Frequently Asked Chicago Wedding Photography Questions

 
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Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions
We have hundreds of answers to frequently asked wedding photography questions. Question include topics such as: destination weddings. bridal parties, 35mm vs. medium format vs large format vs digital, wedding receptions, black and white photography, re-touching and re-touched photos, and more.
 
Experience
Question: How many years of experience do you have?
Answer: Conceptual Visions was officially established in January 2003. However, Dawnelle have been freelance photographers for over 10 years and has worked for the larger studios.
Question: How many weddings have you photographed?
Answer: Under the Conceptual Visions banner , we have photographed over 100 weddings.
Question: Can you provide a list of references?
Answer: Yes. You can get our wedding references once you have submitted a quote request and you have been set up with a client login ID (these can be viewed in your personal Communications Center).
Question: Where is your studio located?
Answer: We work out of our home studio in Lombard, IL. Consultations are by appointment only.
Question: Do you perform photography full time?
Answer: Dawnelle performs photography and manages operations full time.
Question: At what locations have you photographed?
Answer: A list of all the venues we have photographed in the Chicagoland area can be found on the Venues page on our main website.

Equipment
Question: Do you shoot with film or use digital?
Answer: We shoot 100% digital these days as it opens up a world of possibilities with wedding and special event photography.
Question: What cameras do you use?
Answer: We have two (2) Nikon D2Xs, two (2) Fuji S3s, two (2) Fuji S2s, and one (1) Nikon D70 (use the links to see specifications for each)
Question: Do you have "back ups" for your equipment?
Answer: In addition to seven (7) cameras, we have back ups for all of our on-location equipment
Question: The church we are getting married in is very dark, can your equipment handle dark situations?
Answer: Absolutely. Digital cameras perform the same way as film cameras. We can adjust the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed depending on the light situation. In most cases, religious ceremony don't allow for flash photography during the ceremony. For these situations, we use tripod mounted cameras with a higher ISO (if necessary), larger aperture, and slower shutter speed. Again, this is the same with film cameras.
Question: Do you shoot in RAW format?
Answer: We shoot a shoot high resolution .jpg.

Base Package Inclusions
Question: Do you offer traditional wedding packages?
Answer: We have one package and allow you to add any additional items you would like.
Question: As it relates to "unlimited exposures", how many pictures can I expect from my wedding?
Answer: This is a tough question to answer because it will depend on many things: the number of attendants in your wedding party, the number of locations you want photographs at, the length of the ceremony/reception, and the number of guests...just to mention a few. However, for the average wedding, you can expect approximately 100 exposures per hour of service. For example, if your service is for 6 hours, you can expect approximately 600 exposures to choose from...if your service is for 8 hours, you can expect approximately 800 exposures to choose from. 
Question: How much do you charge for additional hours of service?
Answer: We charge our standard hourly rate. See our "Prices" page for current prices.
Question: Do you provide backdrop & lighting for formal portraits?
Answer: We can provide our portable studio for an additional charge (see "Prices" page). We need a minimum "footprint" of 10' x 10' to set up our backdrop and lighting and will provide this at the reception location. Backdrop portraits will hold groups up to 4 people. For larger group shots, we will find a suitable location.
Question: Do you provide "Photojournalistic Photography"?
Answer: Yes. We always "blend into the background" so as to capture the best candids available. Today's term of "Photojournalistic" is yesterdays term of "candid"
Question: Do you provide "Black & White Photography"?
Answer: Yes. You will have a choice of color, black & white, and sepia from all the exposures we take. All three of these color options will be viewable from your personalized web gallery.
Question: Do you offer printed proofs? Do we get to keep the proofs?
Answer: No. We do not offer traditional printed proofs. Our proofing system is on-line where you and your guests will be able to see all the photos from your wedding within only 7 Days. This allows us to keep your costs down by not having to print all the exposures. You do, however, have the option to print "Contact Sheets" (12 photos per page) from your on-line gallery. This functionality is available to the bride and groom only.
Question: What are the "Photo Viewing Invite Cards"?
Answer: So that everyone can have an opportunity to see the photos from your wedding, we create custom "invite cards" that will invite your guests to view your photos on-line in a password protected gallery.
Question: Can we print photos from the Digital Photo Album CD?
Answer: No. The images on the CD are encrypted. The Digital Photo Album is intended for viewing only.
Question: I'm confused about your "Famous 50 Cent 4x6 First Runs". Can you explain a little further?
Answer: This program allows the bride and groom to order their first set of 4x6 prints for only 50 cents each. No matter how many 4x6s you order on your first order, you pay only 50 cents each. All subsequent orders will be charged at our standard print prices.
Question: What do you charge for prints?
Answer: See your specific quote for pricing.

