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Can we have our portrait taken outside?
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How long does a portrait session last?
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How many poses do I get?
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How many clothing changes do I get?
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When will I get my proofs?
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Do you do senior portraits?
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What should we wear?
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS
Are you available on my date?
Please check my availability on your wedding date HERE.
If you are inquiring about another type of appointment, please call 513-702-0911.
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Will you hold my date?
Dates are held with a retainer payment.
I do not offer first refusals, so your date can not be taken from you.
Your retainer is refundable up to 4 months before your wedding date.
If circumstances come up and you need to cancel, no problem... you can have your retainer back with
no hassle. If it's within 4 months of your wedding, your retainer may be applied to another date,
service, or product such as family portraits. I take the risk so you don't have to.
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Will you let me know if another bride contacts you about my date?
Assuming we've met and you haven't reserved your date, I can try to let you know, but...
Many clients retain me over the phone with no advance notification.
Many are former bridesmaids, family, or guests that know they want me, and don't
want to miss out. They call, and they book.
And, there is a limit to the number of weddings I'll do in a given period.
So, your date can become unavailable even if I don't book a wedding that day.
I can't keep track of every possible combination to let you know that if X and Y retain me, then I'll need your day off.
I usually reach my quota during the wedding season.
My advice is to retain me quickly; preferably while we meet.
It breaks my heart when I have to tell a bride that waited too long to make a
decision that her date has already been taken.
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Will Jeff Schaefer photograph the wedding himself?
Yes, I will photograph your wedding myself with a 2nd photographer / assistant.
I won't send a different, less capable photographer to your wedding after
showing you photographs taken by myself when we met. (A common practice at larger studios.)
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Will there be 2 photographers?
Yes. The second photographer provides more photojournalistic
coverage and is able to capture moments at a different angle than myself, the
primary photographer. It is especially nice during the ceremony.
The second photographer also assists me with portraits and lighting,
and enables me to work quickly and get awesome lighting effects.
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How many photographs will you take?
There is no limit to the number of photographs I'll take. After I edit the
selections down, you'll receive on average 100 photographs per hour.
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How much time will we need to spend taking photographs?
Typically, we spend 30 minutes with bride, her family, and bridesmaids;
30 minutes with the groom, his family, and groomsmen;
20 minutes with the wedding party; 15 minutes with the families;
then anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes with the bride and groom.
If the B&G are not seeing each other before the ceremony,
we usually photograph the bride, her family, bridesmaids,
then the groom, his family, and guys, 90 minutes before the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the rest of the formals last around 60 minutes.
If the B&G are seeing each other before the ceremony for photographs,
we usually start 2.5 to 3 hours prior, and are finished before guests arrive.
Of course, we can go straight to the reception after the ceremony.
However, every wedding is different, and how long the formals take really
depends on how many photographs you want, the wedding party size, number of
small children, your family sizes, locations, and travel times. So, the
amount of time we spend doing photography 'sessions' is ultimately up to you. I
will work with you to construct a schedule for the day so that we get all the
photographs you want at a comfortable pace.
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When will you start, and how long will you stay?
This varies with the collection we put together for you, but
I usually arrive 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 to and fro does not count towards the time.
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What is your style or philosophy for weddings?
I strive to make the portraits appear comfortable and natural.
We'll do a few traditional photographs, then move on to more romantic
moments where you focus on each other, not the camera.
These photographs are very candid and realistic looking...
and MUCH more romantic and fun.
I also use strong compositions and dramatic angles,
that stand out from the stiff, boring, 'hands-folded' group shots.
When we're not doing group photographs, I remain inconspicuous and capture candid moments as they happen.
I don't stop your formal dances for a photograph or re-create moments.
I capture everything as it happens and get the shot the first time.
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What is the digital originals disc?
The digital originals disc contains high resolution,
JPG files which can easily be printed at home or any lab.
They make excellent quality prints up to 8x10.
There are NO COPYRIGHT NOTICES on the files and NO WATERMARKS.
You are free to make your own prints, share them with family and
friends, print out your own photo thank you cards, make your own wedding
scrap book, add wedding images to your blog or facebook, make a back-up copy
of the CD and put it in your safe deposit box.
The digital originals disc contains your unprocessed wedding originals,
or digital 'negatives'... as they came, straight out of the camera.
Just like film negatives, they are not retouched or enhanced.
Can the originals be retouched?
I'm afraid that it's not possible to brighten eyes, whiten teeth, smooth
skin, remove blemishes and shine, fix stray hairs, remove eyeglass glare,
fill shadows, dodge highlights, remove exit signs, vignette, add artistic
effects, and more... on ALL 1000 photographs in any kind of timely
manor. I'd need a month between each wedding.
I do retouch and enhance every photograph that you receive as a print or
in your album. There is a big difference between the originals and the
retouched photographs. I recommend you plan to order your prints from Jeff
Schaefer Photography for your best possible appearance and artistic quality.
Then, consider the digital originals disc as a copy for safekeeping.
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Is an engagement or bridal portrait session included in the wedding package?
An engagement or bridal portrait session is optional but, included with some packages.
The photo session may be done either at my residential studio, or any other location of your choice.
Benefits of the engagement portrait session:
1. The session is a great opportunity for us to get comfortable with each other.
After spending an evening with you, we will feel more like I'm a friend with a
fancy camera instead of stranger on your wedding day.
2. Couples are more relaxed about being in front of the camera on their wedding day
once they've done the engagement session. That results in better wedding photographs!
