Do you deliver every image you shoot?

No, we do not. We eliminate duplicate images, test shots, missed focused shots, shots with bad expressions and other images that may dilute the overall product delivery. For example, because we shoot with low apertures, sometimes we take a few extra shots to make sure we have the perfect focus. We don’t expect you to have the expertise or the time to zoom into each image to select the one with the sharpest focus, so we spend hours doing that on our end. In another example, candid laughs and emotional tears are some of the best images from the day. Unfortunately, they can also yield some unflattering facial expressions. We might snap a few extras of any of these moments to make sure we have a great shot with the ideal expression for the moment. With our expertise of processing thousands of images each year, we may eliminate ones that we feel are duplicates and only deliver the best one.

Does your studio provide videography services?

Yes. To see examples of our videography services

Have you shot at my venue before?

There is a good chance that we have. However, if we have not, we will get to the venue early on the day of and be sure to perform a thorough walk-through to scout out the best photography locations. We also do extensive online research prior to your big day!

Do you do destination shoots or weddings? What additional fees are associated with destination shoots or weddings?

While BW Photography Studio is based out of McAdenville the Charlotte area, we serve clients all around the world. Our destination photography packages include the cost of travel and reasonable accommodations. Lower rates may apply depending on the specific circumstances. Contact us at info@bwphotostudio.com for more info.

Which photographer will be shooting my shoot or wedding?

Typically, the photographer you meet with will be the photographer for your entire shoot session or wedding. You may request to meet with a specific photographer; otherwise, we’ll make the decision based on personality, availability, language abilities, and your referral. For example, if Jennifer shot the wedding of your friend who referred you to us, she would likely be the one meeting with you; or if you needed a Spanish speaker, Maria would likely meet with you. If you are wondering whether there are differences in style and quality between the photographers, the answer is yes to some degree. However all of our photographers use our basic editing and have been trained by us to give a more uniform look.

Do you provide partial day coverage?

We typically do not provide partial day coverage on weekends. On weekends, we only accept clients that require at least 8 hours of coverage or have a budget of $1000.00 and above.

Does your studio do headshots, individual portraits, family portraits, newborn shoots, commercial photography, or other types of photography?

Yes, we have experience in many fields of photography. Feel free to contact us at info@bwphotostudio.com.

Do you shoot Quinceaneras, Debutants, Bah Mitzvahs, or Corporate Events?

Yes. These are all considered ‘event photography.’ We have chosen to focus and excel at wedding and event photography, and we would love to cover your celebration.

What if our ceremony is in a different language?

Some of our photographers speak different languages, including Spanish. However, we have also covered many shoots in which we do not speak the primary language. We approach these shoots with research, understanding the traditions and cultures. We also have talk-through meetings with our clients before the shoot to ensure we are aware of the major moments. Lastly, we always ensure that we stay alert, leaning on the instincts that we have developed for capturing the emotion and the stories at any given moment.

So while different languages can present challenges, in the end, artistry, creativity, and storytelling are all universal concepts that our team will portray in your photography.

What is your photography style?

The BW Photography Studio team is always developing a unique style of photography that is deeply rooted in photojournalism while influenced by fine-art and fashion photography. We love using creative lighting, unique perspectives, angles, compositions and artistic post-production refining to bring out our clients personalities and beauty while telling their wedding story. We pride ourselves on not just being photographers, but rather artists creating unique and expressive imagery

My venue is very dark. How does your studio handle these situations and can I see samples?

We have shot in the darkest of dark chapels and reception halls so no need to worry! If the situation allows, we will set up additional lighting to ensure we get focused pictures. Some chapels do not allow for flash photography; and for that reason, we shoot on camera’s with superb low-light performance and lenses with low apertures.

Is there a style or quality difference among the photographers?

No. We take every measure to ensure consistent style and quality among our photographers. We have developed the unique style you see in our work over the years. Each shoot is reviewed to ensure our quality and style are consistent. All mistakes, no matter how minor, are scrutinized by the team. We trust that the quality and style of photography you receive will be consistent. However, we do tailor our shooting style and techniques to our client requests. For example, some clients may prefer a light and airy look while others may prefer dramatic lighting and shadows.

How do I get my images published on your site, blog or ads?

If you wish for your images we capture to be used on our site or in our advertisements you can speak to your photographer and they will get you the paperwork needed to allow us to share your images.

