In their last issue, Seattle Bride published a great article regarding “The Pros of Hiring a Pro.” The article is a insightful read for the bride-to-be that’s debating between hiring a professional photographer or a friend that conveniently owns a ‘decent’ camera. In early 2009 Seattle Bride sent an amateur photographer alongside a professional photographer to document a wedding and posted a side-by-side comparison of a few their images as well as a brief interview with the hobbyist photographer. Needless to say, the result were very different and the amateur photographer claimed, “I now disagree more than ever with the digital-age adage that ‘now everyone is a photographer.’ Tens of thousands of dollars in education, equipment and experience separate  me [the amateur photographer] from the pros.”

He’s right. If photography is important to you, hire a professional. The photographs from your wedding could very well be your only tangible memory from your wedding, so find a photographer that will make each one count. That’s our goal. We strive to perfect each image and capture images that tell the story of your wedding day. We don’t want to just show up and snap pictures – our goal is to tell your wedding story by photographing the intimate moments and details while capturing the timeline of the wedding. We want to capture your personality and capture the overall “mood” of your wedding. Our creative eye for detail and our ability to anticipate moments distinguishes our work from others.

We realize that photography is an investment, but you really do get what you pay for. We know that cost is important and everyone has a budget to work within, but don’t let cost be your primary focus. There are many ways to get great coverage without spending your entire wedding budget on the photography. Whether you feel that we’re the perfect fit for your wedding or perhaps you have another photographer in mind, get to know them, get comfortable and talk to them about your wedding. A good photographer and photojournalist will be truly interested in you and learning your story. Give us a call [206.571.7600] or send us email, so we can get to know you better and begin discussing options for your wedding. We’re interested in you. We want to be special guests at your wedding – not strangers with fancy black cameras. Let’s talk.

You can read Seattle Bride’s full article by clicking here.

When I was in high school I would stay up to 2, 3 or even 4 in the morning sometimes and would get up around 7 for school – after a few hours of sleep. For some reason I can’t seem to sustain that schedule as well I used to. Nevertheless, I love to be up late working on projects and editing photos, although I always regret staying up late when I need to wake up the next morning. I can’t seem to remember the regretful feeling I felt earlier in the day when the clock is turning past midnight and I’m saying to myself, “just one more image…”

Any guesses on what I am editing? Thanks to the amazing D3 and ISO’s up to 25,600 for the picture of me. 

Well, I don’t have them too often, but this week has definitely seemed longer than most. I am tired. Speaking of tired… I should squeeze in some hours of quality rest before morning comes. Sorry, no picture with the post tonight.

When its possible I try to get together with couples before the day of the wedding. Getting together ahead of time is a perfect opportunity to discuss details, get as much information as possible about the wedding day and “break the ice” so to speak. I want couples to be comfortable and as confident with me as possible before the day of their wedding. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so as you can imagine… retakes aren’t an option! I believe that its important for couples to know their photographer (whether me or someone else). This enables couples to see the photographer (me) more as a friend on the day of their wedding instead of a stranger behind a big camera with big black bags full of gadgets. This makes for more natural and beautiful pictures. It’s also a great opportunity to meet and make new friends.

Mark and Amanda… it was great getting together. I’m looking forward to your special day!