Darren Arena Photography 5.0 out of 5.0 5.0/5.0
Custom Wedding Photography in Southwest Florida
3120 Junction street, North Port, FL 34288
Check Availability
941-626-5839
  Profile   Reviews (17)   Website   Map      

Please let this vendor know that you found them on WeddingWire!
Flag As Inappropriate

Business Info
Services: Photography
Employees: 1
Accepts:

 
About

TIPS AND ADVICE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE!!!!!


What is different about my Photography?

 My photography has more of a personal feel about it. I want to get to know you and YOUR personality, so that I can be sure to tell the story of your Wedding day in a way that suits who you are.
   Photojournalism is a good way to describe much of what I will shoot during the wedding. 

   I will capture  tears,  smiles,  winks  and other emotions from far away, just when you think the camera isn’t on you!
   This allows for what I feel is more of the natural way people behave.  These ALWAYS make for the best photos!

AFFORDABLE ART

I see my work as "affordable art". I’m hoping that when you see my work, you will choose my services because of how and what I shoot.
 That being said, my prices are extremely competitive with many of the "larger corporation" type photography companies you will find.

I want your wedding day to be remembered beautifully FOREVER without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!!!

WHO I AM

My wife, Tammy, and I are originally from Upstate New York. We never knew each other up there, but our families both moved to Florida in the late 80s when we were teens. We met, fell in love and were married in 1992.
I soon after fell in love with Photography. At first it was mostly getting to know the camera itself, and practicing on nature.  I took a few classes and courses on photography, learning about shutters and apertures, and film speeds.
  As soon as the "Digital Age" started to become the leading edge, I sold all of my equipment and bought all professional digital SLR cameras and lenses for them.
I have been shooting Weddings in the Digital format for about 9 years now, and the difference in quality and workflow is AMAZING!!

LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU!!

http://www.darrenarenaphotography.com

Call or email me for your FREE consultation!!      (941)-626-5839 or email me at DarrenArena@comcast.net

Portfolio 

Endorsements
I have worked with Darren on putting together a portfolio of catering pictures and gift baskets for my business and was very impressed with his work. I was delighted with the way he was able to capture the food items that he photographed, you would almost believe you could actually eat the picture!!! He was also a pleasure to work with, his attention to detail was second to none and he never complained or showed any impatience even though he had to wait around while we reorganized our layouts over and over again. You will not go wrong if you choose Darren as your photographer for your special day
Working with Darren Photography was professional and great to work with. I look foward to working with you again. Bill Pelosi Chill-Will DJ Service
We had the pleasure of working with Darren from Darren Arena Photography. Darren was very professional, easy to work with, and willing to help at every turn. We were very impressed! We give Darren the A Premier Entertainment seal of approval!!!

Frequently Asked Questions for Photography
What primary photographic style do you identify with?
Photojournalism, Portraiture
 
What do your packages include?
Albums, Flush Mount, High Resolution Images, Proof CD of All Images
 
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes
 
Do you offer special techniques such as hand-coloring or toning?
Hand-coloring, desaturation techniques and Black and Whites.
 
Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?
I love natural lighting, but will use fill flash to compliment any situation.
 
Is your media preference film or digital?
All professional digital.
 
How many photographers do you work with?
I usually work alone, so that I can make sure the integrity of my style is intact.
 
Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?
Every time.
 
Do you sometimes book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?
Never more than one a day, or 2 per weekend.
 
Do you have a replacement photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
Yes.
 
What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?
2 Professional E.O.S. Canon camera bodies and 3 pro lenses. 2 Flash units and MANY batteries!!
 
Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
Yes.
 
Do you charge hourly or full day?
I have 4 packages with hours that vary, starting with 5 hours.
 
Are you available to shoot extra hours? If yes, how much do you charge for extra hours?
Negotiable.
 
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
Varies depending on the venue. I don't get winded easily.
 
Do you charge for travel?
Negotiable.
 
How soon after the event are the proofs ready for viewing?
Usually within 3 to 4 days.
 
In what format are the initial proofs offered?
Online proofing at Collages.net for all of my clients.
 
How long can the client keep the proofs?
Online Proofing for 60 days
 
Do you retain the copyright for the photos?
Yes, but the Copyright will be ashred with my clients.
 
Do you reserve the right to publish the photos?
Yes
 
Do you provide the digital files and/or negatives (or copies of the negatives) to the client?
All full sized files and a Copyright form are provided to the couple after the wedding.
 
Will images be available for viewing online?
Yes.
 
What kind of albums do you offer?
10x10 Custom Layout panoramic Lay-Flat albums, as well as an assortment of Coffee table books to choose from.
 
When will the client get the final album?
This all depends on if the couple want to choose the photos that go into the layouts or if they want me to get creative. My books/Albums take about a week to create, print and bind.

Tips and Advice
Here is my advice: COMPARE!! What I mean by this is compare apples to apples, and oranges to oranges. If you want to spend $250 on your (Craig's List) wedding photographer, then do not expect a $5000 photo job. Many "photographers" out here today will promise you the world.

#1-Make sure their work is consistent. Ask to see a portfolio or website of their work, and see if you like their style. Read Reviews about their work! If they say they've been a photographer for 30 years, then somebody must have left a review over that 30 years, right??
  
#2-Get everything in writing! If they don't have a contract with every detail for you to sign, then walk...no RUN away!!!

#3-Set up a meet and greet so you can see if you like their personality. (This is where you check out their work and look at contracts)

#4-Make sure they have online-proofing for you and your family to view your wedding portraits after the wedding. Of course your friends and family will wants to see these!!!
 
#5-Is the photographer that you met going to actually be the one shooting your wedding?? Get this in writing as well.

#6-Will the photographer release his Copyright to you? Everything is digital today, so this makes it easier for photographers to burn you a disc of all the photos. 
                                   ►YOU CANNOT MAKE REPRINTS WITHOUT A DISC AND A COPYRIGHT RELEASE FORM.►
   (Some photographers will not make you a disc, which forces you to buy ALL of your prints from them) This can be expensive in the long run.

#7-Make sure they are legal, and have some sort of Wedding Insurance. (Sales Tax is required on all wedding packages now, so make sure they have a Sales Tax #)

These are just a few things off the top of my head, but if I think of anything else, I will add it. I hope this will help even a little bit!!

                                 -Darren-