Timeless Photography Tampa: 10 Questions with Edna "Lola" Goldberg

Photographer - Edna "Lola" Goldberg

Business: Timeless Photography - Tampa
Location: Tampa, Florida FL
Experience: 9 Years
Photography Types: Real Estate under brand Studio39Creative, Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: Timeless Photography - Tampa
Website: www.timelesstampa.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hey there! My name is Edna Goldberg but everyone knows me as Lola and my husband Howard and I are founders of Timeless Photography - Tampa. We are based in the Tampa Bay area but will, and have traveled everywhere to document love.

I am a mechanical engineer and after years of working in a stressful job going nowhere, I went back to school to learn photography properly, saved a year's worth and quit my job. See, my love for photography has been there since my teens and never thought I would own a business. The business part became a reality as I went to a wedding show and met some established photographer's who invited me to second shoot. I went to school to learn all the technical aspects of photography because I am extra and need to know anything in a scientific detail haha! Howard is my super handsome, patient and loving husband; everybody loves him when they meet him. He is the President of his company (don't tell him I said this lol) and he also shoots because he finds it relaxing, believe it or not. Shooting together also gives us time together and with every wedding we attend, we fall in love again.

After my formal training I trained Howard to be my second shooter.

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

We have been shooting weddings for 7 years now and have over 190 weddings under our belt. The first two years we started booking weddings, we booked so many! As our business grew and progressed, we understood that to give the best customer experience and timely delivery of images we slimmed down to book just two weddings a month. When we established Timeless, we also wanted to tackle the pricing issue. I believe we are competitively priced but offer much more, prints, second shooter, all digital images, no travel fees within 100 miles of Tampa, which is not typically offered at our price point. The fact that we may be lower priced does not mean we do not deliver quality. We put our hearts into our images and most importantly, into our customer experience.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

We are well known for candid, bold and colorful photography. You pick a gorgeous location for your session or your wedding, why would you want washed out photos? I love seeing landscape, the clouds, the color of water, flowers and they are your best accessory! Of course we pose for the traditional shots but all our couples know our style. I give general direction and encouragement, then the magic happens by itself and we know how to recognize that magic! Nearly all our portfolio photos are candid. We strive for all sessions to be fun and loving and strive to be nearly invisible in every wedding. My background in project management is hard wired in me so you can rely on me to be your coordinator and keep you on your timeline. We work in conjunction with all your vendors so your day is worry-free fun and memorable. For family and engagement sessions, they should all be fun. We love working with children no matter how hyper or hangry they get!

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

Since we only book two weddings a month, we get booked up about 18 months in advance. Of course there are some months we have some availability like July and August (this is Florida, these are HOT months) but any other month, especially January, October and November are usually booked well in advance. Weekends are very popular so we always try to get our hourly sessions done during a week day for a few reasons: we are probably booked on weekends, shooting outdoors is way better during a weekday since everyone is working and locations tend to have less people than usual and traffic is pretty predictable during the week. We also love to book near sunset because the sun is golden, temperature is lower and is towards the end of the day, so all your worries are probably gone.

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

Weddings:
Our most popular packages are 6 hours at $1800 and 8 at $2000. (we always customize if these do not fit):
Both include:
-2 shooters
-no travel fees
-engagement session
-up to two locations
-an assortment of prints
-ALL DIGITAL IMAGES for both wedding and engagement!

NO PAYMENT PLAN NEEDED! We take 30% deposit and the balance is not due until the week before the wedding so you can relax and pay when is convenient for you.
We also offer VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY packages starting at $3,500.

Our hourly sessions (families, seniors or engagement)
are just $300 with up to 90 minutes on location, no additional fee for the number of people or pets in the photo and all digital images are included.

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

Nearly 99.9% of the time will be me (Edna) and Howard, with me being the lead photographer. Our son James, who is also formally educated in photography may be either my second shooter or may be Howard's second shooter. I believe in all these years of us shooting, James has had to step in 3 times for Howard. We are all trained in such a way that you cannot tell who shot what part.

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

We are always open for travel. We have shot weddings all over the US, Canada, Switzerland, the Caribbean and shot engagements in Iceland. If your wedding sounds awesome we sometimes can cover the cost of plane tickets for ourselves so it is always worth it to ask us!

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

I am old school and looooove prints. We gift 50pcs of 4x6" and 5pcs of 8.5x11" with our 8 hour package and 30 pcs of 4x6" with our 6 hour package. I am known to send gifts here and there ;)
Our albums start at just $300 and you choose your prints. All albums are custom made so there are no two alike! Once you order you get to see a draft album where you are able to make changes or approve before it goes to print.

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

Wedding images are delivered in about 45 days, all of them! We offer a preview about 5 days or less after the wedding and the full gallery 35-45 days after the preview. All images are delivered and downloadable via online gallery and you are able to order a personalized USB with your images if you are not in the mood for downloading!

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

We have a non refundable deposit of just 30% of the total package price. We do not need you to make monthly payments, we just need balance taken care of a few days before the wedding. Any payments made beyond the deposit will be refunded if you cancel your booking up to 10 days before your wedding date. Regarding COVID, we will reschedule your date at no cost to any other date as long as it is available. Any other reason for rescheduling is the same, I can reschedule you forever as long as the new date is available.