J Renee Photography: 10 Questions with Jennifer Pritchard

Photographer - Jennifer Graham

Business: J Renee Photography
Location: Wichita, Kansas KS
Experience: 20 Years
Photography Types: Quinceanera, Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: J Renee Photography
Website: www.jreneephotography.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi! My name is Jennifer, and I am the sole photographer/owner of J Renee Photography in Wichita, Kansas. My love for photography began back in high school with film photography over 20 years ago. After high school, I went to college for web and graphic design, eventually transitioning into digital photography and finishing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. I began to photograph weddings in 2010 and fell in love with telling the love story of my client's weddings. I enjoy the excitement and energy of the day of the wedding! It's so exciting to capture all of the special moments as they occur. And my passion for creating dynamic, stunning images that wow my clients.

Fabulous images are not just my niche, though, and fantastic customer service sets J Renee Photography apart from the rest. My goal is to be not only helpful throughout your wedding day but every day leading up to it as well. From start to finish, I help my clients. With vendor referrals, I am offering expert advice on achieving the best poses and anything else that may arise leading up to the big day. With over 20 years of experience, I've learned how to manipulate lighting that sets my photography apart from others. I want my wedding couple to have images that stand the test of time and make them feel the love they share so intently for each other when they look at their portraits.

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

I have been shooting weddings primarily since 2010, and I have photographed around 100 since then. I have been in photography for 20 years now as far as a total experience. I have shot a wide array of photography types. I always say if you can photograph a wedding, you can photograph anything! Weddings are my bread and butter, but I also shoot portraits, events, and headshots on the side. I am often busy year-round when the wedding season has quieted down. When I am not photographing a wedding or event, I am constantly doing new workshops to sharpen my skills or training with classes in photography. I continuously improve my wedding photography every year, so my clients get the best photography and service they deserve.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

As a photographer well versed in lighting, I use a combination of styles and lighting during a wedding day. I like to use modern and contemporary posing with vivid and bold lighting to create dynamic images. I have a true-to-life photography style meaning that I don't use any filters or presets in my editing style. I am not a "light-and-airy" or "dark-and-moody" photographer but rather something in between. My imaging colors are more true-to-life unless the client requests otherwise. Of course, during a wedding day, many different styles will take hold. I like to incorporate a photojournalistic style for documenting the day, and those can't miss moments. I would consider my style more editorial/fashion for the bride and groom portraits and a traditional but modern style for family portraits. In short, I use a combination of techniques to create well-rounded imagery that best tells the wedding day story for my clients.

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

I can not stress enough to book your photographer as soon as possible and at least 12-18 months before your wedding date. With the Covid-19 pandemic, many weddings from 2020/2021 are rescheduling to future dates. Many newly engaged couples are looking for those exact dates. Wedding photographers tend only to take a certain number of weddings a year, making the demand high for highly sought-after photographers. I typically have clients that book with me 1-2 years in advance, and my most popular dates are from June to September each year, primarily on Saturdays. The wedding couple feels more confident on the wedding day in front of the camera too! Not only is it easier on your wedding budget to book early, but it also allows time for you to get your engagement session done for your save the date cards and time to get to know your photographer more intimately.

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

I currently offer four packages and an a la carte menu to build your custom wedding package. No two weddings are alike, and the couple's needs vary based on what they would like to achieve with their wedding photography. I offer a silver, gold, platinum, and diamond package for my wedding couple's to choose from, ranging from $1800-$4800. My most popular gold platinum package includes 10 hours of photography, engagement & bridal session, a 12x12 Lay-flat photobook, a handcrafted wooden flash drive gift set, and digital images.

Wedding packages can be found on my website under wedding investments. I offer a basic package that includes 6 hours of photography and digital images, typically enough to cover most smaller wedding days. This is an excellent package for those on a budget or having a smaller wedding without the need for all the bells and whistles. I am happy to customize a package from the a la carte menu or add something to an existing package from that menu too! Extra hours can be added to any wedding package as needed. Do keep in mind the total wedding package costs also include 4-6 weeks of professional editing of the photos after the event. Due to the pandemic, I am happy to schedule a consultation to go over your individual needs and budget, either in person or via zoom if you prefer.