Ala Carte / Add On Products
Question: Do I pay for prints and add on products prior to my wedding or after?
Answer: All prints and products are purchased after your wedding once you have seen the photos.  The Starter Kit (as well as any additional hours you need) are the only things which you need to pay for prior to your wedding (and the only thing which your 30% deposit to hold your date is based on)
Question: Do you offer photo DVDs set to music for viewing on a TV.
Answer: Yes.  We offer customized DVDs set to music which transition from one picture to another using different transitioning effect.  For standard weddings, we separate out the DVD slide shows into "Pre-Wedding", "Ceremony" and "Reception"
Question: Do you offer graphic design or special effects?
Answer: Yes.  The world of digital photography opens the door to many possibilities and we will make recommendations on which photos would be best for each different technique.
Question: Do you offer traditional wedding albums?
Answer: Yes, but we do it in a much different way than traditional photographers.  We allow you to go to our vendor direct, purchase the albums direct, and build them yourselves.  This will allow you to save money from having an expensive hourly rate added to the cost of your album.  If you would like, however, we will build your album for you using our standard hourly rate.  An average wedding album usually takes approximately 2 hours to construct.
Question: Do you offer coffee table books?
Answer: Yes.  The world of digital photography allows for creative, customized books to be made.
Question: I know your standard time for displaying galleries on the web is three months.  What if I wanted my photos up longer than that?
Answer: Not a problem.  Gallery extensions are available for only a small fee. See our "Prices" page for more details.
Question: Do we get to keep the negatives?
Answer: The high resolution digital negatives (high resolution .jpg files) are available for a fee immediately after your wedding (which includes ALL of your exposure).
Question: Do we get to keep the proofs?
Answer: We do not offer printed proofs. Our photo proofing is done via a password protected web site where you and your guests can view all of the photos from your wedding and have a chance to purchase them directly on-line.
 
Deposit & Payments
Question: What is the deposit amount to book my date?
Answer: We require a 30% deposit to book and hold your date. The remainder of the balance is due on your wedding day via check or money order. Deposit is refundable up to 14 days after receipt of deposit.

General
Question: Will you save the date for me if I don't submit the contract and deposit?
Answer: Our booking system is on a "first come, first serve" basis. Whomever submits their contract along with their deposit first is the one which we will book.
 

 

 
Use the links below to learn more about our Chicago Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions:
 
» Wedding Photography Experience

Chicago Wedding Photography Experience

Conceptual Visions was officially established in January 2003. However, Dawnelle has been a freelance photographers for over 10 years and has worked for the larger studios. Under the Conceptual Visions banner , we have photographed over 100 weddings. You can get our wedding references once you have submitted a quote request and you have been set up with a client login ID (these can be viewed in your personal Communications Center). We work out of our home studio in Lombard, IL. Consultations are by appointment only. A list of all the venues we have photographed in the Chicagoland area can be found on the Venues page on our main website.

View:  CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SAMPLES  [Portfolio]

 
» Wedding Photography Equipment

Chicago Wedding Photography Equipment

We shoot 100% digital these days as it opens up a world of possibilities with wedding and special event photography. We have two (2) Nikon D2Xs, two (2) Fuji S3s, two (2) Fuji S2s, and one (1) Nikon D70 (use the links to see specifications for each). In addition to seven (7) cameras, we have back ups for all of our on-location equipment

View:  CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ALBUMS  [Albums]

 
» Wedding Photography Packages

Chicago Wedding Photography Packages

We have one package and allow you to add any additional items you would like. We can provide our portable studio for an additional charge (see "Prices" page). We need a minimum "footprint" of 10' x 10' to set up our backdrop and lighting and will provide this at the reception location. Backdrop portraits will hold groups up to 4 people. For larger group shots, we will find a suitable location. We always "blend into the background" so as to capture the best candids available. Today's term of "Photojournalistic" is yesterdays term of "candid". You will have a choice of color, black & white, and sepia from all the exposures we take. All three of these color options will be viewable from your personalized web gallery. We do not offer traditional printed proofs. Our proofing system is on-line where you and your guests will be able to see all the photos from your wedding within only 7 Days. This allows us to keep your costs down by not having to print all the exposures. You do, however, have the option to print "Contact Sheets" (12 photos per page) from your on-line gallery. This functionality is available to the bride and groom only.

