Philosophy
Kara (that’s me) has been photographing weddings for nearly 15 years. My philosophy is based on my experience and on my education as an historian. I believe that photographing a wedding is not only about creating images of a bride and groom, but about documenting the beginning of a family history. The images that I deliver are a combination of action, reaction, emotion, detail, and yes – even family portraits. I hope that the collection of those images will become family heirlooms, to be passed down for generations to come.
Pricing
Solais Photography photographs one wedding and only one wedding a day, so you and our wedding day are my sole focus for the day. We start with our basic core photography coverage for $2500 which includes:
- Photography by Kara for up to 6 hours
- High resolution, printable jpeg files, delivered on a portable drive, along with a written release for printing
- A selection of Photographer’s Choice images (5-8 images) that are processed, cropped, treated, and retouched, included in the high resolution images and prints
- A set of web resolution images, ready for posting online and emailing
- An online password-protected gallery for ordering proofs and sharing your wedding with friends and family
- A complete set of bordered first edition prints in a custom fabric or silk box
- A one hour Engagement Session (Travel charges will apply outside of the Atlanta metro area.)
Building on the core coverage, I have several levels of custom coverage that include albums and more time, starting at $3500. Additional time for rehearsal dinners, bridal events, or on the wedding day are billed by the hour at $250/hr. I also offer intimate event, off-season, and midweek coverage by custom quote.
Questions + Answers
Any question you could possibly think of about wedding photography and about hiring Solais to photograph your wedding. Ok, maybe not every single question, but a good number of them are answered here. These are questions we get asked all the time about what we do and how we do it. If by chance we’ve missed something, feel free to email us and we’ll be happy to add it to the list!
Q: What type of photography do you do?
Several years ago wedding photographers were mostly defined by two categories: Traditional or Photojournalistic. Today, however, those stylistic names have become nothing more than buzzwords that hold little real meaning for photographers or their clients. So rather than limit myself to a label, I prefer to describe what I do – and what I do is document your wedding day. That means that as a photographer, I am primarily an observer rather than a participant. I am there to photograph what happens, rather than direct the action. I focus on capturing events and moments from the normal course of the day: action and reaction, emotion, ambiance, and detail.
Q: Do you still take posed family photographs and photos of the couple?
Of course! Posed family photographs are a must, especially when friends and family gather together. And it’s extremely important that you have photos of you as a couple on your wedding day. We are committed to taking the time to make sure you get these important images! The difference is that we feel these photographs should account for about 15% of the total coverage; taking at most 30-40 minutes of time on the wedding day. We prefer casual fun groupings as opposed to overly posed ones and we try to make them quick and easy. We encourage you to think about doing your posed photographs in unique and different locations, rather than at the altar of the church. Consider the church gardens, a nearby park, or even stopping someplace like the beach or the town square on the way to the reception.
Q: Can we give you a shot list of photographs we want you to take?
Other than a list of family groups, I would prefer that you didn’t. I’m not a “cookie cutter” photographer working from a shot list. Instead I want to capture the events of the day as they happen. If I’m taking the time to work my way through a list, then I’m not going to be paying attention to what is happening and photographing that. For the posed group images, about three weeks before your wedding we will go over any requested photographs for groups of family and friends. Of course if there is something that you especially want me to get photos of, let me know. Otherwise a generic shot list like you get from a magazine or a website is counterproductive.
Q: Will you travel to photograph weddings?
Absolutely! I love to travel and have done so throughout the United States and internationally to photograph weddings and portraits. You can get more information on travel policies and pricing by emailing us. A more detailed Travel page will be coming soon!
Q: Who will photograph my wedding?
Kara (that’s me) is the lead photographer at Solais and I’m the person you will meet with and who will photograph your wedding. If you decide you want two photographers, you’ll still meet with me as the lead photographer, and the 2nd photographer will be one of 4 different people who I work with on a regular basis!
Q: How long does it take to see our images?
Your online gallery will be available for viewing approximately 3 weeks after your wedding. Once the online gallery is available, your final contract payment for your wedding photography is due. As soon as Solais receives the final payment, I will ship out any prints and files that are due, and begin the process of designing and creating any albums that you’ve ordered.
Q: What is the online gallery?
The online gallery is a private, password protected section on the website where all of your wedding photographs will be placed online for you and your family and friends to view. It is also a secure shopping cart – which allows you (and your family and friends) to order prints and cards and select album prints online. All you have to do is provide the password to anyone who you want to be able to order. I can also provide you with cards to give out at your rehearsal dinner or to include in your thank you notes so that you can let people know where to look.
Q: What type of equipment do you use and do you bring backup equipment?
I use professional grade Nikon digital cameras and lenses with which to photograph weddings. I bring backup equipment to every wedding as well as photograph during the day with multiple cameras so even if one camera were to fail, I’d have others that I’d used through out the day to rely on.
