By default, I am a candid photojournalist.  I love ambient, natural photography (without flash if possible) that includes as much soft focus and bokeh as possible (of course, darker venues will require added light). I try to capture the story as it unfolds. I recognize art is a subjective thing and I accommodate my clients to meet THEIR expectations. From completely candid, to staged artsy and creative images, all the way to the traditional posey and formal looking-at-the-camera variety. I generally mix things up a bit, but aim to get candid fly-on-the-wall natural light images as often as possible unless you request special editing which I also provide.

I’ve been shooting weddings full time for almost 15 years. Along the way, I’ve been privileged to win WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Award for 9 years in a row (as of 2024). My images have been published and appeared in catalogues, magazines, and have had the occasion to appear as an experienced photographer on television. I’ve also been privileged to gain the sweet compliments of over 200 five-star reviews on Google, WeddingWire, TheKnot, and other platforms. You can be sure I will provide an unparalleled experience, not just breathtaking photos. MOST importantly, you should know that I can spend a lot of time telling you about my accomplishments, but at the end of the day, if I don’t deliver stunning art, then I’ve failed my mission! To learn more about WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN HIRING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, click here.

Simple: Relational. Its important to me (and I think it should be important to you) that we like each other. A photographer and the clients should click. What you will realize is that I find a good balance between being professional and relaxed, date I say goofy. Serious, yet fun to be around. Methodical, yet flexible. Omnipresent, yet a fly on the wall. Its a balance learned after years of experience. I can also be gently assertive when necessary, especially when it time to corral excited wedding guests/family to pose. I’ve learned that happy clients make for beautiful images! Lastly, please ask me about my fail-proof 24-point work-flow (CLICK HERE FOR A WORK FLOW TEASER) – I explain step by step the 10,000 things (kidding, of course) that need to happen to create amazing wedding photos. You don’t want to miss this! (most photographers either don’t have one, or don’t share it!).

I am glad you asked. I would love to sit down with you and your fiancé(e) and discuss everything you want to know. CLICK HERE to learn more about what to expect during a free consultation or CLICK HERE to see the questionnaire I use to get things started.

Except for my entry-level package, all my packages come with an experienced photographer who comes with redundant equipment (multiple cameras, lenses, etc.). These 2nd photographers and assistants are not amateurs. They are legit – the real deal.

Knock on wood, I’ve never missed a wedding in my career! But, in the highly unlikely event I am sick, etc., I have several experienced professionals on my team or within my network to call on and provide as a backup.

Yes, unless prior arrangement with your knowledge has been made to have one of my other team members cover your event.

No.

I offer several “standard” packages, and can customize and tailor a package that specifically meets your needs. My packages are also priced with and without albums. SEE HERE to get started.

I wear what you want me to wear. Black tie. Tuxedo. Dark slacks. Jeans (these come in handy when climbing or getting on the ground for artistic shots). Shorts for a beach wedding. You name it, but I try my best to stay “invisible” as much as possible and not stand out. If at all possible, it is recommended that my team and I are permitted to dress in the most flexible way so that we can run around with heavy equipment harnessed to our backs, lay on the ground, or jump high to capture the best photography without limitations!

My work flow includes triplicate backups. Usually within 24 hours of your wedding, I back up all the raw digital files three (3) times. Twice locally, and once on the cloud.  For most weddings, by the time all the work is done, I would have backed up your photos about five (5) times.  I don’t want to be known as “that guy” that lost your images! You can sleep well knowing your images are safe.

Except for my entry level package, all my standard packages come with an engagement photo session. I highly recommend getting your engagement photos for a variety of reason including giving us the opportunity to get to know each other’s personalities, which will come in handy during your wedding day! I am able to adjust my pricing to add or remove engagement photography as you prefer. Ask me about it! To learn more about why you should get an engagement photo session, and for ideas and getting prepared for an engagement photo session, CLICK HERE.

Most photographers do not do this, so be wary! For all my clients and as part of my work flow, most of my packages include a venue walk-through with my clients, along with their friends, family, and/or wedding planners to visit the ceremony and reception venues about 1 month before the wedding date. Here’s what we do during the walk-through: 1) We sit down and collectively review all the logistics (who, what, where, when, how) of your wedding day. The more we all know, the less chance unplanned things happen. 2) We walk around the venues and with your input, I write down a list of spots and ideas for photos to take on your wedding day. 3) I make note of indoor and outdoor lighting conditions so that I can better plan for when kind of off-camera flashes I may need, as well as sunset locations if sunset photos are part of the plan. All that information goes into the Photography/Video Plan (aka ROD – see Question 14 below).

Once we’ve completed a Venue Walk Through, I put together a plan I call “Run of Day” (ROD). Just fancy words for the photo/video plan, schedule of events, or timeline. I share this with you, my 2nd photographer (if your package includes one), your wedding planner, DJ, etc. as appropriate, and we review the ROD to be sure it accurately captured all the major details and make any changes as necessary. You should integrate and synthesize the ROD with the DJ/MC’s schedule for consistency. CLICK HERE for a SAMPLE ROD.

