We are always happy to answer all of your questions. Here are a few of the most common questions that we have tried to answer.

Q: Do you do engagement sessions?

A: Yes! Of course we do, AND . . . we include this in our all day wedding package . . . HOW AWESOME !

we LOVE them ! we actually encourage Engagement sessions in order to start building relationships with our clients. We find that after this session, the couple is ten times more relaxed on the big day, it takes the edge off...resulting in incredible personal and romantic natural looking images. By nature, we are easy approachable professionals, but with the advantage of getting to know us prior...gives us a chance to make any pose feel very natural and that is one last thing for you to have to think about....that is our main goal and the icing on the cake is that you have now a great slideshow to present in at your reception. Some of you out of state Couples may not be able to take advantage of the session, we offer print credit towards our Signature Wedding Album in the value of this session.

Q: How many images should I expect from my event or photo session and how do I get them?

A: Typically, we average about 100 images an hour. Regardless of your package, we will include all available images at high resolution with a print release form attached, so you can send your digital files to printing labs of your choice.

You will receive a gallery link with selected Highlights of your wedding within a few days after the wedding for social media sharing, and your gallery update with ALL available Images 800 to 1000 High Resolution Images within 8 - 12 weeks after the wedding (often sooner than this depending on our work load in a specific season).

You can directly share photos and print from your gallery. You will also be able to create  "FAVORITES" lists and name them "share with friends and family"; "request retouches" "print wedding book from these images" etc. We do offer a variety of printing products and encourage to have special enlargement prints done with the assistance of the photographers. As with the creative eye and skills of a professionals, you will end up with an image that is handcrafted and of High Quality.

Q:  What is raw footage and do I get RAW video footage from my videographer?

Not by default and here is why we not want to include RAW FOOTAGE... because raw footage isn't really "watchable”. The most common misconception about raw footage is that it's one, long, continuous video of your wedding events and all the smaller events within your wedding from start to finish.

In reality, raw footage is a collection of all the video clips and files your videographer took throughout the day, GOOD or BAD.

Essentially a new file is created every time the camera stops and starts, each clip is very brief, usually lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes the most. Other times Videographers do not cut recording and move quickly from one angle to another resulting in shaky footage and transitions. If you were to watch this, believe us, you would get extremely dizzy quickly :)

There are often over 10 hours worth of raw footage from any given wedding, and feature-length cinematic edits are just 45 to 60 minutes long. When we are shooting throughout the day we keep this important fact in mind. If speeches are lengthy we capture only snippets of it (the important parts only), why ? because we know we cannot include it all in one film. We automatically choose the best highlights and best shots of the day, but most of the footage will not ever make the final cut nor will everything be captured in it’s entire length. The clips that do not make it into the wedding film are such as poor exposure, bad angle, shaky, doesn't fit in the edited storyline of the film, etc. so in essence, we have already used the best video footage to craft your film.

We are however modern videographers and will not ever not allow RAW footage or deny you of it, if this is what you really want and you understand that the footage isn't perfect in nature. But please keep in mind because of all above mentioned reasons, often it is not worth of value to you, as it is not fully curated edited footage free of flaws. Either way, this will have to be discussed in a wedding consultation meeting prior to your wedding, agreed upon and written into the contract. By default we do not supply RAW footage.

Q: How long does it take to shoot my wedding

 A: We shoot anywhere from a simple “Just the Two of us” which are common here in Hawaii, 4 hours - which covers a little bit of Bride getting ready, Groom getting ready, before shots, ceremony coverage, and after shots....down to 10 hours, 12 hours and unlimited coverage, depending on the package chosen.

Q: Will you charge me by the hour or am I charged for the event - or how does this work?

 A: We have created choices for everyone all there on our Package Page. And if you still feel that you are somewhere in between packages, feel free to send us your special requests and we will create you a custom package. And yes, our Packages are absolutely customizable. We have many a la carte options for you.

Q: How long do I have to wait before I get my pictures?

 A: Typically it takes about 8 weeks for photography and 8 - 12 weeks for videography packages, depending on the volume and time of wedding season, however we do turn around images usually sooner and especially turn around those “first look” images within a few days past the event for you to share with friends and family right away online. And we are more than happy to send you some favorites in high resolution, so you can get started on your “thank You” cards.

Q: What kind of editing and touch up will you do?

A: Our Photographers take special care of your photos. To us, it is imperative that we individual edit one by one and give each image tonal and color correction, along with fine retouching such as minor object removal etc...major facial blemish removal and unwanted hair blown into face for example, are the kind of special treatments reserved for the images that you will pick from your online proofing galleries.

Q: How large will I be able to blow my images up to?

 A:The sky is the limit !

Q: What will be the rights that I will have with the digital images?

A: The images will remain ownership of Kohalafoto. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN SPECIFICALLY ?  

You will not be able to have commercial rights of any image shot by Kohalafoto, you cannot alter an image, nor will you be allowed to enter into contests without the permission of the photographer.

BUT, you will have personal printing and reproduction rights to all of your engagement, portrait or wedding photos.

