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Established:	2000
Employees:	3
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My style is best described as Fusion.  I shoot a modern yet classic style of photography.  Sexy sassy Engagements, romantic Bridals and Photojournalistic Weddings are my passions.  I find these mix and mingle well regardless of what I shoot and a bit of each is included in every shot.  I shhot boudoir in a style taken from the glory days of Hollywood and add a modern twist.  Everything I shoot is a fusion of it all.

Photography is about sharing the feeling when I look the photograph.  I try to convey more than an image but instead how I felt about what  Isaw and I also think a little part of me is in most every photo I make even though I am not the subject.  My favorite photographs typically have my signature on them, yet are unsigned.

After 100's of thousands of photographs I have made over the years, I still feel chills down my spine and butterflies just before a shoot.

Looking Glass is well known for nearly a decade for our exquisite fresh approach to fine art wedding photography and delivering services with uncompromising customer service. At it's basic level, we combine both story telling (photojournalism) along with candids and classical portraiture to paint highly personalized photographs with artistic, spontaneous and natural qualities.

Our basic philosophy is simple: Capture the most introspective and intimate elements of your wedding by paying special attention to details. We consistently achieve this by being alert in mind as well as heart to document the true emotion.

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Dallas DJ and Event Lighting Design Services

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I wrote a Q&A a while back. Some of these Q&A's might be redundant from the standard questions filled out at Wedding Wire, but some may find them helpful.


How many images will you take?
We don't know, the simple answer many. Depending on the duration of the event it may run up to 800. That's not a typo. Typically we deliver between 200-800 photos. We shoot everything you want, everything we should and everything we see that we think you might want to remember.

How do you know that's enough?
Quantity does not necessarily mean quality. 100 photo's of people with there eye closed is not as good as one with their eyes open. We may take several images on the same subject. Let's take formals: We'll pose the bride, groom and grooms extended family for example. After we get everyone ready, we'll will look at them and take the photo. We look again ask them to respond and take another one, then repeat. Our goal is to take a photo with all 15 people having a nice expression and eyes open. We hedge your chances by taking more than one.

How do you shoot a wedding?
Fast when we need to and slower when we need to slow down. Wedding photography is often a fast paced event. We will be ready as events unfold and between the events, we'll have time to shoot art. There's a science behind wedding photography. We use a methodology for best time/best images.

Please explain Best time/Best Images.
Wedding photography has many of the same components. We photograph the "getting ready" then move to the ceremony area, photograph the ceremony. Next, we will photograph the congratulatory time post ceremony. Next will be the formals and immediately following the formals we go to the reception area and photograph the food. We photograph the food before the dinner is served. Food looks better undipped and uncarved. By the time we have the food shots, your guests will have arrived. Before dinner is served, we photograph each table and the friends and family there. Experience tells me people photograph better without a dinner roll in their mouth. Long story short, throughout the event there are best times/best places to photograph. It's our job to be there and be on time.

Do you take photos of the bride before the wedding?
It depends. If the groom has seen the bride in her wedding dress then we can include some of the formals prior to the ceremony. If the groom has not seen the bride in her dress then these are best done post ceremony. Typically, we will be inside the dressing area with the bride and her helpers before the ceremony. About 10 minutes before the ceremony We will move out of that area and move into position for the processional.

You mentioned Formals, what are those?
These are typically photos taken after you have been pronounced man and wife. They are made after the congratulatory phase of your wedding event and immediately preceding the reception. These photos are generally taken at the alter. They almost always include some general combination's of people. Bride/Groom/Officiator, Bride/groom/ brides parents, Bride/groom/ Brides family, Bride/groom grooms family, Groom and best man, Groom and grooms parents. Bride and bridesmaids, Bride and matron of honor. The list goes on until we are through. Any photo that we miss at the alter, we will make at the reception.

What do you wear?
Most weddings are formal events. We wear formal wear. We are full time wedding professionals in all levels of service; this includes our demeanor as well as our dress.

Where could we save money?
Engagements. Yes, of course we can do formal engagements but if you need to cut service for the sake of costs it would be here. They are simply not as important as your bridals or your events. Still need engagements? Try a low cost portrait studio. Sears or Wal-Mart does a nice job for something that is not meant to last a lifetime. Want professional engagements? Sure we can do them and they will look professional and custom.

