rl-imaging

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  1. About Me

How I shoot

A photographer's style is as important as how much s/he charges. It does not matter whether a photographer charges $100 or $25000 if you do not like the results. A good photographer will ask you basic questions - What photos do you absolutely want (and do not want)? What mix of formal versus journalistic? Do you like different angles? The actual composition is up to the photographer because you will be too busy to frame every photo. So... take a look at this page and my portfolios to see how I shoot. Only after you decide that you like what you see should you look at what I charge.
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  • Formal, but casual, photos are great.

    Formal, but casual, photos are great.

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  • But what happens afterward is usually better!  This is one of the reasons why I went digital, so I can shoot before and after "the shot" without worrying about cost.  I generally take over 800 photos for a wedding, but I do not have an upper limit.  Many of the photos may not be good enough for your album, but more often than not, there are a few standout photos that I would have missed if I had not just kept shooting.

    But what happens afterward is usually better! This is one of the reasons why I went digital, so I can shoot before and after "the shot" without worrying about cost. I generally take over 800 photos for a wedding, but I do not have an upper limit. Many of the photos may not be good enough for your album, but more often than not, there are a few standout photos that I would have missed if I had not just kept shooting.

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  • Pure, unrehearsed, unprompted emotion.  This is what I look for throughout the day.  Other than the formal shots, I will never ask you to pose.  In fact, I start the day by asking you to ignore me, "Pretend I am not here!"  A perfectly posed family portrait is a requirement, but how many people gush about how happy they were while posing for that photo?  What people remember are their own emotional moments.  That is what I try to capture.<BR>
I also try to stay well out of your way so you are not constantly reminded that you are being photographed.  It is very difficult to act natural when there is a photographer in your face.  This was shot from across the room.

    Pure, unrehearsed, unprompted emotion. This is what I look for throughout the day. Other than the formal shots, I will never ask you to pose. In fact, I start the day by asking you to ignore me, "Pretend I am not here!" A perfectly posed family portrait is a requirement, but how many people gush about how happy they were while posing for that photo? What people remember are their own emotional moments. That is what I try to capture.
    I also try to stay well out of your way so you are not constantly reminded that you are being photographed. It is very difficult to act natural when there is a photographer in your face. This was shot from across the room.

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  • Though most weddings go through the same steps, no two are alike.  I look for the moments that make yours truly unique.

    Though most weddings go through the same steps, no two are alike. I look for the moments that make yours truly unique.

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  • If necessary, I will use a flash during the entrance of the wedding party.  But once everybody is seated, I will never use a flash regardless of how dark the church is.  It is much too distracting.  Some churches have gorgeous natural lighting which I try to capture.  Shooting this way is much more difficult, and produces fewer non-blurry photos, but I think the result is worth the effort.<br />
<br />
I may use a flash with outdoor weddings if I need a bit of fill.

    If necessary, I will use a flash during the entrance of the wedding party. But once everybody is seated, I will never use a flash regardless of how dark the church is. It is much too distracting. Some churches have gorgeous natural lighting which I try to capture. Shooting this way is much more difficult, and produces fewer non-blurry photos, but I think the result is worth the effort.

    I may use a flash with outdoor weddings if I need a bit of fill.

  • This church was actually much darker than what you see here.  I could have tweaked the exposure in Photoshop but that would have added a lot of noise to the darker areas and blown out the stained glass windows.<BR>
This was actually shot f/8.0, 1/2 second exposure,  ISO 400, no tripod, no flash.  Not drinking anything with caffeine helps.

    This church was actually much darker than what you see here. I could have tweaked the exposure in Photoshop but that would have added a lot of noise to the darker areas and blown out the stained glass windows.
    This was actually shot f/8.0, 1/2 second exposure, ISO 400, no tripod, no flash. Not drinking anything with caffeine helps.

  • Your guests are important too!  I have two eyes for a reason - one watches you, the newlyweds, and the other watches everybody else.

    Your guests are important too! I have two eyes for a reason - one watches you, the newlyweds, and the other watches everybody else.

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  • Details, lots of details, because I know you put a lot of thought and effort into them.

    Details, lots of details, because I know you put a lot of thought and effort into them.

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  • I think my job is to document the day, to tell a complete story.  So I start the day with you.

    I think my job is to document the day, to tell a complete story. So I start the day with you.

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  • And stay until the last guest leaves.

    And stay until the last guest leaves.

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  • Or when they fall asleep...

    Or when they fall asleep...

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