the INFO

YOU NEED TO KNOW

your Frequently Asked
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Years in Business

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HAPPY CLIENTS

Top 3 QUESTIONS

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Femina is owned and operated by two fun-loving ladies that live in two incredible cities: Philadelphia (Noelle) and New York City (Nicole) with team members in both metro areas. We regularly service the Tri-State area and are also available for destination weddings! 

HOW CAN I SECURE MY DATE?

Weddings are the type of events that many people book at least a year in advance. So in order for us to reserve that date for you, a 30% retainer and contract are required to secure one a Femina photographer for your event. At that time, your photographer will no longer accept any other commissions for that date. For Portrait sessions, a 50% retainer is required to secure a day and time for your shoot. Securing a date for wedding and portrait services is first come, first serve. In an effort to keep things fair and transparent, we also do not offer a “first right of refusal”.

WHO WILL BE MY PHOTOGRAPHER?

Depending on the location of your wedding, Noelle or Nicole will reach out for an introduction and gather information about you and your event. We want to learn more about your photography needs and overall wedding vision. Based on our conversation, we then match you with a Femina artist based on a number of factors. This may include familiarity with your venue or event location, personality, and availability.  They will be accompanied by a Femina assistant or second photographer (depending on the Wedding Collection chosen). We run a tight collaborative ship here, so you will be in close communication Nicole/Noelle, along with with your assigned Femina photographer throughout the wedding process. You will absolutely get to know your photographer before the wedding day so there are no surprises!

Pre-Wedding QUESTIONS

HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE AT MY EVENT?

We believe in offering many different options for many different needs and this includes the number of photographers in our packages. To allow for more flexibility for smaller events, we have a starter package that includes one photographer and an assistant, and then our two main packages include two photographers. We can help you determine exactly how many photographers you may need for your event! Inquire for availablity and to learn more!

CAN I CHOOSE MY PHOTOGRAPHER?

As you may have read in our About Us section, Femina is a consistent brand with one cohesive body of work. Femina artists are considered part of the team of lead and experienced photographers. This is a very different approach from many studios that have associate shooters with different styles and portfolios. Going back to having one consistent body of work, we do not have associates with varying levels of work. Each artist is part of the Femina team and we value each individual’s work on the same level. It was a very conscious decision for us to choose this special group of people, because we wanted our clients to know and trust that no matter who photographs their event or portrait session, they are still getting the Femina experience and level of expertise.

This has been a very intricate process over the years of curating our photographers to fit within our style and core beliefs. This labor of love translates to you, our clients, not having to worry about choosing your Femina photographer. During the initial consult we will get a feel for you and your event and who might be the best fit. We will assign your with our artist based on availability, location, familiarity with your venue… and personality! And this does not mean that you won’t get to know your photographer before the big day! After securing your date with Femina, we will put you in touch with your photographer to say “hi”. Interested in an engagement session? This is also a great way to get to know your photographer… and have beautiful photos to display at your wedding as well!

There may be an instance when someone wants to request a specific photographer – and that is ok too! We simply apply a “photographer reservation fee” to the complete package. This fee is a flat rate of $500. Just keep in mind that even if the photographer you came to Femina for is already booked, we have a fabulous team who can certainly fill their shoes!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN "ASSISTANT" AND "SECOND-PHOTOGRAPHER?"

An assistant is there to help assist the photographer at the event with things like carrying equipment, assist with lighting and setups, as well as help coordinate with logistics. An assistant does not perform any shooting duties on the day of the wedding. A second shooter also does some light assisting but their main job is to be a secondary photographer to the main shooter. They will capture other angles and things that are happening wherever the main photographer cannot physically be at that time (i.e. the groomsmen getting ready at a separate location than the bride or cocktails while the main photographer is photographing family formals and details). Many clients come to us with an idea of what they want but it is important for us to talk through your schedule and logistics of the day to determine what team combo would work best!

WEDDING SCHEDULES... WHERE DO I BEGIN?

YES! If there is one thing that we know for sure, having a well-planned wedding timeline is key to having a successful event. Leading up to your wedding day, we will be in constant communication with you to help structure the perfect timeline for your day. To get you started on what to expect in regards to photographic timeline, we’ve created a helpful article on Wedding Day Timelines! We’re also more than happy to jump on a call with your planner and help coordinate! 

HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN YOUR STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

We like to consider our approach and style of photography as “editorial photojournalism”.

The term “photojournalism” has become quite a buzz word in the wedding industry, however true definition translates to “news photography”, as it is not art-directed or styled in anyway. In today’s world of Pinterest-worthy inspiration, it’s easy to see that true photojournalism just isn’t realistic in terms of the wedding day. For us personally, we have certainly adapted the foundations of this technique so we can be as unobtrusive as possible while shooting, allowing us to photograph in a more fluid way, capturing authentic and candid moments.  There are exceptions of course, like during portraits or family formals which requires us to be a bit more directive. And with our distinct commercial and design influences, we aren’t just shooting to document the day, we are also shooting in a way that we know will lend itself better to the design of your final products and wedding album.

