What is your style of photography?
If you have been shopping around for a photographer, you’ve probably heard terms such as traditional, editorial, photojournalistic, documentary, etc. While these terms are informative, most photographers aren’t typically confined to one genre. Each photographer has their own eye, their own way of seeing the world that informs their personal style. In the end, I believe it is more important to love the style of photographs showcased by the photographer. If you do, and the photographer has a body of work that is consistent in style and quality, then you can probably rest assured that the photographer will deliver that style to your weddding, engagement, or portrait session. For me, I prefer to tell the story of your wedding or lifestyle portraits like a documentary photographer or photojournalist. I love to capture candid moments and let the emotional truth of the scene unfold naturally. However, I will occasionally give a little direction if it means being able to create a more beautiful image.
But what if I want formal shots too?
Although I’m primarily a wedding photojournalist, I completely understand the necessity to also shoot formals. If you have a long list for formals, I would recommend giving it to someone you trust who can organize everyone needed for the formals.
Do you shoot digital or film photography?
Although I shot film for years, I now only shoot digital because it enables me to be your wedding photojournalist and tell the story of your day with beautiful and meaningful candids.
Who will photograph our wedding?
I will. Plus, I’ll have at least 1 or 2 more photographers who will assist me in covering your wedding.
Do you have insurance?
Yes.
What kind of camera do you use? Do you have backup equipment?
I only use professional Nikon cameras and lenses. You can click here to see a full list of my gear. I always carry backup equipment in case a camera, lens and/or flash should fail.
Can you photograph in a large variety of lighting situations?
Absolutely. My experience coupled with my cameras, lenses and flashes enable me to recognize and adapt to many difficult lighting situations.
Do you book more than one wedding per day?
Never.
Do you shoot in color or black & white?
All images are captured in color, but in my digital darkroom, I’m able to convert any image to black & white, sepia, and everything in between.
How much input can we have?
I welcome whatever input you may have. We’ll have many opportunities to discuss your hopes for your wedding. Even during your wedding day, you can let me know if you have a specific idea and I will do my best to create it for you.
Can our family and friends take pictures with their cameras?
Absolutely. I only request that during formals, everyone waits until I’m done with each shot so that all eyes are on me. I don’t mind if anyone shoots from the background. During the bride and groom portraits, I generally prefer that family or friends do not come along for privacy purposes and because it can be too distracting for them. All of other times, I don’t mind people shooting away as long as they respect my presence and not get in the way of me doing my work.
How many photos can we expect?
While there’s no maximum or minimum limit, for an average 8 hour wedding, you’ll receive anywhere between 500-800 images.
When will our photos be ready?
On average, your photos will be online for proofing within 4-6 weeks after your wedding through a secure, password protected site.
We’re on a tight budget and are having a hard time figuring out how much to spend on our photography. There are so many photographers and a wide range of prices out there. Any advice?
With the proliferation of digital cameras, it is easier now more than ever to make the jump to professional photography. But a nice camera and lenses do not make a professional photographer. A photographer with talent and experience will know when to take a picture, how to compose it, which focal length to use, which aperture to set, etc. These are just the tools to help realize the photographer’s “vision”, but it can’t give a photographer “vision”.
Also, your photographer isn’t just someone who knows how to take pictures, but someone who knows how to run a photography business. There are 3 important factors in making your decision:
1) First, you should love the style and quality of the photographer’s body of work. The photographer should showcase an entire wedding so that you can see their coverage from beginning to end. Check out their website and if you see what you like, then arrange for a consultation.
2) Second, the photographer should be professional and passionate about their work and their business. At the consultation, evaluate how well you click with their personality. Your wedding day is going to be stressful as it is and you want the peace of mind that your photographer is going to be there for you.
3) Finally, the price. To quote, John Ruskin, a famous art critic, “It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.”
