Business » Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Central PA

Welcome to my blog!

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Below you'll find answers to commonly asked questions. Read through them, and if you would like further information use the contact form to get in touch, or give me a call at 570-419-8636.

How long have you been a photographer?
My interest in photography began many years ago while I was still a student in high school. I made up my mind then that I would do whatever it took to follow my dream of becoming a professional photographer. After getting married and having children, my love for the art only grew. I took years to learn the art and science of photography before opening my own business two years ago. I also gained valuable experience shooting alongside other professionals.
What sets you apart from other photographers?
I decided early in my career that I wanted to offer a very personalized, boutique experience for my brides; therefore I book a very limited number of weddings per year. This is why it is important to contact me as soon as you know your wedding date as my schedule can quickly fill up. I make it a priority to get to know each of my brides before the wedding so on the wedding day it’s like I’m just “one of the girls” . I also have a natural ability to even make the groom feel comfortable in front of the camera, which makes for relaxed, beautiful portraits that truly showcase who you are as a couple.
How would you describe your style?
Well, I hope my style defines itself. But if I had to put it into words, I would use these three terms: editorial, fashion, photojournalism (even though that term has been severely overused!). So I guess my style would be Fashion meets Photojournalism in an Editorial manner! Sounds good to me......
Do you have an assistant with you?
Absolutely! I will bring an assistant with me, usually another photographer, on the day of your wedding allowing me to provide the most comprehensive coverage possible.
Is it ok if my best friend/cousin/Uncle Bob takes pictures along with you?
I have no problems with guest taking pictures throughout the day, however there are certain times when I ask that no one else takes pictures. One time is during the portrait session after the ceremony. This is for your benefit. I've found that if other people are taking pictures at the same time, it takes a lot longer to get through family photos. It also is very distracting for those who are in the group shots, as everyone is looking at a different camera. I offer very reasonably priced prints and digital files in an online gallery that your guests will have access to should they want a copy of a group photo.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
I love shooting engagement sessions and include them in all my wedding collections. They are important not only to capture this time in your relationship, but also to get you comfortable in front of the camera. They allow us to get to know each other a little better before your wedding as well. I can even design a guest album using the images from your engagement session. I design them with plenty of room for your family and friends to leave their words of wisdom for you and your groom instead of just signing their names on a boring old line!
Do we get our digital images with our package?
Yes! On your wedding day I shoot a lot of images, and they won't all fit into your custom designed album. Offering digital files ensures you'll have plenty of images from your wedding day. In select collections, I provide digital files on a customized flash drive. The files come with a personal print release enabling you to make reprints at home or in stores.
Some Information on Copyright
While we're on the subject of digital files, I thought I would offer some information on copyright since it is so widely misunderstood. When a photographer creates an image, they have the sole copyright to that image. It is illegal to scan, copy, or reproduce these images in any way without explicit written permission. I value each image I create. I put a lot of time, thought, and even emotion into every photograph you see. It takes years of experience and a lot of equipment (which means a lot of $$$$$) to produce professional results, so true professionals can't just give their work away for next to nothing (or we'd be out of business!). I appreciate the fact that my clients respect me and my work and therefore I've never had an issue with someone abusing the copyright on their images and I never expect to because, well, I work with the BEST CLIENTS EVER!
What other products do you offer?
I offer a wide variety of albums and art pieces that will enhance your home. From luxurious custom designed albums to beautiful canvases and wall galleries, I offer something for even the most discriminating brides.
Do you travel?
I am currently available throughout Central PA, down to northern Maryland and Virginia. I'm available for weddings in NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh as well. If you live outside of these areas, please call to check my availability. I am able to take on up to two destination weddings per year.
Will you get a picture of every person at our wedding?
While I do my best to get a picture of every person at a wedding, it just isn’t usually possible. My job as your photographer is to capture the overall essence of your wedding day. If I took the time to get a picture of each guest, this would detract from the time I’m able to capture all of the action and detail shots that make up the moments every bride wants to remember.
When will our gallery be online?
Approximately 3 weeks after the wedding.
Do you take color and b&w images?
Your gallery will consist of both color and black and white images depending on my artistic vision and interpretation of the event being captured.
Do you take payment plans?
Definitely. When you sign the contract, a $500 non-refundable retainer is required to hold the date. Then we'll set up a payment plan that works for you to pay the balance. I'm pretty flexible, but I do require the balance to be paid in full 4 weeks before your wedding. I even offer a bridal registry!
How do we know you're the right photographer for us?
Great question! Everyone is unique, and I know I'm not the photographer for every couple out there, and every couple isn't the right fit for me. That may sound odd coming from me because, well, I'm the one being hired and some of you may expect me to say I'd be great for everyone. But this just isn't the case. Maybe you don't like my style, or my personality, or my camera (canon girl all the way- YEAH BABY!!) But seriously, you won't truly know if I'm "the one" until we get to meet and interview each other. As your photographer, I'm around you all day, so you definitely want to make sure that we "click". I know that it isn't always possible for out of town couples to meet with me before making the decision to hire me, but we'll at least have a conversation or two over the phone before you decide. I've had to do this before and it always works out well. (Guess I'm just super like-able...hehe)
This sounds like everything we want! What next?
Contact me and we'll set up a complimentary consultation. I'll call you first to go through a few basic questions, then we'll set up a date to meet. I'll have album samples for you to look through, and you can hit me up with all of your questions. There is no pressure to make an on-the-spot decision, although I can not hold dates for anyone without a signed contract and retainer. My contact form is on the right side of the menu on this website, or you can look me up on facebook or just give me a call at 570-419-8636.

