COMMISSIONS

Thank you for your patronage. A complete brochure of my current packages and rates is available to download. Answers to frequently asked questions for wedding and portrait bookings can be found below.

Please email me at Jen@JenHuangPhoto.com if you need more information or have additional questions. 

FAQ

How do I know which wedding or portrait package is right for me? 

Weddings: While every wedding is different, my most popular wedding packages are the ones that include 8 hours of wedding coverage. I find that brides and grooms like to have me begin in the late morning or early afternoon and depart just a little after sundown - but of course that changes with seasons and locations. I can advise you on package choices after reviewing your preliminary wedding schedule.

Portraits: Portraits can be booked by the hour in the Santa Barbara area or at a destination of your choice. I also offer an “Editorial Session,” which is a more involved experience for engagement, elopement, glamour, boudoir and pre-wedding bridal portraits. As both photographer and creative director, my process begins with a conversation that determines your personal style and vision. From there, I design a project scope that details the aesthetic direction and mood of our session. I also advise on wardrobe, lighting and scheduling. Creative direction, hair and makeup, and floral details are included in the fee. The pampered session lasts a half day and is always enhanced by music and sparkling wine.

Is hourly coverage continuous? 

Hourly coverage is continuous for both weddings and portrait sessions. For example an 8 hour wedding would begin at 1pm and end at 9pm regardless of travel time between multiple locations.

What should I wear for an editorial portrait session? 

What you wear depends largely on the feel of your shoot. Some portrait sessions are casual, while others are opulent. Recommendations will be made based on your unique circumstances. You can also take a look at my curated portrait looks that are updated from time to time here.

What is the best location for an editorial portrait session? 

Most of my clients like to travel to Santa Barbara, California for their portrait sessions. In my home I offer a cozy indoor space with neutral colors and furnishings. There are also beautiful private homes, studios and villas nearby. If you wish to shoot outdoors, Santa Barbara boasts picturesque landscapes with plentiful natural light. If you prefer a different location, you can book a session based on my travel schedule. I travel often and am frequently in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Europe and Asia. A full schedule will be created to ensure optimal lighting throughout our session.

Do you recommend that I hire a hair and makeup artist for my wedding? 

I do. A talented hair and makeup artist can make you feel more confident and carefree so you can make the most out of your photos. I would be happy to refer artists that I know and love. A hair and makeup artist is provided for all editorial sessions.

How do you handle low light situations, what if my wedding has limited natural light? 

Modern digital sensors are strong in almost all lighting scenarios. You will receive more monochromatic images on rainy/cloudy days and after sundown during your reception. I always choose the best camera or lens type for every situation and shoot what I think will create the best and most meaningful image.

What if we have inclement weather on our scheduled date? 

For portraits: In the case of rain or heavy clouds, I always recommend rescheduling for an alternate date as color film looks best when there is plenty of natural light.

For Weddings: Rain or shine, the show must go on! If we cannot shoot outdoors, I recommend that you secure a backup location for formal portraits that is indoors with plentiful window light. I am happy to advise you on locations during the planning stages. No matter what, your wedding will be an amazing experience and your photos will reflect the unique beauty of your day.

Do you shoot alone or do you bring additional team members? 

For basic wedding and portrait packages, I work with an assistant. At times my assistant will take photographs, but their primary job is to stay by my side to help with set up, organization and film preparation. Larger wedding packages will include additional assistants, and associate photographers (second shooters).

What is the difference between a second shooter and an associate? 

Both second shooters and associates are professional, courteous and skilled artists. I consider associates to be capable of taking on the role of a lead photographer. They can photograph weddings and events skillfully without my direction and they have valuable real-wedding experience from operating their own businesses. They act as my ambassadors, and work under my studio for the dates that I am booked. They are also contracted for larger, or longer weddings that require multiple photographers and will work with their own assistants. While second shooters may also have the ability to shoot solo, they primarily shadow and provide back-up images for the main photographer. I prefer to hire associates because I like to deliver a polished final product. Generally, a main photographer plus assistant is an adequate number of team members for almost all weddings, it is not necessary to bring on additional associates or second shooters unless there is truly a need for one.

Will you advise us on our wedding timeline? 