When your wedding is over, your photographs will be one of the first heirlooms of your new married life – photos that you can pass on to your children and your children’s children. If your wedding photography is important enough to you, but you can’t afford the photographer you want, then perhaps you can cut back on other items for your wedding that are not as important to you.
What type of products do you offer?
We offer professional prints from small 4×6′s to large 40×60 wall prints, gorgeous canvas gallery wraps in sizes 24×36 and above, albums, greeting cards and DVD Slideshows. Click here to see a simple visual guide to wall prints. We also offer full retouching services, many of which come standard with print and album orders.
What is the album design process?
Within 4 weeks after your wedding, I will do an initial album pre-design using my favorite images to best tell your wedding story. We’ll then do up to 3 revisions in which you can add, remove and/or replace any image or layout that you want. Additional revisions will then be charged at a standard rate per image or layout. Upon your final approval, the album will be sent to printing and binding.
What’s a digital negative? And what’s the difference between a proof and a creatively enhanced image?
A digital negative is equivalent to a film negative, also commonly referred to as RAW. Think of a digital negative as the foundation needed to enhance the image. From the negative, a proof image is created with changes to color temperature and exposure. This is typically enough to help you decide if you like the image enough to then have it creatively enhanced. This final process can turn an image from color into black & white, its highlights and shadows manipulated to give it a fuller richness. Touch ups to skin and blemishes can also be made and any other necessary enhancements to get the final desired effect.
Do you enhance every single image?
No, that’s how we can provide you with all of the digital negatives as a complimentary service with your package. In the film days, it would be like getting prints from every single negative when you really only want a few printed and framed. Images are only creatively enhanced and touched up when a professional print is ordered through the studio, selected for an album and/or other studio product.
If I don’t care to have an image enhanced, can I still get prints made from just the digital negative?
Absolutely. If you have the creative vision and the computer know how, all you need is software that can read the RAW file. You can then manipulate the image in any way you want and make prints in the comfort of your own home. And if you wish to get prints through a retailer, you can then save it to the appropriate format the lab may require – typically in the “jpg” format.
But we love your creative vision, so can we buy a fully processed and creatively enhanced image as a digital file?
Absolutely. I hope one of the main reasons you would want to hire me is because of my creative vision.
Will our images be watermarked?
Absolutely not. The only time you’ll see my brand/signature will be on canvas gallery prints ordered through my studio because of the customized care and handling of the image from the digital darkroom all the way through the final printing process.
Why should we hire you to photograph our wedding?
In addition to the beautiful images that I’ll create for you, you’ll receive excellent and professional service at exceptional rates. I take pride in my work and I understand the trust that you put in me to photograph your once-in-a-lifetime wedding.
Do you travel?
Yes, for a standard travel fee, I will travel to your wedding destination. I will handle all of my travel arrangements and you will never be billed for my expenses.
How far in advance should we book you? What must we do to reserve our date?
I recommend that you do so as soon as you lock in your wedding date because dates are reserved on a first come, first serve basis with a signed contract and a booking fee.
What is the payment schedule?
1/3 of the total is required upon signing of the contract to hold the date. 60 days before your wedding, 1/3 is due. The final 1/3 is then due 2 weeks before the wedding. If booking under 30 days before the wedding, full payment is required upon signing of the contract.
I have to cancel my wedding. Can I have my booking fee refunded?
Unfortunately, the booking fee and all monies paid are non-refundable. The booking fee guarantees that the date is exclusively yours and once you’ve signed the contract I do turn down all other requests for that date.
If we run overtime, will you stay?
Absolutely. I have an overtime rate that only goes into effect with your permission. I will bill you for those hours after you return from your honeymoon.
Do you offer discounts for off-season or non-Saturday weddings?
I occasionally offer discounts, depending upon the time of year, my travel schedule and availability. If you have budgetary concerns, please contact me and we can discuss options that can work for all of us.
How do we proceed?
I would honored to be your photographer. The first step is to contact me with your name and wedding date in the Contact Me page. We can then discuss the ideal coverage that meets your needs and budget.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!