- How should I choose a photographer?
- What makes you different from other wedding photographers?
- What is your rate for wedding photography?
- Why are good photographers so expensive?
- Where are you located and do you charge for travel?
- Do you photograph “formal groups”? Should I prepare a list of “must have” photographs?
- Do you use film or do you shoot digitally?
- Do you offer albums?
- What are your reprint prices?
- How do I order prints?
- What if I get a print I don’t like?
- Do we get to keep the negatives?
- How far in advance are you booked?
- How do I book you? How much is extra time if I need it?
- Do you photograph other events?
- How should I dress for a portrait?
- Should I get professional make up done?
How should I choose a photographer?
Assuming you like the photographer’s style and you believe the photographer has the necessary photographic skills, I believe you should choose a photographer with whom you have instant rapport. Go with your gut “love at first sight” feeling. You will need to work very closely with your photographer and you will get better photographs if you like him/her. Concentrate on your emotional response to the photographer and to the body of work. Don’t concentrate on price. You’ve only got one day to photograph your wedding. Not everybody with a camera is a photographer. Good photographs become “triggers” for memories.
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What makes you different from other wedding photographers?
I would refer you to my philosophy statement. I am a trained artist with an M.F.A. in Photography. Additionally, I have an undergraduate degree in photography and I have been photographing weddings in Austin for over twenty years. Few, if any, photographers have these credentials.
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What is your rate for wedding photography?
I have four wedding packages which all include eight or more hours of coverage. However, I am available for special quotations if you find that none of the offerings fulfill your needs.
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Why are good photographers so expensive?
Good question! Besides the “deliverables” and supply and demand you are paying for the four “Es” -- Expertise, Experience, Education and Equipment. Most people don’t realize how much work goes into wedding photography after the fact. To ensure the quality of the final product, the photographs require color correction, editing, and density correction. Have you ever heard of someone getting bad photographs from their wedding or having “lab mistakes”? An experienced, detailed and carefully adhered to workflow can prevent “lab mistakes” and lost images from happening.
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Where are you located and do you charge for travel?
I am located in Austin, Texas. I work by appointment only. I cover the “ Central Texas” region without any additional travel charge. That area extends north to Waco and south to San Antonio. I have photographed weddings in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Colorado and California. Travel charges are minimum but will include a decent hotel and airfare, if necessary, for my assistant and me.
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Do you photograph “formal groups”? Should I prepare a list of “must have” photographs?
Yes, I do formal group shots. I strongly believe you should have some. However, I urge you to do as many of these as possible before your ceremony. I allow up to eight hours in all of my packages so there’s plenty of time. Even if you don’t want to see each other before your ceremony, we can shoot the groom’s groups first and then do the bride’s groups. Immediately after the ceremony we can marry up the remaining groups. This way you will have more time for your celebration/reception. I will provide you with a “groups and grins” list for your use. If you have any ideas or special requests, please let my assistant or me know.
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Do you use film or do you shoot digitally?
Yes, I use both. For formal groups, I use Hasselblad medium format and shoot Kodak Portra film. Medium format film still has a higher resolving power than most digital cameras. However, for your candid photographs I use Canon D1s and D1 because I almost never have to reload and I have never sold a “candid” photograph larger than 11x14. My high end Canon DSLRs can make that size and larger without compromising image quality. I would be happy to show you samples. Yes, I carry two Hasselblad cameras, two Canon DSLRs, two or three flashes, dozens of extra batteries, extra lenses, extra light meters and extra cords.
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Do you offer albums?
Yes. Three of my packages come with custom hand made full top grain leather albums. I also offer duplicate parent albums. I would be happy to show you samples of these top-of-the-line leather albums manufactured by Leathercraftsman.
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What are your reprint prices?
Reprints are available. I keep an archive of your images indefinitely. Immediately after your wedding I make two copies of your digital image files, one master on DVD and the other on my computer. You may order at any time in the future. I would be happy to quote on larger sizes. Special finishes such as canvas or brush stroke are also available for additional charge.
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How do I order prints?
You can email, call or fax me the image number and the sizes you want. I accept Master Card, Visa and personal checks. There is also an online viewing system for sixty days after your wedding from which you can order and pay with your credit card on a secure server. If you order by email I don’t recommend that you send credit card information via email. Please call or fax me that information. For credit cards I will need your name as it appears on your card, the type of card, your address where you receive bills and the card’s expiration date.
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What if I get a print I don’t like?
I monitor all prints for image quality. However, all prints are sold one hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed. If you receive a print you don’t like, you may exchange it or get a refund by simply returning it.
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Do we get to keep the negatives?
The best way for you to “own your negatives” is to have high-resolution image files. Film is fragile. Additionally, film storage is difficult and cumbersome. With each package you receive a compact disk with your choice of fifty individually color and density corrected image files. Additional files may be purchased for $10 each.
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How far in advance are you booked?
Tough question. Some times a year or more, however there are seasons, which are busier than others. Spring and fall are usually booked eight months or so in advance. However, regardless of the season, I have some dates available up to the last minute. Inquire about your date.
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How do I book you? How much is extra time if I need it?
Once you’ve made your decision to hire me, you can download a PDF from my web site of the wedding agreement that you desire. Please let me know that you are doing this and I will hold your date for ten days pending arrival of your deposit and agreement. Your deposit buys your date. It is not refundable for any reason. I only photograph one wedding per day. I will not leave your wedding until I get every picture you want. I will stay as long as you want but there will be extra charges. I charge $175 per hour beyond the allotted package time. Please refer to the agreement for the deposit required with each package. If you book during your initial consultation you may deduct $150 from the package of your choice.
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Do you photograph other events?
Yes, but normally not on Saturdays. There is a minimum of two hours for a fee of $350. You will receive a CD with low-resolution images and online viewing. You may purchase 4x6 prints at $1 each but you must agree to purchase all of the images and must tell me before your event. I will cull duplicates, over exposures, under exposures and closed eyes before ordering.
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How should I dress for a portrait?
Avoid patterns and choose solid colors. If it’s a family or couple, try to coordinate informal or formal but not necessarily matching outfits.
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Should I get professional make up done?
Personally , I think it’s a good idea. A professional makeup artist can accentuate your best features. However, it’s not necessary.
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