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2010 Wedding Wire Winner of the 5-Star Brides Choice Award
Weddings are the best place to be! People are happy… dressed pretty… gorgeous flowers… beautiful location. Really. It is easy to “take a good picture” at a wedding. Anyone can do it. And trust me… almost everyone does.
But I don’t want to “take a picture” for you. I strive to create images that illuminate the relationships, evoke emotion, capture memories, and portray the subtle details and events that make each wedding unique, beautiful, and different.
I have been shooting weddings for 15 years now. I have seen just about everything and know how to prepare and respond for every type of situation. I don’t need a list of “must have poses” or to go “scout out the location”. All a good wedding photographer needs is to find the light, find the moments, and direct when necessary.
My goal is to create images that have mood, light, dimension, and texture. With these key elements, we can create beauty in any scene, any location, or any situation.
I love weddings. Every wedding is so unique and beautiful. I love finding the little details that makes yours stand apart from everyone else’s. I shoot for the wedding album. The wedding album is what completes the months of preparation into a great story. Each album is custom designed by me (no templates) to best suit your style, wedding, and story.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are your fees?
Our commissioning rate is $3495. When you commission Marriott Photography to photograph your wedding, you will receive 4 hours of continuous coverage, internet proofing and a slideshow DVD, a 12×12 PictoBook flushmount album with 16 pagespreads, an engagement sitting, and a CD of low-res highlight images with personal publishing rights.
Please contact us to check our availability and to obtain more detailed pricing information on packages and upgrades.
What type of albums do you use?
Marriott Photography works with the best album companies worldwide to offer you the highest quality and most varied choice of album styles.
PictoBooks Albums (Bridal and Parent Albums)
Combining the latest technology in digital printing and book binding craftsmanship, every book is handcrafted and custom tailored to your needs. Each PictoBook Album is designed with full-size panoramic pagespreads highlighting every detail of your wedding. Unique cover cameos and full-size pagespreads make PictoBooks one of the industries finest.
Please click on “galleries” above to view some of our sample wedding albums.
Coffee Table Albums (Guest Books and Lifestyle Albums)
Using only the highest quality digital presses, with real liquid ink, the quality of these books is a significant step above other printing technologies. With six different cover material options, and the inside pages printed on 100# text weight semi gloss paper, not only are these books beautiful and of the highest quality, the turn-around time is less than 2 weeks!
What kind of camera do you use?
My primary camera is the Canon 5D, which is used by most wedding photographers because of it’s lightweight body and it’s full frame 12.8 megapixels. I also shoot with the Canon ID Mark II has a resolution of 8.2 megapixels and can shoot at over 8.5 frames per second. This camera produces the best all-around image quality of any pro digital camera.
I use all “L” series lenses. This is their professional or “luxury” line of lenses. As Canon states, “These lenses use special optical technologies such as ultra-low dispersion UD glass, super low dispersion glass, fluorite elements, and aspherical elements to truly push the optical envelope.” If you followed any of that, good for you. For the rest of us… it basically means if you use a Canon L lens, you will get amazing pictures (and have spent an amazing amount of money).
More importantly than the type of camera you have is the type of glass you have on the camera. I have a few lenses that cost more than the camera body.
My favorite comment at every wedding (and yes, I do hear it at just about every wedding), wow… nice camera, you must get great pictures with that. Yeah… just like a nice set of pots and pans is going to produce a gourmet meal.
Basically, the camera is important. The type of lenses are more important, but the talent and skill of the photographer is the most important thing to look for when selecting your wedding photographer.
How many images do you take during a wedding?
The total number of images is dependent on the amount of coverage time and size of your wedding. I do not put any limitations on the number of images taken. Generally, I shoot around 1200-2000 images at a wedding. Those are then edited down to 500-1000 of the best images. Duplicate images, eye blinks, etc. are taken out. During the initial editing, I select about 100 images to capture the highlights of the day. These images are then color-corrected; some are made into black and white, retouched, or digitally enhanced. These highlighted images are spotlighted in your online proofs and on your preview DVD.
How do I proof my wedding images?
The proofs are uploaded to a web gallery within 10-14 days from your wedding. The images are protected by a password so that only those friends and family with a password may access them. You will also receive a copy of the web gallery on a DVD.
Can I make my own prints from the proofs on the website or DVD?