Category Archives: Business

Clutter Free Coupledom- How to Organize Your Home

Monday, January 24, 2011 Posted in Business, Guest Posts, Weddings

Today I’m happy to welcome Jessica Dolan; Professional Organizer and Owner of Room to Breathe. She’s here to share a few tips for couples- so listen up all of you happy newlyweds! (And not-so-newlyweds)

Hi, my name is Jessica Dolan of Room to Breathe Home & Office Organizing and I am an anal retentive, neat freak. Oh, wait a second, this isn’t my OA (Organizers Anonymous) introduction. Yes, I will fully admit that I’m “one of those people”. “One of those” individuals who is on time for appointments, knows where everything in the house is located, can place my fingers on a file in 5 seconds flat, and has time each and every single day to do just what I want…and not feel the least bit guilty while I’m doing it! I AM a Professional Organizer….or rather a Bringer of Order!

I really love what I do and I know that I can make enormous changes in people’s lives, homes and offices. As you know, the work itself isn’t always much fun and is rather tedious. I’m looking to lighten it up a bit.

Some of you may be asking yourselves “what the heck is a professional organizer?” A professional organizer enriches your life by helping you to decrease stress, increase productivity, increase efficiency, improve physical environments, save money, and last, but definitely not least, allow you to regain time for yourself. This is done by designing systems that use simple organizing principles designed uniquely around you and your situation. There is no right or wrong, only what works for you!

Would you really want to work with someone who is sort-of organized, mostly on time or has a general idea of where an item is located? I don’t think so! Trust me, you want the anal retentive, neat freak and that’s exactly who I am!

In addition, I’m a co-founder and past President and of WiNGs (Women’s Network Group), a local networking association, a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), Creator of the EWE (Entrepreneurial Women’s Expo), a member of NAPO Pittsburgh Chapter, a Leadership Centre County 2008 Graduate, a PA’s Best 50 Women in Business Recipient 2008, and a 2007 Top 100 Business.

CLUTTER FREE COUPLEDOM

Ahhh, togetherness, and I just don’t mean those blissful post wedding days spent together. I’m talking about his, hers and ours! The merging of two households, her shoe collection, and his numerous pieces of sports memorabilia…you know what I’m sayin’.

Setting up some very basic organizing systems from the very start will prevent the dreaded “underwear on the floor argument”, the possibility of late bill payments, misplacement of important paperwork, piles of miscellaneous clutter, and so on and so forth.

Please read on for some sweet and simple solutions to get and stay organized:

YOU NEED A HOME AND SO DOES YOUR STUFF

Make sure to give all items a specific “home” and ensure they get returned to their “homes” at the end of every day

Label these “homes” to make it very easy for everyone to not only find items, but to also return them to the proper places.

Use an attractive container to place mail, car keys, cell phones or other items you need on a daily basis. This will prevent wasted time searching all over the house for those blasted car keys!

Keep bills where they are visible and handy to prevent late bill payments. Use a file or bin to store these papers. Keep a trash can handy so you can instantly sort the junk mail.

