Brides interested in hiring me for their wedding have many of the same questions. I’ve put together this FAQ that will hopefully answer some you already have and maybe some you haven’t yet considered. Drop me a note to erik {at} erikpatton.com if you have any further questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Packages and Pricing
What are your prices?
For a current price sheet with detailed information, just drop me a note to {erik} at {erikpatton.com} along with some basic information about your day. I don’t do pre-designed packages, so pricing can really vary depending on how much coverage you need and if you’re planning to purchase an album.
Do you require a retainer?
If you do decide to book me for your wedding day, I do require a 50% retainer to hold the date. This guarantees me work for the day, so that I can refer others interested in your date to another photographer.
Is the retainer refundable?
It is refundable if I can find another bride to take your same date; otherwise, it is used to help cover my loss of business for the day.
All about Pictures
Do I get digital files?
Yes! All of my packages include final digital images.
How long does it take to get my pictures?
I try to get a final set of images delivered to my wedding clients in about four weeks. Engagement sessions and portraits I can typically turn around in a week or two.
Can I print my own pictures?
Absolutely! In fact, I encourage you to take your digital images and turn them into real pictures on paper. I don’t recommend getting them printed at consumer places like big box stores or cheap online printers because their quality isn’t as good. I can give you some good tips for how to get the best prints once I deliver the images to you.
How many pictures can I expect?
The number of pictures I will deliver to you depends greatly on the amount of time I’ve been shooting. The longer I shoot, the more pictures I create. For a full day’s wedding I deliver approximately 300-400 finished images, often more.
What do you mean by editing?
When digital images first come out of the camera, they tend to be flat in appearance. The sensor in the camera and the human eye don’t see things exactly the same way, so I edit the pictures to improve things like color, contrast, and sharpness. Other types of digital editing includes removing distracting elements, retouching portraits, and applying creative effects.
Do you sell prints?
I work with a professional lab to sell prints through an online gallery. It costs a bit more than doing it yourself, but this is a convenient way to get the pictures you like at the highest quality.
All about Albums
What kind of albums do you sell?
The style of album I sell is known as a magazine style or flush mount. Each page is actually a big photograph with the pages bound into an album.
How much should I budget for an album?
Albums range considerably in quality, format and size. I offer both press printed and photo printed albums. The press printed ones start at about $100 while the photographic ones start at about $400. The main difference is in the quality of the book, so the best way to learn more about albums is to have me show you some samples.
How long does it take to get my album?
There are a number of steps that go into producing an album, so it generally takes at least a couple of months to get an album after delivery of the final images. For albums, I will do a more detailed edit of the included pictures and then design it. After getting your approval on the design, the album must be ordered and then I deliver it to you.
Can I help in the design?
Of course! I want your album to be special, so I will work with you along the way to get your input about what to pictures to include and what layouts you like best. This is best done in person where we can talk about different ideas.
Other Services
Do you do regular portraits?
In addition to weddings, the other half of my business is portraits, be it lifestyle family portraits, editorial, or model portfolios. I love taking pictures of people!
Do you do engagement sessions?
All of my wedding packages include an engagement session. These couples portraits are a lot of fun and give us a chance to get to know each other a bit before the wedding day. These are usually done a few months before the wedding day and often couples use the images for things like save the date cards or guest books.
Do you day after or “trash the dress” sessions?
Yes! Most brides don’t want to actually “trash” their dress, but it’s fun to put it back on and do some creative pictures with you and your husband, typically outdoors. These are also fun sessions that give you a chance to enjoy your dress for more than just your wedding day.
Do you do boudoir sessions?
I do. These are tasteful intimate portraits of the bride that are often given to her fiance as a special gift. If you’re interested in seeing some boudoir work, I have a couple of sessions on the blog under the boudoir category.
About Erik
Do you book more than one wedding a day?
Nope. Your day is special and I want to make sure I’m completely focused on just it.
What formal training do you have as a photographer?
My formal photographic education includes several workshops at the New England School of Photography plus other workshops with well known photographers.
Do you use backup equipment?
Absolutely. I carry backup cameras and lighting equipment in case anything should fail during the course of the day.
Do you use assistants or second photographers?
I do like to work with an assistant so that I can concentrate on getting the shot without worry about hauling gear around. Sometimes I will work with a second shooter to make sure I’ve got everything covered, but I will always be your primary photographer.
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