What is your style?
Every photographer in our studio is an artist and has their own unique eye and style. We believe that great wedding photographs should not just succumb to one genre or style. We believe that we have to document weddings in a way that still life, photojournalism and portraits are equally strong and important. We believe that documentary photojournalism is very important in every wedding to portray the important moments of the day, from the bride getting ready, the ceremony, cake cutting to the first dance. We also believe that covering the pretty details like flowers, dress and shoes, are equally important to the story of the day. And because we believe that great and beautiful portraits of the couple in love are also important, I ask for one hour of your time during your wedding day during the best light so that we can capture some of the best portraits of your wedding day. We love creative composition, detail and lighting. We love emotions and couples in love. We love wedding photography.
Where are you based out of?
We are based out of Sacramento and San Francisco, California
Where do you guys live?
Olin, Donna, Kai, Christina and Meredith live in Sacramento while Lia lives in Martinez. We easily commute all over the Bay Area.
Who is Donna?
Donna is my client concierge and studio manager that will help you every step of the way and will be your primary point of contact.
What are associate photographers?
Associate photographers who you can commission to do weddings under the Milou and Olin brand. Their commission rates are different from Olin's. Each associate photographer has photographed with Olin for a number of years and has an eye for weddings as well.
What if we want to meet you guys in person?
We meet our clients in our studio in San Francisco on Union Street or in Downtown Sacramento. Donna can arrange a meeting time with one of our photographers for you.
What if we can’t meet you in person?
Please contact Donna. Half of our couples are from out of state and we can easily set up a phone or Skype meeting.
Do you travel?
Yes. Olin frequently travels to weddings in both domestic and international locations and all her associates are available as well. We are very comfortable traveling for weddings, and we love doing it! We prefer to arrive to my location two days before the wedding. Travel fees are simple, we charge for hotel (3 nights total), car rental, air fare and a luggage fee if the airline charges one.
Can we see a wedding from start to finish?
Certainly! Please contact Donna to view sample wedding galleries.
Do you still take posed family portraits?
Definitely. We believe that this is one of the most important parts of the day. A wedding is a happy occasion that draws all your close family members and it is very important to document this gathering. Two weeks before your wedding, Donna, will contact you about your family members and posed family portraits so that we can come up with a efficient list for your wedding day. We typically spend twenty minutes of the wedding day on your posed family portraits and keep it light, fast and informal so please keep that in mind and adjust your family portraits accordingly. A long list of family portraits will take away time from your wedding day and we prefer to focus on photography the important candid moments of your wedding. Should you have a long list, we recommend appointing a specific person that knows your family members and can help point them out to us.
Should we give you a list of photographs to work with?
All we will need is a list of your posed family portraits. We will not need a list on the rest of the day. Part of hiring us as your photographer is knowing and trusting us to be a professional and know what moments are important for the rest of the day. We will photograph the typical moments of your wedding day just like the lists on wedding magazines and websites so we assure you that you need not worry.
Do you work with a second shooter?
Yes! Some of our collections include second shooters. Our associate photographers are frequently second shooters for each other.. If an associate photographer is not available to second shoot, we pull our second shooter from a collection of equally talented second photographers we trust and have worked with.
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I have been photographing weddings since 2008. Before that I was photographing competitive dog sports since 2003 and traveling across the country for assignments.
How many photographs will we get?
We take anywhere form 1000 photographs in one day but we will select only the best for you. The number of final photographs will largely depend on your wedding day itself. The type of wedding, the number of guests, the number of hours and the amount of detail will largely affect your the final number. The typical minimum for a 8 hour wedding coverage is anywhere from 500-700 photographs. The typical minimum for a an elopement or city hall wedding is 200 photographs. Trust that we will take the utmost care to pick your final set of photographs. We will only deliver the best photographs that we have chosen. We do not deliver all of the photos because you will end up with thousands of useless photographs. We value quality over quantity.
Do you do site visits?
Typically no, but we will always visit a site privately on my own if it is our first time at the venue. If you would like us to visit a site with you, please contact Donna. There will be a nominal travel charge to cover travel expenses.
Can our friends and families photograph with their own cameras?
Yes of course! We just ask that no one joins us when we have our portrait session, it is imperative for us to have our privacy while we photograph your portrait session so that we can achieve the genuine and intimate connection you see in our portfolio. We do strongly suggest recommending that guests put their phones and cameras away during the ceremony as it is extremely difficult and not visually appealing to photograph a bride coming down an aisle or a first kiss photograph filled with guests on their phones taking photos. We also require that your guests wait for us to be done when photographing posed family portraits and that no one use flash photography if we are so that we can maintain the quality of your family portraits.
GENERAL
TECHNICAL
What kind of equipment do you use?
We use professional Canon equipment.
Do you just rely on natural light?
No, we mix natural light and artificial light using flashes. Our reception photographs typically uses more flash/artificial light. All of our photographers are skilled in artificial lighting.
My venue is really dark!
No problem at all, We am very well experienced in photographing in dark venues like wine caves. Please contact the studio if you would like samples.
How much time do you need for posed portraits?
We prefer 45 – 60 minutes. We prefer to take additional time right before the sunset, We assure you that it guarantees beautiful photographs with the very best light that you often see in my portfolio.
Do you back up your photographs?
Yes, we have at least 4 different back ups, 2 of them being off site cloud back ups.
