How will I find Melanie once we arrive at the photo shoot location?

Detailed directions and exact locations marked on Google Maps are given to my clients via email. Depending on the shoot location, I may also include a screenshot of what the location looks like from Google Maps. Please be sure to review the directions and location on Google Maps prior to our shoot.

Should I bring my cell phone to the photo shoot?

YES! I like to stay in communication with my clients either the day before or the day of a photo shoot to re-confirm plans regarding weather, the location, start and end time of the shoot. For those travelling internationally with smartphones, I would recommend purchasing a data plan from your cell phone provider to help ensure you do not miss any messages that may be vital to the shoot. WIFI is also an option (when and where available). Kindly note: Fiander Foto is not responsible for any missed communication between clients due to a lack of cell phone reception and/or access to data and/or WIFI.

How should I prepare for the photo shoot?

Although you probably already do this: be sure to eat healthy meals a week leading up to your photo shoot and drinks a lot of water. This can help your skin look clear and fresh before your pictures are taken. Avoid alcohol and salty food 48 hours before a shoot to ensure your face does not appear "puffy." Last but not least, arrive at the shoot well rested and ready to have fun!

What should I (we) wear during the shoot?

Once you decide what type of photo shoot you'd like and where it will take place, you may want to "dress for the occasion, location, and season." I typically encourage my clients to wear solid colours or lightly patterned outfits; avoid clothing that is mismatched. Does that mean a family portrait should have everyone wearing white tops and khaki bottoms? Well, only if it's for a GAP commercial circa 2006. (haha) "Matchy Matchy" is not attractive although working with complementary colours that match your skin tone will be stunning! When in doubt, consult "Google." Try a search phrase like "What to wear for family portrait shoots" or "What to wear for your engagement shoot."

Should I (we) get our hair, make-up, and nails done?

As a photographer, I'm a strong believer in professional hair, make-up, and nails! With that said, it's best to avoid "overdoing it" when it comes to these topics. Be sure to choose a hairdresser and a cosmetic artist who can accentuate your features yet still allow you to maintain a natural appearance. A pastel or nude colour nail polish or a french manicure typically goes well with all outfit choices.

What should I do to ensure my skin looks healthy for a photo shoot?

The first rule of thumb when it comes to skin looking healthy for a photo shoot is to stay out of the sun! Avoid getting burned before your shoot to avoid tan lines! Ensure that you drink plenty of water two weeks leading up to your shoot, which will help to make sure your skin complexion is clear. Avoid trying a new facial cleaning regime before your shoot; stick to what you know works well for your skin.

How do you describe your overall style?

After capturing weddings for over 20 years, I have enjoyed crafting a specific photography style. I aim to capture the true emotions of my clients with sharp images that display natural colors that have a "timeless" look. Although, an explanation of our overall photographic artistic style is best viewed verses described; please click "here" to see a slideshow.

How do you approach your subjects during a photo shoot?

I was trained as a documentary photographer and shoot my commercial clients in a similar manner. However, I also have a passion for traditional portraiture too! I will shoot "candid moments" as well as traditional poses during a photo shoot. I'm happy to offer guidance to my clients regarding how to pose or how to enact a specific expression. My favourite and most popular approach, however, is to allow my clients to "act natural" in front of the lens while I take photographs that capture their true emotions to tell the story of that moment.

Will the final photographs be colour images or black and white?

Most of the images will be in colour, and some will be in black and white. I use my artistic discretion to decide which photographs will be edited as colour or black and white. Depending on my schedule, my clients may have the option to request a re-edit for no more than five images from a photo shoot at an additional one-time cost. Clients can order colour prints as black and white from their online gallery, although not vice-versa.

Who culls and edits the photos?

As a boutique photography business, all of your images will be culled and edited personally by myself. Clients do not select their images from the original batch of images. This process helps to ensure that all of my clients receive a fabulous Fiander Foto product. With the images being edited "in house" verses being outsourcing to a separate company, this also helps to keep the package prices reasonable. Editing may include adjusting the exposure, highlights/shadows, white balance, colour correction, cropping, and removing distracting elements from the photo.

How long does the editing take?

The saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" also applies to photography. After a photo shoot ends, the real work begins!

