FAQs

Personalised service – As a boutique service, I shoot every wedding myself with my assistant/second shooter. We will always make an effort to get to know you well before your wedding day so that our presence on your wedding day is more like two friends in the background rather than a couple of strangers invading your space on your wedding day.

Dedication – We will stay till the end of your wedding so that you don’t have to watch the clock. Instead, just enjoy your day and we will be there to capture your sparkler exit, the finally hug with your Dad, and your exit in a cool getaway car.

Organisational skills – As a military officer with over 15 years experience I have a unique ability to assist in the planning of your event. We will work with you to ensure that your wedding day plan allows for those unexpected delays so that you can remain calm throughout the day.

Passion – Passionate people go to extraordinary measures to achieve success (that means the success of achieving some beautiful images of your wedding day). My background as an Army nurse gave me the privilege of assisting people during the most tragic days of their lives. I have a unique reason for now wanting to capture the joy that is present on a wedding day.

Crisis Management – Nothing on a wedding day can come close to the pressure of treating a critically injured patient in a war zone. Therefore you can be assured that I will be able to assist you to overcome any obstacle that may challenge your perfect wedding day.

Attention to detail – Not only a personal trait but this has been instilled with 15 years of military experience. I will work with you to have contingency plans for your wedding day. This will allow you to relax knowing that all the little things have been done and this minimises the chance that I will need to use any of the crisis management skills.

People skills – As a registered nurse I have worked with a variety of cultures, religions, ages, genders and ethnicities. Respect is something that is expected of a nurse. This means you can always expect me to be an absolute professional at all times. Don’t worry I still come with a sense of humour.

For the guarantee of a quality finished product. Hiring a quality professional photographer gives you piece of mind that your special day will be covered in a beautiful manner. You are paying for the photographers technical ability, experience, professional equipment (inc backup equipment), and artistic vision (such as posing groups of people and design of your wedding album). Many people consider having a friend or family member take photos for their wedding day. Whilst this is certainly an option it comes with a number of risks. The art of wedding photography is arguably one of the most difficult forms of photography due to the stress of the day, time constraints, equipment malfunction and most importantly in inability to go back in time and capture moments that may be missed by an inexperienced photographer. Many brides have been left in tears after receiving blurry, under/overexposed photos from inexperienced photographers, that no amount of Photoshop can fix. When you consider that your wedding album and photos are usually the only thing that you keep long after your wedding it makes sense to invest in this portion of your wedding day. These photos will capture your lasting memories of your special day.

Wedding photography is certainly an investment however it really isn’t that expensive when you consider the time involved. Most people assume that wedding photographers get paid just for the 8+ hours (in our case this is often 12 – 14 hours) they spend on the wedding day. The reality is actually much different. My team and I average 40-60 hours per wedding. This includes meetings with the couple, scouting of suitable locations for your photo shoots, sorting through thousands of images and then editing them. These images then need to be backed up on multiple systems for safe storage. Finally the completed images are loaded into album design software and we design your album.

An engagement shoot is simply a photoshoot for an engaged couple.

– Primarily a photoshoot is about getting you comfortable in front of a camera and gives me an opportunity to get to know you as a couple much better. The better I know you, the better I can anticipate candid moments on your wedding day and more importantly I will understand things that are significant in your relationship as a couple. Remember, my team and I will spend almost the entire day with you on your wedding day and we would love for you to see us more like friends than random strangers.

– The second reason is to get some your casual and natural shots of you as a couple. These images can be used for Save the Date cards, wedding day signature books or boards.

– The final reason is it gives us an opportunity to teach for a few tips and tricks for posing that will allow us to enhance your strongest features and minimise any areas that you see as problem areas.

You can choose any location in Sydney that you wish to have your photoshoot. Many couples choose a location that has significance to their relationship. It might include a local park or beach. Alternatively, we can provide some recommendations of locations. Some of our favourite locations include:

• The Rocks and Harbour Bridge area
• Luna Park
• Watsons Bay
• La Perouse
• Lavender Bay

Usually 2-3 hours

Usually late in the afternoon till early evening to ensure the better light conditions. This allows some late daytime, sunset, and night photos. However, should this time not suit we can shoot at any time of the day or night.

