Wedding And Elopement Q&A Guide
Tell us a little about you and your collective?
I “Gianna” have been shooting photography for over 20 years now, getting my first film camera at age 13. I spent my twenties shooting fine art portraiture as well as curating art shows and fundraising for various causes in NYC. In my early 30s I landed a job working for an elopement company in NYC full time. I spent over 5 years with them as their lead shooter, as well as helping them build their company. I shot over 300 elopements with them. I fell in love with this work and the couples I got to meet. I truly honor that they brought me into the wedding world. During the pandemic I lost all of my weddings with them. what a crazy couple of years we’ve all been through. In that slow period of 2020 I found a unique opportunity to start my own company. Out of something that was devastating I found this amazing inspiration to focus more on myself and as a woman and a new mother that meant so much. 3 years later I can say I built my own really successful honest wedding business. I am so deeply proud of that. I am an alternative wedding and elopement photographer specializing in truly documentary styled fine art photography. I am a free thinker and a lover of nature. In addition to photography I am a mother, wife and graduate student at NYU for mental health counseling. I love thrifting and talking about sustainability and regenerative farming. My family and I recently relocated to the Poconos PA. I shoot in NYC and the Poconos.
UPDATE: I will be on a semi maternity/professional leave from 2023-2025 taking on a limited number of weddings and elopements while I finish my graduate degree and raise my little ones. This year I added 2 amazing additional lead photographer to my team. My goal is to expand my company and offer more opportunities for people to connect with honest and artistic documentary styled wedding photographers. In addition to digital photography, my collective all have backgrounds in 35mm film and fine art photography. I truly admire and love these peoples work and so honored to have them. What does this mean for you? It means if I am not available for your date G or Jen will be shooting in my place. I continue to I handle all the bookings and editing of all final galleries as well as acting as an additional support system. Please see more about Jules, G and Jen see their galleries HERE
How would you describe your style of wedding Photography, and what are your specialties?
Our work is documentary styled fine art photography. In addition to digital we also shoot 35 mm film and have a real admiration for original vintage inspired work. We are fascinated by NYC colors and back drops and the NYC graffiti and mural scene. Our work is colorful and different than typical mainstream wedding photography. We aim to use all natural light as much as humanely possible and all have a background in fine art portraiture and street style photography. We believe in going with the flow and energy of a day, our time together should really feel authentic and genuine. We want couples to look back at their photos and feel connected to them.
Do you pose people and give directions?
A lot of the so called documentary styled work out there is NOT authentic, its totally posed. Our collective is all about portraying couples as they are and their unique personalties. We get to know couples and work with them to create beautiful artistic images that showcase who they really are. We give direction to invite couples to be more comfortable and confident in their bodies, sometimes that means stopping and taking a deep breath, let’s be real being put on the spot and watched isn’t comfortable for many of us. Sometimes we’ll literally ask you to walk through a back drop so we can capture you in a specific frame, to stand in sunlight to get a classic portrait, to stare into the camera and just shoot you as you are. We are not the type of photographers to suggest jumping on each others backs or running towards us and giggling to create something that looks like you’re having so much fun. We believe life is really beautiful as it is and those fun moments do happen naturally, I promise they really do without forcing it. In my over 10 years of experience doing this, it’s the honest work that stands the test of time, and speaks to the soul. Thats what we care about and thats who we are.
With that being said, we of course want you to feel and look your best. We give direction if something isn’t working, like facial expressions seem awkward, clothes need to be tucked or flattened, hair is out of place.
Family portraits are the only truly posed work we offer. Those are set up and curated with a more specific goal, mainly to get people together and make sure we capture all of the various combinations.
We See you mainly shoot intimate weddings and elopements do you also photograph larger weddings?
Yes I do ! So while my main passion is smaller intimate work, meaning under 50 guests, I also love shooting larger events when the vibe is right. I shoot around 10-20 select larger weddings each year.
Who are your second photographers?
Second photographers are people I have worked directly with or vetted extensively that I trust can deliver on par quality to my own for your wedding day. They will have the same quality equipment as me. Also, it’s good to note that as the primary photographer I will be editing all images so the image style remains fluid throughout. With that being said I often don’t use them, and with guest counts under 100 am perfectly comfortable shooting alone.
What if you get ill have an emergency and have to cancel?
In the event that I have become too ill to perform, or something catastrophic occurs I will provide you with a backup photographer. I am a part of a pretty large NYC and Northern PA photography group that allows me access to photographers in the event of an emergency. I will also remain a part of the team and will be editing and sending out your final gallery.
What do we need to book the day?
I require a %20 non-refundable booking fee to hold your day. This is non refundable based on the fact that by holding your date I lose other work opportunities. This also insures I can still run my business in the event of catastrophe.
