4. What to expect

We like partnering with people who value creative photography and individuality. We cover weddings as documentarians and artists. Here's what you can expect:

• Honest and intimate photography
  We want to tell the most personal story possible. Forget about formulas. Live life freely. We love you the way you are. After all, isn't that what marriage is about?
  
  
• No intrusions
  We won't be in your way. We don't recreate moments. We rely on skill and craft to capture what actually happens. We believe in observation and being in the right place at the right time. Good pictures don't come through fast reactions. They come through thoughtful anticipation. True moments are powerful and surprising. Recreating them? Not so much.
  
  
• Quick response
  We understand this is an instant-reply universe. We answer almost all emails within 24 hours during our normal business hours. Usually sooner. There's nothing more annoying than businesses who ignore people. Did we mention all clients receive a dedicated priority email?
  
  
• Real delivery
  No one year wait for your pictures. No approximations. We stick to our timelines and keep our promises.
  
  
• Step-by-step guidance
  We'll get you started with a personal overview of the wedding process, as well as our wedding essentials guide. We'll also provide two key checklists to make sure you have everying covered. They're quick, easy, and also kind of fun. Most people can finish them up in about 15 minutes.

5. Restrictions? Yes, we have a few.

There really aren't that many. But we're not the perfect fit for everybody. We don't care for pretty, canned pictures. We love beautiful, honest ones. And they're always there. Let us find them for you. Our guidelines:

Geography
We service Manhattan south of 80th Street, Brooklyn west of Prospect Park , and the western edge of Queens. There's some latitude for unique locations. Feel free to inquire.

Wedding availability
Fridays and Sundays only.

Hours of operation
We take appointments in-person and by phone on Monday-Thursday from 10-5:30. Email us at hi@happyfridaysunday.com to set up an appointment.

Couples only, please
Parents are great. We love ours. But we ask that couples serve as intermediaries for their folks. Having too many cooks in the kitchen is never a good thing.

Wedding day coverage
Because of our documentary and fine art approach, we do not accept shot lists for documentary portions of the day. We focus on your story with an emphasis towards family and bridal party, so lists for formal group shots are accepted. We cover all the basics, but we work our best when we're free of constraint. It is a tried and true recipe for success.

6. Let's book it!

We operate on a first come, first serve basis. Because we only have a limited number of days available each year, we do not hold dates. Here's how to work with us:

1. Email us at hi@happyfridaysunday or call us at 212.956.0077 to see if your date is available.

2. Arrange an appointment via phone or in person, so we can get to know one another.

3. We'll prepare an electronic contract for you. Just review and submit it online along with the retainer deposit (40%) to book the date.

7. Questions you should ask us.

Why don't you have two photographers all day?
It's not the head count that affects how many photographers you need. It's really about logistics and predictability. We start off with two photographers, because the start of the day is more complex, the timing is tighter, and the occurrences less predictable. By the time the reception comes around, everyone is in the same place, the schedule is locked down, and there really isn't more than one essential thing happening at once. We've largely found there are only two reasons you need a second photographer for a reception. Table shots and photo booths. Since we don't offer either, a second photographer just adds to the cost. Here's a typical set of key shots for a reception. A good photographer should be able to capture them on their own without breaking a sweat.

• Decor and venue images
• First dance images
• Dances with parents
• Each person giving a toast
• Cake cutting and feeding
• A bunch of images of people dancing
• Candid moments throughout

Why don't you provide black and white images? Or image hosting?
We're color photographers by nature, so the majority of what we shoot favors color. We also understand wedding budgets. Image hosting adds to the cost, as does black and white toning. Because so many people already use online photo sites with image enhancement tools to crop, edit, tone, share, print, and convert pictures to black and white, we believe it is an unnecessary expense. We think Picassa works pretty darn well. So does Kodak Gallery and Snapfish. We'll happily supply some information to help get you started. Keep an eye on our blog for tutorials and tips on how to get the most out of free online photo sharing sites. We also host free workshops to help you through image toning and editing. Who wouldn't want more control over their images?

Can we have both photographers for the whole day?
No, this is not currently an option.

How does payment work?
A 40% deposit is taken as a retainer at the time of the contract signing. The remaining 60% is due a week before the wedding. Payment is by credit card only. Tax is an additional 8.875%. Shipping fees are additional.

Have you shot at my location before?
It depends on your location, but we've covered most popular reception spots in Manhattan. More importantly, it really doesn't make much difference. The flow and nature of every event is so different that it's not familiarity with the reception location that matters. That's our job - to understand light and timing without having to do a pre-inspection. Otherwise, we wouldn't be very good photographers, would we? What matters is that we understand what's it means to have precise timing, bold composition, and great anticipation. If you've got that down, you get amazing imagery no matter where you shoot.

How many pictures will I get?
We value quality over quantity, but we're not going to skimp, either. You can expect between 600-900 images. Sometimes more.

Do I receive negatives?
Absolutely. Our digital negatives are free of watermarks, full resolution, and come with a license to use them for any non-commercial purposes. Better yet, they're not only in JPEG format, but RAW as well! That gives you the best quality possible. Send them to friends. Print them. Upload them. Enjoy them.

Are there package discounts?
No, all of our pricing has been optimized as is, so there are no discounts for larger packages. Packages are a great way to create bundles, but they also mask the true value of the things you're paying for. Nothing you get in a package is ever really free. It's just designed to make it feel that way. We'd rather skip the games.

Are there any hidden costs?
No way, no how. You'll pay for what's listed on the price sheet, plus tax and shipping. Remember? No surprises.