A: I began my formal photography education with a photo lab class during my Sophomore year of high school (class of '81). As a member of both the school newspaper and yearbook staffs, I frequently had camera in hand to catch events as they happened.

This early training used 35mm film (yes, way before digital) and also included hand-developing and printing of the images. A graduation gift from my father of a Pentax K1000 35mm camera of my own planted the seed of what was to come.

At age 19, I shot my first wedding (solo) for a friend (and for free). A few months later, impressed by the images from that wedding, a bridesmaid from that wedding hired me to shoot her own wedding.

I am pleased to see that my childhood hobby has become my full-time career.

<< back to top

A: Yes, I am a full-time professional photographer. Unlike part-timers or hobbyists, this means that I am available for bookings day or night, weekdays or weekends, for local or destination events.

Since this is all I do, I have more time to devote to you and your big day. 

This also means that I am fully insured and tend to have better equipment (and care for it better) than the average weekend warrior would -- since this is my livelihood.  I bring two sets of professional Canon digital cameras, flashes, and multiple lenses to every event in order to be prepared for any malfunctions that may occur. 

<< back to top

A: I use a blend of mostly candid, photojournalistic shots, with a touch of fine art and traditional photography. A majority of the shots are taken just as they happen, and usually without the subject even knowing that the image has been captured.

Most modern day brides and grooms prefer spending their time enjoying the day as it happens, without stopping for an hour of posed portraits. The shots that always bring back the best memories are the candid shots that show the true emotion of the day -- the laughter, the tears, the nervous expressions, and the joy of the moment. These are the type of shots that I focus on capturing.

<< back to top

A: Nothing.  Zero.  Nada.  Zilch.

I do not charge for overtime because I do not offer any per-hour packages. I do not believe that it is fair for your photographer to be looking at their watch all day long, or leaving before they have captured everything that you want to remember from your day. 

There are SO many things happening on your wedding day that the chances of multiple little delays (or one big delay) will shift your whole schedule over.  The LAST thing you need at your reception is for your photographer to tap you on the shoulder during your father-daughter dance and say, "I know that you're running behind and haven't cut the cake or thrown your bouquet yet, but... you'll have to pay me more, or I'll have to leave."

I will show up when you start getting ready, and will not leave until every memory from the reception is captured.  I am yours for the entire day.  If you have the energy to keep going, so do I.

<< back to top

A: My home studio/gallery is located in Murrieta, California (near the Temecula Wine Country), yet I am available to shoot your wedding or special event world-wide. I have traveled to Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Arizona, and all over Southern California to document special events for my clients.

Additional fees may apply to events requiring travel and/or lodging outside of the general Southwest Riverside County, CA area.

<< back to top

A: Yes! As a full-time professional photographer, I would not be without insurance to cover any damage caused by myself or my staff at your event. In fact, all of your vendors should carry this type of coverage.

My insurance coverage includes $1,000,000 for each accident occurrence, $100,000 in fire damage, $10,000 in medical expenses, and up to $2,000,000 in general aggregate coverage.  A copy of my current general liability insurance certificate in PDF form is available by request.

<< back to top

A: You cannot find a better photographic paper than the Kodak Endura paper that I use for all of my prints and enlargements. This archival-quality paper is guaranteed not to fade or yellow for 100 years under normal display conditions, and for 200 years in dark storage (such as within the pages of your custom album).

All images used in my final prints are custom retouched to ensure proper color balance, levels, and contrast. Additionally, minor imperfections such as blemishes, wrinkles, stray hairs, and even unwanted extra pounds will be polished at the client's request at no additional charge.

I use only the finest album products from Zookbinders, Leather Craftsmen, AsukaBook, and Cypress Designs, depending on the specific album style that my client prefers.

<< back to top

A: I am available to photograph ceremonies of ANY kind.  If you like my work and would like to hire me to photograph your event, I would love to, regardless of the type of event. I do not discriminate. I have photographed weddings for couples of many different religious denomination and non-denominational.  I also welcome same-sex weddings. I believe that every couple deserves the very best on their big day.

