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Wedding photography has traditionally been done by studios which have
worked the same way for many years. I offer my clients a flexible and
creative approach that is a true alternative to the conventional style
of shooting. In order to better understand what is so different about my approach, let me explain briefly how the traditional wedding studio works. "THE PACKAGE" It's how wedding studios sell their services. They want you to buy a package deal that includes a fixed amount of coverage time, a fixed number of pictures, enlargements, and an album. You are committed to these purchases when you hire them. Prices for packages vary widely, but $3500 and up is very common. Any additional time you might need on the day of your wedding is charged at overtime rates. Any additional prints you might want are also charged separately. Studios generally make most of their money on print sales, so everything is geared to selling you more of them, and they carry a heavy mark-up. After the wedding, the studio keeps your negatives, and so you have no choice but to purchase any additional prints you want at their prices. This guarantees the studio repeat business because there are always family members and friends who want copies of pictures. Some studios will allow you to purchase the negatives in what they call a buy-out, at a cost of $1500 or more, and then only after 3 to 5 years when you are far less likely to order reprints. "THE COVERAGE" Wedding studios have a very standardized approach to the pictures they shoot, and every wedding is handled the same way. If you look at the work from several different studios you will find that the pictures are virtually interchangeable. There's a reason for this. They only shoot the pictures that they know will generate print sales. Also, there are often several photographers working for a studio, so they want the style of the pictures to be consistent so you will get that look regardless of the photographer they send to cover your wedding (whom you may not even get to meet before your event). To achieve this, all their pictures, including the so-called candids, are posed. The net result of all this is that every wedding they shoot looks just alike. There is very little room for creativity or individual style on the part of the photographer or the wedding party. Anyone that's ever been in a wedding party has probably been subjected to the experience of being posed and positioned by a photographer, and it's generally a pretty tedious process. "SO WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE ?" I don't have a package to sell you. I don't have a shot list taped to the back of my camera that I must check off. Every wedding I shoot is unique. I sit down with each of my clients and we talk about the kinds of pictures YOU want taken at your wedding. Do you want elegant formal portraits with studio quality lighting? Fine. Do you want real candids of all the little moments that happen? Great. Do you want both? No problem. Do you want Black & White? Me too, I love it. Do you want your negatives? They're included with your pictures. The point is, we discuss when, where, and how the photos will be done, and it's all tailored to your needs and budget. Also, with all the work I do for the entertainment industry I have equipment and techniques that traditional wedding photographers do not. I use many of the same tools for shooting weddings as I do for shooting celebrities and media events. "WHAT DOES IT COST ?" I have a simple, all inclusive hourly rate that covers everything needed to cover your event. You are not committed to any set number of hours or pictures. You pay only for what you use. I charge for time, materials, and travel. Your total will be far less than what a studio would charge for a minimal package, and you will get far more pictures to choose from. I ask all my clients key questions that will tell me exactly what is involved to produce the pictures they want, and then I can quote an exact price. "SO NOW WHAT ?" Call me! I will check your wedding date on my calendar to make certain I am available. Then I will answer any questions you may have, and quote you a price for coverage of your wedding. If that sounds good to you I will make an appointment to show you my portfolio, which contains samples from many, many weddings, and discuss all the details with you. I can book the date for you at that point if you wish, or you can hold it as a "tentative" while you discuss it with your partner and continue to shop around. Let's face it, weddings are an expensive proposition and you should know what you can get for your money. I always encourage people to call some studios and check prices and inquire what is included for that price...it always makes me look good ! And I would like to point out, the wedding studios are not bad guys, and they are not out to rip you off. It's just that they still do business the same way they always have, but the market has changed. Young couples now want more options, creativity, and input than the traditional approach allows. And that's exactly what I provide! |
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