revised 11 Apr 08
Traditionally Wedding photography was a photographer who positioned you and 'created' every picture taken during the day. They usually only took pictures at the wedding, and a few formals afterwards. Then along came the photojournalistic style, in which they recorded the wedding as it went. The two styles are both very good, and both have strengths and weaknesses.
Portrait Photography always gets beautiful pictures, and you get a photographer that knows how to make you look your best in them. The problem is that you get no details of your wedding, none of the spirit or energy is captured.
Photojournalists capture the day with unique angles, artistic effects and unobtrusive picture taking. You can usually look through the pictures in order and remember most of what happened during the day. the question is, do you really want to hang that picture on your wall afterwards? Are you in focus? Is your pose flattering, or do you have three chins?
Portrait Journalism is a merger of these two techniques that has only been around for the last 3-5 years. Throughout the day we still capture everything that is happening, from the tears, to the kisses, to those initially unnoticed details. Then we take the bride and groom aside for a specific time of taking beautiful pictures. You get the memories, and you get the magazine quality prints.
As well as being a full time photographer, I am also the p/t youth pastor at Gateway City Church in Spruce Grove, Alberta. As a matter of principle my first commitment is to the youth and therefore I am not available on Fridays during the school year. I am however available on Fridays during the months July & August.
As well, as a pastor, and Christian, I do not work on Sundays. I am sorry if this inconveniences you. Please feel free to contact me and I can certainly refer you to other talented photographers in the Edmonton area.
Note: Destination weddings in which I would be out of country, or traveling on the Friday or Sunday may be accommodated on a situational exception. Contact me for more information.
Although I retain all moral and copyrights to the photos, you will receive a high quality jpeg version of each picture, and the ability to print, save, share, upload and edit the photos for your own use. That means that you can do anything you want with the pictures as long as there is no profit.
When ordering prints however, the pictures are subjected to additional labour in editting, airbrushing and other photorealistic manipulations. These 'editted' versions of the files, as well as the right to reproduce and distribute the images, remain the property of AIM Design Inc.
To recap:
If you still have questions please contact Stephen.
We will happily email you our price list and contract upon request.
I shoot every wedding with the skilled and talented Lillian Patz. Lillian is a proven photographer and has never let me down yet. Her artistic flare, eye for beauty, and skill at visualizing scenes, she is one of my greatest strengths at a wedding.
I shoot with Canon cameras and lenses. We also use on camera flashes, strobes, reflectors, light meters, computers for data transfer and display monitors for displays.
Yes. There is a charge per km traveled though that will be added to your package. If it is an overnight trip, lodging will also be extra. Current costs are $0.40/km both ways, based on Google Maps estimation of travel between cities.
Examples of some popular locations:
Remember: These costs do not include lodging, if required (rates negotiable).
Email us for our price list.
Yes. Please contact us for more information.
No, sorry.
With Stephen Kiers Wedding Photography you pay for photographers to be at your wedding. Because you have hired us to record your wedding we include the digital copies of the pictures in the price. We take pictures that will sell, plus those that are fun, and some that are just for memories.
Paying for prints is when you hire a photographer (often at a slightly discounted price) and then you have to pay for prints afterwards. These photographers spend most of their time on pictures that you will buy to hang. That usually means you get more family pictures and more traditional pictures, because parents and family will buy them,
Paying for a photographer that includes negatives for your wedding is best because we will take all kinds of pictures, not just those that will sell.
Typically our weddings cost around $1995-3000 depending on the package you choose. If you contact us via the contact page we can certainly send you our full price list and package details.
Because all of our packages include 'full day' coverage and you getting a copy of the negatives, our weddings may start higher than many of the other photographers in the Edmonton area. Many other photographers will only cover part of your wedding, and then only let you order prints via them. This is how they make their money, the old bait and hook marketing technique. Our costs are all inclusive, if your wedding is in Edmonton. Travel and accomidation costs are extra for out of town and destination weddings.
Also, you get what you pay for. Most of those $500 wedding packages out there will only give you a quarter, or less, of the skill, experience and quality that we offer. Make sure you see their portfolio and confirm what they are offering before ever signing with a photographer.
Contact us and we can let you know.
Contact us through our online form, or by phone (780.893.4463) and we can get you a price list and contract. Once the contract is signed and returned with deposit your wedding is booked.
Yes. It will have to be read, signed and returned with a deposit to book your wedding
The 50% deposit is required to hold your date, so please get it in as soon as possible.
