Frequency Asked Questions by Denver and Boulder Wedding Photographer, Rayna McGinnis
1. How would you describe your wedding photography style?
I would describe my style as playful, natural and classy. I use a blend of traditional and creative poses, as well as photojournalistic shots to tell your story. My editing style is minimal because I want your wedding images to look like pictures, not paintings or cartoons.
2. Do you have liability insurance?
Yes, I do have liability insurance and would be more than happy to provide your venue with a copy of my insurance certificate. Please let me know at least 30 days in advance if this is necessary.
3. What type of equipment do you use?
I shoot on Nikon DSLRs and lenses (both prime and zoom lenses) as well as Nikon flashes. I always carry back up equipment including extra batteries and memory cards. Your wedding is too important not to.
4. How long have you been a photographer?
I've been a photographer for five years, originally focusing on portraits and adventure photography. I've been shooting weddings for the last two years (2013 will be my third season) and am loving every moment of it.
5. Do we get a DVD of our high resolution images?
Yes, I always give each couple one DVD with all of their edited images and a print release. These images are watermark-free JPEG files. Most of the files can be printed up to 20x24 or larger.
6. What does "professionally edited images" mean?
The images that I deliver to you are all color corrected to display as the colors displayed on your wedding day. Retouching such as the removal of blemishes and stray hairs is only done on close ups or at the bride or groom's requests. I will not remove marks that I believe to be birthmarks or permanent blemishes unless it is specifically requested.
7. Can I give you a shot list?
Yes! Please! While I will have all of the normal shots covered (first kiss, father/daughter dance), I want to know about any special touches that you may have at your wedding as well as a person by person list of all the family/friend shots you would like. I also create a Pinterest board for all of my couples so that they can pin images that they love and I can put my own spin on it and create something awesome for them.
8. Will we meet before we book? After we book?
If you're booking a wedding in the Denver or Boulder area, we will meet at a mutual location (usually a local coffee shop or brewery) before booking and can meet up at least once prior to your wedding day. For weddings anywhere else in the world, we can "meet" over a Skype call or talk in the phone.
After booking, you'll have an unlimited number of phone and email consultations as well.
9. Do you have references?
I'd be happy to provide you with a few references, but please give me a few days as I don't like to use the same bride and grooms all the time and I like to make sure it's a good time in their lives to be contacted. You can also check out my Google Reviews here.
10. Do you bring a second shooter or assistant with you when you photograph weddings?
I always shoot with a second shooter. Your wedding is too important not to. While rare, professional cameras and lenses can malfunction and I like to make sure that all of the important events have double coverage. 95% off of the time my second shooter is my fiance, Christian. We are a great team with Christian covering most of the photo journalistic shots and me covering the portraits and keeping everything moving.
11. Can I see a full wedding by Rayna McGinnis Photography?
Absolutely! Just send me an email at rayna@raynamcginnisphotography.com or use my contact form and let me know. I will email you a link to at least one full wedding as well as my full wedding portfolio.
12. What happens if you have to cancel last minute?
That has never happened and I do everything in my power to make sure that it doesn't. That said, if for some unforeseeable reason I can't make it, I have a network of hundreds of other photographers and would find someone else of a similar style to photograph your day. If for some reason you do not want to use the photographer I find, I will refund all of your money including the retainer. This is even included in your contract!
13. Do you photograph more than one wedding on a given day?
No, I only photograph one wedding per day. When you reserve your date, I reserve the entire day just for you!
14. How long do you keep a copy of our digital images on file?
Once I mail you your DVD, I HIGHLY recommend that you back up your images immediately. While I upload all of your edited images to a cloud based server (smugmug) as soon as they are edited, I do not guarantee storage of them. Since I keep your images in your online gallery for a year, you can contact me anytime in the first year for an additional copy of your images and if I have them, I'd be happy to email you a link to download them.
15. How do I reserve my date?
The first step in the process is us getting to know each other and making sure we're a good fit. If we are, I will email you over a copy of my contract. I require a signed contract as well as a non refundable retainer to reserve your date (1/3 of your total).
16. When should I book?
It is in your best interest to book as soon as possible. While I have booked as far out as a year in advance or as little as a month in advance, dates are first come, first serve and only reserved after your non refundable retainer and contract are received. Contact me today to see if your date is still available.
17. Do you offer payment plans?
Our payment schedule is already set up like a payment plan. You pay 1/3 of your balance as your non refundable retainer, another 1/3 10 days before the wedding and 1/3 within 30 days after the wedding, before your proofs are delivered. You can of course pay your balance in full at anytime.