DO YOU PROCESS EACH WEDDING THE SAME?

As you can see just from looking through our site, all of our images are edited with the same kind of polish and magazine-worthy finish. Sometimes, images can vary slightly in their color tones or brightness and this is mainly because every wedding is different and lighting or environmental conditions can vary depending on the time of day or season. However, our overall level of consistency is the result of our professional expertise and many years of perfecting our editing style.

All Wedding Collections include “post-production” and “stylizing”. Basic post-production consists of color correcting, adjusting exposure, straightening, cropping and making sure the photographs are of professional quality for printing. Then the stylizing of photographs is where the creative process is taken to another level. This is also how all of our images take on our signature style and brand of being elegant, romantic and sophisticated. It’s a style we’re very proud to have developed over the years.

While shooting, we have very specific visions in mind and in the final stages of production, this is when the photographs can really come to life! This can also be a defining factor when hiring a professional who is well versed not only in shooting, but also digital editing and stylizing.

DO YOU USE PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT & ARE YOU INSURED?

Yes and Yes. All photographers are well-equipped with the latest and greatest equipment and technology, along with back up equipment, batteries and plenty of memory cards! We also have liability insurance, which most wedding venues require from vendors using their facility. This Proof of Insurance (POI) can be sent to the venue via email or fax by request.

ARE HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL FILES INCLUDED?

Yes. Every Wedding Collection includes a foundation of beautiful prints, products, and albums, and also includes your gallery archived on a crystal USB. Every gallery is fully-finished (processed and stylized) when posted online, and these are the images that will also be included on your USB in both high-resolution and web-friendly formats. 

WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY?

We take great pride in every wedding date we are commissioned for, and our clients are our #1 priority no matter what. In the rare event that an emergency was to happen on your wedding day, we have solid plans in place. One of the many advantages to having a team of photographers is that in the event that your assigned photographer cannot shoot due to serious illness, hospitalization, death, etc., we can assign another Femina photographer to document your event. As explained on our About Us page, Femina is a collective of talented artists – all with a similar style – who are all equipped and ready to step in and take over in the event of an emergency.

In other extreme circumstances, Femina is very fortunate to be a part of many photography organizations and photographers groups in the Tri-State area. In this case, we would reach out to our extensive group of connections and find someone of the same skill level and style to fulfill the missing person’s shoes. Some of the organizations we are members of include The PPA (Professional Photographers of America), WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Professionals International), and many Pennsylvania and NY/NJ Professional Photographer Groups. 

DO YOU CHARGE A TRAVEL FEE FOR WEDDINGS?

For weddings within 90 miles of New York City and Philadelphia, there is no travel fee. For weddings over 90 miles, a travel fee may include nominal costs for gas, tolls, mileage, lodging, etc. For Destination weddings that require airfare and lodging, we will book our accommodations and you can reimburse us. It’s as simple as that. No smoke and mirrors!

CAN YOU SHOOT MY DESTINATION WEDDING?

Well yes, we’d love to! We enjoy jet-setting to new places and would love to shoot your wedding day, no matter where it is! We have covered weddings in various destinations such as Paris, Costa Rica, Martha’s Vineyard, Texas, Florida, and more! On a personal level, we have been to 13 countries collectively (and a majority of the United States)! If you are interested in having us join you throughout your destination wedding journey, we would love to hear from you!

After Your Wedding…

I'M MARRIED! NOW WHAT?

So you’ve said “I do” and are hopefully unwinding sipping on a tropical cocktail after months of planning! So what’s next? Within 6-8 weeks from your wedding day, your entire online gallery will be ready to view and share with family and friends! And from there we will want to get you scheduled right away for your Ordering Session! (see below for details)

HOW DO I ORDER MY WEDDING ALBUM?

We’re so glad you asked, because this is our favorite part! Once your entire wedding gallery has been completed, we will shoot you an email to begin scheduling you for your Ordering Session. Your ordering session will take place in either our NYC or Philadelphia office and we will reveal your pre-designed wedding album! We’ll go through all the options available to you and catch up post-wedding. To learn more about our Ordering Sessions, click here!

ABOUT "ALBUM CREDITS"

In our Wedding Catalog, you’ll find that each Wedding Collection includes an album with a corresponding album credit. Here at Femina we’re all about flexibility, so you can choose to move forward with the included album in your collection, or use that album’s credit amount towards other products or album options! We will go through all options available during your Ordering Session.

Portrait QUESTIONS

ARE THERE TRAVEL FEES FOR SESSIONS?

There is no fee to shoot within New York City, the five boroughs, or within 15 miles of the city of Philadelphia. Because we often schedule sessions back-to-back during our busy season, there may be a travel fee to shoots outside of our “immediate” area in order to block off the entire day for your session. For Engagement Sessions, we understand that sometimes couples have a “special place” in mind for their shoot, and we are happy to accommodate. For Family Portraits, Reunions, Boudoir or Newborn Sessions, we will discuss the needs of your shoot and determine whether a travel fee applies. Travel fees may include nominal costs for gas, tolls, mileage and overtime for extended travel time needed. Please contact us for more details and a custom quote.

