FAQ

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In order to preserve the quality of my service, I only photography a limited number of weddings per year.

Venues and wedding photographers book up quickly. After all, there are only so many weekends during the prime wedding season! I suggest contacting me right now to first check my availability for your date. I'll provide complete details of my services and product pricing, and from there we can meet to discuss your needs in greater detail.

All bookings are finalized online for your convenience.

I am currently booking prime 2012 wedding dates and select destination weddings.

I provide full wedding-day photography coverage with no time limit, therefore I only commit to one wedding per day. Once your contract is completed online and the booking fee has been received, I am no longer able to accept other clients for that date.

Click here to check availability for your date now!

Do you really have no time limit?

It may sound crazy, but it's true.

I make an exclusive commitment to cover only your event for that day, so I include unlimited photography time with your booking fee. The engagement photography session is included, and the custom guest signature book is my wedding gift to you.

If you want me there at 5:00 am for hair & nails on your wedding day, I'll be there - and I'll still be one of the last to leave the party.

Do yourself a huge favour and don't limit your photographic coverage of the day. Many couples want "just the ceremony and portraits", and this is usually only because many photographers charge by the hour. I welcome the opportunity to document your entire day from beginning to end. It is not possible to re-create your wedding story with an incomplete set of images.

Supplementary photography coverage for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, gift opening, day after / "trash the dress" sessions, etc. can be added à la carte.

Do you travel?

Holguin, Cuba Destination Wedding Photography

Taryn & Nathan - Holguin, Cuba

Yes! I mainly photograph weddings in Saskatoon and the Calgary / Banff / Canmore area, including pretty much anywhere in between! My wider service area broadly encompasses central Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. I love exploring and shooting in new locations and the small rural towns of western Canada.

Subject to scheduling, I am generally also available for travel to destinations in other regions of the world. I have extensive experience with managing the complexities of travelling and (legally!) photographing weddings abroad.

I charge my regular "domestic" shooting fee, plus all expenses required (travel, accommodation, commercial visa, photography permits, etc.). I advise caution when considering other photographers who may offer their services in exchange for only the travel costs. They may be putting the memories of your once-in-a-lifetime experience at risk while they build their portfolio, and are also unlikely to be familiar with the legalities and challenges of working in a foreign country.

Please contact me to discuss my availability for destination wedding photography.

Do we have to choose a package at the time of booking?

No. You can secure my photography services for your wedding date without having to commit to any products. Special package pricing is available up to 60 days before your wedding date, otherwise everything is simply ordered à la carte.

For your convenience, product packages are paid in incremental deposits, with the balance due on delivery of your wedding album and DVD.

Please contact me for more information on à la carte product pricing and package discounts. We'll start by making sure I'm available to photography your wedding date and then go from there.

Do we get a DVD of our photos?

The complete DVD of images is available, but is not automatically included with your coverage. I keep my professional services separate from physical product orders. This is done for a few reasons, but the main benefit is that you can secure me for your wedding date without having to select and pay for any products in advance. I understand most of my professional colleagues opt to simply charge more up front and include a disc of images with their coverage, but my clients seem to appreciate the added flexibility of my approach.

A DVD of high-resolution, print-ready images (complete with a lifetime personal usage license) can be purchased à la carte or as part of your wedding album package.

Please contact me for full details, as several other options are also available, including high-resolution digital downloading of individual images.

What is the purpose of an engagement photo session?

Once you have secured me for your wedding date we can arrange a time and place to take some casual and fun photographs of just the two of you. Many of my clients comment that above all else, seeing their engagement photos was the first thing that really made their wedding experience feel "real". It's common to get completely caught up in the wedding planning process and loose sight of the purpose.

This is also a valuable opportunity for us to get to know one another before your wedding day. Not only that, but I get to prove that you look fabulous!

The engagement photography session can be scheduled any time you wish, and at the location of your choice within the Saskatoon area. Photographs from your engagement session will be presented in your own secure proofing gallery for convenient online viewing.

I will use your favourite photographs to craft a custom bound hard cover guest signature book; my wedding gift to you!

If you are interested in an engagement photography session without yet committing to me for your wedding coverage, please contact me today to schedule a portrait session.

