FAQ’S
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions for your convenience! We appreciate your thoughtfulness and 'detail orientedness!' We hope that these questions and answers are helpful and clarify our purpose, aim, style and ambitions as a studio!
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q: So what KIND of photography do you guys do?
A: We shoot people. We have tried to do that "niche" thing but with no avail. People--real, authentic, emotionally available people--if those are present, we are super stoked to be there too. We like storytelling and capturing the spirit and the effervescence and something real. This can be a senior session, family portraits, fine art maternity, bridal, boudoir, vip events, a well-executed birthday party... and, of course, weddings. We shoot people. Is that "niche" enough for you? :)
Q: What if you have never shot at my venue before?
A: Whether local or destination, we aim to make sure we are adequately prepared. Between research online and in-person scouting, we assure you that we will be ready to navigate the challenges and uniqueness of your venue! Whether outside or super duper low-light challenges, we hope that our portfolio shows a wide-breadth of our skill level.
Q: Do you provide partial day coverage?
A: We do! We typically reserve weekends for full day coverage packages if you have a special situation or particularly INTERESTING event, we are game to chat :)
Q: Do you do destination weddings? What additional fees are associated with destination weddings?
A: While LKM STUDIOS is based out of Southern Arizona, we have shot and are aiming to shoot more international storytelling in the next couple years. Our destination wedding photography packages include the cost of travel and reasonable accommodations (check out our destination wedding FAQs here). Because of our frequent trips to the Southern California and central Florida, special, lower rates may apply depending on the specific circumstances. Contact us by clicking here.
STYLE AND QUALITY QUESTIONS
Q: What is your philosophy regarding photography?
A: Go click here for details on our wedding photography philosophy.
Q: What is your photography style?
A: LKM STUDIOS is known for their hybrid approach to event documenting. Blending creative uses of light, angles, compositions, personalities and what pieces of the back-story we are privy too--we deliver images that are authentic, timeless and meaningful.
Q: My venue is very dark. How does your studio handle these situations and can I see samples?
A: We have shot in the darkest of dark chapels and reception halls so no need to worry! If the situation allows, we will set up additional lighting to ensure we get focused pictures. Some chapels do not allow for flash photography; and for that reason, we shoot on camera’s with great ow-light performance and lenses with low apertures .
POST PRODUCTION QUESTIONS
Q: Do you touch up all the images in our image download?
A: Yes we do. Every image we deliver is post produced with our unique signature style of post production. This involves color correction, exposure adjustment, selective black and white processing, clarity adjustments, tone-mapping, and other corrections.
Q: What is the difference between advanced and custom retouching / post processing; and why are there additional costs for custom retouch?
A: Advanced post production includes touch ups such as removal of blemishes, removal of bags under eyes, removal of fly-away hairs, etc. On the other hand, custom post production is anything that requires extensive, custom work in Photoshop such as removing entire objects from the scene, changing the size and shape of body parts or other objects in the scene, adding objects to a scene and other custom work. We charge hourly for the custom post production as the time required ranges depending on the complexity of the project. Please contact our studio manager for a quote for custom post production.
Q: Do you shoot in JPEG, Medium Raw, or Large Raw?
A: We shoot most of our images in Medium Raw with certain situations where we move to Large Raw.
WEDDING DAY QUESTIONS
Q: How many hours do you suggest we set aside for wedding day photos?
A: We have found that 7-8 hours has been a rough average for our wedding day timelines. 6 often feels a little short changed and we would recommend more than 8 if there is more commuting from multiple locations or multicultural elements that make for a unique wedding story that spans throughout the day if not the weekend!
Q: I have downtime between events on my wedding day. Will I be charged for that downtime?
A: For a variety of reasons, we have to charge for coverage from beginning time to end time. Even theoretical downtime is used to plan and prepare for the next piece of story if not shoot the unpredictable happenings during those moments.
Q: What happens if we go over the contracted amount of time?
A: We understand that not everything goes as planned during a wedding. We never pack up before the contracted time; if the occasion arises, we will touch base with you to make sure you feel well captured and comfortable with us departing. Any requested time will be billed post-wedding and taken care of after the weddin and before delivery of images 30-minute increment.
Q: Why do we need to charge for additional coverage?
A: We’ve dedicated the entire day to your wedding, so we won’t be racing off to catch other plans that evening. However, we need to charge for additional coverage primarily because there are costs of having the team stay for additional hours. The shooters and lighting assistants all require additional compensation. Furthermore, the additional photos taken will need to be post produced which adds to our overall costs.
ENGAGEMENT SESSION QUESTIONS
Q: When and where can we expect to see our photos from our engagement session?
A: Post production for engagement sessions are completed within four weeks after the date of the shoot. If you require the images to be completed prior to four weeks after the date of the shoot, let's talk! All images will be posted on a proofing gallery that is directly linked to a fine art print lab. All print orders can be made directly online EXCEPT for our signature fine art collections including: canvas wraps & albums.