I always try to provide a proposed photography schedule for your consideration and approval. I also work closely with your venue/caterer/planner to ensure that all your important moments are happening at the optimal time with regards to the available natural light. It is important that your planners and vendors include me in the scheduling conversation throughout your planning process. I also like to have a list of family group formals prepared in advance.

Can I add on a la carte items to my package later on? 

Yes. A la carte items can be added on to a package either before or after your event date.

Can I alter an existing package or create a custom package? 

Packages can be altered to an extent, for example, you can forgo your engagement shoot in exchange for an additional hour of coverage on the wedding day . If you would like to alter a package or create a custom package, please email me with the services you would like included and I can provide a quote.

What are your travel fees? 

Travel and lodging fees apply for all sessions and weddings occurring outside of the Santa Barbara area. Fees include the cost of flights for myself and assistant, at least two nights lodging at the venue or a suitable a hotel nearby, and taxi to from all locations required for the trip. Business class flights, longer stays, airport transfers, car service etc. are requested for all international destinations. All travel work also incurs a per diem charge for every photographer for all days of travel/work to take care of meals and incidentals (e.g. parking and wifi).

What is your cancellation policy? 

All weddings and portraits require a non-refundable retainer which is 50% of the package fee plus a travel stipend to book travel and lodging. Final payments and any additional travel invoices are due a month prior to the event date and are non-refundable at that time. Specifics on my cancellation policy will be outlined in your contract.

When and how are our images delivered?

Images are typically delivered two months after your event or session, but it can take longer if I am traveling extensively or if there are delays with my print shop or my lab. Images are delivered as high res jpegs via an online download link. You may make personal prints from these files or share them with friends and family online, but commercial use is prohibited. All packages also include a selection of images delivered as prints with white borders, which are enclosed in a linen print box. If albums are included, I will assist you with the image selection and design process.

How many images should we expect to receive from our wedding? How many images should we expect to receive from a portrait session?

Weddings: The number of images that you will receive from your wedding will depend on factors such as length of coverage in your package and your overall schedule. For an 8 hour wedding, you can expect to receive a minimum of 400 images but usually I deliver between 600 to 800 images.

Portraits: The number of images that you receive from your portrait session will also depend on similar factors such as the number of hours we spend together, the locations we are traveling to, and the number of outfits or hair and makeup changes. Usually you can expect to receive a minimum of 50 images per hour of shoot time. A full day editorial session usually produces 200 final images and sometimes more.

I live overseas, how will I receive my images or albums?

Deliverables such as prints and albums are shipped via UPS or USPS to overseas addresses. You are responsible for any extra shipping or customs fees. Hi-res digital files are transferred online. If you live overseas, I highly recommend that you have your package delivered to a US address and have it hand carried by a friend or friend or family member traveling to you so that there is a lower chance of theft or loss.

Do you edit or retouch photos?

All images are edited for color, consistency and style and will resemble the images that you see on my website and in my portfolio. If you need additional fashion retouching or photoshop work, I can refer you to a professional retoucher.

Do you give direction during our wedding or portrait session?

Absolutely. I give you as much guidance and direction as possible, not only during your wedding or photoshoot but also beforehand, advising on vendors and scheduling, and/or liaising with planners so that important moments are captured as beautifully and efficiently as possible. I have a cinematic way of shooting live events and am very specific about the way that I elicit candid, natural poses. I bring a stylist's point of view to much of the day as well and often help my brides and grooms design their nuptials to look and feel the most beautiful that it can. It is important that you are comfortable and relaxed during the time we are together, this way the resulting photos will be natural and authentic.

What type of prints and albums do you offer? 

I provide cotton rag art prints and artisan made linen albums. I also personally print and sign photographs upon request.

Do I own the rights to make prints and albums on my own with the images that you deliver? 

As the artist, I retain the rights to all of my images. However, if images are included in your package, they are delivered in high resolution without any watermarking. Personal use is permitted - you can make your own prints and albums and share these images with family and friends. However, you cannot sell or license my images commercially.

Do you design my album and choose the images?

It is best to choose the images for your album personally so that I can design/print it with your favorite photos. You will be able to preview/approve the layout and select your cover fabric and style before it is submitted. I am also happy to choose your images and design your album from start to finish.

What is the difference between a folio album and a bound album?  

