Photography

2003

1

Cash, Check, Paypal

Contemporary, Photojournalism, Portraiture

Digital Files, High Resolution Images, Negatives, Prints, Proof CD of All Images

Yes

I offer individual photo adjustments/corrections

Yes

All digital

One

Yes

Never. No more than one wedding per weekend

Yes

Multiple Canon cameras, flashes, lenses, tripod, etc.

Always

I offer 6 and 8 hour packages. They are under $2,000.

Yes. Extra hours are $200 each

1-2 very short brakes

Depends on wedding location

Usually in 7-10 days

Private online gallery

3 months

Yes, high resolution digital files are included in all of my wedding packages.

Yes, all my wedding packages include private online gallery for one year.

AsukaBook, Zookbinder, GraphiStudio. See my web site for more info.

# What is your wedding photography style?

The style of wedding photography I practice is a mix of traditional and photojournalism. My goal is to unobtrusively and spontaneously capture the emotion and energy of the moment. I will also take group photos as I understand that they are important too.

# What photography equipment do you use?

I utilize 21MP and 10MP Canon professional DSLR cameras and a variety of professional Canon lenses. I also use flashes, strobe lights and tripods when needed. I always bring some backup and extra equipment with me, it allows me to have several options for taking that perfect picture when the opportunity arises. My digital post production facility includes several PC computers with large screens, scanner, large format Epson photo printer and back-up storage media for my digital files.

# Do you have any references you can put us in contact with?

Yes, I will be happy to provide references to you upon request. I can provide phone numbers of at least 5-6 brides that would be happy to speak with you.

# How many digital exposures do you capture during a wedding?

I usually shoot 800-900 extra images (in addition to X number of images included in my wedding packages) and then allow clients to select the best ones though online proofing. After that, every final picture is individully cropped and corrected/improved to guarantee high image quality.

# Do you offer retouching and printing services?

I offer photo retouching, as well as printing of archival photo prints. My print prices are online.

# Can your clients keep the high resolution files?

Yes, high resolution JPEG files (digital negatives) are included in all of my wedding packages.

# Do you shoot color or B&W?

I shoot in color and then also convert every image to B&W. If your wedding package includes X number of images, that means you'll be getting X color and X B&W images.

# Are you available for location shoots or for travel?

Yes, I am available for travel to wedding destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean and Europe. Please contact me for more details.

# How much does wedding photography usually cost ?

Prices in the Washington DC area range from $1,500 to $15,000. Photographs (and maybe video) will be your only permanent record of the day. You want good photographs, so be prepared to spend $2,000-$4,000. Photography usually runs 10% of the total wedding budget and most brides initially underestimate the cost of wedding photography by 40-50%.

# When do you start charging?

My paid work hours normally start 30 minutes before the ceremony as I have to set up my lights, prepare my equipment and start photographing at least 15 mins before the ceremony. I usually arrive 60-90 minutes before the ceremony to make sure I am always on time.

# Should we do formals before or after the ceremony?

It's totally up to you. Getting all the formals done at the beginning has several advantages: flowers, clothing and make-up are fresh, and you can carefully budget time for formals. There is also less stress because there will be more time and guests won't be waiting.

# Some photographers ask that no one else take pictures during the formal photography. Is that reasonable?

Yes. Here is the biggest problem: when there are several cameras aimed at a formal group, the subjects will be looking at different lenses. The diverted attention will ruin the professional's picture (that you are paying for!). Ideally, quests should show respect for the bridal party and the photographer and stop taking pictures during the actual formal photos.

# Could we meet in person?

Sure. It makes a lot of sense not to be complete strangers on the wedding day. There are usually many things to discuss and it's more enjoyable and productive to do so over a cup of coffee. I prefer meeting in Northern Virginia (Reston, Tysons Corner or Arlington), but let me know if this is too far for you and you prefer a different location.