How do we reserve our date?

A signed contract and a 50% non-refundable booking fee are required to hold your date. Bookings are first-come, first-served, and not confirmed until everything is signed and received.

What is the payment process?

Your booking fee is due at signing. The final balance is due two weeks before the wedding. We accept checks, ACH (no fee), or credit cards (2.9% fee). A detailed payment schedule is included in your contract.

How many photos will we receive?

We deliver around 80–100 images per hour of coverage. A full wedding day typically yields 700–900 final images, each one carefully selected and edited.

What kind of editing is included?

Every image is color-corrected, exposure-adjusted, and cropped as needed. Some are converted to black and white where it suits the story. Light retouching (e.g., blemish removal) is available by request at $10/image.

When will we get our photos?

You’ll receive a preview gallery within one week and your full gallery within 8–10 weeks. Images are delivered in a private online gallery where you can view, download, and share. USB delivery and printed keepsakes are available as add-ons.

Do you offer albums and prints?

Absolutely. Every couple gets access to our heirloom print and album store. Many collections include a handcrafted album, and we offer design consults for custom gifts and wall art.

Can we add hours or a second photographer?

Yes. Additional coverage and second photographers are available as add-ons. We’ll talk through your plans and suggest what makes the most sense for your timeline.

Do you book more than one wedding per weekend?

Never. Your day is our only priority.

Do you carry insurance and backup gear?

Yes. We carry full liability insurance and always arrive with backup cameras, lenses, and memory cards. All our equipment is professional-grade and regularly maintained.

What happens if you’re sick or unavailable?

In the rare case of illness or emergency, we have a trusted network of professionals who can step in. You’ll have a say in who’s selected, and we’ll handle the transition with care and transparency.

Do you offer Discounts?

We don’t offer discounts—but we do offer custom packages for multi-day events or unique needs. Let’s talk.

What makes your approach different?

We’re not here to take over your timeline or direct your day. We show up calm, prepared, and unobtrusive—guiding when helpful, disappearing when not, and capturing honest moments as they unfold.

An Experience Designed Around You

The best photographs happen when you are not thinking about the camera. Everything we do before and during your wedding day is designed to get you there.

A bride and groom share an intimate moment on the stone terrace at Shelburne Farms in Vermont, with Lake Champlain and distant mountains under a dramatic cloudy sky.

Collections & Pricing

We believe in transparent, straightforward pricing. Every collection includes full-day coverage with a second photographer, travel within 75 miles of Hinesburg, and a complete online gallery of high-resolution images.

•Paul-led collections begin at $7,800.

•Illume Studio Photographer collections begin at $5,800.

We will help you choose the right level of coverage and heirloom artwork during our consultation call.

The Process

01

Inquiry
Reach out through our contact form. We will check our availability and send over our collection guide within 48 hours.
02

Consultation
We will schedule a brief video call to hear about your plans, answer your questions, and ensure our approach is the right fit for your day.
03

Booking
Once you select your collection, we handle the contract and retainer digitally. Your date is secured, and the planning begins.
04

Pre-Wedding Guidance
Over the months leading up to your wedding, we will send a series of helpful guides. We cover everything from organizing your family photo list to deciding if a first look makes sense for your timeline.
05

Timeline Planning
About a month before the wedding, we will work with you and your planner to finalize the photography timeline. We build in buffer time so you are never rushing from one moment to the next.
06

The Wedding Day & Delivery
When the day arrives, we provide calm, unobtrusive direction. You will receive a preview gallery shortly after the wedding, with your complete, carefully edited collection following within eight to ten weeks.

FAQs

Can we customize coverage?

1

Yes. We'll build the right timeline and coverage around your day, then adjust pricing accordingly. If your day needs more or less than 9 hours, or if you'd like to add rehearsal coverage or skip the engagement session, we'll create the perfect fit.

Do you travel for weddings?

2

Yes. Travel within 75 miles of Hinesburg, Vermont is included. Beyond 75 miles, travel costs are quoted based on location. For destination weddings, we'll provide a custom quote based on your plans.

how far in advance should we book?

3

We typically book weddings 9–15 months out. Some dates fill sooner, especially fall weekends, so if it feels like a fit, don't wait too long.

What’s the difference between Paul Reynolds and an Illume Studio photographer?

4

Paul personally photographs a limited number of weddings each year. His collections include direct communication, planning, and coverage from start to finish.

Illume Studio weddings are photographed by trusted members of our team who are trained in the same calm, honest, documentary style and edited by our in-house post-production team for a consistent final result.

What if we’re camera shy or aWkward in front of the camera?

5

Most of our couples say the same and still end up loving their photos. Our approach is quiet, intuitive, and never forced. We guide gently when needed and stay out of your way the rest of the time.