Solaris Studios - The Master of Shadows

Wedding / Event FAQs and Policies:

What kind of packages do you offer?
Packages tend to limit the client’s choices to Options A, B or C. We realize that no two clients are the same nor do they have the same requests. We offer A La Carte Collections to allow each client the ability to customize a collection based on their specific needs.

How much coverage will you need? Would you like a DVD that you can print from freely? Would you like a portrait on dipsplay at the entrance of your reception?

At Solaris, we want our clients to have exacty what they want.

Where is your availability and pricing information on the website?
In order for us to check our availability and to properly address client specifics, we ask that you please fill out the contact form on our website.

Our primary reason for omitting pricing and availability information on our site is so that we have the opportunity to refer the services of our closet friends should we already be booked on your date.

These friends are the only individuals that Aric would trust and rely on if he was ever incapacitated and unable to document a wedding. Resources and friends like these must be earned and nurtured over long periods of time, and one of the best ways to do that is through consistent referrals.

These resources are an added benefit and offer a level of security for the patrons of Solaris, ensuring that their weddings will be photographed by a highly professional photographer with integrity and professionalism.

Thank you for your understanding.

How much is my retainer?
Retainers are 50% of your total purchase.

What if I find another photographer I like after I have paid my retainer?
What if someone wants to book us on your wedding date and is willing to pay us more money?

The agreement that is signed by both parties is for your protection as well as ours. It allows the studio to know what it can expect from it’s clients, and the clients know what it can expect from Solaris. Without this understanding both parties would be in a constant state of uncertainty.

Your retainer is non-refundable because we are going to turn away additional business inquiring about the same date you have already booked. Once you have paid your retainer and signed our agreement, we will no longer talk to any inquiries about your reserved date.

When is my balance due?
30 days prior to your event date.

How is my balance paid?
A credit card is kept on file and our computer is set to automatically charge your balance on your due date. A receipt will be automatically emailed to you.

Is Solaris available on our wedding date?
At Solaris things are first come, first served. So, if you are serious about wanting a wedding album from Solaris, please don’t procrastinate.

You will need to contact the studio to find out if we are available on your date.

Solaris Studios 713-524-3303.

Aric answers all inquiries personally and promptly.

This blog entry will show you how to get your inquiry answered before anyone else that may be inquiring about the same date as yours.

Will you call me if someone else is inquiring about my desired date?
Unfortunately, we will not call. The concern is that a phone call would be perceived as an unorthodox attempt to book a wedding, claiming that another inquiry was discussing your desired date, when no such inquiry existed. Our reputation is important to us and we wish to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

I would like to meet with Aric before booking.
Please contact the studio to schedule a consultation. Most people need to meet with me in the evening after they get off of work. Normally I’m only available to meet in the evening one night a week, and on average this time has been reserved about two weeks in advance. On average, consultations take about an hour and a half.

With only one evening available each week, you are more likely to be successful in booking your date if you can meet with me during normal work hours.

We are ready to book. What is the next step?
First, you need to meet with Aric. If you have already had a consultation, then contact the studio and we can book you right over the phone. Once your retainer has been successfully received, we will then fax you a copy of your contract already pre-signed by Aric. You will need to sign your copy and then fax it back to the studio.

Only at this point, once your retainer has been received and our agreement is signed by both parties is your date reserved.

What happens if I need to reschedule my wedding date?
If you need to reschedule your date with us, then DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. The moment you decide to reschedule you need to call the studio to see if we are still available on the new date in question.

If the date is still open, then we will transfer your contract from your original date to the new one, with no penalties. Not a problem.

However, if the new date is not available then your retainer is forfeit.

Final payments for reserved events are due 30 days prior to the event. Should you reschedule after you have paid your final payment, then your entire payment is forfeit as it is very unlikely that we will be able to re-book your date. We can not allow the studio to be penalized for a clients rescheduling.

Again, if you think you will be changing your date, please call the studio asap to see if the new date in question is still available so you can reserve that date before another couple does.

When should I schedule my Bridal and Engagement Sessions?
I would like to suggest that you schedule your Engagement Session before you schedule your Bridal Session. More than likely your wedding dress will not be ready until a month or two before your wedding, so it's reallly best to have your engagement session taken care of first, and then have your bridal session taken one or two months before your wedding.

If you can, try to schedule your session in October. That way you can order prints in November and order extras as gifts for the holidays! If an October session is no possible, then I really like to see my clients for their Engagement Portrait at least three months before the wedding.

Bridal portraits can be scheduled one month before the wedding if needed. Ideally though, bridal sessions should be done two months before the wedding date. This additional time should be given in case the dress get dirty during a location shoot and cleaning becomes necessary, or if you discover that the dress just isn't fitting to your satisfaction and an additional alteration is needed.

It’s really just a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible. Things can happen and you want to make your planning and preparation for your wedding as stress free as possible. Doing things early will reduce the stress.

What type of clothing should be worn for our Engagement Session?
The foundation of a portrait from Solaris is to express the relationships of our clients. The goal is to direct the viewer's eye to the faces and relational elements of the photograph. Therefore, we like recommend simple, long-sleeved black clothing.

Clothing selections for portraits created on location will depend on the time of year and the location. This will be discussed in your portrait design consultation.

