In what format are the initial proofs offered?
All images are provided as high resolution .jpg and made available by digital download (or if ordered, a Flash drive). We do not watermark the images, and you can print the images whenever you wish.
Do I have full use of my wedding images?
We believe that when you hire us to photograph your wedding, you are entitled to enjoy your resulting photos. We don't want to hold your pictures hostage, and we happily provide you with a download of all of your images in full resolution, without our watermark, so that you are free to use and print them however you choose. You will have unlimited usage of those files. The only restriction is that you can't sell the images for profit. Otherwise, feel free to print the images, and pass them on to any friends and family as you wish.
Do you charge for travel?
For weddings within the continental United States, the rate you see on our online customizer is the actual rate that you pay. There are no added fees :) You can type in any zip code on our pricing customizer to see the rate in your area. There will be no additional travel fees added after the fact.
For destination weddings overseas, and multi-day events, there will be added travel fees. Please contact our studio for specific details. We look forward to hearing more about your big day!
Once I receive my digital download, can the images be printed?
Yes! Your digital download (or Flash drive, if ordered) contains all image files in high resolution, without any watermark, which enables you to print images wherever and whenever you please. If needed, we will also provide a signed letter stating that you have full rights to print any of the photos, which should reassure any photo lab.
In addition, we post all of your images online, in a password-protected area. Instead of passing a Flash drive around, and keeping track of it, you can share the login details with friends and family. Any image file can also be purchased online, and delivered digitally in high resolution.
If you would like to share your images with friends and family, that is fine as well. We feel that your photos should be yours to enjoy for life, with no restrictions.
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your vendor meal?
We will rarely take any break while photographing a wedding. It is different from the stand job where you will have two paid 15 minute breaks and then take a lunch on your own time. We stay on our feet, working hard, and keep moving quickly throughout the day.
If a booking spans over 11:00am - 1:30pm and/or 5:00pm - 7:30pm, it is required that a meal be provided by Client for each contracted photographer. This enables us to stay nearby, eat fast, and go right back to shooting as soon as we are finished. A well fed photographer will certainly take better, more energized photographs as they have the needed fuel :)
Typically, if there are two photographers at the event, one photographer will eat quickly while the other takes pictures. This ensures that nothing is missed. Mealtime is billed straight through, and does not count as a break as that is the one chance for the photographers to take a few moments to take a breather and fill those stomachs :)
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
For clients wanting extra peace of mind, we offer an optional Cancellation Coverage that can be added on when booking us. Otherwise, if Clients cancel for any reason, True Photography will not refund any portion of the deposit or payments made prior to the date of cancellation. If Clients cancel within 4 months or less of the wedding date, the entire balance will be owed to True Photography. Clients give permission to charge the credit card that is on file immediately following cancellation.
There are also a number of companies outside of our studio that offer wedding and event insurance policies. Should you purchase a policy from another company, we advise that it be from a trusted source. We also encourage you to find coverage that includes reimbursement for your vendor costs, in the unlikely event your event must be cancelled.
Are you hiring wedding photographers?
We always have an eye out for talented, creative professionals. If your natural style lends itself to what we do, then we are interested in viewing your work. We require that our photographers start out with a minimum of 5 years of professional wedding photography experience. A background in technical training is very important to us as well.
Because we have such a close team of talented shooters, we only add 1 or 2 photographers every couple of years. We receive over 75 inquiries a year from photographers who are interested in photographing for our studio.
If you are a photographer who would like to be considered for opportunities, and meet the requirements, please submit an application.
What is Premium Post-Production?
Premium Post-Production involves adjusting each individual image to bring out the best contrast and style. This process starts with a nice, well-composed image. We then take that nice image and give it a little oomph, which creates the finished look. We work with each image by hand to bring out the brightest whites, the darkest blacks, and a full spectrum of color. We use our process to bring out the best potential and visual direction for each image. We also retouch the image as needed, for example removing a blemish, or slightly thinning out arms or legs. All retouching is done at the discretion of our studio.
Because of the sheer volume of images you receive, and the time intensity, we reserve Premium Post-Production for the absolute favorite images, such as our Photographers Favorites, and pictures selected for albums or fine art prints. Should you request additional retouching, or have specific requests above and beyond our normal process, we are happy to perform this service at a reasonable per-image or hourly rate.
What are Special Selections?