Q: How will you deliver the images?

 A: We have found in today's technology trends that the online proofing gallery (which is also password protected - so you are the only one with access to it) is the best way for you to go through the images, give retouching feedback, make your favorites selection, and download directly to your computer some of your favorites. However, we do believe you deserve a special keepsake and we create a custom USB box and mail it to you when all is completed.

Q: Do you back up your images ?

A: Yes! We do.....triple and quadroopple !!!!! in more than one location, to the cloud online, on several hard drives and we keep our archives for 1-3 years after the event and in most cases even longer.

Q: Do you carry Liability Insurance?

 A: Yes! We are fully insured through the Professional Photographers of America.

Q: How and when do you need to meet with us?

 A: We can meet in person for a free consultation or for our out-of-state clients we can do a Skype consultation. Just fill out our contact form and specify your preferred method of corresponding with us.

Q: What will you need from me to reserve the date?

 A: We handle all wedding inquiries on a first come first served bases. We would require a signed contract and retainer for wedding date reservations.

Q: How do you charge if we go past the contracted time?

 A: We would never exceed the amount of contracted shooting time without the clients permission. If it is the clients desire, we will proceed at an arranged additional charge per hour after the contracted amount.

Q: If the wedding gets cancelled, do I get my 30% deposit back?

 A: Unfortunately No. There is a limited amount of weekends during the year. With that in mind, we need to collect a non refundable deposit.

Q: What if our date is changed?

 A: If you have to postpone your wedding date due to Covid-19 or emergency reasons, you may transfer it to another date free of charge, providing we are not already booked for another wedding.

Q: Do you charge mileage or any other travel related fees?

A: We accommodate our clients as best as we can within reason. If your wedding is not within a 60 mile radius additional travel fees may apply.

Q: Tell me about your Books?

A: We are very proud of the quality, style & uniqueness of our Books. We work with the best professional printing manufacturers, that cater only to the professionals, not to the public. But the best way to prove it, is to show you! We bring our different range of books with us to your free consultation, or can mail you sample images.

Q: Is the photographer we meet the one who takes the photos on the day ?

 A: Absolutely! On rare occasions, we source out additional freelanced photographers. Our Standards are high, they must be equally experienced in wedding photography, excellent in their craft, on our level of quality & style, and must have an eye for incredibly good photography. It is our priority that our client is confident with the photographer they will have on their special day.

Q: How does payment work?

A: To book Kohalafoto Photography for your wedding date we also require a commitment from our clients. It’s a 30% deposit of your package. This will assure you that we have committed to taking the photos on the requested date for your special day. The remainder of the balance is required before we ship out your retouched photos and/or wedding films on USB flash drive.  

Q: Do you customize packages outside existing ones ?

 A: Absolutely, yes we do. Our packages are guidelines to our services. We are happy to sit down with our clients to create a suitable package for their needs.

Q: What if it rains on our wedding day ?

 A: Well that sometimes happens in Hawaii and certain times of the year in Florida (the two main destinations we photograph weddings). When it does rain....the show must go on! We will shoot your wedding day rain, “hail” or shine. We have rain protective gear and lots of cute umbrellas. Added to this we have some great ideas for shooting in the rain and we know how to make it fun!

Q: We don't like posing all the time, is your style candid and creative ?

 A: That’s exactly what it is. We love keeping your day looking natural & fun. Our style also incorporates a fashion edge & modern creativity. Our Photographers are highly experienced in this field. We mix up the best of two worlds...but we make sure that you are absolute comfortable with our shooting style. Again we also sit down to discuss which style of shooting our clients prefer. That is why it is important for you to understand that photographers...the really good ones...have their own shooting style which is visible in their portfolio...what we show in our galleries here is WHO we are and HOW we shoot, which we ve been told over and over how beautiful our images come out. But we do believe in giving our clients a whole range of different shots for them to choose from.

Q: Do you travel outside your Base and internationally ?

A: Yes we do. We have been shooting weddings on neighboring Islands, Oahu, Maui and Kauai, the mainland and even internationally. As long as there is an airport, we can shoot anywhere. Our photographers are experienced in photography and film making and have a background in the Hollywood Film Business as both wedding and fashion / commercial photographers and videographers - and are used to traveling with equipment....nope....not ever a problem !

Q: How many years experience do your photographers have?

A: 15 + years professional backgrounds in wedding and fashion photography. They proved themselves as leading photographers in diverse shooting situations. They are well experienced in working with their assistants and have a strong reputation amongst clients and peers in the Hawaii Wedding Business.

Q: Are there any industry professionals that refer you and back Kohalafoto Photography as a reliable and professional business?

A: Most definitely. Our business is exclusively recommended to many clients of local Resorts. We have very strong ties with Big Island Wedding Planners, major Resorts and other industry professionals.

Q: How long does it take to receive a reply from Kohalafoto photography once we have emailed an enquiry?

A: Any enquiry will receive a reply within 48hrs - even if we are out on a international destination wedding shoot.

Questions + Answers