We Are Here To Serve

Your wedding day is  …. your day.  We are here to serve.  There are also other unsung heroes,  all working hard to make a difference on your wedding day, the wedding planner, the caterers, the stylists, and others.  Remember that years from now, you won’t taste the food, wear the dress, or smell the flowers; you will still be able to enjoy your wedding photos.

Style

Many photographers advertise that they shoot  in a “photojournalistic style” as well as offering traditional poses.  The reality is that most photographers strive for a mix of styles.  It is what most people request. It is what makes sense.  Many advertise high quality or “telling your story” in pictures. Again, what reasonable photographer doesn’t attempt to do that?  So how are you to know if any photographer is “right” for you?  Ask to see an entire wedding.  Any photographer is eager to show you  their best images.  Ask yourself: ” Do I think the images look good because the venue is elegant and the bride is beautiful, or is it because the composition or lighting is well done? ”   The best photographer for you is the one who can consistently capture the moment, deliver good images in less than ideal conditions, with less than perfect people, and stay within your means.

Trade-offs

We try to deliver more than you request. This is often not easy, since on your wedding day there is so much to  do and so little time to do it.  We work from your list of desired poses/shots. This keeps the photo session moving and gets you back to your guests. Whether you want to hear this or not, your whole day will be one big trade-off after another. Leave early or leave late, more time with guests or private time, posed photos before ceremony or after, impatient guests waiting or take fewer pictures, all are trade-offs.  As much as either of us would like to take just one more great shot, sometimes it is more important to just go and hug grandma. When you want to get back to your guests, we will switch back to 100% candids, get some additional great shots, and get in the “photojournalistic groove”.   It’s your day.

We will allow all your friends and family to take photos also.  We want them to enjoy your day.  We have been to weddings in which the photographer doesn’t allow others to shoot.  That’s not our style.   We realize you might have a friend or family member who wants to take pictures at your wedding.   Your friend can take many candid shots, especially as guests arrive and during the reception.  These will add to your memories of the day, while still making sure your official shots are of the highest quality. Making time for others to take photos during formal posing will lengthen the time, contribute to photo fatigue, and delay your enjoyment of the time with your guests.

Digital Negatives

When we first started shooting digital, most photographers resisted giving out the digital negatives with a signed limited photo release. With today’s interest in websites, newsletters, and slide shows, having access to reproducible image files makes sense, and is becoming increasingly necessary. We provide high resolution digital negatives with a signed limited photo release as a part of even our entry level photo sessions.  This means that you can print them or use them in electronic form for your own use, but you cannot sell the rights or take credit for them.  We retain the all rights to images and can also use them for promotional or educational purposes.  An added benefit is that a copy of the digital negatives can be stored at a second location.  If only prints and albums are available, your investment is at risk in case of an unfortunate loss.