FAQ Stephanie de Jager

How do you define your style?

My style is timeless, classic, simplistic and romantic and is fashion, editorial and fine art inspired. I draw inspiration from fashion and lifestyle magazines, the latest trends and other artists’ work. However, as the events unfold during the day, I follow a photojournalistic approach, documenting the special moments. Therefore, I pose shots for effect and artistic value, but when necessary I also follow a documentary approach capturing the special unposed, natural moments. I love working with natural light, strobes and speed lights, whichever light source will give us the best results in a certain situation. I love photos to tell a story and when editing, I incorporate the mood of the moment. I also like to use strobes for some artistic and editorial style photos, as well as deemed appropriate for the moment.

I love to document/capture spontaneous and natural moments, to tell the real story of your day and to capture the magic. In order for this to be possible, I try to be as discreet as possible.

When it's time, I will also take a more active role making artistic and styled photos.

Where are you based?

We are currently based in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

Do you travel for weddings?

Yes, we do. We love to travel, so if you are planning a destination wedding, count us in. Please share all of your plans and ideas, so we can provide you with a personalized quote.

WE HAVE A DESTINATION WEDDING HOW DO YOU HANDLE TRAVEL?

We handle all our travel logistics ourselves. We book air travel, hotels and local transportation, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Please share all of your plans and ideas, so we can provide you with a personalized quote.

ARE YOU AVAILABLE FOR OUR WEDDING?

Hopefully the answer to that is "Yes". Please use the contact form on the website to find out.

I only do a maximum of 15 weddings per year.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?

We shoot with Nikon DSLR cameras and lenses. We also have two studio quality battery powered on location flash units (the Elinchrom Quadra Ranger Pro Heads) and triggers to do off camera flash work on any location where there is no power.

The item I cannot go without, is the SpiderPro Dual Camera System. This really changed my photography life. It's a nifty item every photographer should have.

Furthermore, I make use of Lexar Professional CF and SD cards, Manfrotto lightstands and tripods and Lowepro camera bags.

HOW DO YOU PROCESS YOUR FILES?

We shoot RAW files. RAW files need to be color and exposure corrected. All photos are post processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. The top photos get a little extra love and care. I do make use of Adobe Photoshop for some of the photos.

WOULD YOU MIND US EDITING THE PHOTOS YOU DELIVERED?

We cannot prevent our clients from editing our photos, but it actually makes us really sad. We put a lot of time and effort into creating the best images and do not make use of "Instagramish" filters. If you don't mind, we would appreciate it if you do not edit our photos, after all, you are paying us, because you like our photos.

WHAT DO WE RECEIVE?

All edited high resolution files in JPEG format on an online link.

HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL WE RECEIVE?

You will get all of the best photographs from your day. Typically it is anything from 300 up to 500 images from a full day of shooting. But we always aim for quality over quantity. During the day, every photo is composed creatively and after the wedding every photo is post-processed and love and work goes into each image.

For portrait sessions you typically get between 20 and 50 photos.

Please see below how many photos you can expect:

1 Hour engagement shoot: 20 to 40 photos
1,5 Hour engagement shoot: 30 to 50 photos
10 Hours Wedding coverage: Minimum 300 photos
Unlimited Hours Wedding coverage: Minimum 400 photos

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE UNTIL WE WILL GET OUR PHOTOS?

It will take between 6-8 weeks before you get your wedding photos, depending on the time of year. A lot of time and effort goes into the post processing of the photos, but it will be worth the wait.

For portrait sessions, you can expect to receive your photos within 3 to 6 weeks.

CAN WE PRINT OUR PHOTOS?

Yes of course you can. With the delivered photos, you receive the right of personal use of your photos and you can print them for you, your family and friends.

I would however recommend printing through me, as I am printing at a professional lab where only photographers can print. I also know that the colour of the prints will be in line with the colours on my screen.

I however retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competitions, professional reviews, et cetera.

DO YOU OFFER PRINTS AND PHOTO ALBUMS

Yes, I do. I offer prints, mounted prints in a display box and photo albums.

For more information, please contact me.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK OUR WEDDING?

Between one day and 18 months before the wedding.

HOW DO WE MAKE A BOOKING?

Please inquire for prices and availability by filling in the contact form on the website. By now you should have a good idea who I am, now I would like to get to know you, so please tell me about yourself and your wedding, the more details, the better. I will then e-mail you my collections (giving you an idea of the pricing). I would also love to meet for a cup of coffee or over a Skype or FaceTime session, so that you can get to know me better. It is extremely important to feel comfortable with your wedding photographer/(s) as you will be spending a great part of your special day with him/her/them. If I am available and you are interested, let me know and I will send you a personalized quotation. Each wedding is quoted personally according to your requirements. Traveling and accommodation costs (if applicable) are excluded from the collections as described. I quote on the details you provide and if the details changes, the wedding costs might be revised. Together with the quotation, I will send the terms and conditions and contract. Please read through the quotation, terms and conditions and contract. If you are ready to take the next step, please initial each page of the terms and conditions and sign the contract and send it back to me. You will also need to pay a 50% non-refundable and non-transferable booking fee to secure the date. Your reservation is only complete when I have the signed terms and conditions and you have paid the deposit for your booking.

