frequently asked questions

If you've spent any time in the galleries, you already know whether you like the photographs. What you can't tell from a portfolio is what it's actually like to have me there on the day.

I'll spend more time with you than almost anyone else you hire. That means making everyone laugh during family photographs, carrying your bouquet when you need an extra hand, and knowing when to step back because the moment in front of us doesn't need me. It just needs someone paying attention.

My favorite compliment isn't about the photographs. It's hearing, "We're so glad you were there."

Wedding collections begin at $9,000, and most couples invest between $9,000 and $15,000. What moves that number is how much of the weekend you want photographed — a welcome party or rehearsal dinner, a longer day, an engagement session, an album.

The couples at the top of that range are almost always the ones who wanted more than the wedding day. If your family is flying in on Thursday and there's a welcome party on Friday, the weekend has a shape to it, and photographing only Saturday means photographing the smallest part of it.

Send me your date and a little about the weekend you're planning, and I'll put together what that would look like.

Yes, on every wedding. It's included in every collection, not an upgrade.

Absolutely! Every photo you receive is individually hand-edited, ensuring personalized attention rather than bulk processing. Additionally, my expert editing team often picks out a few standout images for extra detailed refinement beyond the standard edits.

My studio is in New York City and I photograph weddings anywhere. Most of my work is in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, but I've shot in France, Finland, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, South America, California, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vermont and Arizona, among others.

Travel is built into your collection. There's no separate travel fee, no expense report afterward, and nothing to reimburse.

I solely focus on photography, ensuring that I offer the best of this particular craft. While I don't venture into videography, I have connections with remarkable cinematographers across various budget ranges. I'd be delighted to help you find the perfect fit — a team that's as devoted to videography as I am to photography.

I see where you're coming from, asking for references. It's a standard practice in many situations. However, in the realm of wedding photography, I don't offer past clients as references. The reason is twofold: One, any reference would be cherry-picked, thus not wholly impartial. Two, out of respect for their privacy and time, I avoid imposing on my clients post-event. For firsthand insight into working with me, you might consider asking other vendors involved in your wedding.

I'm here to assist, but the answer isn't crystal clear. When your wedding takes place at the venue, the odds of needing a permit are typically low. However, if you plan to venture away from the venue, a permit might be necessary. Certain locations, such as Philadelphia's Washington Square Park or New York's Grand Central Terminal, often require permits, but it's essential to note that obtaining the permit falls under the client's responsibility, not the photographer's.

Should you have inquiries about a specific location, please don't hesitate to ask, and I'll gladly help determine if a permit is necessary. It's crucial to avoid shooting in a location that mandates a permit without proper authorization, as it could lead to us being asked to vacate the premises, a situation we definitely want to avoid.

Absolutely! Every image is provided in both black and white and color. This offers you the flexibility to select the version that best suits your preferences. (Note : If black and white film is used, those images will only be available in black and white)

Eight weeks post-wedding, your online gallery will be live, and that's when you'll get your digital files. If your collection includes printed proofs, you can expect them three weeks after your gallery’s debut. Once the album designs have your nod, it usually takes about twelve weeks to have the album in your hands.

They are not. The high-resolution files do not bear any watermarks.

How many photos you'll receive hinges on various factors: guest count, coverage duration, event nature, dance hours, among others. On a typical eight-hour day with a second photographer, the count hovers around 650 images, though this can fluctuate based on the day's specifics. If you're curious about image quantity, let's delve into your plans. It'll enable me to offer a more precise overview and estimate.

I supply chosen, polished high-resolution digital files—think of them as the modern-day negatives. Once you have these files, should you wish to procure quality prints, I can share a roster of reliable sources. While I maintain the images' copyright and the prerogative to utilize them for promotions, contests, and professional critiques, I'm more than willing to furnish a formal release. This will empower you to produce endless personal copies for you and your loved ones.

The matter of copyright frequently comes up. Some photographers talk about a "copyright release" in their contracts. Typically, this is just permission for you to get your images printed wherever you see fit. However, that doesn't equate to acquiring the copyright. Essentially, copyright indicates I'm the images' creator and thus, the holder of the copyright. Transferring or obtaining this "copyright" isn't on the table, but rest assured, you'll have full liberty to print and circulate your images to your heart's content.

