PhotoHutch Events and Sessions

Events and Portraits

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Family, Adult and Teenage Portrait Photography

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer will be the most important decision in planning your wedding. Okay, maybe not the most important, but it is closely behind finding the right groom (or bride), picking a date, selecting a venue, narrowing the guest list, and of course, finding a dress.

A photographer serves as your historian, preserving images from your wedding that will last you a lifetime. The right photographer will record more than just pictures. He or she will capture the essence of the special day in the manner you want it remembered.

Too many photographers today seem to be more interested in taking the images they want, rather than providing what the bride and groom want. Some refuse to take formal, posed shots and will only take "Photojournalistic" images. Others are "Traditional" photographers, only taking the standard wedding images. Whomever you choose, make certain they are willing to work with you to get the images you desire.

Why Choose me?

Why select someone as your photographer whose photography experience is predominantly with nature? Though brides, their mothers, and their new mothers-in-law have the reputation of being potentially dangerous subjects, they're nothing compared to wading into a fast moving river to photograph a Brown Bear sow feeding with her cubs or maneuvering around a Bighorn Sheep on a mountain top just to get the lighting right. Both nature and wedding photography have their inherent perils, however both require a great respect for the subject in order to get the best possible, natural looking shots.

You may have been told that photographing a bride in her white gown and the groom in his black tuxedo is one of the most difficult images to get right. The lighting and exposure has to be perfect in order to bring out the detail of the gown and maintain the detail of the tux. Nature has its own technically difficult subject: the Bald Eagle. The white feathers on the head and tail and the black feathers of the body are similarly difficult. Fortunately, I won't be braving blizzard conditions to photograph brides and grooms as I have done photographing eagles.

Finally, to make a great wildlife image, the photographer must get the intended subject illuminated attractively, striking an appealing pose in an interesting scene. Many wildlife images are staged just that way, only the subjects aren't necessarily willing participants. Planning and patience are critical in coercing the subject into the right spot at the right time.

Please take a look at my galleries. The Weddings, Kids, and Portrait galleries will give you an idea of what I can do with people, while the Nature galleries will give you a feel for my competence as a photographer overall. I am proud of my work and confident in my abilities; if you like what you see, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss your wedding with you.

As your photographer, I will work hard with you to produce the images you want from your wedding. Prior to your wedding day, I will listen to you to gain an understanding of what types of images you want. I will scout your chosen venues looking for the right scenes and I will take test shots to ensure proper and intriguing lighting. I'll work with you and your wedding coordinator to pre-plan the shoots, enabling you to spend the most time possible with your guests while still getting the images you desire. During the event, I'll give you and your families the respect and patience you deserve as we work together to capture the essence of your wedding the way you want it remembered.

After all, it's your day; I'll never forget that.

Pricing

As I am just venturing into the wedding photography business, I am offering attractive introductory rates as I build my portfolio. To that end, I will discuss with you what you are looking for from a photographer, the types of images you want, the events you want covered, and how you want the final product delivered. From those discussions, I will tailor a package that will meet your specific needs very affordably.

Children's Photography

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be taking photos of children for a living. However, I've always loved kids, and I think they've always enjoyed me. Be it with nieces and nephews, my young daughter, or the kid in the shopping cart in front of me at checkout, I've always been able to make them laugh and smile. Now I do it with a camera in my hand.

With infants and toddlers, a priceless expression can come and go with the blink of an eye. My work as a nature photographer, especially with wildlife, has taught me how to be ready to capture a subject at the perfect moment. Whether it be a posed, formal setting or spontaneous children at play, I won't miss too many of those perfect pictures (every photographer misses some, though not too many are willing to admit it).

Depending upon the style of images you want of your children, I can work with you to provide it. For the formal images, I have a portable studio with a variety of handcrafted backgrounds that I can bring to your home or to a local park. Or if you prefer, I can simply use my lighting set-up to capture images of your children in any setting in or around your home.

My experience in nature photography can also help to create wonderful images of your children in a natural environment. I can position the subject or myself in order to best capitalize on the surroundings and I know how to use the ambient light to my advantage.

Finally, I'll even come to your little one's sporting event if you desire. I have the necessary equipment and the knowhow in order to capture all the heroics on the court, field, or pool.

I welcome the opportunity to work with you to provide you images of your children that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Please let me know how I can help!

Pricing

I like simplicity, so I charge a flat sitting rate of two hundred dollars per session at one location anywhere in the Tri-Valley area. Each Children's Session includes whichever types of set-ups you desire--studio, natural, and/or sports--and will last until your children can take no more (typically about two hours). Children other than yours can be added to the session for fifty dollars apiece, but please keep in mind that more isn't necessarily merrier and can impact the overall quality of the shoot. Finally, each session includes a fifty-dollar print credit towards the purchase of any images you select. I take great pride in producing my prints; detailed information about them and their pricing can be found by clicking on the following link: print pricing.

Also if you're interested, I can tailor a package documenting your child's progression through its first year with monthly sessions. Contact me for details!

Family, Adult and Teenage Portrait Photography

Portrait photography comes in many styles and forms, but the key to a successful image lies in the ability to capture the individuality of each subject. As I've tried to accomplish with my landscapes and wildlife images, I will strive to portray the uniqueness and spirit of each subject in every portrait I take. Whether it's the inherent beauty of an expectant mother, the invisible bond among a loving family, or the anxious pride of a graduating senior; I'll work hard to capture and preserve it.

Depending upon the style of portrait you desire--formal, natural, or artistic--we can work together to decide on the location and imagery best suited for your shoot. My portable studio can be set up anywhere from beaches to hilltops to the privacy of your own home giving us a variety of options from which to choose.

Pricing

For Family, Adult and Teenage Sessions, I charge a flat rate of two hundred and fifty dollars for up to two hours at any one location within the Tri-Valley area, with each additional hour on site at seventy-five dollars. Each session also includes a fifty-dollar print credit towards the purchase of any images you select. I take great pride in producing my prints; detailed information about them and their pricing can be found by clicking on the following link: print pricing.

I also offer Maternity Packages to capture your progression from conception to birth. Okay, maybe we'll skip the conception and birth parts and start from the beginning of the second trimester and finish with your child's first month. Contact me directly for details.

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