If all this formalities are done and dusted, great - I am yours for the day and extremely excited to capture your memories.

DO YOU NEED A LIST OF PHOTOS TO SHOOT?

I have my own list in the back of our head when it comes to wedding details, such as the rings, the gown and decor details. What I do need to know from you, however, is the portraits that you want us to take. The family groupings that are important to you (please refer below) and any other special requests. Also, please let me know about any special features of your wedding, such as a surprise performance by a headliner or fireworks, sparkler exits and such.

I unfortunately don’t go around taking photos of the different groups of guests at their tables. I won't stop entire tables at the reception and make them pose for table shots. Instead I capture your guests during the cocktail hour and while listening to speeches, laughing, smiling, dancing, drinking, having a great time and enjoying the evening.

If you want to ensure you have photos of all your guests, I suggest you book a photo booth. It is lots of fun and most of them will give you a digital copy of all the photos afterwards.

DO YOU TAKE POSED FAMILY PHOTOS AND HOW DO YOU HANDLE THIS GROUP SHOTS (FORMALS)?

Definitely. Every wedding needs those. Group formals are simply a part of the wedding as you have a rare opportunity of families getting together and this photos are records of your entire family at an important time in history. You should please provide me with a list of all people on each shot. I would recommend one or two people that knows most of the guests to round up the guests for the specific photos to ensure the group photos goes quickly and smoothly. I recommend that you keep your family photos to a list of 8 to 10 groups at most.

WHAT ABOUT LUNCH AND DINNER IF YOU WORK WITH US ALL DAY?

We would appreciate it. Thank you.

DO YOU MIND IF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS TAKES PHOTOS AT THE CEREMONY?

It depends on what is important to you. If you would want them to, tell them to snap away all they want, but maybe it is nicer for you and them to actually enjoy the ceremony instead of taking pictures. It makes it difficult to capture the big picture of the ceremony if the guests are taking photos, but if you don't mind it, it doesn't matter. If you however would not want your guests taking photos, you can have a board at the entrance and/or have the MC ask the guests not to take photos just before you walk down the aisle.

MY FIANCEE AND/OR I DO NOT LIKE TO BE IN FRONT OF A CAMERA

I strive to make you feel comfortable and relaxed on your special day and will do our very best to ensure that. I can also suggest doing an engagement photo session. It is great fun and you can get to know me better and get more comfortable in front of the camera. You will realize that the photos do not actually look so awkward as it feels and will feel much more relaxed and comfortable on the wedding day.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY FOR PHOTOS?

One hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. I prefer to use the last hour before sunset for your couple shoot. If you'd like to know what time the sun will set on your wedding, you can use this great website Timeanddate.com.

DO YOU HAVE ADVICE REGARDING THE TIMELINE/ WEDDING PROGRAM? HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED FOR PHOTOS?

I like to meet up with my clients to discuss the wedding program and give good advise regarding the timeline and wedding program, before it is finalized, either for coffee or if not possible over Skype or FaceTime. In order for me to get the best photos on the day, the light is very important. If your photographs are very important to you, the time of the couple session is very important and should be given great consideration when planning the timeline for the day. The best time for the couple session, is an hour before sunset. If you'd like to know what time the sun will set on your wedding, you can use this great website Timeanddate.com. I'd gladly assist in setting up a timeline / guideline for you! To ensure I have sufficient time for the most important moments, I strongly suggest taking the following time allocations into consideration:

• Groom and Groomsmen activities: 1 - 2 hours (Optional - not all grooms want this)

• Mock up Groom and Groomsmen shots: 1 - 2 hours (Optional - not all grooms want this)

• Decor shots: 45 min to 1 hour (I prefer to photograph all decor before I go to the bride. Please ask your stylist / florist to be done on time. I also try to do a few decor shots after the candles have been lit in the reception venue)

• Bride before the ceremony: 2 - 3 hours

• Ceremony: 30 min to 1 hour (depending on the ceremony)

• Family & Group shots: 30 - 45 min (list of group photos to be provided prior to the wedding)

• Bridal party: 15 min to 20 min

• Couple photos: 45 min to 1 hour+

• Reception: Totally up to you.

DO YOU USE EXTRA LIGHTING EQUIPMENT?

We love working with natural light, strobes and speed lights, whichever light source will give us the best results in a certain situation.

A little tip for the reception,however: one of the best things you can do for great reception photos, is create enough light in the reception area; candles unfortunately are not enough.