Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I use Gentry Photography to photograph my wedding?
Wedding Photography is Gentry’s full-time career and passion. She has the experience, professionalism and track record to give you the confidence that your wedding images will be as beautiful as you are. Gentry takes every precaution to make sure she captures the images you deserve and ensures they are secure. In fact, after each shoot, Gentry makes two back-up copies to safeguard against any unfortunate event. Additionally, Gentry is fully insured. (This is very important, be sure to ask other photographers if they are insured.) This type of skill and knowledge only comes from experience. With the influx of digital technology, it seems that anyone with a camera and website can call themselves a wedding photographer. Are you going to trust just anyone to capture the story of one of the most important days of your life? If the photographer isn’t as qualified as he/she advertises, or if his equipment fails, then this day can not be repeated for re-takes. Your photographer is the last thing you should be worried about during your wedding. Anyone can take pictures, but Gentry’s images tell a story.
- Why are your wedding & family packages so reasonable?
The simple answer is that I have lower overhead than most. I work “in the field” and out of my home, so I don’t incur high commercial rent costs. I have considered renting studio space, but to do so would increase my package costs by 200-300%. I feel that everyone deserves high-quality photography without going into debt. Don’t mistake higher prices with higher quality -- peruse my galleries, read the testimonials, and speak to my clients, you will see that Gentry Photography produces some of the finest photography in Oklahoma!
- What is your travel policy?
We love to travel! We don’t charge a “travel fee” but if your wedding is outside the Tulsa area there is a $1.00 charge per mile one way. (Miles are calculated using www.mapquest.com.) If the wedding is over 60 miles away I charge an additional $75.00 for my hotel stay. For events located further than 60 miles from Tulsa, the “Silver” package cannot be purchased. This is very generous travel policy - we want to capture your wedding day, not spend your money on our travel expenses.
- Should I base my choice of photographers on price alone? What other factors should I consider?
Even though Gentry Photography offers very competitive pricing, you should not base your decision solely on cost. The most important question is "Who can you trust to preserve the most important day of your life?" Cake will be eaten, flowers will wilt, and tuxes returned, but your photos should last a lifetime. It is important that you hire someone who understand this. After you have looked through my galleries and read the testimonials, give me a call.
- What style of photography do you employ?
The simple answer is that we can adapt to meet your needs. If you view our photo galleries you will see a mix of photojournalistic and traditional styles. We feel this is truly the best option to capture your wedding day story.
- Do you use digital equipment?
Absolutely! We made the decision to go 100% digital over five years ago and haven’t looked back. Since we use an end-to-end digital process to capture, process, and develop your portraits, we are able to keep our prices low. The quality of digital photography has caught up, and in some cases surpassed, traditional analog film photography.
- How many images will you take?
The simple answer is a lot. My goal is to take enough images to capture the story of your wedding and not a set number of photos. I do not charge by the roll or image. I shoot everything you want, everything I should and everything I see.
- What are bridals?
Bridals are formal photographs exclusive to the bride. Usually, these photos are all about the bride. Typically they are shot at an outdoor location, with the assistance of a close friend. It's a special time for the bride. During the wedding day things get pretty hectic on the bride. The bridal portrait time is the time a bride can be her most relaxed and most beautiful. These photos can be displayed at the reception.
- Do you have backup cameras?
Yes, I have a backup. I also take very special precautions to ensure my equipment is in top working order. Should something fail technically, I can move to the back up system in minutes and be shooting away.
- What are your terms?
Terms are pretty industry standard. I ask for 1/2 total cost down to hold your date and the balance 1 week prior to the event.
- How soon after my wedding will the images be ready?
Usually, your proofs will be online in 2 – 3 weeks. I can give you the web address prior to your wedding so that you can print it on your wedding program to share your photos with your attendees.
- Can others take photos too?
Sure, just let me do my job first, and then they can shoot. Please inform your guests that you have paid a professional and to please let me do my job. During formal photos for example, time is usually of the essence. We have many people to photograph. Please ask your guests to not hold us up. Take the photograph right after I have taken mine so we can move on to the next group. Your guests who are not in the formal photographs are waiting at the reception. The sooner we all get there the better.
- Do you bring an assistant?
Yes, with the Platinum Package. Joey, my husband is also a skilled photographer. He provides a “second eye” to record moments from other angles and to capture those candid moments. We will be opaque as reasonably possible while still doing our work. Having two people is another way of insuring your perfect wedding memories.
- Are you insured?
That’s a great question, and YES I am fully insured. If you desire, I can show you my policy during our consultation.
- Do I get my negatives?
All photography is done in digital format so no negatives exist. However, with two of the packages a DVD Wedding Storybook slideshow is provided to insure that you will receive every image from your historical day. With the Platinum package you will receive every printed photo taken at your wedding!
- Do you charge by the hour?
Each package comes with hours included. If you think that you will need me for a longer amount of time, then you can purchase additional time for $100.00 an hour. Keep in mind that I don’t make $100 per hour. For every hour I spend on site shooting, I may spend another one-to-two hours behind the scenes processing photos and orders.
- How do you prepare?
Many first time brides believe a photographer just shows up and shoot. I always have a plan. First we will talk through what you want to see in your photos. I ask for any special requests. I ask you and your partner to write those requests down and submit a copy to me. While most every wedding has some of the same components they are not 100% equal. I spend the time to learn what your goals are and make every attempt to achieve them.
- What's your cancellation policy?
Please try to remember, if I have held your date, then that date is gone for us. Often I will have as many as 4 requests for the exact same date. If that date is booked with you, then I have to pass on the others. If you cancel, part of your deposit will be held as we have lost income AND the date. You will find this pretty industry standard. This does not come up very often but thought I would include this here. You will receive only 50% of your deposit back. It also states this in the contract.
- Do you do retouching?
Yes! I retouch all photos that are chosen to be printed. I usually do not retouch the proofs that are online. Retouching takes an extraordinary amount of time. To retouch hundreds of images from a typical 4 – 5 hour wedding would take me into the flowing month. Retouching bridals is important as these images are sometimes made into large displays. I will also retouch all bridal and engagement photos ordered.
- Do you furnish printed proofs?
No. Although, I do provide online proofs for all my packages so that you can share your these with friends and family worldwide. Online proof viewing keeps my packages at a more reasonable cost to the consumer. I can give you the web address for your proofs in advance if you would like to print this on your wedding program.
- Is photography really that important?
The cake is eaten and flowers have wilted. All you have are your memories. My style of wedding photography records the large things and the small things as well. Typically I will include the DJ's, the caterer, the bartender and all participants. Besides people, I shoot the table decorations, pew bows and even down to the cake knives and napkins. I take many images.
- Do you print your own photos?
This is VERY important! We do not print our own photos. Even though we use a completely digital process to capture and prepare your photos, the prints are still developed in a professional photo lab using chemical processing on equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. This truly gives us the best of both worlds and gives you photos to last a lifetime. Digitally printed photos may look “OK” for a year or two, but typically don’t have the same quality, color depth, or longevity.
- Do you offer online ordering?
All of your proofs are viewable online by anyone anywhere in the world (we can password protect your online photo gallery if requested). When you are ready to order your finished and retouched prints, you may either call me directly at 918-809-4566 or e-mail your order to gentry@gentryfoto.com.
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