1. How do you describe your photography style? When I look at my images, I feel like the style of the photographs could be described as "rustic elegance". My goal is to capture the beauty in anything and anyone, using a casual and natural style of posing, candidly capturing their emotion and personality. I have a love of old things for backgrounds and props...whether it's an old jar of marbles, Grama's old linens or a rustic, falling down barn. Along with natural coloured images and monotone images, I also tend to edit in colours and textures that portray a vintage feel to them for added effect.
2. How far in advance should couples book? I always say that couples should book as far in advance as possible. When a couple is planning for their wedding, if they know they want to book with me, I always suggest that they first ensure that the date they are hoping for is available with their venue and their officiant, and then next in line to book with me. Some couples have booked as far in advance as three years, while others only a couple months in advance. It really depends on the season and the year, but the earlier they book with me the more likely I am to have the date available for them.
3. When is the best day / time to contact you? The best time to contact me is Tuesday-Friday between the hours of 9-3. My schedule really does vary from week to week, and from day to day, but those are my regular office hours for editing and administrative work. Most evenings and weekends, I am out photographing sessions and events or meeting with clients. While clients are welcome to call me, most times it is easier to touch base with me via email, since my schedule does frequently vary.
4. What is the starting price point for an e-shoot and wedding? Anytime a client books a 6+ hour wedding package, their engagement session is complimentary with their wedding package. I really do believe that an engagement session is of utmost importance when I am photographing their wedding. An engagement session allows me the opportunity to see how my clients' photograph...whether they need more or less guidance in posing, whether they're comfortable in front of the camera, whether or not they blink a lot, etc. From the clients' perspective, it gives them the opportunity to see how I work, before their big day. They also get to see what images of themselves will look like and then have the opportunity to provide feedback on the ones they loved the most and perhaps the ones they weren't quite so fond of. It's a win-win situation really. If a client is wanting to book an engagement session only, without booking their wedding with Jakal Photography...the engagement session itself starts at $150+hst. I currently offer two wedding collections, which each include an engagement session, wedding day coverage, a 10x10 album and their files on disc. The starting price of the collections is $2225. However, quite often clients' wish to make changes to collections and/or build a completely unique package a-la-carte. I understand that not everyone wants the same coverage and products for their wedding, so a custom quote of what they'd prefer is always an option. Wedding day coverage begins at $200/hour.
5. Do you have a second shooter and do you do your own editing? I do not normally work with a second photographer. Should a client wish a second photographer on the day of their wedding, it is possible for me to have an additional photographer work with me at an additional cost, depending on availability. This is something we would discuss at their consultation, if it is something they wish to consider. I do frequently work with an assistant, but not always. I work with one assistant in particular, who helps to set up shots, carry gear and run to get items as needed. I currently do all of my own editing and don't plan on sourcing that end of my work process out at this point. I thoroughly enjoy editing my clients' images and feel that it is a very creative part of the process. It gives me an opportunity to take their images to the next level, creating imagery that they will cherish for years to come.
6. What other photo services do you offer? Some of the other photo services that I offer are Lifestyle Sessions, Studio Portraiture, Boudoir Sessions and I also volunteer as a Smiling Eyes Photographer. For these types of services an appointment is required.
--Whether it's your family having fun, expecting a baby, welcoming the newest addition to your family or just celebrating your love...Lifestyle Sessions are a fabulous way to capture some cherished memories of your life's milestones. My lifestyle sessions start at $150.
--Studio Portraiture is a fabulous way to capture some beautiful personal portraits, portraits of your children or headshots for your business, against a more simple backdrop. My Studio Sessions start at $75 and are limited to groups of two or three, or individual persons. My studio is quite small and the space available is not suitable for family portraiture.
--Boudoir sessions start at $200 and are a fabulous way to celebrate your beauty or surprise that special someone with a gift they'll never forget. I offer both individual boudoir and couples boudoir sessions at a location of the clients' choice.
--Smiling Eyes Sessions are complimentary to families facing cancer's fight or celebrating victory. The Smiling Eyes Project is a non-profit group of photographers, who are committed to donating 2 sessions per month for the Smiling Eyes Project. For more information on this particular service, please visit
www.smilingeyes.ca. I also have a wide variety of products available, giving clients the opportunity to display and view their images for years to come. Some of these products available are prints, wall canvas prints, albums, cards and files.
