How do we book you? +

A few ways but the most basic is paying your retainer and signing my contract. A retainer is simply a percentage (between 25%-30%) of your full package price. Note, this is not an additional fee. The retainer is always non refundable. This is not a deposit. Retainers ensure your date is completely blocked off from any other bookings. You are literally retaining my services. They also contribute as a fee for services such as timeline meetings, engagement or boudoir shoots, and any editing that is done prior to the event date.

Do you offer a payment plan? +

Yes, I can offer payment plans. Here are a couple scenarios in how people normally pay me. 1)Pay the retainer and sign the contract. The remaining balance for all scenarios is always due 1 calendar month from your event. Additionally you may split your remaining payment into 3 additional payments with the final one being collected, one month before your event. The payments are always equally spaced for time and percentage of your balance. You will always receive reminders before the payment is due. Failure to pay will result in termination of contract. 2)Pay half the balance at the contract signing and the remaining balance 1 month before your event(this is generally the most popular). 3)Pay in full at the contract signing. You will receive $100 off your package if you pick this option. There are no cash discounts. At the time of this writing I accept all major credit/debit cards, checks and cash. I am currently phasing out any use of cash apps or venmo/paypals. My apologies.

How long does it take to get our photos? +

You will receive a smattering of teasers(up to 40) two weeks after your event date. Full digital and wedding event galleries are typically 4-6 weeks. I know in this social media hungry world that may sound like a lifetime but I’m worth that wait. I will always release a few portraits the day after the wedding so you can show the fam. Wedding albums and picture delivery is generally 1-3 months after the wedding date. I do insist these are general guidelines and there are many factors that could increase or decrease the time of delivery.

Do you give people “raw” images? +

No. I will express this clearly. I do not give out unretouched raw images or jpegs. You are hiring me for a service and will always only receive a completed product.

Do you give out high resolution edited images? +

Yes and no. In the years before digital photography if a bride or groom wanted to get another picture made they would only have one place to do it, the photographer. This is because the photographer owned the negatives. For the most part we don’t shoot with film cameras anymore and this has changed how we do business. I encourage people to print through me. Why? I’m not Target, Costco or Walgreens. They will surely all print your wedding pictures and possibly destroy any of the nuances and beauty that quality paper and concise color treatment they have been given. You’re paying for a professional eye, don’t let it go to waste on those retailers. I have no control over how they print my images and they could turn out, very icky. It’s a very long answer to a question but I give out photos that will yield a print up to 8x10. I’m not in the business of making you pay an arm in a leg for a 4x6 but I ask you invest in quality for larger prints, through me.

How many pictures do I get? +

Lots of depends here. I am a quality over quantity shooter but it all depends on what your day is like. For weddings and events I average 50-80 photos per hour. You will see everything that is sharp, beautiful and contributes to the story of the day(400-800 final) Wedding albums are less, between 75-125 images.

Why do wedding photographers cost so much? +

We don't but photography is an investment. You are booking my services because I have the experience, confidence, eye, and tools to create images you will never lose. These images will be here far longer than we will. Your children and their children will look at them in wonder. I will say this though, being a small business that is insured and uses high quality gear does add up. Most of our work also does not involve your day. That's just the fun part. Like I previously stated, we are a worthy investment.

Are my images safe? How are they backed up? +

Favorite. Question. Ever. YES. I have an obsessive method of backing up and protecting your files. In my 15 years of photography I have never lost a file for a client, and because this is my livelihood I work very hard in keeping that streak alive. You can rest easy here. I use Canon professional products and their top line allows me to shoot on 2 memory cards at a time. This gives me a small piece of mind that if something fails, I always have a backup. After the wedding the images are backed up thrice. A computer backup, an offsite external backup and a cloud backup.

Do I own the images? +

No well yes, but no. Ha, aren’t I confusing? Of course they are your photos. You purchased them and you can post/use/print them to your liking but the image copyright is always retained by the photographer. If you took the picture, you’re the copyright holder. The bride and groom generally retain what we call, the “usage rights.”

What do you mean when you say you, “retouch” the images? +

Even in the days of the dark room with film, photographers have always “edited” their photos. Editing can be very elusive. The best editing looks like there is nothing at all. I try my best to get everything correct in camera but every photographer will run their photographs through their favorite editing programs. For me that’s lightroom and photoshop. Everything gets a color/contrast/sharpening tweak. From there I will adjust accordingly to “my style.” More significant editing involves things such as blemish removal, body contouring, teeth whitening and tattoo removal and is additional. I try to shoot everyone in a flattering way. I never alter anyone’s appearance unless I am told to do so by the client.

So what’s your style? +

If I just said I was a traditionalist I would not be giving myself enough credit. I photograph weddings on possibly the most up to date technology available. Though, the way I go about the process is time honored. I am very much in the school of thought that I believe your images should be timeless. They should not subscribe to silly gimmicks or fads. Your photos will look as crisp, warm, and beautiful 40 years down the line, even if your haircuts don't. I strive for imagery that is closer to true to life than any bizarre color scheme. My tones have a slight vintage quality to them as I grew up shooting film. You will also see a fair amount of black and white photographs within your gallery. It's very hip to say that your work is documentary-like or photojournalistic. Posed photos seem to be going the way of the dodo with candid moments making the most sense to people nowadays. I am a mixture of both. I'm there to make moments from what I see from your day. Not create unrealistic, one size fits all photos. So I do my best to always be within earshot but never on top of you. On the posed portions of your day I make sure we make realistic goals to cover all those important images your family may also want.

Can I have all the images in black and white? +

Yes, so simple. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I can include a separate folder of the entire wedding in black and white but I’ll be honest! Not everything that looks nice color, looks nice black and white and vice versa.

Do you shoot alone? Can I have a second shooter? +

I can shoot alone, I prefer, for larger weddings, to have a second shooter. It makes the day go a lot smoother and we can provide compelling storytelling while making sure you have appropriate coverage. My second shooters are always professional, hand picked and people I trust to have a similar style as I do,to promote cohesion in your photos. Second shooters can be male or female or whatever they identify themselves as.

Can we give you a shot list? +

Yes please do. A month before your event we sit down and hash out a realistic timeline for photos during your day. Remember, good photos take time, not a lot, but they do so it's important we manage expectations and make sure we can fit everything in so you don't miss any moments.

Do you provide videography services? +

I personally am not a videographer. That may change in the future as I am currently learning how to edit but I bundle my services with area videographers whom I have deep working relationships with. Since our services are bundled you would still be making payments to Michael Jacobs Photo.

Oh no, my wedding reception is going late but I still want photography, do you work extra hours? +

I got you fam, yes I do. You can see my overtime pricing in the wedding package list.