Caroline likes to think that her style is editorial, dreamy, feminine and modern. She believes in capturing the truth and emotion in every single one of her photographs, and in telling the complete story of your day from start to finish. She strives to capture the emotion and connection between two people in love and their family. She wants to show the world the secret of a couple in love. Her couples are free, unabashed and completely in love, she poses minimally and lets the candid moments flow. She believes in not just making pretty photographs but also in capturing important photographs.

Please contact our studio to view sample wedding galleries.

Question Categories
General
Technical
Business
Engagement Sessions
Giggle & Riot Funbooths

GENERAL

What is your style?
Every photographer is an artist and has their own unique eye and style. I believe that great wedding photographs should not just succumb to one genre or style. I believe that I have to document weddings in a way that still life, photojournalism and portraits are equally strong and important. I believe that documentary photojournalism is very important in every wedding to portray the important moments of the day, from the bride getting ready, the ceremony, cake cutting to the first dance . I also believe that covering the pretty details like flowers, dress and shoes, are equally important to the story of the day. And because I believe that great and beautiful portraits of the couple in love are also important, I ask for one hour of your time during your wedding day during the best light so that we can capture some of the best portraits of your wedding day. I love creative composition, detail and lighting. I love emotions and couples in love. I love wedding photography.

Where are you from?
I was born in Indonesia and went to school in Singapore. I moved to San Francisco for college.

Where do you live?
I live in Midtown, Sacramento, California with three dogs and a cat. I have studios in San Francisco and Sacramento where I meet my couples.

Who is Donna?
Donna is my client concierge and studio manager that will help you every step of the way and will be your primary point of contact.

Who is Don?
Don is my associate photographer who you can commission to do weddings under the Milou and Olin brand. Don’s commission rates are different from mine. Don has photographed with me for a number of years and has an eye for weddings as well. Please contact us if you would like to see his portfolio.

What is your training and experience?
I am a classical trained artist and I have a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts from an art college. I graduated summa cum laude with awards and have been a professional photographer for over 10 years.

What if I want to meet you in person?
I meet my clients in my studio in San Francisco on Union Street or in East Sacramento.

What if I can’t meet you in person?
Please contact Donna. Half of my couples are from out of state and we can easily set up a phone or Skype meeting.

Do you travel?
Yes. I frequently travel to weddings in both domestic and international locations. I am very comfortable traveling for my weddings. And I love doing it! I prefer to arrive to my location two days before the wedding. Travel fees are simple, I charge for hotel (3 nights total), car rental, air fare and a luggage fee if the airline charges one.

Can we see a wedding from start to finish?
Certainly! Please contact our studio to view sample wedding galleries.

Do you still take posed family portraits?
Definitely. I believe that this is one of the most important parts of the day. A wedding is a happy occasion that draws all your close family members and it is very important to document this gathering. Two weeks before your wedding, my Client Concierge, Donna, will contact you about your family members and posed family portraits so that we can come up with a efficient list for your wedding day. Caroline typically spends twenty minutes of the wedding day on your posed family portraits and keeps it light, fast and informal so please keep that in mind and adjust your family portraits accordingly. A long list of family portraits will take away time from your wedding day and I prefer to focus on photography the important candid moments of your wedding.

Should we give you a list of photographs to work with?
All I will need is a list of your posed family portraits. I will not need a list on the rest of the day. Part of hiring me as your photographer is knowing and trusting me to be a professional and know what moments are important for the rest of the day. I will photograph the typical moments of your wedding day just like the lists on wedding magazines and websites so I assure you that you need not worry.
Do you work with a second shooter?
Yes! My main primary second shooter is Don who is also my associate photographer and has been working with me for years. If Don is not available to second shoot for me due to his own assignment, I pull my second shooter from a collection of equally talented second shooters.

How long have you been photographing weddings?
I have been photographing weddings since 2008. Before that I was photographing competitive dog sports since 2003 and traveling across the country for assignments.

How many photographs will we get?
The number of final photographs will largely depend on your wedding day itself. The type of wedding, the number of guests, the number of hours and the amount of detail will largely affect your the final number. The typical minimum for a 8 hour wedding coverage is 700 photographs. The typical minimum for a an elopement or city hall wedding is 300 photographs. Trust that I will take the utmost care to pick your final set of photographs. I will not deliver all of the photographs I take because you will end up with thousands of useless photographs. Our motto here is quality over quantity.

