FAQ For Calgary Wedding Photographer Nicole Sarah

Bookings

How do we Save the Date?
After we meet or Facetime and go over the options that best suit your needs, a photography agreement is prepared for you to sign. We ask for a 50% retainer to save the date, with the remainder of your package is due one month before your wedding day.
Who will photograph my wedding? 
Since Nicole books quickly, if she is not available on your date she will immediately let you know in your inquiry email if one of her hand-picked and trained associates are available. Since we have associates, we usually always have someone ready and available for your day! Nicole has carefully chosen associate shooters she has worked with over the years to give you the same expert level of quality and customer service. The planning of your day and editing will be completed by Nicole so there will be no compromise on quality of service or final imagery. We will never send a random photographer – you will book your engagement and wedding specifically with either Nicole or one of her associates.

What are Associate photographers?

Things flourished for Nicole to the point where we decided to expand instead of turn away amazing couples! (Cloning isn’t that great yet apparently!) Associate photographers are vetted professionals trained in our style. These associates have worked with us previously and were chosen because of their talent, beautiful personalities and the fact that they represent and uphold our style, customer service, and brand values. When an associate shoots your wedding, Nicole and her associate work closely with you through the planning/itinerary process and Nicole edits the final images herself. This ensures that your experience and final images are consistent with our look and philosophy.  Everything you see in our portfolio and on social media is a combination of all of our work!

How far in advance should we book?
Since our calendar fills up quite quickly, it’s advisable to book your date as soon as you have your venue secured. This could be one year, or around 8 months before your wedding day. If your wedding is more than a year away, please let us know.

Will I receive digital files?
– Yes! All packages and sessions include your images fully culled and edited in our timeless style. You will receive web and print size images (you can print up to poster size if you like!) on a private online gallery for you to download and share with family and friends.

 

Engagement Sessions

Are Engagement Sessions included?
Engagement sessions are included in every wedding package!
When should we have our Engagement Session?
Engagement sessions can be done any time, provided we have space on our calendar. We advise booking your session date tentatively as soon as your wedding day is booked. If you would like to use the photos for invitations, it’s good to have your engagement session at minimum, 5-6 months before your wedding day. We work together to plan the details such as location and wardrobe, which can take a couple of weeks at minimum.
Is an Engagement Session necessary?
No! However, Engagement Sessions are a great way to get used to being in front of the camera, feel comfortable with your photographer, – and have a little fun! Many couples book from overseas and we are still able to capture your personalities and have a fantastic experience as we work to get to know you leading up to the wedding day and on the day itself.

 

Payment Options

What forms of payment are available?
To make things easy for you, we accept all methods of payment. Yay for honeymoon point collecting!

 

Other Commonly Asked Questions

Why are there permit fees for some areas in the mountains?
The government and local municipalities set out their guidelines for what “out of town vendors” are required to have in order to shoot there. These permits fees for wedding packages are pro-rated and we ensure that we are fully licensed to work in specific Alberta National Parks and the Town of Banff/Canmore. We never want to risk our couples being fined on their wedding day or not having a vendor. Though they are an additional minimal expense, they allow couples to have a much larger talent pool of photographers to choose from aside from the limited offerings in these towns. 

 

Do you have backup equipment?
Protecting your images and ensuring you receive quality images is non-negotiable. While equipment can fail, we do come prepared with extra camera bodies, memory cards and other equipment.

Do we meet again before the wedding?
It’s advisable that we chat over the phone or meet at minimum one month before the wedding to go over final details like itinerary and locations so that we are organized, and so that you can focus on having a great time.

Will you have an assistant or second shooter?
Unless a wedding has 300 or more guests, or the bride and groom are getting ready an hour apart from each other it’s not necessary. The number of images you receive will be the same, and in 10 years of shooting not a single groom reaction has been missed! On occasion, an assistant may be brought along to help carry equipment, set up, and organize during the day. This is typically only for large weddings.

Do you require a meal?
Yes please! No one likes a hangry wedding photographer. In all honesty, being on our feet for many hours during the day, trying not to miss a moment means that it’s difficult to eat lunch. We ask for a meal during dinner service so that we don’t pass out on your wedding day. Time taken to eat a meal is re-couped.

 

Why do photographers have different pricing and package options?
Photographers are artists, and all artists value their time and work a little differently. We also offer different things in our packages. Some might edit a portion of the photos, others may edit all of them. Additionally, the add-on’s and extra service you receive before the wedding and afterwards can make a difference.  Compromising on budget certainly means you will compromise on either your experience with your photographer in the planning stages or on the wedding day, or worse – be dissapointed in the final results. Aside from finding a great style that you love, the most important thing is finding a photographer who you really “click” with. (Pun intended).
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