What if we aren’t serving dessert?
*eyebrows raised* That’s crazy talk. Don’t be ridiculous.
How many slices of wedding cake have you eaten?
Well, I’ve documented over 300 weddings…. maybe 400. Prior to making the leap to this full time venture, I’ve assisted and acted as a second photographer for nearly 150 weddings. I’ve had my fair share of cake.
NO CAKE SHAMING.
I walk over 20,000 steps on a wedding day. I deserve this. 🙂
This is the most frequently asked question in real life. I figured it deserved a spot in this “Questions to ask your wedding photographer” list
How would you describe your style?
My ultimate goal is to create a set of photographs so that in 50 years, you will look back and say, “Wow. These have stood the test of time. Looking at these photographs take me back. I remember the joy and the love.”
Timeless.
Meaningful.
Filled with personality.
I’m not here to create pretty, but fake photos.
I’m here to tell a story. Your story.
I want these photographs to remind you of how a moment feels.
I love what I do and I take it very seriously. I’m here for you and your family, and I intend to do an amazing job.
I’ve been told that I make things easy and comfortable. Some have thanked me for being a calming presence.
Yes, I’ll take comfortably posed family formal portraits. However, I’ll also create photos of moments that you didn’t know even happened. You can thank me later. 🙂
Who are the people behind Nicole Chan Photography?
This company started with just little me. I had a passion, a curiousity, and a love for creating family heirlooms.
Now, ten years later, we’ve grown to be a team of six creatives – photographers, filmmakers, designers, and editors. We’re all a little nutty, but I think that’s what make us special.
We work together to give our clients the best service possible, and support each other in more ways than one. We assist each other in all aspects of photography and filmmaking.
Do you have a videographer you like to work with?
Absolutely. When we’re not together, we’re skiing, playing escape games, and eating together. I’ve known Karen for 16 years and Eric for 25, except he doesn’t remember me.
My couples love the fact that we’re all under one roof, that we’ve have comfortable and collaborative working styles with each other, and that we’re always in sync.
Meet Karen and view some of our recent films here.
Should I have an Engagement Session?
Yes. It’s fun.
Here are some of my favorite locations for your Boston Engagement Session.
Here are some tips, tricks, and FAQ for your Boston Engagement photos
Will you travel?
I am happy travel all over the world for weddings. I am based out of Boston (good ol’ Logan airport).
To date, I’ve photographed in 55 countries on 6 continents. I’m no stranger to airports (and travel hacking). I used to be a traveling management consultant. I’ve got this.
Can you tell me more about your pricing?
Every wedding is different.
First, are we a good fit?
Let’s set up a call or a video chat so that we can get to know one another. I’ll be happy to give you full detailed pricing once I understand if you’re having a two hour City hall wedding or a multi-day Indian wedding.
My requirement is that I get a slice of your wedding cake. If you’re only serving carrot cake, I will not be your photographer. Vegetables do not belong in dessert.
How far in advance do I need to book with you?
Most couples reach out to me between 3 months to 18 years before their wedding date.
How do I book you as my wedding photographer?
Our studio needs two things to secure your date:
1. A signed online contract
2. 50% as your non-refundable retainer
How long after the wedding will I get to see the photographs?
My studio’s contract says 6 weeks. In 2019, all weddings were delivered within 3 weeks.
How do we design my wedding album?
This is our FAVORITE PART. Prior to your wedding, we’ll set a Design Session, typically about three weeks after your wedding.
Karen will invite you over to our studio or send you a Zoom link so that you all can virtually design your wedding album together.
We’re happy to help you select a list of favorites, design each page of your album together, and guide you through cover design options.
Many of our couples will also send us photos of walls in their home, and we can create digital mockups of what large framed printed or the modern look of frameless prints would look like in those spaces!
What if you are unavailable for my wedding date?
That would be sad.
I would recommend my associate photographer, Karen. She is the kindest person and I trust her fully. She’s photographed hundreds of weddings as a lead photographer, and also with me.
We met in high school and she’s been on a valuable member of our team since 2012. We both prioritize photographs that capture meaningful moments. There’s a love for the natural looking candids, but also balancing gentle guidance during the portrait times.
I will still take care of the organization of your wedding day as well as the post-processing of your photographs, so that I’m not completely out of the loop. I get FOMO. 🙂
How long have you been in business?
I left my full time job as a management consultant in 2010 and have been a full time photographer and videographer ever since.
How many weddings have you photographed?
Hundreds and hundreds. Maybe 400? 500? I’ve lost count. A lot.
Have you done many that were similar to mine in size and style?
Most likely. Tell me a bit about your wedding, and I’d be more than happy to share some full galleries so that you can get a comprehensive look!
What type of equipment do you use?
I am a complete gear nerd. Here’s a few videos of my gear and the bags that I store them in!
Do you have backup equipment?
Yes. Several sets.
What if your entire gear bag gets stolen on the day of our wedding?
I plan for “worst-case” scenarios with my team. Everything from… what if my pants rip, to what if my favorite lens gets stolen, to what if one camera suddenly malfunctions. I like to be prepared. It calms me.
My camera always stays on me, even when I go to the bathroom.
What time will you arrive at the site?
I’m one of those obnoxious friends that always arrives early.
If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay?
Happy to. Usually about 30 minutes before your wedding coverage ends, I’ll check in with you. If you’d like me to hang and stay to photograph more of the party, I’m happy to. Additional hours are charged at an hourly rate
What is your photo editing process?
First, we sift through all of the photographs, take out the photographs with blinking people as well as the ones that are out of focus. We’re left with our final set, and that’s about 500-900 photographs for a standard 8 hour wedding day.
We then apply our secret sauce of post-processing magic. This magic includes color correction, to make sure that you and your families don’t look like oompa loompas. It also makes sure that lighting and exposure looks real and natural. Finally, we throw in a little boost of color, contrast, and voila, your photograph is done
I’d like to send the photographs to my vendors. Is that okay?
Please have your vendors contact us for commercial usage for your photographs.
Photographers always hold the copyright to their photographs, and while my couples will have personal rights to print, other businesses do not have that right. Usage depends on how they are using the photographs and where. Often times, a link back to our site crediting our work is all we’ll ask.
How much business liability insurance do your company have?
$1,000,000
Can you provide my venue with a Certificate of Insurance (COI?)
Absolutely.
I wish all couples would add this to their “Questions to ask your wedding photographer” list because it would greatly decrease the amount of horror stories that I hear.
What other questions should be on my “Questions to ask your wedding photographer” list?
Can I see a full wedding gallery at a venue that has similar lighting condition to mine?
I always advise to look at full galleries of weddings that are similar to yours. Our full galleries are between 500-900 photographs for an eight hour wedding photography coverage.
If you are having an evening reception in a spacious city ballroom with tall ceilings, a portfolio filled with beautiful outdoor wedding dinners in Southern California may not be reflective of your future wedding photographs.
Is there anything unique about your wedding that you would like your photographer to have specific knowledge or familiarity about? Perhaps cultural traditions? A gentle, but assertive personality to corral blended family dynamics?
Can we set up a phone call or a video chat to see if we’re a good fit?
The perfect fit is essential.
Ready to set up a phone call with Nicole?
Let’s do it.
Please mention your wedding date!