if you’re looking for a photographer, you’ve probably got lots of questions- and you should! i put this little list together to help answer the most common ones and a few others i think are important. did i miss anything?

what are your fees?

Coverage begins at $2875

Album packages begin at $3875

do you do photography full time?

i work on all-things photography more than full time. fortunately for me it doesn’t feel like work. usually.

how many weddings did you shoot last year?

somewhere around 35-40.

what kind of equipment do you use? do you have backups?

canon owns my soul. i have a 2 5ds, and a 30d with a MKII on order. i have a full line of high-end professional lenses from a wide fisheye to long zooms. do i have backups? you better freakin’ believe it. i also usually work with a second shooter who unwittingly acts as an additional backup in an emergency.

what’s your style?

that’s a harder one to answer as i think it’s ever-evolving. everyone throws the photojournalist tag around these days, but i still think it fits. i like catching the action, emotions and little details as it all naturally unfolds. this means i do not operate from a shot list. yes, there are the standard details at most weddings and i do my best to get those shots, but every situation is different and even when i try, i can never replicate a photo twice. mostly, my style is YOU. YOU bring the actions and emotions to the day. i just catch it.

what should i be asking about you in addition to your style?

personality. you need to find someone who’s images you like. no, images you love. but.. i’m also the ONLY person who’s going to be with you all day. we need to jive. stalk my blog. email me. call me on the phone. you need to get a good feel for who i am and make sure i’m the one that’s going to be a good fit. i’m very genuine- when we meet or when we talk, i’m not going to put on an act. i don’t think i can. i love what i do and have so much fun doing it- i definitely bring that to your day. a sense of humor is absolutely critical to working together as is the general philosophy that we are there for a celebration. and does this also mean it needs to be smiles all of the time? heck no. i value and relish any genuine emotion and live to be there and catch it.

you consider yourself largely a photojournalist, but do you do formals?

yes, i do family portraits, however urge keeping them to a small list of suggested groupings. some couples choose not to have formals, and that’s fine too. i also do fun, casual portraits of the wedding party and you two. my preference is to spend as much time with the two of you alone prior to your reception.

what about table shots?

i typically do not do table shots. time is often an issue and the best time to do them is during dinner when people have their mouths full. if group shots are important to you, talk to me about options.

why do you include an engagement session?

engagement sessions are great!  personality is super important. i want to get to know you. the better i’m able to get to know you, the better your photos will be. engagement sessions not only give you the chance to get some awesome photos, but i get to find out how you interact with each other, what makes you giggle, what makes you get all misty-eyed and even what annoys you. it gives you the chance to see how i work and hopefully not feel like some stranger is sticking a camera in your face. i’m going to be there on one of the most important days of your lives and i want you to be able to feel comfortable and to trust me.

i also can’t say enough about guest sign-in books made from your engagements session- they’re just so cool and people usually really go crazy for them.

why do you like to use a 2nd photographer? who do you use?

i want to get you the best images possible and give you complete coverage. i can’t be in two places at once. i like to have a 2nd camera to provide different angles, hang out with the guys while i’m with the gals and catch little details i might miss as i spend time with you. a 2nd shooter also provides a little insurance in case something happens to me or my equipment during your event. i use a few different 2nd shooters and won’t always know ahead who will be working with me, but this is a huge day for you, and it’s also my business, so you better believe they’re gonna be good and have the same equipment as i do.

what kind of emergency plan do you have?

i have access to a large network of amazing photographers, able to jump in at a moment’s notice if the need ever arises. if there was any advanced warning, i’d be able to call on a host of available people and help you choose from a list of kick-ass photographers to make sure you get great coverage.

you’re vegan? should i start freaking out now about what to feed you?

freaking out over my food is not necessary. if it’s a buffet, let me know. if it’s a sit down, i have yet to work at a venue that wasn’t able to accommodate me, often on the spot, but they do need to know ahead of time. but don’t fool yourself, i’m still eating your cake.

what do you do for fun?

i take photos. preferably in far away places. i love to travel and will do so at just about any chance. i like movies too and don’t go out to see them nearly enough. i also eat a heck of a lot of food, usually of the asian variety.

what do you watch while you’re editing 90 hours a week?

i am single handedly supporting netflix. here’s a short list of what has graced my eyeballs over the past months: sopranos, six feet under, huff, weeds, battlestar galactica, west wing, the wire, big love.. right now i’m watching Family Guy.