WEDDING FAQs
"We loved how she would step in and show us how to pose so we could look our best. Claire did a great job capturing a variety of shots. She is a true creative who has a natural eye to capture beauty. She is great at setting up shots so that they have a very natural photo journalistic look. It was so great to have a photographer that was not afraid to hop in and fix a tie, pull up a dress, straighten a boutonnière." - Real Bride, Cesily L.
What is Your Style?
To me, weddings are fabulous, one-of-a-kind, memorable, and "historical" (to your family!) celebrations. I feel that the photography should reflect that this is a celebration. At the same time, I do love capturing fashionable, modern, and beautiful portraits of couples and their family. You’ve put so much thought into selecting your gown, the perfectly tailored tux, exquisite florals, professional makeup, the picture perfect location. I want to showcase that WHOLE story in your wedding photography.
There are a lot of words floating around out there pushing photographers to label their style of photography, and plenty of articles and "Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer" guides, wanting to peg photographers in to one of three categories: "Photojournalistic", "Fine Art", or "Modern" Photography. In this postmodern era of wedding photography, I feel like my style is definitely a blend of fine art, modern, AND photojournalistic. I absolutely take candid photos of the In-Between moments -those special snippets in time when things naturally unfold between the guided or ritualistic events of a wedding day- But I also understand the value in expertly posing couples in a way that flatters and reflects their BEST qualities and in the best light, when that time comes. I work with each couple and their team to create a family photo shot list in order to ensure no one is missed during group photos and to keep things flowing in a fun, upbeat way! I've been published in several magazines and understand that publications seek out photos of "the details" and special elements on which couple has spent considerable energy. Your whole story is my obsession.
POSING
Much of the day, I am in my client's shadow - When the time comes to help you get the fine art portraits, I'll coach you and help you get there, often demonstrating ideas/poses for you, so you’re not alone. I love to keep things simple and upbeat in my instructions and give everyone in the frame little prompts to help then know what to do. I LOVE working with wedding parties, families, brides, and grooms to get a mix of fun, modern, and classic portraiture and have no problem being vocal and taking charge to keep everyone on track while still having a lovely time. My only ask is that you allow yourself to live the moment, be yourself, and trust the process.
AFTER THE WEDDING
Once the big day comes to an end, I personally back up and store every photo taken by my team. Your images will all receive meticulous color correction that emulates Fuji 400H film stock. This will give the photos a vibrant finish, and smooth skin texture and warmed skin tones, cool shadows and dreamy greens. I shoot and edit with FujiFilm cameras and color profiles to create those romantic filmy, airy, vibrant imagery. Any purchased product (such as an album, print, canvas etc.) will receive EVEN MORE LOVE before it is printed and finished at my professional award-winning photo lab. Your digital wedding gallery will be delivered within eight weeks of your wedding day.
OTHER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What is the average investment?
A: As all wedding days are unique, each wedding proposal will vary based on city, scope of event, and chosen deliverables. Depending on your location, coverage needs, venue, and deliverables, average spend can be 15,000. When you inquire, I’d love to hear about your planning firm, venue location(s), where you’ll be getting ready, guest count, if you’re having a welcome party, etc. and I can send you a custom proposal.
Q: Do you travel? Is travel included in your investment?
A: I love to travel for weddings and portrait sessions! Travel information will be included in your custom proposal!
Q: Do we get a pre-wedding / engagement session?
A: I quote all wedding services with a pre-wedding photo session. I highly recommend taking advantage of these unique shoots to gain experience with having professional photos taken and to document this season of your life in a unique and creative way.
Q: Do you photograph religious and cultural ceremonies?
A: I have 16+ years of experience photographing weddings of many cultures and faiths, including: Muslim, Pakistani, Jewish, Persian Iranian, Greek Orthodox, Pagan, Christian, and more. The reason for the celebration is LOVE.
Q: What Kind of Gear do You Use?
A: I shoot with professional FujiFilm photographic equipment and shoot in RAW digital format. I carry a wide range of professional lenses and several flash and flash modifiers as well as reflectors and stands of varying brands and styles. In other words, the good stuff! I refuse to take a chance on not having the BEST gear for your big day. Your venue selection helps determine the amount of gear and staff are required.
Q: Do you Bring Backup Gear?
A: Yes. We never want to miss a moment.
Q: What is the Turnaround Time for my Photos?*
A: My contracted turnaround time for photos is 8 weeks. However, the editing can often be done quicker, depending on the season, and expedited turn-around time is available at an additional fee. Feel free to ask at the time of your session/wedding to see the average turnaround time for that month! Engagement photo sessions are typically edited within 15 business days. I don't like to rush the editing and I am a bit meticulous.
