Wedding Questions

This should be the first question you ask any wedding photographer. I mostly shoot through the summer with September being my busiest month. Weekdays tend to have fewer weddings and those are the best days not only for my availability but for elopements as there aren’t nearly as many crowds. Reach out and let me know when you’re shooting and we can align schedules.

That’s a great question. I want to work with people who align with my values in terms of diversity and inclusion. It’s important that we both view the day as an opportunity to celebrate love and that weddings are a chance to honor the unity between people.

“James is the best photographer in the world,” at least that’s what my mom says. As for my style, I enjoy a mix of the posed and the candid. I like to call it The Moments in Between. I’m aiming for the times when you get into a flattering position and then naturally look your best. It’s a bit of intention but unscripted. I’ll begin by giving instructions and then let things flow naturally. Often, I’m quietly documenting on the side or from far away, capturing the magic of a wedding. I want you to feel at ease while I’m taking your picture. There are occasions when I’ll step in and give more direction. Do you want a photo of you and thirteen of your cousins? Herding those cats will require a bit of a louder voice and more prompting to get everyone together and smiling. Then if you want photos with your and your spouse, I’ll be gentler in my suggestions and guide you to the best spot.

I run through the couple a few poses initially, letting them know how I like them to stand, how to relax into a pose, and the best ways to look. After a bit of prompting, I encourage the couple to start talking to each other, to enjoy each other’s presence, and spend time just being in the moment. I’ll keep snapping photos and wait for that natural moment when foreheads touch, when a groom lifts his bride in excitement, or when the couple walks together hand in hand.

Preparation is the key to shooting a good photos. Knowing when and where the best light is, what the scenery is like, and how much space there is to move around is all crucial to creating an incredible image. My experience as an adventurer photographer means I’ve been to a lot of wild locations in unusual positions with erratic weather. That translates into a solid skill set for shooting in the unknown.  If I haven’t shot somewhere before, then I research the area, scoping for ideas. I show up early to scout the location so I can know what tools I should bring to best photograph the area.

A wedding brings together two people who are very much in love. At times, there can be delicate family situations where parties may not be amicable towards each other. It’s best to acknowledge these differences and mention them to me. I’ll make sure to be respectful and avoid photographing parties together.

Yes. I shoot with two camera bodies at all times so that if something were to happen to one, I’d have the other right on hand. Not only does this help with dividing the extensive image load but it helps me with not having to switch between lenses. I’ll be backing up all the SD cards to a hard drive that night to make sure your photos don’t get lost. I also shoot entirely on digital cameras so there’s less likelihood to losing your images due to lost film or bad processing.

Yes! I’m happy to work with a couple to provide the service they’re looking for in terms of time, an engagement shoot, a second shooter, and other options. I do have a couple of minimums but I’m excited to make your wedding day amazing.

Absolutely! We’ll discuss your photo expectations and desires before meeting. If there are any images you’d like to get, some people you want pictures with, and other photos that have meaning for you, then I’d love to capture them. Family photos are a great time to have a list ahead of time so we can nail everything efficiently. Also if there are images that you find inspiring, that’s helpful for me to see as well. I’ll do my best to work with you and your vision while adding my own style.

As your professional wedding photographer, I retain copyright of all your images. I provide a copyright release for you for unlimited personal use and printing of your wedding photos. I’m happy for you to use photos for yourself. If you post them on social media, please credit me. I enjoy supporting other vendors but speak with me if you want to give a venue the photos. Finally, I like to be able to publish photos on my website and to advertise myself when I take amazing photos at your wedding, however if that’s not something you’re comfortable with, I understand. Establishing a good relationship with my couples is my top priority.

Within a week, I’ll send over a set of images for you to see. Then within three weeks, I’ll create a larger select online gallery of photos from your wedding day that you’ll be able to download, print, and post. The amazing memories from your day. The online photo gallery will be available for you to download for a year. After that, I’ll have all of the images backed up on a hard drive for three years. It’s always best to download the full gallery right away but I’ll retain a copy as well. I can provide printing information and suggestions as well.

After speaking on the phone and addressing any concerns, I’ll send over a contract for you to sign that will outline the date, the times, the fees, the expected deliverables, and date of delivery. I’ll then send an invoice with a request for 50% of the fee to be paid in advance as a deposit. I like using Venmo but we can work out other methods of payment if needed. The other 50% of the fee will be paid by the end of the wedding. Photos will be delivered and everything should move smoothly. If there are ever any concerns, reach out and we can work them out together.