FAQ.

• How far do you travel for weddings?

I love travelling for weddings! That’s why all weddings within 100km of Playa del Carmen incur no additional travel fee, that’s free travel to and from your wedding, from Tulum to Cancún city. I’m willing to travel almost anywhere in Mexico though.

• How many weddings have you shot?

In the last 4 years I’ve been hired to photograph over 150+ weddings and counting.

• How many wedding bookings do you take per year?

I currently take bookings for roughly 40 weddings and 10-20 elopements per year, and no more than 1 wedding per weekend Sat/Sun (except in very special circumstances). This is so I can dedicate the time required to provide a more personalised service to my clients.

• Do you do portrait sessions?

Yes! I love to take lifestyle couple and family portraits with a very natural and candid feel that is true to your wonderful, movement filled lives.

• How many portrait bookings do you take per year?

I take no more than 25 portrait bookings per year, so that I have the time to deliver beautiful and lovingly crafted

• Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! If you’d prefer, you can make monthly instalment payments towards your wedding photography package via bank transfer. After each payment you will be emailed a receipt of payment and update.

• Can I make additional payments in the lead up to the wedding?

Yes! If you decided not to go for the payment plan, but wanted to make payments in a few lump sums in the lead up to your wedding I am happy for you to do so. Please be sure to notify me of this via email so I can keep an eye out for your payment and send you a receipt.

• Do you have a quality of work guarantee?

Yes! As part of your digital contract, I offer a quality of work guarantee.

• What happens if we have poor weather conditions on our wedding day?

I have photographed in almost any Caribe weather condition you can think of, from 113 degrees Fahrenheit heat waves to icy 50 degrees days of fog, flood and storms. Of course, I have photographed many, many perfect days too! No matter the weather conditions, I know we can capture some beautiful photos. I’d be happy to chat with you about any of your particular concerns.

• What happens if we have poor weather conditions on our scheduled portrait photography day?

I am always happy to reschedule your portrait photography session (given 24-48 hours notice minimum) if the weather is looking particularly bad, such as an unbearable heatwave or pouring rain. We’ll simply find another day that suits us both in terms of availability. If your portrait session cannot be reschedule, we will do what we can to find alternative options during your session.

• Do you photoshop?

Whilst I don’t believe in or include excessive photoshop with my packages (because we are all beautiful as we are), if you’re bruised from a bucks night, have an unfortunate pimple or random photo bombers lurk in the background, I’ll happily remove these temporary & unwelcome additions for you from most photos (where possible) in photoshop. Please be sure to let me know though, as I love natural photography I won’t make any alterations to your photos unless you request it. My photos come as standard as a true record and reputation of your day. If you want me to retouch your hair, skin, figure, eyes, teeth etc, or request extensive photoshopping this is charged out at an additional fee, from $10 per photo.

• What equipment do you use?

I use a variety of cameras! I shoot with Nikon D800 along with a range of L-series lenses including the amazing 35 mm 1.4. I also have a couple of pro flashes, but prefer to use natural & ambient light where possible. Flashes come out later for reception fun or to add a little fill.

• How do I book?

To book me, simply give me a call or send me an email to check if I’m available on your date. If so, we can arrange a time to catch up face-to-face (or skype session), so we can get to know each other a little better. To lock me in and secure your booking and price a non-refundable booking fee is required, and submission of your digital contract agreeing to my Terms & Conditions. This locks me in for your date and ensures that no one else can book in your day!

• How early can I book?

You can start booking dates for 4+ hours coverage up to 24 months in advance. Please note that I don’t start taking bookings for packages 3 hours or less any more than 3 months in advance of your date.

• I’m worried I’ve left it too late to book now, do you take last minute bookings?

Of course! There’s no harm in enquiring last minute. Some dates slip under the radar, and late Autumn, Winter or early Spring weddings are also more likely to have last minute availability. I generally don’t take bookings for weddings with less than 2 weeks notice, just because it can leave things quite tight to get all of our schedules etc together.

• What payment methods do you accept?

Bank deposit/transfer. Paypal or cash

• Can I split my wedding photography package in half? Eg. have a break between the ceremony and reception?

Sorry, packages cannot be split into 2. However, if you need photography coverage to span a couple of days we can arrange a discount for 2 or more package bookings.

