EXCEPTIONAL WEDDING & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

All images © Kevin Barré Photography, LLC unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved.
No image may be reproduced in any manner without written permission.

THE PLANNING STAGES:

1. •How far in advance of my wedding do I need to book a photographer?
   

It is to your advantage to book a photographer as early as possible in the planning process. It goes without saying that “wedding season“ dates (May through July) are the most popular and may need to be booked well over a year in advance. Generally, six to nine months in advance is about right.

1. •Can you hold a date for me or give me a call if someone else asks for my date?
   

The only way we can hold a date is with a signed contract and a paid retainer fee. We often get multiple calls for the same date. Wedding commissions are taken on a first-come first-served basis. In the interest of fairness we cannot call potential clients who have requested a particular date and not yet signed a contract.

1. •Are you available for destination weddings or weddings in another city/state?
   

Certainly! We are available to cover your wedding or portrait session anywhere in the world. We currently do not charge a premium for destination weddings, however we do ask that you cover our reasonable travel expenses. Please contact us as early as possible in the planning stage if you know you will be traveling for your wedding.

1. •What kind of proofs will we get from our wedding?
   

All of our weddings and portrait sessions include online proofing through our web site at no additional charge. Some of our packages also include proof albums, usually in the form of an 11x14 Proof Booklet with twelve images per page. These are ring-bound albums on fine quality photographic paper (not ink-jet prints), with a frosted clear outer cover and a personalized cover page. Proof Booklets that exceed 50 pages in length will be divided into multiple booklets with a similar number of pages.

1. •We want a DVD of all of the images from our wedding. In what format will the pictures on the disc be?
   

The images included on the disc will be full resolution JPEG files suitable for printing. The disc will also include a Copyright License Agreement in PDF format that will allow you to print the images for your own personal use. Your photo lab of choice may require a copy of this Agreement before they can print any of your images, so be sure to take a copy along just in case.

1. •I’m having a really small wedding with only a few attendants and guests. Do you offer discounts for smaller weddings?
   

At Kevin Barre Photography, we only accept one wedding commission per day, and we never, ever double-book. The size of the wedding generally has only a little to do with how much work goes into producing exceptional wedding images. As such, we do not offer discounts for small weddings, afternoon weddings, or for weddings on a day other than Saturday. Another way of looking at this is that we don’t charge a premium for grand weddings or for high season dates.

1. •My Dad was shocked to see how much good wedding photography costs. He wants to know why it costs so much more now than it used to.
   

Wedding photography today has advance well beyond where it was even just a few years ago. Back when we used film (and before online proofing), the cost of having printed proofs made limited the amount of film one could reasonable shoot at a wedding. Photographers would regularly shoot an entire wedding using 5 rolls of 36 exposure film, so assuming that every image was good, the most you could expect to see was 180 proofs. Knowing that they only had a limited number of frames of film to shoot, the photographer would generally shoot only the standard posed images that went into virtually every wedding album, and then hope to have enough backup film to get at least one good image of every guest. As you can imagine, this really limited creativity. Remember too, that all of the proofing and album production was done by a photo lab, so this also limited the amount of labor that went into creating the images. Custom color correction and retouching were virtually unheard of.

Now, with the advances of digital cameras and computer aided editing, more than half of the creative process is carried out on the computer. With an average of about 1200 images taken at each of our weddings, this process takes time. And as they say, time is money. The benefit of this is that in the hands of a true artist, digital editing can produce stunningly creative images. We hope that you will agree that this is what we provide to our clients.

Here’s one more question to ask your dad—How much did he pay for a new car around the time he got married? Compare that with what a new car costs today, and he just might understand. The average cost of a new car sold in the U.S. in Feb., 2008 was $28,715 (an actual 3% drop from 2007).

1. •One of your packages includes a feature that we are really not interested in. Can you discount the price if we want to leave that feature off?
   

All of our packages are already discounted when compared to the total individual cost of the included features of the package. As such, we do not offer discounts for features not used. What we can do is provide you with custom features to add to any of our existing packages, including our “coverage only” option.

1. •Can we customize one of your packages?
   

Certainly! We offer a number of extras that can be added to any package. However, we do not offer substitutions for existing package features. See our Pricing page for available options.

1. •I really love candid shots. Do you shoot candid images or only posed images?
   

We will set up a few shots here and there, particularly with big family groups, but the vast majority of the images we shoot are more candid in nature.

1. •Why don’t you offer a package that includes Rehearsal Dinner coverage?
   

