I’ve put together some questions that most of my clients have asked in the past and answered them here to make getting to know me and my process a little easier.  If you need further information, please feel free to call me at 843-245-7320 or shoot me an email at heather@infinity-images.com. I’d love to hear from you!

What is your shooting style?

I could attach a label to my style or come up with some catchy phrase or term, but that still wouldn’t be quite right because there really isn’t one word or phrase that describes it. And even though it isn’t very sexy to say that I do a little of this and a little of that and whatever it takes, well, that’s what I do. I combine documentary-style photography with the timelessness and elegance of traditional photography, intimate and romantic portraits and casual, free-spirited candid photographs to create a photographic legacy of your wedding day. I work together with my second shooter to ensure that your photography flows seamlessly with your day and to make it something you don’t even have to think or worry about. Lots of people have weddings, but it’s your personality and style that makes it uniquely yours. So my approach is to get to know you a little before your big day, and have you know a little about me and how I work so that you’ll be relaxed and comfortable in front of my camera. Then on your wedding day, I just do what I need to do to capture YOUR wedding!

Who will be our photographer?

When you commission Infinity Images for your wedding day, you get me, Heather Byrd, as your photographic artist for the day. There will also always be a second shooter present throughout the wedding.

How did you get started photographing weddings?

While I was attending photography school, the director of the photography program asked if I would like to attend an upcoming wedding that he was photographing. I jumped at the chance to work with a wonderful wedding photographer and ended up interning for him for 3 years. The opportunity to shoot fabulous weddings and be guided in this field was invaluable. And now 7 years later, I have the greatest clients ever. Most of my wedding clients end up becoming great friends and we get to plan their family portrait sessions as they have children. I absolutely have the best job in the world!

Do you have back-up photographers in case you get sick, etc?

We belong to a network of professional wedding photographers and in the unlikely event that something should prevent me from photographing your wedding, I can call on my network to get a fully qualified and talented replacement photographer or get a list of fully qualified and talented photographers who are available to take my place. I’ve never had to call on my photographer friends (knock on wood) but they are there in case of an emergency.

What type of equipment do you use?

I use professional Nikon digital cameras, lenses and lighting gear. We have tons of memory and a few other tricks up our sleeves that allow us to capture images in any kind of lighting condition.

Do you have back up equipment?

Yes! We have at least two of everything and three camera bodies, so in the unlikely event that I should experience problems with any piece of equipment, I’ve got another one to take its place.

How are the images backed up?

After the wedding, I maintain 3 copies off all of the images throughout the editing process: 1 set is on a DVD, 1 set is on an external hard drive and 1 set is archived online. After all of the final edits are complete, the images are archived on the external hard drive and a DVD for at least 3 years.

How much time is included in your packages?

All of my packages include unlimited coverage of your wedding day. This means that I will be there for the bride and groom getting ready until the last song is played at the reception. I want to capture every moment of your wedding without interruption so I don’t put a time limit on my packages. However, if you don’t need my to be with you all day, I can provide you with a quote for customized package.

How long do formal portraits take?

It depends on several factors; the number of people in the bridal party, how many family members will be included and how many special portraits you request. I work as quickly as possible, and use a special technique to minimize the amount of time required to take formal portraits. In general though, you should plan on about 3 minutes per grouping and plan for extra time if you want to change locations.

What are “First Look” portraits?

“First Look” portraits are for couples that aren’t caught up in all of the superstitious traditions of years ago.  I schedule a time before the ceremony where the bride will do a “grand” entrance and the groom will see her for the first time. I will then capture that moment between the two of you where there aren’t hundreds of eyes staring and you enjoy just a quiet moment together before all of the craziness starts. Many couples today want to spend less time on photographs between the ceremony and reception so this gives each couple a chance to have that special moment between them. I use our telephoto lenses at a discreet distance and capture your natural reactions and true emotions in a quiet and private moment. “First Look” portraits aren’t for every couple but I do offer it for those couples that aren’t concerned about seeing each other before the ceremony.

What is the “Photo Walk?”

