I get a lot of questions from couples interested in booking me... about engagement sessions, wedding images, and everything that comes in between. In the interest of saving time, I posted a few of the FAQs I get here, but of course, if I missed anything, feel free to ask!
Let's start with the most important question and go from there: How much do you charge for your photography services?
Wedding Photography Packages start at $3,000 and include:
-Initial consultation
-Engagement session
-Eight hours of wedding day coverage with two shooters
-Online gallery
Start with a basic package and add Rehearsal Dinner coverage, high resolution images, etc! Anything is customizable... let's chat!
What equipment do you shoot with?
I shoot with Canon digital SLR cameras and a variety of Canon lenses. I bring two camera bodies to shoot with so that there's always back-up, and all my lenses work on both camera bodies. For flash, I use Canon Speedlites, and have backups for those as well.
What is the advantage of doing an engagement session?
I love doing engagement sessions for so many reasons; the most important is that it gets you comfortable with the camera and with me. I always tell couples that you don’t have to spend 8 hours with the caterer, you're not going to be spending the whole wedding day with the florist… but you are going to spend the majority of your wedding day with the photographer, so you want to make sure it’s someone you are completely comfortable with. The engagement session helps us to get to know each other and helps get you comfortable in front of the lens. It's also always nice to have more pictures of you and your significant other... I get so many couples telling me all they have are iPhone pictures with each other!
What should I wear for an engagement session?
It’s best to stick to your own personal style, but maybe dress it up a notch. Don’t be afraid of bold/bright colors… they really pop against nature’s blues, greens and browns. Layers (jackets, scarves, etc.) are very flattering and you can always add/remove for a different look. Wear those high heels, but also bring flip flops as we may walk a bit! I always tell couples to bring at least one casual outfit and one more dressy outfit. Solids tend to photograph better than loud patterns but if you love patterns, go for it! Just make sure your better half isn’t wearing a clashing pattern (ie you in polka dots, him in stripes :). Also steer clear of matching each other too much… jeans and white polos, etc., can make an engagement photo look like something out of Awkward Family Photos. Another thing to avoid is logos or loud branding. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and feel like YOU.
What is the best time of day for a wedding?
This is completely up to you and what type of wedding feel you are going for! For the best light, at least 1-2 hours before sunset is the ideal time to start your ceremony.
How many hours will you shoot for?
I shoot for 8 hours, which will usually cover everything. If you are having a longer ceremony or want me there for longer for any reason, I am certainly willing to add hours to any package!
What is a "First Look"?
A "first look" is a wedding day shoot that is done before the ceremony, alleviating any pressure on time constraints and crazy schedules. It's not for everyone; lots of people want that "ahhhhhh" moment of seeing their future spouse as they're walking down the aisle. But "first look" still gives you that, just with a lot more privacy. It's not like you just casually walk up to each other, all "hey what's happening?" Nope. We set it up so that the groom is standing in a picturesque spot on the grounds of the wedding venue. We coordinate through the beauty of cell technology and two shooters to make sure he is facing away as his bride approaches. Meanwhile, we're shooting with long lenses to give you guys space and privacy, and VOILA! You have this totally awesome moment between the two of you as you see how amazing this person you are about to marry looks. After you've had a few minutes to say hi, laugh, cry and take it all in, we start shooting portraits. Then, if time allows, we also try to do the family/ bridal party stuff during the first look as well. This means you can enjoy your cocktail hour after the ceremony without having to rush to check off a lengthy family portrait list.
What is the advantage of having two photographers at my wedding?
There are so many advantages to it that none of my packages offer just me by my lonesome :) First, it allows complete coverage of the day. If you're getting ready in one spot, and your groom is with his guys getting ready somewhere else, it can often be hard for one photographer to be able to photograph both. Having two people there lets us split up and cover everything pre-wedding, allowing a more complete story of the day to be told in the photographs. When we're in the same place at the same time, however, two photographers can show two totally different perspectives of a wedding. For instance, I might be shooting a ceremony with my telephoto lens, getting nice tight shots of the rings being exchanged, while my second photographer might be up in the balcony, getting a beautiful wide angle shot that shows the whole landscape around you. When I'm shooting you coming down the aisle with your dad, my second photographer may be getting a reaction shot of the groom watching you walk towards him. The advantages are countless, and I really think having two photographers adds to the magic of the day.
Can I provide you with a family shot list?
You can absolutely give me a list of must-have family portraits. For portraits, I generally stick to immediate family and grandparents, and will do any cousin/ aunt/ uncle combinations sometime during the reception. I also recommend that you designate a relative or bridal party member who knows everyone to round up key people when it comes time for family formals.
How long will it take before we see our images?
I always post a sneak peek or two within 48 hours after the wedding. My turnaround time is 4-6 weeks before your online gallery will be ready. For engagement sessions, you will see your images within 2 weeks. You will get an email from me when your pictures are available to view, and a password if your package included high resolution images. You can then download the images straight from the site.
How many images will we see?
With two photographers, there are usually a lot of images to pick from, which is part of the reason why my turnaround time is a few weeks. But every wedding is different, so I give a range of 600-800 photos per wedding. Many times there are more, sometimes less, but I always give everything I think you'd want to see!
Are all of our photos edited?
All images are color corrected and lightly edited for exposure. They are sometimes cropped as well. I do all my own editing in house. Retouching, such as removing blemishes or making background elements disappear, can take more time and is sometimes outsourced, depending on how busy my wedding season is. There is a charge for heavier retouching of a mass quantity of images.
Where can we print our images?
If you purchase high resolution images, I will send you a print release allowing you permission to print wherever you want. If you need suggestions on reputable labs for consumers to print from, let me know and I am happy to provide you with a list!
Can I post my wedding images on my own Facebook/ blog/ website?
You can absolutely post your pictures where you want to online. Please be sure to credit Alanna Scully Photography in the caption.
Do you make albums?
I no longer make albums, but am happy to refer you to other sources that do!
Do you photograph outside of Vermont?
Absolutely! I am available for travel all over New England and beyond. My dream is to photograph weddings in Ireland someday!
How do we book you?
I will reserve your date once you return to me a signed contract, along with a 50% non-refundable retainer. You can send this payment through Venmo, PayPal or by check if you prefer. The remaining balance is due one month prior to the wedding.
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