FAQs
- How long have you been photographing weddings?
- Do you shoot formals? Can we give you a list?
- When do you shoot the formal portraits, before or after the ceremony?
- How long does it take to get the photos after the wedding?
- How do I make reprints?
- Do you assemble albums?
- Do you travel?
- When is the final payment due?
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I have been photographing weddings in the NW for the past 12 years. I am nearing my 500th wedding.
Do you shoot formals? Can we give you a list?
Yes. Although I am a photojournalistic wedding photographer, meaning I focus on candid, un-posed moments, I understand the importance of an arranged time for “formals” before the wedding.
For the bride and groom session, usually lasting 1 hour max, I like to concentrate on a relaxed, un-posed style of portraiture in a natural settings. My hope is that the portraits look as though one has stumbled upon a private moment between the couple and not as if they are in the middle of an intense portrait session. For this reason, couples have described their portrait experience as fun, relaxing, and great time spent together.
For the family and wedding party session, usually 30-40 minutes, I like to have a simple, short list provided by the couple of all the desired groupings. You know best which photos are most important to you and your family! The session consists of a simple gathering together of friends and family with minimal posing. I often ask people to ignore the camera, interact in some way, and just generally be themselves- no need to have everyone lined up uncomfortably and looking bored.
When do you shoot the formal portraits, before or after the ceremony?After many years of accommodating requests for portraits after the ceremony, I have learned that it simply does not work well with the style of photography that I provide in nearly all situations. I prefer to shoot all the portraits during a set time prior to the ceremony. Need more explanation? Keep reading:
First of all, the portraits take time. Most people do not want to be away from their guests and reception for up to an hour and a half. After all, they did all come to see you!
Second, it is very difficult to get people organized after the ceremony. Why? Because it is time to relax, say hi to all the guests, eat andrejoice with loved ones. Very few people want to witness or be part of a beautiful ceremony and then spend an hour in front of the camera. The 30 minutes set aside for family portraits quickly turns into a hectic 40-50-60 minutes as missing family members are recovered from greeting guests, taking flowers to the reception or grabbing a snack from the hors d'oeuvres table.
Third, seeing each other before the wedding does not have to mean that you have lost the dramatic, beautiful moment when you see each other coming down the aisle. There is something powerful about the “aisle-moment” whether you have seen each other or not. Seeing my husband before our ceremony did not stop me from crying my way down the aisle! The truth is that many of my clients have said that the time seeing each other for portraits prior to the ceremony was one of their favorite parts of the whole day. It helped them to relax and gave them a chance to respond to each other without the stares of 150 guests and without the bustle of a reception.
And last, the final outcome and quality of my photography is better when I have the time I need to do what I have been hired to do. I don’t want to feel like I am preventing you from going to your own party, holding you hostage while I photograph you for what seems like an endless amount of time. Having a set time before the ceremony that is entirely devoted to portraits gets things done efficiently,provides the time I need to do creative work and allows for low stress, fun experience for the couple. After shooting nearly 500 weddings, you get a good sense of these things!
How long does it take to get the photos after the wedding?
During the quiet season (November-March) turnaround is around 3-4 weeks. During the busy season (April-October) proofs, proofs catalogs and on-line galleries are usually ready within 4-6 weeks.
How do I make reprints?
If you have chosen to purchase a proof DVD, you can make reprints at any professional lab. You can also make proof reprints through your on-line gallery. Proof images are edited for contrast, color corrections, and black and white conversions at the discretion of the photographer.
You will also have the option of ordering custom reprints through you online gallery. Custom images employ a variety of techniques to attain my idea of the very best image. Realiztic re-touches, eliminating distracting backgrounds, color enhancing, and fine art touches are steps that may be taken to achieve this signature look.
Do you assemble albums?
I have several album styles available for purchase that can be assembled by the client. There are also several flushmount album styles available from mini albums to leather photobooks. See the album section of my website for details.
There is also the option of a flush mount board book style album designed by a local letterpress company-- a completely unique and customized book designed through a collaboration of the client, photographer and bookmaker.
Do you travel?
Yes. During the off-season and at times during the busy season I am available for travel most anywhere. Destination weddings are welcome. Please contact me for rates and special travel considerations.
When is the final payment due?
After you pay the deposit to secure your date, the balance is due at the time of the photo pick-up, 2-5 weeks after the wedding.