Do you touch up all the images in our image download?

Yes we do. Every image we deliver is post produced with our unique signature style of post-production. This involves color correction, exposure adjustment, selective black and white processing, clarity adjustments, tone-mapping, and other corrections. Many photographers will not post produce any images, or will only post produce “select” images from your wedding. This means that you may have pictures that are too dark, have strange skin tones or other common photography flaws.

What do you mean by “touching up” the photos?

“Touching up” in our studio is the same as our signature (standard) post-production. See the question below for clarification.

What is the difference between advanced and custom; and why are there additional costs for a custom retouch?

Advanced post-production includes touch-ups such as removal of blemishes, removal of bags under eyes, removal of fly-away hairs, etc. On the other hand, custom post production is anything that requires extensive, custom work in Photoshop such as removing entire objects from the scene, changing the size and shape of body parts or other objects in the scene, adding objects to a scene and other custom work. We charge hourly for the custom post-production as the time required ranges depending on the complexity of the project. Please contact our studio manager for a quote for custom post-production.

Do you shoot in JPEG, Small Raw, or Large Raw?

We shoot most of our images in small Raw with certain situations where we move to Large Raw.

How many hours do you suggest we set aside for wedding day photos?

How many hours do you suggest we set aside for wedding day photos?

I have downtime between events on my wedding day. Will I be charged for that downtime?

For a variety of reasons, we have to charge for the time in between events. The fact is, we’re never truly resting during the day, whether we’re backing up images, setting up for the second venue, traveling to the second location, taking venue shots, or making up for lost photo time because of unforeseen wedding day delays. In many cases, we use that “downtime” to take you and your significant other out for a photo session or more family portraits.

What happens if we go over the contracted amount of time?

We understand that not everything goes as planned during a wedding. We never pack up before the contracted time, and moreover, we’re not leaving on the dot when the contracted time is up. Instead, we will ask you at the end of your contracted time whether or not you would like to extend. If you would like us to stay, we will charge the rates specified in your contract rounded to the closest 30-minute increment.

Why do we need to charge for additional coverage?

We’ve dedicated the entire day to your wedding, so we won’t be racing off to catch other plans that evening. However, we need to charge for additional coverage primarily because there are costs of having the team stay for additional hours. The shooters and lighting assistants all require additional compensation. Furthermore, the additional photos taken will need to be post-produced which adds to our overall costs.

When can we expect to see our photos from our engagement session?

Post-production for engagement sessions are completed 6-8 weeks after the date of the shoot. If you require the images to be completed prior to 6-8 weeks after the date of the shoot, a rush process fee will be charged.

When should we do our engagement session?

We encourage you to do your engagement session as soon as possible. The latest we suggest is at least 10-12 weeks prior to the wedding date due to the time necessary to post produce each image and complete your product order(s). See the engagement session post-production delivery time and engagement session product delivery time FAQ’s for more details.

Can we schedule our engagement session for the weekend?

Because most weddings occur on weekends, we typically do not shoot engagement sessions on weekends. If you can only do your engagement session on a weekend, we can tentatively schedule your engagement session on a weekend, however, if a wedding is scheduled for that weekend, later on, we will have to reschedule your engagement session. There may also be an additional charge for weekend engagement sessions because the few weekends we have free, we spend with our families. We also like to shoot on weekdays because locations are typically less crowded.

How many images do you typically deliver from an engagement session? From a wedding?

We typically deliver anywhere from 50-70 images per 3-hour engagement shoot and for a wedding, we typically deliver 30-50 images per hour. Keep in mind these numbers may increase or decrease depending on the flow of the day and the number of events/activities needing to be captured.

I’d like you to Photoshop our name and date into the save-the-dates, is that included in the package pricing?

Custom save-the-date images are priced at $50 per image and can be added on to any package.

When and where can we view our engagement pictures?

Your engagement session images will be completed no more than 6 weeks after the date of the shoot. If you require the images to be completed prior to 6 weeks after the date of your shoot, a rush edit fee of $100.00 will be charged.

What size can we print our photos up to with our full resolution image download?

In most cases, you can print your photos up to 20×30 without any quality loss. If you’d like to print larger than 20×30, additional post-production will be required. For pricing on these services, please contact our studio manager.

What rights do I have to the digital prints?

You have the right to reprint images whenever you want. However, you may not sell your images for profit or publish your images without the written consent of BW Photography Studio.