View:  CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PRICES  [Prices]

 
» Wedding Photography Deposits and Payments

Chicago Wedding Photography Deposits, Fees, Investment, and Payments

We require a 30% deposit to book and hold your date. The remainder of the balance is due on your wedding day via check or money order. Deposit is refundable up to 14 days after receipt of deposit.

View:  CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY QUOTE REQUEST  [Request Quote]

 
 
 
   
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  • Questions
  • Page Summary
  • Photo 101
  • Contact
Contact us at (866) 563-8876
PAGE SUMMARY:
1) Experience
  • Conceptual Visions was established in January 2003.
  • Dawnelle has been freelance photographers for over 10 years
  • Have photographed over 150 weddings.
  • Wedding references available upon request.
  • We work out of our home studio in Lombard, IL.
  • Consultations are by appointment only.
  • A list of all the venues we have photographed in the Chicagoland area can be found on the Venues page
2) Equipment
 
3) Packages
  • We have one package and allow you to add any additional items you would like.
  • We can provide our portable studio for an additional charge
  • We always blend into the background" so as to capture the best candids available.
  • You will have a choice of color, black and white, or sepia from all the exposures
  • All three of these color options will be viewable from your personalized web gallery.
  • We do not offer traditional printed proofs.
  • Our proofing system is on-line
  • All photos available online within only 7 Days.
  • Printable "Contact Sheets" available via web
4) Costs, Fees, Deposits, Investment, Prices
  • We require a 30% deposit to book and hold your date.
  • The remainder of the balance is due on your wedding day via check or money order.
  • Deposit is refundable up to 14 days after receipt of deposit.
 
 
Photography 101     (an article by chicagostyleweddings.com)
Long after your wedding day is over, your photographs and video will provide lasting memories. With that in mind, you’ll want to make a specific list of the shots you want. After all, unless you tell them, the photographer and videographer will not know which friends flew in from out of town or the multi-generations of family present. Here’s a list of not-to-be-missed moments – plus a space to add your own special requests:

Before “I Do”
* Bride getting dressed
* Groom getting dressed
* Bridesmaids taking care of finishing touches
* Bride’s arrival at ceremony site
* Special guests getting seated
* Mothers/Fathers and grandparents led to their seats

“I Do”
* Walking down the aisle
* Specific ceremony moments
* Ring exchange
* Various shots of guests
* Close-ups of musicians and vocalist
* The kiss

After “I Do”
* Exiting the service
* Throwing rice/Releasing birds/ Blowing bubbles
* Stepping into limousine
* Driving away
* Arriving at reception site
* Cutting cake
* The first dance
* Father-daughter dance
* Mother-son dance
* The toasts
* Garter toss
* Bouquet toss
* Saying goodbye at reception
* Driving away

Questions to ask the photographer
Is the photographer I’ve interviewed the one who will shoot my wedding?

Many studios employ a number of staff photographers. Make sure the one you interview or the one whose portfolio you adore – is the one who will photograph your wedding.

How many photographers are available to cover my wedding? Can I hire two in order to receive a combination of photographic styles?

Can relatives or friends take photos at the wedding? Discuss this beforehand since some photographers may feel they’re competing for space when others are taking pictures during the wedding.

Do you have a portfolio of your studio’s work?

Were all the photos in the portfolio taken by the same photographer?

What type of equipment will the photographer use? (Digital or Film?)

Is backup equipment available if necessary?

Will you shoot both black & white and color photographs?

Are you open to suggestions if I have particular kinds of images or effects I like? Beware of the photographer who is so “artistic” that he won’t listen to your ideas or suggestions. Remember that it’s your wedding day, not his.

Do you charge extra for traveling to the wedding site? Ask enough questions – and the right questions — to uncover hidden fees. Unfortunately, many brides learn too late that they booked the photographer’s time, and nothing else. Ask what’s included and what’s not.

Will the photographer provide an online site where friends and family members can view the photographs and place their own orders for prints?

What type of proof album will be provided?

Can you transfer the photos onto a CD or DVD?

What types of packages are available?

What is the cost of each extra picture?

If packages are available, can those be customized to suit my specific needs?

When can you expect to receive your proofs, prints, and albums?

What is the deposit, and when is it due?

When is the remaining balance due?

What are your overtime fees?
 
Local: (630) 613-9607
Toll Free: (866) 563-8876
Fax: (630) 230-3871
 
 
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