Q: Do you edit your own images? Do you design your own albums?
A: Yes, I handle every aspect of your photos which includes editing photos, correcting colors, designing albums and occasional touch ups. In this regard, I am a “boutique” operation, which means I actually edit and work on my own images, design my own albums and do my own photography.
Q: Do you use a shot list?
A: The majority of what I do is to document the day that you plan, without a shot list. However, I want to make sure we capture the family formals that you want and so I do recommend a shot list for those images.
Q. My aunt/friend/coworker just got a camera and wants to photograph us in hokey ways, what do you think?
A. I will defer to you. I am always happy to allow other people to take photos at the wedding as long as I can get the photos that you want. If you want me to keep your guests in line and have the photos move along quicker, I can do a very good “Camp Counselor” voice.
Q. We don’t really like formal photos, do we have to do these?
A. It is your wedding, and we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You have probably looked through my images and by now you know that the bulk of my work is candid. That said, I am of course happy to do as many family formals as you want. We will make these as fun and efficient as possible.
Q: How do your clients find you? Where do you advertise?
A: My clients find me through direct referral or through online searches. I do not advertise.
Q: Do you travel outside of Minneapolis/Minnesota/the USA?
A: I love to travel, and I have traveled for destination weddings anywhere from Milwaukee to New Zealand. There is no additional fee for travel within one hour of Minneapolis.
Q. Can we print the images ourselves? Is there a watermark?
A. I always give you the high resolution edited files, always without a watermark. You can do whatever you want with them, as long as you enjoy them and you don’t resell them. I do recommend that for larger prints that you either have them printed through me, or use a professional lab to ensure good color and archival quality.
Q: Do you retouch the images?
A: I edit everything before you ever see it. Usually that includes color correction, some conversions to black and white, and a few other artistic flourishes, and occasional retouching. If you have specific concerns, let me know before the wedding so I can shoot with that in mind. Occassionally, weddings call for some light retouching to fix unexpected blemishes, and I am happy to do that, too.
Q. Do I have to feed you?
A. Well, I do have to eat at some point. But I am not picky and many venues have the option for a “vendor meal” which would suit me fine. You don’t have to seat me with the guests, but I am a lot of fun with old college friends and rowdy coworkers.
Q: Do I get every image that you take? What do you “edit out”?
A: I give you the images that complete the story of your wedding. I take more photos than I will deliver. This is because some of those images will have people blinking or odd lighting and some will be duplicates. Since we will talk before your wedding about what you would like for photos, and because I am at your wedding all day, I usually have a good sense of what images will be meaningful for you, and so I make sure not to edit out photos that will be important to you.
Q. What if it snows/rains/tornadoes?
A. Well, you know that the Midwest has unpredictable weather. If the weather gets in the way of outdoor photos you wanted, then we need to do your photos inside. I can suggest some possible indoor locations around the Twin Cities, but many require advanced notice. I would be happy to talk with you about ideas and suggestions when we talk about logistics.
Q. What if you get sick and can’t come to the wedding?
A. Honestly, short of being dead, I will do everything in my power to photograph your wedding. If I die, I will not be shooting your wedding, but I try my darndest to insure that a professional photographer who I trust implicitly will. In all of my years of shooting I have never missed a wedding.
Q. Do you work with an assistant?
A. Sometimes. I often bring an assistant to carry my gear for local weddings, but I don’t always bring a second shooter. All the images you see on my site are photos taken by me, and in general I don’t think a second shooter is necessary. However, I have a few assistants that I use that are wonderful. Sometimes they shoot with me and I am comfortable sending them to shoot non-critical things like guests arriving while I am with the bride and groom, and sometimes they just carry my gear. And sometimes I have awesome professional photographer friends who come to second shoot with me. If you want a guaranteed second shooter let me know your needs and we’ll make it work!
Q: Can I get a discount if I don’t need you for a whole day?
A: Not usually. I prefer to see weddings from beginning to end. I have tried setting time limits before, and I often feel that I am not able to capture the entire story. I also don’t want you to have to plan your wedding timing around my schedule.
Q: What is your deposit policy?
A: I require a non-refundable retainer of $500 to secure the date, along with a standard contract. The rest of payment it due on or before the day of the wedding.
Q: Do you have samples of your albums?
A: Of course! Lets set up a time to meet and I can show you some beautiful options!
Q. Do you shoot digital?
A. Yes, I shoot primarily digital and I have for several years. I occasionally shoot some B&W film to add a different look, but I don’t guarantee any film coverage. I can also tell you about the kinds of cameras I use and all sorts of technical information, but if you like my portfolio, then you probably don’t need all the details. It is not the camera that makes the photograph, it is the photographer.
Q. How do you dress for weddings?
A: I dress in black dress casual. Between the weird positions I get into for poses and the multiple cameras hanging off me, I can not blend in as a guest. I try to be as unobtrusive as possible, and my dark attire is part of this. I have even been called a “wedding ninja” before.