What IS your style?

My style is very simple actually – I capture whatever I think is beautiful, unique, and interesting. I find it a little difficult to categorize my style of photography into a specific term, but I suppose you can say that it’s very journalistic in nature. I try to be hands-off and unobtrusive during the ceremony and reception, but my favorite time of the day is doing casually posed images of the bride and groom together. So I would definitely ask for an hour or more with both of you (if possible) sometime during the day without anyone else, where we just all hang out and get the most awesome bride and groom pictures ever.

I generally will not interrupt your guests at the reception for a pose, preferring instead to capture them smiling, laughing, and having a great time.

Oh, I also love capturing the details of your wedding day – your dress, your cake, your shoes, and every little detail, so you’ll get a lot of those as well.

OK, so you’re one of those ‘photo-journalistic’ photographers. Would you take posed family pictures at all?

Of course! It’s your wedding day, and it’s one of those rare times where your entire family are together. Actually, I would probably get in touch with you before the wedding to finalize the different groupings that you would like to have. However, please keep in mind that I’m doing the session in a very relaxed and swift manner, so please don’t ask me to do 75 different groupings ( you get the idea. ) Actually please keep it no more than 12 total, and it will ensure that everyone will get to enjoy h d’oeuvre on time.

Would you mind if I give you a list of 250-must-have shots?

Other than the family groupings mentioned above, please don’t. Having me working from a checklist is very much counterproductive to the work you’ve seen on my website. “must have shots” list that you get from bridal magazines are great an all, but generally I WILL capture those images anyway.

However, if there are some specific important shots that you would want to make sure I don’t miss, it’s a good idea to communicate these items with me before hand, and I’ll be more than happy to accommodate your requests.

where DO you live? you travel? right?

I live in Lancaster county, PA, but I’m willing to travel wherever in the US! Travelling within 75 miles is free (yes Baltimore & Annapolis brides, I travel there for free. =) ) Any further and there will be a small cost to cover my expenses.

If I have to travel by air, there will be an additional fee to cover the airfare, lodging, meals, and transportation. Everything will be included in the contract and I will not bill you any additional items afterwards. You don’t have to worry about making any travel arrangements as well, I’ll take care of everything.

Are you the only photographer? Do you have an assistant?

Unless specifically requested in the package, I am the sole photographer.

Do yo think I need a second photographer?

In most cases, you won’t. If you have a large wedding with complicated events where the bride and groom are separated for an extended amount of time, then I would definitely recommend including a second photographer in the package.

How long does it take before I get my images?

Your pictures will be posted online within 6 weeks of your wedding date. You will most likely get a blog post with my favorite pictures of the day as well. Upon your approval of album designs, most albums are ready for delivery within 12 weeks.

How many pictures will I get?

I don’t limit the number of shots I take. I shoot until I’m done. However the number of photographs taken obviously will depend on many things – the number of guests, hours of coverage, types of events. You will most definitely get at least 500 images, often much more.

Do I get to keep the negatives?

You will receive a DVD containing the high-resolution digital files of which you are free to do whatever you please. I do retain the copyright to the images and the right to use them for promotional purposes, competition, professional review, and so on. you will get a written release that will allow you to make unlimited personal reproductions and copies for your friends and families.

do you come to the rehearsal?

Rehearsal dinner coverage is available should you choose to have one. Otherwise I won’t be attending the rehearsal.

how does the album design process work?

If you choose the package with an album, you will have up to 6 months to select the images for your album. If you don’t select the images, I will make a ‘first draft’ design for you, after which you are allowed to make 3 rounds of changes before the layout is finalized. Once the images are finalized I will take about 3 weeks for the first draft, and each round of changes can take 1-2 weeks to complete.

what will my album look like?

I use KISS, one of the finest album makers in the whole universe! There are mainly 2 options, SOFT KISS or HARD KISS. HARD KISS is the premium album with thick pages, premium leather cover, and flush mounts. SOFT KISS is printed on the same paper as the HARD KISS but without the thick substrate between the pages for a lighter feel, and the cover is made of linen. Please inquire me for samples.

what is the online gallery?

The online gallery is a private, password protected section on my website where all of your wedding photographs will be placed online for you and your family and friends
to view.

Do you have insurance?

Yes.

What kind of equipment do you use?

Top of the line professional nikon equipment and backups.

How long have you been shooting weddings?

I’ve been shooting weddings since 2007.

Can you hold the date for me?

I’m sorry, but I can’t hold the date without a retainer and a signed contract. Bookings are on a first come/first served basis.

When is my payment due?

The retainer fee of $250 is due with the signed contract to reserve the date. The remaining amount is due 7 days before the wedding.

Can we pay you part of the amount after the wedding?

No, I’m sorry, but the remaining balance is due 7 days before the wedding.

If I have to cancel my wedding, can i have my retainer back?

The retainer fee guarantees that your wedding date is held exclusively. I will turn down all other requests for that date. Therefore, the retainer fee is non-refundable.

What if you, like, die?

If I die then I can pretty much guarantee that I will NOT be at your wedding! However you will then be supplied with coverage from my second shooter. I’m also networked with other photographers upon which could be called to find you a replacement photographer.

If we run overtime, will you stay?

Of course. I do have an overtime rate and it goes into effect only with your permission and approval that I continue coverage. I will then bill you for those hours after you return from your honeymoon.

Do we need to feed you at the reception?

It would be really lovely if you do. Obviously it doesn’t have to be the same as your sit-down meal ( caterers often offer ‘vendor meals’ as an add-on option,) but feeding me ensures that I stay mobile, alert, cheerful, energetic, and that I don’t faint from starvation. I prefer to be fed when YOU are also fed, because eating times are not the most photogenic moments of your day, and that when you are done eating, I’d like to be done as well to continue the coverage.

can our family and friends take pictures with their cameras? will that bother you?

Of course they can! I do request that they not swarm the family photographs right away because I prefer that all eyes are looking at me on my pictures, but they surely are free to snap away from the background. Please ask them not to push me around, tackle, bump, and throw me off balance and all will be well.

What do you think about video coverage? Do you mind if I hire a videographer?

I actually have a bit of a mixed feelings about this. I’ve worked with some great videographers (and I used to be one myself!, ) and I found video to be a great way to preserve your wedding day, but I often do find them distracting when they roam around the area and end up in half of my shots. The photojournalistic sense of the day can also easily be taken away by the presence of a large video camera crew with their lighting gig etc, so I would advise you to consider this issue first before you decide to hire one.