Q: How Many Weddings do you Shoot Per Day?
A: I only shoot ONE wedding per day, and most of the time, one wedding per WEEK maximum. Some months I limit to only 2 weddings per month. I only accept 20 couples per year. Considering most wedding coverage averages 10 hours, and I'm on my feet or jumping, running, squatting and finding myself in all kinds of strange contortions to "get the shot", it’s quite a physically active day.
Q: Can I View a Full Wedding Gallery?
A: YES! Once we set up a consultation to plan the photo timeline and chat about the big day, I'll send you a link to view multiple galleries of real weddings. Trust me, I totally get that choosing a photographer to be by your side the entire day is a HUGE decision! I want you to be absolutely certain that you'll LOVE the style of your wedding photography.
Q: What Will you Wear to my Wedding?
A: Good question! I prefer to wear things that would blend in with the guests and reflect the mood and style of your formal affair! You can see some examples in the photos above!
Q: My Church/Reception is dark/Outside in the Evening. Do You Bring Lighting Gear?
A: Absolutely. We can photograph anything, anywhere, anytime. We bring several wireless "off camera flash" stands and can set them up virtually anywhere in order to ensure beautiful light. If you prefer no flash/lighting for a candle-lit look, I can also accomodate that, though. With lighting being a very customizable and personal preference, it’s important we discuss what lighting styles you love most.
Q: How Much Do People Usually Spend on their Wedding Photography with You?
A: While every client is different, the majority of couples curate a photography experience that includes full coverage, at least 2 photographers, their engagement session, and at least 1 Fine Art Wedding Album as their heirloom deliverable. Others include coverage for their welcome events, social media, as well as detail/editorial elements and drone photography. Rates vary depending on location, coverage needs, and deliverables and each wedding requires unique planning and preparation. For midwest area wedding weekends, most events average 15,000. In addition, many families value fine art prints for their home, full weekend coverage, fine art albums for each parent/family. I’ve learned no two weddings or couples are alike and I prefer to custom quote each event as others could want a little less or a little more.
Q: Do you have a Plan of Action / Shot List for my Whole Wedding Day? Or do you Go with the Flow?
A: At our initial consultation with you and/or your planner, I'd LOVE to hear about your vision, must-have photo requests, and hopes for the day. We'll map out a basic photo timeline for each special "moment" or element that will take place (first look with dad? Champagne toast with your party? Etc.) I can make recommendations for our photo locations and timing for these and more. For the real, candid moments, I'll be there, in your shadow. When it comes time to direct you and pose and manage large groups, I'll take the lead in a lighthearted and upbeat manner. Even though all wedding days are unique, I do have deep experience with anticipating moments, details, and traditional photos that will almost always be needed and wanted.
Q: Do you Offer Digital Files for Sale? How Large? Do I own the Copyright? Can I Edit my Own Photos?
A: Every single wedding experience I offer includes the high resolution digital files. You'll receive a link when the photos are ready and you'll be able to view and instantly download them from a private online gallery that also acts as cloud storage for you! You'll have your gallery for at one year after your wedding/engagement photo shoot. You can also order professional prints and products directly from the gallery, too. I also highly recommend backing them up on at least one other device or your own personal cloud storage system of your choice.
There is still a lot of misinformation about "copyright" out on the internet, especially in regards to wedding photography. Ultimately, anyone that takes a photo, owns that copyright. However, copyrights CAN be purchased (it's very rare that this happens in wedding photography) from the photographer. Most commonly, photographers give a "copyright consent" or a "printing consent" that outlines what the client can/can't do with the photographer's photos from that wedding. This is what every wedding photographer I know does (IF they sell digital files at all). The only restriction my clients and wedding partners have is they can't SELL the images to 3rd parties. I also allow my clients to convert their images to Black and White, remove an element they deem distracting, and crop their photos.
If you submit your photos for publication, that's totally fine! It's the responsibility of that publication to seek out the correct permission form from me. But just let me know if you do! I'm happy to help if I can!
As far as editing your own photos, as mentioned above, your copyright consent allows for: Converting an image to black and white, removal of a distracting element, and cropping. This is also why it's important to review my style of editing by looking at full galleries and following me on socials.
How Many Photos do I Get?
I do not limit the amount of photos taken on your wedding day. A rough estimate would be around 150-200 photos per hour of coverage. I'll go ahead and remove duplicate photos and sort through and remove photos such as blinking subjects, misfires, someone walking in front of my camera, etc. - But don't worry! I'll leave in the funny behind the scenes moments.
How Many Weddings Have you Photographed?
I have photographed over 300 weddings dating back to my first wedding in 2007.
Do you Work with Videographers?
