General Questions

Do you have our date available?

Please give us a call or fill out the form of out Connect page, and we’ll check our calendar and get right back to you.

How would you describe your photography style?

Our photography style is a combination of traditional and photojournalistic approaches.  Portraits and group photos are typically posed or guided by the photographer, while the ceremony and reception are photographed in a more spontaneous, photojournalistic style.

How would you describe your working style?

We work in a friendly, professional style.  You will be aware of our presence throughout the day, but we will be as unobtrusive as possible.

How many weddings have you photographed?

We’ve stopped counting, but we’re sure it’s more than 100 since we transitioned to digital in 2000.

How long will it take to get the photos from our engagement session?

You will receive a DVD or thumb drive of digital image files within a week.  You will also be able to download your images from our web site.

How long will it take before we can see the photos from our wedding day?

You will be able to view the images from your wedding day on our web site in about two weeks.

What information do you need from us before the wedding day?

At our first meeting, which is usually many months before your wedding day, we will ask you to tell us about your wedding plans.  We have one form that captures the answers to our basic questions, and a second form for capturing all of the details of your special requirements.

​​Have you ever worked at my ceremony and reception locations before?

We have worked at many of the popular locations in Southern Maryland.  A partial list is available here.  We survey all new locations weeks before your wedding day so that we can discuss any special requirements or concerns with you at our pre-wedding conference.

Wedding Day Questions

Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?

Sure.  We’ll ask you for a list for the group and other “must have” photos.  While we don’t want to miss photographing you with your Great Aunt Sally after the ceremony, we aren’t inclined to duplicate another photographer’s work.  That being said, if you have your heart set on a particular image, we’re happy to try new things.  Let’s talk about it!

Are you photographing other events on the same day as mine?

No.

Have you ever worked at my ceremony and reception locations before?

We have worked at many of the popular locations in Southern Maryland.  We survey all new locations weeks before your wedding day so that we can discuss any special requirements or concerns with you at our pre-wedding conference.

What happens if for some reason you are unable to photograph my wedding?

Your primary photographer will be one of Classic Art Photography’s two principal photographers.  Should your primary photographer fall ill or become otherwise indisposed on your wedding day, our other principal photographer will step in. We also maintain reciprocal relationships with other experienced wedding photographers who are available in the event of an emergency.

How much time do you need for the group photos?

Following their wedding ceremony, most couples want to get to their reception as soon as possible.  We will need about 45 minutes to photograph the groups after the ceremony.  We may need to revise this estimate at our 30-day meeting based on the length of your “must have” group photo list.  The more time available between the ceremony and the reception, the more time we can spend making beautiful wedding day portraits.

Do you work with an assistant?

Your primary photographer will always work with an assistant, and, if you have requested a second photographer, the second photographer may or may not work with an assistant.  Assistants hold lights and other stuff, move equipment, help arrange the groups, and “pouf” the bride’s dress.  Assistants may also provide a helping hand by photographing detail and alternate perspectives of the ceremony and reception.  There is no extra charge for our assistants.

Will you be photographing our wedding?

At least one of Classic Art Photography’s two principal photographers will photograph your wedding.  You will meet the studio’s principals before your wedding day, and you will know which principal will be your primary or lead photographer.

Business Questions

Will I receive a written contract?

Yes.  We will meet with you to discuss our mutual requirements and expectations, and we will draft a plain language contract memorializing our agreement.  Our contract is simple and straightforward, and most couples find that they are able to read and sign the contact during the meeting, however there is no pressure for you to do so.  You are free to take the contact home with you to review at your convenience.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes, a deposit is required with your signed contract to secure our services for your date.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Yes.  Our normal terms are as follows: one-third is due when the contract is signed, one-third is due 30 days before the event, and the balance is due and payable on the day of the event.  We are open to other financial arrangements, and we would be glad to discuss the possibilities with you.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we accept all major credit cards.

Do you have insurance?

Yes, we have business general liability coverage, professional indemnity coverage, and property damage coverage for our photographic equipment.

How long have you been in business?

Ron and Bob have been working together for five years.  Before joining forces, we were involved individually in photography and other media for most of our adult lives.

Can we add albums and prints to our order after we sign the contract?

Yes, you can order additional albums and prints for a period of three years following your wedding day at the rates in effect at the time the order for the additional products is placed.  After three years, your images may no longer be available or additional charges will apply to retrieve your images from archival storage.

Technical Questions

Do you shoot film or digital?

We shoot digital exclusively.  We shot film for many years and transitioned to digital in 2000.

Do you shoot in color and black and white? 

We shoot all of our images in color.

Do you have a way to convert a color image to black and white if we wanted a print of a particular image in black and white?

Yes.  It’s easy to convert a color image to black and white.

Do you color balance and retouch your photos?

All of the images you receive from us will be color balanced for printing and cropped as needed.  We will retouch the images contained in your album and the images that we print for you.

Do you have backup equipment?

Yes.  We carry more than enough equipment to assure our success in capturing images of your wedding day.  We have backups for our backups.

Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG?

We shoot all images in RAW because it offers us much more creative latitude in preparing your albums and prints.

What image format will be used for the photos I receive?

The digital image files that you receive from us will be in the JPEG format.  You will receive your image files from us on a CD, a DVD, or a thumb drive.  We will send a small number of images by email on request or if time is of the essence.

Will I receive high resolution copies of my images?

You will receive high resolution JPEG files containing your images.  We do not downsample the digital image files that we deliver to our clients.  Bear in mind that we process images to be printed larger than about nine inches by twelve inches using special software tools that enhance the appearance of the final product.

Why do the prints I had made from the images on the CD look bad to me?

Prints sized nine inches by twelve inches and smaller made from the images on the CD (or DVD or thumb drive) will look great when printed properly.  If the prints you have made by a retail photofinisher look too dark, too light, or the colors just don’t look right, ask the technician to turn off the automatic exposure control and color balancing that their printer does by default, and print the pictures again.  If you still aren’t satisfied with the results, the store’s photo printer may not be calibrated properly or the printer’s processing chemicals may be depleted.  In our opinion, the best retail photofinisher is Costco, and we do not receive compensation of any kind for making this recommendation to you.  We use a number of professional photo labs to produce prints and other products for our clients, but the vacation pictures hanging on our refrigerators were most likely printed at Costco.