Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What happens if I do not get my deposit down before the wedding?
  2. I have many photos that I would like to put in my slideshow, can I put more in there?
  3. I would like to take some of the formal portraits at the reception via "on location studio" because some of the family and friends did not make it to the formal portrait session. Can I do this?
  4. Can my friends and relatives take pictures while we have our formal portraits taken?
  5. What happens if I do not send the information required by the photographer before the 2 week as specified in the contract?
  6. Although the price quotation was already provided to me, I want to make revisions on what products and services I want before the wedding. can this be done?
  7. What happens if the weather is bad? Does the photographer have alternate location to take our formal portraits?
  8. I had my wedding done on Friday can I get my portraits on Sunday?
  9. Can I get a refund on any of my products?
  10. I have a videographer as well, will that affect my pictures or contract?, and what if I designate another photographer as well as Stephen K. Mah Photography for the wedding?
  11. I do not want the on location studio services you offer will this reduce my price off the price quotation?
  12. What is the difference between my relative/friend who is a photographer and Stephen K. Mah Photography?
  13. What does "Consent of Copyright" mean?
  14. Can we get our weddings (or some of) our portraits in Sepia or Black and White?
  15. We would like to secure the services of Stephen K. Mah Photography, but we cannot afford the pricing. Can this be negotiated?
  16. Can we get extra pictures and/or enlargements?
  17. Do we get our package as soon as we pay our bill?
  18. As a member of PPOC must Stephen Mah abide by a code of eithics?
  1. What happens if I do not get my deposit down before the wedding?

    2. In circumstances like these, the date is tentatively set for your special day; although if another party/person would like to reserve your day and puts a deposit for that day, your day will not be reserved. It is best to reserve your special day via down deposit. We will advise you of the situation should this arise in order to provide you the opportunity to book that day.

  2. I have many photos that I would like to put in my slideshow, can I put more in there?

    3. Due to time constraints, we ask that you limit your pictures to 30 pictures. If there are additional pictures that you would like to put in your slideshow, a $25 scanning charge will be added in addition to the quoted bill.

  3. I would like to take some of the formal portraits at the reception via "on location studio" because some of the family and friends did not make it to the formal portrait session. Can I do this?

    4. YES! Although please do keep in mind that a charge of $13/portrait will be added to your bill. Please keep in mind that this service is intended for your guests and not intended as an extension of your formal portrait session. Additionally, to entertain such requests may impede the photographer’s ability to properly photograph events happening at the reception.

  4. Can my friends and relatives take pictures while we have our formal portraits taken?

    5. NO. We have found that when the photographer takes portraits of people while other people take pictures of the same people, it distracts some of the people in the group as well as cause delays in timing of events. If a situation arises where other people and the photographer are taking pictures of the same subject, and is causing a distraction to both the photographer and the group having portraits taken, the photographer will first ask the person to not take pictures. If the same situation continues, the photographer will end the portrait session immediately.

  5. What happens if I do not send the information required by the photographer before the 2 week as specified in the contract?

    6. The photographer will contact the Bride and/or Groom in three weeks to remind the wedding couple to submit the information to the photographer. If the information is not supplied to the photographer, the photographer will provide his utmost best to provide superior service to the bride and groom, however please keep in mind that some requests and/or events may not be covered due to time scheduling.

  6. Although the price quotation was already provided to me, I want to make revisions on what products and services I want before the wedding. can this be done?

    7. Generally, YES it can be done, under the condition that the photographer is made known of your wishes 2 weeks before the wedding. Any last minute changes is not possible due to the time and scheduling factor involved. Also, there may be a price change as a result of the revisions pending on what revision is requested from the Clients.

  7. What happens if the weather is bad? Does the photographer have alternate location to take our formal portraits?

    8. YES, the photographer will make arrangements for alternative locations for portraits in event of inclement weather.

  8. I had my wedding done on Friday can I get my portraits on Sunday?

    9. YES, it is possible to get your portraits on Sunday, although please do keep in mind that if you are paying for your portraits via cheque, that the cheque must be successfully cleared from the issuing financial institution before release of the product. Additionally, processing times for retouched portraits may vary depending on workload.

  9. Can I get a refund on any of my products?

    10. Because your portraits are a custom product that requires the time and talent of the photographer, there are no refunds.

