Elizabeth Etienne Photography 4.6 out of 5.0 4.7/5.0
Voted best wedding photographer in L.A.! 20 yr. "wedding" photographer w/French-American flair!
578 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
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310-578-6440
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Business Info
Services: Photography
Established: 1987
Employees: 3
Accepts:

 
About
As a French-American woman I’m known for being a true hopeless romantic, sensitive, sensuous, and a real people-lover.  Born and raised in the Midwest I’m known for being warm, friendly, funny and extremely well organized. I only shoot one wedding a weekend so I have an entire week before to prep and tie up loose ends for your wedding day. A true lover of the finer things in life, (I’m half French what can I say?) I know how incredibly important this special day is for you and I want to help make everything just perfect. I consider it an honor to be a part of your life-changing event. Many of my clients become some of my closest friends so don’t be surprised if you see me cracking a joke with your dad, giving your mom a hug or jumping on the dance floor with my camera in hand to get a shot of gramma boogin’ to the good times! I just LOVE shooting weddings!!! - they ooooze with fun, romance and all the fairytale stuff we girls dream of!!

* 20 YR. VETERAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Shooting a "wedding" is  NOT for "every" photographer. It can be VERY stressful if you don’t have enough experience, (you get what you pay for!).  A one day wedding shoot is more than ONE WEEK’S worth of work if you want things to run smoothly and have a Plan B for everything! From consulting and pre planning to location scouting, shooting, printing, editing & retouching, and album design... it’s more work than most would imagine to do it RIGHT"!! (see below:
" WHAT MAKES A GREAT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?" )


* AWARD-WINNING:
Voted "Best Wedding Photograher Los Angeles," PDN Top Knots contest, etc..etc..

* HUNDREDS OF CLIENT TESTIMONIALS! see: http://www.eephoto.com/index.php/Testimonials/Testimonials.html

* PUBLISHED IN NUMEROUS MAGAZINES:
Rangefinder, Brideworld, The Times journal of photography, Photographic mag, etc..

* TEACH & GUEST SPEAK "How to shoot weddings" workshops, WPPI seminars, etc.(see LEARNING CENTER on her website).
Elizabeth Etienne knows what it takes to shoot a wedding!!  "


* ONE-OF-A-KIND ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SESSIONS:
"Feel like a star for a day even if youre not!" You’ve never looked better than you do right now…glowing in love! Shouldn’t this be captured on film? This is anything but a standard posed, hand-on-chin sort of session! This is a very special afternoon dedicated to creating some VERY unique, theme-oriented, romantic images of you two without the time restraints of your wedding day. These do NOT have to be images of you two dressed in your formal wedding attire. Think REAL creative, think "celebrity editorial magazine spread with a fine art twist!" Or… maybe vintage Ralph Lauren … the two of you running on the beach in blurred motion or ….??? Whatever we decide. It’s up to you!  I am loaded with ideas and have plenty of sample images to show you.  All SESSIONS INCLUDE: Extensive location scouting to confirm natural lighting conditions, art direction and theme conception, your custom idea file reference samples: (i.e. storyboard sketches,  magazine tear sheets, etc..etc..)

YOU ONLY DO THIS ONCE!!  THERE ARE NO "take-two’s"!!  THE PICTURES ARE ALL YOU’LLL HAVE LEFT!!

WHAT MAKES A GREAT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

1) Listen carefully to all client’s needs and make suggestions where and when appropriate.

2) Create a PHOTO TIMELINE together with the bridal couples (allowing different groups to arrive in a staggered fashion ). This helps keep the day flowing and FUN & organized! Once this is done everything else falls into place!

3) Scout & review all locations extensively in advance noting the ideal areas for specific key shots with the photo time line in hand so the day of the wedding flows effortlessly.

4) Have a "Plan B" for everything just in case!!(what is it rains? What if they’re late?).

5) Be sensitive and understanding to the emotions of this special day, be a shoulder to lean on with encouragment and flexibility.

6) Arrive on time or early on the big day, dress respectfully and be totally prepared mentally, physically and emotionally for the long day ahead.

7) Maintain a calm & fun-loving attitude while simultaneously being technically and creatively proficient. Photographer should contribute to the entertainment, and ease of the day, not be an overbearing, intrusive, person.

8) Coordinate groups on a tight time schedule, (keeping the bride & groom from seeing one another of course!) while maintaining a courteous, professional, and entertaining attitude.

9) Having THE BEST, fail-proof equipment, numerous camera bodies, lenses, flashes, filters, film and batteries just in case one goes down. Know youre gear!

10) Having a team of skilled assistants as an extra set of hands to pass a lens, camera body or another roll of film FAST so a priceless shot is never missed!

11) Having a keen eye, sense of timing and confidence to jump in and grab a great shot or coordinate one to look beautiful.

12) Create amazing images that go FAR beyond the expected, ordinary, standard wedding photography - Create a touching, emotional, funny, sentimental images of your fabulous day!!

Hiring anyone less capable is taking a big risk. Afterall... all you have left after you’ve spent thousands are you pictures... shouldn’t they be the VERY BEST?