All the albums and prints I offer are hand made with traditional book binding methods. A folio album is a purist's album that resembles old world artist portfolios. Images are printed on heavy cotton rag paper and presented in a linen clamshell box with protective vellum sheets. Bound albums are printed on double sided cotton rag and sewn/bound into fine art books with linen covers and protective slipcases.

What is the best way to reach you? Can we schedule a time to speak?

The best way to reach me is to email jen@jenhuangphoto.com. The majority of our correspondence will be online but we can also schedule a time to speak on the phone, or you can make an appointment to visit me at my home in Montecito, California. Your patience is appreciated as my response times may vary during busy wedding seasons - I answer all my emails personally.

If I'm ready to book, what are the next steps? 

Once you're ready to book, please send me your final details and package of choice. I will draft a contract and an invoice for your retainer payment. Dates are booked with a signed contract and a 50% non-refundable retainer. Final payments are due a month prior to your wedding or portrait session date. Sorry, alterations and edits to my contract are not permitted and dates cannot be held without a paid retainer.

What type of payments do you accept? 

Payments are accepted by cash or check. Bank transfers or online payment services such as Venmo are also accepted on a case by case basis. Additional service fees apply for CC payments or wire transfers.

TESTIMONIALS

“We day dream in Jen's photography. Her imagery elicits an innate femininity and ethereal quality that makes our hearts flutter. She has a vision unlike any other, mesmerizing us with the most beautiful moments.”
Kim Wiseley, Editor-in-Chief, Flutter Magazine

“Jen's images are a breath of fresh air. Each image feels carefully crafted, as if painted by hand. She is a true artist and I adore her timeless aesthetic.”
Summer Watkins, Founder, Grey Likes Weddings

“The way Jen’s photographs capture an essence and have an airiness to them, it makes for a beautiful memory. Her approach is an artful one that you’d be lucky to have at your own wedding or event.”
Shira Savada, Weddings Editor, Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

"Every romantic notion I’ve ever conjured up for a modern yet timeless sun-drenched wedding album is perfectly encapsulated in every image Jen Huang creates — from delicate details and décor to tantalizing food shots and couture-clad, gorgeous brides, Jen’s images have it all, and then some."
Jacqueline Tobin, Editor-in-Chief, Rangefinder Magazine

“Jen is renowned for her natural, delicate portraiture in this industry, but she also captures the strength, character and beauty of every subject she photographs. She is driven to create the best, most timeless works and her craftsmanship and attention to detail is like no other. The painterly quality of her photographs speaks to the light seeker in me and her imagery is so strong that I can recognize her photographs from afar.”
Sara Russell, Founder, Wedding Sparrow

“The beauty of Jen's talent lies in the nuances and fleeting moments she captures in a harmony of light, movement, and emotion. Having the opportunity to be both editor and client on different occasions has made me even more appreciative of the passion that she exudes through her work.”
Amanda Nistor, Founder, Ruffled Blog

"It is a pleasure and honor working together with Jen Huang. Her work is so exquisitely romantic and artistic. From the portraits to detail shots, she creates breathtaking pictures that remind and allow us to relive the beauty from that day. She has exceptional skills in finding and photographing the hidden beauty that others may easily overlook. The images captured are like paintings filled with texture, ambiance and emotion. Jen not only focuses on the beauty, she really listens to what the couple wants for their day. From the beginning to the end, she always has the client’s interest at heart. Thank you Jen for capturing our couple’s day so perfectly!"
Joanna & Sarah, Honour & Blessing Events

“I’m not even sure where to begin, but all we can say, is that we are forever grateful and honored that Jen beautifully captured our wedding. Her work is what wedding dreams are made of and we still can’t believe the images from our wedding are ours! She finds the perfect balance between editorial like portraits and candids of the sweetest moments. We can’t stop admiring our photos (along with all our friends and family) and will cherish them for the rest of our lives. I also think it’s worth noting that Jen, as a person, makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera. This was a big concern for us as we are both fairly camera shy. However, Jen’s positive energy immediately helped us settle down and her guidance in posing made us feel much more confident. When you fully trust your photographer, you will get amazing photos. If you’re fortunate enough to have the budget and have Jen available, book her. You will not get just any wedding photos, you will get fine art. We look forward to working with her again in the future to capture more milestones. Thank you, Jen!!”
Sue & Jonathan Perchion, San Francisco

