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YOUR WEDDING WITH GEOFF HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHY 

MEETINGS  THE WEDDING DAY  PROOFS  ALBUMS  PAYMENTS

A PERSONAL NOTE

Your Wedding will be a day of anticipation...beauty...fun...love...celebration. All that and much more.

Being in the thick of the action as a wedding photographer is not only an honor, it's where I love to be. Yes, there are stresses that happen with any important day. But there is also beauty, excitement, fun, and the chance to create lasting memories. It's my professional challenge and personal satisfaction to do just that.

As any wedding photographer will tell you, every wedding is unique. Of course plans are made and details worked out, often according to time-tested tradition. But it's the serendipity that makes every wedding day special. I am there to capture what the couple does, what they see and what they miss.

Posed formals and planned shots? Yes. Candids and “insignificant” events? Yes.

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION:

- Specialist in wedding photography since 1996
- Member PPA (Professional Photographers of America);    WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International);  APPI (Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois)



I have three or four important contacts with a couple:

  • the initial interview
  • the engagement photo session if it's included - dual purpose: create romantic pictures and get used to working together
  • our planning session about a month before the wedding - centered on your requests with my input
  • the wedding day.

At the initial interview we of course meet and get acquainted. This is a critical meeting for you because your photographer is the only vendor you will hire who 1) will be with you all day and 2) will turn over a product that will be with you the rest of your life.

Two questions should be paramount, in this order: Do I like this photographer's work and do I like this photographer? Personality and compatibility do matter. You don't want your photos to show cheesy smiles because the person behind the camera is annoying.

Meeting the photographer personally is one thing. But how do you know how he/she really performs on the job? Though nothing is foolproof, the surest way is to see testimonials or get references. What the photographer tells you is important; what their past clients can tell you is golden.

What happens when we meet? You tell me about your wedding and you ask questions (all the while sizing me up). I explain my program and show you my portfolio, plus get a slight feel for who you are and your relationship. We both discover whether what I do matches what you are looking for in terms of style, products and prices.


If I am hired and the plan you choose includes an engagement session, we discuss the best time and place for that.

At our final planning meeting one month before the wedding we plan the formal photos and the schedule in detail. I send you a draft for your review and revision, so that by the week before the wedding the photography is set. (Wedding day adjustments allowed.) I also draw up an abbreviated schedule that you hand out to all interested parties - maybe at the rehearsal - so they know when to be on hand for their formals. A big time-saver!


 

The contract time begins whenever pictures are scheduled to start. My setup time is not included.
For larger weddings (generally Princess Plan and above) I have an assistant photographer who primarily shoots candids and provides a second camera angle throughout the day.
Reception - Besides recording all the scheduled events, my assistant and I typically shoot many candids and decor shots at the wedding and reception sites. Formal portraits with backdrop are also available at the reception on request.


 


Viewing and Ordering -

  • Internet display and ordering on a very user-friendly website is included in all plans.
  • A CD of all images viewable on your computer as a virtual photo album with slide show option is included in all plans.
  • A proof book of medium thumbnails in an attractive spiral binder with 8x10 pages, nine images to a page, is included in most plans. Very convenient for showing off your photos to family, friends and co-workers.

 

Most couples - and their parents - are interested in enclosing their treasured wedding photographs in an attractive album. All plans include an album or an album option. I have a beautiful selection of moderately-priced albums available in many sizes, colors and designs. The couple can make their album decisions either before or after the wedding.

 

Options: cash, check or credit card (VISA, Mastercard, Discover).

Fee payments schedule:

  • One half the service fee is due when the contract is signed.
  • The balance of the service fee and the reprint deposit are due one month before the wedding.
  • I welcome installment payments within these guidelines. Any alternate payment plan requested by the client must be agreed upon in writing before the contract is signed.

Payment must be included with print orders.