**Note: Longwood Gardens sessions have a non-negotiable additional fee of $200 (client must also pay entrance fee). This is due to additional time needed for travel and due to the fact that the gardens are very expansive and therefore require more than one hour for the session. We are well versed in the best spots to photograph and can navigate through quickly, but it still requires extra time, so we block off at least a half day for all Longwood sessions. *Tip: You do not need a permit to shoot there but the venue does not allow extra clothing to be brought inside the gardens for an outfit change. 

WHAT DAYS OF THE WEEK ARE AVAILABLE FOR SESSIONS?

Due to the high volume of weekend shooting for weddings and events, all sessions must take place during the week (M-F). This is a firm policy so we can maintain fairness to all clients. We are happy to work around weekday schedules and oftentimes can book sessions for early evening, so that our clients do not need to take a full day off from work. *Tip: if you would like to request a specific day during the week, be sure to reach out to us as soon as possible since it may require us to book your session weeks or months in advance, depending on the time of year!

As for the best time of day to do your session, we will consult with each client based on desired location to determine what time of day is ideal (we take into consideration factors such as high tourist/traffic areas and daylight). In the event that your session needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, we will try our best to prioritize re-scheduling (see below for more information on this policy).

WHAT ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER?

As photographers, we are always working around what mother nature has to offer! Obviously, most sessions are scheduled weeks or months in advance, so what happens if you need to reschedule due to bad weather? This is our general procedure and policy below. Please note that it is best to coordinate directly with your assigned photographer.

We do not check the weather more than a few days out since it is continually changing and very unpredictable. We will check in with each client a few days before the session to confirm location/timing details and discuss potential weather updates. At that time, clients have the option to reschedule, otherwise we must have at least 24 hours notice to cancel/reschedule a session. Some clients want to know if we can still do the session, even in the rain. The answer will vary based on the situation and is up to the discretion of your assigned photographer, but please note that we cannot get our equipment wet and if we feel that it will affect the end result and overall satisfaction for our clients, we may suggest rescheduling.

*Note: Due to scheduling multiple sessions/appointments in a single day, it is not always feasible to “move” a session to earlier/later in the day. Likely if it needs to be rescheduled, it will be for another day and it will ultimately be between you and your photographer to determine what works best. Again, we will try all reasonable efforts to prioritize re-scheduled clients!

CAN MY ENGAGEMENT SESSION BE LONGER THAN ONE HOUR?

Our Engagement Sessions (sessions within NYC or Philadelphia) are booked for one hour. This is the amount of time we’ve determined works best for our couples, as we have seen couples tend to fade after 45 minutes of photography! (Hint: This is also the length of time typically allotted for Couples’ Portraits on the wedding day!) However, we have photographed more intensive sessions with multiple locations in and around our cities, and are happy to extend the length of your session if desired (for an additional cost). Be sure to let us know the locations you have in mind, and we can help plan the logistics for your session and determine the time and cost needed.

*Note: Please be sure to make every effort to arrive to your session on time. Since we often schedule other sessions or meetings in one day, your session may be cut short due to the fact that we need to leave for our next assignment after your allotted time (1 hour). Keep in mind that we may have suggested a specific time of day for various reasons and being late may affect that as well (i.e. working around tourist season, traffic and daylight). We do understand that things happen or H&M can run late but it’s best to try and plan accordingly and give yourself some “buffer time” in between. If you do happen to be running late, please be sure to call/text your photographer and let them know! 

CAN MY SESSION INCLUDE AN OUTFIT CHANGE?

Sure, why not! Some clients opt for a quick outfit change, while some do not. Provided your change is quick and doesn’t exceed your session time slot, we don’t mind. *Tip: It is best to plan ahead of time by locating the nearest restroom or facility to change your outfits. 

I'M INTERESTED IN BOUDOIR, BUT AM NERVOUS. IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?

Boudoir sessions can be an empowering way for women to express themselves. Whether it’s a gift for a significant other, or it’s just something you want to do for yourself, we’re here to help guide you through the process!  We love photographing women and allowing them to feel gorgeous and confident in their bodies. It’s a truly special experience, and we promise you won’t regret it. Leading up to your session, we will discuss your vision and walk you through the process, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire experience.

I'M INTERESTED IN NEWBORN PORTRAITS. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW?

Well first, congratulations! We love photographing newborns and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Typically, our newborn sessions take place within the first 14 days of birth, when your baby is relatively less alert. Our sessions are relaxed, and we take our time, allowing the baby to settle and you to feel comfortable. Most sessions range from 1-3 hours, and during this time we do a mix of photojournalistic & lifetyle photography, along with a few posed potraits of your baby. Be sure to visit our Newborn Photography page for more information!