What is photojournalism?
Many photographers call their style photojournalism. Journalism by nature means a story. One photo does not tell the story. For example, all photographers will shoot the shot " kiss at the alter". Photojournalists shoot the shot at the alter and then turn and shoot both sides of the gallery. We're looking for not only action but also re-action. That tells the story of the moment, not just the kiss.

What are bridals?
Bridals are formal photographs exclusive to the bride. Usually, these photos are ALL about the bride. Typically they are shot in some serene location and with the assistance of her close friend. It's a special time for the bride. During the wedding day things get pretty hectic on the bride. The bridal portrait time is the time a bride can be her most relaxed and most beautiful. These photos are displayed at the reception.

Do you have backups?
Yes, we have backups and some in triple redundancy. We also take very special precautions to ensure the equipment is in top working order. Should something fail technically, we can move to the back up system in minutes and be shooting away.

How do we book our date with you?
We will gather some pertinent information, times, dates location and services. We then draw up an agreement of our understanding of your needs and will e-mail or fax it to you. Once we have agreed that everything is covered and spelled out correctly we enter into the agreement.

What are your terms?
Terms are pretty industry standard. 1/3 total cost down to hold your date and the balance 30 days prior to the event.

How soon after my wedding will the images be ready?
Usually you will have all your images within 10 working days.

What's this about style?
Wedding photography is an art form. A blend of technical expertise melded with artistic interpretation. Artists are born not made. It's in the eye and the mind of the photographer. All photographers are not the same in their scene interpretation or creative eye.

Can others take photos too?
Sure, just let us do our job first, and then they can shoot. Please inform your guests that you have paid a professional and to please let me do their job. During formals for example, time is usually of the essence. We have many people to photograph. Please ask your guests not hold us up. Take the photograph right after we have taken ours so we can move on to the next group. Your guests who are not in the formals are waiting at the reception. The sooner we all get there the better.

What about my negatives?
You get them on DVD usually within 10 working days. I will give you a form signed by me to allow unlimted print rights.

Do you charge by the hour?
You book us for the event. Stories abound about photographers rushing the bride and groom during the reception to toss the garter, cut cake, leave. This day is important to you. Take your time; We'll be there until you release us. Please no 24 hours weddings. One thing you might want to keep in mind is that as time rolls on, people and places tend to loose their ambiance. Usually the best photos are taken during the first couple of hours when the tables look nice and the open bar does not have a carpet path worn out to it. Not to say there aren't some "interesting" photos to be taken. Just "best" usually early, if you know what we mean.

Do you have any tips?
Yes, we just happen to have many. Once the reception starts try to get your events in earlier rather than later. This does not mean rush them back-to-back-to-back but this will make better pictures. Your guests will be fresher and the excitement level will be higher earlier than later. The tables will be less cluttered, the kids will be a little wilder and your grandparents will be awake. You'll find people starting to leave after the first couple of hours. Try to get your cake cutting, garter, and bridal toss in the first 2.5 hours if it's a 4-hour reception. Everyone will be there and more likely to be conscious to enjoy it. :)

Why do some photographers dislike weddings?
We actually like them. What we like is the passion at weddings. These are highly emotional events. Tears of joy, honest smiles, well dressed people having a party.

Why is wedding photography so expensive?
What seems like only one days work is not. 99% of all weddings are on Saturday. While most professional photographers have other shoots during the week, many of us derive our main source of income from Saturdays. We have only a limited number of Saturdays in the year. We have families to feed as well.

What should I spend?
Wedding photography pricing runs the gamut. Price however should not be your main consideration. The photos of your wedding are important. Better to spend a little more and get what you want than spend a little less and never be satisfied.

How soon should I book with you?
Wedding photographers only have a limited number of Saturdays in the year. Many couples book the photographer a year in advance. Most book months in advance. If you find a vendor that you like and is in your price range, book them. They may not have your date the next time you call even if it's the day after.

Is that a high-pressure tactic?
It may seem that way but the reality is there are 10's of thousands of weddings each year in the DFW area. There are only 52 Saturdays in the year. Many days we get 5-10 requests for information. Once we have made a commitment for a specific date, that date is gone for the year. If you find someone you like, we urge you to book; else you may miss having them.

