FAQ

How long do you stay at the wedding?

That depends on the package you book. My standard coverage runs from the bridal preparations through to the cake cutting, and I offer extended evening coverage as an option.

Can we get a DVD of all the pictures?

Yes. You receive a final DVD with every picture at high resolution and with a "Permission to Print" release, so you can print from it, keep it safe, upload the photos to Facebook or email them to friends.

Do you visit the wedding locations beforehand?

I have photographed at many venues around Ottawa. If I haven't shot at yours before, I usually arrive early to scout the best spots for your photographs.

Do you carry backup equipment and lighting?

Yes, I carry backups for everything I use, including cameras, flashes and lenses. I also bring umbrellas and towels, just in case.

Do you work alone?

I usually work alone for most of the coverage. My "Ultimate" package includes a second photographer, and one can be added to any wedding for an additional fee. A second photographer lets me cover parts of your day from two angles, and lets one of us help arrange group photos.

What areas do you cover?

I am based on the border of Kanata and Ottawa, which lets me cover eastern and central Ottawa easily, including Nepean, Barrhaven, South Gloucester and Orléans. In recent years I have also shot in Toronto, Montréal, Winnipeg and New York City, and I will travel anywhere in Canada, the US or worldwide.

How many pictures do you take?

It depends on the size of the crowd, the time available and other factors such as the weather. A standard wedding usually delivers around 600 pictures, but I never count the shots I take, so you may receive more.

Will you photograph everyone?

I try to photograph every guest at some point during the day. For big group shots I make sure everyone is included, allowing for the people who always wander off at that moment, and I also capture guests mingling. During our pre-wedding meeting I will ask whether there is anyone special you want photographed.

How do we book you?

Once you have decided to hire me, contact me to schedule a meeting where we discuss the details of your day and choose a package that fits your needs and budget. I will then give you my standard wedding photography contract and ask for the booking fee. Once I receive it, your date is reserved in my diary. The fee can be paid by cash, email transfer or cheque.

When do we pay?

The booking fee is 20% of the selected wedding package, payable when you complete the paperwork. The balance is due on the wedding day. Additional orders, such as prints, parents' albums or extra DVDs, are paid for when you place the order.

Are you insured?

Yes, I carry full public and professional liability insurance.

Do you shoot more than one wedding a day?

No. I have never booked more than one wedding in a day, because I want to concentrate fully on getting the best shots of yours.

Do you charge travel expenses?

I do not charge mileage within the Ottawa area. Travel further afield may be charged at cost, and any charges are agreed before booking so there are no surprises.

How quickly will the pictures be ready?

Your photographs are normally available in your password-protected online gallery within one month of the wedding. The final DVD should reach you within 10 days after that.

Are you a member of any professional associations?

Yes, I am a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), its Artistic Guild (AG|WPJA) and Professional Wedding Photographers of Canada (PWPC).

Do you photograph the ceremony itself?

That depends on the registrar or priest conducting it. Some are happy to work with me so I can capture your special moment, while others ban photographers from taking pictures inside their churches during any part of the ceremony. I can normally photograph the signing of the register.