FAQs

Your questions, answered!

Weddings Q&A

If we had to pick only three words to describe our style they would be Vibrant, Artistic, and Timeless. During some parts of the wedding, the images we capture are photojournalistic, while at other times we provide some creative direction. Then the family portraits will be the most formal and traditional.

We are based in Washington D.C. and often work in the Maryland and Northern Virginia Area. We love inviting couples to come over our studio to hear their story. It’s a great opportunity browse through our printed wedding albums and at the same time get to know us better.

Yes! On weekdays we are available to photograph these events. Please contact us for more information and availability!

Certainly! We frequently work in Maryland and Northern Virginia area and are willing to travel greater distances. Once we know the location you have in mind we will incorporate a travel fee for anything involving driving over 60 miles, and include the estimated additional cost in your package options. You can expect that our rates are very reasonable.

Our goal is to make you feel comfortable; to remain unnoticed as we capture sentimental moments, while also being friendly, respectful, and vocal as we position people for some group pictures. We want our energy and presence to enhance your celebration. We put a lot of time and effort into preparation for your big day.

Lots. Iโ€™ve lost count but Iโ€™d say north of 350+.

We use professional Nikon equipment with multiple camera bodies, the best lenses and any lighting tools that may be needed to create beautiful portraits in certain situation.

Absolutely. Please contact us if your venue needs a copy of our insurance policy.

We specialize in photography but we are happy to recommend some videographers who shoot amazing films.

Whether or not you have one is up to you, but we encourage couples to consider it if possible. We believe it can be an especially romantic and meaningful time for the bride and groom to have a private moment without the pressure of being watched by all your guests. If you prefer not to see each other, but would like have a moment together before becoming husband and wife, we can help you come up with a creative way to make that happen. We also understand that some couples prefer to see each other for the first time when they are walking down the aisle. The day can be structured either way and we can go over the benefits of each option.

No need to worry, we will still make it work. Everyone is there to celebrate you, we are certain that the weather will not get in the way of making wonderful memories and beautiful photographs! If you are planning an outdoor wedding, please let us know if you have any bad weather backup plans which would alter the location.

After taking thousands of images on your wedding day, we carefully and thoughtfully sort through all photographs and narrow them down. We eliminate duplicates and verify that any image delivered has great color, contrast, and sharpness. Each and every wedding image we deliver to our couples is enhanced. All of your final images will be edited with professional software and provided in high resolution.

You will receive all the wonderful images of special moments and people you love without needing to sort through those that are unflattering or otherwise less than the standards of my artistic vision. We make certain that you are getting the best.

We do not deliver unfinished RAW files or โ€œouttakesโ€.

Detailed high-end retouching such as fixing flyaways, removing sweat beads, and other more time consuming work can be done for an additional fee. Of course, every image you select for a Fine Art Wall Portrait will receive this advanced treatment.

Yes! On average, the ratio of color to black and white final images is around 90/10. More photos are delivered in color, but some final images are always edited in black and white, at the discretion of our editing style and expertise. Not all final images will be in color, and not all will be in black and white. Once they are edited, changes will not be made to the color options of the final images. However, we are happy to lean one way or the other based on your preferences. If you prefer more Black and White images, make sure you tell us!

Weddings can range from 700 to 1300 depending on the length of coverage, size of bridal party, guest count, reception style, and decor. Engagement sessions typically produce an average of 80 to 120 final images.

Every couple receives their wedding and engagement final images delivered via an online gallery. Each couple will receive a unique link to their own gallery, and can download the photos directly to their hard drives. Final images are sorted into different folders for easy viewing. These galleries house your images for 10 years, backed up in the cloud. The images are available for download, free of any additional fees or charges, even for your family and friends!

Yes! Included in all collections is a personal print release. All of our couples are welcome to print their photos. You can have the images printed at a lab of your choice, you can order directly through the gallery, or you can work with us to design an heirloom album or special piece of art.

After the wedding we work hard to select the best images and make sure that they reflect the beauty of your celebration. While a month may seem like a long time, retouching is not a fast process, and we use this time to create and deliver a high quality product that you will always treasure. We will post a sneak-peak on social media, then once they are all ready we will send you a link to view and share your private gallery with family and friends. You will also be able to order prints directly from the gallery.

The wedding season can get hectic so we recommend booking as soon as possible. This way we are more likely to be available for your date. Fill out application form here www.gonzalez.com/contact to check our availability.

Simply reach out to Gonzalez J. Wedding Photography by filling out application form here www.gonzalezj.com/contact to schedule a consultation and to advise us you would like to book. We will answer any remaining questions that you have and send you a contract along with an invoice for the $1,500 non-refundable retainer required to reserve your wedding date.

Here is what you can expect after your contract is signed and the retainer is paid. First, weโ€™ll send you our new client welcome kit filled with lots of planning tips and wedding advice. Next we schedule your engagement session and a few weeks after your session your images will be ready.

In the months before your wedding, we send you blog posts of things to keep in mind as you finalize all your details and send you a questionnaire so you can share your planning decisions with us. About a month before your wedding, we will find a time to discuss things like timelines, logistics and family portraits!

Should you feel you need to extend your coverage either before or during your wedding weโ€™re happy to stay. Additional hours are billed in 30 minute increments.

The full retainer is held to secure your wedding date, exclusively for you, and it is non-refundable. It is likely we have turned down more than one wedding commission after you secured your date.

All photographs from Gonzalez J. Wedding Photography (GJWP) are copyrighted and Federal Copyright Laws preserve the rights to exclusive use of negatives and reproductions there from for GJWP whether for display, publication, computer scanning or otherwise. All photographs are copyrighted. It is illegal to copy or reproduce event or portrait images in any way without the written consent of GJWP.

GJWP reserves the right to enter images created at portrait sessions or events into professional competitions which may subsequently result in their exhibition and publications by the sponsoring professional associations, and to produce a judicious selection of images for display as samples of their work to be show to prospective clients, in albums, as display prints, magazine advertisements and on our web site. Such display will be consistent with the highest standards in taste and judgment.

Engagements Q&A

Your session will be a fun, feel good, photographic adventure. It celebrates showing love and being loved. The engagement session will take approximately 2 hours. A second location is possible as long as the spots are just a short distance apart and you can incorporate one outfit change. To help everything go as smoothly as possible it is best to arrive ten minutes before your start time. This will help ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Engagement sessions are put on the calendar immediately after a couple books their wedding with us. Engagement session dates fill just as quickly as wedding dates fill, so it’s best to schedule your session as soon as possible! Depending on how close we are to your wedding date at the time of your booking, will determine when we shoot your engagement session. For the best lighting we always schedule around sunrise or sunset.

The best pictures happen in places that are meaningful to you. Locations can include: a first date spot, favorite park, the beach, your home, and of course we can also help come up with ideas. Of course, if you donโ€™t have a specific spot in mind weโ€™re happy to make suggestions. For a few ideas, check out this post on some of our 10 favorite spots for Engagement Sessions!

There are many wonderful locations in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland that do not require a permit. However, if a location requires a permit we will work with you to obtain the paperwork and send you an invoice for any fees.

Donโ€™t worry. We know how to make the best of bad weather by using props like umbrellas and rain boots. Rainy sessions can be incredibly romantic! Of course, if thereโ€™s lightning or dangerous winds weโ€™ll work with you to reschedule or find a backup location indoors.

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