Frequently Asked Questions
Do you shoot anything besides weddings?
I do! I can cover nightclubs and parties, and also do on-location lifestyle portraits. I have a particular knack for low-light environments.Contact me to discuss!
Do I really need two photographers for my wedding? Why?
I think so. There are a number of reasons I shoot weddings with a second shooter, here are a few:
- Keep things moving! I know it’s not easy to find time in your wedding day to do portraits and formal shots. With two photographers, we can maximize that time. On complex shots, one can be setting up lights while the other frames the shot and poses the subjects. For natural light portraits, we can shoot from two different angles, which gives us both the formal head-on portrait and a more in-the-moment look.
- Weddings are fast-paced and spontaneous. Having two photographers puts us in two places at once and lets us catch more special moments as they happen.
- Wedding moments only happen once. Once a moment has passed, it is gone. Having two photographers provides two chances to get a one-time shot. Additionally, it adds insurance against the (very, very small) risk of equipment failure or loss. Equipment can be replaced. Shots can’t.
- Having two photographers provides two creative, emotional, and technical perspectives. Every photographer has their own personal style and aspects of a moment that resonate the most for them. With two photographers, it is possible to have two very distinct interpretations of the same scene.
What happens before/during/after the wedding?
I gave this question its own page (it’s a long one!). Check out What happens when we work with you? for a description of a typical wedding timeline from initial contact to album delivery.
Where do you work?
I am based in Manhattan, but can travel wherever you need me for full coverage weddings. In some cases, I can also travel for Lite coverage service. Travel expenses outside of the Manhattan area are added to the shooting fee at cost (as estimated at contract signing).
If your wedding involves travel, we’ll establish what those costs will be before you sign your contract. No surprises!!
How much do you charge?
I offer a range of service levels with pricing starting at $699 and running up to $4599. They’re designed to address a broad spectrum of shooting and budgetary needs so you can have just the coverage you need.
If you have special circumstances that aren’t really covered by our listed offerings, email me! We can talk about what you need and come up with a customized package for you.
How many hours do you shoot? What if we go over?
You can relax. All full coverage service packages include unlimited hours.
Is retouching extra?
Every package includes advanced retouching—skin softening, blemish removal, teeth whitening, spot color adjustments and softening effects, cleaning up backgrounds and other visual intrusions, etc—on the photos we determine to be the best in the set. How many photos this is depends on the service level you choose.
All photos in the bigger final set get general processing. This includes a selection of black and white or sepia conversions, color correction, cropping, full-picture color effects, and removal of major blemishes. You will never receive a picture that has not been reviewed and adjusted.
If you would like advanced retouching on an image not in that “best” set, a la carte retouching is available at a rate of $50 per image with Lite coverage, and $35 per image in full coverage.
How many pictures will we get?
The number of pictures you’ll receive can vary widely depending on how long your wedding is, how many guests you have, and so on. You can see estimates for each service level on the Pricing page. The final set is usually 10-20% of those we shoot (except portraits, which generally yield a larger percentage of “keepers”) so you aren’t getting any bad shots or batches of pictures that are virtually the same.
Can we have the files?
Each service level includes a certain number of images for which you will receive high-resolution files with advanced retouching and printing rights. See the details on the Pricing page.
When do we get the photos?
Quick as I can! Check out the ‘After the wedding’ section of ‘What happens when we work with you?’ for a typical delivery schedule.
How do we book you?
We can start the conversation as soon as you like. Just pop me an email with our contact form! Your date is reserved once the contract is signed and your deposit is paid.
How do we pay?
Payments can be made by cash, check, or credit cards via PayPal. Checks should be written out to Amy Cham.
Do you use film or digital? Why?
We shoot 100% digital. Why? There are many reasons, but a few of the most important:
- We can shoot more. A single memory card holds hundreds of pictures, while a roll of film typically holds 24. Over the course of a wedding, that’s a lot of opportunities missed while changing film! The economics of film are also more challenging…with digital, there is no reason not to shoot everything that should be captured.
- We can react faster. A film camera is bound to the ISO (light sensitivity) of the film currently loaded. This makes it much more difficult to adjust to drastic changes in light, such as going out into the sun from a dark church or hall. A digital camera can be instantly adjusted to the new conditions so we don’t miss a beat!
- We have more flexibility. Today’s pro-grade cameras can take beautiful pictures in lighting conditions that were once unimaginable. This allows us to rely less on flash, and to achieve better results when we do use flash. Additionally, the software tools available today create endless possibilities for producing beautiful black and white, sepia toned, retouched, and stylized photographs.
Don’t get me wrong…film photography is a craft that I have deep respect for, and at times I find myself wishing for a day spent in the darkroom, immersed in creating that one perfect print. For weddings, however, I feel that the possibilities presented by digital are just too great to pass up.
What kind of equipment do you use?
We use professional-grade equipment, including Nikon D3 and D700 cameras, Speedlights, and a variety of lenses.
