FAQ

 

 

 

Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions I encounter. If there is anything on here that you don’t see, please feel free to message me. All questions are welcome!

 

How would you describe your style?

I love to take pictures that are chic and full of life. Whether that’s incorporating motion, capturing feelings, or showcasing the fashions and wide spaces. My goal is to always give you photos that you love of yourself, and that inspire feelings of joy, romance, excitement, and awe. I want to portray the true essence of the experience of the day when you look at them for years to come, so that even as the memories become more distant, the photos bring you right back to the moment. 

I know weddings come in various colors and vibes, and I love the variety. Whether your vibe is classic, earthy, glamorous, or whimsical… or any combination of things- I will thrive in this variety and be inspired by the essence of your day and your special personalities. 

Do you travel?

Yes! I happily travel for about 50-75% of my weddings each year! I most frequently photograph across  the Virginia/DC region, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina  but both domestic and international travel is welcome and I have traveled all over the world, both professionally and personally. Some places I am familiar with are Vancouver, Mexico City + Cancun, Spain, Denmark, Romania, Morocco, Greenland, Nicaragua, The Bahamas, St. Lucia, and Curacao. I have also photographed in Iceland several times. But I am always looking to experience new places!

I adore traveling because I love to expand my mind with knowledge of different cultures and history, and the various sceneries fill me up with inspiration! I also have a knack for languages so I love to practice that. I took 4 years of Spanish classes, and have learned a bit of french, mandarin, and persian. 

What Services Do you Offer?

At Michelle Elyse Photography, we primarily offer wedding photography along with engagement sessions, proposals, elopements, rehearsal dinners, day after sessions, and bridal boudoir. We also offer customized wedding albums along with variously sized photo prints and wall canvas prints. 

How do I book you?

1.First step, is to simply send me a message HERE to make sure I am available for your date. 

2.If so, I will ask some questions to get to know you and your plans a little bit more and share pricing information. Any applicable travel costs will be clearly outlined so that you know everything up front. 

3.If all that looks good to you and you want to officially reserve your date, I will then offer to set up a meeting (usually zoom or phone) to say hello and go over my process plus any lingering questions you may have. Or, if everything is clear to you and you have no further questions or no time to have a meeting, I can also simply send over the contract for the package of your choice. 

4.To officially reserve your date, I simply require a signed contract and a 50% retainer. All of my contracts and payments can be done quickly and easily online, and there is no extra charge to use your credit card (hello honeymoon points!!!). Check is also an option, if preferred. 

 

 

Do I need to book my venue before I book you?

Not necessarily. Sometimes couples reach out who know they want me as their photographer before they have officially reserved their wedding venue. In this case, I will give a list of available dates, and you can see which line up with your venue. Wedding photography is the one thing that endures beyond that single day, and so it makes sense if this is your highest priority.

What if I’m super awkward in front of the camera?

Ok , first of all, let me just say that this is THE number one question I get asked. So you are not alone here! But I am also very used to working with people who feel this way, and they all come out saying they can’t believe how confident and natural I made them feel in front of the camera! 

My approach is very organic. In my opinion, most poses are unnatural and make people look stiff. So instead, I like to guide people into doing things that take their mind off of the camera. I’ll interact with you or ask you to do something that centers you in the moment while I photograph you from your very best angles. I also give TONS of positive feedback! So the result is that you get natural, genuine portraits that capture who you really are. And its an enjoyable experience!

What is your process/ experience like?

In order to provide a luxury level of service to my clients, I only accept a limited number of bookings each year.

This allows me to be present to thoroughly answer all questions throughout your planning process, share helpful & flattering tips, advise for the best lighting and timing for your photos, provide any requested input regarding ceremony and portrait locations, and collaborate with the other professionals involved in your wedding day.

I also offer check-in’s prior to the wedding day. This way, all of your needs are met, all of your questions are answered, and you have nothing to do but relish in the joy of your wedding!

