Cincinnati wedding photographer affordable economical contemporary modern artistic photojournalism quality Cincinnati wedding photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

        Wedding Package questions

  1. Are you available on my date?
  2. Is a deposit required?
  3. When will you start, and how long will you stay?
  4. How many photographs will you take
  5. How much time will we need to spend taking photographs?
  6. What is your style or philosophy for weddings?
  7. What are proofs and do I get to keep them?
  8. Is an engagement or bridal portrait session included in the wedding package?
  9. What wedding albums can I get?
  10. Do you shoot digital or film?
  11. Will you have backup equipment?
  12. How far will you travel?
  13. Will you pressure us to see each other before the wedding?
  14. How long will it take to get my proofs?
  15. How long will it take to get my album order?
  16. How many weddings have you done?
  17. Will Jeff Schaefer photograph the wedding himself?
  18. Do you use an assistant?
  19. Will you book more than one wedding on the same day?
  20. Where are you located?

        Portrait Questions

  1. Can we have our portrait taken outside?
  2. How long does the portrait session last?
  3. How many poses do I get?
  4. How many clothing changes do I get?
  5. When will I get my proofs?
  6. Do you do senior portraits?
  7. What should I wear for the portrait?

Are you available on my date?

Please use the “Check availability on your date” tool HERE. If you are inquiring about another type of appointment, please call.  513-702-0911

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Is a deposit required?

A deposit of $500 required to hold your date. The remaining balance of is due 30 days before the wedding.  A verbal commitment to book Jeff Schaefer Photography (IE. over the phone) without a deposit, will hold your date for 7 days, as I await your deposit.  Once the deposit is received, the date is yours.  If I don’t receive a deposit after 7 days, your date becomes available to other couples.

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When will you start, and how long will you stay?

I will arrive usually 1/2 hour before the arranged 'start' time, to scope things out and set up.  I assure you that I will stay for the entire agreed upon length. I won't cut out early once you've cut the cake.  Driving before and after does not count towards the time.

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How many photographs will you take?

There is no limit to the number of photographs I'll take.  On average you will receive over 600 photographs.

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How much time will we need to spend taking photographs?

This really depends on how many photo 'sessions' and posed photographs you want.  After that, it will depend on your wedding party size, family sizes, and everyone’s cooperation level.  The after-ceremony photo session usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.  I work quickly and try to get you to your reception as quickly as possible while still capturing great images.

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What is your style or philosophy for weddings?

I mix traditional posed and candid photojournalistic styles.  I recommend that the photography is not done in a strictly photojournalistic style.  To look your best, you need posing instruction and a warning that I am about to take your photo.  However, for posed shots, I strive to make the images appear comfortable and natural.  Whenever we are not actively involved in posed photography, I am recording candid moments that capture the spirit of the day.

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What are proofs and do I get to keep them?

Depending on the package or options selected, the proofs can come in the form of a disc or a printed album. The proof album or the disc will contain each image I captured at your wedding.  It is yours to keep. 

Your proofs are also displayed on-line so that everyone can see them soon after your wedding.

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Is an engagement or bridal portrait session included in the wedding package?

An Engagement or bridal portrait session is included with the wedding package.  The photo session may be done either at my residential studio, or any other location of your choice. 

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What wedding albums can I get?

I provide both Flora brand matted albums, and Willowbook Sequoia flush mount albums (sometimes called coffee table, or story book albums). See the albums page.

Please make an appointment to view the album samples and my work.

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Do you shoot digital or film?

I photography with Canon 1D Mark II digital cameras.  This camera is the top of the line in digital image quality.

Cameras of this quality combine the best of both worlds of medium and 35mm film formats.  They have the resolution of medium format and the speed and responsiveness of 35mm.

In addition to the cameras, I use a multiple flash (strobe) system.  One flash is mounted on the camera, and additional flashes on light stands are triggered via remote control to illuminate the background, provide 'studio' quality lighting, and/or provide artistic or dramatic lighting.

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Will you have backup equipment?

I bring a back-up of every piece of equipment.

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How far will you travel?

I am based in Fairfield, Ohio, a northern suburb of Cincinnati.  I will travel anywhere within the area of Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Lexington for wedding photography.  A charge applies for travel outside this region.

Locally, Jeff Schaefer Photography serves the following areas...

Ohio: Hamilton, Ohio, Warren, Ohio, Butler, Ohio, Clermont, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Oxford, Ohio, Miamitown, Ohio, Franklin, Ohio, New Haven, Ohio, Ross, Ohio, Fairfield, Ohio, Springdale, Ohio, Sharonville, Ohio, Mason, Ohio, Montgomery, Ohio, Delhi, Ohio, Bridgetown, Ohio, Cheviot, Ohio, Cleves, Ohio, Westwood, Ohio, Harrison, Ohio, West Chester, Ohio, Kings Mills, Ohio, Loveland, Ohio, Lebanon, Ohio, Morrow, Ohio, Wards Corner, Ohio, Symmes, Ohio, Madera, Ohio, Milford, Ohio, Beechmont, Ohio, Goshen, Ohio, Batavia, Ohio, Williamsburg, Ohio, Owensville, Ohio, Bethel, Ohio, New Richmond, Ohio.

