HOW DO WE BOOK A-Optics FOR OUR WEDDING & EVENTS?

We greatly appreciate that you've chosen us for your event. After you have contacted us and we have discussed the general plans for your event. We will schedule a time that best fits your availability to meet with you and discuss the options that will best suit your vision. This is an important meeting because it gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have to address any concerns and provides us with the details needed to customize the photography services you deserve. To book any event, we require a 33% retainer fee. The final payment on the balance is due 30 days prior to the event date. Once you've selected the event package that works best for you, signed the event agreement, and provided your deposit, we are able to book your date and your experience with A-Optics begins!

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept Credit/Debit Card payments as well as Cash. (Note: we no longer accept personal checks, / cashier's checks).

HOW WILL YOU KNOW MY EVENT TIMELINE, DETAILS, & SCHEDULE?

Once you book with us, we will send you a questionnaire to complete capturing all the details! Once we receive this back we will schedule a call to finalize your photography/videography timeline. Of course, we're always here to support your planning process prior to the final timeline being approved. This allows everyone to know how the photography/videography will be captured. We also ask that you provide us with a list of family or special guest you desire to be captured.

DO YOU RETOUCH MY PHOTOGRAPHS?

Yes, we do color correction and light retouching. It is important to note that in terms of editing, we do not manipulate the picture unnaturally, perform intense Photoshopping or make you look like a different person. We do, however, do our best to flatter every person in front of the camera through posing techniques, lighting angles, location & background selection.

HOW LONG DO YOU HOST THE ONLINE GALLERIES?

Online Galleries are guaranteed to be hosted for at least three months. Your gallery is the most convenient way to easily share your photographs with family & friends. Simply provide them the link and the password. We try to keep the galleries hosted longer, but due to the storage considerations, we do have to delete the gallery from the server at some point. This is usually after a few months, allowing you to enjoy the gallery with all your guests, and to give you time to set up a favorites folder of the images you would like to see in your wedding album.

DO YOU OFFER ALBUMS AND PRINT PRODUCTS?

Absolutely! Each online gallery that our clients receive is set-up with a direct ordering and printing service feature through our website. We offer a wide variety of products, canvases and print sizing.

WHAT ARE YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION GUIDELINES?

We prefer to shoot 60-90 minutes prior to sunset. The so-called "golden hour" really makes the photos more romantic! We're open to shoot at any location however specific destinations (this may include a travel fee). Engagement sessions are typically 1 hour and we recommend two outfits (one casual & one dressy). Keep in mind the location in which we are shooting and try to coordinate your outfits with each other while complimenting the location. We recommend solid colors and outfits that make you feel the most confident!

HOW LONG DO THE "WEDDING FORMALS" TYPICALLY TAKE?

Wedding portraits normally take at least 1 hour on the wedding day depending upon the number of must-have family formals, persons in the photographs, and location of your formals. If you have different locations, please remember to allow the necessary travel time. We usually request about 20 minutes for family formals, 20 minutes for the wedding party and 20-30 minutes for the romantic session with the bride & groom. The best time to do these is 1 hour prior to sunset but it also depends on if you are doing a first look or if you are having a traditional ceremony. We would love to speak with you about the perfect timeline for your unique day, so don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

WHAT IS A "FIRST LOOK" AND DO I NEED IT?

A first look is an intimate moment when the bride and groom see each other for the first time prior to the ceremony. The decision of doing the "first look" is entirely up to the couple, however, many couples now are opting for a first look to get all the formal pictures done early and be able to enjoy spending time with their guests during the cocktail hour. A "first look" is important if you are planning on having a sunset ceremony and leaving little to no daylight for pictures after. Benefits of a "first look" include time alone together before walking down the aisle, emotional reactions, and feeling refreshed and not as nervous for the actual ceremony!

WHAT IS AN "UNPLUGGED" CEREMONY? DO YOU RECOMMEND IT?

An unplugged ceremony is when you ask your guests to put away their cell phones and other electronic devices during the ceremony. Yes, we absolutely suggest an unplugged ceremony because so many times we’ve had someone hang their arm out in the middle of the aisle directly in front of us (or better yet - actually STAND right in front of the camera) and block the bride's face as she's walking down the aisle... It's heartbreaking! In addition, during the ceremony people are so busy on their cell phones playing photographer that they end up watching your entire ceremony through their tiny cell phone screen. We have your best interest in mind. The ceremony is very important so let's work together to make sure you get the best of photography during this intimate and the most important moment.

DO YOU BRING BACK-UP CAMERAS & GEAR WITH YOU TO AN EVENT?

We do, we believe that we can never be too careful with your memories. We even bring the backup gear necessary for portrait sessions, as well. Always ask a photographer if they have backup equipment equal to the equipment they are actively using. What happens if the flash overheats, the camera falls and breaks, or just simply doesn't want to work? It’s really important on the day of the event for the photographer(s) to have at least two camera bodies on them with more equipment in the case.

DO YOU BACK-UP MY IMAGES AND HOW LONG DO YOU KEEP THEM?

Yes, we do! We load your images to two separate locations to prevent theft, misplacement, accidents, or complete loss. We go to great lengths to protect your most precious moments.

After the delivery of the final product, You (the client) are fully responsible to backup all of your completed images for the future. Yes, we retain all the completed & delivered photographs for up to ONE (1) CALENDAR YEAR after the date of your session, or event. We would be more than happy to advise you on many ways to protect your images for the long-run: print the images, burn a CD, DVD, and a thumb drive of the digital images in multiple places, place a copy of the digital files in a safety deposit box, place the digital images on multiple flash drives, external hard drives or cloud storage.

Always plan ahead and secure your memories.

The best way to preserve and view all your images is a beautiful album and wall art. An album will become a family heirloom and will let you, your family, and future generations relive your wedding memories for many years to come.

THE COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

As a professional photography company, A-Optics retains the full copyrights at all times of all images captured at any/all events or sessions. We retain the copyright of all the images taken on our cameras for marketing. We release the print rights to the client(s) that hire us for their individual sessions and events for the completed digital JPEG images that are retouched and delivered to them. The print release is meant for private use only so if you use any of the images anywhere, we respectfully ask that you provide us credit on the photographs.