FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-WEDDING-
Q: How do I book you?
A: To book, a signed contract is required as well as a 35% retainer fee. Once booked, you get me and there will be no other clients for that date and time. You will always be my priority!
Q: How far in advance should I book you?
A: The earlier the better! Because I limit myself to only so many weddings a year, most of the days may not be available. One year is the earliest that I'll accept a booking and some on rare occasions. The most popular times for weddings are end of Spring to early Summer and most of Fall.
Q: Do you travel?
A: Of course! I love destination weddings! My coverage area is Northern California with a focus in Sacramento and the bay area, but I travel all over! Travel fees do apply so please inquire.
Q: How do I book with you if I live out of town?
A: You are more than welcome to call me for a phone meeting and discussion. We can also Skype or FaceTime. My booking and invoicing system is done online anyway, so there is no problem. Only on some occasions do I bring a contract to sign in person.
Q: What forms of payments do you accept and are there taxes and other fees?
A: I accept all forms of payment. I utilize both PayPal, Square and Venmo, and you can pay electronically in person as well! There are no additional fees other than extra items that were added onto the contract such as travel costs or additional product purchases. My taxes are built into the pricing unless notified.
Q: I have downtime during the event, will I be charged?
A: Coverage is consecutive from start to finish. There is really no downtime for photographers unless it's a huge gap. We're always shooting details, your guests, the venue or we take you out for a photo session. Other times, it's moving from one location to the next or setting up lights. If the downtime is unusually large, then we can definitely modify your coverage.
Q: What happens if we go over the contracted time?
A: I understand that there are delays and things may not go as planned, so I can stay for as long as you'd like! If you happen to go over, you will be billed at the price stated in your contract set closest to the half hour mark. I will never just leave when the time is up. I will always ask if you want to extend it before the night is over!
Q: How long have you been doing photography?
A: I've been doing photography since high school. However, I didn't apply myself until about 10 years ago. I started to really learn the art with other established photographers and then eventually started Mike Chan Photography a few years later when I more confident. I'm constantly learning all the time with new techniques in shooting and editing.
Q: What do your wedding photography packages come with?
A: All packages comes with a specified time, myself, either an associate photographer or an assistant photographer, high-res images, online gallery, and printing and usage rights. I have packages to meet every need and you can of course build your own with an a la carte option. Albums, canvases, and prints also available.
Q: What types of images do you deliver?
A: I only deliver high-res, edited, print-ready JPEG images. I do not provide RAW files, unedited files or the likes. Images are delivered online and or on a USB thumb drive.
Q: What is your photography style?
A: I would describe my photography style as traditional meets modern. I gravitate towards clean traditional images, but never shy away from something fun or off-beat. I almost always shoot with a photojournalistic eye; documenting an event as it unfolds, and not being too obtrusive. I also use various lighting techniques and shoot at different angles to truly create artistic photos. I believe variety is the spice of life, and I definitely apply that with every session!
Q: What is your editing style?
A: I experiment with all aspects of editing styles, but my goto and current look is clean and vibrant, and true-to-life. I tend not to follow trends because I believe the most simple is the one that will last the longest. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't or won't edit in other ways. I will do them for displays and or when clients ask for something specific like a vintage look. What you will get from me is what you see on my website; vibrant colored images and some black and whites.
Q: Do you touch up your images?
A: Yes and no. Yes, every image delivered will be edited for color, contrast, and exposure to get the look of my current style. Select photos, such as closeups, will receive a basic "touch up," which is skin smoothing and blemish removal. On select packages, this extra step gets a more thorough process to help you get the best of the images. I do not do this on every image, but will upon request for a nominal fee per image. However, I believe natural images are the best!
Q: Do you do engagement or pre-wedding photos?
A: Yes, we definitely do! I think it's important to build that relationship with your photographer before the wedding, and we do just that at the engagement session. We'll hang out, take some photos, and get comfortable with each other. You'll learn some posing ideas as well as how not to pose! You can do the session as early as you want. The most popular times are at the 6-2 month mark. I do not recommend any other day closer to your big day because either there won't be enough time to edit the photos or they're will be no available date.
Q: Do you have insurance?
A: Absolutely! I won't shoot without it. It's there to protect you and me! Side note: some venues specifically request to be added into the policy. I can do that with advance notice for the date of the event.
Q: What is your backup plan is case you become unavailable?
A: It's a scary thought. I know! But the truth is, you just don't know. Because of that, my associate photographer is more than capable of taking over or I can hire someone that I trust to do the job. I have a network of experienced colleagues that can and will do the job for me! The images will get the my editing. If you do not agree, you are more than welcome to find your own, and you will be fully refunded minus any work already performed.
Q: What kind of equipment do you shoot with?
A: I am a Canon guy, so my gears consists mainly of that plus a few from other companies that I trust like Sigma and Sony. I have professional level gear and only put my faith in them as should you. I also have various lighting equipment to help with different lighting situations from day to night! And yes, I have backups upon backups!
Q: Have you shot at our venue before?
A: I've done quite a few weddings by now, so there's a good chance that I have. But, the possibilities of venues are endless, so I may have not. However, I love shooting at new venues and seeing the potential that it can bring to the end products. If you're nervous about it, we can do a walk-through or I can arrive extra early on the day of to learn about the property!
Q: How long does it take to receive my images and products?
A: Ideally, images will be done within 2-4 weeks but that's not always possible. I set my goal for the 30 day mark and usually meet it, but during busy wedding seasons, it can take a bit longer. However, you should get them within 60 days. Products like albums can take a bit longer depending on exchanges between us and the volumes at the lab. It will be delivered about two weeks after placing an order.
Q: What types of weddings do you shoot, and do you do same-sex marriages?
A: I do not discriminate! I welcome any and all weddings and events!
Q: Do you shoot video?
A: Unfortunately, I'm currently only doing photography, but I do have a list of videographers that I admire and would recommend in a heartbeat!
Q: Will you retain copyright and will you publish my photos?
A: Yes and maybe! As the content creator, legally I retain the copyright indefinitely and can do with them in any way that I please. Not always, but I will post them on my social media sites, blogs and print them to show potential clients. You can always share with me your thoughts on this and I will usually oblige.
Q: Do you deliver every image that you shoot and how many images will I receive?
A: No, you will not receive every image that I shoot. All the bad ones such as duplicates, blurry ones, bad exposures and expressions will be taken out and the rest will be edited before delivery. The amount of images depends the level of activity at your wedding. A good estimate is 50-100 images per hour of service.
Q: My partner is uncomfortable in front of the camera and does not know how to pose. Will you be help us?
A: Definitely! Not everyone is a model or a pro. What I like to do is to put you into a pose to get to the final end "unposed" more natural shots. I'm not the funniest person, but I will try my best to lighten up the mood and to get you to laugh! I'm more of a calm, patient, and non-im"posing" type of person, so I won't be in your face screaming at you!
Q: Do you offer studio photography?
A: As much as I would love to have a studio, I'm happy at my current state, which is on-location photo sessions and events in a natural environment.