Frequently Asked QuestionsMost of you are new to this business of hiring a wedding photographer, and I believe, you will have many questions. By twenty some years of experience, We know where it itches you ,and came up with some answers before you even ask.
If there is a question not answered here, please feel free to contact us. Tel 510-583-1131
Table of Contents
1. What type of equipment do you use?
2. Do you carry with you on the job backup equipment?
3. Do you use Black & White film also beside color film?
4. Do you go to a job with an Assistant?
5. Are you a member of Professional associations?
6. What is Internet Proofing?
7. What is the Kodak Promise of Excellence Program?
8. How long have you been in business?
9. Do you work out of a studio or your home?
10. What photo lab do you use?
11. What type of film do you use?
12. What type of paper does your lab print on?
13. Are you licensed/certified?
14. What brand of albums do you offer?
15. Do you offer any other types of services?
16. Do you carry insurance?
17. How much of a deposit is required to hold you for our wedding?
18. What forms of payment do you accept?
19. Are you the one who will take my wedding photos?
20. What type of dress code do you adhere to?
What type of equipment do you use?
We use top of the line Professional Medium Format cameras by the name of Hasselblad. that use Zeiss lense, along with Nikon cameras for "Candid" pictures. We prefer to use 35mm for candid because these cameras are better suited for constantly changing lighting and settings. On "Formal" pictures, we always use Medium Format.
Most people don't ask for enlargements of "Candids" any larger than 8X10 which is optimal for 35mm work. "Formals", however, usually tend to be blown up to 20X24, although they can be enlarged as much as 40X60.
Do you carry with you on the job backup equipment?
YES! We carry on average at least two of everything in the unlikely event that something might fail to work or is damaged during the day.
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Do you use Black & White film also beside color film?
Unless our customers specifically request Black and White, we always shoot with Professional Color Film. There are several benefits to using color film. Kodak makes an outstanding black and white paper specifically designed for color negatives. Professionals are unable to tell the difference. If you shoot only black and white, that's all you'll ever be able to get. The best advise for Black and White shoppers is this, have your wedding shot in Color and then pick which proofs you would like printed in Black & White. It truly is the best of both worlds this way.
Do you go to a job with an Assistant?
Most of the time, YES! However, when one not being available, your special day will still proceed as planned.
Are you a member of Professional associations?
Yes!!! We are both members of Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area since 1979, Kodak's Promise of Excellence and Kodak's Sports Program.
This is a new medium suited for those who surf on Internet Entire photos taken at your wedding will be online in a proof format so all of your guest can see them and place orders directly with the studio. This is an outstanding service for customers who may not have the ability to show everyone the book due to location or time limitations. For more information on this new service, click here.
What is the Kodak Promise of Excellence Program?
If your wedding prints are ever lost or damaged, Kodak guarantees to pay for reprint charges through a Promise of Excellence member professional lab! The best reason to use this program, Peace of Mind. Find out why, click here.
How long have you been in business?
We have been in business since 1979 as a member of Professional Photographers Associations, and have made many people proud of their looks.
Do you work out of a studio or your home?
We have a 1000 square feet studio in an Albertons shopping strip near Castro Valley BART station. This location provides easy access for our customers from all directions and also a cozy atmosphere when making decisions and viewing pictures.
This may seem like a strange question, but it has been asked in the past. We use Kimbo Color lab in San Fransico, a leading Professional lab and MillerÕs Professional Imaging in Pittsburg, Kansas for digital works. These labs have been in business for many years and serve only Professional Photographers. We have chosen to work with them for Quality. They offer such a wide range of options that we hardly ever go elsewhere for our printing needs.
What type of film do your use?
We use Kodak Portra 160NC and 400NC Professional films only. No substitutions here. Because of our affiliation with Kodak's Promise of Excellence program, we must always use Kodak film to comply with their Lifetime Guarantee.
What type of paper does your lab print on?
Our labs use only Kodak Professional Paper. Because theyare Promise of Excellence labs, they must use Kodak paper only.
Although there is no guarantee that being certified means you actually do good work, we are members of Professional Photographers of America and PPGBA. Additionally, we are fully licensed and registered by the State of California, and thus "render Ceasar his due"
.
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What brand of Albums do you offer?
We offer Art Leather Album, Leather Craftman Album and General Products. These are the top of the lines used by professional photographers everywhere. These fine albums have covers made of the finest durable material. Deeply embossed by fine tooling - not just gold stamped. Open view, matted pages that provide for straight - up viewing. Expensive looking one piece cover albums having individual gilt page edges which attach into the spine. For more information on selecting a Wedding Album, click here.
Do you offer any other types of services?
Because we do more than just Wedding Photography, we offer an endless amount of options for you to choose. From Greeting Cards to Calendars, Photo Buttons to Trading Cards and Announcements to Magazine Covers. The list goes on. If you're looking for something special, just let us know. We would be glad to locate the item and give a favorable price quote. We also offer a complete line of professional frames as well as framing services.
YES. We are covered by Sentry Insurance. It covers equipment break-downs,
completion of services and any damages to property. For more info, please contact us.How much of a deposit is required to hold you for our wedding?
We require $250 as a retainer. And the remaining balance including CeasarÕs portion (sales tax) is due one week before the wedding. We require payment in full prior to shooting the wedding for several reasons, to protect us from not being paid for our services and to protect the bride and groom from having to worry about payments after the honeymoon is over. Of course, paying in advance of the due date is always acceptable.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Personal Checks, ATM, Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express. Cash, Money Orders and Certified Checks are OK too!!!
Are you the one who will take my wedding photos?
I am the only photographer who will take your photos unless I am already booked. Then you will have the option of using one of my associates. You will of course be allowed to view the work of the person who actually does your wedding and may meet with them at your choosing. You will never be shown one persons work and then receive the services of another unless there is an emergency and the photographer you have chosen is unavailable. I have personally chosen only a select few photographers who meet both my requirements for style as well as professionalism.
What type of dress code do you adhere to?
I always wear a suit and tie to weddings unless the bride and groom have requested otherwise. I have been asked in the past to wear anything from a tuxedo to casual clothing. I've even been asked to wear Hawaiian clothing one occasion. Anything goes. I generally find a tuxedo to be to formal for hired help. A photographer should never look the same as the groomsmen or be mistaken as one either. As my work is often very physical, a tuxedo is very restrictive and can cause negative results. Another thought on tuxedos, they are generally only worn by "old-timers" and I would like to represent the younger image. For an idea of what my dress code looks like, you can view my photo here.