F A Q
How far in advance do you book out?
We've been booked out two years in advance, and for some procrastinators, a month in advance! If we had to average it out, nine months to one year is the zone. In New York, May, September, and October are the most in-demand months, as well as holiday weekends, so we get booked up quickly for those.
Do you shoot weddings on film or digital?
We’ve been shooting professionally on film for 10+ years. From 2015 to 2018, we hosted a film-focused photography residency in the Catskills called CampGoAway, encouraging photographers to use film. We’re thrilled to see the resurgence of analog and work with clients who truly respect the medium and the process. While we do have a few cute point-and-shoot cameras that have their place, we primarily use high-quality SLR 35mm and medium-format cameras for weddings.
Chellise blends film and digital, letting her intuition guide her on when to use either. Mike, on the other hand, shoots exclusively on film, bringing 6-8 cameras to weddings. He’s a beast! He keeps a digital camera nearby, but it’s just collecting dust.
For a deeper dive into film-specific FAQS, head here.
Can we see full galleries?
Yes, and we encourage it. Upon request, we will send you 1-2 galleries. Here’s what you may want to ask yourself when looking at full galleries from any photographer.
Is the editing and color toning consistent throughout?
Are skin tones true to color?
If film is a priority to you, how is it shot? (point and shoot vs. large format, flash use/style)
Is it a well-curated gallery? (non-repetitive, flattering images)
Is there equal focus on people other than the bride/couple? (The most common regret we hear from couples whose weddings we didn’t shoot is: My photographer focused too much on me/us and not enough on our guests)
How do the photographs make you feel?
Do we get any highlights after the wedding?
We aim to send highlights within 3 weeks. Patience is rewarded here, as it takes time for our lab to receive our film, process and scan it. Once we receive our film scans back, we then curate it down to the most delicious edit.
What type of wedding photography collections do you offer?
Multi-day events, local and destination weddings, and elopements. The most common full-day collection includes an engagement session, 9 hours of coverage, and travel costs if applicable. Travel fees do not apply to NYC or Hudson Valley weddings
What's the difference between an editorial wedding photographer and a documentary photographer, and which are you?
We tend to blend both.
Documentary style suggests that the photographer is completely hands-off. They do not interject, interact, fluff, or pose their subjects. Think street photographers and photojournalism. The thing is, at weddings, our presence is known, but in a laid-back, friend-in-the-room-with-a-camera way. Candid, naturally occurring images are the most gratifying to us as artists and account for 80% of our work.
Editorial, on the other hand, is pretty much the opposite. While we deeply love fashion, your wedding isn't supposed to feel like a photo shoot. However, we do blend a little bit of editorial when the inspo arises.
Our couples tend not to be comfortable in front of the camera and usually need and appreciate our guidance for portraits, which is where our editorial background comes in handy. For example, we know precisely how to gather a group of 20 people to give a Vanity Fair portrait vibe, or when we have a fashion-forward couple, or see a guest wearing something incredible, we're going to honor this and grab them for an impromptu portrait.
I'd like to wrap this up by saying that editorial isn't how we choose to define our wedding work, because, at the heart of it all, it's about documenting how the day felt. The fashion is amazing, and we’re here for it, but it’s not why we do this. At the core, it’s about love, your community, and celebration. We go into weddings thinking more about who will look at these photos 20, 30, and 100 years from now.
Do you pose your couples?
The majority of our couples say they don't know what to do in front of the camera, which is normal. We observe our couples to gather how much direction they need and go from there. We have a gentle, encouraging way of guiding, offering, and persuading rather than posing, giving our couples space to settle in and wait for that pose to unravel into something natural (now you know our secrets…).
We think of portrait-taking as a collaboration, which is why the engagement session is so important… It’s where it all begins.
How do I know if I need a second shooter?
This varies depending on the number of guests, logistics, and the venue. Most of the time, we can tell from your initial inquiry whether we need a second shooter to support us; if so, we will include it in our proposal. Sometimes we add a second shooter later in the planning process as logistics come together.
How many photos can we expect for a full wedding day?
700+
Can we exchange the portrait session for coverage towards other events?
Nice try!! The purpose of the portrait session is to get to know you two. Having this time with you gives us so much insight into who you are as individuals & as a couple. The benefits from this session are tremendous & although it may not seem like it, it serves a purpose for all of us on your wedding day. We want you to feel very comfortable in front of our cameras, especially if you’re not used to being photographed. Therefore, it is not to be exchanged for an event that does not give us this opportunity to connect with you one-on-one.
Do you take formal group & family photos?
Absolutely. As we near your wedding, we will request a list of VIPs, friends & family for formal group shots.
Do you offer wedding albums?
Yes, of course. Albums are exactly where wedding photos should live.
Our albums have a lay-flat design on archival photo paper, bound in your choice of luscious velvet, suede, leather, or linen with a variety of font choices. We design your album in-house and won’t send it off to print and bind until you're happy with it. Two of our packages include albums, but if you’d prefer to wait, you can always build one with us later, even if it’s a few years down the road.
Alternatively, you have the option to design your own album through our online gallery print shop. The sizes, font, and cover options are more limited, but the quality is the same.
What’s required to hold my date?
Connection is important to us, so a google hang with both of you is the first thing. If everything goes swimmingly, it’s a retainer and a signed contract. You can reach out to us here to see if we’re available for your date.