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

I am the sole photographer at J Renee Photography, so typically, I am just on the wedding day. I do have some wedding couples that want a second photographer for different angles. When that happens, I hire only professional pro's that I have worked with within my industry with the same quality of photography as myself. I primarily shoot with Canon, using only the top-of-the-line equipment along with backups. On the wedding day, I will work with the wedding couple to establish a timeline of portraits so everything goes smoothly. I work with wedding planners and the DJ to ensure everything stays on schedule and is thoroughly documented.

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

First off, I love destination weddings! There's so much fun in traveling to a new place to get the creative juices flowing! I do have my passport for any weddings out of the state or overseas. I do not charge any travel fees within 50 miles of my location for weddings in Wichita, KS, and the surrounding metro areas. I have a mileage fee included at 57 cents/per mile round trip for weddings further away. For weddings over 2 hours out (120 miles), I require a one-night hotel stay on the wedding night. If the wedding is over 3 hours away (180 miles), I need a two-night stay. The mileage costs will also be added to the total.

If the wedding is out of state or requires flying to a destination, my clients would be responsible for the airfare from myself (and a second photographer if requested), a two-night hotel stays close to the wedding venue, a rental car, and a $250 travel stipend (food, gas, baggage fees, etc.). I try to drive to keep costs down to save airfare costs, but the other expenses would still apply. In the case of a different destination that requires more days, there could be further fees included.

Also, a bride and groom may want to take into account the covid restrictions in many states. They require a ten-day quarantine period if traveling from out of the area. These costs would also be the responsibility of the client. Travel costs will be estimated until they are fully booked so that the prices will change depending on availability (flights, hotel, car rentals, etc.). Once the accommodations are fully booked, they will be invoiced separately from the wedding agreement. This keeps everything transparent and makes sure there are no surprises. I do my best to keep the travel costs at a minimum for my wedding clients. Wedding packages require a 30% retainer and signed an agreement with the remaining balance due 30 days before the wedding date. Travel costs will be itemized separately and due eight weeks before the wedding to ensure no accommodation issues on their date.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

I do have two packages that include prints, albums, or photo books. My platinum package consists of a 12x12 lay-flat photo book and a custom handcrafted wooden gift set. The set consists of a maple wooden box with a sliding lid printed with the wedding couple's photo and wedding date. Inside is a luxe woodcut magnetic flash drive with the couple's names and dates printed on it. These are all of my bride's favorite items and are very popular.

The wedding couples that want it all upgrade to the diamond package, which upgrades from a photo book to a wedding album, and add a mounted or framed 16x20 portrait and everything else listed above! Of course, prints, canvases, albums, or photo books can be added to any of my packages to ensure you get exactly what you want to be added! I custom design my albums, photo books, and boxes to match your wedding colors and theme.

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

I try to get my wedding images done as soon as possible for all of my clients. I will typically post a sneak peek on social media within 1-2 days after the wedding and delivery of the final, edited images, and I quote 4-6 weeks. Final images will be delivered via a private online gallery. This modern delivery service allows sharing photos online from the gallery to social media, downloading images, and ordering prints/gifts.

Wedding clients can share the gallery with friends and family who may want to order a digital image or print as well. Digital photos are always included for the wedding couple in their packages. If a wedding client has an album or photo book order included with their images, the timeline for delivery is 6-8 weeks for those products unless it is a custom album design from Italy which can take 12-14 weeks to create. The wedding client will always have their digital images as soon as possible, but I quote these times in a busy season. If products are included in the packages, I hand-deliver those with white-glove service. I will help assist with hanging portraits, framing, etc., as needed.

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

All retainers for your wedding date are considered non-refundable. My cancellation and refund clause states that if a couple cancels their wedding, they must notify me immediately by phone and writing. Couples will make every effort to avoid canceling their wedding. If they withdrew their wedding because of a change of mind, no monies would be refunded to the couple. My Force Majeure/Act of God clause is very comprehensive, and in the event of a Force Majeure/Act of God event, the client and I would work together to find a suitable date that works for both of us. If the client and I disagree with a date, I will have sole discretion in refunding all monies paid minus any expenses/retainers. Every effort will be made to accommodate the wedding couple as J Renee Photography understands unforeseen circumstances arise, and my ultimate goal is to find a favorable outcome for everyone!