Hawaii Wedding Photography Q & A

Welcome to our Hawaii wedding photography questions and answers page where you can learn more about our Hawaii wedding photographers, photography services and products.

Q. What do I get with my Hawaii wedding photography?

A. Every photography package is different so you'll need to refer to the package you purchased. However, MOST -not all but most - of our Hawaii wedding photography services include a select amount of coverage time, one or more prints, select amount of high resolution digital files on a CD with printable rights, online viewing gallery featuring all images, a wedding slideshow plus print credit to use towards additional prints or files of your selection.

Q. Can I break up my Hawaii wedding photography time?

A. Photography time is serviced in solid consecutive block only and starts when the photographer arrives and ends when they leave. This is an industry wide standard practice which you will find with the majority of professional photography studios.

Q. Who are your Hawaii wedding photographers?

A. We have a variety of Hawaii wedding photographers that we work with on an ongoing basis. However, just like any other business, staffing and vendors can change at any time therefore we don't give out a list of names for people to pick from. However, all of our photographers have 5+ years experience, some form of education and have been pre-screened and tested to ensure they meet our high photographic standards. On a personal level, all of our photographers are very laid back, playful people that love to laugh, joke and have fun. Regardless of the individual name of your Hawaii wedding photographer, you can ensure they will do an excellent job for you at your wedding.

Q. Can I submit a shoot list?

A. Absolutely. Submitting a shoot list is completely optional and in most cases is not necessary. However, you can submit a shoot list if you want to. Below are our specific guidelines for submitting a shoot list. Shoot lists must be sent as a word file attachment only with the file named with your last names, date and shoot list.

Example: SmithDoe61811shootlist.doc

Shoot lists must be normal spacing with a 14 or larger size font and may not exceed one page in length. Obvious shots, such as 'the kiss, ring exchange, etc..." do not need to be on your shoot list as the photographer already knows to take them. However, shots that we would not know to take should be such as a photograph of a family heirloom or special friend should be on your list. Requests need to be specific with names and titles.

Wrong Way - Me & my friend

Right Way - Bride, Jane Doe with friend, Jenny Smith

Your list should be compatible with the amount of Hawaii wedding photography time you have purchased. Please ensure you are allowing a reasonable amount of time for the photographer to gather up guests, set up each frame, make adjustments and more for each individual photograph. ( About 1-3 minutes per picture request)

When completed, email a copy of your shoot list to Admin@TheRomanceSpecialists.com with the subject line of your names, date and shoot list.

Example: Subject Line: Smith/Doe 6/18/11 Shoot List

You will also need to provide 3 paper copies of your shoot list on the wedding day. Please give one copy to the photographer, one to the on-site coordinator/assistant if they have one and one for your call person.

Q. Do your Hawaii wedding photographers shoot in camera raw?
If yes, why is that important?

A. Yes! All our Oahu wedding photographers shoot in camera raw. There are several benefits to shooting in camera raw but the three largest reasons are: 1. Larger file sizes which allows for larger print sizes 2. Images are much more editable in post-production so images that would otherwise be ruined can quickly and easily be salvaged as well as more advanced editing can be done to the images without destroying the original image file, otherwise called non-destructive editing. 3. More color bits immediately provides better color quality, image and color depth and dimension to the images.

Q. What kind of editing is included?

A. Mild editing/digital enhancements are included in our Hawaii photography services which includes color correction, white balance, contrast and print optimization. In addition, some images will be converted to black and white while the rest will be in color. Detailed editing such as skin or hair retouching, background exchanges, removals and special effects are not included but can be added for an additional fee after you have viewed your images. Most clients do not feel they need advanced editing but if decide you would like it, you can have it done after the wedding.

Q. What do your photographer's use to edit the images?

A. Most of our photographer's use Lightroom, which is a professional industry standard software for non-destructive editing. Once the bulk of editing is done in Lightroom, we will often take a few select images into Photoshop CS5 Camera Raw as well as Nics and/or OnOne software. All of these software's are designed for professional photographers and deliver professional results.

