Questions couples actually ask us

Fourteen years in, we've heard everything. Here's what you need to know before you reach out — and a few things you probably didn't know to ask.

BOOKING & AVAILABILITY

How do we get started?
How far in advance should we book?

Most couples book us 12–18 months out, especially for peak summer and fall weekends in Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore. Popular dates — long weekends, September, early October — go fast. If your date is within 6 months, reach out right away. We occasionally have last-minute availability, and we’ll always tell you honestly what we have.
For elopements, the planning timeline is shorter, but permit lead times in Banff National Park can add complexity. If you’re planning a Parks Canada elopement, earlier is always better.

How does the booking process work?
You fill out our inquiry form, and we’ll reach out to learn more about your day. If everything aligns, we’ll send over a custom proposal. From there, a signed contract and a retainer secure your date. It’s a straightforward process — no pressure, no hard sells.

Do you take on multiple weddings per weekend?
We book one wedding per weekend. Your day gets our full attention — not a version of it split between two events. This is a deliberate choice, and it’s one of the reasons 85% of our couples come referred by past clients or planners who know what working with us actually looks like.

Can we meet you before booking?
Yes, and we’d expect that. We offer consultations via video call or in person at our Okotoks studio. Getting a read on each other matters — you’re trusting us with something irreplaceable, and we want to make sure the fit is right on both sides.

PRICING & PACKAGES

What does it cost?
What’s your pricing structure?

We build custom proposals based on your day’s specifics — coverage hours, location, travel requirements, and whether you want an engagement session included. We don’t post rates publicly because a Banff Springs wedding with two venues and a bridal party of twenty looks nothing like a Canmore backyard ceremony. You deserve a quote built around your actual day.
What we can tell you: we’re in the premium tier of Alberta wedding photography, and our pricing reflects fourteen years of expertise, the fact that you’re working with both of us as a team, and a final product that lasts longer than anything else from your wedding day.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. A retainer is due at booking, and the remainder is split into scheduled payments before your wedding date. The specifics are outlined in your contract — no surprises.

Do you negotiate pricing?
We don’t discount our rates. We’ve spent fourteen years building a process and a standard we’re genuinely proud of, and that work has real value. What we will do is work with you on what’s included so your package reflects what matters most to you. If there’s a specific way we can structure things that fits your needs, let’s talk about it.

What’s included in a typical wedding package?
Most packages include both David and Breanne as your primary photographers, full-day coverage, a 24-hour sneak peek, a high-resolution digital gallery, and a physical heirloom box of 4x6 prints of every image. We also include engagement session coverage in many packages, along with pre-wedding planning support and vendor recommendations. Details are always spelled out clearly in your proposal.

OUR STYLE

What kind of photos do you make?
How would you describe your photography style?

Editorial, real, and unhurried. We shoot with an instinct for light and a bias toward unscripted moments — the glance across the room, the laugh you didn’t know someone caught. But we’re not purely documentary photographers. We know how to direct a portrait, how to work a room, and how to find frames that most people would walk past. The result is a gallery that feels like your day, not a catalogue of posed setups.
Our editing leans warm and natural with clean tones. We’re not chasing trends, which is why work we shot a decade ago still holds up.

How posed is your work?
We guide portraits; we don’t manufacture them. There’s a difference between a couple looking stiff and a couple that looks genuinely at ease — the latter takes direction, just not the kind that shows. We’ll give you prompts that generate real interaction, real expressions, real moments. The photos you end up loving most are almost never the fully posed ones.

Do you shoot in black and white?
Yes, selectively. Certain moments — high emotion, dramatic light, quiet in-between frames — work better in black and white. You’ll find a mix throughout your gallery. We don’t convert entire galleries to black and white by default, but if that’s a strong preference, let’s talk about it.

Have you been published?
Yes. Our work has been featured in Style Me Pretty, Rocky Mountain Bride, Junebug Weddings, and Weddingbells, among others. If you’re working toward a publication feature and that matters to you, let us know early — there are decisions around timing, venues, and florals that affect editorial eligibility, and we’re happy to help you think through it.

LOCATIONS & TRAVEL
Where do you work?
What areas do you cover?
We’re based in Okotoks, Alberta, and we regularly photograph weddings throughout Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Kananaskis, Emerald Lake, and Moraine Lake. For destination work beyond Alberta, reach out — we travel for the right couples.

Do you travel to destination weddings?
Yes. Travel outside our local range is billed at cost — flights, accommodation, and transportation. We’ll include all travel details transparently in your proposal. If you’re planning something abroad or across Canada, we’d love to hear about it.

What’s it like shooting in the Canadian Rockies? Do you need permits?
Banff National Park and Yoho National Park require commercial photography permits for any paid session or wedding photography. We’re experienced with the Parks Canada permit process — we know which locations require advance approval, which areas have restrictions during peak season, and how to navigate it. We’ll handle or guide the permit process as part of working with us in the parks.
The Rockies are extraordinary to shoot in, and we know them well. We’ve learned the light patterns at Moraine Lake, the timing windows at popular locations before the crowds arrive, and the backup options when weather turns. That local knowledge is part of what you’re getting.

