ll send that over to them.

Question 7

What’s your back-up plan if you can’t photograph our wedding as planned?

Accepted Answer

In my 8+ years of experience as a wedding photographer, I’ve never cancelled a booking. In the very rare event that I’m unable to shoot your wedding, I’ll make sure you’re covered by one of my colleagues or my contracted assistant. If that's not a route you wanna take, we can cancel our agreement. And I’ll provide you with a list of photographers from the many networking groups I’m in, so you can find the perfect replacement.

Question 8

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

I’m in NYC and love to travel for weddings as well!

Question 9

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

I require a $1000 non refundable retainer to lock me in for your wedding date. Remaining payment is due 1 month before the wedding date.

Question 10

Do you offer discounts?

Accepted Answer

Nope. But I work with you to know exactly what you need and want for your wedding and can make custom packages for you!

Question 11

Can you photoshop my double chin?

Accepted Answer

I'm not a photoshop expert, so no. And I do believe in keeping things authentic and natural. The only things I will alter are any things temporary that would not be there in a few weeks like a bruise, scrape, acne, etc. I always ask if there's any concerns like if there's a particular angle you don't like or if you have a "good side". It helps me out when I’m directing you.

Question 12

What do we wear for photos?

Accepted Answer

For an engagement or couple session, I’ll send you my planning guide which will have all the prep info you need like what colors, what to wear at which location, etc.

Question 13

What if there’s bad weather?

Accepted Answer

Embracing the weather is always best. Snow, rain and clouds can bring out the magic. But if it’s really bad then we can reschedule. For weddings, this would be a little more complicated since a lot depends on it, but we could totally reschedule according to everyones availability.

Question 14

Do you give RAW unedited images?

Accepted Answer

Half of the beauty of photography is the editing. After all, you're hiring me because of my editing style that caught your eye on my Instagram/portfolio! Imagine you commissioning Picasso for a piece of artwork and he only gives you a sketch! That's how it would feel. If you think I missed a photo though, please don’t feel afraid to ask!

Question 15

How does the booking process work?

Accepted Answer

You inquire, we chat about your wedding and what's important to you. I create a photo timeline to visually see the coverage you need. We discuss the details. When you give me the okay, I'll send you a proposal via email, which includes what I'm offering, the contract and an invoice. You book by signing and paying the retainer and then we prep for the big day!

Question 16

What if you've never shot at our venue before?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't matter because part of my process is to scout the venue location prior to your wedding date. I also arrive at least 30 mins before my start time on your wedding to see how the lighting is because light and weather changes. I like to know what I'm working with before and on the actual day.

Question 17

Is the retainer refundable?

Accepted Answer

The retainer is not refundable, even if the services weren't rendered. The retainer serves as an agreement between us that I will reserve your wedding day and will not book other sessions or weddings during your wedding/session day and/or time. I do have clauses in my contract regarding Force of Majeure events for example, we can go through this later.

Question 18

Do we have rights to our photos?

Accepted Answer

We both do. This is actually spelled out in my contract. You have unlimited personal and printing rights. I have my creative rights. We can discuss this in detail.

Question 19

My venue is dark, how do you handle that?

Accepted Answer

I have my flash and extra lighting. If for some reason the location doesn't allow those, I shoot on a camera with amazing low-light performance and lenses with low apertures. I will also show you my Wedding Examples gallery so you can see the range of different types of weddings I've shot.

Question 20

Do you charge for downtime during the wedding?

Accepted Answer

During "downtime", I'm traveling to and setting up for the second location, taking establishing venue shots, or using that time to take your bride and groom portraits, if we couldn't before. So I'm never not doing anything.

Question 21

How do you protect our images from our wedding?

Accepted Answer

I always make sure my memory cards are working. I always shoot on two memory cards at once in case there's ever a malfunction. As soon as I get home from the wedding/session, I backup the photos on two hard drives.

Question 22

Do you dress professionally?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for weddings normally I'll wear all black or neutral tones. Classy top, black pants, maybe a blazer with black low boots is my thing. For engagement sessions, I'm a little more casual but still professional!

Question 23

What if our wedding runs longer then we paid for?

Accepted Answer

If I notice that your timeline is running a bit longer than expected, I will totally pull you or your wedding coordinator aside to discuss. The additional time can be paid for at the end of the wedding day.

Question 24

What if my boo doesn't like their photo taken?

Accepted Answer

I hear this a lot from my couples. I totally get it, which is why I like to get to know you two, build trust and overall make sure you feel comfortable with me. I'm always respectful so I won't force anything on you. But I will guide you in how to relax, where to look, how to hold your boo, still being intentional, fun and natural.

Question 25

Do you include printed albums in your packages?

Accepted Answer

The online gallery I deliver your photos in has an amazing print shop section where you can purchase individual high quality prints, albums, save the dates, you name it. I do not include a printed album in my packages as I've found it much easier and less expensive for my couples to do it on their own at their own pace through my online gallery.

Question 26

Can I add filters onto our photos?

Accepted Answer

In my contract, it states you are not allowed to do so. Remember you are hiring me for my editing style. Even though you have rights to your photos, I still am the photographer who took those photos. If you post them with other filters on it on IG, your followers would not see my original work. Remember, a big chunk of my clients come from referrals and Instagram!

Question 27

How do we get our photos?

Accepted Answer

They will be delivered via an online gallery. The online gallery and link will be available to you for 90 days. You are responsible for downloading all photos. After the 90 days have passed, the online gallery will expire. You have the option to purchase a yearly subscription gallery hosting and backup to keep your gallery online.

Question 28

How long do you keep the photos after our wedding?

Accepted Answer

RAW/unedited images are purged after 2 years of the session/wedding date. Final edited photos are technically with me forever but in a separate hard drive. However they can be purged at anytime after 2 years of the session/wedding date for any reason.

Question 29

Do you post everything you shoot online?

Accepted Answer

I don’t post every single photo on social media or my blog, only certain ones. My contract states I have the right to share, after all sharing is what helps me book future clients, like I did with you! But if you want me to hold off on posting until a certain date or that is something you’re not comfortable with or would like to discuss further then we can totally talk about it.

Question 30

Do you watermark the photos?

Accepted Answer

Nope!

Thalia Photography

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