Frequently Asked Questions

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.

  • Inquire using the contact form on my wedding pricing guide here or my portrait session guide here or send an email directly (hello@nicolekilday.com) — I’ll respond personally to confirm availability for your date.

    Once I know I’m open, I’ll send over helpful planning + photography resources so you can feel confident before booking. You can choose to chat entirely via email (no question is too small!) or hop on a call for a quick vibe check to make sure we’re the perfect fit.

    I require a signed contract & a 50% non-refundable retainer to lock-in on my calendar.

    No pressure, no fluff — just real connection and clarity from the start. Finding the perfect fit photographer for your wedding day is my top priority; so if it’s not me, that is okay.

  • – Additional coverage hours ($150.00/hr): if your day requires multiple locations that we simply cannot fit into an 8-10 hour day while you’re simultaneously looking for a more budget friendly option, adding on additional continuous coverage hours would be ideal & make the most sense.

    – Second photographers ($825.00): I personally feel this is a preference. If you’re looking for time management in a shorter time frame, adding a second photographer from my team would be ideal. A second can also add to the total number of images you’ll receive in your full gallery as well as offer additional perspectives.

  • Yes, yes, and yes. I’ve traveled with my couples all across the United States in years past. From the Midwest's cornfields, the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, hiking through Ohio's Hocking Hills, Martha's Vineyard and various spots on the East Coast, and ventured through Denver and its surrounding areas. Wherever your love is the loudest - I’m there!

    I photograph weddings, elopements, and engagement sessions across Illinois, Wisconsin, the Midwest, and destinations nationwide. Whether your day is local, out-of-state, or fully destination, I offer two options:

    • Standard Travel: Custom travel proposals for U.S. weddings that include mileage, lodging, flights, transportation, and all necessary travel fees.
    Learn more: Common Travel Pricing & Schedule

    • All-Inclusive Travel Weddings & Elopements: One flat rate that covers all travel, lodging, flights, rental car, and logistics so you can stay fully present.
    Explore packages: All-Inclusive Destination Weddings

    Travel fees are location-based, and if your date aligns with my existing travel schedule, fees may be reduced or waived. Engagement + portrait travel is quoted separately. If your day includes multiple locations, you may need added coverage or a second photographer to ensure nothing is missed.

  • 50 images per coverage hour is a perfect rough estimate. For example, the ‘Full Day Wedding Collection’ can expect to have a minimum of 400 images to 800+ in a full gallery. There is never a cap on the maximum number of images as every session and day is different.

  • Short answer - Yes.

    Long answer - I thrive in a team atmosphere inspired by friendship. Networking and collaboration within the photography industry helps to add creative flair as well insurance in the event I am unable to attend your big day. My team members may sometimes be along for the entirety of the ride (from booking date to wedding day), while other times they may hop in the rare case of an emergency.

    My team members are hand selected by me to seamlessly mesh with my brand & style of photography. In the event an associate photographer has to step in, I can assure you, you’re in amazing hands. Not to mention, I won’t be out of the loop at any point in time as I will still be here to handle all of the pre & post processing. The perks are - you gain an extra (or 2) creatives to brainstorm ideas, bring additional talent to the table, and even more friends to share in this journey.

  • My collections do not come with RAW and/or unedited images. If they did, it'd be like serving you a piece of raw chicken - unfinished & 100% not up to my standards. Be sure to check your contract for additional details; however, I am happy to provide the full vault of your day/session in JPG format to you at an additional fee of 20% of your total contract price.

    If you choose to purchase the JPG files, a secondary contract will need to be completed & invoice paid in full before receiving.

  • I focus on feeling over perfection, capturing real, fleeting, joy-filled moments that age with meaning. You want photos that look and feel like you. Not awkward. Not overly staged. Don’t worry—I’ve got you. I’ll guide when it helps and step back when it matters. I focus on movement and connection — most of the time, you won’t even notice the camera.

  • I want you to feel like you when we’re together. All the expectations of perfectly coordinated outfits, every fly away hair, fly out the door when I aim to capture you and your loves exactly as they are in this very moment. My best advice is to wear what you feel your best in and are most comfortable. When it comes to your kiddos, if they want to wear their superhero costume - let them. Their favorite stuffy is a necessity? I’m in. Diaper babies in the summertime sunshine - yes. I want your photographs to scream, “this is us”.

  • Life happens & weather! If you need to cancel or reschedule a portrait session or wedding, make sure to let me know early on. I try to be as flexible as possible.

    For portrait sessions, we can find a new time that works for all of us. Make sure to peek at your contract for full details on cancellations and reschedules.

    In terms of rain reschedules, rain dates are often pre-scheduled because it's the Midwest and sometimes we can observe what I like to call, 'whiplash weather'. Hello random unpredictable thunderstorms & snow! I always try to lock in a scheduled date & a rain-date if we are currently in a rainy season at the time of booking.

  • Maternity & newborn sessions run on babies schedule. My biggest suggestions for maternity sessions, are to aim between 6.5-7.5 months for a number of reasons: 1. I want you to be comfortable if you opt for a space that requires some walking or extended foot travel; 2. sometimes babes surprise us and show up earth-side when we least expect it ('hello' to Nicole's first born who graced us an entire month early). Likewise, newborn sessions also run on babes schedule - which I know can be different for everyone and change as the days go. I dedicate my entire day to your newborn sessions so we can navigate your schedule changes very closely. My top suggestion would be to schedule those after the first AM nap. There is zero requirements for making it through your sessions without a feed, diaper change, or anything that baby needs. We are on babies schedule and anything you all need. If you’re hoping to capture your feeding journey - let me know ahead of time so I can be sure to document this part of our time as well.