Cake & Desserts by C&E Cake Studio of Port Orchard, WA

Wedding Photography FAQ

How do we meet you to see if you're the right fit?

I offer free consultations with no obligations. I do these in the Kitsap County area, generally at coffee shops. I'll bring physical albums from other weddings, show you real wedding timeline samples, and help create a rough draft timeline for you based on what you know about your plans so far, to see what package might be the best option. If you're not able to come to the area, we can also discuss via phone or Zoom for your consultation.

What is your availability for an engagement session?

Spring/Summer (March - September):
Sessions will generally be booked weekday evenings, between 5-7pm for the best light (Start time will vary within this range depending on the sunset time). Wedding clients' engagement sessions will be the exception if in need of a weekend date, as well as if a location choice (such as garden nurseries) is simply not open these hours. Exceptions on timing can be made on expected overcast days.

Fall/Winter (October - February):
Sessions will generally be booked weekend dates between 2-4pm (Start time will vary within this range depending on the sunset time). There is more leniency in Fall/Winter on timing because it is not as bright generally in the late mornings and afternoons as Summer. If we're expecting a full sun day I will still usually try and schedule for a couple hours before sunset.

What are your travel terms?

I work in all of Kitsap County, Washington (Bremerton, Seabeck, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Kingston, Port Gamble, Bainbridge Island, Gig Harbor) Port Townsend, Marrowstone Island, Sequim, Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, Quilcene, Tacoma, Kent, Steilacoom, Fox Island, Federal Way, Puyallup, & some surrounding areas. Maximum travel radius is approximately 1 hour from Bremerton, WA. If using multiple locations for your session, remember to account for the traveling time between the locations. Please review the travel terms for my packages when booking, as the Basic Session Package is only eligible for local locations; Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo and Port Orchard; Deluxe & Extended are eligible for the full travel radius above. Please consult with me about locations before booking to ensure everything in conjunction with your wedding you want photographed will be within my travel radius.

How many photos will we get?

I generally deliver 50-100+ images per hour booked. It all depends on number of hours, size of the wedding (wedding party, guest count, venue size, amount of events that occur, etc) number of photographers & other individual factors. I go through all the images carefully and pick out the best photos, avoiding the ones with closed eyes/duplicate shots/unflattering etc.

Can we see more weddings you've photographed?

Absolutely! Please see my blog to poke around and find other weddings I've photographed, or request to view a few full galleries.

What is the booking & payment process?

Booking a wedding date requires a signed contract agreement and a $550 retainer fee (this will apply towards your total balance). The remainder will be due in full 30 days prior to the wedding date. By default, I process all of this online, but I can also do paper contracts and cash/check, please just let me know if that is your preference.

Do you bring your own lighting?

I have an assortment of flashes and lighting equipment and am able to work with a variety of lighting situations to make beautiful photos! I will evaluate the lighting around your venue to determine what is necessary.

What is your photography style?

I like to refer to my style as naturally-posed with a sprinkle of candids; Colorful, light-hearted and timeless. I always include a few poses that will be look-at-the-camera-and-smile shots, but encourage interaction for genuine moments with couples/families, and do my best to make individuals feel relaxed and create natural reactions and smiles. I'll find great backdrops to place you against, coach you as much as feels necessary on placement and posing and shoot! You will probably be a little bit nervous at first and maybe even feel silly, but trust me when I say you'll find yourself having fun and love the end result. I love details of a wedding day so I will always be sure to include close ups of decorations, floral pieces, the rings, various views of the venue and more - it completes the storytelling aspect of a wedding photography album and documents all the hard work you put into the feel and vision for your day. You'll see me finding a variety of angles to shoot every aspect of the day from the ceremony to the reception, focusing on the two of you but also making sure to get plenty of candid photos of your guests. You'll likely not know I was even taking certain photos, so it's always so much fun to share wedding galleries!

