Wedding FAQ

What are your rates?

My rates and collections aren't listed on my site for several reasons. First of which is that our rates vary depending on location and what wedding package you are interested in. Weddings outside of the Chicagoland area obviously require travel, which we do not have included in our local wedding rates. Destination weddings are different as well. I can also create custom packages for you if need be. If you would like more information on our wedding packages, please email me with your wedding details and I will promptly send you the information that fits your needs.

Do you shoot with a second photographer?

I have a very talented second photographer that I work with. I have collections with and without the second photographer. You can choose one with, without, or choose to add one on later.

Do you professionally edit all of the images we receive?

Yes, I do! Every image that you receive has been hand-edited. No batching in bulk groups. I will also select several of my favorite images for detailed editing that goes way above and beyond my hand image editing.

Where are you located and how far will you travel?

Our studio is located in downtown Naperville. I've been all over the world to photograph weddings, from Spain to Africa, California, Alabama, Arkansas, and many, many other places. I am a destination wedding photographer with a lot of experience traveling for weddings. Feel confident that if you commission me to shoot your wedding, you are hiring someone very experienced with travel for business. Travel is billed like this - if airfare, hotel and rental car are needed, you are responsible for the reimbursement for these fees.

Do you also provide video services?

Yes! We have an awesome videographer that works with us and you will love him! It’s a nice option to have a videographer and photographer from the same studio because they have learned to work well together. Working together is like a choreographed dance and since we are used to working together we have that dance down. We can read each other and know what the other one needs without having to say a word.

We want to take pictures at a specific public location on our wedding day. Will you take care of the permit?

If you're getting married at that location, you more than likely will not need a permit. If you're leaving your venue and going to a different location, you might be required to get a permit. There are many places that require you to get a permit, but that permit has to be obtained by the client, not the photographer. If you are unsure if you need a permit for a location, just let me know and we can figure it out together. If we try to shoot in a location that requires a permit, and we don't have one, we may be asked to leave.

Will some of our images be in black and white or will they all be in color?

Some images are delivered in black and white and some in color! This way you have a variety. During the editing process, I will decide artistically what medium I feel the image will be most powerful.

How long does it take before we receive our products and photographs?

Online galleries are posted within four to six months of the wedding date, and this is when your digital files are released as well. If you have printed proofs in your collection, they are available three weeks after your gallery goes live. Upon final approval of album designs, most albums are ready for delivery within twelve weeks.

Do you watermark our digital images?

No. The high-resolution files do not have any watermarks.

Do we get to keep the negatives?

I provide the chosen, edited high-resolution digital files which are the digital equivalent of negatives. You may print these images at your convenience. I do retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, magazine features, studio displays and so on. If needed, I can provide you with a release allowing you to make unlimited personal reproductions.

How many pictures will we receive?

The number of photographs that you receive depends on several things - the number of guests, hours of coverage, types of events, hours of dancing, and so forth. My average for an eight-hour day with a second photographer is 550 images, but those numbers may vary depending on the day itself. Each wedding is unique and will determine the number of images you receive.

Do we get the copyright of the images?

No. You will receive a “copyright release" in your contract, which just means that you have a release to have your images printed on your own, at any lab you choose. It’s not the same as a copyright. The copyright means that I am the creator of the images, and I own the copyright. Selling or obtaining "the copyright" is not possible, but you will have the right to print and share your images as much as you'd like. Although you do not have the right to sell the image or have it published.

Do we receive the raw, unedited files?

No. The raw, unedited files aren't available for viewing or purchase. This is a lot like asking your florist to let you have the leftover flowers used to make your arrangements! The images selected for editing are images that I’m proud of and represent my high expectations. Please know that any images not delivered were not up to my standards and so there for would not be appealing to you either! I select every image that I feel you will love. No good image is left behind. I promise.

Can we see the outtakes and all of the images that you didn’t select?

No. I only take out images that are duplicates, have eyes-closed, flash-didn't-fire, person-walked-in-front-of-the-lens, absolute outtakes. The images not selected aren't archived and therefore aren't available.

Will you be photographing our rehearsal?

No. Rehearsal dinner coverage is not included. If you would like to add this to your package please let me know and we can discuss.

What is an "online gallery"?

The online gallery is a private, password protected website where all of your wedding photographs will be uploaded for you and your family and friends to view. It also has a secure shopping cart - which allows you to order prints from our color calibrated lab. You will just need to provide the password to those you want to view the images.

Do you offer engagement sessions?