Kentucky: Louisville, Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, Boone, Kentucky, Campbell, Kentucky, Kenton, Kentucky, Covington, Kentucky, Newport, Kentucky, Florence, Kentucky,  Erlanger, Kentucky, Hebron, Kentucky, Belleview, Kentucky, Burlington, Kentucky, Elsmere, Kentucky, Edgewood, Kentucky, Union, Kentucky, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, Independence, Kentucky, Crescent Springs, Kentucky, Alexandria, Kentucky, Turfway, Kentucky, Forest Hills, Kentucky, Southgate, Kentucky, Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Highland Heights, Kentucky, Cold Spring, Kentucky, Silver Grove, Kentucky, Gallatin, Kentucky, Grant, Kentucky, Pendleton, Kentucky.

Indiana: Indianapolis, Indiana, Dearborn, Indiana, Indiana, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Aurora, Indiana, Rising Sun, Indiana, Bright, Indiana, Harrison, Indiana, Saint Leon, Indiana, Brookville, Indiana.

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Will you pressure us to see each other before the wedding?

No.  I will tell you the benefit of photographing yourselves together before the wedding.  But, I won’t pressure you.  Once you give me your answer, that’s it.  I understand that the day is not about photography; it’s about your wedding and I am there to capture the moments. 

I recommend photographing the bride and groom together before the wedding if...

  • you want photographs taken at a location other than the church or reception site, like a park.
  • you want photographs taken outdoors, but it gets dark early (Spring and Fall).
  • you want to get to the reception quickly.
  • you want a wide variety of photographs.

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How long will it take to get my proofs?

Your wedding photos preview slideshow will be on-line just a few days after your wedding.  Your album rough draft will be online within a few weeks and your on-line image index gallery (proofs) will be available at the same time.  

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How long will it take to get my album order?

Your album and enlargements will be available in approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the time of ordering.

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How many weddings have you done?

I began photographing weddings in June of 2001.  Since then I have done about 20 weddings a year.

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Will Jeff Schaefer photograph the wedding himself?

Jeff Schaefer will photograph your wedding himself.  You will see sample albums done by Jeff Schaefer when you view the samples, not another photographer's. (This will happen at other studios.)

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Do you use an assistant?

No. I carry the equipment myself. 

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Will you book more than one wedding on the same day?

No. Neither of us need that kind of stress.

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Where are you located?

Jeff Schaefer Photography studio is located in Fairfield Ohio, very close to I-275.

6361 Kings Arms Way  Fairfield, OH  45014

Click here for directions.

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PORTRAIT QUESTIONS

 

Can we have our portrait taken outside?

Yes. Portraits can be taken in the studio or at any outdoor location of your choice. Please see the Portrait Packages page for details.

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How long does the portrait session last?

A studio portrait session lasts 1 hour.

An outdoor portrait session may last 90 minutes.

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How many poses do I get?

You get as many poses as we can do in the time limit.

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How many clothing changes do I get?

In the studio you may change your clothes as many times as you want.

No clothing changes are allowed on location portraits.

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When will I get my proofs?

There are no proofs in the digital studio.

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Do you do senior portraits?

Yes.

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What should I wear for the portrait?

Clothing color

Simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones look best. Darker shades are more flattering and slimming. Clothing in medium shades complement portraits made in outdoor environments.

Do not wear bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints. They are confusing and do not photograph well.

Do not wear bright colors, such as red and orange. They will completely overpower the face and ruin a portrait.

Avoid light colors that approximate flesh tones such as beige, tan, peach, pink, white, and yellow.  It will call attention to itself and away from the face. 

Clothing style

Very simple garments always photograph best.

Long sleeves are essential for teens and adults, as bare arms call attention to them and will overpower the face.

Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style.  Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck garments as well as bulky cowl neck sweaters that completely hide the neck.

Couples

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges.  Light and dark tones mixed together create visual confusion, as one subject comes forward and the other recedes.

Families

In a family group, clothing coordination is very important.  Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright as compared to the rest of the group.

Clothing that blends harmoniously creates timeless portraiture because the viewer's eye goes directly to the faces.

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Jeff Schaefer Photography
513.702.0911

Jeff,
Our pictures are beautiful! We appreciate that you worked with whatever we wanted and were so flexible. Thank you so much.
Jessica and Dan – July 2006

All images © Jeff Schaefer Photography