who are you?
You can call me Ai-Ling — happily married with my wonderful husband and we have a beautiful little boy named Ian. So yes, I understand how important photography can be in one’s life. It is one of the only things that can bring us back to a certain moment in our lives. And I capture these moments. Special moments.
your style?
Simple, fresh and unconventional. My goal is to provide you with a documentary-based illustration of your wedding day with minimal guiding or posing in a laid-back environment. I believe photography should be light and fun, and that’s what I strive for at each and every wedding.
so on my wedding day, what do you do?
My coverage of your wedding is journalistic style, and I try to be as unobtrusive as possible in my coverage of your wedding day. However, I do believe that there should be a time for the bride and groom to have some beautiful, casually posed images. After all, the day is about you! I would like about an hour (or more) of alone time with you both sometime during the day to create some images without your wedding party or guests looking on. I also strongly believe in preserving all of the details of the wedding — from your shoes to your rings; from your bouquet to your cake. I understand how much thoughts you put into all the details so nothing is being overlooked.
I still would like posed family portraits. Do you do that?
Of course! A few weeks before your wedding you will receive a questionnaire covering the details of the day and among the other questions is the list of posed images. While these are usually known as the “formal portraits”, I will try my best to make the time pleasant and enjoyable for everyone involved. Like I said earlier, photography should be light and fun.
where are you located, and do you travel?
I live in St. Paul and yes, I am very, very comfortable traveling for weddings.
you shoot solo?
Yes. I am the sole primary photographer with Ling Photography. Although there is an option to add a second photographer for a fee.
liability insurance?
Yes. We are all covered.
is it okay if our family and friends take pictures with their cameras?
Of course they can, and it doesn’t bother me in the least bit. I do request that they do not swarm the family portraits right away because I would prefer all eyes facing my camera in your images. I do not allow family or friends to come along for the bridal images or the images of you two alone for privacy purposes. Less distractions meaning better pictures.
how long does it take to receive my images?
Within three weeks after your wedding you will be receiving the DVD of images, along with the release form, and the password to your online gallery. You will be getting a link to the blog post of your wedding about two weeks after the event, so please feel free to leave comments, and feel free to forward the link to your family/friends!
do we get to print the images on our own?
I will provide the high resolution digital images on the DVD. I do retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competition, and so on. You will be getting a written release that will allow you to make unlimited personal reproductions at any print lab of your choice.
what is the online gallery?
The online gallery is a password protected section on Ling Photography’s website where all your wedding images will be placed online for you to view. You may pass along the password for your family/friends to view the photos as well. There is also a secure shopping cart that allows you and your family/friends to order prints.
what equipment do you use?
Top of the line professional Nikon equipment and extensive backups. Feel free to browse my gear list here.
what wedding packages do you offer?
You can see the packages I offer on my website, under ‘Packages’.
do you offer wedding albums?
Absolutely! You can see the types of wedding albums I offer here.
what is the payment term?
A $1000 retainer fee is required upon signing of the contract, and the balance is due 30 days before the wedding. If the booking is under thirty days before the wedding the entire contract amount is due at the time of signing. The retainer guarantees that I hold the date exclusively for you and once you’ve signed the contract I will turn down all other commissions for that date. All bookings are accepted on a first come/first served basis.
if we run overtime, will you stay?
Absolutely. I do have an overtime rate and it goes into effect only with your permission and approval that I continue the photography. I will bill you for those hours after the wedding.
Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions!
cheers,
Ai Ling