Q: When should we do our engagement session?
A: We encourage you to do your engagement session as soon as possible. The latest we suggest is at least eight weeks prior to the wedding date due to the time necessary to post produce each image (4 weeks) and complete your product order(s) (4 weeks).
Q: Can we schedule our engagement session for the weekend?
A: Because most weddings occur on weekends, we typically do not shoot engagement sessions on weekends. If you can only do your engagement session on a weekend, we can tentatively schedule your engagement session on a weekend, however, if a wedding is scheduled for that weekend later on, we will have to reschedule your engagement session. There will also be an additional charge for weekend engagement sessions because the few weekends we have free, we spend with our families. We also like to shoot on weekdays because locations are typically less crowded.
Q: How many images do you typically deliver from an engagement session? From a wedding?
We typically deliver anywhere from 50-75 images per 1-hour engagement shoot and for weddings we typically deliver 50-100 images per hour. Keep in mind these numbers may increase or decrease depending on the flow of the day and the number of events/activities/people needing to be captured.
IMAGE DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS AND LEGAL QUESTIONS
Q: What size can we print our photos up to with our full resolution image download?
A: In most cases, you can print your photos up to 20×30 without any quality loss. If you’d like to print larger than 20×30, additional post-production will be required. For pricing on these services, please contact our studio manager by clicking here
Q: What rights do I have to the digital prints?
A: You have the right to reprint images whenever you want. However you may not sell your images for profit or publish your images without the written consent of LKM STUDIOS.
Q: Here is the golden question? Can I get the files?
A: Not all packages include high res files and copyright release. Starting base for portraits is $325 just for time and 2 downloads. Individual downloads can be purchased for $50 each or the entire mini session archives can be purchased for $300, signature sessions for $500 and wedding archives for $1200.
Q: What if I lose my images?
A: There is a $50 replacement charge for additional downloads after the event has been archived. We strongly suggest you make at least one copy of the download when you receive it from us.
BUSINESS INSURANCE AND IMAGE BACKUP QUESTIONS
Q: Do you backup our images? How can we ensure that our images won’t be lost?
A: We quadruple back up everything we shoot. Both cloud-storage, external portable drive and a RAID storage system are utilized in our studio to maximize the safety of your images for years to come. We have never lost a wedding in the 8 years we have been shooting. And don't plan to.
Q: Do you have liability insurance?
A: Yes. Many venues require the photographer to have Liability Insurance and we've made sure to cover our bases.
MEETING POLICY QUESTIONS
Q: We live out-of-town. Is it possible for our family/friends to meet with you instead?
We’d love to meet your relatives, answer their questions and review our work with them. If possible, we’d like to at least skype with you to get to know you better.
Q: We’re very busy and won’t be able to meet. Are there any other options?
A: We would love to meet with you prior to our engagement shoot or wedding; however, if you’re too busy or too far away, we can handle everything remotely. Just let us know what information you need and we will do our best to accommodate your request. For example, if you would like to see more of our work, we can gladly show you complete events online. If you would like to talk about packages and get a sense of the photographer’s personality, phone/skype dates can be arranged.
Q: Do you travel to meet clients?
A: We super duper value yours and our time. Currently our studio is located East Tucson and can either meet clients in-house or at a nearby Starbucks. If you are out of town (which half of our clients are), we have gotten pretty comfortable on skype. Pull up a chair, we'll pretend we bought you coffee and chat a bit.
PAYMENT AND TAX QUESTIONS
Q: How do I reserve you for my date?
A: All dates are reserved once we receive your signed contract and 30% deposit. Sessions must (ideally) be paid for no later than 2 weeks before the session and weddings must be paid in full 1-2 months before the wedding date. Wedding payments are in 3 parts and are scattered strategically to meet your needs as best as possible pre-wedding.
Q: If we cancel the wedding, will we receive our deposit back?
A: Unfortunately no. All funds paid are non-refundable but can be used as credit towards any future LKM investments within the next 2 years.
Q: If we change our wedding to a different date, will we be able to use our deposit towards a future date?
A: Absolutely pending availability. There is no charge if moved to another date within the same calendar year. If the change is post-dated longer than 6 months, $1000 charge will apply. Also, if rates change from your original date to your new date, the new rates will apply and we will share those with you in detail to best help communicate clearly.
Q: Are there travel fees associated with the engagement session and/or wedding day shoot(s)?
A: All travel expenses are offered on a case-by-case situation and often based on availability and our current shooting schedule.
Q: Do you offer any discounts on weekday weddings?
A: Yes! Weekday coverage start at $800/hr (M-TH) and weekend packages start at $4,500 with a minim of 4 hour packages.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING GREAT QUESTIONS!
IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED, HIT THE CONTACT TAB AND LET'S CHAT!