Most of our clients then choose to select to purchase one or more of the following products:

• Guest signature board
• Guest signature book*
• Save the Date cards
• Unframed or framed prints
• Canvas wall art
• Metallic wall art
• Premium linen or leather album*
• Acrylic blocks
• Slideshow with music (this can then be loaded onto YouTube to share with friends and family)
• USB of all images retouched as high resolution files

* All images contained within an album or signature book will be provided to you retouched as high resolution files

A pre-wedding shoot is an elaborate photo shoot that includes dressing in wedding gowns and beautiful formal dresses with your hair and makeup done. It usually occurs 6-12 months prior to your wedding. Of course, your fiancé will join us during the shoot to get some magical images of the two of you. Pre-wedding shoots are more popular with our Asian clientele, many of who specifically fly to Sydney for this unique photoshoot.

A pre-wedding shoot is a highly personalised service and is tailored to individual client needs. As a minimum our packages include:

• Photographer with assistant
• Transportation
• Hair and Makeup artist

We recommend that our male clients bring their own suit/s, shirts, and tie/s. However, we can recommend a suit hire establishment within the Sydney city area should you require this service.

Female clients are encouraged to bring 2-3 outfits such as a formal gown/s or even your real wedding dress.

All clients will receive a minimum of 20 professionally retouched digital files. Most of our clients then select one or more of the following products:

• Unframed or framed prints
• Canvas wall art
• Metallic wall art
• 12 x 12 inch premium leather album
• Acrylic blocks

Anywhere within Sydney, you choose which locations you wish to visit. Our favourite locations include:

• The Rocks and Harbour Bridge area
• Observatory Hill
• The Sydney Opera House
• Hyde Park
• St Mary’s Cathederal
• LaPerouse

Absolutely. This is part of the personalised service that is included to all our wedding clients. In fact this is what makes us different from other photographers. With over 35 collective years in the military within our team we have the expertise to plan complex events, so assisting with a wedding timeline is just part of the service.

READ FEEDBACK FROM A WEDDING CLIENT REGARDING WEDDING PLANNERS:

I’m a bit of a DIY person. I never use travel agents or anything if I think I can do it myself so of course I didn’t think I’d need a wedding planner. This was possibly a little misguided so I was really lucky to find Sam. Sam was like a wedding planner herself. She thought of everything and had a great list of contacts. Our day definitely ran better because of Sam’s advice. 

Almost always will there be at least a team of two photographers to cover your wedding. This allows us to capture special moments from different angles and add a variety of images for you to choose for your wedding album. The only exception to this is usually when covering destination weddings overseas or interstate in an effort to minimise the costs to the bridal couple.

Absolutely, if fact many of our couples end up tailoring a package to best suit their wedding day needs.

Whilst we do not offer video services we do offer slideshows of your wedding images to music. These are created as a movie file and can be loaded onto YouTube to show your friends and family. This service is significantly cheaper than adding a videographer.

Wherever possible I try to attend the wedding rehearsal. This gives your bridal party and family an opportunity to meet me and ask any final questions prior to the big day.

Absolutely. In years to come these photos can be some of the most treasured possessions of any family. I will discuss with you a variety of options to get these photos that will fit into your wedding day. For example, some families have had their family photos prior to the ceremony, some immediately after the ceremony and others choose to have them done at the reception.

Actually we will give you one. You will then be able to select the images that are the most important and you can include any special requests.

Yes. Whilst we are based in Sydney we cover weddings across Australia and overseas.

Weddings located in the greater Sydney area, the Central Coast (north to Wyong), the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains (west to Blackheath) and Wollongong are provided at no extra charge. Beyond these areas, reasonable travel and accommodation costs are charged. Should you be having a wedding in an exotic destination, please contact me as a special package may be available at reduced cost.

We can only reserve a date after receiving the $950 booking deposit. We are currently booking out to December 2015. As most couples tend to have their wedding on a Saturday these are the days that book out the quickest.

Yes and it’s completely free within each of our wedding collections.

A ‘First Look’ can include the first look between and bride and her groom prior to the wedding ceremony or the first look between a bride and her father.

Learn more and see case studies: The First Look

First Look Q&As:
Q&A with Nicole and Jason
Q&A with Kirsten and Damien
Q&A with Joanne and Bill

For more info check out the following blog posts:
https://www.samanthaohlsenphotography.com.au/top-5-reasons-to-include-a-first-look-in-your-wedding-day/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-lin/your-wedding-day-is-a-blu_b_5879162.html

Absolutely, because every bride deserves a wedding album. Many couples we have met still have their disc of wedding photos in a desk and never get around to putting together their album or even printing some images. Instead our team will work with you to create your dream album. Our Silver, Gold, and Platinum collections include premium plush leather albums, printed and hand made in Melbourne.

