FAQ
Got questions? I’ve included common questions and answers listed below to help you out.
How long have you been into photography? Shooting digital?
I’ve been loving photography since 1995 and shooting digital since 2002. I have never looked back.
Why do you prefer digital photography?
Professional photo prints from our prepared digital files are very pleasing to the eye and in most cases noticeably sharper than 35mm negatives. Professional digital photo files are a starting point for an amazing array of enhancement and re-touching options. Digital photo files are also very portable and can be easily emailed and posted on the web.
Are you part of any professional organizations?
You bet! I am an active members in the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) based on my experience, talent, integrity, professionalism, and peer references and am proud to be part of the Best of Wedding Photography and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). I also love being a member of Fearless Photographers.
How would you describe your shooting style?
50% candid/observational and 50% creative portraits. Your parents would probably like a percentage of more traditional posed photographs, just like the photos in their album. I feel those are very important, too. That adds a nice balance to your wedding collection.
What advice would you give a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer?
Hire a photographer first, and their work second. Before you resonate with their work, you have to like them as a person and like the way they make you feel. If you don’t get along with your photographer, or your photographer doesn’t get along with family, disaster may happen. Look for versatility in their work, especially their ability to make ordinary locations extraordinary through their use of light, composition, and way they bring out your emotion. Ask for testimonials, and don’t be afraid to ask to see several completed albums or even proof work. Anyone can post a few great images, but good work on a consistent basis is a true sign of a professional wedding photographer.
What is wedding photojournalism? Do you practice it?
Simply put, it’s the art of storytelling with 100% candid photography where nobody looks directly at the camera, ever. To practice pure wedding photojournalism puts the photographer at odds with those who desire more traditional images. To accommodate varying tastes, I mix the photojournalism/candid style, artistic flair, fresh details, along with the more conventional shots of subjects actually smiling for the camera. A mix makes everyone happy and makes your wedding day unique.
How has your extensive experience in wedding photography helped you in difficult circumstances on a wedding day?
I wear many hats on the wedding day and enjoy shooting a variety of emotion, portraits, landscapes, and details all within the confines of a single day. Despite bad weather, stressful family situations, or anything else that could go wrong on the wedding day, being surrounded by awesome people in love puts everything into perspective, creates this white hot flame of focus, and gives me even more courage to create. Being a versatile photographer is among the most important components of success of this industry, especially when there is pressure to create something out of nothing with little time and resources.
Tell us about some of the more unique weddings you’ve shot.
Some of my favorite weddings have been held in parents’ backyards (Think: “Father of the Bride”). Emotionally, there’s a sentiment of place that is important to the bride and groom, an intimacy filled with warmth and humanity in being in a familiar place. Practically, this puts people at ease. Generally, there are less time constraints and a larger budget for photography. With the current state of the economy, there is a movement of people getting married into sentimentally-important places like a backyard or mountain top and choosing to spend their money on quality vendors.
What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?
Bride and groom together time. That’s when magic happens and emotions connect in a real sense.
What kinds of weddings do you love to photograph?
Quirky and intimate weddings that showcase the personality of the bride AND groom.
What are your top tips for brides to help them get great photos on their wedding day?
Consider a first look. Be yourself. Don’t forget to eat your cake. Don’t be afraid to delegate. Face the crowd during the ceremony. Know there are rules and rules to be broken in wedding tradition, just know the difference. Avoid the receiving line. Don’t experiment with makeup. Be comfy. Finally, plan alone time. To learn more, check out our tips for best wedding photography.
Specifically, what do you do to ensure a wedding will go smoothly?
I make sure I have all of the information on our “info overload” sheet with is 20+ questions completed at least two weeks prior to the wedding, with details such as addresses, times, names, and situations I should be aware of. I also have several signature lighting techniques that do not rely on available light that I can pull out anyplace, anytime, with a guaranteed awesome image.
How important is it to hire an experienced wedding photographer?
Like anything else, you get what you pay for. Lesser experienced photographers often don’t understand the importance of good business practices, duplicate back-up camera gear, off-site data storage, good insurance, and bullet-proof contracts. Without these things in place, it’s not if something will go wrong, but when.
What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting weddings?
I enjoy running in the mountains, snowboarding after a fresh dump, and eating homemade food.
Do you offer albums? If so, describe the albums you offer and why you think it’s important to provide albums.