I bring about $25,000 worth of equipment to your wedding. Its paid for, so don’t panic! In fact, I don’t use most of it. However, I have it on standby just to be sure I have what I need for lighting, or if I need other equipment such as multiple cameras, lenses, flash and lighting, memory cards, batteries, and other equipment. I bring several digital and (if purchased) film cameras, several off camera flashes and strobes, plenty of batteries, memory cards, and specialized lenses. I use my digital camera for most of the wedding, but for those elegant and artistic portraits, I bring out the very best for you. A medium format film camera that captures the images in creamy true colors, true-to-life skin tons. Film is king, but many of today’s photographers don’t know how to use film, so they bypass it at your expense.   More specifically, VIEW THIS VIDEO to see what I put in my camera bag!

Initially, I use software called Photo Mechanic and AI software like Imagen and Aftershoot to go through a culling process – that is, removing all unnecessary triplicates, quadruplicates, images that have a guest walking in front of the camera, images that contain eyes that were shut, etc. That usually reduces that total quantity by about 1/2. For each of the remaining images, I use the latest version of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to adjust things like color/white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, hue, and if artistically warranted, I will add some filters or black and white conversion. These images are great for viewing and purchasing by family and friends. Additionally, once the clients have selected their “favorites”, I do another editing pass to make sure each image is exceptional and worthy to be added to a wedding album. For a very few select images, I am happy to make “digital plastic surgery” (nip and tuck) as requested (I never modify images in this way without you asking first!).

WOW photos are your favorite photos that you’ve selected that tell the story of your wedding day. I always recommend that a couple go through the entire collection of photos together and pick out not only their favorites, but ones that capture different parts of the day so that, pieced together, the final selection tells your story! These favorites that you select go through a second pass of editing as necessary and become WOW!! Check out this page to see how I transform your favorites into WOW photos, as necessary.

Normally, I aim to provide about 25-100 or so images within a few days after the wedding as sneak peek “teaser shots”. I know your eager to see how the photos turned out! After backing up the images it takes about 2 weeks to cull, edit, and upload all the remaining images to a password-protected photo website, where you can share access (Facebook, Instagram, Email, Text) with your family and friends can view the images. This is the same website that allows you to select your favorites.  Photos on this website are categorized for your convenience so that browsing is made much easier. I categories all the images in folders often as follows: Getting Ready, First Look, Ceremony, Portraits, Bride and Groom, Friends and Family, Reception, Decorations and Details.

The answer all depends on a few variables. Are you using one or two photographers? How many hours of coverage do you need? Are key wedding day locations close to each other or not? Depending on the answer to these questions as well as the “pace” of the day, an estimate amount of edited photos you may receive is around 75-125 high resolution images PER HOUR YOU HIRE ME initially posted to a password protected website and then delivered to you in a nicely packaged USB flash drive. Of course, my assistant and I take many more pictures than that, but you only get the edited ones – the crème de la crème. My goal is that nothing leave my studio that does not look its best.  Remember, your specific number will depend on many details and you could actually receive more or less. When we do a consultation, I can predict a little better the estimate range.

Normally, once the favorites are selected and a design approved by you, it take about 2 weeks to get the albums in your hands. It’s mostly up to you as to how quickly (or not) you get the albums.

I personally design each fine art album using special software and editing tools. Each album takes about 4 or so hours to design. I try to maximize image footprint by uses all the album space to showcase your images. You’re paying for albums, you deserve to see the images as large as possible! CHECK OUT THIS SAMPLE HERE.

All my albums are fine art wedding albums, hand crafted, lay-flat, flush mounted albums. They are NOT Shutterfly press-printed quality! Most of my packages come with Italian leather, acrylic, or metal covers as you prefer. Each page is real acid-free legacy photo paper (e.g., Kodak Endura) that is mounted on a sturdy backer-board designed to prevent accidental bending of pages. Unless you want to deliberately bend the page, these albums don’t easily bend and are designed to last for many generations. Check out this PROMO WITH ALBUM Video. I carry several types, sizes, and leather colors for you to select. Most albums normally comes with 15 spreads (which is 30 pages), but you can add additional pages for a nominal fee.

Yes, “Parent Albums” are hard cover versions of the main album you’ve purchased. Parent albums have a hard cover shell, use photo paper, lay-flat, and are flush-mounted with a similar layout/configuration as the Main Wedding Album. Clients may ask me to modify the layout for the Parent Albums (to be different from the Main Album), or for request additional albums, for a nominal fee.

Once I’ve completed designing the proof, I send you a full color PDF copy of the album for your review via email. There is small allowance for minor adjustments like swapping out images, or inserting a different image, etc. Once any changes are made, you can view and approve the final design. I then place the order for your album.

