WEDDINGS Q & A
Q: What is your style of photography?
Q: What should be the criteria for finding a wedding photographer?
Q: What makes Dugas Photography unique?
Q: Where are you located and do you charge travel fees?
Q: Do you photograph “formals” or group shots? Do you want me to provide a list of “must have” photographs?
Q: Do you use film or shoot digital? What type equipment do you use?
Q: What type of albums do you offer?
Q: When will we receive our wedding album?
Q: How may I place a print order from a wedding or portrait?
Q: What are your current prices? What are your current print prices?
Q: How far advanced are you booked? How do we book you?

PORTRAITS Q & A
Q: What is your fee for portraits/bridal session and what does that include?
Q: How should we dress for the portraits?
Q: Should we have makeup professionally done?
Q: Do you photograph other events and parties?

COMPANY POLICY

---

WEDDINGS Q & A

Q: What is your style of photography?

A: Our wedding photographs reflect the tone of the celebration in a realistic, natural, relaxed manner. Our combined perspectives bring a collection of photographs that are a combination of “wedding photojournalism,” candid, portraiture, and posed group formals.

Wedding photography has recently experienced considerable change in the last decade. Photojournalism is a "new" word in wedding photography and needs a little explanation. Photojournalism is the type of documentary photography used in such magazines as Life and National Geographic; “wedding photojournalism” is a similar style that has provided an alternative to traditional wedding photography. Wedding photojournalism illustrates heartfelt emotions. It avoids the prompted or posed look of the traditional style, with little or no intrusion. A reason for its popularity is the personal coverage to each wedding that makes each couple’s album unique. It is not a series of arranged images throughout the day.

There is a difference between candid photography and the technique of the “wedding photojournalist.” A photojournalist uses finely tuned skills of anticipation and observation: sensing, feeling, and seizing decisive moments. People act more like themselves when they are unaware that they are being photographed. The photojournalist can be “unseen” with their unobtrusive manner and the couple can really enjoy their family and friends. Back to top.


Q: What should be the criteria for finding a wedding photographer?

A: It is important to choose someone you like and with who you are completely at ease. You will be spending most of your wedding day with them and the connection you make with the photographer will come through in your images. So, you should find a photographer whose work you connect with and love. They should be well versed and adept in their style. Back to top.


Q: What makes Dugas Photography unique?

A: It is our “view” through the camera, the way we see the events unfold that make us unique. Plus, we continue to explore new ways of “seeing” such as lenses, Photoshop tricks, trade magazine articles, and just about anything and everything to stay ahead in our field. As well as, our couples receive a more extensive coverage because of our combined imagery. There is so much happening on your wedding day that one photographer cannot possibly be in two places at once. We also feel personal attention is very important and we like to keep in close contact with our clients to form a good relationship with them before the wedding. Back to top.


Q: Where are you located and do you charge travel fees?

A: We are located in a suburb of New Orleans, called Metairie. This is a central location for us and is easily accessible to all parts of the metro New Orleans area including the North shore. Most of our work takes place in the New Orleans area however we have been commissioned to photograph events nationally. Our local area includes the city of New Orleans and it's surrounding areas including the North shore. Beyond that, anywhere else in Louisiana would require transportation expenses and hotel accommodations if necessary. Outside of Louisiana, we would require roundtrip airfare, accommodations, and taxi or transportation expenses covered as well. Back to top.


Q: Do you photograph “formals” or group shots? Do you want me to provide a list of “must have” photographs?

A: Unless you request otherwise, we do photograph the standard groups of the wedding party, family and bride & groom. It’s an important part of recording your family history at your wedding. But it is just a small portion. We work quickly and can get it done in a short amount of time when it’s well organized. You may wish to designate someone to gather people. We will not go up to pose everyone, just give a little direction if needed.

We do not need a long list of “must have” photographs. But we would like you to specify anything special that you want, which may include you with someone you are especially close to (that is not in the wedding party or immediate family). Of course, we like to know about anything unusual or unique to your wedding. Back to top.


Q: Do you use film or shoot digital? What type equipment do you use?

A: We use Canon digital cameras, a variety of lenses, mounted flashes and stand-alone flashes that are strategically placed where needed.