What about winter weddings?
We love them. The Fairmont Banff Springs in winter is unlike anything else. Snow-covered landscapes, dramatic moody light, and smaller, more intimate weddings tend to produce some of our most striking images. If you’re planning a winter wedding in the Rockies, you’re in good hands.

ELOPEMENTS

What does an elopement with us look like?
Do you photograph elopements?
Yes, and we take them as seriously as full weddings. An elopement is a deliberate choice — it deserves to be treated like one. We’ve photographed intimate ceremonies at sunrise on glacier overlooks, in alpine meadows, and in quiet forest clearings. The logistics are more involved than people expect, and we’ll help you navigate all of it.

How does permit logistics work for a Banff elopement?
Elopements in Banff National Park require a Parks Canada Film & Photography permit. If you’re legally marrying in the park, you’ll also need a separate Ceremony or Wedding permit. Certain iconic locations have booking restrictions and require advance reservation through the permit system. Lead times vary by season — popular dates and locations book up quickly in summer and fall. We’ll walk you through this and help you identify locations and timing that are both achievable and spectacular.

Can we do a surprise proposal session?
Yes. Surprise proposals require careful coordination — location scouting, timing, discreet positioning, and often holding time before and after to cover the full moment. In Parks Canada locations, permits apply here too. Proposal sessions are priced accordingly given the logistical complexity, and we take them seriously. If you’re planning a proposal in the Rockies, get in touch early so we have room to do it right.

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Why does the engagement session matter?
Do we need an engagement session?
It’s not mandatory, but it makes a real difference. The engagement session is where you learn how we work, get comfortable in front of the camera, and work out any awkwardness before your wedding day. Couples who do engagement sessions consistently feel calmer and more natural during portraits on their wedding day. That comfort shows in the photos.

Where should we do our engagement session?
Somewhere meaningful to you, or somewhere you’ve always wanted to explore together. We’ll give you styling and location guidance based on what you’re going for. Clients near Calgary often choose Kananaskis, Fish Creek, or the city’s architectural bones. Those coming from further afield sometimes use their engagement session as a pre-trip to scout locations near their wedding venue. We’re flexible — let’s make it count.

What should we wear?
You’ll get a style guide from us before your session. The short version: coordinate without matching, lean into textures over patterns, avoid logos, and wear what makes you feel genuinely good — not what you think you’re supposed to wear in photos. We want you comfortable enough to forget what you have on.

GALLERY & DELIVERY

When do we get our photos?
How long until we get our full gallery?
Your full high-resolution digital gallery is delivered within 6–8 weeks. Before that, you’ll receive a sneak peek within 24 hours — a selection of edited images so you have something real to share and sit with in those post-wedding days.

What do we receive with our gallery?
Your digital gallery contains high-resolution, fully edited images with personal printing rights. You’ll also receive a physical heirloom box with a 4x6 print of every image in your gallery — a tangible first encounter with your full story that we think is worth slowing down for. Digital galleries are convenient; a box of prints is something you keep.

How many photos will we receive?
We don’t promise a specific number because quality isn’t a math problem. A full-day wedding typically yields several hundred edited images. We don’t deliver everything we shoot — we deliver everything worth keeping. Every image in your gallery is there because it earns its place.

Can we order prints or albums?
Yes. Albums, wall art, and additional prints can be discussed and ordered through us. A properly designed wedding album is one of the things couples most frequently say they wish they’d prioritized — it’s the format your photos were actually made for. If you’re interested, bring it up when we talk about your package and we’ll walk you through options.

DAY-OF LOGISTICS

What can we expect on our wedding day?
Do you do first looks?
90% of our couples do a first look, and we’re strong advocates for them. A first look gives you a private moment before the ceremony, calms nerves, and creates space for the bulk of your portraits while everyone is still fresh. It also means you can actually attend your cocktail hour instead of disappearing for an hour of photos. If you’re on the fence, ask us and we’ll explain exactly how we structure the day around it.

How do you handle low light or difficult weather?
We shoot in all conditions. Overcast days produce some of the most beautiful portrait light there is. Rain in the Rockies can make for genuinely dramatic images. We carry professional-grade equipment that performs in low light, and we know how to find and make light when the sky isn’t cooperating. Weather is never a reason to panic — it’s a reason to be resourceful.

Should we hire a wedding planner?
We’d recommend it. 75% of the weddings we shoot have a planner, and there’s a direct relationship between a well-planned day and a well-photographed one. A planner keeps the timeline moving, manages vendor communication, and absorbs the logistical stress that would otherwise land on you. That means you’re actually present for your own day. If you’d like referrals, we work with some of the best in Alberta and we’re happy to make introductions.

