Photographer Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Photography Questions & Answers

The Big Question: What is Better, Film or Digital?

The answer is: Neither.

As of this date digital rivals film in most every way. the DSLRs I'm now shooting with produces image resolution, color reproduction and clarity on par and even better than 35mm film. Professional Digital photography does require a higher degree of photographic and post production skills that I do have. The biggest advantage of digital capture is the relative simplicity of image editing.
In some instances film is better suited because of it's (still so far) broader latitude of exposure. Film has a different quality to it and can capture details in some instances that digital can not. I like film (probably because I'm kind of retro) The drawbacks being cost of materials, processing and complications the of retouching a film captured image.

What kind of cameras do you use?

I shoot primarily with Nikon Professional series DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) and 35mm SLR Film cameras. I use Professional Nikon Cameras and lenses almost exclusively.

What kind of back ups do you have in the event of an equipment failure?

When photographing an important event like a wedding I believe that "Murphy's Law" reigns supreme. Cameras break, flashes refuse to flash, anything can happen. I carry a back up of for every piece of photography equipment I use, and always bring twice the materials i.e. film, batteries etc. I think I will actually use.

How Long Have you Been a Professional Photographer?

The short answer: Since 1980
The long version: About the Photographer
A longer version: The Photographer's Story
The Wikipedia version (opens in new window): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Colegrove

What percentage of your business is Weddings, Portraits or ?

Right now it stands about 40% Weddings, Events and Engagement Photography, 20% Theatrical & Commercial Headshots and Portraits 20% Editorial Photography, and the other remaining 20% Assignment, Commercial, Live Publicity etc.

Do you belong to any professional associations?

Yes, I belong to Professional Photographers of America and Channel Islands Professional Photographers Association (a member group of Professional Photographers of California).

What about your prices ?

Generally speaking my prices fall in the moderate range. I can tailor prices to fit your budget and photographic needs because, well... I'm my own boss.
Wedding Packages run from $2600. to $6800. However I can do a very simple wedding package for as low as $1400.
All wedding packages include the film negatives and /or the digital image files for you to keep.

What is your style of Photography?

Well I am, in essence, an Editorial Photographer and Photojournalist however I am a Studio photographer as well.
A German writer for a French magazine called me versatile and Avant-garde...
I don't really know to tell you the truth, but I have spent a lot of time reflecting on things such as what is my "style" of photography? But I think style comes with time and is a difficult thing to force.
I think more important than photographic style is being aware of the literal nature of the images I see then I strive to go beyond them in an aesthetic sense to create a print.

Where are you located and will you travel to photograph events?

I am located in Ventura, California. My photography services are available anywhere locally in the county including: Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Paula and Fillmore, Port Hueneme, Point Mugu and Oxnard, Ojai (and surrounding towns) Newbury Park , Moorpark, Mission Oaks and Camarillo.
In Santa Barbara County: Montecito, Isla Vista, Goleta, Carpinteria (Carpentria)
Also in Los Angeles County including: Westlake Village, Santa Monica, Malibu, Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
For assignments outside of these areas there will be a travel fee.

Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to Main Weddings Page

Why do you photograph weddings?
Weddings are an intense romantic and emotional experience, also difficult and challenging to photograph.

I know a lot of accomplished photographers that just can't believe I like to shoot weddings and often ask me this same question. "why on earth do you shoot weddings?"

I suppose that if I stayed in the studio and photographed actors and models with an occasional excursion out doors to do a magazine editorial I'd spend less time in post production and more than likely make more money but there is this thing...

I have captured some amazing images in my career, some because they were just plain pretty or very visually provocative and some because they were terrifying and ugly.

All of the amazing ones from weddings were amazing because they were beautiful. Weddings are beautiful, that's why I photograph them.

What is your style of wedding photography?
At the core I suppose I am a photojournalist and artistic candid wedding photographer, however with a background in editorial photography I am at home with the Traditional, Classic, Formal and other controlled detail oriented wedding photography disciplines.

When Photographing wedding ceremonies and receptions I use a minimum of two cameras and a combination of lenses, lighting and shooting styles. I carry multiple back ups of all my equipment. I tend to shoot a lot, why pack all this photo equipment and lug it from bride's home then to the wedding ceremony site and finally to the wedding reception if you are only going to snap a few shots. As for "style" per se I try to remain flexible, I "sketch" with the camera in order to capture an event from as many angles as possible. I have done a lot of different types of photography that require different disciplines and I incorporate all of this in photographing weddings.

I enjoying shooting images that capture romance, motion and emotion, catching those moments of expression, shooting with available light when ever possible. I also tend to focus on impressionistic images of the details and events.
I prefer casual group images and semi candid "formal" shots of the bride and groom. However some carefully arranged classics may be in order too.

What about your experience as a wedding photographer?
I have been a professional photographer since 1980. I photographed my first wedding in about 1984 (long before wedding photojournalism became popular, I've been called a "maverick" (come to think of it I was often called a punk back then too). Since 1990 I have photographed more than 500 weddings.
I draw on many different type of experiences as a photographer including movie stills, straight photojournalism and documentary editorial and commercial illustrations.
In short, I photograph people and those people within the context of both small and life changing events.

What kind of cameras do you use?
I use Nikon Professional camera bodies both digital and film and Nikon/Nikkor Professional lenses, covering focal lengths from 16mm fisheye to 85mm prime lenses and from 17mm to 200mm zoom lenses (8 lenses in total). I also employ various strobe lighting (also Nikon Professional) and other light modifiers.

How intrusive will all this equipment be at our wedding?
Not very if at all. I'll be wearing most of what I'm using and the primary camera is almost always in my hand, backups and other ancillary equipment is handled by my assistant.

Do you have backup equipment?
Yes, I have at least two of every piece of equipment used to photograph your wedding.

and is it the same quality as the primary equipment?
Yes It is, I use Identical professional camera bodies and lenses as backups and being a professional working photographer all of my equipment is inspected, serviced or replaced on a very regular basis.

How will you be dressed?
I am always dressed to suit the occasion. I am aware and sensitive to the fact that my presence at you wedding is an integral part of this most important day, right down to and including my attire.
A few things are part and parcel to the job...however so far nobody has noticed that I'm wearing black leather Skate / Tennis shoes with my Tuxedo.

Do you do black and white wedding Photography?
Yes, I shoot with both color and black and white film, also Images captured digitally can be easily converted to black and white.

How long until we receive our images
Depending on the complexity of the wedding I usually takes me thee to five weeks to finish the post production.
I have delivered proof images in as little as two days, and I also have taken more than a month (very complicated editorial wedding shoots and film work can take a lot of time just to sort).

Will you sell us the negatives/originals?
I just give them to you with the package... Along with license to print and share your wedding day images with family and friends

Photographers services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Ca. Weddings, Events, Editorial, Portraits, Headshots and Publicity Photos.

Photographers service is available without travel fees in all of Ventura County including Camarillo, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Santa Paula, Port Hueneme and Oxnard, Simi Valley and Moorpark, California. Also In Santa Barbara, California and surrounding cities including Isla Vista, Goleta, Carpinteria (Carpentaria) and Montecito. In Los Angeles County including Santa Monica, Malibu, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Newbury Park. Photographer is available in all of California and is reasonably available for destination wedding photography and location assignments.

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