FAQ & INFORMATION

WEDDINGS | PORTRAITS | MUSIC | TRAVEL

Being in love is rad. 

Your photos should be too. 

I love telling the story of a wedding in a way that moves past just getting pictures to put on your walls - I mean I'll get those too, but I want to help people remember what it felt like on that day. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty over the wedding day model that makes you guess how long every part of your wedding day will take in order to book hours with a photographer. Makeup always goes long, groomsmen get lost on the way to the portraits, shit happens. Let's just say, from the beginning, that I'll be there for your whole day. I'll be there for the excitement and the butterflies and the chaos of the getting ready photos, the all emotions of your first look and those first quiet moments you spend together just breathing on your wedding day; I'll be there to wrangle family members for your formal portraits and find the hidden beauty spots for your individual portraits; I'll be there for the energy leading up to the ceremony and the moment you pledge forever to one another; I'll be there for the well-wishers at the reception, the crazy drunken dancing, and the joy-filled send-off. And I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Because the truth is, when you photograph for time slots it’s easy to rush for the "big" details (the flowers, the cake, the garter, the ties) and the important details (like tear stains, flower girls playing in the dirt, the way the breeze teases the bride’s hair, and the look in your guests eyes as they congratulate you) are missed. I want to work with people who value these images. I want to work with people who want us to be a part of the planning, who want our input on how to make their images the best they can be. I don't want to be just another vendor. If you decide you would like me to be your photographer, you’re hiring me to tell your story - the whole story - the story of the first day of your married life.

ELOPEMENTS

I shouldn’t play favorites. But elopements are my favorite.

Who doesn't want the stress of a full wedding but still wants the joy of pledging the rest of your forever to that human you love? Wanna plan a secret soiree in the woods, or take a helicopter out to a remote glacier? Climb a mountain, nestle into a cove on a rocky beach, plan an intimate moment in a special backyard - I’m here for it. Let’s go.

For the sake of simplicity and clarity, I include Elopements and Intimate Weddings in the same category - any celebration with fewer than 20 people total is included in this definition. Documentation of all small events includes photos of any ceremony you have planned plus a time for portraits, both of the couple individually and with any family members in attendance. Additional hours are available for getting ready images and after parties/receptions.

Let’s go over a few FAQs:

• Every wedding is documented by two photographers. My red-headed husband is my standard second shooter, and the best at catching what’s happening behind my back (and reaching tall things).

• I average 100 final images per hour at most weddings. A 5 hour wedding usually yields about 500 images, a 10 hour wedding yields about 1,000 images, etc.

• You will receive a color edit as well as a black and white edit of each final image.

• Every wedding package comes with a custom USB containing all of your full resolution files.

• Every wedding also comes with a handcrafted album in your choice of wood or leather.

• Before your wedding, I will do a scout of each of the locations you plan to use to find the best areas of light and to plan ahead for specific shots unique to you, and, if possible, I would love to be present at your rehearsal so as to plan out stylistic choices for the ceremony.

• Amanda Kolstedt Photography is fully insured, and we will have back up gear on site at every wedding.

• We will have several meetings leading up to your big day, and I am available for consultation at any time during your planning process.

À la carte options:

• 50% off each session when booked with a wedding ($225 saving each)

• Each session is typically between 1-3 hours; books and prints available

Engagement Session

Portraits of you and your fiancé on location or in studio. These images work well for “Save the Dates” and invitations. Usually plan 6-10 months before the wedding.

Boudoir Session

Catered to your preferences and comfort, these sessions can take place on location, in studio, or in your home. These images make wonderful wedding gifts for your partner, with the added bonus of being incredible for self confidence and body positivity.

Bridal Session

A portrait session of the bride in her dress (usually on the same day as hair and makeup trials) which allows more time for portraits than most wedding days.

Day After Session

An extended portrait session on location, or an intimate in-home session, usually 1-4 weeks after the wedding. Allows for more portraits at a wider variety of locations.

I love the creative challenge that comes with learning an individual person and creating something with them that can only be made with them. With people who aren't models (or trained to be actors to make a specific vision come to life) what's being photographed is their personality. So many people tell me they don't know how to be in front of a camera, and I gotta say, that's actually a strength. Don't be afraid of that. Because what we get, when you're not "modeling," is actually you.

(If you're a model, rad, I wanna work with you, too!)

Here's a couple FAQs from my portrait clients:

- Do you charge by the hour?

• Ok so listen, no 2 people photograph the same way. Everyone reacts differently in front of a camera; some people need very little warm up before they're comfortable, and some people - a vast majority of people - take a bit more time to get in the zone. It's a thing, and I'm not here to force you into a space where you can open up and find your voice. And also, sometimes adventures take time, and we wander and we shoot and we just generally enjoy an afternoon together. There's a bunch of reasons I don't put time limits on sessions, but those are the big ones. I usually prepare for 1-3 hours for any given portrait session, but in general sessions tend to stick between 1-2 hours. The only exception would be if we book studio time, which has hard time limits, but that's something we can discuss based on your needs.

