Why should we hire YOU?  Why do you specialize only in wedding photography?

When you hire me, you're getting more than just a 'chick with a camera'! You're getting a guided, incredible wedding day photography experience, with a first-class, trained professional with 20 years of wedding experience.

The reason I've chosen to specialize in weddings is my heart to serve. I love helping and serving others, and wedding days are one huge opportunity to do just that. It truly lights me up inside getting to know the two of you, hearing your stories, and helping you plan out your day!

I'm here to help, not only as your photographer, but as your unofficial problem solver for the day, hair fixer, dress bustler, flower pinner, knower of answers to odd wedding day questions, hugger, the list goes on and on. I can joke around with your wedding party and family, laugh and cry along with you, help you relax and have fun, all while curating each photo with care, and guiding you through your day - in the most stress-free way possible. I am here to serve you!

What is the memory of your wedding day worth to you? If this sounds fantastic and you like my work, then I'm your gal - and please read my reviews. Thank you for considering me!

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Help! I have NO idea what I'm doing planning a wedding!

That's what I'm here for! Of course you don't know - most people haven't actually planned a wedding before! It can be so stressful - I know!! But that's why you hire someone who knows what they are doing AND loves answering your questions!

Not only will I take your pictures, I will help you plan your wedding day timeline - and anything else you might need! Also...I am nice, cool and fun :) I'm 10/10 here for you and whatever help you need!

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Do you travel?

I love to travel and am based out of the Grand Island/Kearney, Nebraska area - my passport is current! 

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How do I know which package to pick or how much time I need for a photographer?

Will you help with the timeline for the day?

Not to worry - you DO NOT have to choose a package in order to book me - just have a couple in mind that work with your budget! Helping you plan out your day is a part of my services! Every wedding day is different, and I am respectful of both your needs and your budget - I will work with you and we can even build a custom package if needed.

Wedding Day Timelines vary - based on the size of your wedding party and family, the general flow of the day's events, activities between and during the wedding and reception, whether you prefer to have a photographer present earlier in the day for the preparation stages (hair, makeup, etc.), and how long into the reception you want a photographer there as well. Let's chat and figure it out together - or, check out my blog post on how to determine how much time you need for wedding day photography as well as some sample wedding day photography schedules!

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

Your golden hour (evening) engagement session is at a location of your choice - or I can provide ideas and suggestions! Here is more information about taking your engagement pictures with Stephanie!

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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. Sessions are generally available on weekend/weeknight evenings, during the 'golden hour' before sunset is my favorite time. Sessions last around 30-45 minutes. I'll likely have your photos ready for you within a few weeks!

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What if we don't need or want engagement pictures?

All of my wedding collections include engagement photos! It’s huge that we get to meet ahead of time to get familiar with each other - so that when we see each other on your wedding day, it’s not, “Hi, nice to meet you!” it’s “So good to see you!” 

Not only is this your chance to have professional photos of the two of you in non-wedding day attire, it's a great opportunity to become comfortable with your wedding day photographer (that's me!) before the big day. It's really helpful for all of us to get to know each other a little bit (and maybe have some inside jokes!) before your wedding day! As we shoot your engagement pictures together, you'll also become familiar with my posing and shooting style for the wedding day.

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Should we do our pictures before or after the wedding? 

It is your wedding day, so of course this is really up to you, but I strongly recommend that the bride and groom see each other before the wedding and take all group and formal photos before the ceremony. Through experience, I have found that waiting to take photos until after the wedding creates a 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 ready to party, and family members just want to get to the reception and mingle. This takes away from the amount of time and atmosphere we need to give you the creative photos that you're hiring me to take. If you are concerned about the bride and groom having to see each other before the wedding, we will create a "First Look" moment for the two of you: a special, private moment before photos begin, 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 my experience, makes the day go much more smoothly and allows everyone to be more relaxed and just enjoy the day!

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

YES! All packages include all your wedding day photos and engagement photos, fully edited, with a digital download from my client download gallery HERE, plus a photographer's copyright release.​ 

When I am done editing your images, I will email you a link to all of your edited photos. This makes it easy to share your pictures with your family. Your images will be available online for at least 6 months, but I do recommend downloading them immediately and putting them on a flash drive or hard drive as backup. I keep your images on file for one year.

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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, canvases, metal and wood prints, and more! 

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Do you edit and retouch our photos?

I 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, such as touch-up of blemishes, stray hairs, etc. Any other additional retouching is available only by request and at an additional per-image fee.

 

What styles of photography do you do?

I consider my style to be a good mix of traditional blended with modern, fun, creative, happy, joyful and natural lighting. My personal take on weddings is that they are a happy, joyous occasion, and my photography reflects that joy! 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, group photos with your wedding party and family members are likely an important part of capturing your day. I'm happy to include both formal and candid/photojournalistic styles in your photos. If your wedding is in a church, we can also take photos at a local park, downtown, or other favorite location(s), if you like. 

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How many photos will we receive?

The number of photos you receive from your session or wedding day truly depends on the package and session of your choosing. It's impossible to give an exact number - because every couple and every wedding day or session is unique! 

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Do you have an assistant or a second photographer?

I photograph all my weddings solo and always have - and feel completely confident and comfortable doing so! I've tried using second shooters/assistants in the past and haven't really found much for them to do. My clients are always pleasantly surprised by the amount of photos I capture for them as a solo photographer. I work very hard to cover every angle of the entire day and just haven't found the need for a second shooter. (PS. This also saves you money since I don't have to pay an additional staff member.)

 

How long before we get our pictures back? 

Please allow approximately 3-4 weeks for weddings - I'll do my best to make it less, but it just depends on how busy things are.

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Do 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 - and want to capture your wedding day as it unfolds - but I also love your ideas!

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

I sure can! Here is more information about your engagement session, including ideas for what to wear for your engagement pictures!

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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 personal, so that I can give individual attention to just a handful of couples each year.  As of 2024, I have photographed 200 weddings and been in business for 20 years, 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. 

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I want to book you! 

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AWESOME! Let's check to make sure I'm available, and get it done!

A $750 deposit and a signed contract holds your wedding date. The deposit applies toward your total. When the deposit has been paid and everyone has signed the contract, your wedding date is reserved! 

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After the deposit, then what do I owe you?

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

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

If you prefer to meet me first, great! We can talk through your day, and I'll answer all your questions. There is no obligation to book. If it's a YES! we'll go over a contract and get it done.

If you prefer a phone call or FaceTime, we can also do that, or messenger, text or email. I can send you a contract to fill out via email, then you can send it back with your deposit.

 

What kind of payments do you take?

Zelle, Venmo, check, or cash are all accepted!

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Do I have to pay tax, too?

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

 

Questions? Here is a little more information on booking me for your wedding photography!

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Please feel free to email me at stephanielynnweddingphoto@gmail.com 

or call me at 308-379-2425

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