(510) 651-6351 or (408) 257-6351
DO YOU HAVE BACK-UP EQUIPMENT?
Yes, of course! We carry at least two of everything in the unlikely event that something fails to work or is damaged during the day.
CAN WE ORDER OUR PICTURE IN BLACK & WHITE OR DO THEY HAVE TO BE IN COLOR?
All your pictures will be taken in color, but you can order your pictures in color, black and white, or sepia. In fact when you are viewing your pictures we can even change your pictures from color to black and white right before your eyes. Also there is NO charge for converting to black and white or sepia prints.
WHAT TYPE OF FILM DO YOU USE?
We do not use film anymore, instead we use the most up-to-date digital photography equipment.
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY ASSOCIATIONS?
Yes, absolutely!! We are members of Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
We have been serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1976.
DO YOU WORK OUT OF A STUDIO OR YOUR HOME?
We work out of my home. This provides a more relaxed atmosphere for our customers when making decisions and viewing pictures. We have both an indoor and an outdoor Hollywood studio set available. There is no extra charge for the outdoor studio shooting, but an additional travel fee is charged for other locations; weddings not included.
WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER (BLAKE RICHARDS) HAVE?
Blake has an AA in Photography and has studied under the famous Ansel Adams. He is also a current member of Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area with whom he attends professional meetings.
WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Because we do more than just Wedding Photography, we offer many options for you to choose from including composite (zed) cards, model head shots, business card photographs, compact disc covers, boudoir, nude, family portraits, pet photography, framing, child photography, commercial photography, and the list goes on. If you would like something specific done, just say the word and we will give you a price quote on that item.
WHAT IS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY?
Boudoir photography is tastefully done photographs of a woman in anything from lingerie to nude. It is up to the customer as to how revealing the photograph will be. These pictures are usually done for the woman’s significant other. There are no examples of this type of photography on out website for the simple reason that we respect the privacy of out customers. Yours is guaranteed as well.
HOW DO I BECOME A MODEL?
A model needs a portfolio and a composite with 1-12 photographs with different looks. Our smallest package starts at $363 for 500 8x10 retouched composites with your name printed on the bottom. You are also given a list of agencies on mailing stickers to send your composites to. Additional prices can be viewed when you click on Model Portfolios from the main page.
WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept Personal Checks, Cash, Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express. Money Orders and Certified Checks are OK as well!
WHEN COMING IN FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY OR ANYTHING BESIDES A WEDDING, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Stay away from the color white and prints as they will take away from the focus of the photograph. Long sleeves are always better; however, please feel free to bring in whatever you wish and Blake can help you decide what you will look best in. If you are taking group photographs, simplicity is the key. Casual cotton shirts are great as well as sweaters. Jeans or Dockers are also a good choice of attire. Keep with the same tones (not one dark and one light).
DO YOU HAVE A DRESSING ROOM?
Yes! It is fully equipped with a hair dryer, curling iron, brushes, clips, full length mirror, vanity mirror, and many more necessities.
IS A HAIRDRESSER AVAILABLE?
Yes. You must let us know prior to your appointment if you would like our hairdresser available. The charge is $60 per person.
IS A MAKE-UP ARTIST AVAILABLE AS WELL?
Yes, a make-up artist is available. You must let us know prior to your appointment if you would like our make-up artist available. The charge is $60 per person.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY PICTURES TAKEN?
A regular photo session will take up to an hour and a half. Right after you are finished taking your photos you will be able to view your pictures.
A modeling portfolio with 7-8 clothing changes, make-up, and hair would take approximately 4 1/2 hours. Again there is no time limit here.
For weddings, Blake and his assistant are with you for the whole event: ceremony, reception, etc. for up to 24 hours.
DO YOU SELL GIFT CERTIFICATES?
Yes, they are available in any denomination.
ARE THE PICTURES RETOUCHED?
Yes, your pictures can be retouched! Retouching eliminates lines, blemishes, wrinkles, shine, and can even remove red from the whites of your eyes. This service is available no matter which type of sitting you choose.
WHEN IS BLAKE AVAILABLE?
Everything is by appointment. We make appointments weekdays from 12:30pm to 9:30pm. Some Saturday and Sunday appointments are available as well. Just call (510) 651-6351 or (408) 257-6351 for availability!
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are located here in Fremont, approximately 50 minutes from San Francisco and 15 minutes from San Jose. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
WHEN WILL MY PICTURES BE READY?
Portraits will be viewed right after your photo session. Finished, retouched portraits, model portfolios, etc. are complete within a week. A 24 hour rush service is available at an extra cost.
Wedding photographs are ready for the bride and groom to view 5 working days after the wedding, and finished albums are ready within 6 weeks. The website for internet proofing is put up 1 month after the wedding.