The raw images from your gallery are available for purchase, should that be something you are interested in.

The images you receive undergo minimal editing, eliminating only unmistakable mishaps like closed eyes, untriggered flash, or unintended photo-bombers. Say, if there are multiple shots of you and your best friend sharing a laugh, I'll provide all unique captures, excluding exact duplicates. Any images not chosen won't be stored and, thus, won't be accessible.

Yes, and it's some of my favorite work of the weekend. It's the one night everyone's in the same room without a schedule — people who've flown in, family who haven't seen each other in years, the toasts that are funnier because they're not the official ones.

It's added to your collection rather than billed separately. Tell me what you're planning and I'll include it.

Your digital images will be made available to you through a secure, password-protected online gallery, allowing for direct download. This platform doubles as a print-ordering system. Should you wish to purchase additional prints, you can do so straight from your online gallery. Though you'll have the freedom to print at any lab due to access to your digital files, we strongly advocate for using our affiliated lab. This ensures each print undergoes a stringent quality check. We can't vouch for the quality of prints from other sources. If you're inclined to get prints elsewhere, just give us a shout, and we'd be happy to point you to some trustworthy labs.

In the contemporary albums I craft, images are imprinted straight onto the pages, reminiscent of the coffee-table books you'd find at a bookstore. My aim is to maintain a timeless, streamlined design, resulting in a keepsake for the generations to come. If you have a penchant for the conventional, I also offer the option to upgrade to a matted album.

Your wedding photographs will be housed in a confidential, password-protected gallery on my website, accessible to you, your family, and friends. This gallery doubles as a secure shopping portal, enabling you and your loved ones to order prints, cards, and choose album photos online. Simply share the password with those you'd like to grant viewing privileges to. This platform is also your gateway to retrieve your wedding day digital files. With a provided PIN for downloading, you can access your images the moment the gallery is in your hands.

Recognize that each gallery is unique, influenced by various factors like the duration of the day, extent of coverage, number of events, rehearsal dinner inclusion, and coverage spanning a whole weekend. Every wedding stands apart, and each is captured to the utmost capability, leading to varying counts of final images. Should you have reservations about the coverage and final output, there's always the option to bring in a second or even a third photographer to join me in documenting your day.

Absolutely, I cherish engagement sessions! However, due to my packed wedding schedule, most engagement shoots are typically slotted for Tuesdays through Thursdays, though occasional openings pop up on Mondays or Fridays. Locations I frequent for these sessions typically are limited to New York’s boroughs. While I'm always game to venture out of these zones for your shoot (and would relish the opportunity!), be aware that specific travel fees might be added for more distant locales. During winter, sessions usually kick off at 3pm, whereas in summer, we're looking at a 6pm start. Fancy a super late night shoot? Those are generally reserved for Fridays and might come with an added cost. For any questions or details about your engagement session, please reach out!

Documentary, mostly. I stay out of the way and photograph what actually happens — the candid half of the day is genuinely candid, and I'm not going to stop your cake cutting to reset it or hold up eleven people at a table so they can look up from dinner.

But I'm not a purist about it. The photographs people hire me for are usually the ones where the light is doing something — a dark room with one window, a hotel corridor, the last twenty minutes before the sun goes. Those need you, so I'll ask for an hour with the two of you during the day, away from your guests and your wedding party. That hour is where most of the pictures you'll frame come from.

Yes, and I take them seriously. These are the ones that end up on a wall for forty years, and some of the people in them won't be at the next wedding in your family.

A few weeks before the wedding I'll send you a questionnaire listing the groupings I photograph at most weddings, with room to add your own. I suggest around nine and I'd keep the final list to twelve or thirteen — past that, family photographs start eating the part of the day where everything else happens.

They go quickly

If you're inclined towards a photography style that consistently employs even lighting, then my approach might not align with your vision. I extensively employ interplays of shadow and light, both in my natural light captures and in flash-assisted shots during receptions. It's crucial that you peruse the sample galleries I provide upon your inquiry. This will help ensure that the style evident in those galleries resonates with what you envision for your wedding day imagery.