Use under bed storage containers to store items you seldom use—formal shoes, sports memorabilia, bulky sweaters or winter clothing, extra blankets, wedding dress, etc.

START A FILING SYSTEM

This may be the most important task you can do as a couple!

Make sure you set up files for all paperwork and have a central storage location

Use clear, easy to read labels for each file

Make sure that you label files together to ensure that you each know where papers are kept and can find easily when needed

Important documents (marriage certificate, birth certificates, passports, etc.) should be kept in either a fire proof container or safety deposit box (recommended)

Purge these files every year at tax time (since you’re most likely to be in the files anyway) to prevent being overrun by paper piles!

MAINTAIN

Spend just 15 minutes before bed to pick up the days accumulations. You’ll wake up to a neat and orderly home that will instantly make you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day!

Clean as you go. Enough said.

These solutions really are as simple as they seem. Ensure that you have many, many harmonious days long after the wedding is over by getting and staying organized!

Jessica Dolan, Bringer of Order of Room To Breathe Home Organizing & Staging. Please submit your questions to Room To Breathe at info@roomtobreathe.us or call (814)360-1063. She looks

forward to helping you create room to breathe!

Thank you Jessica for the much needed advice (well, much needed for me anyways!) I know there are more than a few tips on there that I’m going to be trying out. How about you? Feel free to leave any comments or questions below.

My First Year in Business {Central PA Professional Photographer}

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Posted in Business

It’s hard to believe that over a year has gone by since first becoming an official business. Of course I was working towards my goal of owning my own photography business for years before I officially “opened”. I’ve learned so much this past year, not only about myself and my business but about setting priorities, boundaries, and professionalism in general. I thought I’d share a few things that I’ve learned with the hopes that you might find something useful.

1. Being in business is HARD WORK!

I thought I realized that going into business was going to be a lot of work, but I really had no idea just how difficult it would be. You always see commercials telling you how great it is to “be your own boss” (and don’t get me wrong, in many ways it is). It sounds like it would be a cake walk right? Set your own hours, do what you want to do, etc….What I’ve come to realize is when you’re in business for yourself, you’re never “off the clock”. You can’t just go home and leave your work behind at your desk- there’s always work to be done. I thought I was going to do this part time, (and I still find myself telling people that), but just because I limit the amount of clients I take on, doesn’t mean I’m only working part time. In fact, if I kept track most weeks I’d be working more than 40 hours a week at this. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes.

2. Being in business is EXPENSIVE

I remember when I was just starting, I was considering taking out a loan to get the equipment I needed to get started. I was thinking around $5000 would be enough to get me off the ground…HA! Not even close. What I didn’t think about were my operating costs, just the basic equipment I would need. Operating costs can include everything from studio samples to postage to marketing and web design. I have a new found respect for other small businesses and how they price their products or services. When a plumber comes to your house, most people tend to think they’ve been ripped off. I’ve come to realize that they charge what they need to in order to run a profitable business. We can’t expect them to work for nothing, right?

3. I’m not the photographer for everyone

When I first started I thought that I wanted to serve everyone that I could get to come through the door (figuratively speaking since I work on location). I’ve learned that this is not the case- I want to work with people who value my work and style of photography. There are a lot of photography businesses out there, and each one is unique in some way. From the personality of the photographer, to the way they run their sessions and business. I realize not everyone is going to like my style or personality, and I’m ok with that. For those that do choose to use me, I feel honored and privileged to serve them.

4. Great customer service is a MUST

This is something that is pretty much common sense- I’ve always had a pet peeve with businesses that have crappy customer service. You can have the best pizza/coffee/clothing in the world, but if your customer service sucks, I won’t be coming back and I definitely won’t be recommending you to my friends and family. I understand that people make mistakes, I’ve definitely made my fair share! But when a mistake does occur, I believe as a business owner you need to go above and beyond to not only correct your mistake but compensate the customer for the inconvenience in some way. It doesn’t have to be a huge discount or free meal, but just a small gesture to say “I messed up, I’m sorry!” It is a privilege to own a business and serve others, and I think it becomes easy for long time businesses to lose sight of that. As a customer, it is our responsibility to let a business know when we’re less than satisfied, otherwise how are they to know?

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Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Central PA

Welcome to my blog!

Category Archives: Business

Clutter Free Coupledom- How to Organize Your Home

My First Year in Business {Central PA Professional Photographer}

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