Wedding Information

Pricing

There are two different price structures for wedding photographers. Some photographers will charge a small up-front amount (sometimes less than $1000). However, they won’t provide you with any picture prints and will price gouge you for any prints of pictures from your wedding (think $10 for a 4x6, $30 for an 8x10, or even higher). These photographers charge less up front with the hopes that they will make up for it in thousands of dollars in print sales. Photographers use this pricing because when brides and grooms are shopping around for photographers for their wedding, it’s easy to focus on the initial cost only and ignore the print costs. However, what’s the point of paying a professional to photograph your wedding if you won’t be able to afford any of the prints?

The other pricing structure is often called the “creative fee”. In this structure, the photographer charges a larger amount up front and then gives the bride and groom a license to print as many pictures as they want at cost without having to pay the photographer thousands of extra dollars in print costs. The rate typically charged by professional photographers is $3000-$6000 in the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Although the initial price is higher than with the “pay-for-print” pricing scheme described earlier, the creative fee structure is quickly gaining in popularity due to its ability for the bride and groom to know exactly how much their final photography costs will be (no more and no less).

I prefer the creative fee structure. This way the bride and groom don’t feel restricted about buying prints or paying extra for other services that I think should be considered standard. Additionally, with this pricing structure, as the photographer I can focus on capturing the memories that matter throughout the day, without being driven to only focus on taking pictures that sell prints. One of the most frequent requests I receive is "Please make the family formals happen as quickly as possible!" I get this request because people have been to many weddings where the photographer takes a picture of every possible combination of family members. This is driven solely by the desire to sell prints. Your family and guests don't want to spend hours after the ceremony taking pictures; they want to go to cocktail hour! Without the need to sell prints, I am able to fulfill your desires for quick and painless family formals by focusing on the few photos that matter the most for you: the bride and groom with both families, each family individually, and immediate families. Straight to the point!

The Products and Services You Get

• Photography coverage for the entire day of your wedding, from dressing room to reception send-off. I do not offer ceremony-only coverage or coverage by the hour, because the ceremony is only part of your wedding story, and I would not feel comfortable selling anything that I would consider an incomplete package.
• Image post-processing and touch-ups on every photo
• An Image CD/DVD with all of your images in full resolution digital format
• A “proof set” album with a 4x6 print of every picture I take at the wedding (additional fee)
• A beautifully designed password-protected web site with a gallery and slideshow of the photos from your wedding for you to share with your family and friends. You, your family, and friends can order as many prints as you want in a wide variety of sizes and styles at cost ($0.21 for a 4x6, etc.) My photo hosting and print-fulfillment company is Smugmug. Unlike the more popular Pictage, which most wedding photographers use, Smugmug does not require your guests to register an account with their name and address, does not send endless email spam to your guests badgering them to buy prints, and most importantly your online gallery NEVER EXPIRES. It's just one of the many professional touches that make my services superior to others.

When you pick me for your photographer, we will meet at least once prior to the wedding to discuss your expectations, develop a list of events and people who must be photographed, decide on style, agree on what needs to be covered, etc.

I take about 150 pictures an hour throughout the day. Nearly all of them are “keepers” (in focus, correct exposure, etc.) so you can expect complete photojournalistic documentation of your wedding.

Photographic Style

There are two types of wedding photography. The first is traditional style photography. This style involves carefully posing every shot and includes a lot of interference from the photographer during the wedding. In this style, the wedding is treated as a “photo shoot” by the photographer. For these reasons, traditional wedding photography is quickly loosing style as being too “stuffy”.

The much more popular style of wedding photography today is the photojournalistic style. In this style, the photographer mostly stays out of the way and lets the wedding “just happen”. The photographer documents the natural flow of events without becoming part of them. This is the style I and most others prefer. Most of the photos I take are candid and unscripted, although I will occasionally arrange quick poses to make the most of certain photographic opportunities.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Photographer

Who Shows Up

If you select me to be your photographer, I will be the person who shows up. Many photographers routinely send alternates, understudies, or students to weddings when they are double booked. Make sure that if you select a photographer based on their portfolio and style, that that photographer will be the person who actually shows up and not just one of their trainees.

I also bring a second shooter with me to every wedding, and is included in my price. The second shooter allows me to "be in two places at once". This is especially helpful when the bride and groom are getting ready for the ceremony, and during the ceremony itself.

Amount of Coverage

Remember that when you pick me for your photographer, I will cover everything: getting ready in the dressing rooms, the ceremony, the formals, the entire reception, and the send-off. Many wedding photographers limit the amount of time they will be at your wedding and may charge a substantial additional fee to cover everything that happens. Consider this cost when comparing photographers. Remember, I don't consider a couple of hours worth of ceremony and formals to truly tell the story of your wedding, and only sell complete photographic coverage of your special day.

I will also cover rehearsals, engagement photo sessions, preparation at salons, etc.

Post-processing

Many photographers will download the images out of their camera and deliver it straight to you. However, I make full adjustments to EVERY picture, including exposure, saturation, highlight, shadow, recovery, hue, contrast, sharpness, color, black point, and vignetting (to name a few). This significantly increases the quality of the photos you receive. Some photographers will charge you extra for this post-processing work. I include this service for everyone for no additional fee because I think it should be standard for professionals to provide this service. I use Adobe Lightroom 2 to do the post-production work thoroughly and efficiently.

Dress

Many photographers show up to weddings in jeans and t-shirts, and treat your special day like "another day at the office". I dress professionally and appropriately for your wedding. I own a full array of formal wear, everything from dressy casual to a full tuxedo, and we will agree ahead of time what you would like me to wear and what level of "dressiness" you feel is appropriate.

About Me

Education

MS Optical Science, University of Arizona
BS Electrical Engineering, New Mexico State University

Unlike most professional photographers, I have an advanced university education in optics and optical physics, which gives me unique viewpoints, insights, and technical abilities.

Professional Associations

Optical Society of America
Professional Photographers of America

Location

Based in Tucson, I am available for on-site photo shoots in all of Southern and Central Arizona.

Contact Info

Email: chris@chrisbergerphoto.com
Phone: Five Two Zero - 247.3537