Do you provide the RAW files from my engagement session and/or wedding day?

Each of our packages comes with a full resolution image download. However, we typically do not provide RAW (unprocessed) files from our shoots because we believe in delivering a finished product. In fact, we’re often shooting with the end (post-produced) product in mind. However, on occasion, we may provide RAW images along with our post-produced JPG’s for an additional fee and restrictions.

How many images do you deliver on the image download?

We typically deliver anywhere from 50-70 images per 3-hour engagement shoot and for a wedding, we typically deliver 30-50 images per hour. Keep in mind these numbers may increase or decrease depending on the flow of the day and the number of events/activities needing to be captured.

Do you provide the digital negatives after the shoot?

Yes we do. All of our packages come with Full Resolution image download.

What if I lose my images?

There is a $100 replacement charge for additional downloads after the event has been archived. We strongly suggest you make at least one copy of the download when you receive it from us.

How long does it take to get my prints?

Product creation times vary, however, print orders will generally be completed within 6 weeks after the product order is submitted.

Similar to the post-production process, if you require rush processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.

How long does it take to get my album?

As with our other products, production times vary. However, you can typically expect to receive your album 6 weeks after placing the order. The process prior to placing the order varies in duration depending on how quickly you respond to the instructions for the album design as well as the number of changes you request after the initial designs. Some brides complete this within a month or two; others take over a year.

Similar to the post-production process, if you require rush processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.

How long does it take to get my sign-in book?

The sign-in book takes around 6 weeks to print after the order is submitted. As with the album, the time it takes to get the order ready for print depends on how quickly you respond to our instructions and how many changes you request.

Similar to the post-production process, if you require rush processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.

What album companies do you offer?

We have accounts with most of the major printers, including Graphi Studio, Queensberry, Leather Craftsmen, Willowbook Sequoia, and Finao. After testing the durability, print quality/consistency, and cover style options, we have narrowed our printing partners to Blacksmith, Finao, and Queensberry. If you prefer the styles of any other album makers, we would be glad to accommodate your request, if possible. Additional fees may apply depending on the printer you choose.

How many pages and images do we get in our wedding day album?

Our signature BW Photography Studio album contain 30 pages and 80+/- images. If you’d like to add more pages and images, each additional page can be added at additional cost and includes the design time/revisions.

Can I add more pages and images to my album?

Each additional page can be added for additional cost and includes the design time/revisions.

Do you guys provide framing services as well?

We do not provide framing services, however, we can provide you with recommendations on where to purchase and frame your images.

How do I get started on my wedding album?

The Wedding Album Design Process is outlined here:

What type of camera/equipment do you use?

Typically we use Canon camera bodies with Canon and Tamron Lenses. Our personal favorite is the Canon 5D Mark IV. However your photographer may choose another brand, or body at their preference.

Do you back up our images? How can we ensure that our images won’t be lost?

We have never lost an image from a shoot due to the following backup workflow for each our events:
During the event, we shoot on two cards at the same time. This instantly creates a backup of every image in the camera. Afterward, we separate the primary cards from the backup cards, should anything happen to one set. We then back up the images to a local server set up in a RAID 1 configuration, as well as copy them to an offsite hard drive. At any given point before delivery of the images, there are two copies of the files in separate locations.

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes. Many venues require the photographer to have Liability Insurance. So before hiring Uncle Joe, make sure he’s covered.

We live out-of-town. Is it possible for our family/friends to meet with you instead?

We’d love to meet your relatives, answer their questions and review our work with them. If possible, we’d like to at least webcam with you to get to know you better.

We’re very busy and won’t be able to meet. Are there any other options?

We would love to meet with you prior to our shoot or wedding; however, if you’re too busy or too far away, we can handle everything remotely. Just let us know what information you need and we will do our best to accommodate your request. For example, if you would like to see more of our work, we can gladly show you complete events online. If you would like to talk about packages and get a sense of the photographer’s personality, telephone calls, and webcam appointments can be arranged.

Do you travel to meet clients?

Yes, we currently do travel to meet clients. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please contact our studio manager info@bwphotostudio.com

How do I set up an appointment to meet you in person and see some of your work?

Contact our studio manager at info@bwphotostudio.com

How do I reserve you for my date?

All dates are reserved once we receive your signed contract and deposit.

What if we exceed our contracted time for our engagement shoot and/or wedding day coverage?

