Frequently Asked Questions( an absolute must read)
When comparing packages, why are your prices so fantastic compared to your competitors?
Photographers used to shoot in film (and some still do). Having to pay for high-end film and photo finishing and developing in the lab, the costs can add up. Nowadays, however, we're in the digital age. This has proven to be much more superior in photo manipulation and has decreased cost of covering a full day wedding. This enables us to shoot without limits and cover your whole day from Bride prep to 3rd Dance efficiently and economically. So we have transferred those savings on to our clients. Some competitors have made the switch to digital, but have not adjusted their prices accordingly.
Can we keep the digital files (negatives)?
Of course!! We would have it no other way! Approximently 5 weeks after your wedding, you will recieve a DVD with all of the amazing images from your day! Some photographers will shoot your wedding for what seems to be a low price, but will charge astronomical amounts for prints because they will keep the rights to your digital negatives. The average Bride spends $1700 just on ordering prints from her photographer(on top of whatever he/she charged to shoot your day-usually between $2000-$5000); interestingly…$1995 is what we charge for shooting your full day, PLUS giving you your negatives (all handtouched to perfection) on DVD …so you can trot on down to the same lab professionals use and not pay the $1700 in markups! We do not believe the wedding industry should be a rip off. You are a Bride...therefore you should be treated like Gold, not have to watch your back at every turn.
So what is the deal with photographers who perhaps charge less but don’t give you your negatives?
Most photographers do not give you your negatives (and if they do, they are raw images, not touched up) because it is a lot of work to go through each image and hand-touch them to perfection. Thus, they dont. They only touch-up the images (prints) that you order from them. Saving them time and work. The other thing to think about is that photographers whose focus is selling prints are gearing their shooting only towards shots that you will for sure buy. So they are mainly focusing on the family formals (as moms and dads will for sure buy them!, posed images of the two of you & certain ceremony moments. Thus knowing that Brides and Grooms have a budget, and can only purchase so much, they don’t capture the small details, the stolen glances, the laughter, the Brides shoes, the groomsmen goofing off, the Bride being silly and sweet! They don’t capture the day in full, because they are shooting to sell, and not shooting to capture. We shoot to capture. We want to you have too many images, too many memories, too many details! It’s the biggest day of your life after all.
Why don't you include an album with your Storybook Wedding package, and can we get one?The answer to that is easy. Not all Brides and Grooms want a specific album, so we do not include one, to give you the option. For example, it is common now-a-days for Couples to get lovely albums given to them as a wedding gift, therefore they do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on one themselves. Also, a lot of Brides are scrapbooking their weddings, or getting them custom made from album designer boutiques (we can recommend some).
In addition (could it get any better), to save our Couples money, we give them the names of the professional labs and stores and allow them to take their hand-touched awesome negatives and order the album themselves. Saving hundreds and hundreds of dollars. For the few album companies that will only supply to Professional photographers, we can help you out there and order what you want! Essentially, couples want so many different things, there are so many different types of albums and budgets, that we let you decide what, when and how you want it.
If at any time you want us to recommend an album design service. We know some fantastic places that you can work with! Also, our Ever After package & Extravaganza package does come with a stunning album! You'll know its unique, because we are the only ones in Canada carrying this particular style.
We just believe in giving you what we would want. An option.
Can you shoot our wedding formals at any extra locations?
Yes. You have your photographer for the entire formal wedding party shoot, and if you have some extra ideas about locations, we'll simply follow you to where you want to go. We LOVE when couples want to hit the Golf Course, the Stables, the Tennis Courts, we can take a few minutes and get some really fun shots showing your personality! In fact, we are sad when you dont give us the opportunity to capture some really unique, really "you" shots! We work very hard to make our clients happy, and that's truly as important to us as your photos are to you on your wedding day.
We want some specific poses, can your photographers do them for us?
Absolutely. We would Love to! Its your day! We come with tons of ideas, and we love using yours as well.
The earlier you plan your wedding the better. However we are becoming very busy and clients usually book about 6 months to a year and a half prior to their wedding date.
How Many pictures do you take?
It varies, but as many as we can!. With the Storybook Wedding package..between 500-1100 (usually on the upper end!). We cover your day, every detail! We dont count or conserve images, instead we do what we do best, shoot everything!
Do you charge for travel, hotel or car rental?
Eternal Reflections has an agreement with many airlines and does not charge for any travel, hotel, or car rental within Alberta. The only exceptions are that we require a hotel room for Banff, Canmore and Jasper and there is a flat travel rate of $99. Email us for BC & Mexico quotes.
Do you have a studio?
No. We had one, and brides never wanted to use it . They viewed studio pictures as old fashioned and we agreed. We like having more fun than stiff studio pictures! Therefore, we no longer have the studio. It was an overhead cost we didn’t need, and as such we could lower our prices even more to accommodate our couples!
Can I get black & white photos? Yes. Any picture can be made into beautiful black and white prints.
What makes you different from other photographers?
Well for one we are fun! Go ahead and look at the “The Best” page, and also “Praise”. Essentially, we are young, and fun, and love being as creative as we can. We have become lifelong friends with a lot of the couples whose weddings we have shot!
How much time do we need for photos?
As much as you want! We recommend at least 2 hours. If you wish to go to a lot of locations (and we love that!), plan travel time into your time allowance.
What about rain?
At a usual wedding we require just one spot. Preferably close to the head table with a nice clear view, so that we can get those spontaneous kiss shots without continually disturbing your guests!
Can I buy extra DVDs?Of course you can. Just send us an email and we can make them for you! A lot of parents, or wedding party members like to have a copy of the photos. The additional photo DVDs are $25/DVD.