Frequently Asked Questions

For weddings and major events, we recommend booking 6-12 months in advance to lock in your preferred photographer and date. Peak wedding season (May-October) and Saturday dates fill up especially fast. For corporate, branding, and family sessions, 2-4 weeks notice is usually plenty. We sometimes have last-minute availability, so reach out even on short notice and we'll do our best to make it work.

A signed contract and 50% retainer secure your date exclusively. The retainer is applied to your final invoice. We accept all major credit cards, ACH transfers, and personal checks.

Absolutely. We've shot from the Rocky Mountains to South Florida beaches to international destinations. Travel fees vary by location but typically include flight, accommodation, and a per diem. Destination wedding photography is one of our specialties.

We have a network of vetted backup photographers and shoot with redundant equipment (two camera bodies, multiple memory cards) on every job. In the unlikely event your assigned photographer is unable to attend due to emergency, we'll provide a comparable substitute at no extra cost.

Every booking includes a complimentary pre-event consultation where we walk through your timeline, shot list priorities, and creative vision. For weddings, we also do venue scouting (when local) and coordinate with your planner. The goal is for the day to feel effortless; we know exactly where to be and when.

Rain creates some of the most dramatic and romantic photos. We carry weather-sealed equipment, umbrellas, and have backup indoor plans for every outdoor shoot. We work closely with venue coordinators on weather contingencies, so your day is covered no matter what the forecast says.

Both. We direct when needed for family formals, group portraits, and posed couple shots. For everything else, we use a documentary approach: we step back and let genuine moments unfold. Most clients say we 'disappear' once the event starts, which is exactly the point.

Every photography package includes one lead photographer, and every video package includes one lead videographer. Combined packages include one of each. Extra photographers and videographers are optional paid upgrades, with coverage hours and price confirmed in your proposal.

Wedding photography starts at $995, videography at $1,095, and combined coverage at $1,995. Two-hour coverage uses the same base price as three hours. Ten-hour packages are $2,545 for photo, $2,895 for video, and $4,695 combined, before any applicable promotion or location costs. One-hour engagement photography is $495; commercial work is quoted separately.

Wedding photography includes one lead photographer, pre-event consultation, professional editing, original RAW photo files, and a private gallery with a print release. Video includes one lead videographer and original RAW video files; shorter packages include one primary highlight or ceremony film, while eight- and ten-hour packages include highlight plus a separate ceremony film. Albums, engagement sessions, extra shooters, drone coverage, and additional edited films are optional paid upgrades. Delivered files are available online for 30 days after delivery, then archived for life on our home server. Guest Camera remains included free; see candidstudios.net/guest-camera.

Guest Camera is included free with every booking. Guests scan a QR code and snap photos and short videos on their phones, no app download. Everything lands in a private Guest Album you control. Details: candidstudios.net/guest-camera.

Yes. We accept a 50% retainer to lock in your date, with the balance due before your event. For larger weddings, we can split the balance into two payments. Talk to us if you need flexibility; we work with most reasonable payment schedules.

Your retainer secures your date exclusively, so we have to decline other inquiries for that day. If you need to reschedule, we'll transfer your retainer to a new date within 12 months of your original event at no charge (subject to availability). The retainer is non-refundable if you cancel, but we always handle individual circumstances with empathy.

Photos: typically about 4 weeks after the event (median of recent deliveries), or 72 hours with our Rushed Processing add-on. Video: typically about 3 months, or 2 weeks with Rushed Processing. Averages update as our pipeline improves.

Every client gets a private, password-protected online gallery. You can download full-resolution files, share with family and friends, order professional prints directly from Miller's lab, and even pick favorites with collaborators. Delivered files are available online for 30 days after delivery, then archived for life on our home server.

You receive a full print release allowing unlimited personal printing. We retain the underlying copyright (so we can use select images in our portfolio and marketing) but you have complete freedom to print, share, and post your photos however you wish.

Original RAW photo and video files are included with the corresponding wedding coverage. They are separate from your professionally edited images and films, giving you source files for your own archive.

Yes. Candid Studios is fully insured. Download our current proof of insurance anytime at https://cdn.candidstudios.net/legal/proof-of-insurance.pdf and forward that link to your venue coordinator. Booked clients can also find it under Documents → For your venue in the client portal (portal.candidstudios.net). If the venue needs to be listed as an additional insured or requires special wording (primary/non-contributory, waiver of subrogation), reply with their exact legal name and contact email and we will issue a custom certificate.

Candid Studios serves clients across Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Texas, and New York, with offices in Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins), Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville), and additional coverage in Austin, Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago, and New York. We also travel for destination events worldwide.

Yes. We regularly travel for destination weddings and large events outside our regular service areas. Travel fees apply (flight, accommodation, per diem) and we'll provide a transparent quote upfront. Some of our most memorable work has been on the road.