While I understand the desire for specific shots, beyond family groupings, I'd advise against such lists, and here's my rationale. Being informed about crucial family members and significant events during your day is invaluable. However, a constant flow of posed image requests or directing me by a "checklist" diverges from the style showcased on my website, potentially leading to a distinct shift in the final appearance of your image collection. The "shot lists" often suggested by popular wedding publications sound promising, but rest assured, the staples typically find their way into my shots organically. An extensive list detailing every college mate or high school buddy can detract from the candid, documentary essence, as more time is channeled into assembling guests as per the list. Similarly, guiding me using a collection of Pinterest images can stifle the spontaneity, resulting in a replication of existing shots rather than crafting distinct memories for you.

Yes. Absolutely. 100%. Yes, yes, yes!

I'm equipped with premium professional Canon gear, along with comprehensive backup systems. Admittedly, I have a penchant for collecting equipment. While this obsession aids in capturing stellar shots, it's not exactly a boon for my back—accumulating gear tends to weigh one down, quite literally.

Certainly. I'd appreciate a heads-up at least two months prior to the wedding, considering the time our insurance company requires to process and furnish that documentation. You're welcome to connect your venue or coordinator with me, and we'll streamline those specifics. Given that every venue has its unique requirements, rest assured we can offer certificates tailored to address all their stipulations.

Since launching in 2001, I've captured moments at over eight hundred weddings. Remarkably, each one remains etched in my memory. From sandy beaches and solemn churches to mountainous terrains and rain-soaked ceremonies—even amidst hurricanes—I've been there, camera in hand. Every time I'm chosen to chronicle a wedding, I'm profoundly touched, treating this privilege with the gravity it deserves.

I'm so sorry, but I can't hold the date or pencil you in. To be fair to everyone I can't "hold" a date without a retainer and a signed contract. I accept bookings on a first-come/first-served basis.

To secure your date, a booking fee or retainer of around 1/3 of your collection is required. Following that, there'll be two subsequent payments. Half of the remaining amount will be due ninety days before your wedding, with the final installment due four weeks ahead of the big day. I'll ensure you receive timely email reminders for your payments. My goal is to simplify the process for you, recognizing the myriad of tasks you're juggling!

I do require full payment before the event. Payment for overtime, album upgrades, or additional products beyond your wedding day contract, however, are all due post-wedding. If you have any concerns about the payment schedule, I'd love to chat with you about them! 

The retainer fee and all monies paid are non-refundable. The retainer guarantees that I'll hold the date exclusively for you and once you've signed the contract I do turn down all other commissions for that date.

The retainer fee and all monies paid are still non-refundable. Trust me, I loathe what Covid has done to our families, our friends, our industry, and the world. But Covid isn't new, and planning events now are with Covid in mind. I highly, highly suggest that if you're worried about Covid derailing your event that you purchase wedding insurance. This way you will be protected financially if your event cancels.

My wedding coverage is a hybrid of film and digital.

Should the unthinkable occur and I'm unable to be at your wedding because I’m well, dead, it would be deeply unfortunate. However, Susan Stripling Photography—most likely steered by my studio manager and my deeply affected circle of friends—will ensure coverage through my contracted assistant or second shooter. Additionally, I'm affiliated with several national and local organizations and networking groups, which my team could tap into to secure an adept replacement photographer for you.

In over twenty years of photographing weddings, I've never missed one. Understand that your wedding is of utmost importance to me, and the notion of "calling in sick" isn't taken lightly. Should an unprecedented circumstance arise, we would ensure a replacement photographer with a caliber matching mine would be there, along with a member of my team. Should this be a cause for concern, please reach out to the studio. We've meticulously prepared for such scenarios, even though we genuinely hope never to act on them.

ASAP. Since I can't "hold" dates or "pencil you in" dates are booked when...well, when they're booked. Most of my commissions contract me within a year of the wedding date, sometimes as close as two months prior, sometimes a full calendar year or more in advance. It's easy to predict what will be popular weekends, but not always easy to predict when those weekends will book up!