How do you prepare?
Many first time brides believe a photographer just shows up and shoot. We always have a plan. First, we will talk through what you want to see in your photos. We ask for any special requests. We ask you and your partner to write those requests down. While most every wedding has some of the same components they are not 100% equal. We spend the time to learn what your goals are and make every attempt to achieve them.

What's your cancellation policy?
Please try to remember, if we have held your date, then that date is gone for us. Often we will have as many as 4 requests for the exact same date. If that date is booked with you, then we have to pass on the others. If you cancel, your deposit will be held as we have lost income AND the date. You will find this pretty industry standard. This does not come up very often but thought we would include this here. It also states this in the agreement.

When do we see you next?
Usually, you will see us the day of the rehearsal if you have elected to have your rehearsal covered, sooner if we shoot bridals. Of course the day of the wedding.

Why don't you have packages in the website?
Because we don't know what service you want? There are just way too many variables. What if our packages included (4) 16x20's and all you wanted were wallets? What if you wanted to fly us to Cleveland to shoot your wedding? The price might not be the same if you wanted to fly us to Aruba.

Do you eat and drink?
Once the guests have been served we will sit and eat as well. Photos of people eating are not usually those that make the wedding album anyway and we'll need the break by this point. We do drink but water or Pop. Never ever alcohol, we have to drive the camera the rest of the event. We don't drink and drive.

Will you do family portraits at the wedding?
Sometimes. Obviously if the bride and groom are in the photo we will do them with pleasure. Many times we're asked to take family portraits without the principals included. We will be happy to do them if you authorize them; fact of the matter is we're there to record a wedding. Family portraits are best done in the studio or on location. We would not want to be doing a family portrait and miss and important shot during the ceremony and or reception.

Are the times, dates spelled out in the agreement?
Absolutely, the standard agreement is pretty extensive. We clearly spell out the services requested with names, addresses, delivery dates and expectations. Many of the agreements cover several events under one agreement. It's critical everything is clear to all parties.

What are your professional standards?
Some photographers feel being hired gives them an exclusive right to be obnoxious. We feel being retained gives us an exclusive right to be polite. We try to be a participant in the event but not be obtrusive. You and your mate are the stars of this show. Whether we're lurking in the shadows for candids or front and center on those "have to have shots" We try to make our presence as least noticeable as possible and we always treat your guests with respect.

What kind of equipment do you use?
What's important is that we know "how" to use it in a variety of shooting situations. On the technical side of this equation We use Canon professional digital camera bodies and Canon "L" lenses.

Is the photographer we meet with going to be our photographer?
Yes, we feel it's important that the photographer and the customer are a good personality match and secondly that the photographer and client build some rapport before the wedding. We also feel it is important to have the photographer at all meetings to gain a better understanding of the clients needs.

If that photographer we meet with becomes ill...what then?
We have other photographers who will cover it. We have a working relationship with other professional wedding photographers in the Dallas area in case of such emergencies.

Do you do re-touching, airbrushing?
Not usually too many on wedding photos but we do include that in bridals and engagements. Retouching takes an extraordinary amount of time. To retouch 500 images on a typical wedding would take us into the next month. Retouching bridals is important as these images are sometimes made into large displays.

Do you furnish prints?
We certainly can but you recieve unlimted print rights. I do custom prints in any size.

Is photography really that important?
The cake is eaten and flowers have wilted. All you have are your memories. Recording those for posterity is important. Our style of wedding photography records the large things and the small things as well. Typically, we will include the DJ's, the caterer, the bartender and all participants. Besides people, we shoot the head table decorations, pew bows and even down to the cake knives and salt shakers. We take many many images.

Can you help me with other services?
We sure can. We have some other services like videographers, caterers, DJ's and other wedding services we have worked with in the past. Not everyone we work with makes the list. We're always looking for price/performance/value in vendors for our Brides. You may view them by using the vendors link at our website at http://www.lookingg.com

What are the next steps??
We've covered quite a bit here and if you have gone through the galleries and like the image then a phone call is the next step. After the initial phone call, we will setup a time to meet and view photo's and discuss in DEATAIL your Wedding photography goals.