The length of time for editing depends on the type of photo shoot that is booked and how busy my schedule may be. For the shorter photo shoots (2 hours or less), the editing process can take between 8 - 10 weeks. However, all contracts note 16-20 weeks for delivery of images. This longer length of editing time is for weddings and events. Please note: during the busy wedding and tourist season, the editing process may take longer for weddings, events, and portrait sessions. Clients who book last minute (within less than 4 weeks of the shoot date for portrait sessions; within less than 3-4 months for weddings and events) may expect a longer length of time for editing.

Depending on the photographer's schedule, clients may be able to purchase a "rush order" on the editing process for an additional fee for a shorter turn-around time. A limited number of rush orders are accepted each month; please let Melanie know as soon as possible if you require a rush order for a specific reason. Rush orders are only accepted after the additonal Rush Order fee is processed.

Please note: if the client has a wedding package with a payment plan, the images are not released until the final payment has been made successfully.

Can I request a specifc style of how the images are captured and edited?

All photogarphers have a unique eye when it comes to the style of editing and shooting. However there are a number of common styles, such as the "light and airy", the "dark and moody", the "bold and vibrant", the "natural tone". There's a long history of these styles going in and out of popularity.

In regards to the overall shooting style (camera, lens choice, compositional, and lighting choices), clients images will be shot and edited in accordance with the Fiander Foto style unless otherwise specfied in the contract. Please see details above for a description.

Can I request an additional edit to a photo?

Images are delivered to my clients already edited, however a client may want a photo to be slightly cropped or adjusted. Depending on my schedule, I might be able to offer clients an additional edit for an additional fee. Editing may be limited depending on clients' request(s). Please contact me directly for more information & to access our online request form.

Do your edits include body modification?

I strive to make my clients look their absolute best in their photos with a variety of shooting and editing techniques. These tecniques include shooting from specific angles, utilizing certain poses, adjusting specific colors, removing blemishes, etc. Although for ethical reasons - I do not offer edits that modify clients' bodies (and minds).

Do you offer wedding albums and photo books?

Yes! Some of the wedding photography packages include an album: a 14" x 11" hard-covered album with an oatmeal/tan fabric cover; a cotton fibre blend. This is handmade, hard-covered, and comes with hinged pages, allowing it to lay flat when opened, which adds an extra level of elegance. The paper in the album has a matte finish and is printed with six ink colours, rather than with toner, to produce the best quality imagery. The couple's names and wedding date are embossed on the cover of the album. This package album also comes with a box to protect the album. Clients who purchase a photo package that does not come with an album can either add on a 14x11 or 10x10 album á la carte.

Matching "parent albums" can be purchased for all of the album and photo book options à la carte.

Photo books are available for any type of photoshoot! This is a great gift option: a 10" x 10" hard-covered photo book with non-hinged matte finish pages and an oatmeal fabric cover. Custom embossing is also available.

How many images are included in the wedding album?

The basic wedding album - regardless of the size - will include 30-40 images. Although, couples have the option to upgrade the size of their album to include 40-50 images for an additonal price; see next question for details.

Those who have booked "Wedding Day: Package D", will receive an album with 40-50 photos.

Can I upgrade my album to include more photos?

Heck yea, you can! I understand that selecting photos for an album can be tough! If you'd like to upgrade your album to include more images, please let me know. Couples can upgrade their albums from holding 30-40 images to 40-50 images for an additional á la carte fee.

What is the process like for creating the wedding album or photo book? How long does this process take?

There are two options: the first is that I can hand select the best images for you. These photos will focus on "telling" the entire story of the your wedding day. Flattering images of you two and your guests are selected based on the colour, composition, and how the images may look side-by-side with each other. From there, I design the layout of the album and send you an online version for review. You're able to make one round of changes before the album is sent off to print. This process typically takes 3-4 weeks from start to finish.

With the second option, you can choose your own images. After you receive your wedding photographs, you are given 3 weeks to choose which images you would like to be in your album. You may extend this time frame for 1 additional week, although the end of the 4th week is a firm deadline. If images are unselected by the 4th week, you can choose to revert back to Option 1 (noted above) or if you need more time, you can purchase additional time á la carte for me to stay on the project (details noted in next question).

Assuming the client does not require additional time and/or depending on how fast the client tells me which images s/he likes, this second option usually takes about 5-8 weeks from start to finish.

