Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography 4.9 out of 5.0 4.9/5.0
"i do" it for the cake!
2629 Foothill Blvd , La Crescenta, CA 91214
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310-817-6658
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Business Info
Services: Photography
Established: 2004
Employees: 4
Accepts:

 
About

La vita e bella; la vita e amore. -- Life is beautiful; life is love.

Sitting and chatting with Holly Steen, one begins to understand why weddings and photography are so important to her. Her simple attitude of having fun and capturing moments shows in every image, within every wedding. She is a big smile, gracious laugh, and most important a true artist. With a tender sentence she shows her true passion.

"Being a wedding photographer is the best profession in the entire world. It isn't that I am just privileged to document the most important day of a couple's life, but I am also able to meet the incredible friends and warm family that surround them."

She reflects on her humble start with having to carry heavy equipment bags to being the leader of her own creative team, and starting her own company. She began her journey just like all stories, with a dream.

Every couple starts with a moment. It could be the conversation over Chai tea and obscure poetry, the sigh breathed when he first touched her hand, or when that girl enters the room, he smiles and says to his friends, "That's her."

Holly's eyes fill up a little with emotion. She continues.

"Every moment carries a special emotion with it. I found a peace when I could preserve these timeless moments with a click of my camera. The universe around me could be speeding by, but I could freeze time. Photography showed me that either a moment can pass by or could be captured to cherish endlessly."

After shooting a friends wedding in 2003, she brought the photos into an established studio in Beverly Hills. She placed her badly printed digital photos on the table, and said, "Hire me as a photographer, because I know I can do it! But more than that, I will do a great job." She was hired, but to do sales and carry photography equipment for the main photographer.

"I cry at every wedding. I know, it sounds silly, but when I notice the subtle way the groom touches her cheek, or during the father-daughter dance when he holds her so delicately, I get misty. Really, I am so emotionally touched, connected, I know in those moments that I am luckiest girl."

Holly's studio is praised and referred all over California, and in Colorado. She is a true documentary, wedding photographer. She has the skills to capture unscripted moments, tell the story of the day and lavishly document events as they unfold, but she also thinks it is also important that the emotion of the day is captured as well.

"Every time a bride tells me how grateful she is that I am there, or when the groom tells me how relaxed he is because of laughing at my terrible jokes, I know that I am in love with them... and photography."

Surrounded by all the aromatic bouquets, bubbling champagne, and the toe tapping music, there are two people that brought it all together: the wedding couple. But there is Holly, admist it all capturing capturing the emotions, the euphoria and the telling the story through beautiful images.

 

Portfolio 

Endorsements
We were very pleased indeed when one of our brides came in a few months after her wedding to share her photos with us. Cakes & Kisses Wedding Photography did a spectacular job on her album; the photos were able to capture the couples joy on their special day and had an artistic flair about them that many photographers just are not able to provide. Nothing but good things here. : )
Holly is an absolute joy to work with. Her work is beautiful … her eye for detail – lovely … her passion for photography - engaging … her enthusiasm – contagious … and her love of cake… well, that’s just priceless.

Frequently Asked Questions for Photography
What primary photographic style do you identify with?
Contemporary, Photojournalism
 
What do your packages include?
Albums, Custom Graphic Design, Digital Files, Flush Mount, High Resolution Images
 
Do you have liability insurance?
No
 
Do you offer special techniques such as hand-coloring or toning?
I retouch any image that the couple requests, that includes puffy eyes, blemishes, and or in-laws.
 
Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?
My experience covers all lighting situations. However my favorite lighting is anything that makes the couple look more in love.
 
Is your media preference film or digital?
I shoot entirely digital.
 
How many photographers do you work with?
My staff includes several talented photographers, each with their own talents and specialties, including fashion, sports, commercial, editorial and design. I choose the assistant according to the preference of the couple.
 
Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?
I do. :)
 
Do you sometimes book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?
My schedule verifies on demand. I have yet to shoot two weddings in one day. But I do shoot two in a weekend. I give each wedding 100% and I feel like I gain creativity with each and every wedding.
 
Do you have a replacement photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
It will never happen. I will show up, and there is no replacement for me.
 
What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?
I bring it all including the kitchen sink. I have three cameras, multiple lenses, and a lot of fun.
 
Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
Yes. I never want to worry about missing a moment because my camera wants to take a vacation.
 
Do you charge hourly or full day?
I charge custom, depending on the couple. On the most part it is 6 or 8 hours of coverage. All the images from the day are included and there is no charge of negatives.
 
Are you available to shoot extra hours? If yes, how much do you charge for extra hours?
It is $350 for each hour. This really rarely happens because each package is custom to the couple. The day and time line is laid out and overtime is just insurance.
 
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
No breaks for me, I shoot constantly.
 
Do you charge for travel?
Not typically, but if it further than 100 miles, I usually ask for gas money.
 
How soon after the event are the proofs ready for viewing?
I like to get images ready after the couple comes back from the honeymoon. Give me about 10 days to send out the DVD.
 
In what format are the initial proofs offered?
I provide a preview on my website in the Gallery for the couple to share with the friends and family.
 
How long can the client keep the proofs?
As long as they stayed married. So FOREVER.
 
Do you retain the copyright for the photos?
I retain artist rights, and I release copyrights to the couple. They can print and reproduce images as they wish. I use the images for promotional, website and advertising purposes only. If a couple requests not to participate, I respect their privacy.
 
Do you reserve the right to publish the photos?
Yes.
 
Do you provide the digital files and/or negatives (or copies of the negatives) to the client?
I provide the couple with all the images taken on their day.
 
Will images be available for viewing online?
Images will be online at http://www.cakesandkisses.com within the week of the wedding.
 
What kind of albums do you offer?
I offer reallllly nice albums, or crappy prints books. It depends on the budget of the couple.
 
When will the client get the final album?
If a couple orders a book, it will depend on how quickly they return the proofs and let me know what images they would like to use. After that date it is a month.

Additional Questions and Answers