What is an engagement session? It’s really just a chance to hang out together, enjoying each other, laughing, and letting me observe with my camera. Portrait sessions usually take about an hour, maybe a bit more. If you want to do an extended engagement session this lasts up to three hours and we can go much further, like the beach or the gorge.

What can we do with the engagement photos? You can use the photos in a slide show at your wedding reception. You can make a guest book, or have me order a custom designed professional guest book for you. Some brides like to make personalized save-the-date cards for their wedding, or include a photo in their invites.  I give all my brides a dvd with high resolution images and printing rights.

Where and when does the e-session take place? You can do your photos when you first get engaged, or just weeks before your wedding. It depends on how long you are wedding planning for and what you want to use the photos for. There are lots of fun locations in Portland! Downtown can be a blast. We can walk around the Pearl district, hitting Tanner Springs Park and Ecotrust. The SE Industrial area has a great grungy urban feel. If you want something prettier, there is Washington Park, Mt. Tabor, and piles of other green places. Once I know a little about my clients it’s easier to make suggestions to some place that seems just right.

What are the benefits? It gives you a chance to get relaxed in front of the camera. Most people are not used to a camera following them around.  Doing an engagement session is great prep for your wedding.  Another great thing is you and your photographer get to know each other a little better.  You’ve probably spent a lot of time deciding between wedding photographers, and interviewing, before you booked. This gives you a chance to feel what it is like to work together.  It may help you to feel more at ease on your wedding day.

Most importantly an engagement session, gives you a chance to celebrate your love. Wedding planning can be stressful.  Take an hour or two off, go somewhere special and look into each others eyes, laugh, and kiss.  And of course you get great photos to use for whatever you like!

Not everyone chooses to do engagement photos, but I do recommend it and offer it complimentary with most of my wedding packages.  It’s great for me to work with couples before their wedding, but I have had brides that were from out of town and I didn’t meet until I showed up in their hotel room for getting ready photos!

This past summer, I photographed a large wedding. The groom was from Nigeria so the wedding had traditions that were a bit different from what I normally see. The couple also had piles of family and friends, making it a very large wedding, of over 300 guests. This wedding is a great example of when having two photographers is ideal. My assistant for this wedding, Sharla Stenerson, was an amazing asset.

We started photographing at the bride’s parent’s home, then went to the church, then to a park for wedding formals, and then to a reception hall. Sharla was with me at the park but once the bridal party was in the limo, she went onto the reception. I stayed and did portraits of the bride and groom. What this meant, was an opportunity to take photos of the details before everyone arrived, and for her to be there when the bride and groom arrived, since I was following them.

When should you consider having a second wedding photographer?

• You have a large wedding, maybe 200 guests or more
• You are having a wedding reception in a venue that is very spread out
• You have a very large extended family that you would like to participate in formal portraits, and have limited time worked into your wedding day schedule
• Getting different views of the same exact moment is very important to you
• You have multiple locations planned throughout your wedding day, and may need a photographer to be in more than one place at a time

Have I worked in these situations without a second shooter? Yes.  I can, and even enjoy the challenge at times, but for certain weddings it can make things go smoother and give you additional images if you elect to have a second photographer.

Would the second photographer need to be there for the entire wedding? Probably not.  I recommend about four hours for most weddings.  This covers a little of getting ready, wedding formals, the ceremony, and a bit of reception time.

If I want a second shooter at my wedding, how does that work? For you, it works seamlessly.  We work it into your wedding package, and you communicate with me.  I have several photographers that I will check with for availability.  They all shoot in a similar enough style, that the images will all be cohesive.  At the end of the day, the photographer hands over their RAW files to me, and I process all the wedding photos as one entity.

Do you always recommend having two photographers? Absolutely not.  It completely depends upon your wedding plans.  There are plenty of brides that I recommend just having one photographer for.  I actually shoot the majority of weddings alone.

Below is an example of how you get the same moment captured differently with two photographers.  I am standing in the aisle taking the photo of the bride entering with her dad.  Sharla is standing at the entrance to the church, and took the photo of the bride walking down the aisle from behind.

Are you a full-time photographer?
Yes. I have a 32 hours set aside each week that I work either with clients or in my home office. In addition to this time, I spend countless hours thinking about my business, jotting down notes, running ideas by my hubby, corresponding with clients, and sneaking in extra work time while my daughter naps.

How long have you been into photography?
A very long time. Professionally, I have done portrait photography for five years. I started photographing weddings, and went full-time, about two years ago. I have been shooting with an SLR camera for 20 years, and am originally trained in film photography, though I now shoot digital.

What is your training?
I studied photography at the School of Visual Arts for two years. I have a bachelor’s degree in visual arts, with an emphasis in photography. I also have 30 credits post-bach of multimedia courses, which includes lots of Photoshop training.

How do you describe your style?
Wedding photojournalism. Editorial. Documentary. I observe. I capture moments. I intrude as little as possible. I direct during formals but still try to step back and let you be yourself. I believe on your wedding day you should be thinking about each other, and laughing with family and friends, not thinking about your photographs.

Do you shoot alone or with another photographer?
I shoot alone most of the time. I do have several second shooters that I have worked with, and you may elect to add one into your package. I generally recommend doing so for very large weddings, over 250 guests.

What if you are sick or have an emergency on wedding day?
Unless I am extremely sick I will be there. If there is an emergency situation with myself or my immediate family, I will contact every other photographer I know and do everything I can to find a replacement. If you have opted for a second shooter, he or she will take over.

Can I make prints anywhere I like of my wedding photos?
You may. I strongly recommend Mpix for prints. If you prefer to stay local, I would choose Portland Pro Photo. You will have a dvd with high resolution jpg files, and a statement granting you permission to make prints at any lab.

When will I get my photos and album?
I post wedding previews to my blog within the first week. Within three weeks you will have your web gallery of wedding photos, and your dvd shortly afterwards. Album design is ready two to three weeks after the gallery. After you give me final approval of your electronic proof, the wedding album will take four to ten weeks, depending on the type.

Do you travel?
Within an hour of my home, just outside SW Portland, is included in my packages. Pretty much, Portland, Salem, Vancouver and the suburbs are included. Seattle, the Oregon Coast, Eugene, Corvallis, and Bend are just a small surcharge to cover travel costs. If you are outside these areas, feel free to send me a request, and I’ll let you know if it’s possible.

Can I see more work, maybe a full wedding?
Sure. If you’d like to see a full wedding online, just ask. I can give you access to a web gallery.

When do I need to reserve a date by?
Most brides book with me between six and eighteen months in advance. It is possible to get a date on shorter notice, especially during the winter. If you have a date approaching, send me an email to see if I am available. I once accepted a booking on a Wednesday for the following Sunday!

How do I book you for my wedding?
You like my work. You have read my blog, and think you like me. The next step is to contact me to schedule a time for us to meet. We’ll have coffee, tea, or whatever you prefer to chat over. I’ll show you printed work, and we can go over all the details. A deposit and signed contract is required to hold your date.

The floral designer is a dear friend of the bride, Julie Baldino. If you are looking for wedding flowers, she can be reached at Julie@juliebaldino.com.