I was born in Spokane Washington 51 years ago. I started taking pictures when my father bought me my first camera at age 12. It was a Kodak Instamatic 126. It actually took pretty good pictures. But that was in the days of film and film always had a quality that digital did not.
I had several film cameras over the years and switched to digital in the mid-90s. In the past year or so I have been revisiting film and specifically black and white film. Although, I have not abandoned digital altogether since it does greatly simplify the publishing process. I have never been one to consent to having my picture taken. I am most comfortable behind the camera. But, every once in a while I can be captured, reluctantly.
I shoot mainly people and portraits of individuals or groups. I love to travel to distant places and see the differences from where I live and the lifestyle I've become accustomed to. I take pictures as a documentaiton of the world I see and also as an artistic expression.
I love history and I probably live in the youngest part of the world so I travel a lot to see what life would have been like thousands of years ago. I love to photograph people in different cultures all over the world.
I am currently based in the Phoenix area and will travel to most outlying areas including Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, Coolidge, Florence, Sun City West, Surprise, Superior, Gold Valley, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, etc...
The truth about photographers: A lot of photographers these days are quoting their prices at very low rates, some as low as $50 per hour. While this sounds like a great deal for you, since it is hundreds less than their usual rate, be sure to read the fine print. This "fabulous" price doesn't include the pictures; it's only for the "sitting fee". Once you spend a few dollars on your photo session you'll end up paying hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars to get a few prints and enlargements. And you will not have any digital files to share with your friends and family or make your own prints.
I want you to be able to order exactly the images you want in the quantity and size you want. Because really, it's all about you. I give you all your photos on a DVD so you can see every image taken, upload them to the web or make prints and enlargements of your choice.
I have been a successful professional landscape photographer for about 20 years. I have been published many times and have won several awards for my photography. I have traveled throughout Europe extensively always with at least one camera.
I hope you will allow me to be a part of your special event and your lives as I document your occasion in an artful and beautiful way. I endeavor to build long-term relationships with my clients and to build a network of friends over the years. When your friends and family need photography I hope you will think of me first as a friend and a photographer.
After the photographing is done, I will go back to the studio and spend about 25 to 30 hours looking through the images and picking out the best ones and discarding the worst ones. I will digitally enhance the photos so that they are more vibrant, colorful and sharp. Every picture no matter how great can always benefit from some enhancement since no camera can capture what the human eye sees. What I try to produce in the studio are images that more closely resemble what everyone else saw at the time, only better.
All charges are quoted up front so you know exactly how much it costs. I will provide you with a DVD of all your prints, typically 100-150 per hour I shoot, then you can take the disc to Costco or any other place and print your own for very little cost. I can make prints for you but I will charge extra for my time. See the rate chart on the Rates page.
Weddings
Choosing a photographer is a very personal decision. I do not have a "specialty" way of shooting as I leave that up to the bride and her family. I am at your disposal and will try my best to accommodate your wishes.
Weddings, like similar once-in-a-lifetime situations, require an intuitive sensitivity for the situation, and outstanding photographic technical competency. There are no second chances. Brides and Grooms entrust the professional wedding photographer with this, the most precious time of their lives, and in so doing create a strong partnership with their photographer.
Being given this moment, we as professional wedding photographers earn the trust of complete strangers and in the process enter into very personal relationships with our clients. This relationship between wedding photographer and client might only last several hours, but the results of the relationship will last forever, in your wedding albums, in framed prints that hang from your walls, stand proudly framed on your dresser, desktops and in your parents' homes.
Why hire a Professional Photographer?
If you are on a budget, you might be tempted to get a friend to photograph your wedding. He might even be a skilled amateur photographer. But this is one area where you do not want to try to save money. You have only one shot at your wedding photography; you do not get any second chances. A professional wedding photographer makes all the difference. The wedding photographer will be the one person who has a lasting effect on the memory of your wedding. A professional wedding photographer is reliable, prompt and will deliver on time. Having photographed numerous weddings, an experienced professional wedding photographer will be in his element at your wedding, not nervous and under pressure like an amateur. A professional wedding photographer uses the best color processing laboratories that deliver uncompromising quality. Professional wedding photographers are experienced in working efficiently with the limited time available, and are comfortable directing the family groups during the formal group photography. When you consider the entire wedding, the cost of professional wedding photography is small.
When do I speak with my Professional Wedding Photographer?
You do need to speak to your potential wedding photographer very early on in your planning process. Good professional wedding photographers are often booked up months and even years in advance. You need to secure your photographer as soon as possible.
The way you are received on the phone should give you some indication of how you will be able to connect with the photographer in person. Having a close professional working relationship is a vital requirement. Be sure that your wedding photographer is approachable, calm, collected, listens to you and actually pays attention to your requests and questions.
How much time does a professional wedding photographer need in order to give me what I need?
The time the photographer spends photographing your wedding is dependant on the events you want covered. The options are endless, they are entirely up to you, and include the following. Estimated times are a guide and can vary greatly.
» Rehearsal dinners and services (1 to 2 hours)
» Bride's preparation (1 to 2 hours)
» Formal bride and bridesmaid photography prior to the wedding (1 hour)
» Formal bride and groom photography prior to the wedding (1 hour)
» Wedding ceremony (30 to 45 minutes)
» Leaving the church/ceremony (20 to 30 minutes)
» Formal group photography (1 to 2 hours)
» Reception photography, including speeches, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting and departure of the bride and groom (2 to 8 hours)
Should we do the formals before or after the ceremony?
If formal photographs are important to you, set-aside time prior to the ceremony so that the wedding photographer can take his time in getting posed formal photographs out of the way. If you rely on formal photographs being taken between the ceremony and the reception, this means that the wedding photographer has limited time to get all the formal photography completed. This often takes longer than expected and this is normally responsible for the guests waiting forever for the bride and groom to arrive at the reception.
Why do professional wedding photographers restrict other photographer's activities?
There can only be one director of proceedings and having several photographers all vying for the attention of the subjects is a recipe for disaster. Flashes from other photographer's cameras can trigger the professional wedding photographer's flashes, ruining his shots.
Who owns copyright to the photos?
The professional wedding photographer is the creator of the images and therefore is the owner of the copyright. Even if the photographer hands over the images on CD or DVD, the copyrights still vests with the photographer. Ensure that you have the photographer's permission before making reprints, or submitting your photos to a magazine or newspaper. You may not sell any images without the photographer's written permission.
Do I need to sign a professional wedding photography contract?
All professional wedding photographers will require you to sign a wedding photography contract that specifies the terms and conditions of the agreement between you and the photographer. Make sure that you read and understand the contract. It will describe everything from payment policies to cancellation policies.
What are normal payment terms for professional wedding photography?
All professional wedding photographers require a deposit to secure the wedding date. Typically, 50 % of the wedding fee is due 30 - 60 days prior to the wedding and the balance payable on the day of the wedding. Additional costs are typically invoiced after the wedding on receipt of the photographs.