Technically, no, you are not allowed to make prints from the website or DVD. The images are copyright protected and are the property of Marriott Photography. If breaking a federal copyright law does not deter you, what you will find when you try to print from the proofs is that, while they look fantastic on your monitor, the print quality will be terrible. Screen resolution and print resolution are two very different things.
Here’s the thing….If I were to offer a CD, with print quality images, it wouldn’t make good business sense. A lot goes into providing beautiful images that not only capture the moment, but are something you can pass onto your children: Session time, editing (sometimes takes days), uploading to the web gallery, website costs, equipment (a HUGE cost), computer and software (another HUGE cost), accountant, taxes, baby sitting, gas (to and from location), time away from my family (we all know the costs involved in that), etc, etc…..
I want you to not only value the quality of my work, but also my time in making your prints something worth the investment. Please remember one thing, you get what you pay for….and if an image is worth a 1000 words, it’s also worth every penny!
I know how exciting it is to share you portraits with the world so please know that I will provide the images from the HIGHLIGHTS section in a low-res file for your use to email to friends, upload to your own website, myspace or facebook page, or download to your phones/iPods. Also remember that you will receive a link to your own personal web gallery that will be available for 90 days after the session that you may share with as many friends and family as you wish.
I understand that there are still a few control freaks (yes, I will say that, because I am admittedly one myself) that cannot live with the fact that they do not have these precious images in their own fire-safe, safety deposit box… So, I will also provide the DVD of images for $495.00 for a complete portrait session; $995 for a complete wedding session, or $95.00 per image. This includes the copyright to make your own prints or reproduce as you wish. Please keep in mind that only the highlights and any images that you have ordered prints from will be professionally retouched. The other images are raw camera files straight from the camera and will need to be taken to a professional lab to color correct and retouch.
Can friends and family order prints off the website?
Absolutely! Each web gallery includes a shopping cart to allow guests to purchase directly on the web with a Visa or MasterCard. The orders will be shipped directly to them, eliminating you as the middleman! No more lugging proof books, collecting money, and distributing prints to all of your friends and family.
Can any image be turned into a black and white image?
We are a 100% digital studio, so all images are captured in full, rich color. A digital image can easily be converted into a classic black and white or sepia-toned print. We are also able to use selective color and choose to keep the vibrant colors of the bride’s bouquet with the rest of the image printed in a classic black and white. You now have endless possibilities and are not limited to the type of film your photographer chose to use for each shot!
Are you available for travel?
Yes! Marriott Photography is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, but we LOVE to travel… especially during the HOT Arizona summers. Please… we would love to escape! Please contact us to discuss your travel needs outside the Phoenix Valley.
Should the bride and groom see each other before the wedding?
First of all, let me say that couples that are opposed to a pre-ceremony photo session in wedding attire, for whatever reason, should not be pressured, coerced, or embarrassed into it. But, with that said, my simple answer is YES!
We have all been to weddings where the bride and groom disappear immediately after the ceremony to take care of all their “formal” portraits. This time seems to drag on for the guests as they are anxious to congratulate the new couple. I much rather see the bride and groom be able to immediate socialize with their closest friends and family during this time, rather than spend their first moments married with me! (Although by this time, we will start to feel like family!) These first intimate moments as husband and wife with family and friends lend to numerous candid photo opportunities.
Lighting is vital in great photography. Anytime we can use natural lighting, I like to take advantage of it. When a ceremony is scheduled around sunset, I find that doing pictures after the ceremony, we have lost the beautiful natural light for all those great outdoor shots everyone loves. This is another reason I feel taking care of all the “formal” pictures beforehand has an advantage.
We like to create a first meeting when a couple first sees each other before the ceremony. This can be orchestrated in anyway you like, but generally, we will have the groom wait with his back turned and have the bride approach him. You can keep this private between the two of you, or invite family and wedding party to witness. Some couples exchange wedding gifts or cards during the time “alone.” I am there to capture the first expression as you see each other. We then continue on with portraits of the bride and groom and finish all the family and wedding party portraits before the ceremony. The bride will be whisked away before the guests arrive to freshen up, and the rest of the day is free of formal portraits – just lots of time to celebrate with your guests.
I always ask my couples after the wedding what their favorite moment of the day was. The couples that set up a first meeting always say that was. They like having a few minutes to themselves… to reflect on what the day means. To express their love and tell each other how BEAUTIFUL they look. They like the fact that their nerves are calmed by the time they get to the ceremony and they can really listen and enjoy the ceremony. And most importantly, they like to get on with the celebration as soon as the ceremony is over!
