Cyrill Maag

Cyrill Maag is a wedding photographer and videographer in eastern Switzerland, trading as Cyrill Maag Foto und Video (fotomaag GmbH) from Schwalbenstrasse 6 in Degersheim. His site is in German and is unusually transparent: an hourly price list, a detailed FAQ, delivery times and a long run of Google reviews. He writes that he currently photographs between 30 and 40 weddings a year.

Style

His opening line is about the challenge of being ready at the key moments and catching the best moments of a wedding from different perspectives. He favors natural, unposed wedding photos. In the FAQ he describes his look as natural with muted colors and "einem Hauch von Cyrill`s Special (Geheimrezept)", a touch of his own secret recipe, with black and white when the light suits it. The galleries on the site are labeled romantic, creative, classic, artistic, modern and fun, and he calls himself always on the hunt for the perfect candid shot.

How booking by the hour works

He offers no classic packages. Couples book the number of hours they want, with a minimum of 3, and put together what they need. Coverage can include the preparations, a couple shoot, the ceremony, the aperitif, group photos, performances, the cake cutting and the first dance, all fitted to the day's timetable. If the party runs long, he can be booked for extra time on the spot.

The price list:

• 3 hours CHF 1290, 4 hours CHF 1620, 5 hours CHF 1950, 6 hours CHF 2200, 7 hours CHF 2530, 8 hours CHF 2860, 9 hours CHF 3100, 10 hours CHF 3430, 11 hours CHF 3730, 12 hours CHF 4000, 13 hours CHF 4330 and 14 hours CHF 4660.
• Every reportage includes travel, editing, the digital photos and an online gallery. The FAQ confirms that travel within eastern Switzerland is included even when the day moves between several locations.

Extras

• Highlight film: CHF 1600 for a two-to-four-minute short film of the day's highlights set to music, priced in combination with a photo reportage.
• Wedding video: from CHF 2500 for a four-to-six-minute film of the best moments, set to the couple's vows, also in combination with photos.
• Wedding album: from CHF 950, printed on photo paper with a fine binding, for example 30x30cm with 60 lay-flat pages and embossed text.
• Couple shoot: from CHF 500 at a place of the couple's choice, for example for invitation photos.
• Extension: CHF 330 per hour.
• Second photographer: from CHF 250 per hour, which he recommends for separate preparations, large wedding parties and video.

Delivery

Several thousand pictures are taken per wedding, and he selects the best. Couples receive at least 50 edited images per booked hour, relatively more for shorter weddings, sent by link as a gallery to download. The gallery can be viewed on phone, tablet or computer and installed as an app; photos can be saved, sorted and shared. Delivery is contractually guaranteed within two months at the latest. In practice, he writes, it takes five to six weeks in high season (June to September) and three to five weeks outside it. The RAW files stay with him, because editing is a central part of his work.

Booking terms

He prefers bookings by phone or email. Wishes and ideas are discussed at the first conversation, by phone or at a personal meeting, and he says he likes to meet couples before the wedding to see whether the chemistry is right. A provisional reservation is possible for one to two weeks at most. There is a written contract that defines the important points for both sides, and a 30% advance payment of the total. A trial shoot together is possible, with terms discussed in person. On how early to book, his answer is the earlier the better.

He does not visit venues in advance. The FAQ says photo spots are roughly defined beforehand, but where exactly depends on the season, time of day, weather and light, and his experience lets him decide on the spot.

Two wedding stories

His gallery pages describe real weddings. In the Alpstein near Appenzell, the day began with a first look at the Hotel Bären in Gonten, followed by a couple shoot at several places in and around Appenzell. The couple married outdoors at the Ahorn chapel against a mountain backdrop, walked through a musical guard of honor to the Berggasthaus Ahorn next door for the aperitif, group photos and performances, and were then surprised with a helicopter flight over the Alpstein back to Gonten, where dinner was served at the Bären.

The Teufen story was an October day with autumn colors. It began with a couple shoot at the Wenigerweiher near St. Gallen, then moved to the Lindensaal in Teufen for an afternoon of Italian courses with breaks for group photos, games, the bouquet toss and a second couple shoot beside the hotel, ending with the cake, the first dance and gifts for the witnesses. Other gallery titles include weddings in St. Gallen, at Schloss Wartegg, at the Kartause Ittingen, and in Arbon and Schloss Hagenwil.

Reviews

The home page shows a Google rating widget based on 58 reviews. Couples praise his punctuality and discretion, his relaxed manner with guests, fast previews after the wedding, and his skill at loosening up group photos. One couple with a large guest list say he managed to photograph every guest naturally at least once.

What the site does not settle

The site is in German only and does not say whether he works in English. Travel outside eastern Switzerland is not priced, so a couple marrying elsewhere should ask for a quote that includes it. Trial shoot terms are not published, and the site does not describe cancellation rules, which is a point to check in the contract.

Who it suits

Cyrill Maag suits couples marrying in eastern Switzerland who want natural, candid photos, a clear hourly price and firm delivery dates, and who may want film from the same supplier. It suits less well couples marrying far outside the region, or those who need English-language service confirmed in advance.