“Choosing Jen was absolutely the best choice. She made us feel at ease and full of confidence all at once, and each photo we took was carefully considered and styled effortlessly by her expert hand. Her amazing attention to detail and her eye for beauty resulted in images that we will always treasure.”
Patricia & David Kim, Fourteen Forty NYC

“Working with Jen was the best choice we made for our big day (other than saying "I do")! Where do we even start?! As a professional, she's organized, detailed, responsive, and a pleasure to work with. As an artist, she has an incredible eye that's refined and editorial, while staying true to our particular style and wedding. When we saw our pictures, we were so impressed with how she caught so many small moments that ended up meaning the most. And most importantly, she's just a wonderful and fun person! On a day that can be overwhelming and stressful, Jen's engaging ‘bedside manner’ kept us laughing and sharing stories as she snapped away. She exceeded all of our expectations and we know who to go to for any of our future photography needs!”
Kimberly & Kenneth Chang, New York City

“I literally had to take a step back and process everything because I was absolutely blown away. I can’t even put into words just how talented Jen is!!! Our photos are INCREDIBLE! We love every single one, my Instagram feed is going to be a sea of Jen’s photos!!! Any publication would be crazy not to include these!! We really cannot thank her enough!!”
Elizabeth & Noah Redmond, New York City

"Thank you so much for being our photographer. I am in awe of your incredible talent and how you captured our loving moments. I could not have asked for anything more. We are very grateful and lucky to know you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, you made our lives very special!"
Susie & Brian Park

"We have had Jen shoot our family twice and they are the best, most treasured photos we've had taken of us. As a photographer myself, you can imagine our standards being pretty high and Jen has exceeded our expectations each time. Her use of light is perfect and she directs in a way that gets us to let down our guards, play with our kids, and just be us. Those are the photos we look at and think, yes, that is our family."
Braedon Flynn, Photographer

“From the first point of contact to the day-of and beyond, Jen is an absolute dream to work with! Everything she does is executed so beautifully and thoughtfully, it’s clear that so much passion and energy goes into her work. Jen perfectly captured the story of our wedding day through a timeless and elegant lens, from beautiful moments to the subtle details and everything in between. A true reflection of her artistry, the images we received were romantic, light-filled, and nothing short of stunning. We are so grateful to be able to relive and share these special memories again and again!”
Brittany & Brett Forrest, Westerly, RI

“I am so thankful that Jen captured our special day. She is kind, creative, detail-oriented and extremely talented.  Jen is simply amazing. With her guidance, I felt comfortable in front of the camera. Our Heirloom Bindery album also turned out so beautifully - truly a piece to treasure for a lifetime. We could not be happier with our choice!”
Rebecca & David Cheney, Los Angeles, CA

"Lance and I cannot express how much we love our wedding photos. We love them so much, so so much! The photos take us back to the happiest day of our lives. It was an honor and so fun getting to know Jen. She is amazing."
Jennifer & Lance Johnson, Los Angeles, CA

"Jen was our wedding photographer and we have continued to work with her for all our family, maternity and newborn sessions. Jen is not only a talented photographer but an amazing person. We cannot say enough wonderful things about our experiences with her!"
Judy & Jack Heng, Pasadena, CA

Working with Jen is a dream - she's the perfect balance of artistic and organized and I never hesitate to recommend her to my clients. Her work is gorgeous - from the exquisitely styled detail shots, to the stunning portraits of the bride and groom. She knows how to make couples feel completely at ease, and helps direct them so they look natural rather than posed. I know that my clients will love working with Jen both for her artistry, and her laid-back and warm personality - I certainly do! 
Elise Johnson, Lead Planner, Shannon Leahy Events

"There is a classic, timeless approach to Jen's art that truly stands the test of time. Every frame is captured so softly and tells its own story. When combined each moment & every detail tell the most romantic of tales. Jen is one of the most meticulous artist I have had the absolute honor or working with, she creates heirloom pieces you will treasure for decades & generations to come. I know that I can trust her to capture photographs more beautifully than I could ever hope."
Davia Lee, Owner, Davia Lee Events