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, I am licensed and insured! Many venues actually require your vendors to be insured. I can provide a certificate of liability insurance written to your venue if required. Please try to request this a few weeks prior to your date so I have adequate time to get it from my insurance company. Bre Z Photography - State of WA Business Lic # 603-171-929

What's your turnaround time?

Approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on the size of the wedding and my current workload. Products included in your package will ship a few weeks following gallery completion. If you're ordering an album, you will have the option to select images from your gallery. Allow approximately 14 days for initial album design. Following design proofing, expect an additional amount of time depending on changes you request prior to ordering.

Do you use backups?

Absolutely. At every wedding, I bring 2 cameras, plenty of memory cards and batteries and a variety of lenses. While shooting, I utilize two memory card slots for an instant backup on-site in the event a card fails. I carry both cameras with me most of the day on a double-strap shoulder harness to avoid having to change lenses during important moments. Carrying on post wedding, I backup your images to multiple locations.

Do you visit our venue ahead of time?

I will be at your venue early to see where the events are happening, get my equipment ready, and scout the best locations for portraits and so on. I will also look at other wedding galleries from the venue online to get an idea of what it is like. It is easiest for me to see the venue to prepare as it is set up for your specific wedding day than try to imagine it by going before in a different time of year/season/weather etc.

What do we wear for our engagement photos?

Coordinate your colors and styles without matching exactly, but rather complimenting each other with colors, patterns, and accessories. Stay away from neon colored clothing (highlighter yellow, florescent pink etc), as these often will create a color cast on your skin. I have a Pinterest board here that I use to save outfit ideas and tips to share with clients.

Who do you use as a second photographer?

I always select my second shooters from a list of my favorite wedding photography professionals that will be the most helpful in documenting your day from every angle. Because they are running businesses just like me, they book their own weddings, so I keep plenty of contacts that I would trust to call on if the first choice books their own job.

Do I need a second photographer?

A second photographer is HIGHLY recommended for weddings with 80 or more guests, or at very large venues. With 2 photographers, getting ready and portrait time can be best made use of by splitting up. You'll also get more angles during all points of the day, which is especially great to have for the ceremony, to get multiple viewpoints during key parts. Imagine walking down the aisle - If I am the sole photographer, I will get the entire processional from the front to capture your reactions as you meet. If we have 2 photographers, the second photographer can be in back, capturing the view from the back of the ceremony as one partner walks down. Additionally, having a second photographer is a great built in backup for the day.

Should my ceremony be unplugged?

An unplugged ceremony (guests put away cameras & cell phones) means your guests are fully present for your ceremony, vice trying to get a great photo on their devices. It also avoids having phones and cameras and arms blocking people's faces and important events, which happens sometimes as guests lean into the aisle, stand, walk around, hold cameras and phones up, and so forth during the ceremony. It also avoids any unwanted flash going off which can actually affect your photographers photos, as they will have their settings adjusted for the lighting they are in in, and if a sudden burst of light from someone's camera or phone is presented, it can sometimes ruin the photographer's image as they are not adjusted for that amount of light. There are plenty of examples online for wording to have your officiant use to gently ask guests to stow away phones and cameras for the ceremony. While I do advise an unplugged ceremony, it is ultimately your own choice!

What rights do I get for my photos?

All of my packages include a print release for all digital files included or purchased - this is standard among photographers who provide digital images. With this release, you are absolutely welcome to print, share online and post, even give files or prints to friends and family. Any use deemed personal is okay; meaning you are free to display in your home, use your photos for gifts, cards, make books, and so forth. Selling or entering the images in photography contests, or commercial or business use are examples of uses that would not be allowed. A common misconception is that "copyright" literally means having the right to copy/print - it actually refers to the author of the photograph. I need the retention of the copyright to be able to continue to promote my business and share with my audience of potential clients and followers what I am producing. Please note that editing and altering is prohibited, as part of retaining copyright involves protecting the integrity of my art and advertised style. I happily welcome any questions regarding this as I completely understand it can be confusing!

