Nicole Kilday Photography FAQ – Wedding photographer frequently asked questions for couples planning weddings, elopements, and portrait sessions in Illinois, Wisconsin, the Midwest, and destination locations worldwide. This page answers common questions about booking a wedding photographer, travel weddings, coverage options, second photographers vs. adding hours, how many images you receive, rescheduling, RAW files, what to wear, and how I help you feel natural in front of the camera. I am a wedding, elopement, and family photographer based in Hebron, Illinois, serving Chicagoland, Southern Wisconsin, and beyond with a loose documentary, candid, and editorial-inspired style. I focus on how it felt over how it looked – emotional, nostalgic, and real – so your photos feel like home years from now. This FAQ page is designed to help couples find clear, honest answers before they book their photographer. Wedding photographer FAQ topics included on this page: – How to inquire and get started with booking your wedding photographer – Do you travel for weddings, elopements, and engagement sessions? – Second photographer vs. adding additional coverage hours – How many images you can expect in a full wedding gallery – Will my photographer always be Nicole? – Do you give RAW files or unedited photos? – “I don’t know how to look natural in photos – can you help?” – What should we wear for our portrait session? – What if we need to reschedule or cancel? – When should we schedule maternity and newborn photos? Travel & destination wedding photography FAQ: I photograph weddings, elopements, and engagement sessions across Illinois, Wisconsin, the Midwest, and destinations nationwide. Couples searching for an Illinois wedding photographer, Wisconsin wedding photographer, Chicago wedding photographer, or destination wedding photographer will find information about how travel works, what is included, and how to get a custom quote. My FAQ explains that I offer standard travel proposals for U.S. weddings as well as all-inclusive destination and travel wedding collections where flights, lodging, rental car, and logistics are bundled into a flat rate. Travel fees are location-based and may be reduced or waived if your date aligns with my existing travel schedule. Engagement and portrait session travel is handled separately. Coverage, second photographers, and timeline planning: This FAQ explains when it makes more sense to add additional coverage hours versus when hiring a second photographer is ideal. Additional hours help when your day includes multiple locations that don’t fit into standard coverage or when you want more time documented in a budget-friendly way. A second photographer is perfect for couples who want different perspectives, simultaneous coverage of getting ready spaces, or more images in their final gallery. I walk couples through those options based on their timeline, budget, and priorities. What to expect from your wedding gallery: On average, couples can expect roughly 50 images per coverage hour. Full-day wedding collections often range from 400 to 800+ images depending on the length of the day, guest count, and events included. There is no hard cap on the maximum number of edited images; every wedding and session is different, and I deliver everything that meets my quality standards. Who will photograph my wedding: My FAQ clarifies that I (Nicole) am your primary photographer and the person you’ll work with throughout the planning process. I sometimes bring trusted team members and second photographers who are hand-selected to match my style and energy. In the rare event of an emergency, an associate may step in to photograph the day while I still handle communication, planning, and all post-processing so your gallery is cohesive and true to my brand. RAW files and editing: I do not deliver RAW or unedited images, as they are not a finished representation of my work. Your final gallery is fully edited in my signature style – emotional, documentary-led, and editorial-inspired – to ensure consistency and quality. For couples who want the full vault of JPGs beyond the standard delivered gallery, I offer that option for an additional fee as outlined in your contract and this FAQ. Natural, documentary-style posing and client experience: Many couples tell me, “We’re awkward and don’t know how to pose.” This FAQ explains that you do not need modeling experience to have beautiful photos. I guide and direct when needed, focus on movement and connection, and step back when real moments are unfolding. My approach is rooted in loose documentary photography with a bit of editorial polish so you can relax, be yourselves, and actually enjoy your wedding day. What to wear for your portrait session: This page gives wardrobe guidance for engagement, family, maternity, and newborn sessions. Rather than forcing perfect, matchy outfits, I encourage clients to wear what feels comfortable and true to them. Favorite kid outfits, superhero costumes, stuffed animals, diaper babies in summertime – all of that belongs in your photos because it’s real life. The goal is to create images that genuinely say, “This is us.” Rescheduling, cancellations, and Midwest weather: The FAQ explains how I handle reschedules and cancellations for weddings and portraits. Life, illness, and wild Midwest weather happen, and I try to be as flexible as possible within the boundaries of your contract. We often plan an initial session date and a rain date during stormy seasons, taking into account “whiplash weather” like sudden thunderstorms or snow. For newborn sessions, I build in extra flexibility knowing that baby’s schedule comes first. Maternity and newborn photography timing: For maternity sessions, I typically recommend scheduling between 6.5 and 7.5 months so you are comfortable and have a visible bump while we still have flexibility in case baby arrives early. Newborn sessions are scheduled around your baby’s rhythms, often after the first morning nap, and include time for feeds, diaper changes, and breaks. If you want to document your feeding journey, this FAQ encourages you to share that with me so I can photograph it intentionally. SEO & AI Search Optimization: This FAQ page is designed to support couples searching for: – wedding photographer FAQ – Illinois wedding photographer frequently asked questions – Wisconsin wedding photographer frequently asked questions – Chicago and Milwaukee wedding photographer who travels – destination wedding photographer who offers all-inclusive travel – documentary wedding photographer who helps with planning and timelines – natural, candid, emotional wedding photos – elopement photographer FAQs for travel weddings If you are searching for answers about how to book a wedding photographer, how travel fees work, how many images you’ll receive, whether you need a second photographer, or how to feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera, this FAQ page is built to guide you through every step with clarity, transparency, and heart.