Wedding Photography at Bella Pictures

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Frequently Asked Questions

Process and Timeline

OK, I've reserved my wedding with Bella! What are the next steps?

We know that preparing for your wedding can be stressful. Our goal is to provide you with a reliable timeline, so that you can be confident that your wedding photography is taken care of. Check out the Bella Pictures Timeline.
When is a photographer assigned to me?

You will be assigned a Bella Photographer once your 50% booking deposit has been received and your Wedding Day Planner has been completed. This happens within 90-180 days before your wedding. You will receive your photographer's biography page with a description of their style and approach, and a portfolio of their recent Bella weddings.
What if I don't like my photographer assignment?

Nearly 100% of Bella brides are happy with their initial photographer match. If after viewing their work you decide that the photographer is not a fit, we'll work to find the perfect match for you.
When do I meet my wedding photographer?

About 30 days after assignment, your photographer will call or email to introduce themselves and set up a time for a face-to-face meeting. During the meeting you will view more work, go over your wedding photography planner, and finalize all the details of your day.
Can I meet them sooner?

We know that wedding plans change all the time. By meeting closer to the wedding date, you should have all of your details finalized for your day. This allows the photographer to focus on discussing his approach for your wedding day as well as confirming the timeline of events.
Why shouldn't I just pick a wedding photographer myself?

Most photographers only show you the work they want you to see. When we evaluate a wedding photographer, we see all of the shots they take — not just their favorite few.

Almost every competent photographer is capable of making a great picture some of the time. But what's much more important is how consistently they take great pictures, and how well they work under the pressure and challenges of an actual wedding. That's why a prospective Bella photographer must complete a rigorous certification process.

If a photographer passes our stringent initial portfolio review, they become an Associate Photographer and must complete a minimum number of weddings alongside a Bella Certified Photographer. Their work is then critically vetted by our photo coaching staff, to assure it meets strict standards of quality. Only then can they be certified to photograph weddings for our clients.

We are so confident in our approach, we guarantee your satisfaction.

How Payment Works

When is my payment due and is my reservation fee refundable?

We offer a risk-free reservation policy and straightforward payment schedule. Here's how it works:

  • A $100 reservation fee secures your date for 14 days and is refundable within those 14 days. It will be applied to the cost of your package.
  • 50% of your coverage price is due within 30 days of reserving your date.
  • The full balance is due 30 days before your wedding date.

Photography and Printing

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Why do you shoot exclusively in digital?

The answer is simple: Digital photography offers equal quality and faster turnaround vs. 35mm film — all at a lower cost.

Here are just a few reasons why digital photography is our method of choice:

  1. High-quality photographs

    Digital photography provides crisp, vibrant images, and gives the photographer a higher level of control during the development and printing process compared to 35mm film.

  2. Unlimited photography

    All Bella wedding photographers use high-capacity digital storage media that require much less frequent reloading than film. This allows your photographer to capture every moment of your wedding day in true photojournalistic style, without missing a beat.

  3. Digital negatives give you total control

    Digital proofs are ready quickly in a secure online gallery, where they can be easily viewed by you, your family and friends. All of our packages include your digital negatives on DVD, so you have ownership of your wedding photos.

  4. Affordable quality

    With digital, there's no additional cost to taking each photograph, so our wedding photographers are free to take as many pictures as it requires to tell your story. That means you have a greater selection of images to choose from when it's time to assemble your album and order prints for yourself, your family and friends.
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Post-Production and Other Services

Can I have a color photo printed black and white?

Yes — any color photograph can be printed in black and white. Our album designers have a great eye and can help make suggestions about which pictures look good in black and white.

Ultimately, you have total control over the printing style of your wedding photos.
Can I have my prints cropped?

Our standard print prices are for full-frame prints. Minor cropping can be done for an additional charge.
What custom options do I have for my prints?

With our staff of highly trained digital artists and access to several high-quality photo labs, you have an incredible range of services at your disposal. If you have something specific in mind, please ask. One of the more popular custom options for wedding photos is pastel effects, sometimes called colorization — this consists of a black and white photo featuring a specific object, such as a bouquet, rendered in color.
Can you digitally retouch my photos?

Absolutely. We want you to be thrilled with every part of your story — that's why we offer digital retouching as an important part of our photography services. Our professional retouchers focus on creating your perfect wedding photos. Whether it's helping you look your best or creating a style for your photos that's as unique as you are, we're always working to create wedding photos you love.

All retouching is done to a copy of your photograph, so your originals will always remain unaltered. Once the retouching work is complete, you can have as many prints as you want, and your digital negatives will include copies of both the original and retouched photos.

Learn more about our retouching and customization options
How will I order prints from my wedding?

Within 28 days of your wedding, your photos will be posted to a password-protected area on our web site. You will be able to view your pictures and order prints instantly via our easy-to-use online ordering system.

You'll be given a separate code to share with friends and family so that they can also view and order photos directly from Bella Pictures. You'll have the option to share 100% of your images, or choose specific photos to share.

All of the selected prints will appear in your shopping cart and will reflect the discounted pricing included in your package. Friends and family also enjoy the same pricing. When you are ready to place your order, simply proceed to checkout.
Can I get digital files of the photos from my wedding so I can print them myself or have them printed elsewhere?

All of our packages include a DVD of the original high-resolution digital negatives of your photos. All photos are provided in an industry-standard file format, without color correction, scaling or cropping.

These files provide a great degree of control over the final print output and maximum compatibility with a wide range of digital printing systems. In this format, the files are viewable and printable, but not necessarily "ready-to-print" — they may require some manipulation to get the best results.

Most digital-ready photo labs can provide this service, but may assess an additional charge. If you plan to print the photos with your home computer, you will need an image-editing application such as Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to alter or edit the pictures.
What if I want to add albums or reprints later?

If you purchase the digital negatives from your wedding on DVD, you can make reprints at any time. If you want to order albums or reprints through Bella Pictures, you are welcome to do so.
How long will my prints last before fading?

All of our prints are made on quality Kodak photographic paper using an archival process and are backed with a lifetime guarantee. As long as you take reasonable precautions in caring for your prints, they will last 100 years or more without any noticeable loss of quality. If you do wish to hang framed prints where they will be exposed to sunlight, UV protection glass is recommended. This type of glass is available as an option from any quality framing shop.