How It Works
Why Choose Custom Classics to Create Your Wedding Images
The Big Questions is why should you choose Custom Classics Photography?
And the answer is this: We shoot one wedding a day, and only 30 wedding a year.
Could we shoot more in a year? Could we shoot more weddings in a day? Could
we hire more photographers? Yes!!! We turn away weddings every year. We have
professional photographers volunteer to be our assistants so they can learn
how to shoot weddings like us. We don’t want to be a photo factory. We
want to know all of our brides and grooms. We have photographers, we have the
equipment. We don’t under shoot or over shoot weddings; we know the images
brides are looking for. We believe in the best quality and the best service
for the fairest price. We don’t believe in printing cheep proofs when
we can print quaintly custom prints and design custom albums. We don’t
believe in creation fees and we don’t believe there is a one size fits
all package for brides. We believe every bride should be able to choose her
images, in her album, her way. That’s why they call it a la cart. We are
proactive, creative, and a leader in wedding photography. What we shoot today
others will shoot tomorrow. We are wedding specialists; we have the technology,
education and the skill.
Full Coverage with No Preset Packages
Quinn will provide full coverage for the entire time he is at your wedding.
This means every moment, every special event is captured for you to remember
for all time. There's no "abbreviated" coverage or limited shots.
You'll find some studios show you pre-set "packages." Many of our
brides have pointed out that this limits creativity, limits the number of photographs
taken and presumes that you will want something from a pre-set package. From
Quinn’s experience, THERES NO BRIDE QUITE LIKE YOU! You
are unique, special, and your own person. So Quinn will capture the uniqueness
of your wedding and attend to your special tastes. You are different. Your photographs
should show all the wonder and charm possible, don't you think?
With this kind of full coverage photography arrangement you will receive More
Creativity, More Photographs, More Flexibility, Free Special Effects, Free Dimensional
Lighting, Free Portraits if desired, Free Engagement Session, EXCITEMENT
AND FUN! And much much more . . . .
What is an average number of photographs taken at a wedding? At our studio
the average number of photographs taken is usually over 300. WOW! This gives
you plenty of photographs to select from. The actual number can vary from 250
to 500 depending on any number of variables including, the cooperation of the
weather, schedule of the day, and the timeliness of the participants.
Just use the "Wedding Planner" included below to determine the amount
of time desired for your wedding day coverage.
Wedding Photography Planner
Begin with the Ceremony Start Time (BOLD below), and work backwards to figure
the approximate photography start time.
________ Portraits/Bride & Groom Specials: Portraits, Window light, Love
Poses, Special Poses, (½ Hr)
________ Portraits/ Bride & Groom Altar Formals: Bride, Groom, Bride &
Groom Pre-Creations (½ Hr)
________ Portraits/Preliminary Poses: Groom, Groomsmen, Grooms Parents, Fathers
(½ Hr)
________ Portraits / Preliminary Poses: Bride, Bridesmaids, Bride's Parents,
Mothers, Per Attendant (½ Hr)
________ Formal Family Portraits: Bride, Groom, Bride & Groom, Wedding Party,
Parents, Immediate Family,
Extended Family, Grandparents, Other Formal Groupings_______________________
(1 Hr)
________ Pre-Ceremony: Guests arrive, Aisle Runner, Bathroom Breaks, Prepare
for Ceremony (½ Hr)
________ Ceremony ___15min ___30min ___45min ___1hr (Receiving lines average
6 guests per minute)
________ Post -Ceremony: Receiving Line, Greet Guests in Aisle, and Dash to
Limo, Carriage, and Other_____________
________ Travel to Reception: Outdoors Portrait, Park, Bar, Other_______________________
________ Social Hour: Receiving Line, Mingle with Guests, Cut Cake __________min
before dinner
________ Dinner: Head Table, Parents Table, Toasts to Bride & Groom, Other_______________
________ Dance: First Dance, Wedding Party Dance, Parents Dance, Bride w/Father,
Groom w/Mother
________ Garter and Bouquet Toss: Dollar Dance, Other dance photos_______________________
Start Coverage Time_________ End Coverage Time__________ Total Hours____________
Print the
Wedding Planner
Easy Payment Terms
Weddings are expensive and budgets are tight. At Custom Classics Photography,
you have several options, which give you the exact flexibility to fit your needs.
Payments accepted are VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Checks, Travelers Checks,
and Cash. You can choose from one of three payment plans: (1) normal terms -
which split up your payments, (2) easily monthly payments or (3) lay away plan.
1) Normal terms: Initial retainer to reserve wedding date, final pre wedding
payment is due 4 weeks prior to wedding. Additional orders paid in full when
ordering, the balance of bride’s album and extras due upon pick-up of
final order. All purchases subject to state and local sales tax.
2) Easy Monthly Payments can be established. Establish a budget; divide that
by the months remaining to your wedding. Convenient monthly payments will
pay off your balances by the scheduled due dates.
