Second Photographer. Why is this so highly recommended?
If at all possible we highly recommend booking a second photographer. (The second photographer option is included at no extra charge with The Ultimate Package.) There are many benefits to having two photographers. Take a moment to read through this and you'll see why most bride's choose to add this to their package.
During the formals and bride and groom portraits is one time when it's great to have a second photographer. As the primary photographer I am dealing directly with the couple/group. Often times the very moment I lower my lens people start interacting. A little hug or kiss, maybe a joke that makes everyone laugh. Then the second I raise my lens back up to try and capture this special moment everyone goes back into, “Ok time to take pictures” mode. It’s wonderful to have a second photographer there to capture those moments! My second photographer is always ready during these types of shoots. She always makes sure to grab close ups and details like a hand on the small of the back etc. while I’m getting the portrait shot. During the ceremony is another time it’s very helpful to have two photographers. One of the photographers can stay put near the back of the isle capture straight on shots while the second photographer can move around capturing close up shots of the bride and grooms faces from better angles. One photographer can get a full body shot of the ring exchange while the other zooms in on the hands.
During the kiss one photographer can get the full body or ¾ length shot while the other gets a close up. And pre-ceremony the photographer’s can split up, one with the bride, one with the groom so as not to miss a single moment!
Think back up. What if at a crucial moment someone steps in front of the camera and blocks your photographer’s view or perhaps bumps into them causing the shot to be blurred? That moment would be lost forever…unless you had another photographer shooting the same thing from another angle. During the reception this is especially helpful with such a big crowd to work with.
The second photographer's we work with have been specifically chosen because their styles blend seamlessly into Amy's. So if you like Amy's style, a second photographer is great, inexpensive way to double the amount of photos you’re getting for the same amount of time!
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CDs vs Prints?
Most photographers show you all of the images from your wedding or portrait session. These are called proofs. Unless budget isn't a concern, you will have to pick and choose which photos and print sizes you can afford to purchase, leaving the rest behind. And because your photographer legally maintains the rights to those images, you then must purchase the chosen prints through the photographer at a premium. This is where most photographers make their money. To give you an idea, most 4x6 prints are priced from $4.00-$8.00 and 8x10s from $25-$30 each. Large prints, like a 20x30 go for well over $100. For a wedding that can get really expensive! It's important to keep this in mind when pricing photographers. It's true that these prints are of the highest quality and will be archival, and therefore last forever. They are worth the price but there are less expensive options out there.
Amy Hansen Photo includes a CD/DVD of the high resolution, professionally processed photographs with all wedding packages and portrait sessions. Wedding CDs will come in this black keepsake folio (pictured right) complete with an image from your wedding day. (Portrait CDs do not include keepsake folio.) You will also receive a full print release that will allow you to reproduce or print your photographs at anytime. You can take them to any lab of your choice or we can recommend one to you. You most likely won't even be asked for the print release but it's there in case you need it. If you decide that you really want some professional quality prints we do offer them at a significantly discounted rate. The CD gives you options! You can let us to all the prints, do them all yourself or some of both.
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What do I have to do to reserve my wedding date?
To officially reserve your wedding date you will need to do two things. Pay your deposit, which is half of your package price, (the other half will be due three weeks before your date) and complete the Wedding Agreement.
If you're ready to reserve your wedding date now please
click here to go to our Ready to Reserve page. (Will open in new window.)
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What goes into a photographers pricing?
You may have wondered how Wedding Photographer's arrive at the pricing of their packages. We've put together some information that will help you understand just that. Click on the link below to read it.
To download this to your computer right click the link below and click "Save Target As." Firefox users: right click and then select "Save Link As." You can also just click the link to view it online but it may take a moment to load. Feel free to
contact us if there are any questions we can answer for you.
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Do you offer payment plans?
Yes and no. Traditionally we require half the price of your chosen wedding package (plus travel fees or add ons when applicable) as a deposit up front to reserve your date. The other half is due three weeks before the wedding. However, if you will be spending $2,000 or more with us between wedding package, prints, albums, invitations etc., we do allow you to break your expenses into payments. Usually 4 even payments. We do, however, understand what an important day this is for you and if a different payment plan is going to make the difference between you getting the coverage and products you have your heart set on then we are always willing to work with you.
