WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

CAN I CUSTOMIZE A PACKAGE BASED ON MY SPECIFIC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS?

Yes, you can! The wedding collections listed on our site are the most popular with couples' wedding timelines. However, we understand wedding needs and expectations and budgets can vary from couple to couple, and certain services and/or products may be added or subtracted to create your ideal package. During our consultation, we’ll discuss your options to best fit what you’re looking for.

IS YOUR STUDIO INSURED?

Yes, we carry full liability insurance for the business. Most venues require it, and we can provide all necessary paperwork upon request.

WE WANT TO BOOK YOUR SERVICES. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

After we have determined which option best fits your wedding photography needs for your wedding day, and you decide to move forward to book, you’ll need to complete the following:

A signed contract
$1000 retainer, due at the time of booking

The remaining balance can be taken care of in monthly installments, or a custom payment option can be created. The final payment is due 15 days before your wedding date.

WHAT FORM OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

The studio accepts Paypal, Most Major Credit Cards, Zelle, Personal or Business checks, and Venmo

DO WE RECEIVE EDITED PHOTOS WITH OUR WEDDING COLLECTIONS?

Yes, you do! All your wedding photos are edited, high-resolution, and print-ready.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EDITED AND RETOUCHED PHOTO?

EDITED PHOTOS:

After the wedding, we cull through all the images and select the top favorites we think you will cherish the most.

Editing Includes:

Color correction of white balance adjustments
Adjust the crop and balance of the photo to the correct orientation if necessary
Adjust or correct for balanced exposure

RETOUCHING PHOTOS:

Retouching is recommended for those shots that you absolutely love from the wedding and want to showcase on your walls or use in your wedding album. In addition to editing the photo, we’ll then fine-tune and stylize each photo to look its very best.

Retouching Includes:

Initial photo edit
Touching up blemishes, distracting objects, stray hairs, etc.
Artistically ENHANCE and STYLIZE to the desired look you prefer.

DOES YOUR STUDIO OWN THE COPYRIGHT TO ALL THE IMAGES?

Yes, we do. Our studio owns the copyright to all the photos taken by the studio. However, clients are granted personal usage rights to the photos, which allow you to reproduce, display, distribute and create derivative works of the photographs either in digital or print form, email distribution, framed prints, canvases, albums, and scrapbooks.

*This license is for your personal use only. The photos may not be used for commercial purposes without the studio’s permission.

WILL I BE ABLE TO POST OUR IMAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR PERSONAL BLOGS?

Yes, you can! In fact, we love when you show off those favorite shots on your social media sites!!

We ask that you give any photos you share online a photo credit (@ianandrewphotography) and that you do not use any filters or special effects in order to preserve the integrity of the creative work and style.

WHAT CAMERA EQUIPMENT DO YOU SHOOT WITH?

Ian shoots with Nikon’s flagship camera bodies and a full range of Nikon’s flagship professional lenses. In addition, we also bring off-camera Profoto studio lighting so we can add light where needed and create unique and visually artistic portraits with our couples wirelessly.

DO YOU OFFER WEDDING ALBUMS, PRINTS, AND KEEPSAKES?

Yes, we do! You are beginning irreplaceable and unique memories as a married couple. As time passes, memories become distant, and they can fade away. We want you to continue reliving your special day with family and friends and share them with those who were not there!

We offer a wide range of photo print products, such as handcrafted lay-flat-leather wedding albums, canvas prints, and fine art prints.

Please inquire about viewing our print product price sheet.

DOES YOUR STUDIO PROVIDE VIDEOGRAPHY?

Yes, we do! Please inquire for details.

WHY IS AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION IMPORTANT?

In my opinion, having an engagement session before the wedding is important for many reasons. It’s a chance for the photographer and couple to meet and get to know one another and, most importantly, to start building a level of trust in us. Think of it as a dress rehearsal.

HOW FAR AFTER A PROPOSAL/BEFORE THE WEDDING SHOULD WE COMPLETE THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION?

I recommend scheduling an engagement session as soon as possible after you book your photographer or at least 6-9 months before the wedding, especially if you would like to use the photos for your “Save the Date” announcement. If you are thinking of using the photos for a guest book, canvas, or prints to showcase at the wedding, you’ll want to schedule an engagement session a minimum of 2-3 months before the wedding, as this will allow enough time for editing, printing, and delivery of the photos.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR TIME OF THE DAY THAT IS BEST FOR ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS? A PARTICULAR TIME OF YEAR?

Southern California’s weather is pretty amazing 90% of the time; therefore, scheduling an engagement session any time of year usually isn’t an issue. During winter, the days are shorter, so couples who work a 9-5 job will most likely need to schedule a weekend shoot unless they take the day off work or leave work early.