Q. Are your monitors calibrated? And if so, why is that important?

A. Absolutely! All of our photographer's monitors are calibrated using a HueyPro or similar device. This is very important to ensure proper color and printing. Have you ever noticed when shopping for a TV that all the TVs in the store display the exact same show yet each TV displays a slightly different colors? The same is true for computer screens. How a color appears on one computer screen is different than how it will appear on another which is where the problem arises. How do you know which monitor is displaying the accurate color and which isn't? The only way to ensure that your computer is displaying the correct colors is to frequently calibrate the monitor using a third party monitor calibrator such as a HeuyPro. This will ensure the images are edited correctly in the proper color space as well as print well. Without a frequently calibrated monitor, you have no idea if the image colors are accurate and will print properly.

Q. What is print credit?

A. Print credit is the freedom to choose which images you want and how you want them! You see, most companies tell you that you will get prints in a specific size or digital files regardless if it is what you want or not. We, give every client some digital files, often one or more prints PLUS print credit which you can use to get additional prints in a variety of sizes, digital files or apply towards the purchase of an album or collection CD. Print credit puts you in control of how you receive your images.

Q. How do I use print credit?

A. It's simple! After your images go live online, we put your print credit into your online shopping cart. You can then use it automatically anytime you want from anywhere in the world 24/7. The products you order will be mailed directly to you.

Q. Can I purchase additional digital files or a collection CD with all my Hawaii wedding photography photos?

A. Yes. Purchasing additional images is completely optional but you may if you want to. You have 2 choices after the wedding. You can purchase individual wedding digital files or a collection CD with all the images. However, we do not offer a half or partial collection CD option. It is either individual files or all images on a collection cd only.

Q. Do I get a discounted rate on the collection CD since I already have some images included in my Hawaii wedding photography package?

A. What is included in your package and the collection CD are two completely different products and one does not apply nor affect the other. It's kind of like purchasing a cheeseburger happy meal but then asking for a discount on a big mac because you already got beef on your cheeseburger. Even though they both have beef they are two different products. The same principle is true for your collection CD and what is included in your package. Both may share common images but again, they are two different products so no discount applies. However, you can use your print credit towards the cost of a collection CD which will help reduce the cost of it. Also, we often run specials or deals so look for those on our website and Facebook page.

Q. What are the costs of individual digital files or a collection CD?

A. Individual digital files cost $19.99 each which is 50% lower than the suggested retail rate for digital wedding files nationwide. Our collection CDs sell for $295-$495 and the national average is $500 so we offer competitive rates on our CDs as well. Many people find the collection CD to be the better value.

Q. Can I use my print credit towards a collection CD?

A. Absolutely. Let's say your collection CD costs $395 and you have $200 in print credit. You would simply use your $200 print credit towards the CD and pay the additional $195 remaining balance for the collection CD.

Q. Do you offer wedding albums? And if yes, what do they cost?

A. Yes! We have a large selection of wedding albums in a variety of styles, sizes and rates. You can use your print credit towards the purchase of an album if you want.

Q. Can I purchase additional prints and what do they cost?

A. Yes. Purchasing additional prints is completely optional but you may purchase them if you want to. We offer a wide range of print sizes, paper options and styles. Cost varies greatly depending upon print size, paper selected, styling, borders, framing, mounting and more. However, prints start as little as $9.99 and up each.

Q. How do I budget for my Hawaii wedding photos after the wedding?

A. First is understand you do NOT have to purchase anything additional after your wedding. Purchasing additional images, prints, CD, etc..is completely optional. You will have some images on a CD already plus print(s) and online viewing so clients should not feel pressured or obligated in any way to purchase anything additional. You also have print credit so you can select additional digital files or prints you want. All of that is already included in your package! Additional images and products should be viewed as the icing on the wedding cake and not the cake itself. If you know you want to purchase a collection CD then budget $395 minus your print credit. If you want some professional prints and a collection CD, we recommend budgeting around $500. If you want a high-grade professional wedding album and collection CD, we recommend you budget around a $1,000. You have up to three months after the wedding to make any purchases you want so you can budget before and/or after the wedding.

If you have any additional questions about our Hawaii wedding photography services or our Hawaii wedding photographers, please call 1-866-624-8933. Mahalo!