frequent questions

(aka “elucidations”)       

/e·luc·i·da•tions/ (noun) ; an explanation of a concept or answer to a question that is thorough and understandable, often by breaking down something that could otherwise be complex and revealing its underlying simplicity.

  • “your insight and forethought into every detail were so invaluable, I cannot imagine having a wedding without you.”

    • Mary M (2018 Bride)

  • "I knew you knew your stuff, but seeing you in action on the wedding day, I finally 'got it', and now realize I really did not give you much to go on, yet you still knocked it out of the park. thank you a million times!"

    • Regan (2021 Bride) •

  • "I have to say, this is probably one of the most clear and thorough processes I've experienced with any company in a long time. I feel like I understand the game plan completely. Thank you for making it easy."

    • STACEY (2024 ALBUM ORDER) •

  • "I love how much information you provide, and thank you for answering so many questions as we made our decision. we're so excited to work with you."

    • Kayla P (2021 Bride during the pre-booking process)

how it all happens

You’re planning one of the most significant days of your life, embarking on a journey you haven’t likely traveled yet; it’s completely normal to have questions.  Whether you’re  simply on a fact-finding mission to get the basic insights, or you’re fretting the small stuff and need some assurance on what to expect, this page is your chance to 

Peel back the curtain to delve into what goes into a successful wedding day, because…

SPOILER ALERT

there is no ancient island voodoo magic that brings to life the wedding day images you desire.  Our ability to deliver is based on decades of experience, understanding how all the puzzle pieces fit together, and a collaborative approach with both clients and vendors.  Get answers to some commonly-asked questions, and get a feel for how we handle the nitty-gritty details before, during, and after the wedding day.


CREATIVE QUESTIONS

  • We aim to be your creative partner and intuitive storyteller. We aren’t there to be just another wedding vendor. We are hands on before, during, and after your wedding day. Whether you need to run through some logistics, brainstorm some creative ideas, whether you need us to give you an assertive opinion or just steer you gently between two equally-great options, we are going to do all of that. Where other photographers do the job and create lovely photos, we make it a mission to be solution-oriented and responsible for making sure the photos you envision come to life.

  • The words that get said most often to describe our style are "colorful, bold, vibrant, classic, punchy, heartfelt, artistic, emotional, and authentic".

    We shoot with a lot of depth, sometimes shooting "through" a scene to create a layered effect.

    We love looking for artistic backgrounds that offer a sense of scale.

    And we use light in creative ways, as described in more detail below.

    Our clients tell us that when they looked back through their wedding photos, they relived the smiles, tears, and butterflies in their stomachs all over again.

  • 100% Yes. We realize that most couples are not professional models, nor do you want to feel like you’re “posing” all day.

    This is where we stand out and is probably the most commented-on attribute of our shooting style.

    As much work as goes into learning how to work a camera, SOOO many photographers don’t ever bother to learn how to direct a scene.

    We believe everyone benefits from a little creative direction, which we have perfected so that it flows naturally, is not stiff or overly scripted, but still leaves you feeling confident and looking your best.

  • “Yes” (*asterisk*)

    It’s a common myth that the best photos happen when someone doesn’t know they’re having their picture taken. After 23 years of capturing so-called “candids”, I can 100% tell you that’s not always true.

    Sure, some people are naturally expressive in their eyes and facial expressions, stand up straight engaging their core, laugh with their chins forward, are conscious of their positioning in relation to nearby tables and other people, gesture gracefully with their hands when talking, and are just generally “pleasant looking” by default. Others, on the other hand, need some gentle reminding in one or all of those areas.

    This is why we are unobtrusive when we can be, but creative directors when we need to be. If a moment is unfolding “candidly”, you’ll still hear an occasional interjection of "sit up slightly for me?", "ladies scoot just a bit to the left, if you would?", “bring your arm away from your body real quick”, and so on. The resulting image will still be “candid”, just a little more elevated than if we left you to your own devices.

  • Many photographers shoot using only the lighting available to them in a given space, and have to therefore make sacrifices based on what’s happening in front of them.

    We, on the other hand, consider ourselves image “makers” (rather than “takers”), and use additional off-camera lighting to shape, enhance, add, or correct the lighting as needed, whether to fill an unflattering shadow, to create a mood in a particular space, or to nail a specific dream shot.

    We also push the envelope by doing unconventional things like shooting purposely INTO the sun, using shadow to our advantage for a graphical or three-dimensional effect, or mixing car headlights with the overhead glow of string lights, to make images you can’t get any other way.

    It takes a higher degree of skill, problem-solving, creativity, (and, well…gear!) but it’s why our work looks the way it does.

  • Absolutely! Your wedding images will be adjusted for optimum highlights and shadows, contrast, and artistic finishes added as needed. This is done on every photo delivered in your gallery.

    For prints, canvases, and albums, we go one step further with complimentary retouching, including things like removing stray or flyaway hairs, facial blemishes, softening sunburn lines, lightening undereye circles, whitening teeth, removing stains and small distractions from the background.

    More extensive body-shaping retouching is also available upon request for an additional fee.