My favorite time for an engagement session is during the spring when the sun starts to set later in the day and nature is starting to bloom, and there is more colorful foliage. I like to begin the engagement session 2-3 hours before sunset and shoot until dusk, when the sun is lower in the sky, providing softer, warmer light. The results are more flattering for the couple. Fall is another popular season with couples: the leaves are changing, there is a comfortable chill in the air, and the couples have plenty of time to use the photos for their Save

The Dates.

WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK SHOULD WE SCHEDULE OUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION?

I prefer to shoot engagement sessions during the week for a couple of reasons: First, if you choose a public location such as the beach, there will be fewer people in the area ideally. Additionally, weekends are usually reserved for weddings or events. However, I am happy to do my best to meet your scheduling needs.

WHAT LOCATION SHOULD I CHOOSE? DO YOU OFFER SUGGESTIONS?

When planning your engagement session, location is important! It should be a place that is relatable to both of you or has special meaning. San Diego offers many beautiful locations year-round, featuring different backdrops, scenery, and vibes. I’d be happy to offer a few suggestions if you're having trouble choosing a location.

ARE THERE ANY RULES OF THUMB PERTAINING TO TYPES AND COLORS OF CLOTHING THAT ARE BEST TO BE

PHOTOGRAPHED IN?

I recommend wearing something that shows off the parts of you that you love the most. Choose colors that are in season and compliment your skin tone and the location you will be photographed. If you have a favorite color, try incorporating that as well; you will likely feel more comfortable in it, which will show in the photos. Cool hues, neutral tones, or pastels are good choices. Layers and accessories can be flattering also. Avoid big bold patterns, white, bright neons, and random text on your shirts, as they can be distracting and take the focus away from you.

SHOULD I GET MY HAIR AND MAKEUP DONE?

This is absolutely up to you! Your engagement session is a great opportunity to work with your wedding-day makeup artist and/or stylist for a trial run, and since you’ll be all done up, it is also a good excuse for a date night after the shoot.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER ISN’T LOOKING GOOD ON THE DAY OF OUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION?

If the weather is not looking good on the day of your shoot, you have the option to reschedule for a different date at no additional rescheduling fees.

I’M USUALLY NOT COMFORTABLE GETTING MY PHOTO TAKEN. ARE THERE ANY TIPS OR TRICKS THAT CAN HELP DURING OUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION TO GET COMFORTABLE?

You’re preaching to the choir here. I feel the same way! Having your photo taken can be nerve-racking! It can be hard to let your guard down and feel natural in front of the camera, especially with a photographer you meet for the first time. Rest assured, everything will be fine. You are going to leave the engagement session feeling like a seasoned pro.

One of the great things about an engagement session is that we’ll get to know each other a bit. I’m going to see how the two of you interact with each other. I will be coaching you, and we will constantly be interacting and bantering back and forth, which will allow the two of you to loosen up and get more comfortable with my approach and shooting style. I believe it’s the photographer’s job to help coach you with posing and help evoke emotions between each other.

DO YOU TRAVEL FOR ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS?

Yes, we do! While most of our engagement sessions are done in San Diego, some take place out of town. We are happy to travel anywhere when our schedule allows; a travel fee will apply based on the destination. Please inquire for more details on destination shoots and travel fees.

WHAT IS A FIRST LOOK, AND SHOULD WE HAVE ONE?

The First Look gives you an opportunity to see each other for the first time before the ceremony for a private moment between both of you. During that time, we capture the unrehearsed moments of seeing each other for the first time, all dressed up and looking sharp.

There are some benefits to having a first look:

This is a chance for us to photograph the emotional reactions and excitement between both of you, knowing you are about to get married and you’ve waited a long time for this moment.

It also will allow for some informal and candid photos of just the two of you around the venue during that time of day. It’s a great distraction to help settle any happy/anxious nerves you might also have.

Finally, It also gives us a chance to photograph the entire bridal party before the ceremony, which then allows for more time during the cocktail hour for family formals and photo time between the bride and groom.

DO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR YOU AND YOUR ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHER?

Yes, 1 hot meal should be provided to each photographer.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?

On average, the delivery timeframe is 3-4 weeks for a wedding and 3-3 weeks for the engagement photos; all turnaround times are based on the studio’s workload during that particular time of the year. However, we know how excited you are to see your photos, and we try very hard to deliver them on (and often before) the scheduled delivery date.

DOES YOUR STUDIO OFFER ALBUMS AND KEEPSAKES?

Yes, we do!! We offer a wide assortment of wedding guest books, handcrafted leather wedding albums, canvases, and fine art prints.