My answers to the 16 questions

In case you wanted to know my answers to the 16 questions from my previous post, here they are:

1. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

I only direct action during the posed groups and formals portion of your wedding day. I believe very much in using my camera and abilities to find the genuine sparks between a couple and record the emotions, feeling and pageantry of their day as it truly happens.
Your wedding photos should be joyous celebration of your love and the momentous event you two are sharing.

2. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

Yes, I have been a full-time throughout my career as a publications photojournalist (12 years) and an independent studio photographer (five years.) My career began during college at the Missouri School of Journalism in the mid 1990's.

3. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

It's about moments, and weddings are full of them! I've always been interested in telling stories through photos, particularly the stories of people. My greatest joy as a professional is to find those photos that reveal relationships and the feelings two people share. This makes photographing a couple's wedding day a great thrill and tremendous honor.


4. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

Yes, I will be your shooter. The only reason I would not be your shooter is in the event of my being physically indisposed or incapable of shooting your wedding due to events beyond my control.

5. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

Upon request, I provide a formals worksheet with the most popularly requested groupings. The sheet helps couples plan out this process and budget for the necessary amount of time to devote to what they want to have shot.

As a wedding photojournalist, I welcome a few ideas and suggestions but encourage couples to allow an open-ended approach to their wedding photography which helps me as your photographer find those genuine, real moments and memories to unfold and be recorded. I can't produce every kind of photo you can think of but I can produce the photos you never dreamed of.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

Yes, many of my packages are structured with CD/DVD's of high resolution images. My images are recorded by 8.2 megapixel cameras which are sufficient for any variety of size of prints you would require. They also included a written copyright release signed by Chris Cummins which is often necessary to have before labs will produce prints of professionally created files.

I also offer discounted prices for CD/DVD's after the first anniversary of your wedding.

7. What kind of color correction and adjustments do you make to the files on the CD/DVD.

I give individual attention to assure a decent quality print of each of the files on your disc. I color correct, adjust for exposure and other assorted adjustments to images which will help you produce a good quliaty print from a variety of printers.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

Yes, this is available upon request.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

My liability insurance is with Fireman's Fund Insurance. Certificates of insurance are available when required.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

I deliver CDs and DVDs within six weeks of your wedding date. Album first-drafts are completed within eight weeks of your wedding date or from the ordering date, whichever is later. The first drafts are submitted to my clients via an online proofing gallery.

All clients have 60 days from the time they are sent the online proofing gallery to request changes to the album's first draft.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

I believe our clients should have ample opportunity to give us their input on the products they receive. Most clients receive their album first drafts by email and respond with requested changes by email. There are no fees for changes.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

Online proofs are ready and posted to an online gallery within one week of your wedding. Your wedding gallery stays online for nine months from its first posting date.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

I have a network of shooters I work with to help each other with assistant shooters and emergency shooters for such occassions. I have two Canon cameras and Nikon digital bodies as back-up plus film gear as back-ups for the back-ups. I also have multiple CF discs (go into my cameras and store the actual pictures throughout your wedding day) and disk recovery software.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

All of my packages are built around a six to eight hour time frame. If there are major reception events we have not yet covered after eight hours, I will politely remind couple of the schedule we are on and see about completing the events in a timely fashion. Hours in excess of eight hours are handled on a case-by-case basis and may require extra hourly surcharges.

15. What associations do you belong to?

I belong to the Wedding Photojournalist Association and am a member of the Digital Wedding Forum. I have past memberships in the Nationa Press Photographers Association.

16. Why should we hire you?

I love what I do. I love people and telling their stories through images. What better story than such a momentous day as your wedding day?

Chris Cummins
Owner/Chief Photographer, Glow Imagery
chris@glowimagery.com