  10. I have a videographer as well, will that affect my pictures or contract, and what if I designate another photographer as well as Stephen K. Mah Photography for the wedding?

    11. For videographers, there is generally no problem, although the Client must pick between using another photographer or Stephen K. Mah Photography because of conflict of interest.

  11. I do not want the on location studio services you offer will this reduce my price off the price quotation?

    12. NO. This is a free service for you and your guests. It is intended for those who want all day coverage or the reception portion of their wedding covered. Please do keep in mind that you will receive proofs and all the images (if transfer of copyright is requested) taken at the studio. If you do not desire the on location studio service at the reception, please advise the photographer.

  12. What is the difference between my relative/friend who is a photographer and Stephen K. Mah Photography?

    13. The difference lies in the training, experience, quality control, equipment and Peace of Mind.

    Stephen Mah got his formal training from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in both Photography Technology (1991) and Graphic Communications (1995). Recognized as a Professional Photographer in good standing from both the Alberta Professional Photographers Association and the Professional Photographers of Canada, Stephen Mah uses the latest in photographic equipment, photo techniques and over 15 years of photographic experience to provide you with a quality portrait.

    Wedding Photographer Comparison

    Your Friend/Relative. A Professional Photographer.
    Has a nice camera. Has specialized equipment with backups.
    Knows you well. Knows how to make you look your best.
    Takes pictures. Poses formal shots; anticipates candids.
    You can ask. You can tell.
    Is also a guest. Is there to work.
    May feel pressure. Is accustomed to responsibilities.
    Will do their best. Knows how to solve unexpected problems.
    Develops film where you do. Uses a pro lab experienced in retouching and custom printing.
    Will hand you a pile of prints. Will create the album and more that you want.
    Is inexpensive. Is priceless.

  13. What does "Consent of Copyright" mean?

    14. Generally, having copyright in a photograph means having the sole right to produce and reproduce the photograph or any substantial part of the photograph in any material form. It also includes the right to publish the photograph, if unpublished, and the right to authorize any of the preceding acts. This is commonly refered to as “who owns the negatives”. You can purchase the copyright of your images for a very reasonable fee, which will save you money in the long term should you want additional sets of prints. “Scanning and printing” the prints directly from the print itself is not only a breach of contract (if the consent of copyright is not purchased) that may be liable under court of law, but it is also very expensive and time consuming to the Client. Additionally, the results of print to print copying will always appear less sharp and clear compared to the original. Please note that unless stated and agreed to otherwise, on this contract, the photographer reserves the right to use the image, negative, or digital photographic image and/or reproductions for the purpose of display, exhibitions, contests, publications and other purposes.

  14. Can we get our weddings (or some of) our portraits in Sepia or Black and White?

    15. YES you can!, although please do keep in mind that we generally prefer to shoot in color. This offers many advantages over Black and White (B&W) or Sepia toned photography in that it is very easy for us to convert your portraits from color to B&W or sepia. It is impossible to convert from B&W/Sepia to Color! We generally let the clients process selected B&W/sepia portraits them at their favorite photolab. Most photolabs will allow you the option to print your prints in B&W or sepia!

  15. We would like to secure the services of Stephen K. Mah Photography, but we cannot afford the pricing. Can this be negotiated?

    16. YES it can! We invite you to talk with us to discuss this matter and both of us together can come up with a wedding package and pricing that is right for you.

  16. Can we get extra pictures and/or enlargements?

    17. YES you can! However, we do encourage you to purchase the copyright of your images. That way, you can make as little or as many as you want, when you want!

  17. Do we get our package as soon as we pay our bill?

    18. YES you can! Although please note that if paying by cheque, that the cheque must be cleared by the issuing financial institution before release of product to the customer. Additionally, delivery time of your package may vary depending on amount of workload.

  18. As a member of PPOC must Stephen Mah abide by a code of eithics?

    19. As a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada - Alberta, as well as the Professional Photographers of Canada, Stephen K. Mah Photography is bound by the code of ethics set forth by both organizations.

    The Alberta Professional Photographers Assocation Code of Ethics can be viewed on www.ppoc-alberta.ca.

    The Professional Photographers Assocation Code of Ethics can be viewed on www.ppoc.ca.