Aaron Kes Photography: 10 Questions with Aaron Kes

Photographer - Aaron Kes

Business: Aaron Kes Photography
Location: Phoenix, Arizona AZ
Experience: 15 Years
Photography Types: Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: Aaron Kes Photography
Website: www.aaronkes.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hello! I'm Aaron Kes and I'm a wedding photographer here in Phoenix, AZ. I studied filmmaking in college and I had a photography class as a prerequisite. One of my friends was getting married a the time and asked if I was interested in shooting their wedding. Well...it went amazing and I fell in love with still photography and specifically shooting weddings. I kept working as a wedding photographer part time throughout school and just after. However, I got really serious about the business in 2013 and in 2014 I was able to go full time. I have been full time ever since and I've photographed weddings all over Arizona but I've also had the privilege to shoot weddings and event in Paris, New York, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Minnesota. I have a ball making beautiful images about the best day in people's lives and I love to bring out what makes them unique. I love couples who are themselves. I also wholeheartedly believe love is love and all are welcome.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

I have photographed over 200 weddings and I did my first one back in 2006 but I've been doing them full time since 2014.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

Fun, bold, and genuine. I like images that show people having real fun. I like color. I like getting inspired by my couples' personalities as well as their venues. I'm a sucker for cool architecture or beautiful nature. In the end, all I really need is two people in love ready to be themselves. The wedding industry often feels catered to specific people. I want to show that everyone's love matters. No matter your orientation, race, size, or anything else you can think of, you deserve to have a big, fun, beautiful wedding and I want to capture that.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

I usually book out about a year in advance. If photography is a priority for you, it should be the second thing you book after a venue. Maybe a wedding planner in there too. Weddings under a year can often still be booked, but if you want to guarantee you have the person you want, I'd try to do it further in advance.

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

I have three preset packages and an additional intimate wedding package. Most often Package II is booked. However, I also make custom packages all the time.

Package I - Currently $3200

Package includes up to six hours of photography, all selected, edited images (final count may vary, typically 350-500) delivered via an online gallery that you can download all files in high res as well as social media sizes, and a softcover 5x5 photo book.

Package II - Currently $4100

Package includes an engagement session, up to eight hours of photography with me and a second shooter, all final edited images (final count may vary, typically 600-800) delivered via an online gallery that you can download all files in high res as well as social media sizes, and a 10x10 fabric 40 page photo album.

Package III - Currently $5100

Package includes an engagement session, up to ten hours of photography with me and a second photographer, all final edited images (final count may vary, typically 900-1000) delivered via an online gallery that you can download all files in high res as well as social media sizes, and a premium 40 page 12x12 leather cover photo album.

Intimate Wedding and Elopement Package - Currently $1450

This package is for smaller weddings of 30 people or less booked within 4 months of the wedding date. Package includes up to 3 hours of photography, all selected, edited images (final count may vary, typically 150-300) delivered via an online gallery that you can download all files in high res as well as social media sizes, and it even includes travel up to 2 hours outside of Phoenix.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

I'm always the primary wedding photographer for my weddings. My company is just me. If you have a package with a second photographer included, I use 4-6 different people regularly for that.

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

Travel depends on where the wedding is and other factors. However, I love travelling for weddings and most often just charge for the price of flight plus two nights in a hotel.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

My top two packages include different sized albums. All packages include digital versions of the photos. Prints are extra but clients are free to get them done on their own.

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

My weddings are delivered within four weeks and are delivered via an easy to use and beautiful online gallery where clients can also download the images.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

In the event of a cancellation, the 50% retainer required to book my services is non-refundable. This payment officially secures the date with me and as such I will guarantee to book no other services on the reserved date of the wedding. If a cancellation takes place and I am able to rebook this original date with another wedding package of six hours or more with a different couple, I will reimburse the retainer. If the client needs to change the wedding date, the retainer can apply to another wedding date if booked with the photographer within one year of the original date. If I am already booked on the new date, the retainer will not be reimbursed except in the case I'm able to rebook the original date with another couple for a wedding package of six hours or more. If the wedding date needs to be moved due to COVID or any other circumstance beyond the client's control, there is no fee to reschedule the wedding. However, if the client cannot reschedule their event on a date I'm available, the booking retainer is still non-refundable.