Although your finished photos are separated into categories, including our Photographer's Favorites, a six hour event typically results in 3,000 or more images :) That is a lot of photos! Because of this, some clients prefer us to go through and create an expanded selection of highlights from the day.
With our Special Selections service, which is an optional add-on, we professionally condense your entire event photography down to a hand-picked selection of standout images. Typically around 125 images are selected per photographed hour, so a 6 hour event would have 750 or so images included in the Special Selections. You will still receive all photos from your event; the Special Selections are just another way of browsing and enjoying your images :)
Our Special Selections service can be ordered either with a Flash Drive or on its own. Once ordered, the selection is typically completed within two weeks, and can be placed on a separate online gallery to be shared with friends and family, if desired.
What is Annual Archiving?
If you want to make sure that your images will always be safe and never lost, whether there is a fire, your computer breaks down, a hard drive fails, etc., it is vital that your images are properly backed up. That is why Annual Archiving is so important. We back up your images on two industrial-grade servers, in two different cities, and keep your shopping cart online for as long as you would like to access it.
We charge a nominal annual fee for Annual Archiving, similar to other online storage programs. This helps us to offset the expense of redundant storage.
Before your gallery expires, you will have the option to add Annual Archiving, which includes:
- An extra 12 months of access to your online shopping cart
- An additional 12-month backup of your event photography on our image archiving system
Without Annual Archiving in place, your files will be permanently removed from the shopping cart and storage upon gallery expiration, and it will be your sole responsibility to preserve your images. So If you choose not to add Annual Archiving, please ensure you have completed all shopping cart orders, and have made multiple backups of your full event photography.
To add Annual Archiving, and extend your shopping cart and backups, please click here.
How do we begin the album process after we've gotten our wedding photographs?
To get started, please visit our Wedding Album Guide. It will give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the whole process, and explain all of the options available :)
What is the True Registry and how does it work?
Our free registry solution (True Registry) is a fun and simple way to receive gifts you can enjoy for years to come :) Whenever your guests give make a registry contribution, you will be provided with credit that can be used towards keepsakes such as fine-art prints, albums, more time on your contract, and even future photoshoots.
How do I use my registry?
Your photo registry is yours to use to as you wish. To use it, all you have to do is share your registry link with friends and family, and let them know that if they are to give you a gift, you would love it to go towards your memories. This link can be included on Save the Dates, emails to guests, etc.
Each time someone makes a purchase on your registry, you will receive an email notification, and the credit will be deposited to your account. The registry credits you receive will remain valid for three months following your event.
Where do I find my registry?
True Registry is built into our shopping cart system, which is also where your where your photoshoot images will be added when ready. Because your credit and purchasing options all in one place, it is very easy to redeem credit.
Whenever you are logged into your shopping cart account, you can check your available credit by clicking on the "My Account" link at the top of the page.
How do I tell others about my registry?
To help get the word out, a lot of couples include their registry link on Save-The-Date cards and emails to guests. For suggested verbiage to send to guests, friends and family, please click here.
What other registry features are available?
- When logged in, you can customize your message to guests by clicking on your registry link while logged in, and write something personal and heartfelt :)
- You can set a specific goal amount by contacting our studio
- You are also welcome to send us up to 3 photos of the two of you to use on your registry. Please drop us an email at [email protected]
I'm not sure if I want to use the registry. What do I do?
You can simply hang on to the link, in case you decide to share it at some point.
Please feel free to contact our studio if:
- You are an existing client and are unsure of your registry link
- You need help logging into your shopping account to access your registry
- You have specific questions regarding True Registry.
What is a mini engagement shoot?
A mini engagement shoot is a nice way to get a taste of our process, and for the two of you to relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera. It is a good warm-up before scheduling a full engagement session, or for those looking for just a few pictures for their save the dates or wedding website. By being paired with one of our talented photographers, you will have an opportunity to be captured together as a couple, and be directed in fun and creative ways.
If you are considering a mini shoot, a full engagement session is also encouraged, so you can experience our full process, and establish that personal connection with the shooter who will be photographing your wedding. Mini shoots are optional, and are offered as our schedule permits. Even though a mini shoot is much shorter (limited to 30 minutes) than a full engagement session (typically 1-2 hours), we make sure to work efficiently within the time available.
The ultimate goal is to capture five standout photos that are unique from each other, with a few backgrounds and poses. We call these our highlights, and we give these photos an extensive post-production (enhancement / retouch) treatment to ensure a nice finished product. Within 14 business days after the shoot, you will receive a download containing these highlights, provided in printable JPG format.