<< back to top

A: Since you may (and should) take a look at multiple photographers to find the one that you feel is the best match for your needs and tastes, here are several areas that I feel differentiate myself from other photographers:  

• My Signature Wedding coverage includes full-day coverage.  I am yours all day long from the moment you begin to get your hair and makeup done until the last event at your reception has been covered that YOU want covered.  As long as you have energy, I have energy.
• I am 44 years old and shot my first wedding as lead photographer when I was just 19 – way back in 1982. I began formal studies in photography four years earlier in Photo Lab class during my sophomore year of high school. I have been doing this a long time, and have the experience to not only get great shots when everything goes right, but to also know how to deal with situations when NOTHING goes right. Why trust the most important day of your life to a part-timer with little experience, or worse, a friend or relative with no real-world wedding photography experience at all?  
• I am a full-time wedding photographer, not a weekend warrior or hobbyist.  Since this is all I do, I have more time to devote to you and your big day.  This also means that I tend to have better equipment, and care for it better, than the average weekend warrior would. 
• I use a primarily photojournalistic approach to wedding photography. This means that I allow everyone to just enjoy their day and ignore the camera.  I prefer to catch the moments as they happen, rather than making them happen.  If you are not a fan of posing for pictures, you will love my style. If you do like posing for every picture, then you probably will not like my style.
• I prefer using natural light over artificial light (flash) whenever possible.  However, when flash is required, I always use “off-camera” lighting whenever possible.  This is where I set up my studio lights in the corners of the reception area and use PocketWizard radio transceivers to fire the flashes remotely from the sides, rather than popping a flash into people’s faces all night long.  The resulting images are best described as “Hollywood-style”.
• I bring a second photographer with me to your wedding. This allows your wedding album to not only have shots of you coming down the aisle, but also shots of your fiancé’s reaction at the EXACT same moment. Not just the first kiss, but mom and dad's reaction at the EXACT same moment. Not just the bride and her girls getting ready before the ceremony, but also the groom and his guys getting ready across town at the EXACT same moment.
• I bring two sets of professional Canon digital cameras, flashes, and sets of lenses to every event in order to be prepared for any malfunctions that may occur. 
• All of the images from your wedding day are custom-retouched to ensure that you look your very best. There is no need to worry about blemishes, scars, tattoos, wrinkles, love handles, or anything else that you want taken care of. No problem.
• All of my albums are custom-designed by a professionally-trained graphic artist, without the use of templates of any kind.  So, your album will truly be a one-of-a-kind design. (You can view more details on the look of my album covers and pages HERE.)
• I have maintained a constant AAA rating with the Better Business Bureau (VIEW DETAILS HERE).  You should ensure that any photographer (or other vendor) you select for a day as important as your wedding has a favorable rating on the BBB.
• I am fully-insured to cover any accidents (up to $1,000,000), personal injury (up to $10,000), and fire (up to $100,000) caused by my company during your event.  
• To ease the strain on your wedding budget, I break your photography package price into four payments. PLUS, for all wedding packages that include a custom album, the final payment is not due until 30 days AFTER your wedding. Most other photographers require full payment prior to your wedding date.

Through the years, memories fade. But your photographs remain to recount all of the special details of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Why risk disaster by choosing a budget photographer with limited experience just to save a few bucks? There are thousands of horror stories to be told of brides hiring budget photographers in an attempt to save on wedding costs, but then tearfully regretting the decision after comparing inferior final products to that of a friend or a sister who has awesome images and a beautiful wedding album from an experienced, high-end professional.

DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU.

Hire a photographer with the style of photography you prefer, and the experience to deliver it consistently. With years of experience with hundreds of successful weddings shot, and ZERO disasters, I have the experience you can trust. If my style of photography appeals to you, we should schedule an appointment to meet and see if our personalities also mix well.

You see... No matter how well you like a particular photographer's style, nor how much experience they have, if you don't share complimentary personalities, spending the entire day with them may not be a pleasant experience.

Finally, at the end of the day, I am not just your photographer, but I am also your friend. I do not look at your wedding as just another day on the job and you as just another client. I do not take "cookie-cutter" wedding shots. Every wedding is a unique adventure and an opportunity to create art while preserving one of the most precious memories a person will ever have.

I am honored to have been trusted by so many to do just that for them.  And, I would love to be your wedding photographer too.

<< back to top