Do you have Insurance?
I sure do, I carry standard coverage for both liability and venue CIO options. Please just inquire if it’s needed.
How do we pay?
I currently use Zelle as my primary online mode of payment. Its great for down payments and not having to worry about bringing checks or cash around with you on your wedding day. I also have CashApp PayPal and accept cash as well.
Can we see a full wedding gallery before booking?
Yes! please just inquire with me.
What is included in the hours we book with you?
The hours we have booked with each other start at the time we have designated to begin, they also include the ceremony and any traveling from one location to the next we may do together.
What if were late?
While I understand how crazy hectic wedding days can be especially, The time we have booked is the time we have booked. With that being said I am always willing, if I am able, to add on more time the day of. But sometimes I do have other shoots booked and can’t always accommodate those requests last minute. For larger wedding’s more than 6 hours I do not book other weddings those days and start times a bit more flexible.
Can you help us find a wedding officiant?
Yes! definitely I work with an amazing team of officiants here in NYC & PA and I am happy to connect you with them.
Can we meet with you in person before booking?
Unfortunately, No. I do not meet with clients before booking, but I do offer complimentary calls where we can get aquatinted and you can interview me, and of course see me.
What format do we receive our photos in?
All images are sent in high resolution JPEG format, meaning you can print as large as 11×14 and higher. They are sent through an online gallery Pic-Time that you can download directly from, order prints, and share with friends and family.
Can we have raw Files?
While I understand there is an allure to having the unedited versions of the images, I do not currently offer that. By choosing to work with me you are also trusting me and my professionalism as a photographer and editor. All images I release to clients are tended to with the utmost care and detail and are fully edited in my unique style. The final images you receive are ready to print.
How long will the wedding or elopement gallery be online?
Up to one year.
What if we lose our files after the gallery has expired? do you have backups?
Yes! I have backs ups of all of my weddings and shoots, it’s my job as a professional photographer to always maintain these libraries for myself and for clients as well. Should you need additional links after 1 year they come with a service fee, just inquire with me.
What does editing mean?
Editing is color correction of all images, adding contrast, curves, and white balance correction, cropping images and straightening them, as well as culling and curating galleries by removing closed eyes, duplicates or unflattering angles. All finalized edited galleries are ready to print. Great Article here.
Do you provide retouching?
My packages include editing described above. Retouching is a special add on. I work with an amazing photo-retoucher who can literally do whatever you need done, from air brushing faces to reshaping bodies, and removing people from the background of an image. Just inquire for that additional service fee.
Can we have images in black and white?
Yes! I include duplicate black and white galleries of all of my shoots and weddings. I love black and white so much its really a staple of the work I do.
What if I want my photos kept private?
My standard contract allows me to use your photos on my website as well as submitting for publication in magazines. However, I do understand that sometimes people are cautious about open ended sharing. I currently offer two NDA options one that allows us to share but we choose images together that are gonna be shared publicly. That is a $250 add on fee. The second NDA is a full on loss of our right to share and use images and I charge $500 add on fee for this kind of NDA .
Do you do same sex and LBGTQ weddings?
Yes! most definitely! I Above all else I am a free thinker and accepting of all walks of life. Check out Brekke and Rose’s Wedding Gallery here.
Can we hire video through you?
I am currently working with an awesome NYC & PA based video team and I am happy to connect you once we have booked
What are the best times of day for elopement and engagement photography?
I love shooting in the mornings its just a bit quieter and also right before sunset as well for optimal lighting. Midday (meaning 12 noon) isn’t ideal as the sun is right above our heads and the shadows can be unflattering. So, ideal times are 8am-10am and then 2pm till sunset.
What camera gear do you use?
I am currently using the 5D mark IV and have a Second Canon R6 Mirrorless full frame body, I only use fixed lenses I have the 50 1.2 and 24 1.4 L and 16mm 2.8 canon lenses. I also shoot 35mm analog film and have a few awesome vintages cameras.
What is 35mm Film and why is it special?
35mm film is the original photographic medium, both the still image and moving image was shot on. With the rise in digital we forgot about this historical format. Its too bad we did, because on so many levels the image quality is superior to digital. The grain and texture of film gives the images this truly real and unique quality. Its one of a kind. Its a truly special add on and something I include in all of my packages. Please see a film gallery here shot on expired fuji film.
What if it rains, snows etc?
Honestly, I love rainy shoots! My gear is rain and weather proof, and with some open mindedness on your end we can still get amazing images! rain snow or hail.
Do you travel ?
Currently I only serve NYC, Parts of upstate NY, New Jersey, North Eastern PA, and more specifically the Poconos and Easton area of PA.
