If you have been on the internet planning your wedding for any period of time you have likely come across all of the articles that tell you what questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer. I have answered them all for you!

1. Is my wedding date available?

Check in here to see if your wedding date is available.

2. What style do you specialize in?

While we primarily specialize in photojournalism, we utilize a variety of styles to capture a wedding day. Photojournalism can also be referred to as candid or documentary style photography. This means that we do our very best to let you enjoy your big day without producing many overly posed photographs and capture the events of the day as they naturally unfold. We want you to look back on the memories of your wedding day and really be taken back to your day, to relive the excitement and love you were feeling. We do not want you to look at a photo and think about the things your photographer made you do to create it.

That does not mean that we only capture unposed or candid photos. We will guide and pose you through the traditional parts of the day like the family formals. (That is unless you have family that naturally congregates into pretty lines.) During the couple’s portraits portion of the day we will walk you through prompts to encourage natural and beautiful interactions. We will also use lighting, angles, and other tools to take artistic photos as well.

3. What exactly is included in your packages?

Every one of our wedding packages includes hours of coverage, (hours vary depending on the package you choose), online delivery of all professionally edited, high resolution images, print release, assistance with timeline prep and planning, and a personalized app that holds up to 100 of your favorite photos. Our most popular collections include two photographers and wedding albums.

If you don’t see what you are looking for we are always happy to customize a package to meet your needs.

4. How long after the wedding do we get to see the photos?

We upload sneak peaks to Instagram from your wedding day! Beyond that we upload additional sneaks to social media in the days following your wedding.

5. How long after the wedding will we receive the images? How will they be delivered?

Wedding photos can take up to 6-8 weeks for delivery. The memories of your special day will be delivered via an online gallery where they will remain on my server for 365 days. During that time you may download them onto an external hard drive or USB, I also have USBs available. After 365 your photos will be stored in archive.

6. Will you be my actual photographer, or will it be one of your associates?

I will be the one who photographs your wedding day and works with you to develop your timeline leading up to it. Brian, my husband, is my committed second photographer so my couples are never surprised about who will be working with them on the wedding day.

7. Will there be a second shooter or any assistants? Is there an additional fee for each?

Let me start by explaining the difference between a second shooter and an assistant. A second shooter is a qualified photographer whose job it is to photograph your wedding day. A second photographer may capture moments from an angle the lead photographer is not covering, (i.e. the groom’s face because the lead is covering the bride) a separate event, (such as groom prep) or those in-between moments such as guest reactions. An assistant’s job is to assist with lighting, cameras, lenses, etc.

A second shooter is included in our most popular wedding collections. Depending on the complexity of the wedding day I will have an assistant. There is never a fee for either.

8. Do you have backup photographers who will shoot the wedding if you’re sick?

I will start by saying I have never missed a wedding day. I am married to a photographer and part of the wedding photography community in Indianapolis. In the event of a highly unlikely actual emergency I would be able to replace myself with someone of equal quality.

9. What is your timeline for my wedding day?

Every wedding day is unique and so is every timeline. I will work with you to create the timeline that works best for your wedding day and your vision for your wedding day photos.

10. Can I request a specific list of shots I would like?

Absolutely. This is your wedding day and what’s important is that we capture what matters most to you.

Before your wedding day I send out a detailed questionnaire including who you would like included in the family formals list, what parts of your day are you most excited about and and any additional shots you want me to capture.

11. Have you shot at my venue?

I have captured wedding days at many of the venues in Indianapolis so there is a very good chance that I have shot at your venue. In the event that I have not captured a wedding day at your venue I am happy to scout it out.

12. Will all the photos be edited? Is that done before I see the proofs?

Yes! I will edit all of your wedding day photos. Editing includes color balancing, and slight adjustments to vibrance and contrast. If you would like to see before and after edited photos you can view them on my Insta-stories under “tap to edit” @elishakphoto.

I only shoot digital photography.

14. Do you have a contract?

Yes. I have a contract that is mutually beneficial to both parties written by an attorney. It’s available to you via my secure online booking portal. I encourage you to read through it and you will be provided with a copy. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

15. What is the deposit and total fee?

A $500 retainer and signed contract hold your wedding date. The remaining balance of your chosen wedding collection is due 30 days prior to your wedding day.

16. How many weddings do you do a weekend?

I only ever shoot one wedding per day with a maximum of three per weekend.

17. Do you have insurance?

Yes. I have business liability insurance. If your venue requires a certificate of insurance I am happy to provide one.

18. Do you charge a travel fees?

Within the state of Indiana we do not charge travel fees. If you are planning a destination wedding outside of the state of Indiana we will create a custom quote to capture your special day anywhere in the world.

19. Can we order prints from you?

You can order professional quality prints from my lab directly from your online gallery.

Included in all my collections is a print release allowing for you to print from any lab you choose.

20. Will we receive high resolution images?

Yes. I only deliver high resolution images to my clients.

21. What will you wear to my wedding?

I typically wear black on a wedding day. I find that most wedding vendors are wearing black to the event and it allows me to blend into the background. However, if you are having an afternoon garden party wedding and would like another color palate I am happy to accommodate.

22. Do you offer engagement sessions? Do you cover pre-wedding events such as the rehearsal dinner?

Absolutely! We do offer a collection that includes an engagement session, however we are happy to capture any pre-event session that you would like.

23. Can I share my photos on social media?

Absolutely! These are your photos of your wedding day, you are absolutely free to share them on any social media platform you would like.

24. What kind of equipment do you use and do you have back-ups?

I am a Nikon shooter. On most every wedding day I use a variety of full-frame Nikon cameras and Sigma Art lenses to capture the moments that mean the most to you. For at least part of the day I wear a holster that allows me to carry two cameras with a variety of focal lengths to capture your day. I also bring a variety of lighting equipment and detail styling accessories.

25. Will you co-ordinate with our videographer?

Absolutely. I often work with videographers.

I will take the time to coordinate with as many of your vendors prior to the wedding day as possible, including your videographer. I find that photographers and videographers work very well together, we have the same goal, to serve our client.

If you’re looking for more checkout my website at elishakphoto.com. My favorite way to answer all of these questions and anything else you want to know is over coffee or a cocktail. We would love to hear all about the plans you are making for your wedding day and what means the most to you!

Did I forget anything? Please let me know in the comments!