The only requirement for a payment plan is that the payments will be set up to be withdrawn automatically per our agreement and that payment must be complete 3 weeks prior to your wedding date. Payment plans can also be used for albums and other products, but again, payment must be completed before your album/products will be delivered.
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Can I purchase my album after the wedding?
Of course! You can purchase any of our products before or after the wedding.
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How many pictures will I get?
The number of photos each couple will end up with varies depending on how much time we are there, whether you opt for a second photographer, how good the lighting is etc. Because we shoot digital, we generally tend to shoot shoot shoot, so chances are you're going to be happy with the number of photos we deliver.
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Wedding Invitations and Photos - Etiquette?
In the old days couples did not include photos with their wedding invitations.
Times have changed!
These days it's perfectly acceptable to include photos of yourselves with your invites. It's a great way to introduce your spouse to be to all your friends and family and for your loved ones that you haven't seen in a long time to see an updated photo of you.
With our invitations you can include photos right on the invitation or slip separate prints in with your non-photo invite. One of the benefits of doing the photo invite is that it allows you to show off more than one picture of you and your betrothed.
Of course, if you prefer to go the traditional route and leave out the photo we can, of course, do that as well. All of our invitations are custom designed, so from modern to traditional the sky is the limit on what you can do.
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Why do I want Engagement Photos?
Engagement pictures are great for a lot of reasons! What are they? They are a set of photographs of just the engaged couple taken before the wedding. They feature the couple in a more casual and relaxed setting. They can be used in many ways. They can be incorporated into wedding and reception elements (e.g.
Invitations,
Photo Guest Book,
Signature Mat,
DVD Slideshow, Save the Dates, for display on reception tables, wedding programs and favors), used for newspaper announcements, and/or simply framed for display in a couple's home.
Another great thing about doing engagement photos is that it allows both the photographer and the couple to become more comfortable with each other, and suggests that the pictures from the wedding day will look more natural and at ease.
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Why do I want Bridal Photos?
Bridal pictures are great for a lot of reasons! What are they? They are a set of photographs of just the bride taken before the wedding. They feature the the bride in full wedding attire. They can be used in many ways. They can be incorporated into wedding and reception elements (e.g. Photo Guest Book, DVD Slideshow, Save the Dates, for display on reception tables, wedding programs and favors) and/or simply framed for display in a couple's home.
Another great thing about doing Bridals is that it allows both the photographer and the bride to become more comfortable with each other, and suggests that the pictures from the wedding day will look more natural and at ease.
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How far in advance do we need to do the Bridals/Engagements?
Anytime you want. It's really up to the couple how soon you want to do it. There are a few factors that will go into your decision. One of them is what you plan on using them for. If you want to use them for Save The Dates you'll need to plan on doing them a ways before you need to send them out. Another factor is weather. If having nice weather and colorful surroundings for your session is important to you, you'll want to do your session sometime from late spring to early fall. This means that you need to think ahead. If you're getting married early spring, and weather is a factor for you, you may even want to do it between spring and fall of the previous year. If weather doesn't matter to you then we can do it anytime. I have done some awesome outdoor shoots even in winter. Snow can be beautiful and coats, gloves and scarves can add some fun to the photos. Although the red noses aren't so much fun! Whatever you decide, just make sure to leave enough time for the photos to be processed (up to a week) and then to be incorporated into whatever you're using them for.
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How far are you willing to travel?
Amy lives in Pueblo West, CO but does weddings all over Colorado state and sometimes even out of state. Most often she works in the areas surrounding Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Travel is something she enjoys so if your wedding is a ways away that's not a problem at all. We do charge a small travel fee of .60 per mile for locations more than 60 miles (120 both ways) in any direction from Amy's home in Pueblo West. (The first 60 miles each way are free.) That means if your wedding is 80 miles away (in each direction) the travel fee would be $24. Of course if your wedding location is under 60 miles (one way) there is no travel fee. When it's impractical to travel to and from your wedding location the same day, the travel fee will need to be larger to cover other expenses such as a hotel etc.
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