Nick Hanyok Imaging: 10 Questions with Nick Hanyok

Photographer - Nick Hanyok

Business: Nick Hanyok Imaging
Location: Seattle, Washington WA
Experience: 3 Years
Photography Types: Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: Nick Hanyok Imaging
Website: www.nickhanyokimaging.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi! I'm Nick Hanyok, owner and lead photographer of Nick Hanyok Imaging. I started Nick Hanyok Imaging back in 2016 because I wasn't fully satisfied in the corporate world. While I enjoyed being a marketing director, I wanted more. So I purchased a brand new Nikon, some lenses, and began shooting as much as I could. Fast forward a year and a half later I left the corporate world and began doing photography full time. I grew my business on the east coast shooting family sessions, engagements, and weddings in Baltimore, Virginia and DC. I also do commercial photography for local and national companies, marketing agencies, and small businesses. Shooting headshots, editorials for magazines, product photography to help businesses grow their online presence, and corporate lifestyle images for marketing purposes for the various niche industries I work with.

I have always been a photographer at heart. Ever since I was a kid I always had some kind of camera. Whether it be a polaroid, a 35mm film camera or digital. I loved photographing family get-togethers, pretending I was a journalist, and go around my neighborhood photographing things and photographing everything I could when I traveled. More recently I found myself flying the the PNW a few times a year to hike and explore the beautiful outdoors that Washington and Oregon have to offer and mainly refresh and recharge my creativity. I fell in love with Seattle though. The landscape, the various cultures, the lifestyle, I love it. So in 2019, I decided to make the move to Seattle. Before I left I wanted to grow my business so I could still serve couples who really liked my brand and style. I trained two photographers to add to my team so I could expand on the west coast and begin shooting more destination weddings. They are now my Lead East Coast Wedding Photographers and handle all new weddings in the Virginia, DC, Maryland, and Pennsylvania regions. I couldn't be more proud of them and the amazing work they bring to Nick Hanyok Imaging. Their couples think so too.

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

I have been shooting weddings now for almost 4 full years and in that time I have photographed over 90 weddings.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style is very often described as light and airy. I personally like to call it bright and beautiful though. I love documenting these special moments in a bright way because that's exactly how you should remember them, bright and beautiful. I'd also consider my style timeless and documentary. I love to create heirlooms that can be passed down through generations while still being beautiful and feeling classic, and capturing those special moments in a way that allows those moments to go completely uninterrupted.

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

I think the best time to book a photographer is in the winter months and there are a few reasons. For me, I like to completely revamp and show new work on my website around the end of the year. So when you look for a photographer past the holidays you're seeing all new work, on my site anyway. I normally book out a year in advance or more, so you get all the good dates for the following year and you get more options in terms of the engagement sessions. You can pick, spring, summer, fall or winter. You wouldn't get that freedom if you booked your photographer 6 or 8 months before your wedding.

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

I currently offer 4 collections with hourly coverage ranging from 4-10 hours. My most popular package for 2021 is my 10-hour collection. There are a few reasons for this too. First, you get 2 photographers, 800+ beautifully edited images, a flat lay album, and most importantly with this collection you get the peace of mind to know you don't have to rush to each and every part of the wedding day. While 8 hours is pretty standard in the industry, it can sometimes make the wedding day feel rushed and all about pictures. With 10 hours, you get to relax and not rush to the first look, or the church or the reception squeezing in pictures with 5 minutes to spare. You get to calmy go to each part of your day and actually enjoy it and have a memorable loving experience with your friends and family and special someone. Those are the pics you want, those are the ones that'll go into your album.

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

My 8 hour and 10-hour collection come with 2 photographers. I am the lead photographer and then one of my second shooters who I have worked with in the past.

If I am booked for your wedding day however; one of my Lead East Coast Wedding Photographers can shoot your wedding. I have trained them on my bright and beautiful style, the know the way I like wedding days to flow and they know the kind of images my couples expect when booking my brand. Alex and Kira are great photographers and handle most of my east coast weddings, while I focus primarily on Northern California, PNW markets and destination weddings. Should you want me as your main photographer on the east coast, If I am available I will shoot it.

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

I love to travel and I started photography essentially as a travel photographer. When a couple contacts me for a wedding that will require travel, I don't charge travel. I am incredibly grateful that I get to travel and do what I love, so adding an additional huge fee to fly to Mexico or Italy, on top of your investment for photography, doesn't feel right to me. After all, I'll most likely spend a few days there myself exploring and vacationing anyway. Many photographers do not take this approach though.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

Some of my collections include albums or prints. If a couple doesn't select a collection with those items included, I offer my couples the option to add them and get the collection cost reduction, up to one month AFTER they receive their final digital gallery.

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

After your engagement or wedding, or family session, I send you a sneak peek within 72 hours. After that, your event gets added to my editing queue. I select and edit all the images that come out of Nick Hanyok Imaging, regardless if it was me or one of my other lead shooters who shot it. Your final gallery is delivered within 3 weeks (if engagement or family session) and then up to 8 weeks for your wedding gallery, however, I am proud to say I have never delivered a wedding past 6 weeks.

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

My cancellation policy is pretty straight forward. You have 30 days prior to your wedding day to cancel. All retainers that you pay at the time of contract signing secure your day with my brand so that is nonrefundable because I may not be able to rebook that date after you cancel.