About Jack's Wedding Photography

The art and the practice of photographing weddings requires many skills.  In particular, knowing how to balance two crucial techniques: 1) silent, unobtrusive observation, and 2) quickly, calmly, and confidently orchestrating key photographs most couples want, like their portrait, and family groups.

Deciding if, when, and how much to orchestrate photographs, and when to let events unfold by themselves to capture candid moments, is a skill that comes from being comfortable with people, and from 30 years of experience photographing weddings, events, and people.

You, the bride and groom, should be focused on each other and on your family and friends, not on what the photographer is doing.  Some couples ask for some guidance from me, some want little or even none.  With all couples, I listen to what you want, make suggestions based on my experience photographing over a hundred weddings, and we decide together, in advance, what's best for you. 

My consultations with you before the wedding are part of the value I offer.  Couple's tastes and needs vary widely.  For instance, I photographed one lovely, bohemian wedding on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, CA, without making a single arranged group photo, per their request.  Instead, I made images of the wedding as it unfolded.  For another couple, with a large extended family visiting from around the country, we made special arrangements for a full hour of group photographs they knew would be precious and impossible to create again. 

Let's talk about your individual needs and preferences.  I'm happy to help, whether you end up choosing me for your wedding or not.  Even with my experience, I know I'm not the right photographer for every couple because it's also a matter of chemistry.  Usually we'll know if we're a fit after talking or meeting in person.  Regardless, I've been told many times by couples that just my asking questions about your wedding day, especially early in the planning stages, is of great help in making yours all it can be.

Fees

My fee of $4500 includes everything, detailed below. Most important, you'll receive the benefit of my skills, experience and aesthetics, the result of over 30 years’ experience documenting weddings quietly, energetically, calmly, unobtrusively - and beautifully.

CONSULTATIONS months before, and again on those last few busy days before your wedding.  I want to learn your specific needs and preferences, and I can be of great help to you during our first consultation—even if you don't decide I'm right for your wedding.

UP TO 12 HOURS PHOTOGRAPHY TIME on your wedding day, from morning-into-night.  Time is a factor, but I don’t charge by the hour.   I make myself this available so you get used to having me around.  The more you are relaxed with me, your wedding photographer, being around, the better my images will be.  I'm happy to be with you before your first guest arrives, and stay until the last dance.
 
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY offers numerous advantages over film, which is why it has replaced film with the exception of some stubborn artists. :-)  With digital, you have every image in both color AND Black & White.  I typically edit to color, except when I think an image looks better in Black & White, and then I convert for you to see why. 

EDITING if digital has one disadvantage, it's that editing properly, professionally, with care, now typically takes far more time than photographing.  4-6 times more time, and more with the extensive retouching now possible and increasingly expected.  Meaning, two week's time at the computer to dramatically improve 100-200 favorite "Select" images. But the time investment is well worth it, because photographs look so much better when "worked on" as we photographer's often simply say.
 
4”X6” PROOFPRINTS Depending on the size, duration and complexity of a wedding, I'll typically make 800-1200 photographs. In the weeks after, I edit, and then finally print and deliver (2) sets of 4”X6” proofprints of about my two hundred (200) of my favorites, or "Selects."  Two of each print (about 400 total) means you get one set of 200 for yourselves and another set of 200 4x6 proofprints to immediately, conveniently, give to family and friends.
 
4X6 PROOFPRINTS ALBUM I arrange your 200 proofprints in chronological order in one hardcover bound album, for your immediate enjoyment & permanent display.

ONLINE GALLERY of the photographs, for you to view and share with friends and family anywhere in the world.  From this gallery you can download the original full-size (JPEG) files.  In effect, this means...
 
YOU GET THE “NEGATIVES” Another advantage of digital technology is you get all the full-size, high-resolution digital files - the modern, digital equivalent of film negatives.  There need be no additional charges for reprints and albums if you're digitally savvy.  You can print or reprint to your heart’s content, on your own. 

Of course I offer custom printmaking and a variety of customized album services for those (many) couples too busy or disinclined to tackle this kind of work which requires attention to details themselves.

And if you'd like some other service, or don't want some of what I offer (e.g., physical 4x6 prints), let's discuss.  I used to show elaborate menus of offerings, but found I inevitably end up discussing your particular needs and desires anyway, tossing aside menus and customizing anyway. 

Perhaps because I'm over 50 years old, I find talking to people more efficient and productive than repeatedly texting or even emailing back-and-forth.  At least initially   (And yes of course I'm tech savvy with DSLRS, iPhone, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, etc., in my often-digital iLife.)

Bookings ($4500) are confirmed with an Deposit of 1/3 the total fee, or $1500.

All in all, I’m not the least expensive photographer you’ll find, and I'm far from the most expensive.  I'm experienced, relaxed, but also energetic.  I'm committed to delivering images you’ll cherish so you'll refer me to your friends.  View my online portfolios — especially "Weddings," "People" and "Travel."  If you like them, and my natural approach to photographing people and their emotions on wedding day, let's discuss your wedding.  I'm happy to share all I’ve learned from observing and photographing weddings for more years than some young newlyweds have been alive. :-)
 
I'm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and available to travel anywhere.  Telephone: 415.668.42-zero-zero.  Email me.