What is wedding photojournalism?
Traditionally, wedding photographers would pose the couple at every stage along the way: "Hold that knife right over the cake like so while I set up the lights!" etc. Photojournalists, on the other hand, document the action, capturing the moments as they happen. For newspaper assignments, photojournalists never direct the action; the only posing or directing we do is when photographing a portrait. The lighting might not always be perfect with a photojournalist, but the moments and emotions captured are much more real.
This does not mean there will not be formal photos; I will always photograph formal images if desired. It is best to come up with a "shot list" of formal photos in advance of the wedding day. This way, no important family members are left out and the process of shooting the formal photos goes quickly. The bride and groom do not want to spend their day being directed by a photographer. They would rather be having fun, so I work quickly and efficiently to shoot any requested photos, and let the day progress naturally.
Don't be fooled by traditional photographers following the latest trend by now calling themselves "photojournalists." I've been a professional photojournalist for over a decade.
How soon do I get my photos?
Way quicker than with the vast majority of wedding photographers! Most of the time, if you take a week-long honeymoon immediately after the wedding, all the photos will be posted to your website before your return. In addition, I usually have the DVD slide shows and photo discs ready within two-three weeks. Albums take four-eight weeks from the time you approve the design.
Do yourself a favor and ask your friends and relatives that are married how long it took to get their photos; you might be surprised to hear many of them did not receive their photos for many months, and in some unfortunate cases, over a year. I could not in good conscience ever do this. More than a decade of working on immediate deadline at newspapers has given me the skill to process photos very quickly while still giving each photo the attention to detail it deserves.
This does not mean there will not be formal photos; I will always photograph formal images if desired. It is best to come up with a "shot list" of formal photos in advance of the wedding day. This way, no important family members are left out and the process of shooting the formal photos goes quickly. The bride and groom do not want to spend their day being directed by a photographer. They would rather be having fun, so I work quickly and efficiently to shoot any requested photos, and let the day progress naturally.
Don't be fooled by traditional photographers following the latest trend by now calling themselves "photojournalists." I've been a professional photojournalist for over a decade.
How soon do I get my photos?
Way quicker than with the vast majority of wedding photographers! Most of the time, if you take a week-long honeymoon immediately after the wedding, all the photos will be posted to your website before your return. In addition, I usually have the DVD slide shows and photo discs ready within two-three weeks. Albums take four-eight weeks from the time you approve the design.
Do yourself a favor and ask your friends and relatives that are married how long it took to get their photos; you might be surprised to hear many of them did not receive their photos for many months, and in some unfortunate cases, over a year. I could not in good conscience ever do this. More than a decade of working on immediate deadline at newspapers has given me the skill to process photos very quickly while still giving each photo the attention to detail it deserves.
Engagement Portraits and Bridal Portraits
The engagement portrait session lasts between fourty five minutes and an hour at the location of your choice, though I have several locations I can recommend locally. The photos tend to be romantic, casual, fun, and reflect the couple's personaities. The photos are uploaded to your website (if included in your package) within two to three business days and a disc of the photos is mailed to you within five business days. The couple should where clothes that complement each other and shouldn't be bright or busy.
The bridal portraits last between sixty and ninety minutes at the location of your choice, though I have several locations I can recommend locally. The photos tend to be elegent and romantic. The bride should bring one or two people to help with the dress and hair, though no more than two. The bridal portrait should be scheduled on a day that allows the bride to have the dress cleaned if necessary before the wedding. The photos are uploaded to your website (if included in your package) within two to three business days and a disc of the photos is mailed to you within five business days.
I get a web site?
Yes, not just a gallery, but a web site! You get your own, customized web address. If your names are Caroline and Chris and it's available, you can get www.carolineandchris.com. The web site stays up for a year. The web site includes several galleries, such as "Getting Ready," "Portraits," "The Ceremony," and "The Reception." Also, while all of the pakcages include discs with files that you have to the rights to print, if you find it more convenient, you and your family and friends can order prints from the website. For an example, go to www.janowskiwedding.com.
Do I have a say in the music used in my DVD slide show?