We believe that digital cameras are incredibly advanced, resulting in clear pictures, faster turnaround times and more convenient sharing options than with conventional photography. The LCD screen on the back of our cameras let’s us check to make sure everything is correct. This means no more bridesmaids with closed eyes in your photographs. And, our professional lab uses the same high-quality photographic paper that is used for film prints. Another great use of digital photography is the ease of creating artistic enhancements and touchups that traditionally were more expensive or just too difficult to achieve in the darkroom. Please see our web page, “Artistic Details,” for some examples. Back to top.


Q: What type of albums do you offer?

A: Our packages include a custom designed modern flush album. View a sample here. Back to top.


Q: When will we receive our wedding album?

A: Our Flush albums are custom designed by Dugas Photography. The images are placed online for your viewing and selection. Once you have made your selections, the order is emailed to our studio and composed in an album presentation. Then, either the album can be placed online for your approval or an appointment can be made to view the album in our office. At this time, you are allowed to change any photographs. This process takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Once changes are made, the album is posted online for a final viewing. Then, the album is custom printed, inspected, and shipped to the album company for binding. This final process takes approximately an additional 6–8 weeks. A timely process, but one that pays close attention to detail and your wishes to produce a unique custom album at no extra charge. Back to top.


Q: How may I place a print order from a wedding or portrait?

A: Your photos are posted online after your wedding/portrait session. Simply view them online and fill out the online Order Form. Family and friends of our clients are welcome to place print orders from their wedding or portrait session. Back to top.


Q: What are your current prices? What are your current print prices?

A: Please fill in the “Contact Us” page on our website and a price list will be automatically emailed to you along with a password to view our online portfolio. Back to top.


Q: How far advanced are you booked? How do we book you?

A: Please call for availability, as certain times of the year are more popular than others. We photograph a select number of weddings a year to ensure a high level of service and deliver the photographs in a few short months. A deposit of $100 is required to secure your date and will be applied towards your balance. At the time of booking, we will send you our contract. We accept cash, check, and are currently setting up to accept all major credit cards. The rest of the balance is due 14 days before the wedding. Back to top.


PORTRAITS Q & A


Q: What is your fee for portraits/bridal session and what does that include?

A: A family, baby or children’s portrait session is $200. This includes the session fee, a $50 value, and a gift certificate of $150 towards your purchase of photographs. All images are posted online for your viewing selection. Family or children’s portraits are photographed on location outdoors using natural light or window light indoors. We will travel to a special place you had in mind. Please call to discuss. For baby portraits, we feel the baby is most comfortable in its home environment so one of us will come to the parents’ home and use window or skylight coming in. Travel fees may apply. Please call and discuss. An engagement/bridal session is $200, which can be anywhere in the metro area and includes 3 8x10s color/black & white and 2 black and white 5x7s photographs. Back to top.


Q: How should we dress for the portraits?

A: Choose solid colored clothes and not a material with a print, which can be distracting and take away from the subject. If it is a family or couple, you should be well coordinated, not necessarily matching, unless you want to. We can discuss your ideas and help you choose what to wear if you need. Back to top.


Q: Should we have makeup professionally done?

A: If you would like to! Professional makeup is a great idea since they know how to apply makeup to you for photography and bring out your features in a natural, beautiful way. For our brides, this is a good time for a trail run on hair, makeup, etc. Also, don’t forget a bouquet of flowers. Back to top.


Q: Do you photograph other events and parties?

A: Yes, we are available for anniversary parties, wedding and baby showers, family reunions, and other special events, including fundraisers and corporate events. Please call to discuss your needs. Back to top.


COMPANY POLICY

A $100 deposit is required to secure the wedding date. The remaining balance must be paid in full 2 weeks before the wedding.

All custom bridal albums must be finalized no later than 16 weeks after wedding date to avoid late charges.

All contracts are null and void one year after the wedding regardless of whether the client has placed their order. Any portion of the contract that was not placed by the client within that year but requested after the allotted time will be accessed a late fee and current pricing will be applied.

Shipping charges will be added when applicable.

We suggest you contact us 2 weeks before the wedding to ensure that any changes etc. have been confirmed with our studio.

The copyright of all images generated on assignments belongs to Dugas Photography and may be used in advertising, etc. without the written permission of the client.