Why This Article Matters
There are so many questions to ask your wedding photographer floating around the internet — but most of them lack real answers. This guide is different. It’s filled with honest, experience-backed responses to the questions I receive most often as a professional photographer working with couples across Northern California and beyond.
Whether you’re comparing wedding photography styles, wondering how many photos to expect, or deciding if your uncle can bring his DSLR — I’ve got you covered.
Availability & Booking
Q: How long have you been a wedding photographer?
Adam and I started our photography business in 2010 with a full calendar of weddings. We’ve photographed hundreds of unique and beautiful events, each one deeply personal.
Q:When should I hear back from an email?
Please allow 24–48 hours for Nicole to get back to you.
Q: How do I reserve you for my wedding date?
Send us an email to set up a video meeting. If we’re a good fit, I’ll send you a contract and retainer form to officially reserve your date.
Q: Can we meet in person?
If you’re located in the East Bay or San Francisco, yes! Otherwise, a video call works perfectly.
Q: Do you hold dates without a deposit?
We can only hold dates once we receive a signed contract and retainer. If someone else inquires for your date, we check in with you first and hold that window for 24 hours before moving forward.
Style, Approach & Equipment
Q: What is your photography style and approach to wedding coverage?
Our approach blends directed portraiture with documentary-style storytelling. We tailor our prompts and direction to each couple, but our consistent goal is to create timeless, joyful, and emotionally meaningful images. Nicole is also very hands-on during the planning process — from helping choose photo locations to styling your getting-ready moments or guiding your ceremony positioning for better light.
Q: Do you shoot with one photographer or two?
We offer packages for both. Adam and I are a team when it comes to weddings. Our unique strengths complement each other and offer us an advantage while working weddings. We also get to spend the day with our best friend so that is a win win! When you book two photographers it will be both adam and I. If you book one photographer only Nicole typically is the one who shows up.
Q: Do you shoot in JPEG or RAW?
RAW — always. This gives us full control during editing and ensures the highest quality. We will deliver your final galley as high res JPGS
Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
We use the latest high-performance digital cameras, a full range of lenses, off-camera and on-camera lighting, and drones when applicable. We are fully insured and licensed.
Engagement Sessions
Q: When should we do our engagement session?
If you want to use the images for Save the Dates, 6-12 months out. To make sure you get a spot on our calendar during busy months, schedule the session 3-4 months out. Engagement sessions included in packages are valid for up to one year from booking.
Q: What’s the best day to schedule our engagement session?
Weekdays are ideal due to better availability and fewer crowds at popular locations. Weekends are possible based on availability. Popular and touristy locations like The Palace of Fine Arts is ideal in the morning before the crowds show up. Places like beaches are best during sunset.
Q: How many images do you deliver from an engagement session?
Typically 75–100 images from a one-hour session.
Q: Are there travel fees for engagement sessions?
We include 60 miles roundtrip. Beyond that, travel is $2.00 per mile.
Delivery, Editing & Touch-Ups
Q: How many images do you deliver for weddings?
Roughly 70–100 images per hour. A typical 8-hour wedding results in 560–800 edited images.
Q: How are images chosen and edited?
We carefully cull duplicates and only deliver the best of each moment. Every image goes through our basic post-production process to ensure consistent, polished, natural results.
Q: What is basic post-production?
- Color and exposure correction
- Natural editing (no trendy over-editing or filters)
- About 10% in black and white
- Print-ready quality
Q: Do you offer Photoshop?
We use Photoshop selectively — for things like removing distractions in the background — but not for body modification. You may request up to 10 additional Photoshop edits; more are subject to a retouching fee.
Q: Can you edit a photo to look like another photographer’s style?
We believe each photographer has their own voice. If another style speaks to you, We encourage you to book the photographer who showcases exactly what you want. You (and your photographer!) do not want you to be unhappy with the outcome if they are different from what you are drawn to.
Pricing & Packages
Q: Can I swap or remove the engagement session from a package?
Packages are pre-discounted and offered as-is. If your needs differ, we offer fully customizable à la carte options. Packages are better if you want the standard full day, 2 photographer and extras. à la carte gives you more flexibility when it comes to having only 1 photographer or a second photographer for only a few hours during crucial moments. Our à la carte booking has a minimum of 2 hours that need to be booked to hire us. This is ideal for ceremony and portraits at one location.
Q: Do you charge for idle time between wedding events?
Yes, we offer a discounted idle-time rate. Let us know what gaps you expect and we will include it in your proposal.
Q: Do you charge sales tax?
Digital-only deliveries are tax-free in California. Physical products (like albums) are taxed and handled under separate contracts.
Wedding Timeline
Q: How long should we set aside for photos?
You’ll get my full timeline planning guide and help with timelines after booking, but here’s a (rough) brief breakdown of times needed for certain categories:
- Getting ready: 1–2 hours
- Parent first look: 15–20 min
- Couple’s first look: 20 min
- Couple’s portraits: 45–60 min
- Bridal party: 20 min
- Family formals: 20–40 min
- Ceremony details: 20 min
- Reception details: 20–30 min
- Sunset portraits: 20 min
- Night photos: 15 min
- Open dancing: 1 hour
- Send-off: 15–20 min
Wedding day logistics
Q: Can my friend/relative bring a professional camera?
Guests may bring cameras, but we ask that they do not interfere with the professional team. During couple’s and family portraits, we kindly request no guest cameras to avoid split attention in photos.
Q: Can I give you a shot list?
Rather than a formal shot list, we encourage you to share special people, items, or moments you want captured. We also send a questionnaire 30 days out that asks lots of questions so we can align on your aesthetic.
Q: How do we ensure family formals run smoothly?
Pre-written groupings and a helper to call names (someone who knows both sides of the family) is key. We provide a guide on creating the list during the planning process.
Q: Do you need to visit the venue ahead of time?
Not always. We often photograph venues for the first time and scout them day-of. If you’d like a walkthrough and it’s nearby, we can make arrangements.
Q: My venue is really dark. Will that be a problem?
Not at all. We bring professional lighting tailored to your space — from flashes to video lights — so every moment is beautifully captured.
Albums, Prints & Rights
Do you offer albums?
Yes, we offer heirloom-quality 8×8 and 10×10 albums. These are custom-designed and built to last.
Q: Can I add pages or images to the album?
Yes, additional pages and images can be added for a fee.
Q: Do you offer prints, Save the dates or Thank you cards?
Yes, our online gallery connects to a professional print lab and makes printing cards or wall images so easy!
Q: What rights do I have to my photos?
You’re granted full personal-use rights: print, share, and post on personal accounts. We ask that you do not alter, re-edit images or sell them.
About Nicole & Adam
How did you start in wedding photography?
Adam and I started our photography business in 2010 after our own wedding. We were doing family photos and working with models. A friend of ours wanted to hire us to photograph their SF City Hall wedding. We posted that on our then blog, started receiving inquiries about other weddings and have worked our way up for the last 15 years.
Why is photography important to you?
Memories. On a personal note, I (Nicole) lost my father when I was 14. Photos are the only thing I have left of him. So knowing I can take photos of people sharing really special moments together is really important to me. It is really special and I’m thankful I found something I’m good at that also gives to others.
Adam is a tech-y. He loves the nerdy part of photography and gear. His grandfather was also a photographer and it seemed to have passed down to him.
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