Do you edit the photographs before we get them?
Yes, we do. Every single photograph that you receive will be edited and will have been scrutinized over by at least two pairs of eyes.
Do you retouch skin?
Very, very lightly, we prefer a natural look.
Do you deliver black and white photographs?
Yes we do if I feel that a particular photograph is better in black and white. If we feel that a particular photograph is better in color, you will only receive the photograph in color.
Do we get to keep the files?
Yes, we deliver all your edited files on a USB drive. We will also deliver a copyright release to make your own personal prints as well as a printed resource for taking care of your files and where to get them printed. We retain the copyright to the photographs and the rights to use them in promotional materials, competition and exhibitions.
What if we lose the USB drive?
Please contact our studio and we will help you. For this reason, we recommend that you back up your wedding photography files prior to safekeeping.
Do we get the RAW files?
No, we never sell or release these files and they are not available. We don’t believe that these files are necessary as they are not close to the final photographs we deliver and has to be opened with special software.
How does the album design process works?
We deliver your wedding album design on the same day that we deliver your online proofs. All our wedding albums are designed in house by Olin or our own experienced designers. All album design proofing are done online and is very simple. You get a preview of it and then 2 round of changes before an editing fee is applied. Each editing round will take us two weeks to complete. Once you approve the layout, we will help you choose the cover and color options. Once we get your final approval and payment, your album goes to print and we will receive your album approximately 12 weeks after that.
What will my album design look like?
Please contact our studio and we will be more than happy to provide you with samples. You will also be able to view samples when you sit down with us at our studio. Additionally, there are photos of albums below.
What is online proofing?
Each of our couples get a private online website where all of your wedding photographs are displayed and stored for your friends and family to view. It also has a secure online shopping cart much like Amazon.com or Macy’s. Friends and family are able to purchase their own prints from the website which makes it very convenient for all our couples. We will then take care of the orders so you can rest easy.
What is online slideshow?
Each of our couples get a private online slideshow of our favorite photographs from your wedding day set to a complimentary song. This is a great and quick way to display your wedding photos to family and friends who can enjoy the very best photographs of your wedding day.
TECHNICAL
TECHNICAL
Do you have insurance?
Yes.
Can you provide proof of insurance for our venue?
Yes. Please contact our studio so that we may assist you.
Can you hold a date for us?
We can only hold a date with a retainer and a signed contract. We book couples on a first come first served basis as we feel that this is the fairest method. Keep in mind that some dates are more coveted than others and peak months often get booked out months or up to a year in advance.
What is your payment schedule like?
Your non refundable retainer is due when you sign your contract. Everything else is due two weeks before your wedding.
Do we have to pay sales tax?
Yes you do if you live in California.
Is there a credit card fee?
No.
Can we make installments?
Yes, installment payments before your final payment is due is available.
Can we pay you part of our payment after the wedding?
No, full payment is required before the wedding.
I have to cancel my payment, can I have my retainer back.
No, the retainer and all payment once paid is non refundable.
There is also a cancellation fee depending on the date of cancellation.
I have to change my date, is this possible?
Yes it is if your chosen photographer is still free on your new date. If your photographer already booked on your new date you can choose to have another associate photographer photograph your wedding. The retainer is not refundable and there might be a payment adjustment as each photographer has their own rate.
What if you get injured or cannot make it to a wedding?
We have never missed a wedding, fortunately. If we somehow cannot make a wedding due to a grave illness, an associate photographer or a contracted photographer the studio chooses will photograph your wedding. We are part of a local and national network of photographers of comparable skill that we can pick from if necessary.
When should we book you?
Because dates come and go and we do not hold dates, you should book your date right away. Sometimes couples book 1 year in advance and sometimes 2 months in advance.
When do you arrive?
Depending on your schedule, we typically arrive half an hour before your make up is completed.
How long do you stay?
We typically stay half an hour after open dancing starts once all the events such as cake cutting, toasts, first dance and etc, are done. We always advise our couples to save their money and not hire us for much longer. You really don’t need us for much longer, your guests will just get more drunk and sweatier, it’s really not photogenic! And dancing photographs will all look the same over time. We suggest getting a Giggle & Riot photo booth for the rest of the night.
Do you stay later if things run late?
Yes, we will never leave without checking in or saying goodbye. We have an hourly overtime rate that will go into effect with your approval. We will bill you for the overtime hours after the wedding.
How many hours do you suggest?
Every wedding is different and unique but Donna can help you with your questions so please don’t hesitate to contact the studio.
Do you offer discounts?
Sometimes we will offer discounts for non Saturday or Sunday weddings or for off season but it is completely dependent on our availability and at our discretion. We do have a soft spot in my heart for intimate weddings and faraway cool destination spots!
Do you need food at the reception?
Yes, for both the main and second photographer! Feeding us means that we will have plenty of energy for the rest of the night to document your wedding day. Please provide our meals when you are eating yours, so that we can continue to photograph the events after and not miss important events such as toasts. It is very important to relay this message to your catering team. Most people really aren’t so attractive while they are eating so we choose not to photograph guests during meal times.
Do you blog every wedding?
We honestly try to but sometimes certain ones don’t make it to the blog and we apologize!
Do you come to the rehearsal dinner?
Yes, we offer rehearsal dinner coverage if you want us to photograph the rehearsal dinner.
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