The “photo walk” is the time you’ve allotted for portraits of just the two of you. This can occur right after the “first look” portraits or after the wedding and all the family and group portraits are finished. The two of you are photographed at the location of your choice, but is typically done at the ceremony and/or reception location. The goal of the photo walk is to capture natural, somewhat candid images of the two of you, although some of the photos may also be posed or directed by me and/or the second shooter. These portraits tend to be more romantic, passionate or “spicy” than traditional portraits.

Do you have to take formal portraits?

No, it’s your day and you can have it photographed any way you’d like. Having said that, most couples and their families find that formal portraits are some of their favorites from the day, and couples who elect to have none often wish they had at least a few. If you choose not to have formal portraits, I will do my best to photograph candid moments of the two of you, your bridal party, family and friends at the reception.

Can our family and friends take pictures too?

Of course! And they are encouraged to do so. There will be lots of people helping you celebrate your day, and most of them will want to snap some photos of you and other family and friends. But (there’s always a “but”!), you are paying to have a professional photographer capture your day and sometimes guests can get a little overzealous in their attempts to get photographs of you while the professionals are working. You will be very disappointed if all of our photographs of you had you looking elsewhere because you were distracted by a guest’s camera. So, I don’t mind guests taking pictures after I’ve taken my shots, but if it gets too distracting or I find the guests’ cameras are taking up too much of your precious time, I may ask them to stop or wait until later. I’m  not trying to be mean or rude; I am simply trying to assure you get the best possible photographs with the least amount of hassle.

Who has the copyright to our images?

Infinity Images maintains the copyright to your images, but if purchased, you will have personal reproduction rights with the disc of hi-res images. I will provide you with a personal reproduction rights document on the disc of images and these rights allow you to make reprints and copies/back-up copies of your disc, but it does restrict you from re-selling or using the images commercially.

How do we commission Infinity Images and reserve our date?

Event dates are commissioned on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your date, I must have a signed contract and the retainer fee in hand. It is not unusual to get multiple inquiries for the same date, and I tell all prospective clients the same thing; someone else may be interested in the same date as you, but no one has the date reserved until a signed contract and retainer have been received. The prospective client that delivers these items first reserves the date.

How will friends and family know the web address to our Online Gallery?

Every package includes business-sized cards that includes a photo from your engagement session, a photo you provide, or a generic wedding photo from the Infinity Images collection that will be printed with the web address and password. These can be handed out at your reception or in whatever manner suits you best. I recommend using these cards for two reasons; one, your guests enjoy getting a photograph of the two of you, and secondly, it saves you from having to send a lot of emails or make a lot of phone calls in order to share the web address.

When will I get my pictures?

I like to post 6-8 of our favorite images on the blog a day or two after the wedding. In approximately 2 weeks, your images will be posted to your online gallery. Print orders will be mailed about 2-4 weeks after your order has been received.

How long does it take to get my album?

This is one of my favorite things about weddings…the album! I work with the bride (and groom if he’s interested) to build the most beautiful, unique wedding album. After your images are posted online, you will create a folder in your gallery of your favorite images (quantity depends on the size of your album). I design the album for you and you have 2 opportunities to proof and suggest changes. Your album will then be uploaded online for you to proof and approve. Once you approve the design, it will take approximately 4 weeks to receive your album.

What will you wear to our wedding?

Because most weddings are somewhat formal, my second shooter and I wear dressy slacks, a nice blouse and comfortable black or brown shoes. Often, the perfect shot requires that we lay down on our bellies, hide behind a pillar, climb up on a ladder or chair, crouch down to make goo-goo eyes with the ring bearer, dance with you all on the dance floor, or any manner of acrobatic tricks, so dresses and fancy, high-heeled shoes just aren’t practical. We prefer to dress as your guests would dress, so if your wedding is less formal, we’ll try to blend in.

Do we need to provide a meal for the photographers?

Yes. Because a wedding could last all day, we do require a meal be provided for both photographers at the reception while the other guests are eating. This gives us a chance to refuel and charge our batteries (no pun intended). We never take photos of the bride and groom or guests while they’re eating so this is the perfect time for us to take a much needed break.

Have more questions? Give me a call at 843-245-7320 or shoot me an email at heather@infinity-images.com any time.