Frequently Asked Questions
General
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I’m available for destination weddings worldwide, but focus on weddings in Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Kentucky.
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There are no travel fees for weddings in western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), central or southern Arizona (Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tucson), and Lexington/Louisville (Kentucky). For everywhere else, please contact me for a quote.
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Absolutely. For Arizona weddings, I recommend my sister company Omega Wedding Films. For other locations, please reach out and I can tell you who else is creating work that I admire.
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Yes, I offer aerial cinematography. My drone coverage comes in two parts: sense-of-place landscapes and planned, cinematic maneuvers. The former will include shots of the surrounding area and your venue, and doesn't require any special timeline considerations. All couples who elect drone coverage receive this at a minimum. The latter, cinematic maneuvers, are shots involving the couple in the frame. These require your timeline to have a 20 minute “Drone Filming” item dedicated for their capture. I am an FAA licensed pilot certified to fly and operate UAS. Drone coverage is subject to airspace, venue, and weather restrictions.
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If you're a stick in the mud or allergic to good humor, don't hire me. I like working for happy people.
Photo
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For most weddings, yes. I shoot with a variety of film stocks: Fujifilm 400H, Kodak Tri-X, Kodak Portra, Ilford Delta, and Fujifilm Acros.
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Most definitely. I highly recommend having an engagement session with me. Not only will you receive beautiful images for a website and/or save-the-dates, but also the opportunity to practice feeling relaxed and comfortable in front of my camera before the wedding.
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Yes. Couples receive digital files of all their photographs, both available for download from their online gallery and delivered in the mail as part of their final package.
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No, my couples are not required to buy prints, canvases, or albums as part of their package. By providing digital files to all, you are free to print them from the vendor/print shop of your choice. That said, printing is something I’m passionate about and I enjoy helping couples navigate the process. My clients receive complimentary print consultations, which include everything from exploring different paper types to designing a presentation format that’ll compliment their space.
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Your Online Gallery allows you, friends, and family to submit orders for prints via a very streamlined process. Simply select the size, material, how you'd like the photo cropped (if needed), and then submit your payment. Your order will be delivered to your front door within a week or two! Clients also have the option to schedule a print consultation at my studio for a guided process. We’ll review samples, explore paper types, and discuss the best presentation for your home and space.
My albums also involve an in-depth design process. These are heavy, hand-made albums on archival grade photographic paper, bound in your choice of linen or leather. Once your final gallery is ready work will begin on your album.
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Every wedding is unique so it varies. I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity, but that said, every wedding has a large quantity of quality moments worth capturing. Most couples will receive 500-750 photographs.
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Your Online Gallery with all your photographs will be available about six to eight weeks after the wedding. From your Online Gallery you can order prints/canvases and download digital copies of all images. If I only photographed your wedding, your custom USB containing all images will be mailed out at the same time. If I both photographed and filmed your wedding, your USB will be sent once your films are finished with post-production and ready for viewing (typically ~3 months after the wedding).
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No, my editing and post-production is part of the value I provide. Raw or unedited photographs are not for sale.
Film
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My Highlight Film is an engaging, cinematic summary of your wedding day. It has a runtime between four and six minutes, but is typically around the five minute mark. The cinematic nature and editing style means that many events (vows, speeches, etc.) will have abbreviated excerpts. My Documentary Films are the way to view and relive the main wedding day events in their entirety.
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My Signature Film is designed for multi-day celebrations. It's cinematic and maintains a highly engaging viewing experience while telling the story of your entire weekend. Signature Films have a run-time of about 12-15 minutes.
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These show your wedding day events in their entirety. Couples can select a stand-alone Ceremony or Speeches Films, or opt for "Documentary Captures," which includes all your main events. These main events are typically the ceremony, speeches, and formal dances (couple's first dance and parent dances). Other events that might be unique to your day, such as a ketubah signing or traditional Chinese tea ceremony, can also be included by request. The run-time of these videos depends on the length of the actual event itself. If your ceremony was 45 minutes, your Ceremony Film will also be 45 minutes; if reception speeches lasted 20 minutes, so will your video of them. Documentary films utilize 3-4 cameras for an engaging viewing experience, but do have less emphasis on a cinematic editing style (they use the natural audio from the event and do not overlay B-roll). Wedding days can often be a blur, and documentary films let you relive every moment of your day's main events.
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Vignette Films are short and creative narratives that capture the story and essence of this time in your life. They are simultaneously the most challenging and rewarding films I create, and unlike wedding videography, their process is more akin to traditional narrative filmmaking (script writing, storyboarding, etc.). Every shot is planned and intentional with these, which is a stark contrast to weddings where we capture events as they unfold naturally. The process involves pre-production where we outline everything from the story arc and script down to the wardrobe. Shooting typical happens over multiple days and at multiple locations. The end result in a film that offers both a personal and artful documentation of your relationship. These films are a considerable investment of time, not just of mine but of the couple’s as well, and for that reason they are not right for everybody. However, if you do think making a short film like this would be a blast, send me a message and let’s talk.
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Click here to learn all about my 4k wedding films.
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It usually takes around three months before I have a final package with all films ready to deliver. Teaser Films are delivered within 5 days of the wedding.
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Unfortunately, no. All songs are protected by copyright and sync licenses from the major music publishers (which hold the rights to your favorite songs) are quite expensive. Luckily, I have a couple great resources that I license music from for use in my films. I choose all music very carefully to ensure it compliments the tone, feel, and pace of your film's visuals.
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The Online Blu-ray is a website with an interactive menu (just like a normal DVD/Blu-ray menu) that is easily accessed by visiting a simple URL link. This allows you to watch your films anywhere, anytime, right from within your internet browser. You'll also be able to download your films to your computer, laptop, or cell phone from the menu. Online Blu-rays are a very convenient way to share your films with family and friends without having to upload and send large files.
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Unfortunately, no. The industry has moved away from physical media and the suppliers I used no longer offer them.
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With my style, about 90% of the day is collected organically. I'll only direct you a handful of times, and certainly not during intimate moments. For example, I may ask that you stand near a window when getting ready for the best light. Similar to having time devoted on your timeline to take photos, I ask that a small block (10-15 min.) be added to your timeline where I can collect more cinematic shots. If I'm also your photographer, it makes things a little easier as I'll combine our photo & film sessions into one. During this time I’ll direct sequences that turn into real moments, and if you added drone coverage we'll do a cool fly-over. Obtaining these cinematic shots increases the quality of your film dramatically and allows me to add a level of intimacy by eliminating distracting elements in the frame (another photographer, guest, etc.).
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No. Raw footage to me is to what a first draft is to an author; a work in progress unfit for presentation. For every hour of filming I spend about five hours editing to ensure all films become exceptional, finished products. Footage is also collected in a LOG profile, which requires color grading to look pleasing to the eye. If you’re in the market for a basic videographer and "simple" video coverage, I'm not the best fit for you.