FAQ'S
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes we do
Q: “Do you deliver every image you shoot?”
A: No we don’t. The shots we do not deliver are typically shots where you or your guests are making expressions that are unflattering. For example, when a person laughs, for us to capture his/her expressions, we have to shoot several images consecutively. Unfortunately , when we laugh we usually make several unflattering images before and after. So what we do is select the images with best expressions from the series and archive the rest.
Q: “Does GKphotography provide videography services?”
A: We currently do provide videography services, however we work with a couple of videographers that have a similar working style to ensure we do not constantly get into each others shots.
Q: “Do you speak Greek and understand the procedures of a greek event, on what takes place at a certain time of a Wedding or a Baptism?”
A: YES. At all times of an event photoshoot understanding the language and procedures of a church ceremony when to wait and capture the most important moments are very crucial. Baptisms are very important on knowing and done it so many times on when the right time to frame your shot to capture the moment and what comes after. The same goes for the WEDDING day church ceremony. I have been to Baptisms and Weddings as a guest which I observed none greek photographers not capturing the most crucial shots and just sit far back and shoot basic stuff.
Q: “Does GK photography do Destination weddings?”
A: We serve clients all around the world. Our destination Wedding packages are simply our standard packages plus the cost of travel and reasonable accommodations if necessary. For more details contact manager: [email protected]
Q:”Do you shoot Quinceaneras ,Debutants, Bah Mitzvahs, or Corporate Events?”
A: Yes. These are all considered ‘Event photography’
Q: “What is your philosophy regarding photography?”
A: Our Wedding, Baptism, sweet 16 photography philosophy I believe that in hiring a professional event photographer, clients deserve a professional that is able to use his or her technological expertise and creative vision to create a product that clients and amateur photographers could not on their own. With digital SLR cameras becoming more and more affordable, there are many amateur photographers out there posing as professionals. My goal is to educate clients on the difference and provide artistic images that even far surpasses other top notch event photography studios.
Q: “What is your photography style?”
A: “GK photography NYC team is acclaimed for developing a unique style of event photography that is deeply rooted in wedding photojournalism “same for Baptisms, sweet 16’s” while influenced by fine art and fashion photography. I love using creative lighting, unique perspectives, angles, compositions and artistic post production reefing to bring out our client personalities and beauty while telling their story. I pride myself on not just being a photographer, but rather an artist creating unique and expressive images.
Q: “ Do you touch up all the images?
A: Yes we do. Every image we deliver is post produced with our unique style of basic post production. This involves color correction, exposure adjustment, selective black and white processing, clarity adjustments, tone-mapping. And other corrections. Many photographers will not post product any, or will only produce “select” images from your event. This means that you may have pictures that are too dark, have skin tones, or other common photography flaws.
Q: “ Do you shoot JPEG OR RAW?”
A: We shoot RAW. A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printedor edited with a bitmap graphics editor.These images are often described as "RAW image files", although there is not actually one single raw file format. In fact there are dozens if not hundreds of such formats in use by different models of digital equipment (like cameras or film scanners.
Q: "What type of equipment do you use?"
A: I use Nikon & SONY cameras and Lenses. The lenses are all top of the line grades as for shooting in very low light situations and not having to use flashes where they are not permitted. I use different lenses for different situations and effect. I use 5 cameras with different lenses on them, so that every moment is captured with out having to switch lenses at a crucial moment. Cameras are used as back-ups just in case one goes bad, same for flashesDVD’ghout the day.
Q: “We’re really busy and won’t be able to meet. Are there any other options?”
A: I would love to meet with you prior to your event; however if you’re somehow too busy or too far away, I can handle everything remotely. If you’re goal is to talk about packages and get a sense of the photographer’s personality, telephone calls can be arranged or webcam.
Q: “ How do I set up an appointment to meet with you in person?”
A: Contact office manager 718.650.9573 (Gerry) email: [email protected]
lQ: “How do I reserve you my date?”
A: All dates are reserved once we receive your signed contract and deposit.
Q: “What if we exceed my contracted time for our event coverage?
A: Standard rates apply for overtime. Overtime is billed at the rate of $400.00/hour per Master Photographer and $200.00 per associate Photographer.
Q: “ Is there an additional charge fee if we pay via credit card?”
