Frequently Asked Questions, Answered by Amy

How would you describe your photographic style?
Telling your story is my style.  I studied journalism, so most photos captured tend to be photojournalistic.  Don't worry though, I take posed picture. These classic heirloom photographs are essential for every wedding. We can even approach these traditional shots in a less traditional way.  I have tons of ideas and I'm open to any of yours.  As for my favorites-- I live for candid, narrative photography that shows action and emotion. 

What is included in your basic wedding packages?
My assistant and I capture every moment of your wedding day, start to finish.  I don’t charge hourly.  I don’t charge extra for travel within 50 miles.  Your online proofing gallery, with InstaProofs, includes all of these images for ordering and re-ordering prints. All images are carefully refined.

Do you use Digital or Film?
Everything I do is high quality digital.

How many pictures do you take?
Since my services last all day, from before the wedding until long into the reception, there are an unlimited number of opportunities for photos.  I try not to miss these opportunities.  Packages including an assistant are even better.  That's two people with cameras, not missing a thing. 

 How many pictures do we actually see?
Even the photos that aren’t perfect or artistic are included.  It may not jazz up my portfolio, but it includes your family and friends.  This is all about you!  That’s why I don’t limit the number of images you see. You also have the opportunity to order anything else from coffee tables books to framed and matted prints.  We usually take several hundred, sometimes even more than a thousand.

Who exactly will be taking pictures at my wedding?
I'll be taking all the pictures, in tandem with my assistant.  If I am already booked, I am happy to refer you, especially to one of my assistants.  They are photographers too, they either don’t do it full-time, or they aren’t booked that day and want to tag along for fun!

Can I provide a list of posed photos for you to take?
Sure.  The last thing you need to do on your wedding day is remember every cute shot you saw in every bridal magazine and attempt to explain it to me.  We will meet a few weeks before the wedding to talk about everything.  You can take notes, you can bring a list, you can bring examples, anything you want.  I will try my hardest to grant your every wedding photography wish.  I can't promise to capture everything, but I can promise to try! 

Do you do special edits on prints, like black and white, or sepia tone?
You have an opportunity to view and order every image from both the photographer and assistant photographer-- in color, black and white, or sepia.   I can also complete five special editing requests, for which the possibilities are infinite.

How do you show my proofs?
All of my proofing is done digitally.  You have the option of an online proofing and ordering gallery, or a DVD or CD and a paper order form.  This way you only end up paying for the prints you want, not the ones where you're making "that weird face." 

Do you offer an option of print proofs?
I prefer digital proofing because it gives you more options, but if print proofs are a must, it can be done.  I have proof magazines available, which show 8 images per page.  The price for the proof magazines depends upon the number of photographs taken, so contact me for details if this is something you want.

Can guests view and order photos on-line? How soon will the photos be put on-line?
Absolutely!  I will bring unique cards with my website address and ordering information for your prints.  You choose how these are passed to your guests.  They can be handed out, slipped into thank you cards, anything!  Your photos will be online within a week or two, orders don't take much longer to process.

Can I keep the negatives? Is there an extra charge for this? How much?
Some packages include a DVD or CD containing all of the high resolution images, with print permission.  Nothing beats professional quality prints, but these are great when a friend visits from out of town and "has to have" a copy of the photo on your wall.  Running to CVS is quicker than ordering from my website.  If you have a quality print connection with a great price, it doesn't hurt to just get the CD and make the prints yourself.  That's why most packages include it.  If yours doesn't, you can get it for only $250. 

Why are your prints so cheap?
I’m a very do-it-yourself photographer.  I don’t have many costs beyond my equipment and your package components.  Since I don’t pay for print advertising, outsourcing editing and album design, or fancy promotional materials I don’t pass those costs on to you.  I’m not trying to travel the world shooting high society weddings and winning awards.  If it means a little extra work for me, no problem.  It isn’t about me, it’s about you!

