FAQs

Everything couples ask

From booking and payment to the wedding day, Trash the Dress and albums — and if your question isn’t here, just ask.

Where are you located?

We are located in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita.

Do you travel to other cities?

Yes, all over the globe. Travel fees would apply to weddings outside of Puerto Vallarta and Paris.

Do some hotels charge fees for onsite photographers?

Yes. In this case the fee would be passed onto the client.

Do you photograph traditional family groupings?

Yes, upon the client’s request. We usually spend 10–15 minutes immediately after the ceremony to photograph the bride’s and groom’s family. We may also photograph traditional bridal-party groupings.

What style of wedding photography do you specialize in?

We tell the story of each wedding with a mix of creative portraiture and photo-journalism. This focus allows us to capture realistic moments with lasting impressions, which are treasured by our clients forever.

Do you provide high-resolution files?

Yes. Our packages, and photo sessions, include fully processed high-resolution JPEGs, delivered through a digital download link so our clients can make their own prints.

Will the files be marked with a logo?

No. There is no branding or marking on the high-resolution files. However, our brand logo Julien Leveau appears on a set of lower-resolution images which we provide for distribution on social networks.

Do you shoot black and white, color, or a combination of both?

We shoot everything in color and convert images to black and white during our editing process. We also use proprietary editing techniques for toning and special effects. If an image is delivered in black and white it is permanently black and white, because once a photo is shot in film mode it is not possible to change it back to color.

Can you reserve a date without a retainer fee and/or contract?

No.

What retainer fees and/or contracts are required?

We require a non-refundable 20% retainer fee to reserve a date. The 80% remainder is due in cash on or before the date of your event.

How far in advance will you book?

We will take bookings for weddings up to 18 months in advance of the wedding date.

What information do you require before booking a date?
  • the number of hours involved in the photo shoots
  • the package(s) you select
  • the à-la-carte item(s), if any
What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, PayPal, or bank-transfer payments. (Clients are responsible for the 4% commission payable to PayPal.)

Can I give you a credit card number over the phone?

We only accept cash, PayPal, or bank-transfer payments.

When can we expect delivery of our photograph packages?

Our turn-around time is 8–12 weeks.

Is it necessary to meet our photographer before the wedding?

Not necessarily. More than 90% of our clients book online without meeting us prior to their wedding day.

Do you do video shoots?

Yes. Over the years we have grown into a full team — a camerawoman for cinema-quality video, a video & audio assistant, and a drone pilot — so we now cover photography, film and drone in one crew. Meet the team on the About page.

If we prefer not to have “getting ready” photographs, is it possible for you to arrive at the ceremony when it begins?

We require a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the ceremony commencing. This enables us to document the location, photograph any casual guests hanging out and — if allowed — enter the “getting ready” suite to capture a few reactions and emotions of your friends and family. We may also photograph memorable items and details, anything that helps build the environment and the moments from which life happens, including the wedding party against an interesting landscape or architectural backdrop.

Between the ceremony and reception, will we be photographed separately from our guests?

We shoot wherever we can, and in some cases may not be shooting in front of the guests. We prefer to stay in close proximity to the reception area to make the best use of our time.

How much time will this photo session take?

We require a minimum of 30–45 minutes to photograph the bride and groom and to capture images of the reception set-up before guests arrive.

Once the time allotted in our contract is completed, would you stay longer and take more photos?

Yes. If the time taken is beyond the time allotted in the contract, an hourly rate will apply. Julien would welcome the opportunity to tell more of your story.

Do you shoot traditional wedding photos?

Yes, unless we are told otherwise. Typically we spend no more than 10–15 minutes immediately after the ceremony to photograph the immediate families of the bride and groom. In addition, we can photograph impromptu formal groupings of the bridal parties.

Do we need to feed you while you are photographing the event?

When you book us for full coverage — yes. You’ll be surprised how hard we work for you on your day, and feeding us keeps us fueled for chasing the remaining moments. We ask that you have something simple (a sandwich and a bottle of water are great) prepared at the same time you’ll be eating. If it’s easier to include us in your meal plan, we’re happy to sit with your guests — but it certainly isn’t required. We usually arrange this with your wedding planner.

There will be a long break between our ceremony and reception. Can you quote photography only during the ceremony and reception?

No. We work on a consecutive-time basis only. Let’s discuss how we can work together and use our time to benefit both of us.

Do we get prints with our wedding package?

No. Our packages include digital negatives so you can easily create prints of your choice. You also have the option of ordering a special-edition Wedding Album from us.

Are there discounts or bundle prices for your services?

No. It wouldn’t be fair to the other couples who paid full price.

If we add an extra hour to the package, are additional edited images included?

Yes. Our aim is to consistently deliver the most complete story we can with the images we shoot — approximately 40–50 images per hour. Our intention is to “under-promise and over-deliver.”

What if we want to book additional time or request a Wedding Album after the event?

We’re always happy to add items to your package at any time — just let us know.

How long does the “Trash the Dress” beach session usually take?

A session is booked for 1½ hours.

How long does a Marietas Islands “Trash the Dress” session usually take?

The Marietas Islands session takes 3½ hours.

How do we get to the Marietas Islands?

The Marietas Islands “Trash the Dress” session includes a boat rental from Punta de Mita to the islands, which may even let you watch the whales. (You are responsible for transportation to Punta de Mita unless you make other arrangements with us.)

What time of day do the “Trash the Dress” sessions begin?

The time changes throughout the year due to high and low tides. We will inform you of the time to arrive well in advance.

Should I bring my veil for the session?

Definitely. Lace floating in crystal-clear water gives amazing effects when photographed — and we can make use of the veil before it gets wet.

Should I buy another dress? I’m afraid my dress will really be trashed.

Your dress has more chance of being trashed the night of the wedding than in the ocean. If you prefer, we can shoot in a rustic, anti-bridal environment and the results will still be exotic. Some clients do buy a different dress for the shoot — we can discuss this before you make a decision you’re comfortable with.

What style of Wedding Albums do you offer?

We design an attractive, conceptual album based on a chronological storyline of your wedding day.

Can we select the photos?

It isn’t necessary — the selection is part of the editing process we carry out for you.

Do we see the Wedding Album before it goes to print?

Yes. After we create the album we send you a link with the design and a comment field for any changes you wish. Two revisions are included in the price, and albums take 1–2 weeks to complete or revise.

Can we add more pages after we choose a package?

Yes. Additional pages can be added in sets of 10.

Where do you print your books?

We send our books to be printed in New York, USA.

Can we see a few album designs?

Please visit our Coffee Table Book article for more information.

What is the Wedding Album turn-around time?

3–6 weeks from the time you approve your design.

Can we print extra copies of our coffee-table Wedding Album?

Of course — you can order as many copies as you want.

Still a question?

Ask me directly.

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