Photography FAQ's
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Read about photo coverage HERE.
What are Hi-Res JPEG photo files?
They are high resolution JPEG files produced after our custom processing and editing of the each individual RAW photo file.
These JPEG files will allow you to make your own high-quality photo prints from the smallest size and up 40x60 and larger possible.
How many photos do we get?
The number of Hi-Res JPEG photo files included with your package. You can add more photos on your contract before reservations or after the ceremony. Our best prices will be for a pre-order.
How many photos do you shoot?
We shoot more than enough to give a good variety and selection of images to choose from. For a normall small ceremony this usually is up to 100+ photos. If you add extended photo sessions, it will be more.
Do we select our own photos?
Yes. You will do this using our WebPhotoGallery. Using a desktop or laptop computer is necssary as we can never be sure how it renders on any particular pad, phone, or OS.
What is a WebPhotoGallery?
This is a personal website for viewing and selecting your photos. It will be uploaded within 7 days after the ceremony, most times sooner and will contain all the photos except, those which we shot for exposure or other tests and/or photos where there is a selection of better ones. The gallery will be available for (30) days thereafter, it can be remade and re-posted for an additional fee.
How do we get our photos?
After you've emailed us your selections and paid your Final Service Invoice, we'll upload your photos to our file transfer service. Your photos will be available for download for (30) days thereafter, it can be uploaded again for an additional fee.
How long do you store photos?
We are only responsible to hold your photo files for (30) days after we send out your WebPhotoGallery.
Can we get our photos on a USB stick or DVD disk?
Yes. We send our photo (and video) files electronically over the Internet to clients all over the world without a problem. With that said, if you struggle with computers, have a weak internet service, or have problems with our download, you may need to order a disk.
Are prints included?
No, we do not make prints. There is no need if you have the full size files to make your own prints.
Can our family and guests take photos and video?
We allow guests to take photos and video during the ceremony, under the direction of the minister and photographer.
We don't allow photography after the ceremony when directed work is being performed. That includes the license signing, cake, toast, portrait sessions, or any scene our photographer is directing.
FYI: An 'outside" photographer or have any person acting as such as determined solely by the minister and our photographer will not be allowed to photograph and/or will be required to leave the ceremony site until, all AHW services are completed and vendors have left the site.
Can we get different style photos?
No. What you see is what we do. It's predictable and we do it every time.
Can we requests shots?
We have a specific photo coverage ceremonies and all photos taken are at the sole discretion of the photographer. With that said, if it's just a simple shot, ask the photographer.
Note: If it's more or requires a series of shots to get a good one and/or direction by the photographer, you'll be asked if you want to add an extra photo session. If you know this beforehand, check with us first.
Can we substitute your required coverage shots?
No.
Read about photo coverage HERE.
Can the ceremony or photos be at another spot?
No, our DLNR permit is specific. Additionally, ceremony and photo spots are selected specifically to allow us to perform the most successful event given the location and time. We avoid areas with a history of being unsafe or problematic.
Read DLNR permit HERE.
If we have a ceremony close to sunset ceremony, will we get sunset photos?
No. We need good lighting for photos (and video) and cannot shoot into the sun and use the sunset as a background, it's just too bright.
Note: We schedule "sunset" ceremonies more or less, 60 minutes before the actual sunset. The variety of shots for a ceremony coverage requires that the sunlight is facing you (not behind you).
If you want some sunset photos when the sun gets low, order a extra couple sunset scenic portrait session.
Read about sunset HERE.
Copyright?
We'll include a PDF of a copyright release for personal use which allows you to use your photos for making prints and sharing your photos.
How do you work?
A normal package photo coverage is about 10-12 minutes not including the ceremony.
We work smartly and efficiently, making our sessions fun and enjoyable. We do not rush (unless, you are late) and it's pretty quick. We kind of do it like a fashion photo shoot.
Coverage is shot in a logical progression which enables us to get a greater variety of shots, more photos, and in a lesser amount of time than doing it otherwise.
This not only saves time, it'll also save you unnecessary extra expense for other vendors waiting to get it done (limousine, etc.) and gets you off and away to your next event sooner.
FYI: Don't fall for the "hour of photography" gimmick. There's really only so much you can do with a couple before it starts getting boring, redundent, and a waste of time and money unless, you're asking for extra portraits or scnics.
Read about photo coverage HERE.
How do you photograph?
All of our beach locations are out in the open, there's bright sun and there's wind but, you'll notice that our photos look great and are very consistent from shot to shot, wedding to wedding, and location to location.
We accomplish this by shooting in a style and lighting technique that allows us to create our "look" quickly and consistently at all beach locations, times, and conditions.
We're not going into much detail except to say that, look at our photos and if they look good, then good.
Do you "fix" and/or "edit" photos?
As much as we can during our processing which is more than enough.
We shoot RAW files and process each individual photo to our interpretation of the optimum color balance, contrast, and exposure. We do try to remove small distractions, helicopters, planes, birds, and people in the background, if we can.
None of those photos on our website have been fixed or "Photoshopped" other than using our normal processing explained above.
With that said, we do not get rid of wrinkles, messy hair, blinks, swap heads, remove bandages and tatoos, make people thinner, or remove large distractions or people from the backgrounds. You're simply not paying for that service and if anyone tells you you are and have these "tourist" prices, you need to be suspect.
What is a "Certified "Photographer?
Many websites like to use the term "certified" or "licensed" for their photographers, so much that, it's now meaningless.
Our Top Photographer is a "real" CPP having been awarded that designation in 1999 and being an actual top photographer in the industry for large local weddings (he doesn't do those anymore LOL). Read more.
Finally, how can we tell what you show is what we'll get?
If you select our Top Photographer, what you see on our website is what you'll get!
With that said, there's a current proprietor who purchased the content (photos and videos) of a couple websites of owners who retired or got out of the business, combined it all into a pretty neat looking modern website with enticing text and prices, and they've been pretty busy with couples who want to marry, one after the other.
The problem is, unless you pay significantly more for the "Premium" photography package, which we would hope includes a "real" photographer, it's either his wife, daughter, and sometimes him (the minister) doing the photos and video. He'll also be the musician too!
To be fair, we've never seen the actual product from any of their clients, only what's on their website but, according to one of our most experienced ministers, he could tell just by how they worked, the photos quality would be suspect.
It's business, it is what it is. We suppose you can't really tell what you're going to get! Sorry.
Read more about photography here.
"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low cost is forgotten".
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