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Wedding Photos Planning Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
I want you to photograph my wedding. Now what?
What does a wedding session cost?
Is there a deposit? How much is it?
How far in advance should I book?
Will you be photographing the wedding?
Do you shoot with an assistant?
What if I want a second photographer?
Where are you based and do you travel?
What kind of coverage can I expect?
I don’t know what to do. Help me figure this out.
Do you shoot in RAW? Can I get RAW unedited files?
When will I get my wedding photos?
Do you shoot video?
Do you offer albums or canvases?
Who chooses the photos for the albums?
Will you post the photographs on your website or social media?
How many images will I get?
Do I have to print images with you?
How do you deliver images?
My wedding was cancelled. Now what?
How do I pay you?
When is my payment due by?
- How can I prepare for my big day?
- Family Photo Preparations:
- I have a crazy idea for a photo but it involves some Photoshop. Can you do it?
- Get me a list of VIPs:
- Know your locations ahead of time
- Be reasonable when planning time for photos vs travel time to locations:
- Prepare a schedule of the day for the photographer:
- Random stuff you should bring:
- Plan for weather
- When in doubt, ask
Frequently Asked Questions
I want you to photograph my wedding. Now what?
Well, you should talk to me. Message me using my contact me page so that we can get the ball rolling.
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What does a wedding session cost?
My wedding packages start at $1200 and goes up from there depending on your needs. I recommend clicking here to see what packages we offer and what is all included. If you are doing something simples, short, small, eloping, or anything in between, I do also offer an À la Carte option. Using this option you can build a package using my guide or you can contact me directly and we will make something special just for you.
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Is there a deposit? How much is it?
The deposit is 30% of your chosen package. This also applies to the total cost of any À la Carte package total. This deposit is used to reserve your photo date.
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How far in advance should I book?
You can book whenever you want. I would recommend as soon as you have a date and location. If you’re not the plan in advance type, don’t panic, we may still be able to sneak you in. Contact me and we’ll see if we can make something work.
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Will you be photographing the wedding?
Well, because the name of the business is Amanda Swanson Photography, yes I, Amanda, will be photographing the wedding. The only exception to this would be if you choose to hire a second photographer.
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Do you shoot with an assistant?
Sometimes, it depends on your needs. Rest assured this will not cost you any extra money, as my assistant is my husband and he doesn’t mind helping out (I know, he’s awesome.)
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What if I want a second photographer?
Easy, you either book a package that comes with a second photographer, or you can add one to whatever package you choose by using our À la Carte option for $500.
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Where are you based and do you travel?
I am an Edmonton based company, and yes I do travel. Let me know where you are and we’ll figure out how to get me out to your big day.
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What kind of coverage can I expect?
I am super flexible when it comes to taking the photos. Tell me what you want and I’ll do what I can to make things happen.
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I don’t know what to do. Help me figure this out.
First off, take a deep breath, everything is going to be okay. Secondly, I have a page for that. Click Here for my guide on how to get the most out of your wedding photos. It’ll talk you through planning and organizing your photos, as well as some tips that I have learned in my 10 years of doing wedding photos (for example, do you know how many brides forget sunscreen in the middle of August? The answer is too many.) When in doubt, feel free to ask me questions. I have no problem answering any questions or addressing any concerns you may have. That’s what I am here for, to help you out and make planning your day easier.
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Do you shoot in RAW? Can I get RAW unedited files?
Yes I do photograph all my images in RAW. No you cannot have the RAW images. If you are considering Amanda Swanson Photography for your big day, it’s probably because you saw something you like. Well, my style of images took 10 years to develop and master. Asking for the RAW files so you can edit them yourself is like asking DaVinci to paint a portrait of you, then bringing it home and then you painting over it yourself. Seems wrong, doesn’t it?
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I put a lot of work into my portraits to make them look exactly how I want them to, and because of this I will not give unedited RAW files to clients. I will however work with clients to create a style that they find pleasing. This means, should you receive any images from me that you do not like the look of, let me know, and I will make any adjustments you want to help create a look you are more happy with. For example, if I send you Black and White photo, and you want it in colour, no problem, I’ll change it.
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When will I get my wedding photos?
I aim to have your wedding photos to you between 4-6 weeks after your wedding date. However I do send my clients teaser photos usually within a week of the wedding. That way you have something nice to share on facebook and with your family.
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Do you shoot video?
No, I do not. If you need help looking, I may be able to direct you to some of my contacts that can help you out.
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Do you offer albums or canvases?
Yes I do, click here and look under the À la Carte options for our prices. Or if you are considering the Premium Full Day Package, one of those items is included.
