What is your shooting style?

My wedding shooting style is actually a combination of glamour and photojournalism.  The glamour mode kicks in for the special couple time; the photojournalism for the rest of the time.  I love both for vastly different reasons.  The glamour part (and I love glamour shooting as it's a big part of my photography) is really about creating the storybook shots, the art, the beauty, the princess and her prince, and all of that.  The photojournalism part is about recording the events and emotions of the day and not being intrusive.

Glamour shooting is where we have some fun together and make some magical pictures.  If we can, we'll sneak off, just the two of you, to a great location to start taking some great pictures to tell your story.  We'll do a little bit of posing, making the best of the light and scenery, and create images that are both natural, yet stunningly gorgeous.  We'll make the bride and groom feel like models; it'll be a lot of fun!

The photojournalism is where I have to react and anticipate the moments, moving around for the best possible shot.  For the most part, I work as a passive observer, not getting involved, not moving people around, and just letting the events flow as they do.  Most of the day is photojournalism-based: getting ready, the ceremony, reception, etc.  This isn't the place for posed shots: I'll capture people enjoying themselves, laughing, crying with joy.  The photography here is just as tough, maybe tougher in some senses than the glamour shooting: there's no asking someone to recreate a missed moment.

And a little about me: I'm pretty laid back and I've been told I have a really good bedside manner.  People have told me they have a lot of fun shooting with me.  The best thing you can do is relax, so I will try to be relaxed myself, a little goofy perhaps to coax out a smile or unguarded moment or two, but I'm always on, 100%, for you.  I'll pretty much only relax when the day's done.  Or maybe during dinner, since few people look good while stuffing their faces!

How does your pricing work?

Wedding photography has changed with the advent of digital cameras and inexpensive printing.  The model of charging lower prices for the coverage that are compensated for by elevated prices for 8x10s and 5x7s is increasingly coming under pressure.  Recognizing this, and respecting your need for choice, I provide coverage that is essentially time-based, with the digital images as the deliverables on DVD.  The images are after all the most important part of the coverage and their artistic quality should be what you're paying me for.  You shouldn't have to be locked into fancy packages that include things you don't want or too few of the things you really want.

You are free to use these images to create your own photobooks, mouse pads, blankets, mugs, prints, and so on.  Of course, I'd be happy to provide you with these items as well, but in all honesty, you're probably better off ordering these smaller items yourself.  When it comes to larger-sized prints, I would recommend checking with me, as they benefit from a little tweaking to get the best out of them, or you might want a little retouching done.  Albums, too, require a substantial amount of time to design, proof, revise, and order, so they are priced accordingly.

I'm flexible, so let's talk over coffee and figure out what works for your budget.

Do you take lists of shots?

Weddings are one of the rare times that familes get reunited, so I am happy to make sure some organized group shots are included in the coverage.  I only ask a few sensible things: first, that such lists are organized ahead of time and presented to me; second, that someone be able to help coordinate and wrangle the various family members together so that we don't spend valuable time looking for someone and also to make sure all the people in the shot are actually present; and lastly, for you to consider making sure this list of shots isn't too large (say a dozen or so) that it takes time away from the rest of the wedding festivities.  I intend to make these fairly informal and casual, not rigid.

Do you use a second shooter?

In order to provide consistency in the images, I normally work alone as the primary shooter, but occasionally with an assistant, when available, that helps with lighting and a minimal amount of extra coverage.  If a second shooter is absolutely required, that can be accommodated with an extra charge.

Do I get to keep the images?  What can I do with them?  How many do I get?

High resolution JPEG images will be provided to you as part of the coverage.  These images will be colour-corrected images ready for printing at any quality photofinisher.  Note that I may do some minor cropping or rotating to remove distracting elements or straighten out lines as needed, but the important thing is that I won't shrink down the image sizes.

You will get full usage rights to the images for your own personal use so you can email them, post them on Facebook, make photobooks, collages, draw funny moustaches on peoples' faces, print, and generally enjoy them as much as you want.

Just to be upfront about it, I do ask to retain the copyright to the images -- this is standard photographer practice, just the same as with any artist who values his or her work and how it gets presented to the world.  Now, the question of copyright usually comes up because people are concerned, and rightfully so, about not being able to do what they want with the images without having to go back to the photograper.  So their core concern is not strictly about copyright, but rather the image usage terms, to put a finer legal spin on it.  I'll say it again -- you will get the full usage rights to the images so you won't ever have to come back to me (though you're always welcome to!).

Typically, you'll get around 500 images or more, depending on the duration of coverage, number of guests, the number of different events and venues.  Do keep in mind, it's not always the number of images, but the quality of the images.  I also take duplicates of each pose just in case someone was blinking, so some of these might get taken out of what I give you so you don't have to figure out which of the 3 or 4 images that look virtually identical are the best -- I'll do that for you!  I try to provide you with as many images as possible, really removing the ones that really didn't turn out (test shots, really out of focus, the back of people's heads, etc.).  I also do a base level of processing (colour correct, add a little pop and contrast) on all the images I give you that should be more than sufficient for great results, and I devote more time on the really great ones to make them shine.

When do I get my images?

Depending on the number of pictures actually taken, which can number in the several hundreds or even thousands, we try to have the images uploaded to our proofing site in about 4-6 weeks, corrected images in about 6-9 weeks.  Shorter sessions such as portraits may take only a week or so.

Do you offer albums?

Yes, album design is part of my services.  There are two choices: the traditional matted book where the photos are printed on photo paper and inserted into the mats on each page; the printed book, much like a coffee table book or photobook, where the images are printed directly onto the paper.  I am currently finalizing my list of album suppliers, but most suppliers tend to offer generally similar options for cover materials, number of pages, and so on.

You get to select the images that you put in the album.  Alternatively, you can let me design the album.  Either way, you'll get to preview the draft version and have the ability to make changes before the album is sent to print.

What kind of equipment do you use?

While equipment is usually secondary to the photographer's skill, my equipment allows me to use available light instead of resorting to flash and is therefore an important part of my visual style and non-intrusive approach.  I use Nikon professional digital SLR equipment, including the top-of-the-line D3 and D700 bodies, and professional high-speed zoom and prime lenses and flash.  On-location lighting is done with battery-operated (no extension cord or generators needed) Hensel portable studio lighting equipment and lighting modifiers.  I bring extra photographic equipment as a backup and all images are safely backed up on multiple disks and optical backups after the event.

What about other people taking pictures?

I have no problems with other people taking pictures at your wedding.  And this doesn't matter during the photojournalistic parts of the coverage anyway -- they're part of the event!  Do keep in mind a few things -- sometimes they can get in the way of shots, so a little courtesy would be great.  Also, for any posed shots like the group family shots, it would be great if the crowd stayed back a bit until each picture is done.  That way, nobody is unsure about whose camera to look at and you don't have the people in the picture looking in all different directions.

What I do ask is for other people not be present for the glamour or posed parts of the coverage, like the special couple shoot time -- you might feel a little awkward or inhibited doing some lovely romantic things if your parents or other people are present.