3. You'll LOVE your photographs.
4. Create save the date cards and Christmas cards.
5. The photographs make a nice addition to the album.
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What wedding albums can I get?
I provide Willowbook Sequoia flush-mount albums and
Flora brand matted albums
See the albums page.
I have many samples in the studio to show you.
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What equipment do you use?
I photography with Canon 1D Mark II digital cameras and Canon
professional lenses. These cameras are the top-of-the-line
in digital image quality.
In addition to the cameras, I use a multiple flash (strobe) system.
One flash is mounted on the camera, and additional flashes held by my assistant,
or on light stands are triggered via remote control to provide 'studio' quality lighting,
illuminate backgrounds, 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.
Not counting the second photographer's equipment,
I bring 3 camera bodies, 8 lenses, 7 flashes, many batteries, back-up cards, etc...
basically several complete outfits.
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Will you pressure us to see each other before the wedding?
It depends - and only a little. :)
I will tell you the benefit of photographing yourselves together before the
wedding if I think it's in your best interest.
But, I won’t pressure you.
Once you give me your answer... that’s it.
I understand that it's your wedding day, not mine,
and you've been envisioning it for a long time.
I recommend photographing the bride and groom together before the wedding if...
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you want photographs taken at a location other than the church or reception site, like a park.
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you want photographs taken outdoors, but it gets dark early (Spring and Fall).
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you want to get to the reception quickly.
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you want more photographs than the basics.
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your ceremony is at 6:30, and will last an hour, and you want your dinner before 9:30pm.
There is one prevailing reason to get
your photographs finished before the ceremony...
Imagine your wedding day. Imagine the
excitement you feel as you are pronounced husband and wife,
kiss each other, and speed down the aisle. It’s the
pinnacle of your relationship up to this point.
You want to kiss each other, hug everyone,
rejoice, and celebrate. I suggest you do that.
It’s a shame to deny yourself of that
once-in-a-lifetime experience and instead, stand on the altar for the next
hour when you really won't want to be there.
Taking photographs for the next hour while
you’re hungry, your feet hurt, your bouquet weighs a ton, the groomsmen won’t cooperate, we have to hunt
for your brother-in-law, and beg to get the flower girl to look this
way... is a mood killer. When we are
finished, you will enter the reception in
a vastly different frame of mind than after your ceremony.
Rejoice in that blissful moment instead.
Do your
formal photographs before the ceremony, so
that afterwards you can celebrate with your
families and friends.
It’s the only time you will get to experience it in your lives.
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When will my pictures be ready?
Please allow up to two weeks from your wedding date for the online image gallery.
Allow four months for albums. Allow 2 weeks for ordered prints.
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How many weddings have you done?
I began photographing weddings in June of 2001. I have photographed 20
to 30 weddings a year since.
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Do we provide a meal for you and your assistant?
No. a lot of photographers expect to be fed, but I don’t like to lounge around and eat your
food while I can be getting great photographs. The dinner hour is a good
time to photograph decorations, flowers, rings, cake, etc. I just eat a packed
sandwich in the car on the way to the reception and I’m good to go.
(I might be tempted by a piece of cake.)
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Will having a videographer affect my pictures?
Most videographers are professional and unobtrusive.
Some like to stand very close to the couple throughout the ceremony and the
first dance which ultimately results in images with the videographer in them.
A word with them beforehand will usually suffice.
I have some videographers that I have worked with and recommend on my
Recommended Vendors page.
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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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What if you’re sick and can’t make it on my wedding day?
Unfortunately, I've heard many stories about photographers canceling right before the wedding.
In nearly all of these cases the photographer canceled for a non-health or
non-emergency reason. Usually, it’s because a better deal came along on their
date… a gorgeous couple, willing to pay for their most expensive package. Or, a
larger studio had a few photographers quit.
There is no way I would do something so unscrupulous to anyone!
Once you have me booked, I’m there and I won’t double book... Period.
I know how important your wedding photographs are to you. And, I
wouldn’t do anything to tarnish my reputation, which I stake my livelihood on.
However, there are no absolute guarantees in life. Anything can happen to me or
any of your vendors. But, you should know that since I started photographing
weddings in 2001, I have had the good fortune of good health and have never
missed an event – I’ve never even been late. It would take a catastrophic event
or serious hospitalization to cause me to miss a wedding. No matter what my
circumstances are, I would make every attempt to photograph the wedding.
Now, to answer the actual question. In the unlikely event that something
absolutely beyond my control prevents me from attending your wedding, I would do
everything possible to find the very best substitute available. I would make
every attempt to exceed your expectations given that unlikely scenario. I am
connected with many competent area photographers that I can call upon. If I
could not find a replacement for you, you would receive a full refund.
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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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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, West Harrison, Indiana, Saint
Leon, Indiana, Brookville, Indiana, Bright, Indiana.
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PORTRAIT QUESTIONS
Can we have our portrait taken outside?
Absolutely! It's my specialty.
By doing the portraits at your home or your favorite park, the settings are casual,
not intimidating, and fun for the kids and adults.
We can spend hours with you to create a masterpiece, instead of rushing you through
like the strip-mall studios.
We create both traditional portraits along with candid, natural and interactive
photographs that are fun and show everyone’s personality.
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How long does a portrait session last?
I can spend as much time as we need to get some great photographs.
The actual duration really depends on the group size and how much variety you'd like.