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Who chooses the photos for the albums?
I will let the client choose a selection of their images, but I recommend you let me pick out most of the images. This will help me have more control over how the album looks when finished. However if you feel more comfortable with a more hands on approach, I am happy to work with you.
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Will you post the photographs on your website or social media?
With your permission, yes.
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How many images will I get?
I will give you as many images as I can get you. It will depend on the length of your photo day vs time photographing. But I aim for at least 200 for half a day.
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Do I have to print images with you?
No, as we currently do not offer that service. We do however offer canvas and album options in some of our packages.
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How do you deliver images?
USB via whatever way is easiest for you. I have also delivered smaller collections of images over Dropbox and Google Drive.
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My wedding was cancelled. Now what?
I am so sorry to hear that. Any payments you have made towards your package will be returned to you. However there will be no return on your deposit. Your deposit is used to book your wedding date so no one else can book over it. Because of this, I may have had to turn down other work over that date. Because of this lost income you will not receive your deposit back.
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How do I pay you?
I accept e-transfer, cash, and cheques.
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When is my payment due by?
Final payment is due one week before the wedding. I personally recommend setting up a payment plan, or paying in installments when you can, to relieve some of the stress of paying a lump sum of money on your wedding day. This is, of course, completely up to you. Talk to Amanda if you want to set up a payment plan.
I picked the half day option/ À la Carte hourly option. What happens if I go over our agreed upon time? Can I update my package day of?
À la Carte hourly option: Keep in mind that it is an hourly option. If you have booked this option you cannot upgrade to a different package day of. The reason for this is I will be scheduling my whole day around you only needing me for 3 hours or less. If that changes I am happy to stay, but for the same rate. If you think the time you need me for could end up being more than 3 hours, I would recommend picking the half day option, just to be safe.
Half Day Option: Once you reach the 4 hour mark we will start to charge $375/Hour. There will not be an opportunity for a package upgrade, for the same reason as above.
Wedding Photos Planning Guide
How can I prepare for my big day?
Do you have any photo ideas you want to try? Not sure where to start brainstorming? I always recommends that if you have pinterest make a private board and share it with me. That way I can get a sense of what your style is. Not a pinterest kind of person? Google image search some images and send them to me via email. Not a planner? That’s ok, we can make it up as we go.
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Family Photo Preparations:
To be honest this is the most stressful part of wedding photos. Wrangling family can be tough. I recommend making a list of all the groups and variants of groups you want to have photographed (example: bride, groom, and both sets of parents; bride, groom, and her parents; bride, groom, and his parents; etc.) Be sure to give this list to your photographer. That way you don’t have to worry about remembering it day of the wedding. I got you covered.
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I have a crazy idea for a photo but it involves some Photoshop. Can you do it?
YES!! Photoshop is like a drug to me, and yes I would love to help you make something creative and fun. Share with me any ideas you may have (running from a t-rex, fighting with light sabers, magic with Harry Potter wants, whatever. Lets do this!
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I would really love it if I was provided a list of names I need to know. Bridal party members, parents of the bride and groom, and any other important people I should know the names of. This DOES NOT mean give me your whole guest list. Just the people that may be following us around all day or that you feel I should know.
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Know your locations ahead of time:
Pick out where you want the location of your photos to be. Knowing this can help me out a lot. I can research lighting in the area, creating ideas of poses before we get to the location, etc. It can also help you plan your timeline better for your day, should you want more than one location.
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Be reasonable when planning time for photos vs travel time to locations:
If your not really sure what to do here, please talk to me. I can help you have a better idea of how long photos will take vs driving to each location. This is really important for when you are making a schedule for your wedding day.
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Prepare a schedule of the day for the photographer:
I need to know what to expect the day of the wedding. It will help me plan things better on my end. Once you have a schedule of the day please send me a copy.
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Random stuff you should bring:
If your wedding is on a warm sunny day bring sunscreen and water. I have seen to many bridal parties burn in the sun because they didn’t bring sunscreen, and too many have headaches at the reception because they didn’t think to bring water. Stay hydrated, stay protected, keep having fun.
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Plan for weather:
Either have a backup indoor location plan, or come prepared to get wet (umbrellas and rubber boots can make for cute photos). Don’t just assume the weather will be on your side. I wish it always was, but sadly, that is not our reality. Best to just be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
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When in doubt, ask:
I have 10 years of wedding experience under my belt, and I have no problem sharing this cornucopia of knowledge. I would rather you ask questions, then worry about something I may be able to help you with. No question is too silly or weird. When in doubt, ask.
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