A: Yes. Our credit card processing fee is 4.0% of the total package.
Q: “If we cancel the event will we receive our deposit back?
A: Unfortunately no. Deposits are used to reserve your date. Once we’ve reserved your date we do not accept new clients for your date.
Q: “If we change our event to a different date, will we be able to use our deposit towards a future date?”
A: Yes. However, if rates change from the original date to your new date, the new rates will apply.
Q: “Are there travel fees associated with my event day?
A: For all events, the first 50 miles roundtrip are included or 25 miles each way. All miles excess of 50 miles roundtrip or 25 miles each way is charged $3.00 per mile
Q:“When can we expect to see our photo’s from our engagement session?”
A: Post production for engagement sessions are completed within four weeks after the date of the shoot. If you require the images to be completed prior to four weeks after the date of the shoot, a rush-process fee of $100.00 will be charged.
Q: “When should we do our engagement session?”
A: We encourage you to do your engagement session as soon as possible. The latest we suggest is at least eight weeks prior to the wedding date due to the time necessary to post produce each image (4 weeks) and complete your product order(s) (4 weeks).
Q: “Can we schedule our engagement session for the weekend?”
A: Because most events occur on weekends, we do not shoot engagement sessions on weekends. If you can only do your engagement session on weekends, we can tentatively schedule your engagement session on a weekend, however, if an event is scheduled for that weekend later on, we will have to reschedule your engagement session. We also like to shoot on weekdays because locations are typically less crowded.”
Q: “How many images do you typically deliver from and engagement session? From a wedding?”
A: We typically deliver anywhere from 50-100 images per 3 hour engagement shoot and for weddings we typically deliver 100 images per hour.
Q: “How long does it take to get my prints?”
A: Product creation times vary, however in general, print orders will be completed within four weeks after the product order is submitted.
Similar to the post production process, if you require rush-processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.
Q: “How long does it take to get my album?”
A: As with our other products, production times vary, however you can expect to receive your album 4-6 weeks after placing the order. The process before placing the order varies in duration depending on how quickly you respond to the instructions for the album design as well as the amount of changes you request after the initial designs. Some clients complete this within a month or two, others take over a year.
Similar to the post production process, if you require rush-processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.
Q: “How many pages and images do we get in our wedding day album?”
A: Our albums contains 38 pages and 60 images. If you’d like to add more pages and images, each additional page is $50 and includes the design time/revisions and three retouched images.
Q: “Can I add more pages and images to my album?”
A: Yes! each additional page is $100 and includes the design time/revisions and three retouched images per page.”
Q: “Do you guys provide framing services as well?”
A: YES we do provide framing services and large prints.
Q: "Do you provide prints and Thank you cards?"
A: Yes. We provide any size prints as large as 20x30. We do Metal prints/ canvas/ prints on foam boards/ prints on luster, metallic ,glossy and matte professional grade photographic paper.
Q: “What is the difference between an ‘online slideshow’ and a ‘dvd slideshow?”
A: Online slideshows are the slideshows you see on our website. These typically include one song and around 60 images depending on the length of the song. We choose the images and the song to fit your event day. These are hosted online (on our website) indefinitely.
DVD slideshows, on the other hand, are DVDs that we create using two songs of your choice and the images of your choice. We still recommend that you leave the song selection and image selection to us, as this is part of our expertise, but if you do want more control, you can have it with this product.
Q: “How do I get started on my wedding album?”
A: We post all your post produced pictures on our website with a client password. All pictures are numbered and easy choose your favorites by clicking on them and go straight to a favorites folder to share with the photographer to see. The pictures you choose will be added to your album and a album preview will be emailed back to the client to approve the layout.
Q: “ What if I lose my image DVD?”
A: There is a $50.00 replacement charge for image DVD’S.
WEDDING – BAPTISMS - SWEET SIXTEENS / PHOTOGRAPHY STYLES AND FORMATS
1. PHOTOJOURNALISM
Photojournalism is a story telling style of photography that involves minimal involvement on the part of the photographer. A photojournalistic Event photographer allows all of the moments to unfold around them, while they simply use their creative eye to capture and interpret those moments through their photography.
2. FINE-ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Fine-art photography involves using artistic angles, creative lighting, unique compositions and advanced post production techniques to create imagery with a much stronger artistic flare. I am very meticulous about researching scenes and anticipating moments so that we can use fine-art techniques, without interfering with my surroundings.
