HAVE WEDDING QUESTIONS?
Lets get them answered…
Check out some of the more frequently asked wedding photography questions below.
If you can’t find your answer here, let’s have a chat.
your
FAQ’S
Is wedding photography the main focus of your business?
It’s important to know the level of experience of your wedding photographer has right off the bat. Most photographers branch out into many areas in the photography industry. Although that will not necessarily mean any particular specialty is compromised, it’s always advised to know the level of experience your photographer has. Statistics indicate that seasoned wedding photographers have approximately 25 nuptials under their belt every year. It’s intense hands-on experience can go a long way toward producing amazing photographs from your big day.
Here at Andrew Samplawski Photography, with over 600 weddings under Andrew’s belt, weddings are the what ASP is known for within the Chippewa Valley.
Combining our photographers’ experience together, we have over 55 years of experience in the wedding industry staying up-to-date, and customer-focused.
How many years have you been in the wedding industry?
Here at Andrew Samplawski Photography, Andrew established his business in 2010. Andrew has continued to grow his style, and his reputation in the Eau Claire area. He continues to provide the best customer service possible to all clients. The Chippewa Valley has always been home. This is incredibly impressive to establish a corporation in today’s society; everyone’s a photographer because they have a “nice camera.”
Between our photographers on staff, we have over 50+ years of experience in the wedding industry. We would love to be a part of your wedding day.
Do you have experience at our venue in particular?
Knowing your photographer has covered the establishment in the past is key to know the hot spots, along with the secret spots too. Being on a first-name basis with staff gives an air of professionalism and confidence to help make your day flow smoothly. Every photo session and location presents individual obstacles and assets, all of which should be capitalized on. For example, a venue with an enormous dance floor could be covered from various angles, both to capture the mood of the crowd and to isolate the couple in a romantic moment. Such a space should be thoroughly analyzed beforehand for the greatest use of depth, dimension and decor.
Andrew’s reputation is highly and well known in the local area, both on the level of venues, staff, wedding coordinators and of course, our partners. Andrew makes every attempt to touch base with all wedding professionals including DJs, florist, wedding coordinators, transportation partners, etc prior to the event.
Who is your photographer that will be there on the wedding day?
Your event may be scheduled by a representative and not the photographer, so it’s important to ask about the person showing up with camera equipment in hand for the big day. Meet with them at some point to get a sense of their character and personality prior to committing to any arrangement. You may be interested in asking about a replacement photographer if the one you’ve hired becomes ill or is otherwise unable to attend.
Weddings are Andrew’s bread and butter… and Andrew is the name & face of our company. Andrew is fresh in the wedding industry & works them just like he did when he started in photography. All of our associate photographers are professionally trained by Andrew and work side by side with Andrew at a minimum of 1 event per month.
If Andrew’s schedule is booked with an event, our associate photographers are welcome to be invited to photograph your wedding in our ASP style. Andrew completes the post-production of the wedding photos to put on his touch and style.
Can we see a complete wedding you have done?
While samples can be very pretty to look at, inspecting a finished wedding portfolio, gallery, or wedding album shows you the whole wedding day from beginning to end. This will give you, as a couple a better idea of your day in pictures with the given photographer.
When you browse through the wedding gallery or portfolio, make a mental note of the artistic style to be sure it coordinates with what you’re interested in having with your own visual story. Note, too, if all the most important aspects of the event are covered, such as the bride making her way down the aisle, exchanging rings, and so on. Preview the candid moments of guests enjoying the day, breaking out into laughter or tears, and other honest depictions of the celebration. After viewing the album or portfolio, see if the impression you gather is similar in emotion to what you’re looking for.
Check out prints because technical errors can’t be electronically touched up for those the way online photos can.
Andrew always shares a variety of complete album samples when you meet with him, along with various products. Andrew will note our style to ensure the style you envision of your wedding day is exactly what we can provide here at Andrew Samplawski Photography.
Andrew believes in printing wedding photos in a beautifully handmade album to share with friends and family. Computer batteries go dead, smartphones get left behind and are small – why not showcase your favorite wedding photos in an album that you can showcase around the dining room table or on the couch during the holidays?
Talented
more
FAQ’S
Do you follow a shot list?
This question can reveal the temperament of your potential vendor and how agreeable to collaboration they may be. Some photographers ask for blind faith regarding the shot list, which is a good sign that they’re advocating for you.
A delicate balance must be struck between photographic freedom and capturing the event as you see fit. Be sure to talk this over as you get to know the photographer and during meetings until the main event.
Here at Andrew Samplawski Photography, Andrew will walk you through the details, the family formal list, the wedding party photos, and any other certain requests. Most of our clients share what’s important and trust us to do the rest because it’s the reason they hired us.
It’s our commitment to photograph the wedding based on how it flows throughout the day rather than following a particular list from Pinterest.