Below is a breakdown of an example timeline for how long the album creation/delivery process will take. Although please note: each album creation process is different depending on clients' wishes, shipping location, etc. Because the albums are outsourced and created by a separate printing company, I - Melanie of Fiander Foto - do not have full control over when the printing of albums is complete. I greatly appreciate my clients' understanding on this matter.

• 3 weeks = select images (clients an extend an additional week for final deadline)
• 2-3 weeks = album creation process
• 2 weeks = clients review for 1 round of changes before album is sent to print
• 5-6 weeks = album printing process
• 2-3 weeks = shipping process

It's important for me to deliver your wedding album as soon as possible in order to complete the "photo package delivery". It can sometimes be very time consuming for the client to go through their hundreds of photographs to try and narrow them down to a select few. Because I'm already very familiar with the images, some of my clients opt for the first option in order to receive their wedding album quicker. Although some clients prefer to have a more "hands-on" experience with picking their photos to create their album.

I haven't answered my emails from Melanie regarding the creation of the album; now what?

If Client(s) is not responsive to Photographer's emails regarding image selection, album design approval, or other emails related to the album creation and delivery process by due dates set forth by photographer, the project will become closed and work will cease on the album.

From there, Clients are able to purchase additional time for Melanie Fiander to come back to the project and to stay on the project.

If additional time is needed for any step of the album creation or delivery process, this additional time is billed á la carte; starting with the day the client notes they need more time: $25/day or $175/week.

This offer of purchasing additional time a la carte to return to the project expires one year after the 4th week; the firm deadline. Should couples remain inactive in the album design process and/or non-responsive towards photographer's emails after the 4th week, photographer is not responsible; refunds will not be offered.

How will the wedding album be delivered to me?

Once the printing of the album is complete, it's shipped to my family home in Virginia for "inspection". During this time, my assistants look over the album to check out the design layout, color, and overall quality of the album. In short - we want to make sure it looks perfect before it's mailed off to you!

The album is then shipped to you via FedEx. Tracking numbers are provided to help ensure the album is safely delivered and all packages are insured. With the package being insured, signatures may be required upon delivery.

Clients are responsible for providing an updated home address during this time. International shipping fees may apply.

Please note: once the tracking number is provided, client(s) are responsible for keeping track of the album's location, delivery date and time, and for communicating with their local FedEx department.

Is the shipping & insurance fee of the album included?

Because each order is different (some orders contain more than one album = additional weight for shipping) and are sent to many different parts of the world, the package price may not include the cost of shipping the album. The cost of insurance, however is included.

Additional shipping fees will apply for multiple albums being shipped. Additional shipping fees will apply for album(s) being shipped outside the USA.

Additional shipping fees and additional time fees will apply for albums that are "returned to sender" and need to be re-shipped. This may occur due to an album not being picked up by the client. Please see next question for further details.

Clients are responsible for paying the duty on any albums that are shipped from the USA to a different country, including but not limited to Bermuda, UK, Italy, and Canada.

Oops! I missed the delivery of my album. Now what?

If albums are not collected upon delivery (and/or upon re-delivery) FedEx might send the album back to Fiander Foto.

If this occurs, clients can order a "second delivery" of their album á la carte. With this á la carte order, clients will be billed for the re-delivery shipping fee and a fee for additional time. The additional time is calculated from the time stamp noted by either USPS or FedEx of "return to sender".

Returned albums are held onto by Fiander Foto for one month only from the time same of "return to sender". After this time, clients may be required to purchase another printed copy.

If the album is not collected and it is not sent back to Fiander Foto - whether it's destroyed by FedEx or is damaged during the return shipment - clients are billed for a second printed copy of your album á la carte plus the fees noted above.

Please note: although great care is put into the packaging and shipping of the album, I - Melanie of Fiander Foto - am not responsible for FedEx's delivery time nor handling of the packages.

Help! I need to reschedule my wedding, event, or photo shoot. What should I do?

If you need to reschedule your wedding, event, or photo shoot - not a problem - you are able to do that with a 25% Rescheduling Fee. All the details on how and when to reschedule are noted in our contractual agreement. Please refer to your contract for more details and please note: the amount of the Rescheduling Fee is subject to change - depending on the market.

Help! I need to cancel my wedding, event, or photo shoot. What should I do?