Traditionally expenses on the wedding day are paid for by the Bride’s family, while the Groom’s family will likely cover Rehearsal Dinner expenses. So as not to confuse who pays for what, we have chosen not to include Rehearsal Dinner coverage in our packages. We do offer it as an option, however, that can be added to any existing package or purchased individually. See our Pricing page for available options.

1. •How late will you stay at our wedding? Do you have a time limit?
   

We try to arrive before the members of the wedding party and stay until the bride and groom leave the reception. We don’t put any set time limits on our coverage. Kevin is generally too busy shooting great images to worry about the clock.

1. •Do you shoot alone or with an assistant?
   

Generally Kevin shoots alone. If you would like for him to bring a second photographer, please request that option when you have your initial photography consultation.

Do you have backup equipment?

We always bring two (or more) of everything. In general, we like to have backups for our backups.

Do you shoot more than one wedding per day?

No. Never. Period.

1. •Will you be the photographer that shoots my wedding, or will someone else from Kevin Barre Photography shoot it?
   

When you book Kevin Barre Photography, you are booking Kevin to shoot your wedding. We only take one wedding commission per day, so Kevin will be your photographer.

1. •What happens if you get sick and can’t shoot my wedding?
   

In over 15 years of shooting weddings, Kevin has never missed one due to illness. He’s been to a few where he felt like dirt, but never bad enough to miss one. In the ridiculously unlikely event that Kevin would not be able to shoot your wedding, we guarantee in writing that it would be covered by an equally competent professional photographer.

1. •Is Kevin Barre Photography insured?
   

Not only are we personally insured for liability, we are insured against equipment loss and failure, as well as for the loss and possible recovery of any images.

1. •Do you shoot film or digital?
   

These days every thing we shoot is digital. Kevin personally believes there is no real compelling reason to shoot film anymore. Coming from an Art Director background, he had a front row seat for the transition from film to digital, and believes without doubt that he can create better images using digital than can be made practically with film.

1. •I really love black & white images. Can you shoot some of our pictures in black & white?
   

We shoot everything in color. However, in the wonderful world of digital imaging, any image can be converted from color to black & white. You only need specify which images you would like to have converted.

1. •My cousin has a really nice digital camera and has offered to shoot my wedding for free and give me the files on a disc. Why would I spend the extra money for a “professional?”
   

As they say, “practice makes perfect.” Kevin has been shooting weddings for over 15 years. He’s covered virtually every kind of ceremony, shooting literally hundreds of thousands of images. While using a non-professional to shoot your wedding might seem like a bargain, ask yourself this question: When your wedding day has come and gone, what will you have left to remember it? The pictures.

You most likely have spent years planning for your wedding. Be sure to put your trust in a professional who has the experience and creativity to produce beautiful images of your day.

1. •There’s a huge price range for wedding photography. Why?
   

Like any other profession, photographers with different skill sets will price their products according to their abilities, and in line with the quality of the products they deliver. Photographers who end up on the low end of the market range will often be beginners who may not have the experience, equipment, knowledge or skills to provide a high quality product. You might go to a discount store to buy light bulbs, because virtually all light bulbs are the same. If you needed to have heart surgery, you would certainly select the surgeon who had the most experience possible, not the intern who was fresh out of school.

1. •Do you accept credit cards?
   

Currently we accept Visa and MasterCard with no extra surcharge.

1. •How much of a retainer fee is required with a signed contract?
   

Since we often get multiple calls for the same date, no date can be held without a signed contract and paid Retainer Fee. The Retainer Fee is usually equal to 50% of the order total, before tax. The remainder of the balance would be due no later than two weeks before the event date. (See also next question on Payment Plans.)

1. •Do you offer any sort of Payment Plan option?
   

Any of our customers who wish to pay with a credit card may choose to divide their order total into a number of equal monthly payments between the contract date and the event date. The payments would be automatically billed on the first of the month. There is no service charge for this option, and we charge no interest.

For Example: If you were getting married on June 1st, and you signed a contract on October 15, you could divide your order total into 8 equal payments. The first payment would be due with the signed contract, and seven more payments would be charged automatically on the first of each month, November through May.

Many of our customers choose this option just to get the frequent flyer miles on their credit card!

1. •What happens if, after signing a contract, we need to cancel our wedding?
   

If you need to cancel your wedding date for any reason, please let us know in writing as soon as possible. As we often get a number of calls for the same date, it is likely that we have had other potential clients ask for your date after your contract was signed. As such, Retainer Fees are non-refundable. If the cancellation is made 90 or more days before the event, any amount paid over and above the retainer fee (and not used) will be refunded. If the cancellation is made within 90 days of the event, any amount paid will not be refunded. In the event that the wedding is rescheduled for a later date that we have available, we will apply the total amount paid toward an equal package amount for the new date. Prices are subject to change, and any wedding that is rescheduled will be subject to the prices that are in effect at the time of notice of the new date.

