FAQ
Here is a list of Commonly asked questions.
- Additional “wedding day questions” can be found at the Wedding FAQ page.
- Want to learn more about me? Head over to the About page
Q: What type of photography do you do?
Several years ago wedding photographers were mostly defined by two categories: Traditional or Photojournalistic. Today, however, those stylistic names have become nothing more than buzzwords that hold little real meaning for photographers or their clients. So rather than limit ourselves to a label, we prefer to describe what we do - and what we do is document your wedding day. That means that as photographers, we are primarily observers rather than participants, there to photograph what happens, rather than direct the action. We focus on capturing events and moments from the normal course of the day, emphasizing action and reaction, emotion, and ambiance and detail.
Q: Do you still take posed family photographs and photos of the couple?
Of course! Posed family photographs are a must, especially when friends and family gather together. And it’s extremely important that you have photos of you as a couple on your wedding day. We are committed to taking the time to make sure you get these important images! The difference is that we feel these photographs should account for about 15% of the total coverage; taking at most 30-40 minutes of time on the wedding day. We prefer casual fun groupings as opposed to overly posed ones and we try to make them quick and easy. We encourage you to think about doing your posed photographs in unique and different locations, rather than at the altar of the church. Consider the church gardens, a nearby park, or even stopping someplace like the beach or the town square on the way to the reception.
Q: Can we give you a shot list of photographs we want you to take?
We would prefer that you didn’t. We are not “cookie cutter” photographers working from a shot list. Instead we want to capture the events of the day as they happen. If we are taking the time to work our way thru a list, then we are not going to be paying attention to what is happening and photographing that. However, we will need a short list of the posed photographs that you want, so about three weeks before your wedding we will go over any requested posed photographs for groups of family and friends. Of course if there is something that you especially want us to get photos of, let us know. Otherwise a generic shot list like you get from a magazine or a website is counterproductive for us.
Q: Will you travel to photograph weddings?
Absolutely! We love to travel and have done so throughout the United States and internationally to photograph weddings and portraits. We offer flat rates for travel within the United States, and in Canada and the Caribbean. International travel will be custom quoted based on the destination and time of year.
Q: Who will photograph my wedding?
Craig photographs all of the weddings commissioned through Craig Molway Photography and he is the person you will meet with and commission for your wedding. Associate coverage is available if Craig is not available or for clients who are looking for a smaller coverage, at the client’s request. If associate coverage is elected, you will have a chance to meet your photographer in person and his or her name will be written into your contract. We do not substitute photographers or sign contracts and assign a photographer later.
Q: How long does it take to get our proofs?
Your online gallery will be available for viewing approximately 3 weeks after your wedding. Once the online gallery is available, your final contract payment for your wedding photography is due. If there is any outstanding balance, your proof book will be ordered as soon as we receive the final payment and sent to you when it is completed- either in person or shipped via USPS Priority Mail.
Q: What is the online gallery?
The online gallery is a private, password protected section on our website where your slide show and all of your wedding photographs will be placed online for you and your family and friends to view. It is also a secure shopping cart - which allows you (and your family and friends) to order prints and cards and select album prints online. All you have to do is provide the password to anyone who you want to be able to order. We also can provide you with cards to give out at your rehearsal dinner or to include in your thank you notes so that you can let people know where to look. You can view a sample online gallery by going to the proofing site and logging on as bride2be@craigmolway.com with the password married.
Q: What type of equipment do you use and do you bring backup equipment?
All of our photographers use professional grade digital cameras and lenses with which to photograph weddings. We use both Nikon and Canon equipment. All of our photographers bring backup equipment to every wedding. We all photograph during the day with multiple cameras so even if one camera were to fail, we’d have others that we’d used through out the day to rely on.
Q: How many pictures do you take and will I get every picture you take?
The number of photographs we take will depend on the size of your wedding - things like the number of attendants, the number of guests, and the types of events. It will also depend on how many hours of photography you purchase. We do edit all of our weddings and portraits to show only the best images and we will not show an image that does not meet our high quality standards.
Q: Do I get to keep the negatives?
For wedding coverage, the high-resolution digital files (the digital equivalent of negatives) are available after a period of 1 year. When the files are released to you, we will provide you with a list of resources from which to get quality prints. We do retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competition, professional review, and so on. You will get a written release that will allow you to make unlimited personal reproductions and copies for your friends and families.