Standard rates apply for overtime. Overtime is billed at the rate of $150/hour per Master Photographer and $80/hour per Associate Photographer.

Is there an additional fee if we pay via credit card?

Yes. The retail adjustment fee for all credit card transactions is 3% of the charged amount.

If we cancel the wedding, will we receive our retainer fee back?

Unfortunately no. Retainer fees are used to reserve your date. Once we’ve reserved your date, we do not accept new clients for your date

If we change our wedding to a different date, will we be able to use our retainer fee towards a future date?

Generally no, but this is taken on a case by case basis. The reason for canceling and our availability is taken into account. Also, if rates change from your original date to your new date, the new rates will apply.

Are there travel fees associated with the sessions and/or wedding day shoot(s)?

All travel expenses are based on the distance between your event location(s).

Why do you charge travel fees?

The primary purpose is to provide adequate compensation for our photographers and our lighting assistants for the additional time spent in travel. Trips to Raleigh, for example, can take over 3 hours each way. This is time for which we have to compensate our team. For this reason, coupled with the costs of reimbursing the team for the actual costs of travel, these fees are unfortunately necessary.

Do you offer any discounts on weekday weddings, Sunday weddings, or weddings during the off-season?

We do not offer discounts on Sunday weddings and off-season weddings. As you may know, wedding season is almost year round here in beautiful North Carolina. Because of that, we are shooting throughout the year. We also cannot offer discounts on weekday weddings as all of the costs (second shooter rates, etc.) associated with the wedding remain the same.

If I pay for my package in cash will we be able to avoid paying sales tax or receive a discount?

Unfortunately, collecting in cash does not exempt a photography studio from paying sales tax on the amount of the package price when a physical product is delivered, whether that product be an album or any other physical product. However, we do offer tax-free services and packages that fall within North Carolina State Law if you would like a service only packages.

Do I need a background for the photos?

The short answer is no. However some of our clients prefer to have a uniform background in every picture.

Does every guest get a printed picture from the booth?

Yes, after the pictures are taken at the booth, there is an option to select the number of prints so that every guest may get a physical print.

Can you send me the pictures from the booth to my phone?

Yes, your guests are given the option to text the image to their device at the booth.

How much space is required to have the booth?

Generally a 10’x10’ space is necessary to give adequate room for your guests to enjoy the booth

Will the mirror booth work outside?

The mirror does work outside, however the glare from the sun and reflections make the screen very difficult to see. It’s similar to the way you can barely see your phone’s screen outside. Therefore we either suggest placing the booth inside in a darker location, or putting the mirror under a black tent with walls. If the only place you have to use the mirror is outside, then we suggest waiting until the darker hours to use it. Otherwise your guests experience will be drastically reduced.

Does the photo booth require power?

Yes, we will require a standard wall outlet or drop cord of power in order to operate the booth.

What do your booth attendants generally wear?

Usually they will wear dress slacks/skirts and a company polo shirt. However if you request they dress in certain attire, this can be arranged. Some events that are more laid back our attendants wear jeans and a company polo shirt.

How long do you need to setup the booth?

We need to arrive at least 1 hour before your event to get setup and ensure everything is working properly. If we cannot arrive that early then our setup may run into your paid use time.

How long do you need to tear down the booth?

Generally we can be loaded back up and out of your way within 20-30 minutes.

What happens if one of my guests breaks something at the booth?

You are ultimately responsible for your guests. If they destroy the booth or rental, then you are responsible for the cost of replacement or repairs.

What types of props are included?

We bring a multitude of props including hats, glasses, boas, tiaras, signs and other small props. If you need a specific themed set of props, we can work with you to ensure that we include those (depending upon your request a fee may be charged)

Is there a limit to the number of guests or photos that we can take?

No, the only limitation is the amount of time you book the booth for. Generally we go through on average 30-40 guests per hour.

Do I get the images from the booth so I can view them later?

Yes, most of our packages included an online digital photo album that you can download within 30 days of all the pictures taken at the booth.

How do I customize the animated start screen or my print overlays/borders or background?

Contact our sales department at info@bwphotostudio.com and they will help you design these.

How many people can fit in a picture?

Unlike the small box photo booths, our magic mirror photo booth will allow as many people as possible to fit in a picture. To date the largest group we have seen has been 15 people in one photo. But i'm sure you could find a way to fit more if needed.