1. •I already booked you and I would like to upgrade my package. Can I do that?
   

Absolutely! Any amount that you have paid (and not already used) can be applied toward another package of a higher value. Prices are subject to change, and any package that is upgraded will be subject to the prices that are in effect at the time of the upgrade. An additional retainer fee may also be required to upgrade. See our Pricing page for available options.

1. •Our package includes an Engagement or Bridal Portrait Session. How far out from the wedding should we schedule the session?
   

There really is no right or wrong answer here. Images can be made available to our clients in as little as a few days after the session. One thing to keep in mind when scheduling is the possibility of bad weather on the session date. It might be a good idea to have at least a couple of alternate dates available in case of bad weather. Also, keep in mind that from about March through October of each year, our Saturdays will most likely be booked with weddings.

1. •Who will own the copyright on my wedding images?
   

Kevin Barre Photography, LLC will own the copyright for all images created by any member of our photography team. Federal law says that a photographer owns the rights to any and all images he creates, from the moment the image is captured, until 70 years after the photographer’s death. This right applies to all prints, digital files, album designs, web sites, and advertising materials. Kevin Barre Photography, LLC will also have the sole right to display the images, make copies of the images, or allow others to display or make copies of the images. Notice does not have to be given, or marked specifically on the images for the copyright to exist.

Here’s the good news. You don’t need to own the copyright to print the images. Every DVD of images we provide includes a written reproduction release (in PDF format) that allows our clients to make unlimited copies for their own personal use. Most photo labs will not make copies of prints for you unless they are provided a copy of this release for their files, so don’t forget to take one with you. For those who insist upon transfer of copyright, this service is available for an additional charge.

THE BIG DAY:

1. •My fiance and I would like most of our images to be taken before the wedding. Can you do that?
   

Traditionally the bride and groom do not see each other before the ceremony, however, more and more of our clients are choosing to forego tradition (it’s your wedding, do whatever you want!) and shoot everything ahead of time. This helps by eliminating the photography time between the ceremony and the reception. It also helps by allowing for more time to shoot photos, usually with better light, and with (possibly) better results. Our clients also seem to be less nervous during the ceremony when they have seen each other beforehand.

1. •What time do we need to arrive before our wedding for pictures?
   

This will depend mostly on if you plan to shoot the majority of your images before the ceremony, or after. If seeing each other before, anywhere from 2 to 4 hours before the ceremony will be required, depending on the size of your wedding party, and how advanced the picture set will be. If the bride and groom will not be seeing each other before, 90 minutes to 2 hours is generally plenty of time.

1. •The church where we are getting married does not allow flash photography during the ceremony. Will this be a problem?
   

No. We never use flash during wedding ceremonies. The cameras and lenses we use can capture absolutely stunning images in near darkness.

1. •Immediately after the wedding, how long will the pictures take? We really want to get to our reception without delay.
   

If the bride and groom do not see each other before the wedding, plan on pictures taking 20 to 30 minutes after the ceremony, depending on the size of the wedding party and the cooperation of family and friends. If you would like to really shorten the time it takes to get to your reception, consider shooting most of your pictures before the wedding.

1. •My friends and family want to shoot pictures at the wedding. Will you mind?
   

Friends and family are welcome to shoot as many images as they like, as long as they don’t interfere with our duties as the photographer hired to capture the event.

1. •I saw a really cool image from another wedding. Can you shoot the same image for mine?
   

We can try. Often times it is not possible to exactly recreate an image in a different location, with different people, and under different lighting situations. Instead, you may wish for us to shoot your wedding using our own personal style and talent. Often we can create something more appealing using the location and light as we see it.

1. •I have a list of people I need you to make sure you get pictures of at the reception. Can I give it to you?
   

In general, if a guest has any interaction with the bride and groom at all, we’ll get images of them, whether their name is on a list, or not. We find that working from a list can sometimes limit the spontaneity of our images. We end up spending too much time trying to check off names, possibly missing something else that is going on. If you have a list, we would prefer that you give it to a member of your wedding party who knows most of the people on the list and can arrange groups or individuals for us. If they can call us over to shoot when the groups are ready, the chance that we would miss another spontaneous occurrence would be reduced.

1. •My brother and his wife have four children. Can you shoot some family portraits of them at the reception?
   