Q: How many pictures do you take and will I get every picture you take?
The number of photographs I take will depend on the size of your wedding – things like the number of attendants, the number of guests, and the types of events. It will also depend on how many hours of photography you purchase. I do edit all of my weddings and portraits to show only the best images and will not show an image that does not meet high quality standards. You can expect an average of 50-70 images per hour – but I usually deliver more than that.
Q: Do I get to keep the negatives?
Wedding coverage and all add-on coverages include high resolution, print ready digital files. When the files are released to you, you’ll also get a list of resources from which to get quality prints. I retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competition, professional review, and so on. You will get a written release that will allow you to make unlimited personal reproductions and copies for your friends and families.
Q: How long have you been in business and how many weddings have you photographed?
I’ve been photographing weddings for over 15 years and many hundreds of weddings (truly, I’ve lost count of all of them!).
Q: Do you require a meal or food during the wedding?
I do ask that you provide some kind of food and drink at the reception. Generally most people don’t like the photographer to leave the venue during the reception, which means I can’t “take lunch” like someone working a regular job can. I don’t need a full sit-down meal, but something nourishing to keep me going for the rest of the evening would make me happy. Really good wedding cake is always a bonus!
Q: Will you attend our rehearsal?
As a general rule I don’t attend rehearsals unless there is a compelling reason (very unique ceremony, unique location, etc.). If you want me to attend the rehearsal in a non-photographic capacity, the fee is $150. I will come to the church for up to an hour to observe the rehearsal. If you wish to hire Solais to photograph the rehearsal or the rehearsal dinner, Rehearsal Dinner coverage is an add-on option for $650. Note that both of these are subject to availability.
Q: What if I want an item that is not included on your price list?
I offer a pretty large selection of items, but it would be hard to list everything that is available without creating a book! If there’s something that you’re looking for in particular and you don’t see it on the price list, please ask. I have access to many different vendors and am happy to help you find any item you want
Q: Do you mind if people other than you take photographs during the wedding?
Not at all. It is not my goal to interfere with the happenings of the day or to keep your guests from taking their own fun photographs. I only have 3 requests: One – I ask friends and family not to take photos during posed group photographs of you, your families, and your wedding party. This not only helps the session go more quickly, but it insures that everyone is looking at my cameras and paying attention to me for these photos. Two – I ask for about 20 – 30 minutes of time alone with the bride and groom after the family images are taken. This gives me the time and privacy needed to create the special, romantic images of you in your first few hours as husband and wife. Three – if you purchase a portrait station for your reception, I ask that your guests not take photographs of the station as their flashes can trigger the lighting equipment.
Q: I really want more formally posed photographs and I just need an hour of coverage after my ceremony for those. Can you help me?
Maybe! Because there’s only one of me, I can only do one wedding per day (and there are only so many weekends in a year), it doesn’t make sense for me to book too many smaller events. However, if you’re having a really really small event and just want portraits, you can schedule an on location portrait session if we’re available (or if your wedding is on a non-traditional wedding day).
Q: I’m pretty sure I want to hire you, but I still need to visit one other photographer. Will you hold the date for me?
In order to be fair to everyone, I do not hold dates without the booking fee and a signed agreement. I accept bookings on a first come / first served basis only.
Q: I love your work and I want to hire you – what do we do now?
In order to commission Solais to photograph your wedding you’ll need to sign a contract and pay a booking fee.
Q: What is your payment schedule policy?
A booking fee of $1000 is required at the time the contract is signed. This amount is fully applicable to the price of the coverage you choose. The the remaining amount of the coverage is due in two payments: The first is due 60 days prior to the wedding and the second is due at the time your online gallery is made available to you.
Q: I think I might have to cancel or reschedule my wedding. Can I get my booking fee back?
I’m sorry, but I cannot refund booking fees. The booking fee guarantees that Iwill hold your wedding date exclusively for you. This means that once sign your contract, I’ll turn down any other work for that date. The closer it gets to that date, the less likely I am to find another event to replace yours – and that means lost income.
Q: Another family member is helping us pay for the photography. Can you take his/her credit card or check?
Of course! I can provide credit card authorization forms or your family member can make payments towards your coverage using our online payment processing. However, I want to be clear that no matter who pays for the coverage, I consider the bride and groom my clients. It is the bride and groom who must still sign the contract for services and it is the bride and groom who will determine the details of our coverage on the wedding day.
Q: What if I have a question that is not covered here?
Feel free to email or call with any questions you have. Many of the basic questions about coverage, fees, packages, and options are covered here on the blog, but it’s impossible to think of everything. Ask me what you want to know and it might wind up on the updated FAQ!