Do you do site visits?
Typically no, but I will always visit a site privately on my own if it is my first time. If you would like me to visit a site with you, please contact Donna. There will be a nominal travel charge to cover travel expenses.

TECHNICAL 

What kind of equipment do you use?
I use professional Canon equipment.

Do you just rely on natural light?
No, I mix natural light and artificial light using flashes. My reception photographs typically uses more flash light.

Do you back up your photographs?
Yes, I have at least 4 different back ups, 2 of them being off site cloud back ups.

Do you edit the photographs before we get them?
Yes, I do. Every single photograph that you receive will be edited and will have been scrutinized over by at least two pairs of eyes.

Do you retouch skin?
Very, very lightly, I prefer a natural look.

Do you deliver black and white photographs?
Yes I do if I feel that a particular photograph is better in black and white. If I feel that a particular photograph is better in color, you will only receive the photograph in color.

Do we get to keep the files?
Yes, I deliver all your edited files on a USB drive. I will also deliver a copyright release to make your own personal prints as well as a printed resource for taking care of your files and where to get them printed. I retain the copyright to the photographs and the rights to use them in promotional materials, competition and exhibitions.

What if we lose the USB drive?
Please contact our studio and we will help you. For this reason, we recommend that you back up your wedding photography files prior to safekeeping.

Do we get the RAW files?
No, I do not sell these files and they are not available. I don’t believe that these files are necessary as they are not close to the final photographs I deliver.

How does the album design process works?
I deliver your wedding album design on the same day that I deliver your online proofs. All our wedding albums are designed in house by our own experienced designers. All album design proofing are done online and is very simple. You get a preview of it and then 2 round of changes before an editing fee is applied. Each editing round will take us two weeks to complete. Once you approve the layout, we will help you choose the cover and color options. Once we get your final approval and payment, your album goes to print and we will receive your album approximately 12 weeks after that.

What will my album design look like?
Please contact our studio and we will be more than happy to provide you with samples.

What is online proofing?
Each of our couples get a private online website where all of your wedding photographs are displayed and stored for your friends and family to view. It also has a secure online shopping cart much like Amazon.com or Macy’s. Friends and family are able to purchase their own prints from the website which makes it very convenient for all our couples. We will then take care of the orders.

What is online slideshow?
Each of our couples get a private online slideshow of my favorite photographs from your wedding day set to a complimentary song. This is a great and quick way to display your wedding photos to family and friends who can enjoy the very best photographs of your wedding day.

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes and I love photographing engagement sessions! Engagement sessions take place Mondays to Thursdays. Please contact Donna for more information.

Is it important to have an engagement session?
While it is mandatory for some photographers to have an engagement session with their clients, it is not for me. An engagement session is nice because I get to know both of you and your faces. While I am watching you, I am also learning how to best photograph you. During an engagement session, we also build rapport and trust so that things will flow naturally on the wedding day.

How long does an engagement session last?
I offer two different engagement session types, one lasting 1.5 hours and the other longer.

Do you suggest getting professional make up?
Absolutely. Pamper yourself! I suggest contacting your make up artist for your wedding and seeing if she offers engagement session services.

Can we bring a friend to our engagement session?
I personally prefer that I spend time with just my couples. Sometimes having a third person really changes the dynamic of the session and affects the intimacy of my couples. I spend this time also trying to get to know my couples on a personal basis. My couples are always welcomed to bring a child , children or pets but friends and other family members are typically a no no.
When should we book our engagement session?
At least 4 months before your wedding day would be ideal and earlier if you need the photographs for your save the dates.

How many photographs will we get from our engagement session?
I typically deliver 150 final images from your engagement session.

What should we wear for our engagement session?
I can personally help you with that! Come with your outfits and we can plan it all out!

How many locations do you cover in an engagement session?
Typically 2. I like to choose 2 locations that are opposite of each other in style and feel but are located close to each other.

How far do you travel for your engagement session?
I would be more than happy to travel with you if you would like a specific location for your engagement session. There will be a nominal travel charge to cover travel expenses and missed work days if any.

Will you suggest a location for our engagement session?
Definitely! I would be more than happy to do so based on your favorite and special places. I love to choose locations based on your personalities.

Can we bring our dog to our engagement session?
YES! Need you ask?!