You bet. I’ve used Graphistudio albums since day one. Albums are an important part of remembering the wedding day that will still be cherished in 50 years.
What do you use for inspiration?
Since I primarily shoot on location, the connection I have with clients and that shared experience is the most important for inspiration. Second to that, a sense of place remains paramount. Place has the power to shape people, depending if you are on a sitting on a beach or the floor of a parking garage or standing in the middle of a busy street or on top of a mountain. There are so many dynamic natural elements like temperature, wind, light, color, and vegetation that offer limitless sources of inspiration. Studio lighting techniques used in cinema or magazines gets me thinking on a whole other level.
Have you found any products, services, or seminars that have made a difference to your photography or your business?
Outsourcing some of my business tasks remains an important part of my business, so I can stay focused on doing what I do best. I love to do business with friends. I have a great web programmer, a graphic designer, a marketing guru, and an accountant that all do a terrific job. I have partnered with Pictage to streamline our print fulfillment.
Do you shoot in color or black and white?
I digitally photograph your wedding in color. At the computer, the images can be converted to black and white, with an astounding degree of control.
How much input can we have? Can we give you a shot list?
At any time during your day, don’t hesitate to order up instant shots. I work for you. But you are also hiring me to be an artist. In order to creatively document the union of your two families, it helps us to have a good idea of what you want. If you look at my work, you’ll see there is a consistency that you can expect to have in your wedding. During meetings, email, and phone conversations I’ll ask a lot of questions and take notes. Come wedding day, I’ll have a better understanding of your family story and a have a platform on which to begin the day’s photo coverage. Creative photography ideas will present themselves based on the information you give.
Do you place a limit on the number of photos you take?
No. I arrive at your wedding with enough memory to capture thousands of images. You can anticipate seeing between 60 and 120 images per coverage hour contracted.(For instance, four hours coverage equals between 240 and 480 images.) But there’s no limit.
How long do you need for ‘family history’ photos?
For group/family photos, I prefer to spend no more than 25 minutes – usually between the ceremony and reception. Everything is flexible and schedules are easily changed at your will. I try to take the largest group photos first, especially those with young children and grandparents. Limiting group photo sessions to eight separate groupings eliminates fatigue.
Do you allow other cameras at the wedding?
Absolutely, it’s your wedding. I just want ensure all eyes are on my camera lens during formals.
When do we receive our photos?
Your photos will be online within three weeks after your wedding. Full-resolution negative discs will be delivered on your one year anniversary or earlier if your packages comes with an album.
What digital format do you deliver the wedding images?
I give you all full-resolution jpeg images, which are optimal for printing. Images are delivered on quality DVD discs. Our web-format gallery provides you with low-resolution images, ideal for a fast and easy-to-use index of all your wedding images, complete with file numbers for reference and click-to-enlarge feature. Any web browser can view this gallery.
Where do you suggest we print our wedding photos?
Almost all mainstream photo labs are equipped to handle digital images from computer disc. Costco, Wal-mart, Target, and even grocery stores all have kiosks that allow you to preview images, make minor adjustments, then print. If you demand higher quality, our online printing service can get the most out of your images. The large files I provide you will yield excellent 16×20 prints. Files for jumbo prints require specific computer re-sizing. Please inquire.
What kind of cameras to you use?
I like my Nikon cameras. Good light and lens quality matters more than megapixels, but rest assured your images will be at least 12 megapixels in size. Learn more our tools in my gear section.
Will our final images be watermarked or branded in any way?
No.
Do you bring back-up equipment?
Absolutely. Full back-up gear is a reach away in the rare case of equipment failure.
Can you photograph in a large variety of lighting situations?
Yes. I bring fast, light-grabbing lenses and high-sensitivity cameras in case of marginal lighting conditions. I also carry on-camera flash and portable off-camera studio-style lights when the situation demands.
What is needed to reserve our wedding date?
A signed agreement and 50% retainer. Dates are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
Do you book more than one wedding per day?
That’s a cardinal sin. I never double-book weddings, which is a recipe for disaster.
How do we proceed?
Contact me with the date and location of your wedding, and I’ll walk you through the simple process. I can discuss the ideal coverage to suit your needs. I encourage clients to review my wedding contract.
How far in advance do you book weddings?
Couples book several weeks to over a year in advance. Once a signed contract and deposit has been received I will give you my undivided attention on your wedding day.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to call (303) 474-0983 or contact me online.