How far are you willing to travel, and do you charge for this?
I am definitely willing to travel.  I will not require a travel fee for any wedding within 50 miles.  For portraits, it really just depends, so ask me.  Anything too far and I require a small fee.  No big profits, just gas money!

What kind of equipment do you use? Do you bring backup equipment?
Everything I use is Canon.  I bring my camera, my back up camera, my battery, my back up batteries, a battery charger for those batteries, my flash, batteries for my flash, sets of back up batteries for my flash, a battery charger for my flash batteries, a few different lenses, and my TomTom so I don't get lost.  Oh, and my assistant has a full set-up too.  Basically, you're covered.

What are your payment terms?
I accept personal checks, money orders, and PayPal.  All payments must be received before the wedding day. 

How much is the deposit?
The deposit when the contract is signed is $300.  This holds your date.  Booking can get fierce for sunny Saturdays in June.  This deposit gives you that entire day, exclusively.

How many months in advance do I need to reserve your services for my wedding date?
As soon as possible!  A year in advance is best, any less is a gamble.  You want your choice of photographers, not your choice of available photographers.

How does PhotoBook and Fine Art Album design work?
I design each page of your album myself, then show them to your for your stamp of approval.  If you want to switch out a few pictures for a few others, you can let me know.  If you want to have more control with album design, you can choose your photos online.  Simply add the album you want, whether you get it a-la-carte or with your package, and then add all of the photos you would like to see included, selecting 0x0 as the size.

What the heck is a flush mount album?
Actual prints are made and mounted onto pages.  The edges of the photos are flush with the edges of the page to which they are mounted.  They can be single images or layouts like you'd find in the other albums I offer.

How many photos can I fit into my PhotoBook, Fine Art Album, or Flush Mount Album?
It really depends what you want out of your PhotoBook.  I love big, bold images that fill up every page, with maybe a few smaller images scattered in between.  You might prefer collages of smaller images.  You may want a mix of both!  Wedding Albums start at forty pages.  Don't limit yourself, we can always add more pages.  Just choose whatever photos you want.  If I show you a proof and you want more or less or different, it's your call! 

What is the difference between the PhotoBook and the Fine Art Coffee Table Album?
The PhotoBook is similar to a yearbook or story book, with thin glossy pages.   Fine Art Coffee Table Albums have heavy, matte pages.  Both are great.  I can show you samples to really see which ones are for you!

When do I get my pictures?
Online-- I blog some of my favorite images a day or two after your wedding. This way you can see some right away!  Just click "blog" on my website or go to http://amystraka.blogspot.com.  Within a week or two, sometimes even less, all captured images, digitally refined, can be browsed and ordered from my website.
Prints-- Once an order is placed, prints should usually arrive within two to three weeks. The quality is worth the wait!
CD-- After you pictures have been refined, you can view them online.  After you've selected any special edits you'd like to see, and any pictures you'd like removed, your pictures can be given the final touch then placed on CD.  Your CD with print permission should arrive within days, if no changes are made.  With a few edits, it could take another week or so.  It all depends how busy we are!
DVD-- After you pictures have been refined, you can view them online.  After you've selected any special edits you'd like to see, and any pictures you'd like removed, your high resolutions image files can be given the final touch.  Next, you choose your favorites to include in your custom slideshow, and what song or songs you'd like to accompany them.  All will be included on DVD and should be ready within a week or two.  I'm fast!
PHOTO BOOKS & ALBUMS-- I will design something right away for your album, then show you a proof.  You can choose to add or delete any images, or change the layout style a little.  You also have the option of choosing all of the images you would like to see included from the start, then letting me work with them.  It should take me about a week or two, depending on how many other books and albums I'm working on.  After the final changes are made, the book takes about three or four weeks to be printed and bound.  It will ship to me, I'll do a quick quality check, and either drop your book in the mail, or hand-deliver it.  

These are just a few of the more common questions I get.  Feel free to contact me with any questions you have.  Your questions will probably end up in this FAQ!