Absolutely. While I have a set of songs I use on just about DVD, if you have songs that are personal to you that you would like included, just let me know before the wedding date. That way I can be working on the slide shows while you're on your honeymoon and get them to you quickly.
Do you use digital or film?
I use the best digital cameras on the market, the same camera used by just about all photographers of Sports Illustrated and most other large publications. Both the second shooter and I always have two of these cameras, so if something happens to one, we always have backups.
Digital has made photography safer, in many ways; when shooting film, if there were an error in processing, your wedding photos would be lost forever. If you had a flood or fire and your prints and negatives were affected, your wedding photos were lost forever. However, with digital photography, I will supply you with multiple copies so, if a package with your wedding discs or prints gets lost or damaged, you have a back-up copy.
Black & White or Color?
Do I have a say in the music used in my DVD slide show?
Absolutely. While I have a set of songs I use on just about DVD, if you have songs that are personal to you that you would like included, just let me know before the wedding date. That way I can be working on the slide shows while you're on your honeymoon and get them to you quickly.
Do you use digital or film?
I use the best digital cameras on the market, the same camera used by just about all photographers of Sports Illustrated and most other large publications. Both the second shooter and I always have two of these cameras, so if something happens to one, we always have backups.
Digital has made photography safer, in many ways; when shooting film, if there were an error in processing, your wedding photos would be lost forever. If you had a flood or fire and your prints and negatives were affected, your wedding photos were lost forever. However, with digital photography, I will supply you with multiple copies so, if a package with your wedding discs or prints gets lost or damaged, you have a back-up copy.
Black & White or Color?
Shooting digital, all the original files will be in color. I supply both a color and black & white version of most of the photos on your discs.
Do you travel outside of Columbia?
Yes, we will go anywhere in the Southeast. There may be a small travel fee for weddings more than ninety minutes from Columbia. A lodging fee may be required for weddings ending late more than 100 minutes from Columbia.
How many photos do I get?
Do you travel outside of Columbia?
Yes, we will go anywhere in the Southeast. There may be a small travel fee for weddings more than ninety minutes from Columbia. A lodging fee may be required for weddings ending late more than 100 minutes from Columbia.
How many photos do I get?
For all-day packages, I edit down all the photos we take to the best 450-600, then tone, crop, and give you ready-to-print images on a disc. Unlike other photographers, there is no limit to the number of photographs we take. However, not every image is ideal, nor would you want prints of each of the nearly identical 100 plus photos we will take of your first dance, for example.
In addition, unlike most photographers, I individually crop and tone each photo I give you, so every photo looks its best. Since I crop each photo by hand to the exact dimensions they will be printed, the photo finisher will not inadvertently cut off heads, etc.
Please keep in mind that the larger and longer the wedding and reception, the more photos you will get.
How does the album get created?
In addition, unlike most photographers, I individually crop and tone each photo I give you, so every photo looks its best. Since I crop each photo by hand to the exact dimensions they will be printed, the photo finisher will not inadvertently cut off heads, etc.
Please keep in mind that the larger and longer the wedding and reception, the more photos you will get.
How does the album get created?
You give me a list of photos from the web gallery you want included in the album and which photo you want on the front and back cover (if applicable). I send the photos to my professional wedding album designer, he designs the album and sends it to me in a PDF file. I send the PDF file to you, you either approve the design or request any changes. My designer includes changes to up to five spreads (a spread is two facing pages) for free, after that he charges us a $10 fee for each additional changed spread. Once the design is approved, I submit it to AsukaBook or Zook Book, who then prints and binds the book. The design takes about two weeks, the printing about four weeks.
When is my deposit and balance due?
$500 is due at the signing of the contract to reserve the date. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the wedding day. These are non-refundable.
What about credit cards?
I accept credit cards with a 3% service charge.
When is my deposit and balance due?
$500 is due at the signing of the contract to reserve the date. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the wedding day. These are non-refundable.
What about credit cards?
I accept credit cards with a 3% service charge.
Contact Jeff Blake to Photograph Your Wedding.
(803) 354-2128 Jeff@ColumbiaWeddingPhotos.com