  • Review the question about lighting above as well, but the short answer is YES.

    We are not mainland, mountain, or midwest photographers who fly in to the Keys to shoot on occasion and have to suddenly rethink our settings, gear, and technique.

    This is our backyard where we shoot year round, and we’re very comfortable working in even the most harsh lighting conditions. Now, if we can have it our way, would we prefer a noon ceremony with no open shade anywhere to be seen? Definitely not. But can we shoot in that harsh light and still make something beautiful? Absolutely.

  • We LOVE shooting in low-light and it’s arguably one of the skills that we feel really sets us apart from our colleagues.

    We’ve done ceremonies that for religious reasons start after sunset, we’ve done receptions under the stars on the beach, we’ve done winter evening Hemingway weddings that has to wait until the venue closed and took place by the glow of string lights, we’ve done night shoots around town to avoid the heat, and we’ve shot inside one of the many fortress venues around the island that function like a black hole (okay…maybe we’re being melodramatic, but yes….we were able to get great photos there too).

    With evening photos, the trick is to use light specifically in the background to separate the subject from the black abyss behind them. The other key is using gear that is designed for low-light shooting (I won’t bore you with the technical jargon, but suffice it to say we’re well equipped in that regard).

  • How many photos will we receive?

    Expect between 80 to 120 hand-selected, finished, edited images per hour of photography booked.

    This, however, is not a limit. The goal is to tell the story as it unfolds, not about hitting a certain number. We document everything and then narrow those down to remove duds and duplicates.

    Simpler weddings without as many activities, locations, or people to photograph will lean toward the lower per-hour average, and larger weddings with lots to see and capture will lean toward the other end.

    Either way, we want you to have as many memories from your day as

  • How many photographers will be capturing my day?

    Full day weddings are captured by Karrie and Mark, so you’re getting 2 Lead Photographers.

    Depending on the size, scope, and logistics, we may recommend an additional Second Shooter to help cover specific elements of the day (ie, a ceremony venue with tight restrictions on photographer movement, a guest activity that will happen simultaneously with other coverage we have to get with you as the couple, an expressed desire for black and white , or we may schedule an additional Assistant to come and help us at our discretion.

  • Will my Digital Files be Watermarked?

    No. Your digital images delivered as part of your package will not be watermarked, and will be printable at your preferred local or online photo lab.

    Proofs displayed in your online gallery or featured on the blog do bear a studio logo, but once you download them to your own computer, the watermark disappears.

  • How soon are images delivered?

    Our style that you see represented in our portfolio is a result of both in-camera settings and post-session editing techniques, and delivering the art and vision that lives up to the mission stated right there in our name - elevated wedding imagery - takes some time. That’s about 8-10 weeks for smaller/more intimate weddings in our slower season (Aug-Feb), and 12-14 for larger/full day weddings in busier season (Mar-Jul).

    Rush Delivery is available as an upgrade, in which case you can have images back in as little as 3 to 5 Days (with 1 and 2 week options as well).

  • What’s the difference between a Lead, a Second, and an Assistant?

    Lead Photographers are fully independent, experienced shooters who can - if they have to - cover an entire wedding day on their own. They’re responsible for certain aspects of the day, and typically work exclusively as a team.

    Second Shooters typically capture accent / extra photos to add variety, but are not generally responsible for sections of the day on their own. They’re typically contracted for a specific aesthetic, style, or outcome, but operate more at arms-length, taking direction from the Lead(s).

    Assistants are there to carry bags, set up lighting, handle gear, adjust dresses, run errands and serve as an extra set of hands and eyes to make the Photographers’ jobs easier.

    Most other studios that offer 2 Photographer coverage are generally comprised of a Lead and a Second, or a Lead and an Assistant.

  • What kind of Equipment do you shoot with, and do you bring backups?

    We use a combination of Canon and Sony - both DSLR and Mirrorless - capitalizing on the best-in-class features and flagship models of each system.

    Lenses are all L-series (or equivalent) glass with image stabilization for maximum sharpness, in a range of focal lengths and zoom capabilities for every scene and shooting situation.  

    Of course we always come equipped with backups of not only cameras and lenses, but also necessities like batteries, cords, stands, and anything else that could require replacement mid-wedding. We have a range of lighting equipment from compact speedlights to battery powered off-camera flashes with a range of accessories that allow us to form and shape the light as needed.

COVERAGE QUESTIONS

  • We welcome input on any special images or traditions you have planned, any locations you would love incorporated into the photos, and we'll discuss a list of family members who we will want to ensure get included in the group portraits.

    Aside from that, there is no need to share a shot list. We will cover the event from start to finish, documenting all the details, moments, and activities of the day as they unfold. As such, it is not necessary to itemize things like "photo of groom putting on his hat", "photo of first kiss", etc. If the groom will be putting on his hat, and if you'll be having a first kiss, then those will be automatically photographed as they happen. :)

  • If your event is in Key West, we typically arrive on property 30-45 minutes before we are scheduled to begin, so that we can find parking, check in with your planner and other vendors, get our gear situated, and locate your suite.

