Leniel V. Photography: 10 Questions with Leniel & Ayah Velazquez

Photographer - Leniel Velazquez

Business: Leniel V. Photography
Location: Riverside, California CA
Experience: 9 years
Photography Types: Quinceaneras, Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: Leniel V. Photography
Website: lenielvphotography.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

We are a husband and wife team. Photography was not something we chose, photography more or less found us. The ability to capture in moment, preserve a memory and to share an experience with someone else was so beautiful to us. Our first time we had the chance to document our first wedding, it was such an honor for both of us being part of such a significant experience in these two individual’s lives. That’s when we became aware of this passion for photography.

This originally started by Leniel taking pictures of landscapes when we would go on vacation. Leniel would get compliments of how his pictures would capture emotion, time and tell a story. He strives to capture candid images to where people can look back at the image and experience the emotion that took place in the photo. Leniel has other wedding photographers as mentors and they inspired him to become a wedding photographer. His passion is capturing the moments. I (Ayah) love to speak and know a little more about managing a business and approaching clients. We said well let’s give it a shot. We started out with small weddings and then word of mouth kicked in. One thing led to another and within two years we expanded drastically. Now we advertise with large social media based companies, We even expanded out to doing International weddings as well. We will go wherever our clients take us! We are blessed as we continue to expand, learning as we go the demands of brides and grooms of today. Being a young power couple helps in keeping an opened mind about what is out there now. Having a female perspective on the team makes the brides more comfortable in the capturing process. We look forward to continue servicing the LA county region.

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

We have been shooting weddings for about 9 years. As far as wedding photographed, I would say over 300 weddings. We learn something new everyday. We make new friends on every wedding we do. Our friendship does not end the day of the wedding, It continues through out the couple's life. From their engagement, wedding, baby, family photos. That is something really special about what we do.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

Photojournalistic. We strive to captured those emotional and special moments that only happen once in a life time.

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

At least 5 months in advance.

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

We offer a base package. Our base wedding photography package is $1499 and includes the following:

Up to 6 hours of event day coverage
Two Photographers (Second Photographer will be shooting from ceremony and on)
At Least 400+ edited digital images in high resolution; no watermarks
Private Online Gallery with Print Ordering
Free digital downloadable images in high quality

This base package is meant to be built upon. You are able to add to it several options, such as additional time to your wedding day coverage, an engagement session, albums, prints, canvases, etc.

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

Leniel (me) is the main photographer but also my wife shoots as well. Our clients always have two photographers in their weddings. It is only My wife (Ayah) and I. We do only one wedding per day.

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

Appropriate travel fees, which may include flight, ground transportation, and hotel accommodations will be added for weddings and engagement sessions that are outside Southern California. There are no travel fees for weddings and engagement sessions for most locations within Southern California.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

Albums and prints would fall in the category of Add-Ons. Can be added to the base package at an extra cost,

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

I typically tell my clients from 4 to 6 weeks. They usually receive the gallery no later than 4 weeks. They will receive their gallery through an online gallery (Shootproof). They will be able to download their images in high resolution from their gallery.