Portfolio 

Endorsements
Thank you, for choosing www.DesignBands.com as your source for quality Designer Wedding Bands. We are honored and always look forward to working with you. Please contact us if you should have any questions regarding our fine line of Wedding Band products and services... Sincerely, www.DesignBands.com 1-800-706-1106
Elizabeth has an absolutely stunning and unique style of wedding photography that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions for Photography
Do you offer special techniques such as hand-coloring or toning?
I have a formula, like a chef's recepe developed over the last 20 years that is a combination of the right film, filters, exposure, and developing that makes skin tones flawless. AS an added backup security I shoot p80% film and 20% digital. Film files are converted to digital files and the client gets the archival storage insurance of BOTH negatives AND digital files! it's the best of both words!! Film has a true, rich quality digital cannot reproduce! (For more info see: "Film Vs. Digital" on my website at: http://www.eephoto.com/index.php/F.A.Q.-s/20080115128/Frequently-Asked-Questions/FILM-vs.DIGITAL-what-s-the-difference.html
 
Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?
All lighting situaitons wil work fe for me. I have even shot in the rain!!! (my assistants and I bought umbrellas at 3am the night before) for the entire wedding party since they didn't plan for rain and turned a potentially disasterous situation into something fun and cute and saved the day! (think: "Mary Poppins", "Singing in the Rain" etc..).
 
Is your media preference film or digital?
that makes skin tones flawless. AS an added backup security I shoot I 80% film and 20% digital. Film files are converted to digital files and the client gets the archival storage insurance of BOTH negatives AND digital files! it's the best of both words!! Film has a true, rich quality digital cannot reproduce! (For more info see: "Film Vs. Digital" on my website at: http://www.eephoto.com/index.php/F.A.Q.-s/20080115128/Frequently-Asked-Questions/FILM-vs.DIGITAL-what-s-the-difference.html
 
How many photographers do you work with?
Because people pay ME for my famous, trademark style I am always the primary photographer. I shoot 95% of the wedding. My assistants are there by my side to simply pass me the next cameras, load and unload batteries, film, filters & digital cards. The ONLY exception is the ceremony and sometimes during cocktail hour when we want to have two points of view and gain as many precious moments as possble n the short time we have.
 
Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?
YES! of course!!
 
Do you sometimes book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?
NEVER! I shot oly one weddiing a weekend. there is no possible way a phtoographer can shoot more than one and give it their ALL. Shooting a weddiingt the right way takes a tremendous amoutn of physical, mental and meotional energy. TYose that shoot more than one a wekend are curing corners somewhere to make an extra buck and that's dangerous!! I won't sacrifice my quality for that! It's not worth loosing my hard-earned reputation as the best wedding photographer in Los Angeles! YOu get what you pay for!
 
Do you have a replacement photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
Yes I have one of my top favorite assistants who was trained exclusivbley by me and shoots all her own weddings now as well. In 20 years I've NEVER had to use her, never been sick or had an emenrgency where I could not shoot a weddiing..(knock on wood!). I take every siingle precaution to ensure I am in the best physical,mental and emotional state the week before a wedding. I eat right, exercise and meditate. I am totally focused and present.
 
What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?
EVERYTHING! I have 5 cameras, (2 digital and 3 film) numerous lenses, filters, flashes and anything else i "might" need just in case. It's stored neatly in a compact "camera backback" my assistants wear.
 
Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?
yes see the previous question. My philosphy is better to ae it and not need it than need it and not ahve it! Equipment is cheap ii comparison to the memories one would loose if it malfunctioned. We shoot and store backups of everything!
 
Do you charge hourly or full day?
No. I have specific packages that contain a specific amount of time coverage I usually throw in an extra hour or two at no charge as my wedding gift to the bride and groom!(wink! wink!).
 
Are you available to shoot extra hours? If yes, how much do you charge for extra hours?
$250/hr
 
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
none, just 30 minutes dinner break.
 
Do you charge for travel?
Normally I will charge for travel beyond a 100 miles radius where overnight lodging is required but for larger packages I usually don't.
 
How soon after the event are the proofs ready for viewing?
5-7 days
 
In what format are the initial proofs offered?
Most of my packages include 4x6 custom prints in addition to negatives scanned to digital files on a DVD.
 
How long can the client keep the proofs?
FOREVER!
 
Do you retain the copyright for the photos?
Yes
 
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?
YES the couple gets all negatives & digital files to keep forever.
 
Will images be available for viewing online?
yes
 
What kind of albums do you offer?
I offer both italian handcrafted for prints and custom coffee-table hard bound albums
 
When will the client get the final album?
2-6 weeks after the wedding

Additional Questions and Answers
A host of answers to Frequently asked Questions about me and my business can be answered on my website under the FAQ's link at: http://www.eephoto.com

Tips and Advice
Shooting a "wedding" is  NOT for "every" photographer. It can be VERY stressful if the photographer doesn’t have enough experience with "weddings", (you get what you pay for!).  A one day wedding shoot is more than ONE WEEK’S worth of work if you want things to run smoothly and do it right. You  must have a Plan B for everything! From consulting and pre production planning to location scouting, shooting, printing, editing, retouching, and album design... it’s more work than most would imagine to do it RIGHT"!! (see below:" WHAT MAKES A GREAT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?".)

If documenting your wedding day in a magnificent way is one of the most important elements of your wedding I highly recommend you research the person or business thoroughly. Despite that it may "appear " as though shooting a wedding is easy it’s anything but, it’s actually on the list of  "The 10 Most Stressful but Rewarding Careers".

No matter who you hire as your wedding photographer. You get what you pay for is really true in this business. Most good photographers charge more NOT because their ego tells them their worth it (and they are!) but because proper preparation takes extra time. Having the best back gear and add’l assistants cost money. Using the best photo custom photo labs for processing and custom printing cost money. providing the best, most beautiful albums cost money. Anyone less expensive has GOT to be is cutting corners someplace. There is just no way around it. To guarantee the best, most reliable service we must incur many added expenses. These cut profits to a minimum.  As glamorous as it may look it takes a lot of mental creative, physical, psychological and energy to be a part of such an emotional event and to make consistent amazing images! A great wedding photographer must be prepared on all levels.