We can shoot as many family groups as you would like us to, as long as they do not take us away from concentrating on the bride and groom during the reception. Particularly if you have family who may be in from out of town, a better idea might be to schedule a separate portrait session for the day before, or the day after the wedding.

1. •I went to a wedding where there were lots of single-use cameras on the tables for the guests to use? Do you mind if we do the same thing at our reception?
   

We don’t mind. They won’t interfere with our ability to capture great images of your wedding. A better question may be, “Do you really need them?” So many people today have high-quality digital cameras. Chances are strong that your guests will already have you covered.

AFTER THE CELEBRATION:

1. •How long after the wedding should it take before we see our proofs?
   

Proofs are generally ready on our Online Proofs page two to four weeks after an event.

1. •You shot my friend’s wedding. Can I download the images from your web site and have them printed myself?
   

First, and foremost, copying of any image provided by Kevin Barré Photography is a violation of Federal Copyright Law. Second, all of our proof images are digitally watermarked. Third, all of our online image proofs are low resolution to facilitate faster downloading, so their quality is compromised.

You should also know that the employees at most retail photo outlets can spot professional images a mile away. Any retail outlet that prints copyrighted materials without a written release runs the risk of federal prosecution.

If printing your own images sounds like something you want to do, we offer Full Resolution Digital Files of all of our images at reasonable rates. Each DVD comes with a Copyright License Agreement that allows the purchaser to make an unlimited number of prints for their own personal use. You will need this license agreement if you have the images printed, so don’t forget to take a copy when you place your order.

1. •My package included a DVD of images. Can I give copies of the images to my friends and family?
   

Images provided for our clients on disc are for their own personal use. We ask that you please have family and friends order images and prints directly from us. Mainly this is so we can maintain a strict level of quality control over the reproduction of the images. Just like duplicating a CD of music for a friend is against the law, so is giving away a duplicated disc of copyrighted images.

1. •Can I make copies of DVDs purchased from Kevin Barre Photography?
   

We actually encourage our clients to make copies of their DVDs and store them in multiple locations (maybe even a safe deposit box). If you don’t have the ability to make copies on your own, ask us about complimentary copies. We’d be happy to make a few extras for you at no charge.

1. •My package included a leather bound album. How do I decide which pictures to put in the album?
   

If your package includes a leather album, we will usually select what we think are the best images (the ones that best tell the story of your day) and pre-design an album for you. You will be provided a copy of the album for approval (in PDF form) before it is printed. You are free to make changes and swap out images until the album is perfect for you. We want all of our clients to be thrilled with our albums, so no album will be printed until the design is completely approved.

1. •How long will my proofs be available on the internet after my wedding?
   

Most of our online weddings will be available on our web site for 12 months after the wedding date. Sometimes they may stay up longer for advertising and sample purposes, but they generally don’t come down in fewer than 12 months.

1. •How much re-touching will be done to my images? Can I get you to do some advanced editing?
   

We start by eliminating duplicates and sub-par images and then give each remaining “select image” a first round of color correction and stylization before posting them online. These are low resolution watermarked versions of the exact same images that will go onto the DVDs provided in some of our packages.

We take pride in providing our clients with perfect images, so every image that we deliver in one of our albums or as a finished print undergoes a multi-step custom color correction process we like to call our “Secret Sauce.” This also includes basic retouching like removing skin blemishes and Exit signs in the background, and the like. This process is in addition to the first round of color correction that all of our proofs get before being posted online. See our Before & After section for examples of our finished work.

Upon request, we also provide our clients with custom digital retouching services that rival results from a Hollywood studio. Things like replacing heads, fixing smiles, removing whole individuals, opening eyes, and the like, can all be accomplished with completely natural looking results. These services are billed at a reasonable hourly rate.

1. •I really don’t like the old style wedding photo albums like my parents have. Can you offer us something a little more modern?
   

The old style wedding albums featuring photographs stuck onto insert pages with double-sided tape are now a thing of the past. The albums we provide are leather bound coffee table-style volumes with art book quality printing. The beautiful images can be printed all the way out to the edges of the page, making truly gorgeous books that really need to be held in your hand to be fully appreciated.

1. •I don’t want everyone on the planet to be able to see my wedding photographs. Can you password protect my proof page on the internet?
   

We do not have the ability to password protect individual proof pages for our clients at this time. What we can do is provide you with a proof page address that only you will know and have access to. We will not link to it from our web site, so no one will be able to see your images unless you give them the link. In general, all client proofs will be linked from our Online Proofs page unless specifically requested not to be.