Over the years, I have accumulated a bunch of questions that I have been asked over and over. So here it is, my compiled answers to your frequently asked questions. If your questions is not listed here, let me know.
What is the deposit to reserve your services?
It’s a $500 retainer-fee to reserve my services.
When is the best time to reserve your services?
As soon as possible.
What kind of camera gear do you use?
All Canon. Mark III, Mark IIn, 2 5D’s and a 30D and an assortment of Canon L Glass lenses.
Do you bring back-up cameras?
Yes! Back up cameras, extra batteries, etc. It’s a must.
What’s the minimum hours we can book you?
4 hours for a weekday wedding, 5 hours for a weekend wedding.
Do you require a shot list?
A family shot list is encouraged. This helps to get all the necessary family shots. But a wedding day shot list is evil. Why? Everything becomes scripted from a piece of paper. Real moments are taken away. Ten years from now I want you to be able to look back and reflect on the real moments of your wedding. I don’t want you to say to your other half, “Oh honey, remember this shot? We had to do this over and over just to perfect the shot I wanted blah blah blah”. Instead, I want you to say “Honey, I remember exactly what you said at this very moment”. I have heard to many horror stories from other photographers who had their shot list in hand during the ceremony. While reviewing the shot list, they miss the most important shot ever, The Kiss. I want to make sure that NOTHING like this ever happens to any of my couples. So stay away from those photographer’s shot list published in wedding magazines. They’re evil.
However, if there’s anything particular you want photographed, let me know in an email or simply point it out to me on the big day (or I’ll simply ask for them). Otherwise, I’ll do my utmost best not to leave any detail/moment behind.
What’s your favorite color?
Orange, green…all the earth tones.
Do you travel off island to photograph weddings?
Yes, all the time. A $600 travel fee will be added to cover air, car & hotel (neighbor islands).
Anywhere national or international, rates & fees vary. Inquire within.
What is your turnaround time to receive our wedding photos?
Approximately 8-12 weeks. It takes an additional 25-35 hours of post production after the wedding. 1/3 of the work is just photographing the wedding.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
A Photographer.
How did you lose all that weight?
Diet and Exercise. Eating healthy and being active.
Do you do morning weddings?
Yes, I do. Although I hate waking up in the morning (who doesn’t), I’ll still do it.
Spam Musubi, healthy or unhealthy?
Totally Healthy. The Poor man’s plate lunch.
Do you shoot Digital or Film?
I shoot 100% Digital. This allows me to experiment and shoot an unlimited amount of images.
What does Co-ownership of the images mean?
You are free to make reprints at any printing facility. You are part owner of the images, feel free to do whatever you want to do with your images. However, if you use it for any commercial purposes, all I ask is for a credit to my name.
Will I get everything that was shot throughout the entire wedding?
Yes. Everything that was shot will be provided to you in High Resolution format on DVD Media.
Why isn’t my photos on your blog?
If I blogged every wedding, that would take away all my time from post-production on your wedding. I’d love to post every wedding that I shoot and if that was the case, there won’t be any images for me to showcase during a consultation.
What’s your method of selecting a wedding to showcase on your blog?
I randomly select one wedding from the last eight to ten weddings that I shot. However, I’ll post a wedding presenting a location that is unique and where I have never shot before.
10 Comments
thanks for the post frank. I been checking 3 times a day just to see what you put up. so exciting.
Frank, you are so true about the photographer’s shot list. I had no idea. I can see it being so evil. I’ll make sure that Christina doesn’t make a shot list (hehe), I just told her about it and she just trashed her list!
Thanks for the FAQ! YEP, right on the money about the shotlist! Thanks for the TIP!
Ok my wedding is done but I still check your blog :-). I totally agree about the shotlist! I didn’t have one. I had faith that my awesome/uber talented photog will be able to capture the “moments”. And of course, we had the most amazing first kiss shot! “Swept Away” baby!
Good post Frank. I would have to agree about the shotlist. And I’ll let you know about those details I want photograph.
Hi Frank, it’s my first time leaving a comment here but i’ve been a secret fan of your blog ever since i saw Renee’s wedding pics! btw,FAQ answers were great! I also agree with you on the shot list. we trust your work 120% so we won’t worry about the shot list! can’t wait to have our day photographed by you!
That is a great idea to use a shot list! I’m looking forward to using it on our next wedding! Great blog!
mmmmm spam musubi… shot list… evil. =)
Cheers Frank! Awesome new blog! We’ll home over the holidays, got time for a family session?
-Jaymie and Audrey
what type of external off camera flash do you use and how many assistant to you bring with you?
jen: I use Canon Flash units. 420ex’s 580ex’s. I shoot 90% of my weddings solo. Sometimes I have an assistant which is pretty rare. I like shooting alone. Much more flexibility and in complete 110% focus on the B&G