If you need to cancel your wedding, event, or photo shoot - not a problem - you are able to do that with a 30% Cancellation Fee. All the details on how and when to cancel are noted in our contractual agreement. Please refer to your contract for more details and please note: the amount of the Cancellation Fee is subject to change - depending on the market.

How can I pay for my photo package?

Depending on where you live, there are a variety of payment options available.

For those based in the USA, payments can be made via Zelle, Venmo, or persnal US check (mailed to my family home in good ole Northern Virginia).

For those based in Canada (and only Canada - aye), we accept payment via PayPal.

For those based in Bermuda or elsewhere, payment can be made via wire transfer.

Please note: we do not accept payment via debit or credit card. We also do not accept payment via PayPal for folks based in the USA or elsewhere; this is only an option for our Canadian clients at this time.

Will I receive a receipt?

Oh, heck yea! After your payment clears, you will receive a receipt via email. Please allow 5-7 business days for receipts to be emailed.

Do you have Payment Plans available?

Payment plans are available for clients who book weddings or events that are over $1900.

For weddings, events, or photo shoots that are equal to or less than $1900, the full payment is required to book the package and reserve the date(s).

Details regarding the amount due and the due date will be noted to our clients via email.

Please review your contract for details regarding your payment options.

What is your Late Fee Policy?

Late payments are automatically passed onto our accountant. Please review your contract for details regarding our Late Fee Policy.

What happens if it rains on my wedding or event day?

For any weddings or events occurring in Bermuda or other destinations, please be advised that the forecast can change quickly. One moment the forecast may call for rain and hours beforehand, the clouds will clear and the sun will shine. For Bermuda in particular - this is known as "typical island weather".

Rain on a wedding day is said to mean good luck for the happy couple, although it can also mean switching a few things around for photographs. Weddings and events cannot be rescheduled, although ceremonies, events, and/or portrait sessions may be moved either indoors or under covered areas.

Clients are responsible for ensure their venue has a "Plan B" in terms of a location for rain. If clients are not working with a venue, Clients are responsible for arranging an indoor location the photographer can attend. The same advice would also be given for events. Fiander Foto is not responsible for "rained out" weddings and/or events. Refunds are not offered should it rain on a wedding and/or event day.

When do you "check in" to reconfirm photo shoots regarding weather ?

I check in with clients via text & email on the afternoon of a photo shoot date to re-confirm plans regarding weather. For morning sessions, I check in with clients the evening before the scheduled photo shoot. Clients are responsible for ensuring their cell phone and data roaming is ON around this time so we can communicate easily.

Fiander Foto is not responsible for any clients who may miss important information regarding the rescheduling of a shoot due to a lack of cell phone reception.

When should we start checking the weather and what is a reliable website to use?

Clients are encouraged to be patient in the days leading up to their photo shoot reading weather. What is forecasted a few days before a photo session can quickly shift. This is particularly true for Bermuda; it's the nature of tropical weather.

When checking the weather, we recommend local resources such as windy.com, weather.bm, and wind guru bermuda. Popular websites such as weather.com and/or the apple weather app are typically accurate for the "day of" in Bermuda, although are often misleading a few days out.

What happens if it rains during my photo shoot?

All portrait sessions and content shoots are paired with a rain date. In the event of rain or poor weather conditions, as the photographer, I will make a "rain call" either the day before _or_ on the day of a scheduled photo shoot. If the shoot needs to be rescheduled, the "rain date" is already set in place for the client. This rescheduling occurs at no additional cost to the client.

Decisions for rescheduling are based on the safety of the photographer, the clients, and the camera gear. The photographer will decide if it is raining and/or thunrdering too hard for all participants and the camera gear to be safely out.

Should it rain/thunder too hard on both dates/times reserved and we are unable to find a third option to conduct the shoot outdoors - please prepare for an indoor session either near your shoot location or at your home or accommodations. We shall select whichever indoor location provides the strongest backdrop and suits my work schedule.

Please note: this is a very rare circumstance, although indoor sessions can also yield strong images. Click "here" to learn more.

After our images are delivered and our contract is complete, is there an additional fee for further administrative duties, communication, album creation, and/or editing?

Communication, adminitistation duties, and time spent editing are included in and are a part of the total package price during and after the booking process.