18. What type of payments do you take?
I accept cash, check and credit cards.
19. Is your retainer refundable?
Retainers are non refundable. Given the nature of the wedding photography business, when you reserve your date, I must let other couples looking at the date know that they must look elsewhere for their wedding photography needs. It is highly unlikely that I will be able to re-book the date if you cancel.
20. Do you offer discounts?
I offer a 5% week day discount and a 5% active military discount.
I also often advertise specials on my blog and Facebook page. I highly recommend liking my Facebook page so that you will see specials as they are happening.
21. What if I only need a few hours of coverage? What if I'm eloping?
Since we offer hourly wedding photography coverage, you only pay for the coverage you need. We do require a two hour minimum but otherwise, the coverage is up to you. If you're eloping, get in touch with us directly and let us know what you're looking for!
22. What do you wear to weddings?
I typically wear dress pants, a dress shirt and a sweater over it. I'm also open to suggestions so let me know if you have any recommendations or preferences.
23. Can my family and friends take photos?
Yes, I only ask that I and my second are the only hired professional photographers for the day. I also request that if any of your friends or family members are professional photographers, that they refrain from using professional external flashes during the ceremony. I also request that they do not interfere with the formals, especially when kids are being photographed, because it distracts the people being photographed.
24. Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes, all of our signature wedding collections include an engagement session. You can also add an engagement session on to our hourly coverage or just purchase one by itself.
25. How much time will I need for photographs?
This really depends on the timeline of your wedding day and what you are looking for. I always recommend at least an hour for bride and groom formals as well as bridal party formals. Remember that the best wedding photographs take time. If you have additional questions regarding this, please contact me directly.
26. What exactly is a first look?
A first look is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. It gives them an intimate moment prior to the ceremony. It also provides a great opportunity to get the bride and groom formals done without having to worry about their family and friends that are waiting on them. About 50% of my couples opt for a first look.
27. Do you require a meal during the wedding?
I require a hot meal for myself and my second shooter for any weddings over five hours. If one cannot be provided, please let me know in advance so that I can plan a one hour off site meal break. Note that if a meal is provided, I will be nearby and able to take images.
28. Do you attend rehearsals or do site visits?
Rehearsal coverage is available for an additional fee. Site visits are available free of charge as long as they are within 35 miles of zip code 80021 but are subject to availability.
29. Do you have any tips for awesome wedding images?
· Schedule in plenty of time
· Get a good night sleep
· Hydrate well on your wedding day
· Don't try out a new hair color right before your wedding
· Skip tanning the week of your wedding - a sun burn really stands out next to a white dress.
· Carry your bouquet at belly button level.
· Hold your first kiss for AT LEAST 3 seconds !!
· Let me know if there is a body party yourself conscious of so that I can minimize it in photos.
· Remember to stand up straight.
· Let me know of any special events during your wedding like a flash mob or up beat father/daughter dance.
· Print off a list of all of the family formals that you want and give everyone in the photos a copy so they are ready when it is their turn.
30. How long until we can see our images?
Images are ready to be sent out to you in your online gallery within 30 days of your wedding, pending receipt of final payment. Once payment is received, it can take up to 6 weeks for you to receive your DVD with your images. If final payment is received prior to the wedding, sneak peeks will be available on Facebook as they are completed.
31. Can I share my wedding pictures on social networking sites?
Absolutely! It would be great if you could also credit Rayna McGinnis Photography.
32. Will our images be in color or black and white?
Most of your images will be delivered in color but some will also be delivered in black and white. I'm happy to provide a few images in black and white at your request!
33. Where do you recommend that I print the images from my DVD?
I recommend Mpix.com as a consumer quality lab. You can also order professional quality prints from your online gallery at any time.
34. Can we edit your images? Will you provide unedited photos?
No, I do not allow you to edit my images. My images are a creation of both my camera and editing preferences. I do not provide unedited photos for the same reason.
35. Do we get ALL of the images you take at our wedding?
I only provide images that I feel meet my quality standards and that are a true representation of my work. I remove most duplicates and images that contain unflattering expressions as well as squinting or blinking eyes. Since I usually shoot outside, the lighting is always changing so I also do not provide any over or under exposed images.
36. Do you offer albums? Am I allowed to make my own?
Beautiful, custom designed albums are included with all of our Signature Collections. You can also add one on to any of our hourly packages. If you would like to make your own, I am fine with that too!
