How many years have you been shooting weddings? I have photographed thousands of weddings over the last 20 years.
What’s your educational background? I am always continuing my education through Professional Photographers of America and Triangle Photographers Association studying with masters of photography. I have a degree in Commercial art and a minor in photography from Ivy School of Professional art/Art Institute of Pgh.
Do you work alone or with an assistant? I always have an assistant along with me.
Are there additional photographers at your studio, or are you the only shooter? I am the main shooter, However I have a photographer in training who will be shooting at a different rate level come this next year.
Do you shoot film or digital? Digital
Do you use any special equipment? Canon Mark III 1DS, 580 Canon flashes. Work with natural light, off camera flashes/Doug box, and on camera flashes. It all depends upon the situation and creativity I’d like to produce.
What shot of yours seems to be your favorite for most of your weddings? Wow hard question because there are so many! Have a great shot of a couple under a beautiful Pittsburgh rainbow…So beautiful nobody believes that it is real….it is!
How many weddings do you usually shoot per year? Usually 20-25 however this year we shot 10.
How many shots do you usually take at a wedding? Depends on situations but my average with 2 shooters is 800+….sometimes 2000.
What is the price range of your wedding packages? 1750.00 and up
What is your average wedding package price? 3,650.00
Do you offer Engagement pictures? yes
How far are you willing to travel for a wedding? Will travel for free 1 hour. With travel fee and boarding provide I will travel anywhere! Have a possible wedding in Turkey and possibly Peru this year!! Photographed an engagement session in Flordia this year!
Do you give away or retain the rights to reproduce your pictures? Clients may purchase a CD of their images after a package has been paid for.
How long do you archive the negatives or files from a wedding? Up to 2 years
Do you see any new trends in wedding photography? Always!! That is why I continue my education! There are so many great ideas out there and always so much too learn it is always exciting to me! The digital romance albums are gorgeous! I am a graphic designer and it goes along with my photography! I design my books, invitations, bookmarks, greeting cards…etc.
What makes you better than your competitors? I am educated as a Photographer, artist and talent agent. With these skills I work with my clients their family and friends to really make them comfortable in front of the camera. I capture moments that create memories. My clients say that my photography is very unobtrusive that they didn’t know that I was there and when they knew I was there it was a memory. They cry with joy when they view their images. They love my creativity and style. I am fun to work with not pushy ever.
Describe your target market segment for weddings? Hmm what do you mean by this? I have been to many bridal shows and have done an article for Pittsburgh Post Gazette wedding planner. I send email blasts and postcard out with time to time specials.
Tell us about the best wedding you ever shot? Wow they all have stories I love them all! Guess The couple with the rainbow. They were so much fun!! They loved to be expressive and wanted to be photographed! Also shot a wedding on a farm it was beautiful! Had the couple posing in wheat fields etc. Great memories.
Do you have a facebook or twitter page? yes
What is your most effective form of marketing? Word of mouth! Referrals!
How do brides find you most often? Some bridal shows, Mostly word of mouth and my web site!
What kind of guarantees, if any, do you offer? Deposits are non refundable if wedding is canceled 6 months prior to wedding date otherwise all deposits are returned. My brides pay 1/3 at signing of contract. 1/3 six weeks prior to wedding and the remainder the day of the wedding.
Do you carry any backup equipment? Always I bring 4 cameras, 4 flash units, radio slaves, Lots of batteries and compact flash cards.
Can my friends and family order reprints directly from you? yes
Do you post your proofs on the internet? yes
What size files does your digital equipment produce? Large files I will shoot raw and large jpg. 12 and 16 megs depending upon camera used.
How many hours will you be with me? Starting and ending when? Depends upon the package selected.
Do you offer printed or computer proofs? Yes a proofing booklet along with a proofing CD.
What do you usually wear to a wedding? Always dress professional.
Do you work from a shot list? I will, I do both..use my creativity and have my brides fill out a wish list that assists me with families and their names and special shots I don’t want to miss.
May the bride requests specific shots? Sure they may…Some of my brides provide tear sheets from their favorite shots in magazines!
How long after the wedding does it take to get proofs? 6-8 weeks.
How long after the final order does it take to get the album? 6-8 weeks depends upon the album selected. I have a variety to select from.