After the images are delivered, Clients are able to purchase additional time (which is billed á la carte) for communication and administration duties for an additional fee. This additional fee allows Melanie Fiander to return to the project, discuss the project, and/or to continute to work on the project.

Minutes are logged for both email and phone call coorespondance; $50/30min.

A limited amount of time is included in the package price for the ablum/photo book creation process. Please see details under "Album & Photo Book Creation & Delivery" on the FAQ Page for additional time for album creation.

Client may request additional edits; please click "here" for details.

Do you offer photo shoots on boats?

YES we do! As we are based in Bermuda, we capture a lot of photo shoots aboard different vessels.

Is there an option to book a photo shoot and a boat charter together?

YES there is! You can book a photo shoot + a boat charter under "Early Bird Charters" aboard Troubadour. Please refer to the "Vacation Photos at Sea" charter.

We have booked our wedding celebration and/or event aboard a large vessel; can you come on board to shoot the event?

YES - I'd be happy to capture your celebration and/or event aboard a large vessel - such as a catamaran, sail boat, or similar boat. For the safety of the camera gear, photo shoots are not offered on smaller vessels that are subject to "bumpy rides" and/or water spraying over the side - potentially getting the camera gear wet.

Do you stay on board during the entire charter?

As the Captains will not alter their charted cruise - because that would interupt the fun for the guests - I stay on board and photograph the entire charter. I board with the guests and depart with the guests. Clients are responsible for paying the photographer for her/their services during entire length of the charter.

Please note: should a Captain offer to bring me back to shore in a tendor before the charter ends, this will polietely be declined as the camera gear does not travel well in smaller boats.

Do you have any boats you can recommend to us for our wedding and/or event?

We have a number of local vessels we work with in Bermuda and can make recommendations.

What items are for sale in my online gallery?

You can purchase several different items from your online gallery, such as prints, wall art, cards, and albums.

Prints come in a variety of sizes. Wall art includes framed prints, canvas prints, metal prints, wooden prints, and more! Select cards for the holidays, weddings, baby, graduation, and seasonal. If opting for an album, you can select between two sizes.

How can I pay for my order?

Within the online gallery, clients can select "Credit Card" or "Offline Payment" at checkout. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Amex. If "online payment" is selected, you can pay via wire transfer; details will be sent to you from the accountant via email.

Note: Credit Cards are not accepted as payment for photo shoots and weddings. Seperate payment methods apply for these purchases.

Help! I'm receiving a "Bermuda Zip Code" Error when paying with a credit card. What now?

Unfortunately, some residents of Bermuda have experienced an error message when entering in a zip code (particularly a zip code from Paget or any beginning with a "D"). If this occurs, instead of checking out with your credit card, select the "Offline Payment" option. From there, I'll get an alert regarding your order and will send you an invoice with wire transfer details via email.

Can I track my order?

Yes! All orders are tracked and clients are responsible for tracking their packages. You should receive the tracking information in your order confirmation email. If you cannot find this information, send me a message and I can forward it to you via email.

I see my order arrived in Bermuda, although is being held at the Post Office and/or is stuck in Customs; what now?

If your order has arrived at the Post Office in Bermuda, you may need to submit your CAPS ID Number to Customs. Clients are responsible for contacting their local Post Office for details regarding the arrival of the package. Fiander Foto is not responsible for items that are "stuck" at Customs (for any reason).

Are you available for photography workshops?

Heck yea! Photography education is a strong passion of mine. Along with being a photographer, I hold a BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in photography and English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. I completed my MFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in photography and began teaching at the collegiate level in 2007. With a background in higher education and real world experience in being a wedding photographer - speaking at workshops is good fun for me!

How do I book you to speak at our workshop?

Please email me at "melanie@fianderfoto.com" and include the name of the workshop, the website, the location, and the dates.

Do you offer mentoriships?

You bet I do! If you'd like to learn more about photography or simply get a second set of eyes on a project you're working on, feel free to get in touch! I offer private mentoriships both in person and online. For details on mentorships, visit:

www.fianderfoto.com/mentorship

What is a photo tour?

During a photo tour, we'll meet up at a special location where you can take your own photos. Grab your camera – whether it’s a DSLR, point-and-shoot, or smart phone - and come explore some of the best photo locations Bermuda has to offer! This is a great way to learn a little more about photography and your camera. For details on photo tours, visit:

www.fianderfoto.com/photo-tours