FAQ
General
Weddings
Engagements
Lifestyle
How long have you been in business and what are your credentials?
I launched Grace Aston Photography in January of 2013. I am a self-taught film and digital photographer. I've invested in many digital and film workshops, as well as one-to-one mentoring and wedding and lifestyle styled shoots. I believe that learning is a lifelong process and that there's always room for improvement and exploration of creative styles.
Why do you shoot film?
I absolutely love the dreamy, soft and romantic images film produces! There is a timeless feel to them, the way highlights and shadows are captured. The coloring of both Fuji 400h and Kodak Portra 400 is very natural and realistic. When the light allows, film is my preferred camera, and for receptions and dark venues, I will switch to using digital. Learning to use a film camera made me fully understand the 3 concepts of photography, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
How do we order prints?
The online gallery is very easy to use and is linked to various professional labs that provide several different print options, and products such as parent albums, magazines, frames, and calendars, gallery prints and thank you notes. There is never a requirement to purchase any prints or products with any booked session or wedding package. All products are delivered to your address and sales tax apply.
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes! Some venues require vendors to provide a certificate of insurance, so just let me know if you need one.
How many weddings do you take a year?
I want to give you my absolute best, from the time you sign your contract, to your wedding day, to the delivery of your gallery. Therefore, I only take up to 25 weddings per year. I am committed to starting early planning with my couples so that you are free to fully experience all the joy of your wedding day!
What's a first look and do we need one?
A first look is a scheduled bride and groom and family portrait session before the ceremony. Many couple opt to have a first look to allow them to have more time after the ceremony to enjoy and mingle with their guests during cocktail hour. I work with you early on to ensure that your timeline allows for all the family portraits you want and bride and groom portraits during the best light of the day (during the golden hour!).
How many images will we receive and do I get "Raw" images?
You will receive about 60-100 images per coverage hour on a password-protected online gallery. The gallery is delivered 4-6 weeks from your wedding day. The images are downloadable with full print release, and come in high res (best for print) and and low res (for social media sharing) versions in JPG form. Raw images and film negatives are not for sale.
Do you travel and is there any additional cost?
Yes I do! I will travel to any wedding destination. The package pricing you receive already includes all travel charges (hotel, airfare, ground transportation, meals, etc) so you won't get any additional bills after the wedding. For destinations that require a full day's travel, I plan to arrive at least 2 days in advance. For example, if the wedding is on Saturday, I will schedule to travel and arrive on Thursday, to allow for any flight or ground transportation delays.
Do you take engagement photos?
Yes, and I highly recommend them if they are not already included in your selected wedding collection/package. This allows us to get to know each other, and make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love capturing the in-between moments that truly share your mad love for each other, and so we get a chance to "warm up" during the engagement session.
How long is the engagement session and how many images do we receive?
The engagement session is 1.5 hours long and you can have 2 outfit changes. I suggest one outfit to be a little more formal and the other casual. Your gallery will have 60-80 images on an online gallery, delivered 2-3 week from the engagement session date.
Do you let us select a location?
Of course! I'm sure you've chosen your selection because it's meaningful to you! I will work with you to scout the location to ensure we have the best backgrounds and best lighting.
What time of day is best for our engagement session?
Depending on the location, the best lighting is during the golden hour -- 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset or sunrise.
What kind of lifestyle shoots do you do?
While I specialize capturing weddings, I love both outdoor and indoor family sessions, maternity, newborn, graduation, and other events.
How long is a lifestyle shoot and what do you get?
A lifestyle shoot can vary, but generally a minimum of 45 minutes. You will receive 40-60 digital images 2-3 weeks from the lifestyle session.