Do you retouch photos?

Yes, to some extent.

A photograph looses something important when it is manipulated beyond reality. Photojournalism is about capturing a moment, not changing it with a computer. In their simplest forms, one is magic, the other is graphic arts. You need to decide where your preferences lay along this continuum.

While I'm not a "Photoshop photographer" (shoot first, fix later), I do employ a variety of professional post-production tools to fine-tune the look my clients desire. All your images are carefully checked for consistency and technical quality, but I rely on my lighting and composition skills to create each photograph correctly from the beginning. My preference is that any retouching or creative enhancements should be natural in appearance and almost impossible to detect. My clients appreciate the simple, darkroom-style techniques I use to achieve my clean, out-of-the-camera capture look.

Many of the today's trendy effects are going to look just as dated as the star filters, superimposed faces and other tricks of wedding photographers from the 70's and 80's. Keeping things simple is the first step to achieving a truly timeless photo!

All the Photoshop in the world can't replace a missed special moment - that's where the real value of a skilled wedding photographer is undeniable.

Minor photographic retouching is available for a modest fee on a per-image basis when purchasing any of my products. Examples of minor photo retouching include simple things like blemishes, teeth whitening, glare from glasses or jewellery, stray hairs, etc. In all cases, retouching is done with deliberate care in order to look natural and maintain the integrity of each photo's unique story.

Will you be our photographer on the wedding day?

Yes! The same smiling face (mine) you've met in person will be the one photographing your wedding!

That's a valid question, too. Some studios may reserve the right to substitute associate photographers without advance notice or even showing you that person's previous work.

I'll be involved directly in every aspect of your wedding photography, right through to editing, designing the album, creating thank you cards and assisting you with other investments such as canvas prints and coffee table books. I also personally oversee the fulfillment of every order, including professional reprints.

How will you photograph our wedding?

Chances are good you're here because you want more than a hired gun; someone who will show up on time at your wedding and can push a button. My clients choose me for my creativity, experience and personal style.

Creativity + Consistency = Style

At each wedding, I strive to maintain a "consistently creative" balance between my overall photographic style while continuing to push the boundaries as an artist. In a nutshell, I do what I do, then try something new. Not only do you get the shots you expect, but you can be sure to receive a few that are a little different from the norm! For myself, this approach keeps my creativity up week after week, and prevents the dreaded downward-spiral of cookie-cutter wedding photography!

My photojournalistic approach is about documenting each unique moment as it unfolds naturally. This allows me to take advantage of organic, unscripted moments to tell the story of your day from beginning to end.

Casual Wedding Portraits Candid Wedding Portraits Ultra-long zooms and unobtrusive candids
Drawing primarily on my strong background in photojournalistic and candid photography, I prefer to focus on the details and emotions which narrate the unique story of your day. This distinctive documentary approach allows me to discreetly capture the most intimate and private moments. A stolen glance, a caress, a kiss—the subtle details that are conveyed by the emotions of the moment.

My unobtrusive approach works especially well for people who are not used to having their photo taken. Even the most charismatic and animated people can freeze up when a camera is pointed in their direction. That, or people will suddenly act differently when a photographer is in close proximity. At wedding ceremonies and receptions I am the quiet, distant observer. Shooting candid moments and moving, often completely unnoticed by the people who were deep in conversation or sharing a special silent moment.

Relaxed Portraiture
My approach is casual and spontaneous, and I acknowledge the need for more traditional portraits and arranged shots.

Of course I'll take any formal photographs you would like, but you'll be happy to know you can spend the majority of your time simply enjoying yourselves while I do my job; capturing you and your family being just as you are.

Wide angles, panoramas, and infrared photography
For couples who have gone out of their way to choose a location with breathtaking surroundings, you'll be happy to know I am a well-travelled and accomplished landscape and architectural photographer. We can combine the beautiful location with your special moments to create some truly unique fine art images.

What kinds of poses do you do?

People Don't Dip on Country Roads

My documentary-style of wedding photography is about capturing real moments in real time. If I had a dollar for every image I've seen of a bride and groom "dipping" each other on a country road, I'd be retired by now. It just doesn't happen in real life. There are so many genuine and wonderfully romantic opportunities at your wedding that I'm reluctant to fabricate fake ones.