3) Lay Away Plan allows one to purchase a beautiful album, or other photographs
and pay for them over an extended period of' time. Monthly payments can be
made as one's budget allows. The album is prepared and ready for delivery
within 45 days of final payment. Additional prepaid orders by parents and
friends will be rushed ahead to meet normal delivery times.
How to Book Your Wedding
When you have decided on Quinn as your wedding photographer call right away
to make sure your date is still available, and then makes arrangements to book
your wedding date.
Arrangements can be done on the phone with a VISA, MasterCard; Discover or
through the mail with a check, or by any payment method on a personal visit
to the studio.
To book your wedding and to hold the date on our calendar, the payment of the
initial deposit and a signed Wedding Agreement Form is required. You do not
need to decide on a specific coverage plan, album options or other details at
this time. Final decisions will be made at the final consultation or requested
at the time of your wedding. Coverage time used over the hours contracted for
will be paid at the time of your album design session.
The Agreement Form spelling out the details of your wedding is provided as
a way of assuring you everything you expect for the prices quoted.
What Do Most Couples Spend?
In two recent surveys of brides, one in the upper mid-west region, and one nationwide,
the average amount spent on wedding photography was about $2850 with a low of
$800 and a high of $6500.
Quinn Hancock is neither the highest priced, nor the lowest. An average wedding
will cost a couple -$3600 or more depending upon the number of hours and photographs
purchased.
An average means half of the brides will order more and half will order less.
Your only requirement is to pay the minimum to purchase contracted for.
Album photographs are delivered with a natural finish, assembled in the album
as designed, or in folios or frames as appropriate. Free custom frames are included
with the purchase of our wall portraits. Special photographic lacquer is available
for an additional charge. Orders are sorted by who ordered them, packaged and
ready to enjoy. With us, there are never any hassles.
Normal and Extended Warranty
Custom Classics Professional Photography offers an unconditional satisfaction
guarantee on all of its products and services. They also offer a 5-year warranty
on the production and quality of the photographs. The custom designed albums
come with a factory lifetime warranty against workmanship and defects.
We retain all the negatives for a period of 1-year. After which we only store
the negatives that have been ordered from. We assume after a year if you haven’t
ordered that particular negative you never will.
CUSTOM DESIGNED ALBUMS
WITH NO PROOFS!
Quinn has the distinction of being a designer of fantastic wedding albums,
and this service is available to you as well. Many couples in recent years have
praised the advantages of going with the NO PROOF method. In this scenario,
Quinn goes to work on your wedding album immediately after the wedding, and
creates the custom designed albums you will be viewing at your album design
session. Here's how it works: When quinn sends in the photographic film to be
processed from your wedding, he saves expenses by ordering "processing
only" and no proofs. In this case, only the negatives are returned. Then
Quinn goes to work, putting together the album of your dreams. The advantage
to you is that you get more albums for the money, purely based on the fact that
there isn't the up-front expense of proofs. That is how 100% of your money goes
towards your finished product!
When you return from your honeymoon, you schedule an appointment with Jandra
for her to show you the albums Quinn has created and help you make any adjustments
you would like to make. There's no additional cost for this exclusive Album
Design service.
Yes! You can have those great panorama pages that you've seen before, but YOURS
will look completely different, because your wedding is different. That's what
makes Custom Album Design THE CHOICE for discriminating couples
like you, who want their album to be a unique and valued family heirloom treasure.
Start thinking about yours . . . . . TODAY!
Only One Wedding per Day - YOURS!
When Quinn accepts your wedding, you will be THE ONLY wedding
the Hancock’s photograph that day. This will give you the flexibility
to change your schedule or request additional coverage time without any conflicts
or concerns. Plus, you can be assured that YOUR WEDDING is
the ONLY WEDDING on Quinn’s mind.
Quinn arrives prior to the scheduled time of photography. He looks over the
church or ceremony site to determine the best locations. When you are ready
to start, Quinn is ready to photograph. You are assured that everything you
want photographed will be taken. Our studio prides itself in its organization
and worry free approach to wedding photography.
You will NOT be disappointed!
No Hassles
Quinn has NO rules or strict policies that hinder or dampen
the spirit of your wedding day.
Some photographers have the ridiculous rule that prevents anyone from taking
photos except them. This is self-serving for the photographer and usually creates
hard feelings. No one should prevent Grandma, Auntie or Cousin Lou from taking
a few photographs. Make sure you clarify this policy with the photographer you
choose.
Quinn does not object if others want to take pictures. In fact he tries to
allow time to be set aside for all your friends and relatives to take photographs.
All he asks is that your friends and family do not take pictures during the
portrait sessions. This keeps everyone’s eyes directed at the correct
camera and prevents photographs where someone is not looking where they are
supposed to look. Quinn just asks for a bit of consideration of your time so
Quinn will have the opportunity to get everything you want; consideration of
the portraits, so others do not flash during the professional photographs, as
this will cause a reflexive eye blink and spoil the professional photographs.
We have found the best way to handle any situation is with common courtesy
and by treating everyone with respect. Quinn's NO HASSLE POLICY
makes for the best spirit and sets the tone for cooperation.