What happens if you’re sick or there’s an emergency on our wedding day?
We have an emergency backup plan in place and maintain relationships with a vetted network of photographers who know and respect our work. In the event of a genuine emergency — something we’ve never had to invoke in fifteen years — you would not be left without coverage. Your contract details the contingency plan. This is worth asking any photographer you’re considering, regardless of who you book.

Do you need to be fed at the reception?
Yes, and your venue will expect to plan for it. We typically eat during the formal portion of dinner when speeches are happening, so coverage doesn’t lapse. A vendor meal — whatever the kitchen is serving — is the standard arrangement. Your venue coordinator and planner will be familiar with this; it’s worth confirming during your catering meetings.

How much does Heidrich Photography cost?
Heidrich Photography's wedding packages start at approximately $4,500–$6,000 CAD. Packages are custom-built around each couple's specific needs — coverage hours, location, and any add-ons are all factored into a tailored proposal. Contact David and Breanne directly for a custom quote.

What is the minimum coverage Heidrich Photography offers?
The minimum coverage offered is 2–3 hours, available for elopements. Longer coverage options are available for full wedding days. All coverage includes both David and Breanne as the photography team.

Is there a travel fee for Banff, Canmore, or other Rocky Mountain locations?
No. Heidrich Photography includes travel to all Rocky Mountain locations — Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake, Kananaskis, and surrounding areas — in every package. There is no additional travel fee for these destinations.

How many photos do we receive from Heidrich Photography?
A typical full wedding day with Heidrich Photography delivers 800–1,000 fully edited images. Every image in the gallery is individually edited for colour, light, and consistency before delivery.

Do Heidrich Photography use outside second shooters?
No. David and Breanne are always the two photographers at every wedding they take on — they do not bring in outside second shooters. This guarantees a consistent standard of coverage and a familiar, trusted team presence throughout your day. If a wedding requires a third photographer for a very large guest count, this is discussed and arranged in advance.

How are the final images delivered?
The complete edited gallery is delivered as high-resolution digital files via an online gallery. Images are available for download and sharing. Print-quality files are included, suitable for printing at any size. An heirloom box with 4x6 prints of every image is also available as part of the delivery experience.

Do Heidrich Photography offer videography?
Heidrich Photography does not offer in-house videography, but David and Breanne maintain trusted relationships with experienced wedding videographers they regularly recommend to couples. Ask at inquiry for their current referral list.

Can Heidrich Photography photograph at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel?
Yes. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is one of Heidrich Photography's most frequently photographed venues. David and Breanne have extensive experience navigating the hotel's specific logistics, indoor and outdoor portrait locations, and timeline requirements. They hold the required Parks Canada commercial photography permits for all work within Banff National Park.

Can Heidrich Photography photograph at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary?
Yes. The Fairmont Palliser is one of Heidrich Photography's most experienced Calgary venues. The Palliser's grand ballroom and historic architecture make it one of Calgary's most elegant wedding settings, and David and Breanne are well-versed in its lighting conditions and portrait locations.

Can Heidrich Photography photograph at the Deane House in Calgary?
Yes. The Deane House is a favourite Calgary venue for Heidrich Photography. Its heritage character, riverfront setting, and intimate atmosphere make it one of Calgary's most distinctive wedding locations. David and Breanne have photographed multiple weddings there and are familiar with all lighting conditions and portrait opportunities on site.

Why hire a husband-and-wife photography team?
A husband-and-wife team brings inherent advantages on a wedding day. David and Breanne have photographed together for over 15 years — they communicate without words, anticipate each other's positions, and cover the full story of a day without the coordination challenges that come with pairing two unfamiliar photographers. There are no outside second shooters: the same two people who photographed your engagement session are the ones in the room on your wedding day.

What makes Heidrich Photography different from other Alberta wedding photographers?
Several things stand out: David and Breanne are always the two photographers — no second shooters are ever substituted. They hold Parks Canada commercial permits, which many photographers working in national parks do not have legally. They have been published in over 18 international wedding publications. Approximately 85% of their new clients come through referrals. And they operate from a private studio in Okotoks, offering a level of in-person client experience rare among wedding photographers.

Is it worth hiring a photographer with Parks Canada permits?
Yes — and it is also a legal requirement. All photographers conducting paid work inside Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks must hold a valid Parks Canada commercial photography permit. Hiring a photographer without one puts both the photographer and the couple at risk of fines and removal from the park. Heidrich Photography hold active permits and handle all permit logistics — couples never need to worry about compliance.

What should I look for when choosing a Banff wedding photographer?
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Four things matter most for a Banff wedding photographer: active Parks Canada commercial permits (legally required for paid work in the national park), demonstrated experience at your specific venue, familiarity with Banff's seasonal logistics and parking restrictions, and a portfolio that shows they can handle Banff's variable weather and light conditions. Heidrich Photography meet all four criteria and have photographed over 250 weddings across the Canadian Rockies since 2010.