My Process Photography-wise: I love to capture real moments and memories from your very best angles. Like capturing the moments where you are effortlessly glamorous- or when your partner tears up with pride and joy at the sight of you. It’s really important for you to look back on your pictures and not only SEE how beautiful it all was- but to FEEL it as well. In addition to the elegant candids, I will also incorporate some gently posed pictures (such as family photos), a variety of close-up details and far-away scenic shots to capture the entire essence of the day. 

As someone committed to capturing you in your best light, I will also give gentle guidance here and there as needed. For example, if there is epic lighting coming from the window, but you’re in a dark corner, I will ask if its convenient to move over there. Or if there is lipstick on your teeth, or hair in your face, or you just don’t know what to do with your hands- don’t worry! I will help you. Its important to me that you look and feel your best. 

My Process Personality-wise: I am a very laid- back go-with-the-flow sort of person and I have found this to be extremely helpful in photographing weddings. Plans often change on the wedding day, or things run behind, and so it is really important to always see beauty in the bustle and to roll with it.

Many of my reviews state that I am very upbeat and calming. I love to give lots of positive feedback, and I am truly your #1 fan on your wedding day (and for life thereafter, really). There is nothing that I love more than to witness your beauty- both inside and out! That being said, I also know when to quietly document like a fly on the wall. I’m very tuned into reading the room. 

 

Do you capture family photos and posed photos?

Yes, nearly every wedding day includes a set of family photos or group shots. And most photos involve at least a handful of gently guided portraits. If you don’t know what to do in front of the camera, don’t worry- I’ve got you! I’m very good at intuitively reading people and knowing how they will look best in photographs. However, I understand that documentary photography is a spectrum, and so I will always check in beforehand to make sure I understand your wishes and desires beforehand as they relate to your vision and plans for the day. 

Can you help us with our wedding planning at all?

I will definitely help you plan as it relates to helping you get the best photos for your day! 

As soon as you book, I will send you a sample timeline based on the best lighting for your day and your wedding package. That way, you can anticipate the amount of time you may need for getting ready, family photos, wedding party shots, couples portraits etc. I will also share my own articles full of pro tips to help your photos go nice and smooth.

I’m also happy to be involved in your ceremony site selection if you want me to evaluate the option with the best lighting. Some clients schedule FaceTime walkthroughs to do this too. 

If you are looking for other vendors, I can suggest some who are great to work with. A wedding planner is extremely valuable. I’ve even helped people plan and location scout for their faraway destination weddings! 

Should I hire a wedding planner?

Yes! Having said all the above, the value of a full-service wedding planner cannot be understated! Having someone to help you in the many decisions and designs for your wedding day saves so much time. It also allows you and your whole family to simply be present to fully enjoy the incredible day that you have planned. You do not want to have to worry about any timing or logistics on your wedding day. 

If you do hire a wedding planner, I usually correspond through them regarding any timeline suggestions, etc as they act as your liaison. If you are still shopping for your wedding planner, I am happy to make suggestions of great people I have worked with in the past. 

What are your prices?

Due to the large volume of destination inquiries, I prefer to send custom proposals for the most accurate estimate based on each couple’s needs.  Some of my packages include add-ons too, such as wedding albums, rehearsal dinner coverage, after party coverage, engagement sessions, day-after sessions, or boudoir sessions. 

If you are interested in receiving a quote for your day, simply send me a message HERE with your wedding date and location, and I will promptly get back to you.

 

 

Do you go by a shot list?

Overall, I like to gather a well-rounded gallery of images that capture the beauty of the entire day. This includes: glamorous candids, gorgeous scenery shots, natural portraits that are gently guided as needed, efficient family formals, perfectly-timed emotional shots, and luxurious photos of every little detail. These things are gathered naturally as the day unfolds. I’ve photographed over 300 weddings, so I definitely understand the assignment.  

Additionally, about a month before the wedding, I send out a questionnaire to make sure I know all the important details from you. This includes things like your list of family photos for after the ceremony, or any must-have shots you have in mind. This small list is something I make sure to capture throughout the day. And the rest of the photos are captured organically for the best results. 

 Will my images be watermarked?

