~ At least 300 (Usually 300-700) images will be presented in your Wedding Preview Book.  It is impossible to say exactly how many there will be because a lot of it depends on the length of time we will be there.  If your wedding lasts only 3 hours, you won't have as many as the couple whose wedding lasts 7 hours.  From the preview book or from your wedding web proofs you will choose which photographs you would like in your finished albums.

~ Within eight weeks, you will be able to view your proof book.  After receiving the preview book, you will have 6 weeks to return with your order for an album as according to the wedding contract unless otherwise noted. Special exceptions may be made for some circumstances.

~ With all weddings we photograph there is a deposit of $500.  This deposit guarantees that we will be there on your wedding day and that we do not book another wedding on the same day.  We hope that you will book your wedding as soon as possible to avoid your day being booked and to provide ample time to pay the balance on your wedding package.  Also, you may upgrade your Wedding Package at anytime before the final order is made for your album.  The balance of your wedding package must be paid prior to your wedding date.  After the deposit is paid it is up to you set up in your budget to make payments if you wish or one lump sum prior to your wedding date. We will let you keep the financial freedom to do what is best for your budget.

~ All day coverage is always provided.  We consider all day coverage to be from 10am to 10pm.  If your wedding times move outside of the all day time frame please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.  Your wedding may start at 3:00pm and your reception at 9:00pm but we won't mind.  We are there from beginning to end.  Do you really want someone looking at their watch thinking about the wedding they need to be at in an hour? We always aim to be at your wedding one hour earlier than you ask. 

Choosing A Good Photographer  

Below is a list of things compiled from many different magazines, groups, individuals, and myself.  One of the biggest reasons I started shooting weddings was because of friends who were unhappy with their wedding photographs.  In Indiana, there is not much in the way of photography education.  I went to school in Ohio to photography school for 2 years and worked for different photographers during that time and saw things I liked and I didn't like.  What I saw most often though was that the soon-to-be married couple went shopping for "budget photographers".  I understand the value in saving a dollar.  If money is an issue,  I will try to help as much as possible in the way of time, deposits, delaying the album,  whatever it takes.  You cannot photograph your wedding later in life. 

When you visit a photographer - Ask questions.

Do you shoot in a "traditional style" or "photojournalistic style" or how would you describe your style? We shoot in a unique style all our own.  We incorporate our background and experience in photojournalism with our background, experience, and education in high end fashion to complete a contemporary approach to wedding photography.  It should be said that even with as much "photojournalism" as you like, Grandma may not like it;  She will want a nice photograph though.  Think about the photograph your parents want in the living room.  On the other hand, most traditional photography tends to look very "dated".  We prefer a discrete lighting concept that will properly illuminate our subject with shape and separation.  When you look through other "photojournalistic" photography, please check to see if you can see the eyes and if there are dark circles or not.

What is Photojournalism? Well this is still being debated among many pro photographers still to this day.  Many photographers like to charge a premium for B&W shooting and call it art when it isn't.  Photojournalism started as shooting the moment as it happens for the newspapers.  Thoughts of war, riots, and presidential debates come to mind first; however, PJ evolved into an artistic way of showing the events of the day that would not be considered documentary or candid. "PJ", as it is called sometimes, tends to be more abstract and yet photograph all the little details as well, yet also be able to tell a thousand words in a single image.  The tendency to use B&W film is to emphasize shape, shadow, and form as abstract art.  That does not mean though that PJ is only done in B&W.  It can be done in color.  Illustrative Photography is similar to PJ and is often confused with PJ.  Illustrative photography is the concept of using lots of images together to "illustrate" a portion of your wedding.  A particular scene could be many shots of the decor laid out with an overall view of the church.  Or Just the strings of a violin.  An image of the violin, violinist, and those that can hear the music would be photojournalism.  Come in and lets us show you the difference sometime.

"Where do you process my film?" The response should be that they do it themselves or they take it to a pro lab.  Wal-Mart, Meijer, Target, and Sam's Club should not be part of that answer.  Many photographers trying to cut cost without raising their rates are going to the above labs to save money because prolabs charge usually 3 times as much for a roll of film.  I have found though that the quality, longevity, and safety of your wedding memories is better at a pro lab.

What kind of equipment do you use?  You may hear 35mm, Medium Format, or Digital.  These cameras are much like paints to a painter; some may prefer acrylics and some may prefer oils.  The look and the application techniques may be different but they all can be used for art if used correctly.  After years of testing for the highest quality and best performance of equipment, I have found that I prefer digital equipment.  Today's generation of professional digital cameras are very different to just what was being used a year ago.  The clarity and functionality of the images I can produce far exceed what was possible before.  I now go to weddings with several cameras and shoot primarily all digital unless there are special circumstances that would warrant using film.  This allows us to post the weddings online within days instead of weeks for family and friends to view.

"What kind of flash equipment do you use?" - As long as it is flash equipment that can be taken off camera then it is ok.  Listen for names like Metz, Quantum, Canon, Nikon, Lumedyne, & Sigma.  They all make professional flash equipment. 

"Do you shoot black&white?" - If they do, ask to see ALL of the B&W photos from a wedding and make sure there is a pure white and a pure black and gray in the middle.  I hear complaints about other photographers all the time that all the B&W were dull.   Those photographers liked the look or the money for using black and white film but never learned how to use it.

"Where did you learn to take pictures?" - Now they don't necessarily need to show you a resume or diploma but if they have an education in photography it should make you feel better.  Many photographers are self taught and there is nothing wrong with that but if they are be more careful and scrutinize their work and compare it to someone else's.   Photography schools teach you how to correctly expose film as well as the art so you can be technically correct every time.

  Find one with passion for wedding photography and who isn't doing it as a side gig.  Also, find one with experience who wants to work with you, discover your wants and desires, and is adaptable to your needs.  Why work with someone who won't be flexible to your day?