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What is your style of photography?

I aim to create authentic, fun, elegant, timeless images. I like bold colors and big emotions. I want to produce images that in twenty years you can look back at and not only not be embarrassed of the photos, but still love them and think they’re beautiful! I want you to remember how much love and laughter you shared on your wedding day. I want you to remember all the cute, quirky traits your kids had at a certain age. I want my work to be authentic to you. I want you to look at the images and see an elevated, beautiful version of yourself and your family.

Speaking of style, what’s your editing style?

I edit in the same style I shoot. I like things to be bright, colorful and timeless. I don’t use a bunch of fancy Photoshop effects or make images look they were shot on film. I try to enhance what’s there, not try to make a person or scene something that it’s simply not. I want you to look like the best version of yourself, but still like yourself. I also will do a handful of more extensive edits of the images I think you will want to include in your album or have printed. I would want photos of me that were going to be shared to be edited, so I feel like my clients will probably feel the same way! I loooooove black and white images so if I think an image would be enhanced by a conversion you will receive both the color and BW copies. Additional edits like removing power lines, blemish removal, etc. are available are priced on a case by case basis.

Can we have all the images?

In a word: nope. Much like my extensive editing process I also have an extensive culling process and so I don’t guarantee a certain number of images that will be included in my galleries. Every client’s need is different: various hours of wedding coverage, number of family members involved, length of ceremony, varying events at the reception, mini session versus full session, and so on. No two sessions are alike and I think it’s irresponsible to say “you will for sure get X number of images”. After the session I go through and delete anything that’s unflattering, that’s a duplicate, that’s a test shot. If I wouldn’t be happy seeing a photo of myself like that, it won’t be delivered. I prefer to give the best of the best, not the most of the most. But don’t worry, you will still receive more images than you will ever print and if your kid did something cute in the session and I captured it, you’re going to receive that even if it’s not totally perfect. To me emotion trumps technical perfection every time!

What’s your style of shooting/client interaction? Do we just stand there and you click a button? Are you going to use cheesy prompts?

Helpful posing is my jam!!!! I have worked for years to perfect my style of posing so it’s not forced but has some direction. Clients have described my shooting style as efficient, natural, emotive, fun and patient. We will strive to get some classic, smiling at the camera shots, but my favorites are those shots that showcase your personalities! With families and bridal parties it’s basically the same: I find some great light, get you positioned and then let your personalities take over! I’m a huge believer in embracing the quirks and imperfections but always looking really, REALLY pretty! I promise you won’t feel like you’re having an awkward senior photoshoot in 1997 and I promise to not just stick you in front of the camera with no idea what to do with your hands. I promise that it will be done as quick as possible and that you just might even enjoy it!

Are you going to be our actual photographer?

Yes! It’s called Katie McDonald Photography after all! I don’t outsource shooting, so all the images are shot by yours truly. I don’t have an associate program because I think that if you vibe with me and my work, it’s
just not the same to have someone else show up. In addition to doing all the shooting myself, I also edit the images, answer the emails, design the albums, place the print orders….pretty much everything. Well, except for some accounting, because math is like, really hard!

How many weddings/sessions do you shoot a day?

I only shoot one wedding per day, no matter how many hours I’m scheduled for. This gives me the flexibility to stay as long as needed if anything would happen to run the timeline off course or if you simply change your mind and would like longer coverage. I will sometimes shoot two weddings per weekend with the increasing popularity of Friday and Sunday events. How many sessions I shoot depends on the day and types of sessions I have. I can only do one sunset session per day. I can shoot several studio sessions or mini sessions in a day, especially days where I shoot marathon minis!

Will you travel and where are you based?

I am based in Johnston, Iowa and 100 miles of travel is included in every wedding collection, 40 miles for portrait sessions. Mileage over that will be charged at $.55 per mile. Weddings that require overnight stays will be quoted on a case by case basis. My studio is on 5th Street in the heart of Historic Valley Junction and it’s awesomeeeeeee!!!!!

Do you destination weddings and sessions?

Ummmmmmm, hells yeah! I love to travel and love photographing awesome people, what better than to combine those loves? I’ve shot in Siesta Key, Orlando, Dallas, Louisville and all over Iowa. Travel fees are individually quoted but if you want to hire me for a session or wedding on my bucket list, there’s some amazingggggg discounts I can toss your way!

Will you be dressed appropriately when photographing us?

Ugh….I hate that this is even a question but I have seen how some other photographers and videographers show up to work. Sooooooooo, I feel the need to state for the record that I will NOT show up to your session or wedding not dressed like a someone going to: an iCubs game, a nightclub opening, shop at Home Depot, lounge and watch a movie on my couch, do yoga or do anything other than be a professional lady and awesome photographer! If your event has a specific dress code please let me know and I will be happy to dress accordingly!

How long have you been doing this?

I was a photojournalism major at the University of Kentucky and during college worked in various photography studios soaking up all the experience and info that I could. I applied for my trade name, got my sales tax ID and purchased insurance shortly after I moved here and shot my first full wedding season in 2008. Even though it’s been over a decade I still get giddy before every session and a little nervous before every wedding. I always say that the day I wake up and am like “meh, gotta go to work today” is the day I’m going to find a different job.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I shoot with professional Nikon cameras, flashes and a wide variety lenses. My current cameras are Z6iis and I have backups for my backups. You can never be too prepared. I have both MAC and PC computers… because I’m a rebel that way.

How do we reserve our time with you?

To add you to my wedding calendar all I need is your signed contract and a non-refundable 50% reservation fee of the collection that you’ve decided to go with. Once I’ve received those items I add you to my calendar and take your date off my availability. For portrait sessions I will send you a contract and once it’s received I will put your session on the calendar. Everything is booked on a first come, first serve basis. I tend to book up pretty quickly so please let me know asap if you’re interested in working together!

Who can sign the contract?

I need a signature from the bride or groom on the wedding contract and a parent or legal guardian on a portrait contract. Even though they can’t sign the contract, I will gladly communicate with and take payments from other folks such as a wedding coordinator or your grandparents. I’m all about making things easy.

How do you deal with payments?

To reserve your wedding date a 50% reservation retainer is due at the time that you sign your contract and the remaining balance is due no later than the wedding date. Portrait clients can pay prior to or at the session. I am very flexible with payment methods and accept cash, check, all major credit cards and ACH bank transfers.

Will we get a copyright release for our images?

Uh-uh. No. A copyright release is legally different than a print release, which is what you will receive along with your full resolution images. This means that you will be able to print and have products created at any lab that you wish. You are also free to email the images, share them on social media, etc. I also offer an in person viewing and ordering appointment for those who wish to come into the studio and get a little guidance about choosing what items to print and order through me.

Can we request a list of images for you to shoot?

Absolutely…..well, sort of. I will ask for a list of folks that will be included in photos so that everyone is on the same page and we can make the best use of our time together. If you have requests like “It’s super important to get a picture of me and my Aunt Sandy” I’ll make note of those things and ensure they get done. You can send me a list of images that you love from Pinterest, however, I can’t flat out copy another photographer’s work. It’s also just not possible for me to exactly recreate images because every session differs with personalities, venues, weather, lighting, décor, etc. But I am happy to put my own spin on something that you love! After all, I’m shooting for you at this point in my career…not my own portfolio!

How long does it take to get our photos and how to we get them?

Wedding photos normally take 6-8 weeks to finish and portrait sessions take 2-3 weeks. This time can be more or less depending on studio schedule. All full resolution files will be delivered via digital download. Once all the photos are edited and complete I will send you an online gallery along with your password and download code. Once downloaded, it’s very important to save the images to your computer and an external drive!