THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE
MY PHILOSOPHY | I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life and yet you only get one shot at it! By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over! My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images, it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. When my couples feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, that results in genuine, joyful images! When I think back to my wedding day, I remember amazing memories.... but most of the moments I remember really well are the instances that were captured in my pictures. They are priceless to me. Your wedding day is an experience from beginning to end and your photography is a huge part of that experience..... shouldn’t it be fun? and enjoyable? and natural? I think so! My goal is to not only capture memories for my clients, it’s to create an experience that they will never forget.
THE PROCESS | One way I ensure that my brides and grooms enjoy the BEST photographic experience possible is through forming a relationship with them. I try my best to make sure that all of my couples are the PERFECT fit for me before officially booking. A bride and groom should connect with their photographer, trust their photographer and be EXCITED about the whole process with them! After booking, I love getting to know my clients through an ENGAGEMENT SESSION that helps them warm up to the camera so that they are ready to rock and roll on the wedding day! By the time the wedding day arrives, my clients feel more like friends and that creates a safe and relaxed environment for photography! Now that you know a little bit about my approach to the wedding day, you can continue reading to find more detailed information about THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE!
Random Fact
If you haven’t heard...I’m obsessed with details!
Complimentary Engagement Session
10 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
High Resolution Digitals of all lightly edited images
Time to edit the final gallery of images
Online Viewing Gallery
60 Miles of Travel for wedding day
60 Miles of Travel for Engagement Shoot
(.57 per additional mile)
$4,000
THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Associate photographer cost is $3,500
WITH A 10"x10" 40 PAGE HEIRLOOM ALBUM
$4,500 + Tax
THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Associate photographer cost is $4,000 + TAX
4 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
Digital HIGH RESOLUTION edited images and downloads
Available to the Greater Grand Rapids Area
Typically covers the wedding ceremony, family formals, and some of the reception
*This collection is not available for Saturday Events
Engagement session not included
$1,600
THE BASIC COLLECTION
Perfect for elopements and vow renewals
Associate photographer cost is $1200
WEDDING COLLECTION
ENHANCEMENTS
MILEAGE - FEDERAL RATE AFTER 60 MILES
ADDITIONAL WEDDING DAY COVERAGE - $400/HR ($350/HR for associates)
ADDITIONAL PORTRAIT SESSION - $400
**A 30% RETAINER AND SIGNED CONTRACT ARE DUE TO RESERVE ONE’S DATE & CAN BE COMPLETELY ONLINE **
Heirloom Albums
OPTIONS
8x8 40 page Album $600 + Tax
10x10 40 Page Album $800 +Tax
12”x12” 40 Page Album $1000 + Tax
Album spreads max out at 40 pages.
WHY INVEST? | Your first decision as an engaged couple is to set priorities for your wedding planning. You have to decide what you value most. Is it the dress? The food? The Venue? As a bride AND photographer, I believe that couples should make their photography a top priority. After the big day is over, you will leave your reception with a spouse & your pictures.... that’s it! All of that planning and preparation is over in a matter of hours! So if you’re choosing to invest in high quality photography, those images deserve a classy, elegant home after the wedding. I offer high end, leather bound Heirloom Albums for my wedding clients. The images are printed straight onto the pages and the covers are wrapped with top grain leather. This is the perfect ending to The Wedding Experience and it’s a keepsake that you will be showing your children and grandchildren one day!
Am I willing to travel for engagement sessions? I actually love it when my couples ask me to photograph them in a location that means something special to them! I book engagement sessions at least 3 months or more from your wedding date and 40 miles of travel is included. Engagements are complimentary because they are more of a get to know each other session for us before the big day. Unfortunately they can not be deducted for monetary value from your collection.
ENGAGEMENTS
I average 50+ images per hour that I’m shooting. I love delivering my client’s files quickly and easily via an online gallery. You will have the ability to print, share and download your images as much as you want. I believe in freely sharing my work because that is what I would want if I was in your shoes!
DIGITAL FILES
I am often asked if 10 hours is enough time to capture the full wedding story and the answer is yes. If you find that you need additional coverage later tou can always add it as we get closer to the big day and we have a good idea of your timeline. However anywhere from 8-10 hours should be plenty of time to capture details through dancing if your wedding is at one location.
COVERAGE
I love being both interactive and discreet throughout the wedding day. There will be parts of the wedding day when I will need to be in control in order to accomplish everything that needs to be done while staying on schedule. There will also be moments when you shouldn’t even know that I’m there. (The ceremony, during dances and toasts, etc.) I teach my couples how to pose, model and interact during their engagement session so they are naturals on the wedding day and don’t need quite as much instruction from me!
MY SHOOTING STYLE
Once I have answered any questions you may have and you have decided that my Wedding Experience is exactly what you’re looking for on your wedding day, the next step is a booking proposal. I will create an online proposal that will walk you through the package and when you’re ready you can save your date by signing your contract and paying your deposit online.
BOOKING
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Kara
If you want to know if your date is available you can contact me karahanesphotography@gmail.com
I’m so glad you stopped by! Enjoy this season of engagement and get excited about your BIG DAY because it’s going to be fabulous! Plan and prepare but always remember that at the end of the day, you’re marrying the love of your life and that’s all that really matters. Congratulations on your engagement and I look forward to hearing from you! Be sure to visit the BLOG to view my most recent weddings!