Frequently asked questions.
Style and Experience
How would you describe your photographic style, and what does a "blend of documentary and editorial" mean for our wedding day?
“My approach is built on connection and having fun. I blend documentary and editorial styles to ensure your gallery is both authentic and stunning.
Documentary means I’m always searching for those genuine moments and emotions as the day unfolds. Editorial means that during key moments like portraits, I'll provide subtle guidance—not rigid poses. I use simple prompts to get you interacting, laughing, and focusing on each other. My goal is to capture images that make you look back fondly on the romantic time you spent together, not photos that remind you how long you had to hold a perfect, uncomfortable pose.”
Can we see a few full wedding galleries?
“Of course!!! Once you’ve shared your vision for your wedding day I can share a few galleries featuring weddings that’ll match your day or even from your venue, if applicable.”
We aren't naturally comfortable in front of the camera; how will you direct us during portraits?
“Honestly, most of my couples say this! I love hearing it because my entire approach is built around genuine connection, not modeling. I don’t expect you to be professional models; I only need you to be yourselves.
I never use rigid, uncomfortable poses. Instead, I direct you with simple, fun prompts that encourage interaction. The best photos happen when you forget the camera is there and focus on each other. I'll always be close by to give minor suggestions, like how to hold your hands or to elevate a natural embrace, but mainly, I just need you two to be madly in love. Plus, the included engagement session is the perfect, low-pressure way for you to see how I work and for me to discover what makes you two shine!”
Do you create a specific shot list, or is your approach more candid/photojournalistic?
“I focus on the story rather than a checklist. My approach is very candid and photojournalistic. Those major moments like the dress details and aisle reaction are standard for me—I'm always ready to capture them.
Where we do use a list is for the Formal Family Groupings. This ensures we are quick, organized, and guarantee we capture every combination you need. Beyond that, I am actively scanning the room all day, making sure to get great photos of your wedding party, immediate family, all the happy guests, and those small, important details that make your day unique.”
What is your philosophy on editing and retouching? Will all the photos be edited?
“Yes, every single photo you receive is professionally edited.
My editing philosophy is natural and timeless. I carefully adjust the exposure and color balance on every image to match my signature style. I focus on getting the shot perfect in-camera, which minimizes heavy post-processing. I do not perform extensive face or body transformations. I am happy to remove temporary blemishes or distractions upon request, but for the most part, you'll see a natural, authentic version of yourselves.”
Logistics and Coverage
Are you the main photographer who will be shooting our wedding?
“Yes, I will be your photographer on your wedding day. I do not outsource to other photographers and I do not book other weddings or other photography jobs on your wedding day, regardless of the timeline. “
Do you work with a second photographer? Is a second shooter included in your packages?
“Yes, I work with a close network of trusted photographers for my weddings, and I often second-shoot for them as well.
You have the option to add a second photographer to any package. A second shooter is always helpful for covering different angles and providing additional coverage throughout the day. However, for smaller or more intimate weddings, I also offer packages where it's just me! Once I know a few more details about your wedding day—like guest count and venue size—I'll be happy to provide you with my personal recommendation.”
How many hours of coverage do you recommend for a typical New England wedding?
“Since every wedding day is unique, and unexpected delays often happen, I prefer to photograph the full story of your day rather than offering packages based on a fixed number of hours.
My commitment is to capturing all the important moments, and I would never want to leave before the story is complete just because the timeline shifted. When we work together, you get the peace of mind of knowing I will be there to photograph the final details of your day without watching the clock.”
What happens if you are sick or there is an emergency and you cannot photograph our wedding?
“I am happy to say this has never happened! I am incredibly committed to every couple and genuinely look forward to your wedding day.
In the extremely unlikely event I am unable to photograph your wedding due to a serious illness or emergency, my first step is to contact my trusted network of wedding photographers. I will work tirelessly to secure a high-quality replacement photographer for you. In the absolute worst-case scenario, my contract guarantees that all money paid, including your initial deposit, will be refunded to you in full.”
Do you carry backup equipment, and how do you ensure our images are securely backed up?
“I employ a multi-layered security system to protect your images:
In-Camera Backup: I shoot with two professional camera bodies, and each camera uses dual memory cards to record every photo instantly. This ensures a backup file is created the moment the photo is taken.
Physical Backup: The moment I return, your files are immediately transferred and secured onto two independent hard drives.