- When and how will my images be delivered? How many images will I receive? Will the images I receive be edited?

• You'll get a handful of preview images within 48 hours of your session, but my standard turn around time for your full gallery is 9-14 weeks (depending on season and my current workload). The reason I take a bit longer than other photographers is, first, that I give a TON of images, in part because I have no self control, but also I have a very documentary style that lends itself to the little in between moments and details, plus the big dynamic shots we plan for. It usually works out to about 75ish images per hour we shoot together. But also because I don't believe in copy/pasting a preset over every image - I do use presets for my editing work, but I go through and touch every image I deliver (twice, because you get a bw and a color edit of each image) so that each frame is crafted carefully and intentionally. When your images are ready, you will receive a link to an online gallery where you can download your collection the same day I finish editing them.

- Can you deliver my images faster?

• I do have a rush option that guarantees your full gallery will be delivered in 2 weeks for an additional fee, if you are in need of images ASAP. Just let me know your time needs.

- Do you watermark your images?

• Nope. My copyright information will be in the Metadata of each file, but no visible watermark will be on your images. I do however ask that you tag me if you post your photos to social media. Cuz 90% of my business comes through word of mouth, and I like stalking people's comments on my work :)

- Can you make me look skinny? Can you photoshop out ____________?

• Man I get this question so much. And I will retouch non-permanent "blemishes" like zits, cold sores, scratches, and bruises. We've all been there. That said, I'm not going to make structural changes to your body. We're making progress in the body positivity movement as a society, but it breaks my heart every time someone asks if I can make their arms smaller or their hair look thicker. Because I'm right there with ya, fighting to enjoy my personal piece of space in this world as it fights me back. But look, we're not gonna win that fight by lying, or by manipulating. We're not gonna win that fight without celebrating real, un-retouched bodies, and that includes our own. I understand if you're not there yet - it's taken me years, and this journey isn't over. But if that's the case, I'm not the photographer for you. I'm here to celebrate your stretch marks, the double chin you get when you really laugh, every beautiful curve that makes up the person you are, the person everyone in your life sees and adores. I wanna give that person space to shine.

- I’m not photogenic - will I still get good pictures?

• First off, I believe the concept of being “photogenic” was coined by photographers that didn’t bother to learn how to shoot a diverse body of people. Second off, 95% of the people I’ve worked with told me that, before they saw the images we made together, they felt awkward or uncomfortable being photographed because they thought they were not photogenic, or that they only look good from certain angles. And then they got their photos and said things like this. Industry secret: personality plays to the camera more than any physical feature. Be you, and own it. Let me take care of the rest.

Proposal Photography

Want to capture THE MOMENT for all eternity? Whether you have a detailed plan all worked out, or if you need a little inspiration, I’ll walk through the process with you to make this the moment of her/his dreams. We’ll work out strategy, but all proposals include documentary coverage of the proposal as well as guided portraits.

Couple Portraits

Love should be remembered in all its stages. Dating, engaged, married for 40 years? Celebrate your love in the big moments and in the everyday minutiae. Let’s commemorate your fondness for each other by climbing a mountain, curling up on your couch, taking a stroll downtown, or scheduling some studio time.

I care about your band.

Tell me everything. What kind of music do you make? What’s your audience like? How did your band get together? Do you have any crazy tour stories? What do you need to show your work off like you want it to be seen? Let’s come up with some concepts and then let’s make rad shit.

Promo Portraits

Portrait imagery featuring the artist or persons in the band for promotional material. Includes 1 hour of consultation and creative directing and up to 50 high resolution, fully edited images in color and black & white to use for print and online. Choice of Location, Face, and Abstract portrait styles, or a combination of the three. See below for details. 

Album Art & Conceptual Photography

Imagery for promotion or album artwork that does not include the artist or members of the band. Includes 1 hour of consultation and creative directing and up to 25 high resolution, fully edited images in color and black & white to use for brand packaging in print and online. 

Promo / Music Video

Promo videos from 30-60 seconds, Music videos for whole songs. Includes 1 hour of consultation and creative directing.

Live Show

Up to 1 hour of coverage (additional hours available). Includes up to 50 high resolution, fully edited images in color and black & white.

*** TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE DUE TO COVID-19 ***

I love going new places. And hell yes I’ll travel for your event! But also, it doesn’t have to be a big thing - I’d love to just spend a day with you photographing in an awesome place. Locally within the USA or internationally, we can help you navigate the world of work vistas and permits for those iconic locations you’re dreaming about - James is probably the most organized and detailed travel agent ever born (seriously, this shit is his jam). It’s time for an adventure!

Let’s be friends with benefits.

I believe in symbiotic relationships, and I give discounts if you help me learn a new thing or get to a new place. If you’re interested in a conceptual project, shoot me a message and I’ll share my ideas with you. Or take a look at my location bucket list to see if we can meet up somewhere and make something mutually beneficial. These lists will be updated periodically - keep an eye out!