FAQ: weddings & portrait photography

From Victoria Mason Photography blog

FAQ updated October 16, 2011.

I would like to post some answers to the questions that my clients often ask. Hopefully that will help us both to get ready for sessions better, feel more comfortable & be funky & fun! Here we go!!!!!

1. What kind of photography do you offer? 

Any kind that requires a camera & a brain 2 inches behind it. Yep. I do it all. Different kinds of photography require different equipment & preparation, but so far I haven't had not one singe assignment that I wouldn't do. :) 

2. What is the pricing for your photography? 

I have 4 different packages for wedding coverage. Send an email to contact@victoriamasonphotography.com the date of your wedding & a little bit of details & I will send you back my pricing info with all the fabulous stuff that I have in store for you :) Or you can just go here: http://victoriamasonphotography.com/products_services  & you'll see the pricing. 

3. What discounts do you offer? 

All of my pricing is very & very reasonable for the products that I offer. I work 100% no matter if it's a small wedding or a big wedding or a small package or a huge package. I put my soul into my work 100% no matter what! All of my clients get a lot of attention & support. And I make sure they are taken care of 100%, not just 40% ;-)

Twice a year, right around Bridal shows you'll see specials on my services. I always reward my Bridal Show brides :)

I also reward my constant clients & their relatives & friends with gift cards. Welcome to the club :)

4. How do I book a date?

Email me & we'll meet & talk about everything!

5. Do you choose the place to take pictures or do bride & groom choose it?

Generally speaking, I help to find options. We talk about the wedding day, the schedule for pictures & I always try to follow it with military precision :) There are a lot of things going on on the wedding day & so little time. So we do need a plan! If you have it, I follow it. If you don't have it, I'll help you make it & then I follow it :)

6. Do you have an assistant? 

No

7. Do you have a second photographer? 
Yes. For an extra charge.
A very knowledgeable experienced photographer, not a camera-in-an-auto-mode-kinda-person-pretending-to-be-a-photog :) 

8. What if your camera breaks?

I have 250% of necessary equipment that I carry on me(2 cameras, 3-4 lenses, tripod, flashes etc.). Extra equipment stays in the car. My second shooter(if booked) also has 2 cameras & several lenses. So if something happens, we'll have plenty of equipment to cover the wedding. 

9. Do we need special time for pictures on our wedding day?

yes! Schedule time for formal pictures with the family. We'll also need time for group pictures with the groomsmen & bridesmaids. And of course just the 2 of you: pretty bride & handsome groom. We want to make sure I have a lot of pictures of 2 of you for the album :)

10. Do you do slide shows? 

Oh yes!!! I LLLLLLove slideshows! I make 1 slideshow with the engagement pictures & then 1 more with the pictures from the wedding :) Now I don't put all the pictures in a slideshow with random effects. I carefully build a story following the rhythm of the music, lyrics & dynamics of the pictures. I do have a couple of effects that I use a lot but it's not an automated process. I do slideshows with love & I swear I cry when I finish them. It's really a very emotional thing for me. I make a story out of the photographs. 

In the blog all the slideshows are labeled 'Slideshow' in the column on the right of the page. 

For those that want to use some slideshow programs, check animoto.com. They are great. I sometimes use them if I have a couple of pix that are just portraits. 

11. How many pictures do we get? 

That's a hard one :) It usually depends on the amount of time that you book. The more time we have for pictures, the more pictures you get. I can't give an exact number. I don't count when I shoot. But all of the good pictures will be in the online gallery available for order within 3-4 weeks after the wedding. Example: last wedding I did I took about 700 pictures, so did the other photographer(all day wedding). The newlyweds got about 750 pictures on the dvd & online. 

12. Do we get a dvd with all pictures? 

Yes.

13. Can I order prints? 

Sure! In every package I included a print credit :) So with every package you get the number of prints that you want in the size that you like.

14. What if on the wedding day we run late & I want you to stay longer? 

I stay as long as you want me to. When the pictures are ready you'll get the adjustment to the invoice that has to be paid before you get the dvd. You'll basically upgrade your package at the same rate that was when you booked. You can look in your contract & you will see the next bigger package, figure out the difference & not worry about that anymore.

Does it happen a lot? - you ask me. All the time!!! And that is absolutely fine with me! I'm going to be there for you as long as you want me too.

15. What is your style of photographing?

That one is a really hard one. It's hard to describe my style. I make sure I have pictures of all the pretty details, of the bride getting ready, of the groom getting ready, ceremony, group pictures, reception & all of the important stuff that's going on on the wedding day. I also dedicate some time to just taking pictures of the bride & the groom. My main goal is to convert the best day of your life into the best memories. That's my style. Now how would you call it?

more questions & answers to come :)