Wedding FAQs

Why hire a professional wedding photographer ?

This is a good question that is on the minds of many soon-to-be couples, and deserves an honest answer. There are several reasons why I would never recommend having a friend shoot your wedding:

1. It's your special day! Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime special day that is irreplaceable. You will never have this opportunity again to capture such precious memories.
2. Professional equipment! A qualified professional will use pro-grade equipment when shooting your wedding. When you see their cameras and equipment, you know they are professionals. Most amateurs do not have the lenses, flashes and equipment capable of providing you with the higher quality photos under many circumstances. It would take thousands of dollars to get the minimum setup that I use at each wedding, not considering backup equipment.
3. Experience and skill! A skilled photographer will have many weddings worth of experience, while a friend may only have one or two... or no experience with weddings at all. One of the things with wedding photography is that you must be prepared to adapt to almost anything, and I can tell you from experience, sometimes you are thrown odd ball circumstances that would literally cripple an amateur photographer and completely ruin your precious photos. He or she may take good pictures around the house, but what if they were put in a difficult lighting situation that would require skills and knowledge to work around? Would they be prepared to adapt and make the best out of the situation, or would they be caught in an unfortunate scenario that could ruin your photos?
4. Backup equipment! What would happen if your photographer tripped and his camera fell 4 feet down on a hardwood floor... completely destroying the camera, lens, flash and possibly the photos? Most amateurs do not have two high quality SLR cameras and an array of lenses to fall back on, should anything happen. A good professional photographer will always be equipped with a complete backup set of equipment
5. Quality photographs! Having experience, skill and the right equipment, a professional photographer is in a much better position to capture your memories with high quality photographs. Your precious memories can last a lifetime, so why settle for less than the best in preserving those memories?
6. Let your friend or family member socialize! While it is awfully nice of a friend to shoot your wedding, it will tie their hands from freely socializing at your event. They will be busy working, when your other friends and family will be enjoying the special day.
7. Who will do the post-processing? I'm not talking about developing or printing the photos, I'm talking about sitting down and going through each picture to make sure it is up to quality standards before sending them to print. This can take hours, especially if the photographer is inexperienced and is not used to turning out perfect pictures the first time. Will you do this? Will your friend do this? A professional photographer will naturally go through your photos before handing them over to you.
8. Procedures and regulations: I am amazed at how many people aren't aware of the common rules that are in place for a professional wedding photographer at many churches. For example, many times you will get in trouble with the priest or minister if you use a flash, come down the isle to get closer for ring shots, or even go along side the church to get various angles. A professional is aware of details of this nature and will help you ensure that everything goes smoothly.
9. Professional and discreet: A good wedding photographer will usually position himself in areas that are not highly noticeable and yet can capture great shots. There are times when even some photographers will literally make themselves the center of attention while trying to get in on the action. This is not professional nor curious. A photographer should be as unseen as possible, yet be capable of capturing great shots at the same time. This is one of my standard goals at any wedding!

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Having formal Wedding photos taken before your wedding
     ceremony ?

No one really knows the precise origin and importance of old wedding traditions, its popularity in the modern age has allowed these customs to flourish.  One of the most popular wedding custom is the superstition that if the groom sees the bride even before the wedding, bad luck will befall on the couple.  This was actually based on history and not just plain superstition.  During the times when arranged marriages were the norm, the couple to be wed was never allowed to see each other.  Marriages were like business deals between two families.  The practice of not seeing each other before the ceremony was supposedly derived hundreds of years ago while marriages were still arranged by the parents. The father of the bride was reportedly afraid the groom might flee if his fiancée wasn't to his liking. They postponed the "unveiling" until the actual ceremony.  But nowadays, you know each other. You know what the other one looks like. You know what to expect when you see each other at the ceremony. Things are different these days, and this gives you "permission" to let go of that old superstition, and get your photos over with before the wedding.

Taking the pictures before the wedding ceremony has several advantages:

• No guests waiting at the reception for extended periods for the couple to make their appearance.
• The photographer does not have to rush through the list of photos you requested.
• Make-up, hair, clothing and flowers are fresh and haven't been crushed or cried in yet.
• Less stress during the actual ceremony. The nervousness is greatly reduced.

If you if you decide to have your formal photos taken before the ceremony, we arrange a special "first seeing" where bride and groom see each other for the first time, alone in a special place. It will be a memorable moment for both of you.

There are many disadvantages to having part or all your wedding photos taken after the ceremony.

• The members of the wedding party are tired and achy from standing for a long time in unconformable shoes.
• After the ceremony members of the wedding party are off talking with friends and family members they have not seen in years. 
• Tracking members of the wedding party down and takes away precious time.
• Little ones that might be in the wedding party are tired and fussy by this time.
• The photographer is rushed to get the parents of the bride photos taken.  They need to be at the reception location hosting. 
• The photographer has to rush through the rest of the wedding party so guest at the reception do not have to wait long for the couple to make there appearance.  It has been a long day for everyone in the wedding party and they are tired and hungry they need to get to the reception so they can relax and get something to eat.

The decision to take the pictures before or after the ceremony is a difficult one. But whatever you decide, make sure that it is your decision, that it's the way you really want it, not the way your parents want it, or the way your photographer wants it. This is your special day, so arrange things the way that will make it most enjoyable for you.

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Disposable camera?

If you are thinking of using disposable cameras at your reception; it costs around $20.00 for Fujifilm Quick Snap 27 Exposure Single Use Wedding Camera Pack. You will pay about $15.00 for processing of each camera. When you have your pictures processed you might find only one or two usable pictures from each camera. At a reception, the adults want to relax, dance, and talk with friends. Often time’s children use cameras and take pictures that you do not want.

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Friend Photographing Wedding?

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime special day. You will never have this opportunity again to capture such precious memories. When you have a friend photograph your wedding they will miss special moments. They may be less interested in taking pictures and more motivated in participate in the fun. Working as a wedding photographer is very involved and much preparation goes into that special day. Your friend might have a nice SLR camera but do they know how to use it properly? A professional photographer knows the ins and outs of their camera and equipment. I have been had numerous clients tell me they had a friend or family member photograph their wedding and have been disappointed with the results.

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