No- definitely not! Nothing that is delivered to a paying client is ever watermarked. The only thing you receive are the beautifully edited high resolution images that are ready to print and put in your wedding album. 

 

 

How do you deliver your photos? 

I deliver all of the edited, high-resolution images in a password-protected online gallery. This makes it really easy to share your images with family or friends who live far away rather than having to mail a USB. There is no expiration date on this gallery, and it will remain on my site for the life of my business. Over the years, I have had many couples frantically email me after their computer crashed, or they lost their hard drives in a move. But then they’re relived when I simply re-send the link to them where they can re-download all of their cherished wedding images. The online galleries have been a real life saver!

Are the images delivered high resolution?

Yes. All of the images I deliver are in the highest resolution.

(Note: due to the high resolution, the image files are very large. In order for my website to load quickly, the images on my blog have to be resized and compressed, and therefore will look much smaller, and sometimes less crisp, than the actual files which are delivered to my clients.) 

Do you deliver many black and white photos?

I am a HUGE fan of B&W’s! Generally, I create black and white copies for almost every color image I deliver. Over the years, I’ve visited many of my couple’s homes to photograph their growing families, and so much of the time, I notice that the Black and White images are what they hang in frames all over their houses. B&W’s are timeless, go great with all decor, and add a beautiful artistic vibe. Ultimately, I think it’s great to get things printed to decorate your home, so I am a BIG fan of creating a hearty selection of black and whites to choose from.

Do you offer prints or wedding albums?

Yes! While you do have the rights to print wherever you like, I do offer printing options through my online gallery that guarantee accurate color calibration. Some of my wedding packages include one of my beautiful heirloom wedding albums, but these can also be ordered any time after your wedding. 

(Below is an example of the gorgeous botanical imprint vegan leather wedding albums I offer. They are available in white (as shown), cream, black, and cognac)

 

How much coverage do I actually need for my wedding?

I create a customized wedding day timeline for each one of my couples who book with me. This makes it easy to show how to fit everything important into the hours of their wedding photography package in an easy and efficient way. 

That being said, I love to capture weddings in their entirety: from the finishing touches getting ready before stepping into the dress/tux through the final send off at the end of the night. Typically, the time frame between these two endpoints is about nine to ten hours.

For larger weddings (say over 175 people), events with an extended reception, or for couples who also want coverage of the After Party this could go on a while longer. However, for most weddings, eight to ten hours is enough time to cover everything important that happens in the day. 

Eight hours works particularly well for couples planning a smaller-sized wedding (around 120 people or less) who don’t plan to do a first look- or who plan to do a quick first look but without any extended portraits before the ceremony. While ten hours gives just a little extra time for those who are planning to do a first look and some photos with their wedding party and/or families beforehand. Weddings which have over 175 guests or have an After Party do best with at least 11-12 hours. Hours can be added onto any package at any time as well in case you need more time to decide exactly how much coverage you’d like for your wedding day. 

How many images will we get? Do you give many black & whites?

Depending on how many hours I am photographing, I generally deliver between 700-1500 edited photos on full day weddings. I deliver nearly ALL photos in both color and black and white copies. I’ve noticed when visiting clients’ homes they often prefer to print the black and whites for framing and decorating. Plus I just love their timeless appeal.

Do you use backup?

Goodness yes! I come to every wedding with at least one backup camera, several different lenses, backup flashes, memory cards, and more batteries than I could ever possibly need. Your photos mean the world to me! I also backup all of my images on multiple locations after the wedding to ensure their safety. 

Do you photograph LGBT+ weddings?

Yes! I have photographed several LGBT+  weddings over the years.

Do you photograph Indian weddings?

Yes! I have photographed several of these over the years as well! The colors and customs are INCREDIBLE! 

Do you photograph weddings of various religions?

Yes! I have photographed many Jewish weddings over the course of my career, along with plenty of pagan and quaker ceremonies. And I have experience with Muslim weddings and the beautiful Islamic culture. I love photographing weddings of all religions and cultures. 

 

As seen on Brides, the Knot, Southern Bride, Junebug Weddings, etc.