Can you suggest a good location for an outdoor session?
The portraits that hang in my clients homes are my business cards. The locations that I use for my portrait sessions are absolutely fabulous!

However, if you have a location in mind then that is fine as well. Perhaps the place your proposal took place?

How do I order Prints from my Bridal/Engagement session?
At Solaris, we present our work on a 42" Plasma monitor for you to make your selections. After your portrait session, we will set up a viewing time for you. Normally we like to have your viewing session no later than one week after your session is completed.

We allow plenty of time for viewing and decision making in a relaxed atmosphere in our viewing gallery. There is no charge for the first viewing and we ask that you plan on making your decisions during this scheduled time. Additional viewing sessions are charged at the rate of $150 per viewing session scheduled. Please allow approximately an hour and a half to two hours for your viewing time as we do not want you to be rushed.

Will I be able to request that certain shots be taken and provide you with a detailed shot list to add to your normal shot list?
In the past, I would be running around trying to find people on a list that I have never meet before. Kind of chaotic, and it certainly meant that the time you purchased wasn't being used solely for taking photographs. Instead I have a very smart way to handle this.

Here's my solution. Lets say you have 50 small groups that you want to have photographed at your wedding. Get one small index card for each grouping. On that card, write down the names of the people that you want in that group. For example, Uncle Bob his wife and three kids. Give that card to uncle Bob before the wedding, and make it his responsibility to get those people together at the wedding. When he has everyone together he can bring them and the card to the photographer for the group shot.

This way, I am constantly taking photos, and you get all of the group shots that you want. And, during the event should you want to know who has been photographed I can just show you the cards that I have collected.

Have you ever worked at my wedding location?
Make sure to check the right hand side of our blog and look for a link to your location.

At times, a couple is having their wedding or reception at a location that I have yet to shoot at. After booking my services, if the location is within reasonable traveling distances, I would be more than happy to examine the facility in question to help in relieving concerns of unfamiliarity.

Do you take back up equipment?
Yes

Approximately how many photos do you take during the day?
I take a sufficient amount of photographs to tell the story of your day. You probably want definite numbers though. So to give you a really good indication, last year at the smallest wedding that we shot we took about 700 different shots. At our largest wedding that
spanned 12 hours we took just under 5000. An average wedding of 150 people lasting 7 hours, you can expect over 2000 exposures.

How much time do you require for formal shots after the ceremony?
20 minutes.

Do you have problems with family and friends snapping pictures during the wedding?
Not at all! I do prefer it if the guests wait a few seconds after we have set up the group shots before taking their pictures. It is very apparent why we prefer this. The people in the photographs can often be distracted and end up looking in completely the wrong direction at the point that our shot is taken.

What happens if Aric gets sick?
I make it a point to be involved in the largest professional photographic organization in Houston, the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston. Should I become sick, I have a very large resource of over 200 professional photographers to call upon.

When can I see my wedding images?
The images from your event will be online within 2 weeks of your wedding date. However, we make a great effort to hav them online the week after your wedding for viewing during your honeymoon.

Can I print images from the DVD I purchased with my wedding package?
Yes. The images on the DVD you receive have unlimited reproduction rights. Pay for them once... use them forever!

What happens if my wedding and reception exceeds the coverage in my package?
No one ever wants a good party to end! At Solaris we are here to serve, but at the same time we will not be so tacky as to approach you on your wedding day and ask if you would like more coverage.

Overtime should be planned for before your wedding. Book our services for the minimum amount of coverage you think you will need to keep your cost low, but give us instructions to stay until the end of the event so we don't miss recording your departure.

We require a credit card to be on file for the purchase of any overtime.

Do I get to choose the images that go into my wedding album?
During an event I have taken up to 5000 images! Granted, that was one of the largest events I have ever captured, but I am sure you get the picture. (no pun intended)

Imagine receiving all 5000 images, or even 2000 images from your event and being told that you need to reduce them down to your favorite 125 for your album! As you can guess, some people never even get that task done. It’s daunting.

Let us make it easy for you! Here's how it works at Solaris.

We will edit the thousands of images created at your event to what we feel are the strongest. These images are then used in the creation of your initial album design.

Once the design is completed you are invited into the studio to review the design. Since we have taken the liberty of making the initial design without any instructions, it is only fair that your revisions are made free of charge.

If revisions are needed, then we will rework the design and resubmit it to you upon completion. If additional revisions are needed on the second design, then they are billed at $100 per side.

How many images can I expect in my wedding album?
Somewhere between 90 – 200. It really depends on the size album you choose, as we have close to 15 different options to chose from.

How long does it take to receive my wedding album?
On average the entire process of edit, design, review and bind can take about six months. This can change depending on how booked we are.

Do you guarantee your albums?.
Albums produced by Solaris Studios, Inc. have a five year guarantee against defects in workmanship. Your album will be reprinted at no charge should any defects be found.

Albums damaged from negligence, due to improper handling, hanging, or display will be reprinted at half the cost that is in effect at the current time.

Prints that are returned after five years for any reason will be reprinted at half the price that is in effect at the current time, provided that the images and or layout are still available.

Please remember that avoidable damage is beyond our control and responsibility. Consider insuring your album against the risk of fire, water, or theft.

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