The contract and all financial matters are between you and AIM Design Inc. Please make cheques payable "AIM Design Inc"
A one hour photo shoot at one location of your choice in the Edmonton Area. Once take and edited you will receive one 8x10 print and a jpeg image. Must be booked three months before the wedding to qualify.
Wedding websites are available to couples who want to promote there weddings online. Contact me to get more information.
Yes.
Yes. You will be charged at our current corporate rate, and must buy the 8x10 print.
Lillian will meet with the bride when she first starts getting ready in the morning on the day of the wedding. I will meet with the groom when he first starts getting ready. We leave after the third dance at the reception or around 10 pm. Specifics will be decided when we discuss the contract as every wedding is unique.
Like with all professionals hired for your wedding day (including caterers, servers, bands, djs, pastors, etc) is is proper and polite to thank them during your reception. I do not require it, but appreciate it.
The biggest compliment you can give me is to refer me to your friends and family.
More is better! That said, I suggest at least three hours set aside specifically for pictures.
Engagement pictures are a one hour long shoot.
Yes. We request you let your families know not to leave right after the ceremony, as that is usually the most convenient time to take them for most weddings.
Usually yes. It is your wedding though and if you do not want it, or can't have it, we always accommodate you.
As a professional I do my best to have propriety and leave the room or look away during any changing. As a Christian male I also have a policy wear I do not take any lingerie or nude shots, even if requested.
Occassionaly I shoot with a female assistant who will be with the bride while she gets ready. However, whether it is myself or an assistant, we will leave the room at your request at any time for any reason. It is your wedding, and we respect your wishes.
We check weather forecasts before every wedding, and if rain is predicted we will contact you to see how to proceed. We do not have any indoor locations specifically at our disposal, so if you fear rain we suggest booking a indoor location yourself. Feel free to contact me for suggestions.
At a usual wedding we require three reception spots, as we usually bring two photographers and an assistant.
As many as you want. Just remember that travel time cuts into how many pictures you will get. My general rule of thumb is 1 location per hour of shooting time.
On average we leave a wedding with around 2000 pictures. After those are gone through we usually give you the best 10-25% of those.
Probably. Contact me and I will let you know.
I suggest you plan a quick lunch on the way to the first photo site. I also suggest fruits and candy to keep your energy up during the day. Too many people forget to eat, and later feel dizzy and grumpy.
At the wedding. We usually pick it up at the reception. I suggest that you have your parents or a friend handle the payment, since you will have better things to do that day.
We currently havea special arrangement with Champagne Limousines of Edmonton, Alberta to provide limo services in congunction with our Highest Level wedding package. we do not however have any control over the limo services, and cannot be held liable for that part of your wedding in any way. If you have any questions, please visit Champagne Limousines website to contact them directly.
Champagne Limousines has Edmonton's Best Limo Service.
Usual turn around time is 3-4 weeks. That is when you will get your album and CD of jpgs. Prints are then provided as ordered.
Yes. Extra photo DVDs are $5/DVD.
They are leather bound, acid free books of the highest quality. All the pictures are actually printed on the pages in vivid crisp full color. There are other options available, and can be explained upon request.
Yes. You pay per square inch printed, and is pre stretched and mounted on 1/4" wood.
The CD will include color and density corrected jpegs that are useful for printing up to 8x10. Prints are fully edited pictures. That means zits removed, backgrounds edited, special effects and more.
Anything photography related can be arranged by myself.
I order postcard advertisements with some of the weddings I shoot in order to promote myself. They will feature one picture from your wedding, and therefore I will give some of the postcards to you to give to friends, post places, mail, do whatever with.
This is my shameless self promotion.
Yes. Any picture can be made into beautiful black and white prints.
Yes, but we suggest against this. We go through all the pictures and pick out the best of the duplicates for you. Going through 3000 pictures takes over 2 hours at just four seconds a picture. Also, if you get all the pictures, we cannot color and density correct them and you will have to pay for the extra DVD's it take to burn them all.
Officially we don't archive your pictures once we give you your DVD. However in practice we will keep your pictures on file forever (save fire, flood or act of God destroys all records).
If ordering more than three copies of an identical print you can get a discount. Contact me for details.
If you didn't get an email about your online album, please contact me and I will contact you and get you the information.
Your online album provides an option for friends and family to order prints for themselves. This could help save you some headache.
Photo credits that are included in packages are only valid for one (1) year from the date you are given your proofs and CD. At the six(6) month mark you will receive a warning email to alert you of any unused credits. If you do not use the credits within the next 6 months you will forever forfeit all remaining credits. Remember, credits have NO cash value.
Limo Service - Champagne Limousines
more coming soon