Question 1

Do you have insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do indeed! Just let me know if your venue requires a certificate of liability, and I’ll send that over to them.

Question 2

How far in advance should we book you for our wedding?

Accepted Answer

Contrary to what most people in the industry will tell you, there is no "correct" time to book a photographer. I book couples from as far out as 2 years, but also as soon as 2 months (those often tend to be smaller or elopements).

Question 3

Will you edit all our pictures?

Accepted Answer

You bet! All final images are edited for color, saturation, exposure, contrast and sharpness. Packages also include a small selection (I call these "framers") of some duplicate favorites, edited in black and white. Retouching services like blemish removal, teeth whitening, "ironing" clothing wrinkles, etc, are available for an additional charge.

Question 4

Do you work with other photographers?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is - sometimes! It all depends on the size and scope of your wedding. I fly solo for the vast majority of weddings, but I do offer a package that is specifically catered toward longer days/high guest count/far reaching physical scope (ie, when things are spread out and different components are happening in different places).

Question 5

Do you also offer video services?

Accepted Answer

I myself do not shoot video (it’s a whole different skill with different gear required), nor do I employ videographers to offer this service — I’m one-woman show, after all! However, I do have vid folks I’ve worked with before or really like and am always happy to share a couple recs if needed.

Question 6

What’s your back-up plan if you can’t photograph our wedding as planned?

Accepted Answer

In my nearly two decades of experience as a wedding photographer, I’ve never cancelled a booking. But as our contract would lay out, in the very rare event that I’m unable to photograph your wedding, I’ll make sure you’re covered by one of my contracted photographers. I have a go-to roster of incredible second-shooters, badass women who all work, like myself, primarily in the photojournalism and documentary worlds, and thus have a very similar style to mine. (If preferable and there was time, I can of course also provide you with a list of photographers from the many networking groups I’m in, so you can find the perfect replacement.)

Question 7

Do you work with assistants or other photographers?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is - sometimes! It all depends on the size and scope of your day, and what your priorities are. I offer packages that are specifically catered toward longer days/larger guest count/wider physical scope (ie when many things are happening in different places). I have a go-to roster of incredible second-shooters, badass women who all work, like myself, primarily in the photojournalism and documentary worlds, and thus have a very similar style to mine. If we were to decide that you could benefit from a second photographer, it would always be one of them, depending on availability and schedules.

Question 8

How many pictures will we get?

Accepted Answer

This is a tricky one that honestly has no real answer. I don't believe in keeping great photos from you, just to meet some sort of quota (and on the flip side, don't believe in providing you with redundant or not great photos just to reach an arbitrary number). For the sake of a very rough guideline, it's safe to say the number could be anywhere between 80 to 150 images per hour of photography. But this estimate varies wildly depending on the venue, number of guests, how much time there is for portraits, who's involved in portraits, and a number of other factors.

Question 9

Do you travel and is travel included?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely I travel! While I maintain two “home bases” around the NYC and Ithaca (Finger Lakes) areas, it's very common for me to get work throughout New England and beyond, either drivable or flyable. I’ve been quite nomadic throughout much of my life, so am very well-adapted at traveling for short gigs. Travel within an hour’s drive of my home base cities are covered in package prices. For weddings beyond that distance, I request overnight lodging (wherever is most affordable). The cost of transport — gas, tolls, etc — is included in pricing for distances within 150 miles of home base cities. Flights are not included in package costs.

Question 10

When can we expect photos?

Accepted Answer

The full edit will be delivered within 90 days, sometimes sooner, depending on how busy the season is. I try to send a few initial teasers within two weeks of the wedding.

The Lovely Lens

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Elopement pricing

Packages

About The Lovely Lens

Celia

Services

Services

Photo formats

Deliverables

The Lovely Lens packages

Little Dipper

Orion

Big Dipper

Reviews

Expectations vastly exceeded

Cannot express enough joy.

Wedding photos

Gorgeous photos, super chill photographer

Frequently asked questions