Back-Up Plans and Equipment
Everyone expects everything to go as planned, but we know Murphy's Law happens:
bad weather when you wanted outdoor photographs, running behind schedule because
the hairdresser was late, flowers delivered late, a tuxedo that doesn't fit,
or many other of life's unexpected turns. Heaven forbid any problems will happen
on your wedding day. If they do, you don't have to worry with Quinn Hancock
as your photographer. You will be in experienced hands.
Mr. Hancock has many years of experience photographing weddings. Quinn can help
you through many of these difficult situations.
Quinn brings back up cameras, film, lenses, lighting equipment, emergency kit,
safety pins and other necessities you might need.
If a camera malfunctions - Quinn has backup. If lighting equipment fails -
there's backup. If a lens breaks - there's backup. There's even enough film
available to photograph the entire wedding twice. You can rest your mind when
you choose Custom Classics Photography as your studio - Quinn Comes Prepared!
If it rains and you wanted outside photographs, Quinn offers a rain session
after the wedding with a small minimum to purchase. If you scheduled enough
time for photographs and things are running behind due to events outside your
control - Quinn will work his magic and help you get the things that are important
to you.
Images Ready within 10-15 Days
Once your wedding has been photographed images will be ready for viewing within
about 10 to 15 calendar days. These digital images show the expression, poses
and special moments captured at your wedding.
Your wedding images are edited to show only the best of each pose. This eliminates
the discussion, confusion and redundancy of poses that look very similar. You
will be proud to show off your wedding images to everybody. Every bride will
wish her photographs would be as nice as yours!
We will pre design your wedding album prior to your album design session. When
you schedule your design session you will want to plan on spending an average
of 2 to 3 hours. Once you leave the studio after your design session you will
know exactly what your album will look like. We will have created a CD of your
wedding images that you can make as many copies as you’d like. This way
you are able to share your images with all of your friends and family.
When you leave with your CD, you will be shown how to place your order for
your photographs, and answer any questions you may have.
Album Finished Within Twelve Weeks
After you place your order, the processing and finishing of your wedding album
and reprint order takes about 12 weeks. At Custom Classics Photography, you
will not experience any long delays or frustrations with the delivery of your
order.
Quinn’s personal promise and commitment to you is to meet or exceed the
delivery date and your expectations! If anything takes longer than what we promised,
we will keep you apprised of the progress and the expected delivery date of
your order.
Expected Photography Costs
Wedding pricing depends upon four things:
1) Number of hours you hire the photographer
2) Number of photographs you buy
3) Size of the photographs
4) Additional products or services such as album, retouching, print finishing,
or print protection.
The typical amount of time a couple hires a photographer is 6 hours. There
is a minimum to purchase commitment, which depends upon the number of hours
contracted for. This commitment is paid at least 4 weeks prior to the wedding
and applies towards any photographs, albums or reprints that you order. If you
want to secure your wedding date more than 6 months prior to your wedding, then
a six-hour purchase commitment is requested.
The total number of photographs ordered determines the actual price for each
print. Essentially, prices decrease as you buy more. We offer six price levels.
The most common purchase level is 250-349 photographs, which is the total number
of photographs purchased by everyone, including parents, attendants, bride &
groom, etc.
Here's the price range of popular photograph sizes:
8x10's . . . . $32 to $15
5x7's . . . . . $30 to $15
4x5's . . . . . $28 to $15
Award Winning Photography
The benefit to you of this accomplished and active photographer is that you
are assured of truly GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY!
These photographic competitions and memberships are proof of Quinn’s
vision, character and expertise, so that your photographs are the best they
can possibly be.
Professional, Courteous and FUN!
With Quinn, you'll find a photographer who truly loves what he does, and he
desires to make photography enjoyable for you as well.
Your wedding can be a stress filled day, and Quinn strives to reduce your anxiety
by taking charge of the details and the schedule. Whenever possible, your every
request is cheerfully followed. He wins the respect and cooperation of your
family and wedding party by his gentle and polite mannerisms.
Photographed YOUR WAY
Every bride is unique and has her "vision" and "dream"
of how she wants her wedding photographs to look. To assure your plans and special
requests are followed, Quinn does four things:
1) When a couple first visits the studio, it will be determined how they
want their wedding memories to be remembered and what is especially important
to them. This is obtained in the interview process, and for those that choose
Quinn as their wedding photography studio, there's already a plan in place
of what needs to be photographed.
2) Jandra personally meets with the bride and groom in the weeks prior to
the wedding date itself to finalize the details:
•the itinerary and schedule,
•determine the favorite choice of photography style,
•find out about any special photo requests, and
•take special note of any family situations, traditions or important
details of the wedding which will help him capture the essence of your wedding
day.
3) On the actual wedding day, Quinn and Jandra capture the classic and expected
photographs, special requests, any candid moments or photo opportunities,
and "on-the-spot" requests by the bride, groom, family and friends.
4) Before they finish the photography and leave your wedding, Quinn or Jandra
will check with the bride and groom to make sure no photographs are missed.