Archived Backup: I keep a long-term archived copy of your final gallery, which has allowed me to retrieve lost wedding photos for couples who have come back years later. Your photos are always safe with me!”
Location and Travel
You are based in Manchester, NH—do you charge a travel fee for weddings elsewhere in New England (VT, MA, ME, CT, RI)?
“I am thrilled to cover weddings across all of New England, and beyond!
For travel, my policy is based on distance from Manchester, NH:
Under 2 Hours Away: There is no travel fee added to your package.
Over 4 Hours Away: I require a minimum two-night stay in the area to ensure I am well-rested and prepared for your wedding day. These accommodation costs will be factored into your custom quote.
I maintain a flexible approach and have occasionally waived travel costs for specific venues or locations I am particularly excited to photograph!”
What happens if there is rain or inclement weather on our wedding day?
“I honestly have never seen rain ruin a wedding day!
I view inclement weather as an opportunity for unique, epic, and romantic photos—I'm all about leaning into it! Of course, most venues have beautiful alternative covered locations for ceremonies and portraits. Regardless of the weather, I'm highly creative and will always find the best spots to ensure we capture beautiful, memorable photos while keeping you as comfortable as possible.”
Do we need to worry about securing special photography permits for certain locations (e.g., state parks, specific beaches)?
“The short answer is: maybe, but I handle the research!
Many beautiful spots in New England, especially those I typically recommend for engagement sessions, are public spaces where permits are not required. However, if you choose a specific location that may have fees or require a professional photography permit (like a state park, historic building, or private garden), I will research the requirements and inform you of the best options and any associated costs beforehand. I want to make sure we are fully compliant so your photo session is stress-free.”
Final Product and Delivery
How long after the wedding will we receive our complete photo gallery?
“You will receive a sneak-peak within 24 hours and the full gallery within 4-6 weeks. Engagement sessions typically take a week.”
How will we receive our images, and what resolution will they be?
“Your final collection of professionally edited images will be delivered via a beautiful private online gallery.
From this gallery, you can easily:
View and Share the entire collection with friends and family.
Download your photos at two resolutions: Full High-Resolution (perfect for printing) and Web-Size (optimized for social media).
Order professional prints and albums directly from the gallery store.
Important Note: While your gallery will remain active for at least a year, I highly recommend downloading all files immediately to your computer and a backup source (like an external drive or cloud storage) for permanent safekeeping. Physical albums and prints can also be ordered years later for anniversaries or gifts!”
How many finished, high-resolution images can we expect to receive?
“Depending on the size and scope of your wedding day, anywhere from 800-1,200.”
Do we have the printing rights for our photos, and can we share them on social media?
“Yes, of course, I encourage my couples to print their photos to decorate their home and they also make great gifts for friends and family. And please share them on social media, and tag me as well as your other vendors who helped make your day magical.”
Booking and Investment
What is required to officially book and secure our wedding date? When is the final balance due?
“Securing your date is a simple process!
Start by filling out my Contact Form. I'll confirm my availability and schedule a call to discuss your wedding details and my process.
Following our conversation, I'll send over a digital Contract and Invoice.
Your date is officially reserved once you sign the contract and submit the initial payment, which is typically 50% of your total cost.
When is the final balance due?
The remaining balance is contractually due on your wedding day, but many couples choose to complete their payment sometime in the week before the wedding to simplify things on the day itself.”
Do you offer a payment plan for the total package cost?
“Yes, absolutely! I know that wedding planning comes with a lot of financial stress, and I want to make things easier for my couples.
I offer a convenient installment plan that splits your total package cost into four equal payments:
The first payment (25%) secures your date upon contract signing.
The three remaining payments (25% each) are then scheduled out evenly between the booking date and your wedding day.
We will arrange the specific payment dates that work best for your budget and schedule before you sign the contract. 50% is due by or before your engagement session.”
We love your work, but you're a bit outside our budget. Do you have any lower-priced packages or collections you don't advertise on your website?
“I know how tight wedding budgets can be, and I appreciate you reaching out! While I do not offer unadvertised discounts, I encourage you to consider why wedding photography is the one area worth extending your budget.
This is a single day with moments you can never recreate. My commitment is to an experienced, professional service that can handle any lighting, timeline shift, or weather issue to perfectly capture your day. Your wedding photos are your only tangible memory that will last forever, and I promise to deliver a gallery worthy of that investment.”
Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions I haven’t addressed here. You can fill out the form below or email me directly to mike@mikeindiphotography.com.