What’s your style? What makes you different?
Andrew will share the style, and you can view the style of ASP.
Based on our reviews, clients share their experiences from the wedding day. Andrew facilitates how family formals will flow efficiently and effectively. Andrew is all about effective, efficient, and filled with memories, badass experiences, and a day that your family & friends will always remember. It’s a promise your family and friends will love us!
How soon until we receive our wedding photos?
ASP turnaround time for your wedding photos is typically within 4-6 weeks. This is important, and Andrew feels you should never have to wait months upon months or a year. Please consider this when booking your photographer and ask this important question – as we all have heard – “you get what you pay for.”
Is my package all-inclusive or will extra charges be added on?
Andrew covers this top to bottom, inside and out, because Andrew does not want surprises for you. Everything is clearly stated and transparent in the contract regarding what you should expect of us and what we expect of you, our clients. Surprises cause bitterness, and that’s not what we want… we do treat our clients like family.
What’s the retainer fee and details?
How much will the photographer require for a deposit? Will you accept checks, credit cards, or cash only? How soon do you need the full balance on my account? Let’s look at your budget and ensure you have all of the small details covered in your finances. You’ll need to know when the deposit must be paid, how long you must pay off the photographer, and ensure you secure them for your wedding date.
Wedding Photography typically takes approximately 12 percent of your budget on average.
Andrew walks through everything about how the retainer is covered to secure the date and collection, along with our payment plan option.
Talented
I don’t even know where to begin in thanking Andrew for capturing so many precious moments at my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding (Michelle and Nathan). I have no idea how we will choose among so many beautiful photos.
Andrew, you simply are the BEST in the business! Hands down.
Lori F.
your
FAQ’S
Do you have back up equipment? Do you have quality equipment?
You’ll want to ensure that your photographer has extra equipment should they have a camera fail or run out of power. Ask them questions and find out what sorts of equipment they will be using, its quality and what they do if something breaks down. There couldn’t be anything worse than not having any pictures because equipment broke down and the photographer had no spare equipment on hand to make it through your special day.
Andrew has 4 cameras available at any given point to photograph a wedding. Nonetheless, a second photographer is highly recommended because we know how important weddings are along with how reliable technology can be. Andrew photographs weddings with 2 Canon cameras on him.
What is the dress code?
Is your Wisconsin or Minnesota wedding a formal attire style wedding? If so do you want the photographer in formal attire as well? You won’t want any distractions so make sure that the photographer is clear on how you expect them to show up as far as dress code. Also, if you are of a specific culture or religion make sure that the photographer knows that specific colors or designs are against your beliefs so that they don’t show up in those colors and offend the entire wedding. Many photographers go dressed all in black to stay as unobtrusive as possible.
Our staff here at Andrew Samplawski Photography always is in complete black dress attire to stay professional, unobtrusive, and classy.
Do you have insurance?
Every business needs to have insurance. Ask about the wedding photographers insurance. You wouldn’t want to be held liable if their cameras were stolen or if someone trips over their bag and sues the entire wedding party. If they don’t have insurance, they are either new to the business, or don’t take their job seriously enough for you to be hiring.
This is how you know if a photographer is a professional. We of course here at Andrew Samplawski Photography carry business insurance and make sure our clients, families, wedding parties, and staff are safe.
Will there be a contract between us?
Some photography studios will provide a contract for the couple to sign. Others don’t require one. As a good business, it is highly recommended to have a contract that details the services you’re expecting. This should include the price, terms of termination resolution, date, couples name etc. It should also include the details in question 1 of the financial end of the deal. This is for your protection. Be wary of anyone who won’t do a contract for this business transaction.
Your contract is your saving grace when it comes to your wedding day in case something arrises that you weren’t expecting or didn’t understand. You will receive a copy of a contract from Andrew the same date that you sign to book us for your wedding photography.
Will you have help at the wedding?
Do you do all the work yourself, or do you come to the event with a partner who will also be doing the event? You’ll want to make sure that if they have a partner that they work well together so that no important shots are missed. It’s great to have a partner and have different angles of the special event as well so ask details if they work with a partner. You might really appreciate the different angels of the pictures an it might be great to have photos from two completely different vantage points at the event.
Having a second photographer is highly important on many different levels. Similar to what we mentioned above, Andrew Samplawski Photography as 4 photographers on staff and there are always 2 photographers on the wedding day. This ensure full wedding day coverage, multiple opportunities to have completely different angles, as well as backup and assistance in anything that may arise throughout the day. We will help where needed and when able to… providing our clients with superior customer service.
Exceptional
Andrew was beyond exceptional! He went above and beyond, not just for me and my husband, but our entire wedding party! Andrew put together a slideshow of pictures from earlier in the day that was played just after dinner and all of our guests were in awe! He is truly the best of the best!
Our wedding day wouldn’t have been the same without him!