I do! I love engagement sessions! Please take note that most engagement sessions have to be done Tuesday-Thursday because of a heavy wedding schedule, but there's occasionally Friday or Monday availability.

Do you take posed family photos?

Absolutely! These images are just as important as the un-posed/candid photos. Before your wedding I'll send you, an email asking for the details of the day along with questions asking about family groupings. These groupings are quick, and easy and I try to make them comfortable and enjoyable for everyone!

Do you have insurance?

Of course! I would be foolish not to. Rest assured I am covered.

Can you provide my venue with a certificate of insurance?

Yes. I do request that you let me know at least one month in advance of the wedding. It takes time for our insurance company to process and provide that document. Please feel free to put your venue or your coordinator in touch with me and we can work out those details easily, each venue has different requirements and we can provide certificates to meet their needs.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I use only the top of the line professional Canon equipment and the newest most current editing tools available.

How long have you been in business?

Alicia’s Photography has been in business since 1995. I have been photographing weddings for Alicia since 2014 but have been a professional wedding photographer since 2009 and have photographed hundreds of weddings. I've shot in churches, in the middle of crowded cities, on beaches, on rooftops, in the mountains, in the rain, and so many other places. I am always thrilled to do my job for you. I look at each wedding as an opportunity to create a new and unique piece of art. I love finding the beauty in each location.

Can you hold a date for me?

No. I'm so sorry, but I can't hold the date or pencil you in. To be fair to everyone I can't hold a date without a retainer and a signed contract. I accept bookings on a first come/first served basis.

What is your payment schedule?

A booking fee/retainer of 50% is due to reserve your date. The final 50% of your balance will be due two months before your wedding date. I'll send you an email reminder when your payments are due. I like to make things as easy as possible for you - I know the wedding planning process is overwhelming!

Can we make a final payment after the wedding?

No. I require full payment before the event. Payment for any overtime required at the wedding, album upgrades, or additional products beyond your wedding day contract, will all be made after the wedding.

What if our wedding is canceled, is the retainer refundable?

The retainer fee and all money paid are non-refundable. The retainer guarantees that I'll hold the date exclusively for your wedding and once you've signed the contract I have to turn down all other weddings for that date.

What if you can’t shoot our wedding for medical reasons?

In my entire career of shooting weddings, I have never missed a wedding for any reason. Please know shooting your wedding is something that I take for seriously. It would take a very serious situation to keep me from being the photographer at your wedding. If for some reason (God forbid) that were to happen, Alicia (with over 25 years of experience and the owner of the studio) will cover your wedding. I promise you that there is no better person for the job (except for me of course. But remember, I’m gravely ill and can’t be there). If this is something that concerns you, please contact the studio and we can discuss! I promise that this is a situation that we plan for, and always hope that we never have to execute.

How soon before our wedding should we book you?

ASAP. I can’t "hold" dates or "pencil you in". We book our days as they are taken. Most of my weddings contract me within a year of the wedding date, in rare instances as close as two months prior. We can’t always know which dates will fill the quickest. Last year we had several requests for a specific weekend in December. So, it’s always best to book me as your wedding photographer as soon as you are able.

Will you stay longer if our wedding is running late?

Absolutely! I do have an overtime rate. It goes into effect only with your permission and approval that you would like me to continue coverage. You will be billed for that time after you return from your honeymoon.

Do you offer discounts for off-season or weekday events?

Occasionally discounts are available depending on the time of year and availability. I can try to work with your budget if you are having a wedding during Monday through Thursday. Our wedding weekends begin on Friday and go through Sunday.

Do we need to feed you at the reception?

Yes. Please remember that I have been shooting your wedding since the “getting ready” pictures. I always make sure that I pack healthy snacks so that I don’t lose my energy during the day but having a hot meal after a long day of work is necessary. I prefer to be fed when you are fed, not afterwards, because when you're eating you're not at your most photogenic. And when you're finished, I want to be finished too so that I can continue shooting. I ask that we are fed the same meal that you are serving your guests. Not a cold vendor meal and I ask that there is a table for us to eat at (I prefer not to stand while I eat or try to balance my meal on my lap.) A hot meal and a place to sit is always welcome during a very long work day!

Can our guests take pictures with their cameras?

They can. I do ask that they not take pictures during the family photos because I'd prefer everyone looking at my camera in your images, but they can snap away from the background. I don't allow family or friends for the bridal and bride and groom (couples) images. Everyone is welcome to bring out their cameras during dancing, cake cutting, and other events just ask them to respect your photographers and not push us out of the way.