Why is wedding photography so expensive?

A good, experienced photographer artist knows how to anticipate moments. He/She will have plenty of back up equipment, lenses, filters, lights and other equipment to ensure that your day will be captured properly. Professional equipment is expensive and a good photographer will also insure it and themselves. Additionally, the time that you see the photographer actually creating the photographs is but a fraction of the time they will spend on your wedding photographs. From the consultation to engagement and bridal sessions, to processing the images and if your photographer is a full service studio, then providing proofing, prints, albums and album design, etc, there are typically 4-8 times the number of hours of the photography time from your wedding day spent behind the scenes.

Can we own the negatives/hi-resolution files from our wedding?

All of our packages now include the high resolution images (digital negatives) of your event. They can also be purchased from the a-la-carte menu. As a standard studio procedure, the negatives are distributed to you on DVD-rom on your one year anniversary, however, if you would like them sooner, just let us know and we will put your order in our production queue.

Can I see a sample of your work?

Are you a digital or film studio?

A photographer told me that digital isn’t as good as film. Is this true?

Why do you call your photographers, photographer artitsts?

Our photographers think through the lens, anticipating every moment, looking for and telling the story as it unfolds. Story telling is an art, especially though a photograph. It takes an artist to capture those moments and let them sing of all the emotion and spectacle of your special story.

What kind of cameras do you use?

We use Canon Digital and Film SLR cameras. We carry a plethora of lenses, filters, flash units and more to allow our artists the greatest possible flexibility when telling the story.

Do you provide black and white photography?

We tend to photograph primarily in color to allow for the greatest flexibility with the images. However, we do photograph in black and white using both film and digital mediums. There is never a charge for converting digital images to true black and white.

Will we meet our photographer before the wedding?

Yes! The photographer(s) you meet at the consultation are the photographer(s) who will photograph your wedding.

Do you attend rehearsals?

We like to attend the rehearsal if possible. However, we often are unable to attend due to prior commitments.

How far will you travel?

We will travel virtually anywhere. We love destination weddings. Our travel charge for weddings outside a 40 mile radius of Oklahoma City, up to the Oklahoma State line is $75.  Please contact the studio for destination weddings or weddings outside the State of Oklahoma. 

When will our online proofing or proof DVD be ready?

Your online proofing, proof DVD will be available to you on the date listed on your photography agreement. If an unforeseen delay occurs, you will be contacted. We typically have them available to you within 30 days from the date of your event. However, peak season events (May through August) may take longer depending on when the client booked us and the number of events in a particular month. The online date will always be listed on your photography agreement.

What is a proof DVD? Is it our negative DVDS?

The proof DVD is not your negative DVDs, the images on a proof DVD are resized, watermarked versions of your photographs. They are produced on DVD as a way for you to conveniently look through your photographs without the need of a computer.

How many weddings do you photograph in a day?

As a studio, we prefer a maximum of 40-45 weddings annually. By devoting ourselves 100% to your wedding, we are able to completely immerse ourselves in your wedding event, so typically, we only schedule 1 event per day.

Do you require a deposit to book a date?

Yes.   We require a $500, non-refundable retainer to book your date, time and photography artist(s). The retainer applies to your balance which is due 45 days prior to your event date.

What do you wear to weddings?

You have hired professionals to photograph your wedding.  We believe we should dress professionally.  We typically wear a black photographer's vest, long sleeve, button down shirt, slacks and dress shoes in order to blend in and not stand out at your wedding. Being dressed professionally and in black, helps us blend in easily to the crowd and the shadow to remain part of your day and not in your way.

Do you prefer we take the posed family pictures before or after the ceremony?

It’s entirely up to you. If you don’t mind seeing each other before the wedding, then go ahead and complete the posed formals prior to the ceremony. Completing the formals beforehand allows for the reception to start almost immediately following the ceremony. When completing the formals after the ceremony we try to keep the posed formals to 30 minutes to allow you to get to your reception as soon as possible.

Do you bring backup equipment?

Yes! We bring both digital and film backup equipment.

What if my wedding runs late or I need the photographer longer than I purchased?

We will never "just leave."  When the agreed upon hours of service are expiring, we will come to you or your designee to find out if we should stay longer and we actually have to be authorized to stay longer.  Pricing, details and authorization forms are detailed in your photography agreement.  Extended time is billed in 1/2 hour increments to avoid paying for time you don't use. 

Will I like my photographs?

You will love your photographs! We will tell your story with the hand of an artist to bring out the very best you and your wedding have to offer. So sit back and relax. You will have fabulous, artistic photographs and you can check off a big  item on your wedding “to do,”  list we have you covered!

We are committed to you, the bride, so much so that we will do everything possible to guarantee you will have the best possible photography experience…the Colorband Experience!

But remember, we work for you. We visit with you and get to know your likes
and dislikes. We often mix many different styles to tell your story. We believe that there shouldn’t be a “formula” for wedding photographs. Each unique story is told as it happens. Communication here is the key! By discussing the details of your wedding, hearing the excitement in your voice as you describe your day; then building our relationship, our friendship, with you, we discover what it is that makes you and your day stand out. Whatever your preference, whether more traditional or more photojournalistic…we work to create artistic portraiture that is uniquely you!

Does it matter how much light there is at my ceremony and reception?

Few things see light as well as the human eye. The camera, film or digital, still or video, is a precision crafted instrument that is based in reality. Trying to make it “see” in the dark is something that it simply wasn’t designed for. The vast majority of churches will not permit flash photography during the ceremony and the vast majority of churches have poor lighting to begin with. Why on Earth someone would want take a poorly lit room and then turn the lights down is beyond me. Have you ever seen a dark wedding in the movies? At the most, it is seen rarely, if at all. While there are many things a photographer can do to compensate for poor lighting, (ie increased film speed, slow shutter speeds, etc), nothing creates the opportunity for a good photograph than lots of good, ambient light. Even when some of the previously mentioned techniques are used, if it is dark, it is possible that only grainy, poorly lit or possibly soft photographs can be made because of slow shutter speed and movement by the subject. Remember, a wedding is not a movie theatre; your audience does not need to be kept in the dark. Your wedding is an event to be shared with all of those wonderful people you have invited. So give them light! After all, they DID come there to SEE you get married. You can still have beautiful, dramatic, intimate and romantic lighting without making your ceremony and/or reception venue a dark cave. The same is true for your reception. I don’t recall a church ever turning the lights down or out for services, why should you for your wedding?