Photography by Robert
Wedding Photography F.A.Q.
Below you will find answers to some of the questions that I am most frequently asked...
* What is “Documentary Photojournalism”? Documentary Photojournalism can be thought of as telling the story of your Wedding Day in pictures, with as little as possible influence over the events as they unfold. It involves few or no “posed” pictures. It is a style that attempts to capture the true emotion of the day rather than simulate it.
* What about the “formals”? The formal posed photographs of the members of the Wedding party are a long-standing tradition. This is your Wedding day, if you wish to have these traditional poses as part of the images that I capture, I will gladly take them. However, I will not tell you that you need to take them just because of tradition.
* Can I make special requests for pictures of certain guests? Of course, and I will be glad to take them. Because Weddings are filled with the unexpected it is impossible for me to be able to promise to capture every single image that you would like, but it will never be because of lack of effort.
* What type of camera do you use? I am currently shooting the vast majority of my images using professional digital equipment.
* Are digital images good enough for Weddings? Today, nearly 100% of all pictures, whether captured on film or not are printed digitally from the same machines. They use the same papers and chemicals, and have the same life expectancy. You should not confuse the digital “point and shoot” cameras that are so common today with the professional grade cameras used by Wedding Photographers. Professional grade cameras produce image files that when printed, are indistinguishable from film prints.
* What about “medium format”? Medium format cameras use film that is three times the size of 35mm film. They are known for high quality enlargements. Medium format was the standard for Wedding Photography for most of the past century. Some photographers swear by it, and the images it produces.
* Why don’t you use “medium format”? Despite the quality images it produces, there are drawbacks to using medium format. First, typically the cameras are quite large and heavy. The film rolls hold few shots, and need to be changed often. Because of my style of shooting, these drawbacks are very limiting. Medium format is still the format of choice for photographers who shoot a more “traditional” style. Photojournalistic shooters like myself typically use either 35mm or digital formats.
* Why do you use digital? Having been a devoted film shooter who resisted the change to digital, I can say that I am happy that I made the switch. There are numerous advantages to digital. Most important to me is the ability to review images as I take them. I know if a flash didn’t fire or if someone blinked instantly, not after the film comes back from the lab. Once you get used to this feature, it is hard to imagine being without it.
* Are my images stored safely? I, like most photographers who shoot digitally, make numerous backup copies of all images that we shoot. These backups are made onto media that is certified safe for archival storage. Your images will be as safe if not safer than if they were on fragile film negatives.
* If I book Photography by Robert, will you be the one shooting my Wedding? Of course! I do not sub-contract out my weddings. If you hire me, I will be the one to shoot your Wedding. If I don’t have the date available, I will gladly refer you to another studio.
* Do you mind if others are taking pictures at the Wedding? Just as your Wedding Day is an important day for you, it is important to your guests as well. I would never try to limit their future joy by keeping them from taking pictures. To save time, you may want to limit the number of people in the area when any “formals” are taken. That way the pictures can be done faster, and you can get on with enjoying the rest of your day.
* How many pictures will you take? It really depends on the Wedding itself. I take pictures as the opportunity presents itself. 100 to 200 shots an hour is typical. I never stop shooting because I have reached some pre-determined number of pictures.
* How about Black and White pictures? Because I shoot digitally, any image captured can be either color or black and white, even in sepia or other tones if you wish.
* How soon will previews be ready? Typically previews are posted to the web or sent to you on CD within a week of the Wedding.
* What is the most important thing to look for in a wedding Photographer? Be sure to find someone with a personality that you like. You will be spending a good deal of time with this person on your wedding day. Be sure that it is someone who will not make the day anything less than an enjoyable experience for you or your guests. Above all, this is YOUR DAY, make sure you have a photographer that doesn’t mistakenly think the day is all about them.