Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions

To make planning a little easier, we have compiled a list of FAQ’s. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information.

Are you Local?
Yes, we are based in Maryland, and all the photographers working for the studio are local. We cover Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. You can read more about the advantages of working with a local studio than a national one.

How Long have you been in business and photographing weddings?
The studio was started over 23 years ago. The average experience by one of our wedding photographers is over 12 years. On each photographer’s profile page, you can view their years with the studio and how many years of wedding experience they have.

What is your style?
We have a photojournalistic approach, focusing on telling the story of your day as it naturally unfolds. We aim to capture real moments, reflecting the genuine emotions at the wedding. This approach allows us to document the story of your wedding.

Do you capture portraits and group portraits at weddings?
Yes, we capture family, wedding party, and portraits of the couple.

Do we get to choose the wedding photographer we’d like to work with?
Yes, absolutely. We show individual wedding portfolios with the work of each of our wedding photographers and allow you to select your favorite. If you decide to add a second photographer, you will be able to select that photographer as well. There are no “main” or “secondary” photographers, so when you hire 2 photographers, you get two primary photographers. This is not the case with most studios who may bring in a second photographer with less experience. All of our photographers are equally skilled and will work as a team to ensure that your wedding day coverage will be complete. Encouraging you to select who you want to work with will provide peace of mind in knowing exactly who your photographer (s) will be. We believe this approach is far better than having a studio assign a random photographer to you.

Can we speak with the photographer before signing a contract?
Again, absolutely. We are so confident you’ll love our photographers that we allow you to speak with them.

Can we see complete weddings by each of the photographers?
Yes, upon request we are happy to show complete weddings by any of our photographers. You can also visit our blog to view complete weddings. 

Why are you so affordable?
We believe that quality photography shouldn’t be reserved for those with only the most extravagant wedding budgets. We intend to provide excellent service & products at a fair price to work with a wide range of clients planning all types of weddings. From the intimate backyard affair to the high-end hotel wedding, we’re always honored to be a part of your most important day. See what couples are saying about us on Wedding Wire and The Knot. Read reviews where you’ll see that our average rating is 4.9 out of 5 on Wedding Wire and 5 of 5 on The Knot.

Will our photographer shoot another wedding on the same day?
No. Each photographer does one wedding per day. Once you reserve your photographer, we block off the whole day for you.

Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG format?
All images are captured in RAW format, producing more vibrant colors and superior print quality. The RAW format also allows us to do more post-processing and make any necessary image adjustments. We deliver high-resolution Jpegs, making using the files and making prints easier. By starting with a RAW file, we can deliver a better Jpeg file for you to make beautiful and vibrant prints. If a photographer captures images in Jpeg format, minimal post-processing and editing can be done, and large prints may look distorted. Since RAW is the standard format for professional wedding photographers, someone capturing images in Jpeg format might be a sign of an amateur photographer. Many studios shoot in JPEG format because it’s more accessible, and there’s less post-production work for them. The images come straight out of the camera “as-is.” Then, it becomes your responsibility to color-correct the images. Also, JPEGs don’t have as much information as digital files, so you can’t make large prints and lose the beautiful, rich colors you want.

Do you post-process the images?
Yes. We go through each image to make any necessary adjustments. We have 4 editing options for you to choose from. We believe your images deserve the extra work. Unfortunately, not all photographers spend the time required to post-process wedding images, which can be time-consuming. Make sure to ask the photographers you interview what type, if any, post-processing they do. You don’t want a photographer to hand over the files without post-processing them.

How many images will you post process/edit, and how many will we receive?
We like to deliver as many images as possible, and generally, depending on the number of hours covered, most couples receive about 1000 post-processed images for one photographer and 1600 post-processed images for two photographers. The only images we remove are those with eyes closed, out of focus, etc. Some photographers only post-process/edit a handful of images out of the hundreds they may deliver to you. We believe that all of your delivered images should be processed/edited. Some like to overedit and remove too many images that they don’t like, such as people mingling and other more general wedding images. They may feel these images are nothing special and should be removed. Although these types of images may not be the most dynamic, we believe they are important in providing a well-rounded representation of your day. We believe in delivering all usable images that are captured.

Do we have unlimited rights to use our images, including making our own prints and albums and posting them online?
Yes, we give you unlimited rights to use the images as you wish, including making your prints and albums and posting them online.

Do you offer Videography?
We specialize exclusively in wedding photography, prioritizing mastery and depth in this craft. By dedicating ourselves solely to photography, we ensure undivided attention to capture every special moment of your wedding day. Our approach emphasizes quality, consistency, and a personalized touch. While we understand the allure of all-in-one packages, our mission is to provide unparalleled depth in photography, ensuring that your wedding memories are captured with the utmost expertise and care. You can read Photography-Only Studios: The Clear Advantage Over All-in-One Wedding Services.

How many images do you take at a wedding?
We don’t limit the number of exposures we take. On average, we take approximately 2,000 images per photographer.

Are two photographers better than one?
There are a variety of factors that go into deciding whether you should have one or two photographers. We offer various scheduling options for our second photographers, whether needed for just part of the day or the entire duration of your event. A second photographer should be considered if you have a larger wedding (more than 150 people). This is not to say that an experienced photographer can’t handle a large wedding alone. Consider whether you are getting ready at the same location. A second photographer might be beneficial if you are simultaneously getting ready at 2 locations. If you decide that one photographer works best for you, we can still capture getting ready at 2 locations as long as ample time is allowed. In some situations, such as church weddings, some churches restrict the photographer’s ability to move during the ceremony. In this case, a second photographer might be able to provide additional angles. One photographer can absolutely still capture all the key moments at a church ceremony without a second photographer. If you decide to have portraits taken during the cocktail hour and also would like coverage of the cocktail hour, a second photographer might be a good idea. In any of these situations, a second photographer isn’t required but should be considered. Every wedding & couple is different, with many factors to consider. We are always happy to discuss your wedding and make any recommendations. If you decide to add a second photographer, you will be able to select that photographer as well. Since not all studios will show you the work of their second photographers or allow you to choose a specific second photographer, it’s a good idea to ask who your second photographer would be and to see their work.

Do you use assistants?
We don’t use assistants since we are wedding photojournalists who document weddings more naturally. With our documentary approach, assistants would get in the way, and we would be unable to blend in and tell the story as it unfolds. Assistants are used more by traditional photographers who tend to do lots of posing. They generally assist the photographer with setting things up and do not do any photographing. With us, if you hire two photographers, you get two photographers & not a primary & their helper. Each one will work extremely hard to ensure that your coverage is seamless & your experience is excellent.

What do you require to reserve the photographer?
We require a signed contract and a deposit by check or credit card to reserve your selected photographer. No credit card fee.

What happens after we reserve the photographer?
Our whole process is designed to ensure your wedding planning is as stress-free as possible. You’ll receive a questionnaire two months before the wedding to give us additional details about your day. A few weeks before the wedding, your photographer will call you to review the details and ensure we have all the necessary information.

What is your backup plan in case there’s an emergency?
Unlike most solo photographers, we have an extensive backup system to ensure an emergency doesn’t ruin your wedding. Because there are several of us, you can be assured that your wedding will be covered if your chosen photographer becomes severely ill or is in an accident. In addition to the photographers within the studio, we also have an extensive backup list of great photographers we know and respect in the area. We have staff on call for wedding days who will have your wedding information and all relevant contact information. You will be given their contact information before the wedding in case of an emergency. I am very happy to say that in over 20 years we have never missed a wedding.