- Do you shoot in raw or jpeg and why?
- I shoot everything in raw. The processing is more time
consuming, but it gives me much greater control. When shooting jpeg,
the camera is making decisions based on average situations. Often the
lighting at events is far from average. Every image I
shoot is individually color corrected and adjusted for optimal quality. Ansel Adams said that half of
photography is in the processing. I think that is still true.
- Do you carry back-up equipment in case something breaks?
- Yes, I carry at least three professional camera bodies
at all events. I typically carry five or more lights with multiple
battery back-ups and many lenses. Equipment can and does fail when put
to the rigorous workout it gets at an event, but if it does, the
replacement will be immediately on hand.
- Isn’t it safer to book with a large studio? What if you get ill or have some other emergency?
- While I have never missed an event, this
must be recognized as a possibility. Large studios typically have a few
experienced photographers and a larger number of people who are fairly
new who could either be your main photographer or would be the back-up
in an emergency situation. I belong to an international body of
photographers, most of us with their own studios. There are about
thirty members in the region and we all are available to back each
other up in such an emergency situation. In short, in the very unlikely
event that whoever you book with would be unable to photograph your
wedding or event, you are probably more secure with an independent
studio than you would be with a large studio.
- Do you do the album design yourself or is that outsourced?
- I design each album individually. I think its important
to have the person who did the photography do the design. Often, when
taking a picture, I have a particular use for it in mind. Since I am at
the event, I have a better sense of what was important and meaningful
in the day. While there are many fine templates for albums available, I
don’t use templates and try to match the design to the character
of the event and to make the best possible use of the images.
- Do you offer black and white?
- Yes, black and white is classical and is again growing
in popularity. What has changed is that now any image can be
transformed into black and white, and there are many different types of
black and white. The conversions are done in processing, so unlike in
the film days, it is no longer necessary to make the choice ahead of
time. Also, when I transform an image into black and white, I keep the
color image as well, so you receive both.
- Are you insured?
- Yes, and it’s surprising to me how many
photographers aren’t. I carry a million dollar liability coverage
per event as well as insurance on equipment and equipment failure. This
is a protection for you and is also required by many of the better
venues.
- How far ahead to you book?
- It is common, especially for weddings, to book up to a
year in advance, but I also love last minute bookings. I’ve been
booked for a wedding as little as two days before the event.
- What sort of equipment do you use?
- I use all high-end professional equipment. My principal
cameras are the Canon 1DS, 1DII and 5D, each of which excel in
different situations. I have additional camera bodies as back-up. I use
all L series lenses which are some of the finest lenses made. My
lighting equipment is Quantum and Profoto. All of our albums come
from some of the best companies in the business and include a lifetime
warranty. Our most popular album is a leather flush mount which
is available in a variety of sizes. All of our albums are done in
montage or "coffee table" style.
- Are you affiliated with professional associations?
- I am a member of the Professional Photographers of
America, Wedding and Portrait Photographers International, National
Association of Photoshop Professionals, and others.
- I am interested, but still have more questions.
- Please either give me a call or send me an email. I
would be glad to meet with you to discuss any questions you might have
as well as to show you samples of my work.
|
