Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s put it all on the table. You should absolutely be able to get answers to all your questions and here I cover some of the most common ones I get from my brides.
How do we start working together?
If possible, I would like to meet with you. You’ll get to know me, I’ll get to know you. I think personal contact is very important. After you choose me as your wedding photographer, I’ll send you the agreement, we’ll schedule the engagement shoot and prepare a to-do list for it to go smoothly. To hold the date of your wedding, you will need to sign the agreement and make a 30% deposit. The rest of the payment is due on the wedding day.
What happens after I give you the deposit?
Once I receive the deposit, I book the date for you and send you the agreement. About 3-4 weeks before your wedding I’ll contact you to talk more about your schedule or we will talk about it with your wedding coordinator. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed that everything will go according to plan.
Logistics
I shoot no more than 30 weddings per year. This helps me keep a fresh eye for every single wedding. My job is to capture your special day in the best way possible and I prefer to focus on quality first.
How much is the deposit?
I require a 30% deposit. The rest of the payment is due at the end of the wedding day. My wedding packages start at $2,800 and you can see what’s included in each on the About page.
Are your wedding packages flexible?
Yes. My goal is to make my packages fit your needs and budget. Please contact me if you have any questions about packages or if you don’t see a specific one that matches your preferences.
Do you take credit cards?
Yes, I accept cash, checks, credit cards, Venmo and PayPal. When we meet to sign the agreement, I’ll ask you which payment method you prefer. Usually, I send electronic invoices that let you pay online in less than a minute.
Do you charge for travel?
There is no charge for travel in Southern California and Las Vegas. Just recently I did photoshoots in Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and San Diego. If your wedding is outside of California, contact me and I’ll give you the estimates for travel expenses.
Personal Questions
I shoot in a photojournalistic/candid style. I like to observe everything that is happening around and capture real moments. I will guide you for all photos, from posing to the best locations around the venue.
Do you work with assistant / second photographer?
Yes. When I work for more then 6 hours I work with a second photographer. That person is also a great photographer and you will get the same quality of images from both of us. Having two photographers is one of the best decisions you can make for your wedding day.
Will you personally shoot our wedding?
Your wedding will shoot only by me and my assistants. I’m not an agency and I personally guarantee the quality of the pictures.
Do you do video?
No. I’m focusing on photography. It’s what I know best and it’s what brings me most joy. But I’ll be glad to recommend you to some very talented videographers I work with.
What equipment are you using?
I currently shoot with Nikon D800 and a variety of high quality lenses. I shoot all images in RAW format (highest quality) and all final color corrected photos will be given to you in the full resolution. Sometimes I shoot on film, both 35mm and medium format.
Final Delivery
Your photos will be ready in 6-8 weeks. It takes time because each photo is being retouched and color corrected individually. Albums take about 4 weeks for delivery from the moment you approve the final layout.
Can I use my photo as I want?
Of course! You will receive a flash drive with photographs from your wedding and/or engagement shoot and you will have full usage rights. You can print them, send to you friend, upload on Facebook, Flickr, Snapfish, ect. Sergey Green Studio retains the copyright on all photographs.
Who chooses pictures for our album?
I usually do this myself. Majority of my couples leave this process to me as it takes a lot of time. I’ve done 100+ albums I know what layouts and photos go well together. But if you want to change something or add your favorite pictures you welcome to do that.
Can we purchase prints and canvas?
Sure! Many couples order canvas prints from engagement sessions and place them in the reception area for the wedding day. Your online gallery will give you the ability to order any photo as a print.
When should we do our engagement photoshoot?
I recommend doing it at least 5-6 weeks before the wedding because I need the time to edit and retouch your photographs so you can print invitations with these photos if you want to. I will give you possible options for engagement shoot locations, there are many amazing places around Los Angeles.
How far in advance should we book you?
Usually it’s 6-12 month is safe timeframe, but the best way is to book me as soon as you know your date. Sometimes I’m contacted a few times a day about the same wedding date.