Upon placing an order for your album(s), it normally takes about 2 weeks to get the albums in your hands. Of course, my products are professionally and beautifully packaged, along with your nicely packaged USB Flash Drive. If you did not purchase any albums, you will receive the USB flash drive usually within 1 week after selecting your favorite photos.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is expected at time of signing a contract. This, along with the contract, guarantees my availability on your wedding date. The balance is due no later than 1 month before the wedding date. I accept checks, credit cards (requires convenience fee), cash, paypal, CashApp, and Venmo, although my preference is always check to avoid processing fees. A 3.5% convenience fee is added to credit cards, PayPal, and CashApp.

Yes. Ask me and I will be happy to upgrade the number of coverage hours, number of photographers, add video, add or change the size of your albums and other options at the package price, not the a-la-carte price!

Yes. I subscribe to a digital e-signature service (Adobe) for your convenience. You can sign right on your phone. In order for me to guarantee your wedding date, you will need to sign a contract and pay a retainer. First come, first serve!

Yes. I have commercial liability ($1,000,000 each/ $2,000,000 aggregate) and professional liability insurance for $1,000,000. Many venues require that I have this insurance, so I am ready to go! Unfortunately, some photographers don’t carry insurance and you stand the risk of incurring liability should anything happen,

CLICK HERE to check out my Wedding Photography Planning Guide for helpful information. And of course, feel free to call, text, or email me anytime!

Unless there are other special plans/circumstances, normally I show up about 2 hours before your ceremony if you’ve asked me to capture getting ready and/or first look photos. This afford me some time to capture the tail end of “getting ready” by the bridal party, as well as capture the beautiful details and sentimental items (wedding gown, shoes, jewelry, invitation cards, flat lay, etc.).  In virtually all cases, I do “Getting Ready” shots of both the bride and groom.

Yes. It is recommended this begins no less than 2-3 hours before the ceremony (meaning everyone in the bridal part is dressed and ready to go). This means that I show up a bit earlier to cover “getting ready” shots, as well as “first look shots”. To learn more about what a First Look is all about and why you should seriously consider it, CLICK HERE.  First Reveal is similar to a first look, but it is between the bride and her dad and/or mom. A Hidden Look is like a First Look but the bride and groom hide around a corner or door and don’t see each other (Hidden Looks don’t afford us a chance to do other photography as the bride and groom elect not to see each other).

Absolutely Yes! That’s what you paid for!  Along with any album(s) or products you may have purchased, you will receive a nicely packaged USB Flash Drive containing all of your images typically in at least two folders. One folder will contain all the images from your wedding (the same ones which were posted on the password-protected website) and another folder only containing your WOW/favorite images (these will probably be the ones you’ll most often use). Although I retain your images indefinitely, I make no guarantees that I will forever be able to access or archive them, so please be sure to back-up your images to multiple devices and media! Once your USB flash drive is delivered, I am no longer responsible for your photos.

Yes, we both share the copyright to the images. Technically, I retain the copyrights, but provide you with a limited copyright for your own personal printing rights and to share with family and friends. You may NOT sell your photos or give attribution to anyone other than Trans4mation Photography.

Check out the articles about many important wedding photography topics I have written to provide my clients with Inspiration and Advice by CLICKING HERE.

Yes! You may purchase a video package by itself or in addition to your photography package. Normally, I will provide a discount when both photo and video packages are purchased. As with photography, I have a team of videographers that work with me. Depending on the video package you purchase, 1 or 2 videographers will come with 2-3 video cameras (usually 2 cameras on tripods and 1 camera on a gimbal). In most cases, the minimum coverage for video is 6 hours. Most of my package come with two videos: approximately 3-5 minute Highlight Video Reel intended for you to share with family and friends, as well as approximately 30-60 minute long edit video (aka “Director’s Cut”) which has more of a documentary feel and includes most of the vows, toasts, etc. CLICK HERE to view a sample Highlight Reel Video.

Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: Of course these are the answers in virtually all cases. If there are additional or specific changes to these questions/answers or considerations you wish to discuss, please let me know. There may be unique circumstances your wedding may encounter (planned or unplanned) or circumstance I encounter (usually beyond my control) that may require these details to be modified. As much as is reasonably possible, I will inform you of any changes either before you sign a contract or before, during, or after your wedding day, as is appropriate. As mentioned many times elsewhere on my website and in the contract, photography (and especially the fast paced nature of wedding photography) is an art form, is subjective, and cannot be guaranteed in terms of exact quality and artistic expectations. Rarely however, even my best efforts fall short of the clients’ expectations. If any other photographer says otherwise, they aren’t telling you the truth. It is for this reason you should hire a professional who is experienced, the more the better, and has refined their art form and work flow. While I’ve attempted to provide the most accurate and up-to-date answers to these questions, they are subject to error or subject to change without any notification.