DO YOU PROVIDE COSTUMES/CLOTHING?
Yes, we do. Drapes, feather boas, a large assortment of graduation gowns, jewelry, hats, black turtlenecks, etc. are all available for you to choose from. However, you are always free to bring what you wish.
DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
Yes, we do. When you call to schedule your photo session there is a $150 reservation fee. This fee is refundable if we are notified of cancellation of your appointment within 24 hours. You can secure this with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card or you can mail us a check
DO YOU HAVE AN ASSISTANT?
99.99% of the time, there will be an assistant at your wedding. However, in the unlikely event of one not being available, your special day will still proceed as planned.
WHAT BRAND OF ALBUMS DO YOU USE?
We offer the Artleather Albums as well as the Flora Albums. These fine albums have covers made of the finest durapelle coagulant material. Open view, matted pages that provide for straight-up viewing with no glaring acetate covering. Expensive looking one piece cover albums having individual removable pages which attach into the spine. There are many different colors to choose from. Both these albums are guaranteed for life by the manufacturers and are given to the bride free with an order of 22 or more 10x10 pictures. Parent Albums are also free with a 20 picture minimum.
HOW MUCH OF A DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO HOLD MY WEDDING DATE?
A retainer of $750 is required to reserve our services for your wedding date. Since reserving this date will result in the loss of revenue through declining other assignments, the customer understands and agrees that in the event of postponement or cancellation, the retainer of $750 is forfeited. An additional $2000 deposit is due the month prior to your wedding date. ONCE YOUR WEDDING IS PHOTOGRAPHED the $2750 total is refundable, or you may apply any portion toward your order.
ARE YOU THE ONE WHO WILL PHOTOGRAPH MY WEDDING?
I am the only one who will take your photographs at your wedding. An assistant will accompany me, but I am the photographer. That way, I can ensure that your wedding photographs are of high quality; only the best!
WHAT TYPE OF DRESS CODE DO YOU ADHERE TO?
I always wear a suit and tie to weddings unless the bride and groom have requested otherwise. I have been asked in the past to wear anything from a tuxedo to casual clothing. Anything goes. I generally find a tuxedo to be formal for hired help. A photographer should never look the same as the groomsmen or be mistaken as one either.
HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD I BOOK MY WEDDING?
As we only do one wedding per day and Blake is the only photographer, we book up quickly. Everything is on a first come, first serve basis. Most weddings are booked over a year in advance.
HOW MANY PICTURES DO YOU TAKE AT MY WEDDING?
We take anywhere from 150 to 300 photographs.
WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
We use Canon high-resolution digital cameras; we have three of them, in case we ever need a back-up, you are covered. We also use multiple lighting. Our multiple lighting techniques add depth to your photographs.
WHAT IS A MAGAZINE STYLE ALBUM?
You could pick your album to be a traditional album or a magazine style album. The difference between this album and the traditional album is the entire surface area of each page is an image. The image is created digitally, although it is still printed onto photographic paper and mounted on mount board for extra durability. Unlike the traditional album where photos are simply laid into mattes on each page, a magazine album is custom designed on each and every page with modern designs, overlapping photos, color mixing with black and white, and more. Due to the extra work and custom design of these albums there is an additional charge for this style album.
WHAT IS INTERNET PROOFING?
Simply put, it is your entire proof book online so all of your guests can see them and place orders directly with the studio. This is an outstanding service for customers who may not have the ability to show everyone the book due to location or time limitations. Not to mention it’s now included in all wedding packages at no extra charge.
WHAT IF SOME WIERDO DOWNLOADS PICTURES OF MY MOM?
Don’t worry. No one can see the pictures without the right password.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Basically, we have custom-made business cards that we pass out at the reception that tell the guests how to view the proofs on our website. After the big day, we upload the images to the Internet. Then the guests are allowed to browse through the pictures and order prints of their favorites directly with us. There is no middleman or need to order from the bride and groom. The photos are scanned at a low resolution to speed up viewing.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
It is much more convenient, not only for harried event organizers, but for their guests, and of course, for those who couldn’t make it.
With Internet Proofing, all the host has to do is let people know the Internet Proofing web address and the event password. That’s it!
You’re not stuck distributing paper proofs to far-flung friends and family, then filling out complicated order forms, collecting money and distributing the prints. And they don’t have to worry about getting stuck with a big bill if the proofs get lost or damaged in the mail.
IS THIS SERVICE JUST FOR WEDDINGS?
Absolutely not. Although Internet Proofing was conceived with weddings in mind, the system is equally useful for all kinds of gatherings, from regattas to bar mitzvahs.
WHAT DOES INTERNET PROOFING COST?
Blake Richards Photography offers this service for FREE!!