Surely! I do have an overtime rate and it goes into effect only with your permission and approval that I continue coverage. I'll bill you for those hours after you return from your honeymoon. Overtime includes everyone working at the event, which would be me, my associate photographer (if one is part of your collection), and our assistant.

Occasionally discounts are available but are based on the time of year, my travel schedule, and availability. If you have concerns about your budgetary needs, please contact me and let me know. 

It's certainly appreciated if you could, though it's not a contractual obligation. Providing a meal ensures I remain energetic and alert, preventing me from resorting to an ancient protein bar lurking at the bottom of my camera bag. Ideally, I'd like to eat when you do—since candid shots during meals might not capture everyone's best side. Once you're done, I'd like to be ready to resume capturing your special moments. While we do pack our own sustenance, a warm meal is always a delightful gesture during an extended day of work!

Certainly, they're welcome to take photos! It doesn't trouble me at all. However, during family photographs, I'd appreciate if they could wait a moment to ensure everyone's attention is on my camera. This helps in capturing everyone's best look. For intimate shots or solo images, I prefer it to be just us for the sake of privacy and to maintain focus, as additional people might be distracting. During events like dancing and cake cutting, others are free to take pictures. I just kindly ask everyone to be respectful and avoid obstructing my view.

Did you really just consider that? Please, don't copy content from this FAQ for your own website. Just as mastering your photography craft takes dedication, crafting genuine website content to guide and assist clients requires effort. I've written this with sincere consideration for those I work with, aiming to answer their questions and ease their wedding planning. Borrowing this without consent isn't fair to either of us or your clients. I encourage you to identify the unique queries YOUR clients have and create original content to address their needs. Thanks for understanding!

Oh, please don't. Like...just...no.

You can see my entire gear list here!

Yes, I do! I have two classes available on Creative Live. The first is a three-day course called Creative Wedding Photography, and you can learn more about the course and purchase it here. I also have a really fun class on sale with Creative Live, entitled Thirty Days of Wedding Photography. It is actually thirty days of wedding photography education, everything from marketing to shooting, business to workflow. You can learn more about 30 Days of Wedding Photography and purchase the course here! At this time I do not give any in-person workshops or have a mentorship program.

I am also one of the founders of The Wedding School, which provides real, honest education to wedding photographers worldwide. THIS is my best resource for wedding photographers, as it is current and continually updating. If you'd like to learn more, visit our site and hop on our mailing list.

It's a profound honor for me to be recognized as a Canon Explorer of Light, a distinction held in high regard in the photography world. Additionally, I've been privileged to be named an ambassador by Profoto. My partnerships and sponsorships are chosen with great care, ensuring alignment with my values. Each company I collaborate with is one I've trusted and patronized for years.

You are so sweet to ask, but probably not. I love meeting new photographers, but my schedule doesn't often permit coffee breaks like these!

Not currently!

Indeed, I do have a background in theatre, which has always held a special place in my heart. After years of dancing and rigorous training for a theatrical career, I found myself questioning my path post-college. An internship at a renowned Broadway theatre and several intense auditions later, I realized performing wasn't my destined career. Weddings, for me, beautifully intertwine the theatrical drama of a stage show with the raw, authentic moments of daily life. Observing these moments blossom from start to finish, akin to the three-act structure in theatre, is truly captivating. While I may not overtly gush about the idea of "love," there's an undeniable draw I feel towards weddings. I genuinely cherish them.

Certainly! I have a deep passion for reading, often sacrificing sleep to finish book after book. Theatre is another love of mine, and I never miss an opportunity to catch a performance. Travel and horror movies, especially the eerie ghostly ones, captivate me. In my downtime, I write, paint, and indulge in gardening. Yet, nothing compares to the joy of spending time with my family. I have two incredible daughters who light up my life. My heart also holds special places for Chloe, undoubtedly the best dog in the world, Taylor Swift, an energetic puppy with a penchant for playful nips, and Lucy, my very first cat and cherished cuddle companion. Last but not least, there's Bill, my loving partner, who completes our little family.