"Jen's photos did such a fantastic job of elevating us back to our wedding day high. Memories are always the sweetest, but a picture certainly helps to put a big smile on your face once again. Her photos are honest and energetic, and, for a sentimental guy, captured the essence of an incredibly special and profound day."
Jono & Rosalie, New York

"Jen is an absolute dream to have on your wedding day. She dealt with so much chaos at our wedding with such class and sweetness. Her artistic eyes are truly special and have captured that day so beautifully. Her pictures have truly brightened our home and continue to make us smile!"
Giang & Bill

"We adore Jen’s photos... the way she photographs people… and the way she captures a moment is such a great talent."
Shari & Carl Cohen, New York City

"Jen epitomizes what every photographer should be, she captures moments and memories while remaining unobtrusive and she has all the qualities that a great photographer needs - insight, patience, attention to detail, creativity and class."
Lauren & Eric Carmody, Connecticut

" Jen’s photos are amazingly beautiful, soft and romantic. They perfectly capture the tenor of my memories of my wedding day."
Katherine & David, New York City

" Jen’s photos are insane. Jonathan and I are so happy to have had her capture our wedding so beautifully. We are obsessed with the photos and so excited for our family and friends to see them soon. What an amazing treat. We would work with her a million times over!"
Sue & Jonathan, San Francisco

“Jen is our hero. I cannot tell you how many people, still, when seeing our wedding photos tell us that they have never ever seen wedding photography as beautiful. We are forever indebted to her, she is truly amazing and made our day look even more beautiful than we had ever hoped.”
Bridget & Kevin, Petaluma

“I am still in awe looking through Jen’s photographs. I can't believe how beautiful everything looks through her eyes and I just love how she is able to capture events so gracefully. The photos are truly wonderful... all thanks to a fabulous, talented photographer!”
Julie & Creighton Wang, Cupertino

“Our time with Jen was the perfect combination of an exquisite and relaxing daydream. From the planning stages, to the day of our portrait shoot, to receiving our beautiful photos afterwards, she was extremely thoughtful throughout the whole process. All we had to do was show up and enjoy a wonderful romantic afternoon with each other. We're so happy to have worked with her!”
Judy & Jason Goo, Santa Ynez 

“Jen’s personality is as lovely as her photos — during our family session it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. She clearly adores babies, which shows in her work, and she was great with our six month old. She walked into the cramped and chaotic mess of our living room and managed to create beautiful, romantic, and ethereal photographs with clean and simple backgrounds. All the little details and expressions she caught will be well treasured!”
Ehjeen Kim, New York City 

“Jen is an artist and a magician! We’ve just spent the last hour or so going over our gallery again and again and again. The lighting is so beautiful! I can’t wait to share our photos with friends and family.”
Daisy & Jinuk, Santa Clara

“Michael and I love Jen. We truly do. I have a bit of anxiety writing testimonials of this caliber because I just want to make sure I am properly expressing my awe and gratitude. We received our package while we were at work and spent thirty minutes oohing and ahhing over our amazing photos in our office. Then we went home that night and obsessed some more and basically repeated that throughout the weekend. Seeing our photos put us over the moon! We are so thankful that Jen was there on the happiest day of our lives to capture the best moments. She and her team are such wonderful (and professional) people to work with.”
Nikki & Michale Duff, San Francisco

“Working with Jen was a breeze from A-Z. She is kind, responsive, easy to work with day of, in the planning phase, and her images are simply breathtaking. The way she captured the love and details of our couples day was unparalleled. I truly loved working with Jen, as did our couple and look forward to our next opportunity to work together.”
Adriana Marie Events, Baltimore, Maryland

“My husband and I are so grateful and beyond pleased with our maternity shoot with Jen. When it comes to fine art and film photography, there is no truer master than her. Being a dancer and having shot with many photographers of all backgrounds, I can say with confidence there are few artists who are able to capture the intimacy of love and motherhood in such an elegant and graceful way as she does. Usually, I am a more modest individual and would not opt for a boudoir maternity shoot, but her use of lighting and angles is so feminine and classic that normal discomforts about modesty disappear. She also is incredibly kind and patient, which makes you feel very comfortable to work with her.”
Alyssandra Wu, San Francisco, California