What is your primary style?

Photojournalism! I let the moments of the day happen naturally and take photos as thinks happen. I can capture the true emotion and sometimes the most hilarious things that way. I also capture a lot of candid photos vs. traditional cheesy photos. However, for specific photos; such as portraits of the couple together or separate, some posing is needed to make the two of you look absolutely stunning.

How many weddings have you photographed?

As of January 2017, I have photographed 58. My first wedding was in December of 2012 and on average I photograph 20-30 weddings a year.

Do I really need an engagement session? What if I've already had one done by my friend/mom/other photographer?

The engagement session & digital images are a complimentary gift from me.

It gives us a chance to work together before the wedding day.

It also helps all of us get to know each other a little bit. I've found that I can capture true emotion & genuine smiles once I know someone.

My clients tell me that it is fun & truly helps them feel more at ease on their wedding day.

We can also work thru possible issues before the big day. One year I had a bride who thought her nose was big. She never told me this until after the wedding. She chose to do an engagement session with a friend instead of me, even though she booked far enough in advance. After the wedding, she hated a lot of her photos that she was in. It came down to her being self conscious and hating her nose. Had I known this beforehand I could have posed differently or used a different type of lighting to not bring as much attention to her nose. I've had other brides tell me they are afraid that they will look fat in their wedding photos. If I'm aware of these things I can go the extra mile to make sure the bride looks and feels beautiful in all her photos.

I know a lot of guys hate and dread taking photos (or more photos). I'm only here to help make them look more handsome, and it doesn't have to be a long session.

You can view the full engagement sessions here: http://annaalethiaphotography.pixieset.com/?t=engagement and also on my blog: http://www.anna-alethia.com/category/portraits/engagements/

If you've already had a session done with a friend or another photographer, I would still recommend doing a short 20-30 minute session. This can be done in a different season, a different location, at sunset, night time, etc. than your original session.

If you have children &/or pets, they are welcome to be included in the session. I love to tell a love story thru the photos. However, please let me know in advance.

If you truly are not whatsoever interested, we don't have to do it. Because it's a complimentary gift, there are no discounts to not do it and no exchanges.

Do you specialize in wedding photography or another type of wedding photography?

I specialize in wedding photography. I enjoy taking on other portrait work, but engagement & wedding photography are my favorite. :)

How many events will you photograph on my wedding weekend?

Probably just one. A few times a year I do back to back (double) weddings. But it is exhausting and so I keep it to a minimum.

What happens if you are ill?

I am in a group of fabulous Madison & Milwaukee WI wedding photographers. We support each other and in the rare case that someone is sick, we are able to find another photographer(s) to step in for us. I also have second photographers who can cover as needed.

Will a contract of services be provided?

Yes! A contract signing is required to reserve your date. After we both sign, you will receive access to a client portal and be able to look at (and save for personal use) a contract, wedding info & invoice.

Do you have insurance?

Yes, I do carry general business, equipment and liability insurance. It protects me against possible equipment theft, but most importantly, it would protect me if anyone was to trip over my equipment during a wedding. If a wedding photographer does not have insurance, they are probably new to the industry or they are not taking their business seriously.

Do I need a second photographer?

If you have over 250 guests, then I highly recommend a second photographer. For the longest time, I have worked alone, but now I offer collections with and without a second photographer. With a second photographer you will receive images from two different view points. Plus, the second can be taking photos of the guys getting ready while I’m taking photos of the girls getting ready, etc.

Honestly, it is easier for me to have someone there to help out. Can I capture the grooms face the first time he sees his bride and the bride walking down the aisle by myself? Of course I can, but its always nice to know I don’t have to do both.

Do you edit the images?

Yes, I color-correct and straighten all images. I want to be sure your skin tones in the all the photos are correct, beautiful and smooth. Some photos receive special edits, but if every photo looked like that, it wouldn’t be considered “special.” I try to remove acne, bug bites etc, anything that normally wouldn't be there. It's your special day, you want to look beautiful/handsome and I want you to also.

In the past, I outsourced my edits, but I found out the people doing it weren’t at the wedding and had no idea how the photos should actually look. I strive to make you feel like you walked back into your wedding day by looking at the photo.

What kind of equipment do you use & do you have backups?

I use Pentax equipment. Most people have never heard of the Pentax brand and seem surprised. I learned photography on a film camera, so when digital became big I chose Pentax because the film lenses could still be used on the digital cameras. Besides, why be like everyone else who uses Canon or Nikon?

I have two cameras on me with two different types of lenses on them. It’s a lot easier to switch cameras than it is to change lenses. I have a backup camera and back up lenses.

What if my event lasts longer than scheduled, will you stay? Is there an extra charge?

It really depends on the circumstances; in most cases I don’t mind staying a little bit (up to 30 minutes) over. Overtime charges are covered in the contract; they are $300/hour.

I don’t just pack up and leave when the ending time has come. I make sure to find you and let you know that I have captured everything, confirm that there is nothing else you need from me and that you will receive an email from me the next day. :)

How long after the event will the photos, album etc. be ready?

3 weeks for engagement, family & newborn photo sessions

6 weeks for weddings, and there could be additional time for an album or other artwork.

How do you dress for the wedding?

I dress professionally, while trying to make sure I blend with the guests. This is partly why I inquire about your theme and colors of the wedding. (besides just being curious!)

Have you ever worked at my wedding site before? If not, do you plan to check it out in advance?

- Most of the time, I have not worked at your wedding venue before. A venue walk thru isn’t necessary, but if you would like do a walk thru with me, it’s $300/hr. I do research the venue and look up photos of other photographers who have photographed there before. I arrive early on the wedding day to scope out some sweet areas. I can easily adapt to new sites--it's what makes photography so exciting for me, being creative on a timeline.