In addition, we will put all of the images on a shopping cart link, where you will see on average 50 photos taken. You will receive a courtesy credit to cover post-production of five of your own favorite photos, so they can receive the same treatment as the highlights. You will also find a variety of print options, downloads, and keepsake books, which can be purchased if desired.
Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
Yes. To say the least, we are VERY cautious and paranoid ;) To date, we have never lost a single file. Typically (at most weddings) there are two photographers, so we instantly have a backup person in case of any issues. Then each photographer has two camera bodies, in case a camera malfunctions. Inside each camera body are two card slots. What this means is that we photograph on two cards simultaneously, so if one card fails, it is saving to another card at the same time.
After the wedding, the cards are downloaded and backed up on two separate hard drives. That way, the images are in two places.
The end results is that it would take two photographers, four cameras and eight cards all failing at the same time to lose images. With that said, there can be a blurred image here and there when capturing moving subjects. Or rare instances where the flash could not recycle quick enough to capture an image. But those would be a per-image scenario, rather than an entire event not being covered.
If we were to ever lose an entire event (which simply won't happen), we would of course refund every penny paid and would probably move to Canada ;)
What would you say is the biggest reason for the success of True Photography?
We demand happiness! When you hire us, we make sure that you are not only happy with your pictures, but that you are happy with your entire experience. Keep in mind that you're hiring a business as well as a photographer :) It's important that the business is run well, and that we're fair, on time, and keep all of our promises.
We like to say that there's no such thing as "that's just good enough." We aim for perfect. Everyone involved in your wedding genuinely cares about the results, from the retouchers, to the designers, to the studio manager, to the photographers. Everyone here is very friendly, fun, creative and professional, while also being very technically smart.
We understand the importance of your big day. We believe that everything should be exceptional, and we strive to make it that way!
How do I download my photos from the shopping cart?
As of November 11, 2016:
When your images are ready, you'll receive an email from us containing a login to your own personal shopping cart. After logging into your personal account, you will be able to freely download your event photos whenever you would like, for as long as your cart is active. Consider it your True Cloud ;)
Please find downloading walkthroughs below.
1) To start downloading your entire event photography, click on a gallery (ex: Photographer's Favorites) and you will see a button towards the top saying Download All Photos, like this:
If you would like to continue downloading photos, go to the next gallery and repeat the process. After all your downloads are complete, you can organize them as you'd like on your computer, create extra backups, etc.
As you browse your shopping cart images, you have the ability to download images individually. Whenever you see a photo you would like to download, you'll see a Download button above the image, like this:
Click the Download button, and a small window will come up, like this:
Click the Download Now button, and the image file will save to your computer, in your default download location. You're now ready to enjoy, browse and view the photo in your favorite image program :)
Because the images are hi-resolution printable JPGs, we recommend saving to a computer, as opposed to a phone. If you plan to download many photos, our suggestion is to use the Batch method (detailed above), which will save time, as opposed to downloading individually.
Once you have possession of your files, you will want to ensure you have secure and reliable long-term storage, so you can enjoy them for years to come.
If you would like the safety net of additional backups, and would like to extend your shopping cart/archive expiration beyond the courtesy period, please click here.
If you would like to order a commemorative Flash Drive containing all images, in addition to the download, please click here.
- The Free Download feature is included in your account only, not others who you share your event code with. To purchase the Free Downloads feature for friends and family, so they can also download your standard digital files for free, please click here.
- The Free Downloads feature will remain in your shopping cart account as long as your account is active. To extend your expiration beyond the courtesy period, please click here.
- Photographers Favorites: Anywhere you see a Photographers Favorite, you are welcome to order prints. However, we strongly encourage you to not order the digital file (standard or Premium) of any Photographers Favorite, as these have already been meticulously enhanced and can be downloaded for free in their enhanced state. Orders are automatically processed, so if your order includes one or more Photographers Favorite files, it will be fulfilled as ordered and cannot be refunded.
- All other photos: If ordering prints through our studio, we recommend adding the Premium Enhancement for the best print quality. If you plan to print specific photos on your own, or have special enhancement requests, our recommendation is to order the Premium Digital File version of these images Once ordered, these files will be given an extra round of retouch/enhancement, and you will be notified when they are ready.
Why is the download split into smaller batches instead of downloading all at once?
