requently Asked Questions

1. How long have you been taking photographs?
2. Why should I use a professional?
3. What type of equipment do you use?
4. Do you use digital?
5. What type of film do you use?
6. Do you use black and white film?
7. Do you use an assistant?
8. Do we get a disk?
9. Do you charge for travel time?
10. How soon do we need to schedule?
11. What about using disposable cameras?
12. What are some locations you have taken photos at?
13. Why don't some of your pictures look sharp?
    

1. How long have you been taking photographs?

        I started taking photographs for other people as a hobby in college in 1987. For several years I took weddings pictures and portraits for friends and family. In 1996 I made the transition from amateur to professional photographer. Currently my Wife and I shoot about 30 to 35 weddings and events a year and about 25 to 30 portrait settings a year.
top of the page

2. Why should I use a professional?

         First, they have dozens of weddings under their belt, they know where to take the good shots and how to pose for them. Second, they know how to use the latest high-end digital equipment and how to make how make proper exposures. Third, they know how to properly post process the digital images to give you good quality prints on professional paper. Fourth, most professionals have invested thousands of dollars into equipment that Uncle Harry doesn't have. Finally, a close friend or relative might be more interested in socializing and forget about taking those photos.
Top of the page

3. What type of equipment do you use?

         I use a Canon professional digital 13 megapixel camera with with four different lenses. For lighting I use Photogenic portable studio flashes and for backgrounds I have half a dozen backdrops in different colors and textures. What I use depends on what you want. I always bring backup cameras, memory cards, flashes, lenses, batteries, cords, everything to any shoot to prepare for the worst.
Top of the page

4. Do you use digital?

         Yes, we are using the latest full frame prefessional digital camera with 13 megapixles of resolution. We shoot in raw format for maximum quality and versitility for post processing capability. We choose select images to be printed and included in your wedding previews (proofs). All digital prints are professionally lab printed on true photographic print paper to retain the same look, feel, and archival properties of film prints. We don't use the typical consumer digital equipment. Our digital equipment meets the same standards of traditional prefessional film equipment so there is no compromise for digital work that is truely "Film Photo Quality", if not better than film.

Top of the page

5. What type of film do you use?

         With the true film quality of our professional full frame 13 megapixel SLR camea, we have almost exclusively gone "All Digital", For those that still want traditional film capture, I use Fuji professional film in 160, 400, 800 speeds designed specifically for portrait and wedding photography. I use Fuji because I like the skin tones, its ability to reproduce the contrast of the Bride's white dress and the Groom's black tux, and its consistency in manufacture.
Top of the page

6.Do you use Black and white film?

         Once again, just like with color film we are almost exclusively "All Digital", unless the client prefers black & white film. We can still shoot black & white film if you prefer, but we are finding that most brides love digital much more than film because we can convert any digital picture to black & white or even add sepia toning by the click of the mouse.
Top of the page

7.Do you use an assistant?

         Yes, my wife, Jody, is my assistant. She does a great job posing, assiting the bride, and photographing. I work with her about 70% of the time, depending on group size and what the client wants. She will often photgraph the Bride during those special moments with her mother and bridesmaids.
Top of the page

8.Do we get the "disk"?

         Yes, we will provide a disk along with your prints. You will recieve 4x6 proof prints in a quality proof album. We spend hours after your wedding converting each of the raw digital images to a standard jpeg format with necessary brightness, contrast, and color corrections to ensure your photographs are as beautiful as you deserve. Usually the proofs are ready for pick up within two weeks after the wedding or event.
Top of the page

9.Do you charge for travel time?

         We service the state of Arizona. There is no extra charge within the 480 and 602 area codes. A $25 travel fee for the 623 area code and the travel fee for the 520 area code will vary depending on the distance from Mesa, AZ.
top of the page

10.How soon do I need to schedule?

         We will schedule up to one year in advance and recommend that you schedule as soon as possible. There is a $100 non-refundable retainer to hold your date. Some dates are busier in Arizona than others, especially spring, early summer, fall, and holidays.
Top of the page

11.What about using disposable cameras?

         We do not recommend disposables cameras, because in our experience only one out of three photos turns out because people do not follow the directions on the label, or they walk off with the camera.. To use the disposables it will cost you about $75 for five cameras plus another $40 for cheap developing and you will end up with 35 to 40 decent prints when it's all over. Finally you could hire the photographer for an extra hour for about $140 and get 50-60 really good professionally printed candid photos. Simply said, disposable cameras are a cardboard box with plastic optics. Many disposables are "reloaded" with generic, poor quality film.
Top of the page

12.What are some locations you have taken photos at?

         We have taken photos at locations all over the phoenix valley including county clubs, churches, homes, hotels, wedding halls, and temples. Ask us about your location.
Top of the page

13.Why don't some of your pictures look sharp?

         All images on our website are optimized for web viewing. A full 13 megapixel image might be a 9MB file in jpeg format or even 15MB in raw format! We have reduced this down to about 50K to increase the speed at which images are displayed. A loss of color and sharpness are a result of smaller file sizes.
Top of the page