Fine-art photography starts with an image shot with an artistic finish in mind, most likely not a “say cheese” moment. In post production, these images are transformed into fine-art using textures, filters, masks, and other advanced Photoshop techniques to create a visually stunning, emotional image.
3 TRASH THE DRESS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
“Trash the dress, fearless bridal, and rock the frock” are all terms used to refer to the style of photography that contrasts elegant bridal clothing with an environment that is completely out of place. We typically shoot this type of photography with a fashion and fine-art style of photography. Popular locations for these sessions are beaches but we can also get creative with a location that fits your personality or expresses your artistic side. If relieving post-wedding tension with a trash the dress photography session is what you are looking for, I would be happy to oblige you.
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED SPECIFICALLY AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
This question is designed to find out if your photographers are specifically wedding photographers, or if they are “one-stop-shop-photographers.” More specific, you would be better off looking for a photographer that specializes, not only in wedding photography, but in the style of wedding photography that you are looking for.
I have worked for 6 years as a wedding photographer for another studio which I can’t mention due competitive reasons, I shot as a second shooter and at times as the master photographer, my work is out there but with out my name getting recognition. Understanding and studied post production for images which I do at my own office and my slogan is GKphotographyNYC – fine art photography and digital imaging. AS a Photographer I have been shooting for 17 years.
Fancier studios that are out there that offer event photography are a bit more expensive due to the fact they have more overhead to cover, like paying the hired photographers, post production editors, album designers and leave room for profit, been there seen it all that’s why I built my own brand GK PHOTOGRAPHY NYC which I photograph, edit and create my albums my self with a great turnaround time. ALL the images on my website are shot and edited from me and not stolen or bought from online galleries, like A lot of posing photographers I see on Facebook and there budget websites are posting, pictures on there front pages of pictures I’ve seen on shutterstock website that you can buy wedding images and post them on your site, and when you go in there gallery that wedding is not there, The pictures they're flashing on the front of there website is no where to be seen inside there galleries folder or portfolio... " beware!!! I know a few not professional photographers that have websites so fancy that there work is not what you see on there pages.
Going back to the fancy studios…where I used to work, I used to go to weddings and Baptisms where I knew the client when I showed up, and I was called upon to shoot there event cause they felt the fancy studio will give them better images and more for there money, well like I said you never see the photographer on the day of your booking.
I deal with my clients face to face and the work they see on my site is what they will get and myself the photographer, not anybody else.
11. WILL YOU COLOR CORRECT MY IMAGES?
Color correction is the most basic post production that should be done on every single image. Many photographers will not color correct any, or will only color correct “select” images from your wedding. This means that you may have a lot of pictures where your skin tones are orange, yellow, red or even blue.
GK Photography color corrects every single image from your EVENT in order to make sure each and every image is a professional quality product.
14. WHAT ATTIRE WILL THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THEIR ASSISTANTS WEAR?
Even though the photographers are a big part of the Wedding/Baptism/Sweet sixteen day, it’s important that they are not distractions. As such, it’s important for the photographer to blend in as much as possible. Furthermore, for religious or cultural ceremonies, there may be certain colors that are considered taboo. Make sure your photographers will be dressed appropriately for the occasion. My Typical photography attire is black suit pants with a black polo or dress shirt. We dress completely in black because we want to go unnoticed by the clients and guests so that we can capture the event as photojournalists.
15. HOW LONG AFTER THE EVENT WILL THE PROOFS, ALBUM, ETC BE READY?
Each wedding photography studio varies in the time it takes to produce and deliver your pictures. Studios that do not do any post production or color correction may try to entice you by saying your photos will be ready the next day, or even within a week. However, most studios that develop and produce their images will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.
GK Photography has developed a consistent production schedule in order to deliver an amazing product in an exceptionally quick manner. This schedule can be seen below:
- 1-2 Weeks after event – Blog/Facebook teaser posted
- 3-4 Weeks after event – Proofs are available online (Weddings might take longer, due to special retouching)
4-6 Weeks after event – Album is delivered (this depends on how much revision is required from the original album)
*For more questions and information you may have Please contact GKphotographyNYC
* @ 718.650.9573 - email [email protected]