Just for fun, one could assemble an entire arsenal of tacky pictures created by wedding photographers: the let's-all-put-on-sunglasses-and-look-cool groomsmen photo, the bride-runs-down-the-street-from-behind scene, and my personal favourite, the everyone-jump-in-the-air-at-the-same-time group photo.

I will not: force you and your wedding party to perform cheesy cookie-cutter wedding poses! "Aww.. remember how we spent our wedding afternoon in that romantic alleyway?"
I will: use any location to it's fullest while ensuring your photos are flattering and remain true to your personalities and the events of the day.

Of course I'll happily go along with any of your fun ideas and special requests. Otherwise, my advice is to drink some champagne, eat some cake, and just let the real moments of your day bubble to the surface naturally. Those are the genuine memories worth remembering for the rest of your lives together, and I look forward to recording them for you.

Do you photograph any family portraits?

Absolutely! I am also able to work through them very quickly, and we'll get all the formal shots you want.

Formal or "posed" pictures are an important tradition and always make their way into the wedding album and frames around the home. I am experienced at shooting posed formal group photographs under all conditions, but please remember the reason you are considering my services is really for an unscripted record of your special day.

Documenting the memories of your wedding day is my priority over creating "found moments". I generally find the best photos occur between the "posed" shots anyway. People relax and act like themselves when they aren't arranged and expected to smile and pose! Instead of forced posing, I provide direction to ensure the most flattering images possible.

Can we give you a shot list?

A list of names for family portraits is fine, however a "to-do" list is more of a distraction from what I've been hired to do in the first place: photograph spontaneous, once-in-a-lifetime moments that can't be predicted. There is no list for that.

Chances are also good that if you've found such a checklist in a magazine or wedding planning website they're all items any experienced wedding photographer could recite verbatim. I recommend instead focusing on very specific shots and the names of special people in attendance at your wedding. If someone or something has a special significance to your day then certainly please let me know!

Do you use photography assistants?

Rarely. Some wedding photographers use assistants to carry equipment and put memory cards and fresh batteries in their cameras. Trained photojournalists are used to working by themselves. No assistant means less distraction for both myself and your guests. By keeping a low profile, the focus stays on your wedding without turning it into a media spectacle.

In some cases (such as very large weddings), I may recommend the use of an assistant or associate photographer. Generally speaking, my photojournalistic style does not require a great deal of "people wrangling" because it is an inherently hands-off approach to begin with. I have single-handedly shot 500+ guest weddings without issue. An interesting phenomenon occurs when a second photographer is introduced into the mix, as everyone is suddenly aware of their presence and they may as well be wearing fluorescent yellow vests that say "PHOTOGRAPHER" on the back. I dress in full suit (photo ninja black) and can blend in seamlessly with a crowd.

For family portrait sessions I always recommend a family member or someone in the wedding party assist with locating people for posed shots requested by the bride and groom.

Do you have backup equipment?

Absolutely!

When someone has put their trust in you to capture a once-in-a-lifetime event, preparation to face the unknown and the ability to fluidly adapt to change is critical. Efficiently managing equipment trouble -without missing a single shot- is an essential part of this responsibility.

Professional photography equipment is not immune to failure, which is why I always carry a complete arsenal of backup gear. Multiple professional cameras, multiple flashes, multiple professional lenses, and so on. Spare replacements for every conceivable component in the system, right down to extra tripods, light stands and even a complete change of clothing and spare contact lenses!

This protection extends further than just the wedding day. In post-production I use three layers of redundant backups for all digital images, and employ two independent off-site secure remote storage services to safeguard your memories. I sleep very well at night knowing there is literally no way I could lose an image.

Our venue requires that all outside vendors carry liability insurance. Do you have this?

Yes! I carry liability coverage on a dedicated commercial business insurance policy. This is something all reputable professionals should have.

If necessary, I can add your venue(s) on an "additional insured" rider.

Proof of insurance, Articles of Incorporation and Saskatoon business licence are all available on request.
Click here to contact Mike Boyce Photography.

Do you have questions that are not answered here? Please contact me.