FAQ

Why should I hire a professional photographer?

The answer is simple: VALUE

Whenever we make a purchase, we consider the “value” we receive. It’s no different when hiring a professional photographer. Unfortunately, not many people readily understand the value of hiring a professional photographer. Because you’re a professional in your field as well, you probably want to get the best images possible-which are almost never the cheapest images! As we all know, the advent of digital photography has led to countless numbers of consumers thinking they’re photographers; more people than ever before are trying to do-it-yourself every day. And it’s true–the DELETE button on their digital cameras allows them to throw out out-of-focus, poorly composed, and badly exposed images instantly.

The result is more people taking bad pictures than ever before!

When you hire a pro, you’re not just hiring a person with a more expensive camera than your Uncle Bob. You’re hiring someone who knows how to make you (or your subject) look their best, using an artistic eye, an ability to put the subject at ease, and the technical skill to give you a stunning image that everyone will notice. You’re hiring someone who can take your vision of yourself (your product, your event, your service), and mold it into something eye-catching, truthful, and new.

If those things don’t matter to you, phone Uncle Bob immediately.

VALUE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER BRINGS:

Interest in You

A professional photographer will spend time getting to know their subject(s). Their preferences, their needs and wants. A professional brings the knowledge, experience and professional ability to capture and craft images in the manner and style you prefer. Whether your needs are traditional or creative, “outside the box thinking”, a professional photographer works with your desires in mind. A professional photographer helps you establish his or her “assignment” so that you can focus on business!

Artistic Vision

A professional photographer brings an artistic eye to the equation. One focused not only on the subject but also the background, the lighting, the composition, the depth of field and a host of other elements that not every one can “see” when crafting an image. Artistic vision and the ability to “see” the image helps a photographer craft memorable images that accurately convey an image, a feeling or even a lifestyle vs. snapshots.

High End Equipment

A professional photographer uses the latest digital SLR equipment and most importantly, a professional knows how to use this equipment. Today’s professional equipment has multiple and complex functions that allow a photographer to manipulate focal length, shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field to compliment almost any subject. It also allows the capture of crisp and sharp photographs in low light, with little or no image degradation.

Understanding of Lighting

A professional photographer understands and knows how to capture natural looking images in any kind of light. Whether in the studio, outdoors or in low light situations, a professional photographer knows how to add the right amount of direct or supplemental lighting to fill the scene, compliment the subject and maintaining a natural looking image. A professional photographer won’t fall prey to “red eye”, blurred or under or over exposed images.

Post Processing Software

A professional photographer will utilize high end post processing software that allows him or her to effectively correct color, adjust exposure, manipulate hue, saturation, lens distortion and edit images for a professional look. If it is high resolution files you require for your project, a professional photographer will supply you with the highest quality and largest size file with professional enhancements to give you the professional finished product you require.

Custom Printing

A professional photographer focuses on capturing high quality images and the objective thereafter is to preserve these images with high quality printing. Professional photographers will bypass the low cost volume “snapshot” printing providers and work with a custom professional lab that will help assure the delivery of only the highest quality final product, whether it be prints, posters, banners or brochures.

Isn’t digital photography cheaper?

Film is a wonderful thing, and we will always love classic black and white in particular. Still, it’s true that digital shooting has numerous advantages over film. Among those advantages is the ability for the photographer and client to catch mistakes and make changes early in the shoot, as well as faster turnaround time, easier image modification and retouching, and the ability to create color and black and white images from the same shot.

But the idea that digital photography on the professional level is cheaper than analogue (conventional film and paper) is a total myth. According to all of the stats published in the past two years, doing a professional shoot digitally costs as much as one-third more than traditional methods. Why, you ask?

FOR 3 REASONS:

(1) CONSTANTLY CHANGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE:

In the old days (from five to one hundred and fifty years ago) photographers expected their cameras, darkroom equipment, and all they needed to shoot and create an original image for you to last between five and twenty-five years, if not more. Today, digital equipment-cameras, computers, hardware, and software-is often obsolete in a few months, and rarely make it to two or three years.

(2) THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S TIME:

When a photographer shoots digitally, the post-production work required after the shoot-including downloading, naming files, color corrections, various batch actions, backing up on external hard drives, burning CDs or DVDs, etc. etc.–is infinitely more time consuming for the photographer, and sometimes takes longer than the shoot itself. In the old days, this was often a simple lab drop and pickup that was billed to the client. Today, it is the photographer and/or their staff who is working at the computer perfecting and presenting your images, which is reflected in your bill.

(3) FASTER TURNAROUND EXPECTATIONS:

Because clients know how quickly digital turnarounds can happen, they often expect the photographer to process and deliver much faster than with film. The marketplace has upped the ante on deadlines as well. So these added pressures also push up the costs.

How will my photos be delivered to me?

We now exclusively use Dropbox to deliver files to our clients quickly and sustainably. We upload your files to Dropbox, you are notified by email, you then download and backup your files at your convenience and everybody’s happy! Especially the planet. We suggest that you backup your files immediately after downloading.

What is Dropbox and why use it?

At BK Studios, we really like to do our part. The small things count, so we do whatever we can to be more efficient, productive and greener too. In 2013, we decided to take a huge step towards this by eliminating our use of DVD’s and CD’s. As we all know, they aren’t that reliable anyway and they account for a lot of used up resources and non-recyclable trash. We conserve resources, you get your files faster and we all save the planet! Awesome, huh? We think so.

*You don’t have to have an account with Dropbox to retrieve your files. We think you’ll want one once you use this awesome service though. Life in the cloud is easy livin’!

What if I lose my files?

We suggest that you backup your files immediately after downloading. We keep your files accessible for 1 year should you misplace them, after this time there will be an additional cost to retrieve them from our archives and upload them again.

What should I wear?

The answer is pretty simple and really you should be more concerned about WHAT NOT TO WEAR! Keep your clothing simple. No large patterns, logos or bold colours. If you want to add a pop of colour to your outfit, opt for a colourful scarf, jewellery or tie. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and neutral. Try to avoid the stark contrast of black or white and choose beige, brown, grey or navy instead. We have closets filled with black too but the truth is that most people’s skin tones look better in neutrals and dark neutral tones are just as slimming as black!

Will you travel for events, portraits, weddings and business sessions?

Yes, we are available for travel anywhere in the world. And yes-our travel rates are reasonable!

What kind of equipment do you use?

We shoot 100% digital photography. We use only the highest quality Canon professional digital cameras and a wide array of Canon lenses. And yes, we bring back up equipment to every shoot. Actually, we bring back up equipment for our back up equipment!

How much experience do you have?

We’ve been photographing weddings, events, people, places and things for over twelve years. As of 2014, we have photographed over 500 weddings combined, over 1000 business portraits and at least 600 family portraits. Both of the studio’s principle photographers have extensive professional training, many awards under their belts and are respected professionals in their field.

How does photo retouching work?

Once you have placed your order, your images will be professionally enhanced. Our standard photo enhancement includes: the softening of lines and wrinkles, the whitening and brightening of teeth and eyes & stray hair and blemish removal. Please contact the studio for additional retouching requests. There may be an additional cost.

What about fee payment?

Your session fee is payable upon booking your session and is non- refundable. It can however be used towards other sessions or products should you have to reschedule for any reason. We accept cash, cheque, e-transfer, direct deposit PayPal,Visa, Mastercard & AmEx…so go ahead, and rack up those bonus points and frequent flyer miles!! Payment plans are available on orders over $1000, please contact the studio for more information.