Booking, Services & Pricing
Straightforward answers from James x Schulze — so you can decide quickly whether to reach out and know exactly what to expect when you do.
How to book a consultation
Booking starts with a conversation, not a form. We don't use automated scheduling for initial consultations because the point of that first call is to understand your wedding — who you are, what the day means to you, and whether we're the right fit.
Send an inquiry
Use the contact form or email directly. Tell us your date, your venue if you have one, and whatever else feels relevant. We respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.
Initial consultation call
30–45 minutes with James and/or Otto. We hear about your wedding; you hear about how we work. No pressure. If it's a fit, we'll say so. If it isn't, we'll say that too.
Proposal and agreement
A custom proposal based on your wedding's scope and complexity. Once agreed, a retainer holds your date exclusively.
Pre-wedding planning call
A few weeks before the wedding, we connect to go over the timeline, key relationships, and anything we should know. This is where we stop being vendors and start being people who understand your day.
What we offer
James x Schulze provides full-day wedding photography coverage. Both James Christianson and Otto Schulze are active lead photographers — when you book James x Schulze, you are engaging two veteran photographers working in tandem, not a studio with rotating associates.
Typically 8–12 hours, from getting-ready through the end of the reception. Two lead photographers working simultaneously — two experienced eyes, two creative perspectives, complete coverage of moments that can't be captured from a single position.
A curated, complete gallery via private online gallery within 8–10 weeks. Full-resolution digital files with print rights included.
Available as an add-on and strongly recommended. The best way to work together before the wedding day — and for you to be completely at ease in front of the camera when it matters.
Custom-quoted based on location and scope. Travel across four continents documented. See the destination page for full detail.
Pricing
Exact pricing isn't published publicly because the right investment depends on your wedding's scope, location, and complexity.
James x Schulze is positioned at the upper end of the luxury wedding photography market. The investment reflects what you're actually getting: two lead photographers with twenty years each, a track record of editorial publication in Vogue and Brides, New York Times features, Harper's Bazaar recognition, and a studio that deliberately limits the number of weddings it accepts each year in order to be fully present for each one.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I reach out?
Because James x Schulze accepts a limited number of weddings each year, popular dates book 12–18 months in advance. If your wedding is within the next six months, reach out immediately.
Do both James Christianson and Otto Schulze photograph every wedding?
James x Schulze offers two founding-artist structures, depending on the scope of the wedding and the kind of coverage best suited to the event.
James x Schulze is our marquee offering — both founding artists photographing together to create a body of work that feels effortless, intentional, and deeply human. The result is a complete visual narrative that moves with the weekend and tells the story as it truly felt.
James x Schulze — Founding Artist pairs one founding artist with a second photographer, ensuring complete coverage with our signature depth of presence. With over twenty years’ experience each, both James and Otto bring calm direction, artistry, and an ability to make every moment feel natural.
Do you travel for destination weddings?
Yes. Travel is a central part of the practice. James and Otto have photographed weddings across four continents — Italy, France, Ireland, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and across the American West. Destination coverage is quoted individually.
Which planners do you work with regularly?
James x Schulze maintains sustained working relationships with a number of luxury and destination planners across the US and internationally, including Julian Leaver Events, Easton Events, Michelle Rago Destinations, Michel B Events, Heather Minor Events, and Gather Events, among others.
Do you work from a shot list?
We're happy to note key people and moments that matter to you. We don't work from rigid shot lists — our approach is built on reading and responding to the day as it unfolds. Knowing what's important to you helps us be in the right place at the right time, which is different from following a checklist.
What does the retainer cover?
The retainer holds your date exclusively and counts toward your total investment. It is non-refundable, as holding your date means declining other inquiries for the same weekend.
Ready to check your date?
The first step is a conversation. No commitment required.
Inquire about your date