The smaller downloads (zip files) help the downloads transfer better across the web, and gives you more control over what you are downloading. For example, if you only wanted the Favorites, or a few images, you can download the specific images you want most.
How much space should I have on my computer for downloads?
If you decide to download everything, the total downloads will be very large, so you will want to ensure you have room on your computer or external drive (at least 50 GB of free space).
How long will each download take?
Each download may take a minute or more, depending on your Internet connection.
Can I order both an Enhanced Print and a Premium Digital File of the same image?
Absolutely! If you love an image and would like both a print and the digital file, these may each be ordered on the Shopping Cart. Each method (Enhanced Print and Premium Digital File) will be produced with the very best quality.
If any questions come up, please feel free to contact our studio at [email protected]
Should we give you Pinterest pictures to show you the images we want?
We of course want to know what is most important to you, to help ensure we are successful for the wedding day. Pinterest is one way to get and share inspiration, and can be a useful resource. Here is what we suggest. This is the hard part ;) We suggest sharing with us if there are select and specific pictures that really inspire you. Please feel free to send them our way. But send a few purely for inspiration, not replication.
As creative photographers, we are always looking to bring out your unique personalities. If there is a large list of images that are to be replicated from Pinterest, then we are no longer creating. Rather, we are spending energy trying to copy images that already exist. The tricky part is that those images often can't meet expectations, because they represent another couple, or many other couples. Instead, we are looking to capture images that show the two of you, specifically, in the best light and angles.
To recap, you are welcome to provide Pinterest examples to help share the overall style and mood that inspires you. Then, put that trust in your photographer to create and customize the images that will ultimately look best for you. By embracing your photographers’ direction, and committing to their vision, you will ultimately get images representative of our portfolio, with a lot of variety, expressions, poses and backgrounds. Before long, you will be adding your own amazing photos to Pinterest, to inspire others :)
Can I order an engagement signing book and use it for my wedding album?
Technically yes, but we recommend going with our craftsman-quality wedding albums. Our engagement books, although nice, are more of a keepsake item. They have lightweight pages and durable cloth covers, with a limited selection of featured images (up to 20). This is ideal for displaying engagement photos, and having a well-designed memento for guests to sign. However, there is simply no way to encapsulate an entire wedding within 20 photos, and it will present more like a book than a substantial album. Engagement books are really designed and intended to show off the engagement.
If you are looking to tell the story of the day, with an heirloom designed to last generations, our wedding albums will be your best option. They are beautifully crafted, with elegant micro-leather covers and thick, durable pages. To learn more about our wedding albums, please click here.
How do I ensure my photographer is able to park at my chosen venue / location?
We will make best efforts to find free parking at your designated venue or location, but in certain scenarios, paid parking may be necessary due to proximity and /or time constraints. For example, if the other options are to park way up in the hills, leave our car blocks away, or circle around and around, we are going to use common sense and park at the designated spot. Especially if we are carrying heavy gear! To ensure we have adequate parking, and are reimbursed for this direct cost, any associated parking fees will be charged to the Client card on file following the photo shoot. We are happy to provide a receipt for your records :)
Tidal Wedding Films
We understand that photography and video often get paired together, as they are both visual mediums. We have always had the philosophy that it is best to specialize and master one specific craft. By focusing our energy on photography, we have been able to produce top level images to our clients. Having said that, we also understand the convenience of booking both photography and video at the same time. So, our studio has found the perfect solution, and now offer video in a unique fashion.
In order to better serve our clients, we have collaborated with Tidal Wedding Films who like our studio as few hand-picked video teams that have always done an amazing job. They know how we work and we know how they work, ensuring everything is streamlined and smooth. You are now able to contract the videography straight through our studio, and all under one contract and bill. As a result you get the benefits of two vendors who specialize in their craft, while having the convenience and savings of booking them together.
What's Included?
Included in the video packages are two high-definition cameras (same hours as photography), a 3-6 minute Produced Highlights Video, and all un-produced coverage from throughout the wedding day. That way if you are wanting to watch your entire ceremony uncut or speech, you can. The Highlights Video is the perfect length for frequent rewatching and social sharing, and the additional coverage gives you all of the footage from throughout the day for your archives.
Typically the videographers will stay for the same amount of time as the photographers at the event. The video is ready within 30 business days to share with family and friends :)
CLICK BELOW TO SEE VIDEO SAMPLES
Videographer: DUSTIN