    If your event is in Marathon, Islamorada, or Key Largo, we then aim to arrive about 1 hour before our start time, primarily as a buffer against traffic or unexpected delays.

    If we’re traveling with you (or to you) to another destination, we schedule our travel so that we have at least one full day prior to the first covered event, allowing for possible travel setbacks but then arriving with enough time to scout the area, check in to the hotel, and be ready for the big weekend.

  • YES! Detail photos help tell the story in a creative way, and we use them to "set the stage" in the gallery and album as we transition from one part of the day to another.

    You probably put a lot of thought into things like your flowers, the dress, the necklace, and the design of the invitations, so detail photos provide an artfully tasteful way to remember these elements.

    As a general rule, we usually start off coverage with Karrie capturing pictures of the dress, rings, flowers, invitation, and other accessories, but if you have a special gift, prop, or piece of jewelry, just let us know.

  • We will help you with this process for your specific event, but here are some recommended starting points based on the typical size / scope / spread / guest counts of different sizes of weddings.

    • Intimate/Micro wedding : 4 to 7 hours
    (~10 guests or less, 1 location, small dinner afterward, no bridal party)

    • Small Destination Wedding : 6 to 9 hrs
    (~20-50 guests, 1 to 2 locations, short reception, small bridal party)

    • Standard Destination Wedding : 8 to 10 hrs
    (~60-100 guests, 1-3 locations, standard bridal party)

    • Larger Destination Wedding : 9 to 11 hours
    (~100+ guests, large or multiple locations, larger bridal party)

    • Very Large Destination Wedding : 10-12 hrs
    (~200+ guests, large or multiple locations, very large bridal party)

  • Absolutely. We design our collections assuming that there will be some form of rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or other guest arrival activity to document, AND/OR that you will want to take in the sights and scenery of the island for photos, without taking time away from your guests on the wedding day itself.

  • Ask this of your bartender, and you might get a playful “No, they fly me in every morning from Miami” (wink). But in all seriousness, YES! we live, work (and play!) year round in paradise.

    Karrie was born in Central Florida then moved to Key West in 2010, and Mark has been visiting the Keys annually for over 20 years, becoming a full time resident in 2021. We love helping to make the destination such a special part of our couples’ lives.

  • You have a few options for this!

    The most common option is to allocate some time after the ceremony in which friends and family can be captured in group photos with you as the couple.

    Something else that is becoming a popular trend is to set up a Portrait Lounge area at your reception. It’s an elevated take on the photo booth concept, in which we’ll have a Second Photographer pose, light, and direct groupings in this area throughout the evening. Guests can come over at any time, and it doesn’t take away from the coverage of the party itself.

    Last but definitely not least - an AMAZING gift to your guests is to have us do Welcome Party Mini Shoots. While one of us is capturing candids of the event, the other sets up a picturesque area on the beach or around the venue, and leads couples and family sets through a series of simple poses. They essentially get their own 3 to 4 minute mini shoot, which later makes an amazing gift to include when you send out Thank You cards.

  • Yes, it is customary for everyone on the photography team (usually 2 people, sometimes 3) to receive a meal while you are having dinner yourself. We are typically with you most of the day and will have missed lunch, so we will definitely need to refuel ;)

DO YOU TRAVEL?

YES!  While we are lucky to live and work in paradise and shoot destination weddings in our own backyard, it’s not unheard of for our Key West engagement couples to welcome us to their hometown or head to another destination with them for the wedding weekend.

While we’re always a proponent of hiring locally, we also know the value of having rapport with someone you've worked with in the past, and having that sense of security that it's just one less vendor you have to worry about!  

are you insured?

Yes! We are licensed, insured, and members in good standing with our local Chamber & national Professional Photographers Association.  

DO YOU OFFER VIDEO?

We have a list of trusted colleagues that we refer and work with who specialize in wedding videography.

what are your

packages & pricing?

Because every couple’s wish list is different, rather than pre-set packages, we simply quote a Minimum Investment based on Location and Wedding Date (weekend VS weekday ; peak VS off season).

Minimums include wedding day coverage by Karrie and Mark, our guidance on timeline and creative ideas, all your edited digital files, and an heirloom keepsake, lovingly retouched and designed just for you.

Beyond that, the specifics are custom-designed to your needs, whether that’s multiple events over several days, an intimate ceremony with closest friends, or one full epic wedding day.

Once we’ve had a chance to discuss specifics, you’ll get a custom proposal with at least 3 bespoke collections to review, which can be further adjusted.

Though everything is custom, we understand it can be helpful to have a ballpark range in mind. Off-season/ Weekday Florida Keys Elopement/ Micro Weddings generally budget $3500 to $9500 for photography, and Peak-season/Weekend Full Wedding clients generally $6,000 to $18,000.

can we customize?

Yes! Everything is bespoke so we will make adjustments to your collection until it’s exactly what you want.

how do we BOOK?

Once you’ve confirmed the details in your custom collection, we’ll send a contract for you to eSign. When that comes back with your deposit, your date will be officially reserved.

Popular dates do book quickly, so we encourage you to reserve as soon as you know we’re the right fit!

Have More Questions?