Do you use digital or film?

I used film for many years; however I switched to digital in December 2004.  Digital gives me more versatility both while shooting and while editing images.  I PhotoShop edit all images before giving them to customers.   

Who gets to keep the negatives?

The negatives are on a CD, not film.  The customer gets the CD negatives providing they buy one of the three standard packages offered. 

Do you shoot black & white or only color?

I shoot all weddings in digital color on Nikon equipment.  Because I use digital, I can easily convert any color shots into black and white with the use of PhotoShop. 

Do you limit the number of shots taken at a wedding?

No – I’ve taken as few as 300 shots at a very small wedding and as many as 750 at a very large wedding.  The minimum number of images I offer in each of my product packages is 250 images. 

Do you have a time limit?

No – there is no time limit.  I typically start 3 hours before the start of the ceremony and shoot through the end of the reception. I include coverage of formal shots, ceremony shots, reception shots and all of the candid moments in between big events.  My goal is to create a pictorial storyline of your special day.  On average I spend 6 to 8 hours with the bride and groom on their wedding day.  

Do you attend rehearsals?

I attend most rehearsals if my schedule permits.  I like to know what to expect during the ceremony and attending the rehearsal helps eliminate surprises.  Attending rehearsals gives me the opportunity to evaluate lighting conditions and develop a plan for the shoot. 

Are there additional expenses for travel?

No – I don’t charge extra for travel expenses as long as the wedding and reception are within approximately 50 miles of Tacoma.  Also, there is no extra charge for multiple locations.  (i.e. ceremony in Tacoma and the reception in Puyallup)  If your wedding is in Eastern Washington or out of state, I will be glad to provide you with a travel expense quote.

Is state sales tax included?

No – state sales tax is not included in any prices on my web site or my sales brochures.  The rate of state sales tax is determined by my business location and is 8.4%.

How do I reserve you for my wedding date?

Reserving your wedding date requires a deposit of $500.00.  The outstanding balance on your account is due the week before the actual wedding.  Most customers pay at the rehearsal. 

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes – I accept MasterCard and VISA.  I also accept personal checks and money orders. 

Do you have backup equipment?

Yes – I carry an extra camera, strobe, lenses and batteries.  Nikon is my manufacturer of choice due to excellent reliability over the years. 

Do you make your own prints?

I have a number of professional labs available to me for printing.  Top professional labs have the knowledge, experience and equipment to produce the best quality images available. 

My church does not allow flash photography?

Most churches do not allow flash photography during the ceremony.  This is another place digital allows much more versatility than film.  When shooting with available light only, it is easy to increase the ISO when needed and switch back to a lower ISO when not needed.  This allows the photographer to capture the images with less light. 

How can I see more of your work?

Call me or email me and we can setup an appointment at a convenient location.