Wedding Information: Wedding FAQ

How long have you been a photographer?

I have made my full-time living as a photographer for over a decade. That has included thousands of assignments for local and national publications and scores of weddings and private portrait commissions.

What are your time limits for a wedding?

You will have my full attention from start to finish on your wedding day. My arrival time is up to you, and for most brides that means I arrive a couple of hours before the ceremony to get photographs of preparations. I will be with you as long as you like through the reception.

Do you shoot portraits?

Always! I book engagement and bridal sessions, and portraits are also something that I include in your wedding day photography. As the day progresses I will occasionally see a nice opportunity to pose a quick portrait of the bride or groom, and of course formal group photos of your choice are always part of my services. As your wedding photographer my goal is for us to create relaxed, natural portraits that let your personality shine through.

Can we tell you what photos to take?

I am always open to requests. I do work in a documentary style though, and staging events or directing action are not typically part of that approach. The real moments always make the best photographs.

Where do you stand during the wedding ceremony?

During the ceremony, particularly in a church, my goal is not to be seen. Balconies and choir lofts are my favorite spots, and the back of the church is good, too. During a beach wedding things are usually a little more relaxed, but I am always mindful and respectful of the sanctity of the event.

When should we take formal or family and bridal party photographs?

The best time for getting through formal shots efficiently is immediately following the ceremony when everyone is in one place and still looking their best. It's also fantastic to get some of them out of the way before the ceremony. We will talk about what scenario best suits your wedding.

How many pictures will you take during our wedding?

Of course every wedding is different, but if I spend the day with you I will easily shoot more than 2,500 photos. That may seem like an overwhelming number of images but part of my job is to narrow them down, eliminating things like repetitive shots or people with their eyes closed, before presenting an edited set of photos to you. Normally about 350 to 400 hundred images make it into this final edit.

How long after the wedding will we see our photos?

About three weeks.

How do I view my photos online?

You will have a password-protected online gallery for your wedding photos. I use a service that partners with my lab here in Wilmington for online viewing and ordering. The web site enables you to order custom prints and it also saves you the task of passing around proofs and getting prints made for friends and family. You can simply direct them to your online gallery when they want to see your wedding photos.

Do you offer albums?

I offer custom, handmade albums individually designed to tell your story using photos that you select. Online proofing is also part of the album design process, so you can see how things are coming together and approve the design before it gets printed.

Is digital as good as film? Is it safe to trust my wedding photography to digital?

I have been a fully digital photojournalist since 2000. In my experience, professional-grade digital cameras like those I use both improve the shooting process and can give you results that are largely indistinguishable from those achieved with film. Additionally, digital wedding photography affords the opportunity for multiple back-ups of your images in more than one location.

Do you shoot black and white, color, or both?

I shoot entirely digital. Every photo is captured in color, which gives us the option of converting any photo to black and white.

What equipment do you use?

Canon EOS 1D series digital SLR cameras and a range of Canon professional-grade lenses, plus location lighting. I also carry a full set of backup gear.

Do you work with an assistant?

Not usually, but highly capable assistants and even second photographers are available.

Will you travel?

Yes. Arrangements and travel outside the Wilmington, NC area are handled on a case-by-case basis.

What if you get sick?

I am part of a network of photographers in Wilmington, NC and I will make every effort to find a suitable replacement to cover your wedding. In the extremely unlikely event that I am too ill to cover your wedding and I cannot find a replacement I will refund all of your money, including your booking fee.

What is the booking fee?

The booking fee is calculated as a portion of your contract amount, and it applies toward the full balance. It is non-refundable because it is the fee I require in order to tell other couples that I am unavailalble on your date.

How do I book you for my wedding?

Your wedding is considered booked once I have a completed contract and booking fee from you. I often receive many inquiries about a single date, so this rule is in place to ensure fairness to you, to other couples and to my business.

When do we pay you?

The full wedding photography package cost, less the booking fee, is due to me no later than two weeks before the wedding date. I reserve the right to withhold services or products if you have not paid.

What do you shoot other than weddings and portraits?

I freelance frequently for wire services such as the Associated Press and for various newspapers and magazines. Recent clients have included the North Carolina State Travel Guide, the Boston Globe, the Charlotte Observer, Bloomberg News, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Duke Divinity School and the United States Marine Corps.

What do you like best about shooting weddings?

The opportunity for documentation. I love the fact that everybody you care about is there in one room and I have the chance to get pictures of them all for you.I love the idea of your grandchildren looking at the pictures I took at your wedding. I also love the cake.