What do you shoot with?

This often doesn't hold a lot of importance to most clients, but I do get asked! I use Canon full frame DSLRS, more specifically two 5D Mark IVs. My lens collection includes a 35mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 70-200 2.8, and a 100mm 2.8 macro.

What do we even do with all these photos?!

Your print release gives you a huge range of opportunities to use your photos and get them on the walls and in your hands! Many products are available for purchase right in your gallery print shop for the easiest experience, or you can use the high resolution image files to get products made somewhere of your choosing. Galleries are linked to a professional print lab with experienced photo lab technicians I have worked closely with for years - you can be confident I'll get you the best color. Because I personally approve orders made through my galleries, all orders are reviewed for crop settings and color prior to placement. You can find standard print sizes here from 4x6 up to large sizes like 24x36, as well as framing options to get a completely finished product, canvas prints & metal prints and more. Keep in mind I also sell professional albums from a pocket-sized 4"x4" to an impressive 12"x12". You are also more than welcome to share your images online on social media. All I ask is that you do not edit the images except for if cropping is needed!

Is it helpful to share my Pinterest board?

I would be happy to check out some of your favorite wedding photos. But remember, you are hiring a photographer to use their creativity, vision and talent to capture YOUR unique day! Picking out a few wishlist photos is totally fine - just remember that the photos shared on Pinterest all involve many different variables and attempting to copy them or follow a list hinders the flow and creative process of your photographer. I do, however use Pinterest to share with clients tips for planning out outfit tips for sessions - feel free to check out my boards by going to my Pinterest link at the bottom of the page!

What happens if there are government shutdowns or restrictions once our date arrives?

As we get closer to your date, we can evaluate if we need to adjust your package to a smaller hour count, reduce to one photographer, move locations or other adjustments. I have made changes to my contracts from new situations myself and my couples have found themselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to allow for full refunds if we return to a shutdown causing weddings to cease. Other terms and conditions on this topic will be outlined in your contract and I am happy to answer any questions so you know what to expect when you book me.

How many weddings have you photographed?

Over 50 as the prime photographer & around 15 as a second photographer over the last 10+ years.

What experience do you have with cultural traditions at weddings?

I have photographed a variety of cultural wedding traditions, including the Hora Dance, Persian Sugar Rubbing Ceremony, Sword Ceremony, Chinese Tea Ceremony, and more.

How hands-on are you in the process? Do we have check-ins?

I strive to go into every wedding (and elopement and smaller weddings alike) with a plan everyone feels good about. A couple months before the wedding, it’s time to go over the game plan! I will provide you a generic formal group shot list you can edit and return to me via email for group photos. Please complete your questionnaire by this timeframe. I will use it to get more final details about your day, and to help evaluate your timeline. About a week prior to the wedding day, we double check addresses and times and any other pertinent details, as well as go over any changes that may have arose. This is not a hard set check-in timeline; Some weddings are booked closer than these lead times and some just require more attention in planning for photo success. I do not limit your contact with me, you can email me anytime.

Do you photograph vow renewals? How do you run them?

Yes! Absolutely. They are generally very similar as far as photography goes, to weddings. We still create a timeline, and a group photo list. Group photos and couple photos for a vow renewal don't involve any less time than at an elopement or wedding, but generally there's no wedding party, so that part cuts out some time. We will also capture your vow renewal ceremony, which can be as simple as reading vows, or an additional touch like sand pouring or hand fasting and so much more. Generally, I fit in a little getting ready or cake/dinner candids at the end - it all depends on your plans and distances between locations. Review my Elopement Package if your vow renewal will have 15 or less attendees.

Do you have the required permit and insurance binder for Washington State Park weddings?

Yes, I do! I have an up to date photography permit and the proper insurance certificate for the WA State Parks.