FAQs {Frequently Asked Questions}

Describe the style of your wedding photography?
I look to bring a fresh, artistic approach to wedding photography. My photos emphasize candid images caught as they happen. I prefer relaxed and natural versus formals and always look for a memorable twist.

How about those paparazzi-like wedding photographers?
We've all seen that happen. My objective is to be invisible. Part of blending in involves gear, such as telephoto lenses to capture moments from a distance. Preplanning, including site surverys, is standard. I am experienced in handling last minute changes and look for unexpected opportunities as your wedding unfolds.

What gear and do you have and what about backups?
I shoot with multiple top quality Canon digital cameras and use Canon lenses exclusively. All digital files are backed up onto two ruggedized hard drives on-site.

What about tricky lighting?
To enhance lighting I may discretely incorporate up to 6 wireless remote-controlled strobe flash units, placed on stands or hung using brackets. There are times when an area needs to be lighted beyond on-camera flash. My preference is always natural light and discreet use of lighting.

Do you shoot digital and/or film, and in color and/or black and white?
I shoot digital, at high-resolution digital and in full-color. Black and white conversions are done by hand in post-processing. I have a unique film camera for special shots, ask me about that in person - it's classified.

Is post-processing or Photoshop included?
Yes, I only provide finished photography. Every image you receive will have been hand-tuned and adjusted, and is ready to print. I work on color calibrated Macintosh computers.

Will we receive the "digital negatives" and can we print our own pictures?
Yes, you receive the high resolution images on CD with full rights to print the images.

Are there travel charges?
Travel is included in the Greater Seattle area and parts of the Kitsap Peninsula (my studio is on Bainbridge Island). I'm happy to travel to your destination wedding and will negotiate reasonable terms.

Are you the photographer or do you send someone else?
I am your photographer. The business bears my name. I'm your person from the beginning to the end.

Do you work with an assistant or second photographer?
Yes, I work with an assistant. It's a requirement for the challenges of wedding photography. And, I can bring in a second photographer if your wedding is very large or you'd simply like the extra coverage. Please ask for details.

Do we receive all of the images you take?
You receive the top images as selected for quality, not every image. At a typical wedding, I'll shoot a few thousand images often with many duplicates. Instead of dumping all of the images, both good and otherwise, upon my clients - I review the images and select those that are of the highest quality. The selected images go through post-processing, so that when you receive them the images are ready to print.

How many images should we expect to receive?
Various factors affect the number of images, including the number of hours that are booked and the size of the wedding, and whether you choose to incorporate all of the traditional elements. A "typical" 5-hour booking will generate about 325 quality images.

Do you provide a written contract?
Yes. We both sign a standard contact outlining the financial aspects and it clearly definines the deliverables.

When can we expect to see our finished photographs?
From 4 to 6 weeks after the event. Your images are first posted online in your Web Gallery, and then the CDs are mailed shortly afterwards.

Can we order prints from you?
Yes. For more information, click on "prints" on the left side of the page.

May other people take pictures during the wedding?
Yes. Most of the time, it's never an issue. However, if there is another person who is photographing and they're very persistent, they may end up in a lot of your pictures.

What if you get sick or have an emergency and can't make it?
If I'm sick, and this has never happened, I'll notify you and provide a high quality photographer from my wide base of friends who are professional wedding photographers.

Are references available?
Yes, I'm happy to provide references for wedding and commerical photography.

Are you insured?
Yes, I carry liability insurance. Thankfully, I've never needed it.

Gear Speak for Geeks Like Me

+ Two Canon high-resolution digital cameras.
+ Complete range of fast Canon lenses, including 200mm with Image Stabilization.
+ Mac laptop and ruggedized drives to backup data on-site, enclosed in a water-tight Pelican briefcase.
+ 4 high-power strobes and 2 Speedlight strobewirelessly controlled via Pocket Wizards. Stands. AutoPoles. SuperClamps.
+ Self-contained portable paper backdrop system.
+ Vagabond portable power system when standard AC is not available.