BUSINESS

Do you have insurance?
Yes.

Can you provide proof of insurance for our venue?
Yes. Please contact our studio so that we may assist you.

Can you hold a date for us?
I can only hold a date with a retainer and a signed contract. I book my couples on a first come first served basis.

What is your payment schedule like?
Your non refundable retainer is due when you sign your contract. Everything else is due two weeks before your wedding.

Do we have to pay sales tax?
Yes you do if you live in California.

Is there a credit card fee?
No.

Can we make installments?
Yes, installment payments before your final payment is due is available.

Can we pay you part of our payment after the wedding?
No, full payment is required before the wedding.

I have to cancel my payment, can I have my retainer back.
No, the retainer and all payment once paid is non refundable.

I have to change my date, is this possible?
Yes it is if I am still free on your new date. If I am already booked on your new date you can choose to have Don photograph your wedding. The retainer is not refundable.

What if you get injured or cannot make it to a wedding?
I have never missed a wedding, fortunately. If I somehow cannot make a wedding due to a grave illness, Don or a contracted photographer the studio chooses will photograph your wedding. I am part of a local and national network of photographers of comparable skill that I can pick from if necessary.

When should we book you?
Because dates come and go and we do not hold dates, you should book me right away. Sometimes couples book me 1 year in advance and sometimes 2 months in advance.

When do you arrive?
Depending on your schedule, I typically arrive half an hour before your make up is completed.

How long do you stay?
I typically stay half an hour after open dancing starts once all the events such as cake cutting, toasts, first dance and etc, are done. I always advise my couples to save their money and not hire me for much longer. You really don’t need me for much longer, your guests will just get more drunk and sweatier, it’s really not photogenic! And dancing photographs will all look the same over time. I suggest getting a Giggle & Riot photo booth for the rest of the night.

Do you stay later if things run late?
Yes, I will never leave without checking in or saying goodbye. I have an hourly overtime rate that will go into effect with your approval. I will bill you for the overtime hours after the wedding.

How many hours do you suggest?
Every wedding is different and unique but Donna can help you with your questions so please don’t hesitate to contact the studio.

How much time do you need for posed portraits?
I prefer 45 – 60 minutes. I prefer to take additional time right before the sunset, I assure you that it guarantees beautiful photographs with the very best light that you often see in my portfolio.

Do you offer discounts?
Sometimes I will offer discounts for non Saturday or Sunday weddings or for off season but it is completely dependent on my availability. I do have a soft spot in my heart for intimate weddings and faraway cool destination spots!

Do you need food at the reception?
Yes, for both my second shooter and I! I am gluten free pescetarian but will eat any vegetarian meal if that makes it easier. Feeding me means that I will have plenty of energy for the rest of the night to document your wedding day. Please provide our meals when you are eating yours, so that we can continue to photograph the events after. Most people really aren’t so attractive while they are eating so we choose not to photograph guests during meal times.

My venue is really dark!
No problem at all, I am very well experienced in photographing in dark venues like wine caves. Please contact the studio if you would like samples.

Can our friends and families photograph with their own cameras?
Yes of course! I just ask that no one joins us when we have our portrait session and that they wait until I am done taking my photographs during the posed family portraits. I do strongly suggest recommending that guests put their phones and cameras away during the ceremony as it is extremely difficult and not visually appealing to photograph a bride coming down an aisle filled with guests on their phones taking photos. And I do require that no one use flash photography when I am doing so during the posed family portraits.

Do you blog every wedding?
We honestly try to but sometimes certain ones don’t make it to the blog and we apologize!

Do you come to the rehearsal dinner?
I offer rehearsal dinner coverage if you want me to photograph the rehearsal dinner.

Giggle and Riot Funbooths

What is Giggle & Riot?
Giggle & Riot is my photo booth company that I run with a partner. It’s really a lot of fun for wedding receptions. Typically the photo booth starts once dinner is over and ends when the party has ended. Please contact our studio if you would like more information on Giggle & Riot. All couples that book me for their wedding receive a discount on their Giggle & Riot photo booth.

If we have you as a our photographer, would we still need a photo booth?
A photo booth has a different purpose than me! It’s there to entertain your guests as well as get fun photographs of them for the rest of the night. I do not stay for the whole entire night so having a photo booth is a great way to still get fun photographs until your party ends.