FAQ's

• 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 two professional camera bodies at all events. I typically carry two or more lights with multiple battery back-ups and many lenses. Equipment can 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 body of photographers, most of us with their own studios. There are many 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 do have a 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 month 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. I use all Canon 1 series bodies which are the top of their professional line. Amongst other advantages, these record simultaneously to two cards eliminating the most serious potential problem. 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. 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.