Investment

Do you travel? Is there a travel charge?

There is no travel charge on your wedding day (within Nebraska - included in all packages).  I also offer special discounts for destination weddings worldwide, so let me know your plans, and we can discuss! I love to see all the beauty that is Nebraska - and beyond!  

Do we get a copy of all our pictures? Can we print our own pictures, do we get a copyright release?

All packages include all your wedding day photos and engagement photos, fully edited, on a USB flash drive, plus a photographer's copyright release for each.

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How do I know how much time I need for a photographer on my wedding day?

Every wedding day is different, and I am flexible to your needs and budget. Times can vary based on the size of your wedding party and family, activities between the wedding and reception, and whether you prefer to have a photographer present earlier in the day for the preparation stages (hair, makeup, etc.) I am happy to discuss this with you - and help you figure it all out!

Where and when do we take our engagement pictures? How soon can you have them done?

Your engagement session is complimentary at our private 20-acre outdoor studio or at any Grand Island, Nebr. location, and is included in all packages!

Enjoy a fun evening at our lakeside farmstead near Cairo, Nebr., with a variety of scenic and natural settings. It looks best May through October.  I am also happy to travel to a location of your choice, mileage outside Grand Island is additional ($.65/mile).  

When is really up to you - depending on how soon you need your engagement photos and what you plan to do with them, or if you have a particular season or time of year that you would prefer to have as a part of your photos.  Please note that sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited and weather-dependent. Sessions are most generally available on weekends or weeknight evenings. I can generally finish an engagement session for you within two to three weeks, depending on how busy I am. Sessions last around 60-75 minutes, 30 for minis,

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What if we don't need or want an engagement session?

I would encourage you to reconsider! Not only is this your chance to have professional photos of the two of you in non-wedding day apparel, it's a great opportunity to become comfortable with your wedding day photographer (that's me!) before the big day. After all, we'll be hanging out together all day on the most important day of your life! It's a priority to me that we are comfortable with each other - this is often reflected in your photos, and I know we both want them to be the absolute best!

NOT doing an engagement session (or having a friend or family member take them) will not save you any money - sorry, I don't exchange, discount or refund for not using the session, because I feel that it's that important!

Can we order prints through you?  Can you make us a book or album?

Absolutely! I use a pro lab that is really quick with your order, for prints on professional, archival Kodak Endura paper in a matte finish. I can also make awesome hardback books, lay flat books, flush mount albums, canvases, metal and wood prints, and more! 

What styles of photography do you do?

I consider my style to be a mix of traditional and modern, with fun, creativity, and romance blended in!  I like bright, colorful and cheerful. On your wedding day, I generally shoot in both posed and photojournalistic styles, but, I am happy to do more of one or the other if that is your preference.  

I like the candid/photojournalistic style, but will you also do our posed group formals?

Absolutely! With most weddings, posed/group formals are likely an important part of capturing your day. I'm happy to include both formal and photojournalistic styles in your photos. If your wedding is in a church, we can also take photos at a local park, lake, or other outdoor location, if you like. 

Can you hold our date for us while we decide? 

I'd love to, but I can't hold your date without a deposit and signed contract. Bookings are on a first-signed, first-served basis. 

Should we do pictures before or after the wedding?

It is your wedding day, so of course this is really up to you. I do prefer to photograph weddings where the bride and groom choose to see each other before the wedding - taking all group and formal photos ahead of time. Through experience, I have found that waiting to take photos until after the wedding creates a very hectic atmosphere and results in fewer photos, rushed wedding party members, hurried family members, and anxious guests (who are kept waiting for an extra long period of time). Your makeup has been on for hours, you may have cried during the ceremony, the wedding party is, well, ready to party, and family members want to get to the reception and mingle. This takes away from the amount of time and the calm atmosphere we need to give you the creative photos that you're hiring me to create. If you are concerned about the bride and groom having to see each other before the wedding, we can create a "First Look" moment for the two of you, a special moment before the start of photos where you will see each other for the first time on your wedding day. We can take photos of this moment, or not, whatever you prefer. Getting photos done ahead of time and having a special moment for the two of you beforehand, in our experience, makes the day go more smoothly and allow everyone to be more relaxed and just enjoy!

Is there a limit on the amount of pictures you take? How many pictures will you take and how long will you stay?

There is no limit on the amount of photographs taken during your selected coverage. I will take as many photographs as necessary to tell the story of your day. About 75 to 150 final images per hour of photography coverage is a good estimate; on average, the Diamond Package results in 900-1200 photos.

Coverage is available in packages with varying hours, depending on your needs and wishes for photography coverage of your day.  If you're not sure how much coverage you need, we can discuss it at your consultation - factors such as wedding party size, family size, the flow of your day, and your wishes for events to be covered all play into how much time you will need.

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Who will be the photographer at our wedding?

I will be the photographer for your wedding! You will have direct contact with me from your first inquiry all the way through your wedding day and beyond. 

How long before we get our pictures back? 

Please allow approximately 4 weeks for weddings - I'll do my best to make it less, but it just depends on how busy things are. Your pictures (on USB Flash Drive) will be mailed to you via US Mail or delivered locally to you, for your convenience.

Do you edit and retouch our photos?

I will hand edit every single photo I shoot for the best possible image. Minimal facial retouching, if necessary, is included in the editing of your main images. This may include touch-up of blemishes, stray hairs, etc. Any other additional retouching is available only by request and at an additional per-image fee.

Will we need to give you a photo checklist for our wedding? Can we give you ideas?

I have a good idea of what should generally be photographed - I want to capture images from your wedding day as it unfolds - but love your suggestions and Pinterest boards!

Will you give us suggestions on what to wear for our engagement photo session?

I sure can! I'll provide that info at booking.

Why haven't I heard of you before, or seen you at a bridal show?

I've been in business since 2004, but I like to keep my business small and more personal, so that I can give special attention to each of my couples and focus solely on wedding photography.  As of 2017, I have photographed 150 weddings, and I receive many wonderful referrals from my past brides & grooms. This brings me enough business to keep me busy - the added expense of doing bridal shows and other marketing would only mean higher prices. 

I want to book you! 

AWESOME! Let's check to make sure I'm available, and get it done! A $750 deposit and a signed contract holds your date: first-signed, first-served, availability is limited. The non-refundable deposit is then applied toward your total package price. When the deposit has been paid and everyone has signed the contract, your wedding date is reserved! 

Do we need to have a meeting? Or can we just take care of this ASAP!?

If you prefer to meet first, let's get together for a consultation!  We can meet at my place - I office out of my home near Cairo, Nebr. - I'll answer all your questions, and you'll get to take a look at my albums, books, canvases, and metal prints. There is no obligation to book, it is just an opportunity for us to meet and get to know one another. If it's a YES! we'll go over a contract and get it done.  If meeting in person is not an option for you, give me a call and we can talk. I can send a contract via email or mail, you can send it back with a check. I'd love to meet you though!

What kind of payment do you take?

I love cold hard cash - who doesn't? Ha! I also take checks, but if that doesn't work, we can do PayPal (with a small fee).

After the deposit, then what do I owe you?

The remaining balance is due 30 days before your wedding, and payments are welcome! 

Do I have to pay tax, too?

5.5% sales tax (Nebraska tax law) applies, but I made it easy for ya - tax is already included in all pricing!

Have additional questions? Please feel free to contact me at stephanie@stephanielynnweddings.com or call me at 308-379-2425