Soon as your wedding is over our team gets to work in editing your photos and creation of your digital wedding album plan. We aim to book a wedding planning meeting with our bridal couples 2-3 weeks after your wedding. For most people this corresponds with them returning from their honeymoon but prior to going back to work. During this planning meeting we will present a plan of your wedding album and then work through with you page by page to complete the design. After we have confirmed your album we will complete any required retouching work and then send your album to the printer. Our printer takes 4 – 6 weeks to complete your album.

Absolutely. In fact many of our couples choose to pre-order additional wedding pages at a discounted rate prior to their wedding day.

Yes. All collections include an online gallery that will store your images for 10 years. During this time you may use these photos to share on social media or to print. You can even send the link to your friends and family so they can do the same anywhere in the world.

Yes. Basic retouching is included for all the images on your USB. This includes: colour and tone adjustments, cropping, B&W, sepia, and application of creative effects. Images that are selected for your wedding album then undergo further enhancements such a skin retouching. Any images you choose to have printed with us will then be sent to a specialist fashion photographer that specialises in portrait retouching.

You will be able to print any of the images we provide at home or at the photo lab of your choice. You can also choose for us to have them professionally printed with us.

Firstly we only use a professional printing service that is available only to professional photographers. Each of the images you choose to print with us is then professional retouched and then resized to your desired print size. The printing materials are the finest available and therefore guaranteed to last significantly longer than standard printing lab products. If want even more reasons check out this Huffington Post article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-trenske/the-case-against-good-enough_b_2967170.html

We specialise in wall portraits printed in your choice of art paper, photographic paper, canvas, acrylic, or metal prints. These are available in a variety of sizes. Additionally, you can order acrylic blocks and parents albums, which make great gifts.

All your completed wedding images are stored across three separate storage systems of which one will be online and another will be offsite from our studio.

So the first things you need to ask are:

1. Is my ceremony being held outdoors?

2. Is my reception being held outdoors?

3. Have I hired an experienced wedding photographer?

Hopefully if you have chosen a outdoor ceremony you have a backup location organised in case of rain. If not, try to organise one now. This could include a local hall (many will allow you to place a deposit only and then pay the rest if you need to use their location). Alternatively, if you are getting ready in a hotel that has a conference room or other venue rooms, you can speak to the hotel in advance to organise a similar arrangement. Many hotels will even offer the service for free as they know many guests will remain after the ceremony to have drinks at the bar, while the photographer is photographing the bridal party. Thirdly you can either purchase or hire an outdoor marquee.

Having an alternate venue for a wedding reception in case of rain is essential. Whilst last minute arrangements can be made to accomodate rain during the ceremony, the reception requires a solid plan prior in order to deal with rain on your wedding day. A large marquee or a secondary venue that has been booked are you best options. The problem with a secondary venue means that you will need to make a lot of last minute changes inc catering unless the alternate venue is on-site. A large marquee is the easiest, and to be honest I would recommend all outdoor weddings have some substantial amount of cover available so that you don’t need to make any changes in case of rain.

Finally, what many brides worry about is what happens to the wedding photos when it is raining. The answer is that all experienced and technical competent wedding photographers won’t have any problems working with rain. In fact we will do a little Irish jig as we love the rain and the photographic opportunities that can present themselves on a rainy day. We also keep a number of specialised wedding umbrellas (a set of beautiful clear or white bell shaped) for such a day. These allow us to get some stunning wedding images in the rain. If you are more adventurous and willing to brave the rain, we can offer some unique photo opportunities if you are not afraid of getting a little wet. Secondly, we will have back-up locations in mind that we can take wedding photos if the rain is more like a deluge. 

All professional Nikon and Sony equipment. I admit I am a bit of a gear freak, so I am never at risk of having too little equipment. Some of the equipment I carry includes:

• Nikon D4S camera body
• Nikon D3S camera body
• Nikon D800 camera body
• Sony a7S camera body
• Sony a7SII camera body
• Sony a7II camera body
• Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR II lens
• Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens
• Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 lens
• Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro lens
• Nikon 85mm f1.4 lens
• Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens
• Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 lens
• Sony 16-35mm f4
• Sony Zeiss 35mm f1.4
• Zeiss 25mm f2
• Zeiss 85mm f1.8
• Lensbaby 35mm & 85mm lenses
• Nikon 1.7 teleconverter
• 3 x Nikon speed lights
• 1 x Sigma speed light
• 3 x Icelights
• Elinchrome Quandra Ranger Strobe system
• Multiple light modifiers

My second shooter will also be carrying additional equipment. In other words, no need to worry if any of my equipment breaks, as there is plenty of redundancy.