Q: What happens if something goes wrong and none of the photographs turn out?
In all the weddings we have photographed this has never happened to us. We take all kinds of precautions to make sure that it never will, including bringing backup equipment and making multiple copies of the digital files just in case.
Q: What kind clothing do you wear to the wedding?
We wear clothes that are suited for the occasion, yet don’t limit us when we are trying to work. For most weddings that means something that will allow us to blend in with your guests. For more formal weddings, of course, we will dress appropriately.
Q: Do you require a meal or food during the wedding?
We do ask that you provide some kind of food and drink for us at the reception. Oftentimes we are unable to leave the venue during the reception and therefore can’t “take lunch” like someone working a regular job can. We don’t need a full sit-down meal, but something nourishing to keep us going for the rest of the evening would make us happy. Really good wedding cake is always a bonus!
Q: Will you attend our rehearsal?
As a general rule we do not attend rehearsals unless there is a compelling reason for us to do so (very unique ceremony, unique location, etc.). If you want us to attend the rehearsal in a non-photographic capacity, we charge $150 and will come to the church for up to an hour to observe the rehearsal. If you wish to hire us to photograph the rehearsal or the rehearsal dinner, our hourly rate of $250 applies.
Q: What if I want an item that is not included on your price list?
We offer a pretty large selection of items for our clients, but it would be hard to list everything that is available. If there’s something that you’re looking for in particular and you don’t see it on our price list, please ask us. We have access to many different vendors and are happy to help you find any item you want
Q: Do you mind if people other than you take photographs during the wedding?
Not at all. It is not our goal to interfere with the happenings of the day. Our only request is that friends and family refrain from taking photos during the brief time we will be taking posed photographs of you, your families, and your wedding party. This is more to insure that everyone is looking at our cameras and paying attention to us for these photos. They will also go much more quickly if we have everyone’s full attention.
Q: I really want more formally posed photographs and I just need an hour of coverage after my ceremony for those. Can you help me?
Probably not. As we described above, we document weddings: that means our goal is to capture the events of the day as they happen, not pose and prompt. If we are only there for an hour we are not documenting anything we are merely taking a bunch of posed photographs. There are many very talented photographers who specialize in that style of photography and can fill that need for you!
Q: I’m pretty sure I want to hire you, but I still need to visit one other photographer. Will you hold the date for me?
In order to be fair to everyone, we do not hold dates without a retainer and a signed contract. We accept bookings on a first come / first served basis only.
Q: I love your work and I want to hire you - what do we do now?
In order to commission any of our photographers we require a signed contract and a booking fee of $500. Email or call us and we will send you a contract and the information you need to complete the booking. If necessary, everything can be done online, via email, fax, or FedEx. We’ve booked many weddings that way and never had a problem.
Q: What is your payment schedule policy?
A booking fee of $500 is required at the time the contract is signed. This amount is fully applicable to the price of the coverage you choose. The remaining balance of the coverage is due in two payments: The first is due 30 days prior to the wedding and the second is due at the time your online gallery is made available to you. Once the second payment is made, your proof set will be delivered.
Q: I think I might have to cancel or reschedule my wedding. Can I get my booking fee back?
No. The booking fee guarantees that we will hold your wedding date exclusively for you. This means that once you pay us and sign your contract we turn down any other work for that date. The closer it gets to that date, the less likely we are to find another event to replace yours - and that means lost income. Of course emergencies do happen and we are not completely heartless. If you need to postpone the date, we’re happy to apply your booking fee to a new date if we’re available.
Q: Another family member is helping us pay for the photography. Can you take his/her credit card or check?
Of course! We can provide credit card authorization forms or your family member can make payments towards your coverage using our online payment processing. However, we want to be clear that no matter who pays for the coverage, we consider the bride and groom our clients. It is the bride and groom who must still sign the contract for services and it is the bride and groom who will determine the details of our contract.
Q: What if I have a question that is not covered here?
Feel free to email or call us with any questions you have. Many of the basic questions about coverage, fees, packages, and options are covered in our price list which is a very detailed document. We are happy to send one out to you upon request.