Here’s a few tips and trends that I have learned from being involved with weddings:
1. Have fun! The engagement period really is a lot of fun. Take advantage of the attention you are getting… its all about you and everyone is ready to shower you with ideas and gifts and help. Although intimidating, sit back and enjoy it – you deserve it! It can be very stressful and overwhelming trying to find the right vendors, sticking to your budget, making everyone happy and keeping sane all at the same time. But, there are lots of helps out there. Take advantage of online planners, friends, family, and most importantly, your fiancé! Just remember, somehow, everything does come together - and always works out.
2. Make your wedding personal. If you don’t like cake, don’t feel obligated to have a wedding cake just because it is tradition. I’ve seen one couple wheel an ice-cream cart out to the dance floor and serve each other a bite of ice cream. The caterers took over and served the guests sundaes made-to-order for their dessert. Another couple had each of their parents walk down together just ahead of them (the bride and groom) for the wedding processional. The bride and groom announced that they had chosen each other to marry, but wanted to recognize not only the support, but the role their parents have played in their lives to lead them in the direction to make this decision. There was not a dry eye anywhere… let me tell you, it is hard to focus when you are tearing up! (Luckily I have auto focus for just those occasions!)
3. Remember your guests. Most weddings these days have a good percentage of guests traveling from out-of-town. Not only are weddings expensive on your part, but your guests are also contributing time and money to support you in the event. The guests want to spend the most amount of time with you as possible. Once the guests arrive and ceremony starts, the day should be shared with them. I really hate to take away from this time with formal pictures. I hate to see long gaps between the ceremony and reception without some kind of optional or planned activity for the guests. As much as a wedding is a celebration for you, it is a thank you for the love and support that these friends and family have shown you.
4. Be prepared for everything to run behind! (Just a little bit.) Most wedding planners and consultants know this and budget in lots of “extra” time for the little things. There are so many people involved and so many things that need to come together at once. Just be prepared for a few minor hiccups and don’t get distressed that everything isn’t exactly on schedule. It is your day - nothing is going to happen without you. Again, the magical part of a wedding day is everything somehow comes together flawlessly (or at least appears so!) Now, with that said, I did have one bride that was 2 hours late arriving to the start time of the ceremony. Although the guests did wait, there were lots of awkward moments and gossip going around that night! I definitely don’t recommend a total disregard of your timeline!
5. Don’t do away with all “formal” pictures. I hear over and over again, that couples do not want to do formal pictures. They don’t want to be posed, they just want the day documented. Then, as they look through their beautiful images, full of emotion and details of the day, they are lost to find a picture of the whole family together to send to grandma. Most families do not get all together in a line or grouping and sit around and “smile” so a “candid” photo can just happen. The formal or traditional shots are still important. I don’t like to spend a lot of time on them, but it is still a good idea to make sure we schedule some time to get these shots done. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the day to get the “candid” shots everyone wants.
6. Resist the urge to always look in the direction and smile! Unless I am setting up a formal shot or call your name to look at me, I prefer to capture you in that natural moment. Hopefully you haven’t noticed that I was there, but if you do, just ignore me! (I promise, I won’t get offended!) If you want to make sure that you haven’t hurt my feelings, a simple wink every once in a while does the trick… and usually makes for a nice image!
7. Let me know who your other vendors are. If your florist does an exceptional job (which she will), I’d be happy to send her a portrait for her portfolio. I would also like to know who your DJ or MC is to coordinate the main events during the reception. And, if everyone is happy at the end of the evening, I’d love to tell future brides about the great service and products you received from your vendors. I also would like to know if you are working with a videographer. While most professional videographers and I work great together and don’t step on each others toes, there may be some orchestrating of time as well as ceremony set up that we will have to discuss to make sure things run smoothly for you.
8. Have fun! I think I might have mentioned this already, but seriously… during the planning stages of the wedding as well as on the wedding day itself. The wedding day goes by so fast. Take periodic moments to just STOP and look around. It’s amazing how fast the day goes by and how many details you worried about during the planning stages that you don’t even notice that day! No need to worry, though, because even if you forget to look around and take it all in, I haven’t. I’ll make sure that every detail of your wedding is documented. I love hearing brides say, “Thank you for getting that shot, I never even saw that at the wedding.”