I can work well with anyone! I love people! And the choice of a videographer is totally up to you. You can find a list of the videographers and other wedding professionals I love here. I like them because they are unobtrusive, conscientious of guests and the wedding party, professional, discreet, and turn around a high-quality product.
Be sure to ask your videographer if they'll be needing scheduled time during the portion of the day we map out for Posed Portraits of the wedding party/couple. If you and I work hard on creating a perfect timeline for photos, locations, and more, and the videographer throws a kink in it by having the bride(s)/groom(s) go elsewhere and dominating large chunks of time to create shots, set up large booms, do wrap-arounds/circle the bride and groom during a time you and I scheduled for me to shoot your portraits, that can cause major delays and prevent me from fulfilling shot requests or location requests. Be sure that your videographer communicates with you on their expectations. If they think they'll be doing ANY vocalizing at all and requesting specific poses from you, then we'll definitely need to allow for that in the schedule so there are no surprises and you can get every photo you've envisioned AS WELL as every video shot you've envisioned! Of course, even though no one is ever a fan of surprises on the wedding day, I am totally fine with rolling with it and keeping things upbeat and lighthearted!
Do you Smoke/Take Smoking Breaks?
Nope! Nor do any of my second photographers. We do occasionally need a bathroom break and of course 1 food break at dinner time, usually at the same time as the couple if possible, so we don't miss any important moments.
Do You Photograph Same Sex Weddings?
I photograph and affirm Same Sex couples and weddings. I stand with couples who have historically been wrongfully excluded from the powerful commitment of marriage and am honored to be able to photograph same sex marriages.
Do you Have any Severe Allergies?
I do not! And neither do any of my second photographers. If you or anyone a part of your big day have severe allergies, please let us know, as we occasionally bring a protein bar snack that may contain nuts.
Are you vaccinated against Covid - 19
Yes
What if you Die/Get Sick/Get in a Wreck/Get Stuck In Traffic on Our Wedding Day?
While one literally can't plan for every possible turn of events in life, I DO try!
Being a veteran in the wedding industry, I have a deep long list of professional photographers, many who I have personally trained, who are on my emergency call list. You'll never pay for a substitute. I will be fully responsible to make every possible attempt to provide a comparable replacement who I know and trust. My second photographers are also 100% capable of handling the entire day on their own, should something happen to me AT your wedding. It's never happened. But we're prepared if it does.
What if we Need to Cancel Our Wedding?
Wedding insurance is HIGHLY recommended, and many Kansas City Wedding Venues require their couples to carry it. I do not require it. You can see more about my cancelation policy in my contracts which can be seen in person or via email to claire@claireryser.com
What if You've Never Photographed at my Wedding Venue?
Most venues have things in common: Walls, windows, ceilings, floors, people, light. Even if I've never photographed there, as a photographer, I always seek out the "good light" first! Most of the time, I get to a new venue before the wedding and do location scouting. After photographing over 300 weddings in Kansas City and beyond, I LOVE photographing at new venues!
How much do you Edit my Digital Files/Proofs?
As a FUJIFILM photographer, you’ve probably noticed my editing leans towards those classic, dreamy, film styles. I love the cooler, rich greens and shadows, the vibrant tones, and the classic romantic vibe that digitally processing with FUJI 400H profiles provides. As far as other edits go, I’ll occasionally do a bit of "distracting element" removal. Some describe my style as Vibrant, Airy, Romantic, Light, Classic, Film Emulating, and Fine Art. All of the photography showcased in my portfolio are technically "proof stage" edits. Once we set up a consultation, you'll also be given access to see a full set of wedding galleries. I want the photos to not look fake or over-photoshopped, while still having a "finished" look! Additional "by-hand" retouching can be requested and quoted, as things like body-altering, major hairstyle adjustments, advanced skin altering etc. is not a part of a standard edit nor typical. Below on the left is an example of an image straight out of my FUJIFILM camera, with very neutral settings to retain all of the data. The second one is an edited digital file that is typical of what is delivered to the client in their gallery for printing and downloading.
You’ll notice a softer yet natural skin texture, the whites are brighter, the greens have shifted to a cooler tone, the oranges, reds, and yellows are a bit more peachy-golden, and there is a boost in vibrancy and contrast. Sharpening is applied as a final step to give the edges that “crisp” finish!
Cooler greens, peachy-er and warmer midtones, lifted shadows, vibrant reds, and elevated highlights! Or in simple words - a bit of POP and VIBRANCE!
Above you’ll notice greens and yellows have shifted cooler (blue-er), midtones and highlights are peachy-warm, and everything is brighter, yet still soft.
Above, notice the greens and yellows are softer and brighter, midtones/skin tones are peachy and warm, shadows are lifted, and everything has a bit more POP and soft, but elevated, color!