• What isn’t included as standard with your photography packages?

My photography is all about natural moments and authenticity. Please note that “Hollywood style editing” is not included as standard with your package. I will not excessively smooth skin, enlarge eyes/lips, change skin tone, remove wrinkles, liquify or adjust body shape unless alternate arrangements are made for an additional fee.

• I’ve found a cheaper photographer, do you price match?

Sorry, no I don’t price match. Photography as an art is too subjective, and unlike many other options, this is my full time business. My prices have been very carefully selected to cover all costs involved in running a professional & legitimate business, to deliver the highest quality photos with enough time & love.

• How long will it take to receive my photos back?

I want to get your photos back to you in as timely a manner as possible, but also understand how important it is to do things properly. I provide a sneak peek of your photos within a few business days of your shoot! If you’re happy for me to share them on my blog, this includes a little highlight video (for weddings) and roughly 20-70 photos. If you prefer that your photos remain private, I will email you a few of my favourite photos as I edit the rest. The remainder of your photos will be edited within 4-6 weeks, with printing of products taking an additional average of 2-4 weeks.

Want all of your photos back super fast? Just ask me how! You can request a rush job for an additional fee.

• Can I print my own photos?

Yes! All of my current packages include ownership of your photos, which means you can print as many photos and products as you like with your preferred local printer.

• Can I have a copy of the RAW files?

Sorry, no I do not give out copies of my RAW files. For me the editing process is a vitally important step in delivering a finished photo that reflects the true artistic intent of the photo. You will receive the highest quality jpg outputs of the beautifully finished image files instead. I

• Can I share my photos on Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites?

Yes! You can share your photos with friends and family online via email and/or social media. Every package includes a copy of your photos at “web resolution”, which is optimised for fast uploading and viewing on the web.

• How long do you keep a copy of our photos?

I will keep a backed-up copy of your photos for a minimum of 6 months following your shoot date. After this time there is no guarantee that I will have a copy of all of your photos (should you loose yours). Though I do try to keep an archive of all photos on local hard-drives, please make sure you keep a backup copy of your photos somewhere safe. You can share copies of your photos with family and friends.

• What happens if Josefina Farhat is sick or injured and cannot photograph my wedding or event?

Rwanda has a list of carefully selected back-up & second photographers. If Josefina isn’t able to attend your wedding or event, as much notice as possible will be provided along with every effort to supply a substitute photographer. In some cases Josefina will still accompany the back-up photographer, so they can support her in legwork allowing her to rest a little more on the day, whilst still capturing some of those gorgeous photos. Josefina will still edit all of your photos, and be involved in all other aspects of your photography process where possible.

• Why do I need to pay a booking fee?

The booking fee paid protects both you and the photographer. You will have your shoot date and package price confirmed in writing, and the photographer will have a guarantee that the booking will be honoured. Your booking fee will cover the standard running costs that would otherwise cause the business to run at a loss in the event of a cancellation. Photographers may turn down several other clients to keep your date free after booking, with no booking fee a cancelled booking would result in a more than sustainable loss of income.

• When is the final payment due?

Your final payment is due 5 business days (1 week) before your photo shoot, payments in cash on the day are discouraged for safety reasons.

• I need to change my wedding date, what happens to my deposit?

If you need to change your wedding date for any reason, you can transfer your shoot to any other available date given 8 months notice minimum. If providing less than 8 months notice you will loose 50% of your booking fee to accommodate the changes. Please note, that for every additional year that your shoot is postponed, the package selected will increase in price by 15%. Packages cannot be postponed more than 2 years.

• I need to cancel my wedding or photo shoot, what happens to my deposit?

If you need to cancel your booking and don’t intend to reschedule, your booking fee is forfeit. In the event that Rwanda Studio is able to secure a new booking on the cancelled date, you may receive up to 50% of your booking fee back. If you’ve made any additional instalment payments towards your package, these will be refunded to you within 2 months.

• I’ve decided that I want to change my photography package, can I do this?

Yes! When booking a package, the 20% booking fee paid secures the price of your package. Prices are subject to change, however you can change or update your package at any time before your photo shoot date. Noting that prices may be different to when you first booked.

Didn’t answer your question? Get in touch and I can help you directly.