Can family and friends take photos while Matt is photographing?

     These days everyone has a camera, and I know how much fun photography is.  I have no problem with your guests taking lot's of photos, although I would prefer that guests and family refrain from photographing during the posed portrait sessions.  Extra cameras and people tend to be a distraction that can really slow the session down, and may affect how the portraits turn out.  Even when I tell everyone in the photo to look at my camera, someone is always looking off to the side at someone else taking photos.  Let your family and friends know that you can give them copies of the disc with all the photos I take.

[back to the top]


What if we want Matt to stay later or arrive earlier than originally scheduled?

     No problem.  The sooner you can let me know the better, but I understand that things come up and plans change.  I don't schedule anything else but your wedding for the day so I can be flexible at a moment's notice. 

     If payment is made before the wedding begins the charge is my normal wedding photography package prices.  The charge for additional wedding photography coverage added after the wedding photography coverage has started is listed in the terms and conditions of your wedding photography contract; payment due by the delivery of the files and prints. 

[back to the top]


Impromptu portraits

     The Bride and Groom, and their family and friends should feel free to request portraits at any time.  Before the ceremony, at the reception, or whenever you find yourself with someone who you want to have your photo taken with, just let me know.  Don't put it off; the wedding day will be very busy, and the opportunity may not arise again.  It really only takes a few seconds to get a nice, quick portrait of you and your guests.

     I've noticed that the Moms of the Bride and Groom are often more concerned with family portraits than the Bride and Groom are.  As long as there is enough time at the reception, and people are willing, I'm very happy to take formal and/or impromptu family portraits as directed by a Mom or Aunt. 

[back to the top]

      



When will the prints and files be ready?

     I try to have them ready for you as soon as possible.  I know you are excited to see them.  During the slower parts of the year I may be able to have your prints and files ready for you as soon as eight weeks after the wedding, but during the main wedding season (May - November) it can take 8 to 12 weeks.  My wedding photography contract says I will have the finished, high resolution, ready to print image files and set of 4"x6" prints ready for you within 4 months of the wedding day, but it's usually much sooner. 

[back to the top]


Does Matt sell wedding albums?

          I do not sell wedding albums.  You can make your own wedding albums with the high resolution image files, or I can recommend a service that will create them for you.  These days album design software makes creating wonderful and personal albums and photobooks easier than ever.  You pick the page template and just drag and drop the photos where you want them, and you get to see the album online before you purchase.  The options and styles available are almost limitless.     

[back to the top]


Who keeps the prints and the high resolution image files?

     You keep the prints and the high resolution image files.  You can make as many reprints and enlargements from the files as you would like for any sort of personal use (commercial use of the photographs must be negotiated).  You can use the lab of your choice, or one of my recommendations.  I encourage you to make copies of the DVD for your family; that way they can make all the photographs they want, and you'll have back-up DVDs if yours were to be lost or damaged.

[back to the top]


Can we share the photos and files with our family and friends?

     Yes!  Please do.  Burn them a copy of the disc, and feel free to share any and as many of the photos with your friends and family as you want. 

[back to the top]   



Can we post the photos online, Facebook, MySpace, etc...?

     Absolutely!  I want you to spread your photos around as much as possible.  Show the world!  And then tell them Matt Needham was your photographer!  :)

[back to the top]



What uses of the photos require Matt's permission?

     You can do anything you want with the photos for the personal use and enjoyment of yourself, your family, and your friends.  Any use for commercial, business, or advertising requires Matt's permission.  Any sale or use of the photos for profit requires Matt's permission.

[back to the top]



Does Matt provide an online gallery of the photos?

  No, but every online photo service does, and many walk in, full service photo labs do too.   Just upload, or mail a copy of the disc to the online photo service of your choice, and they will put them online.  I use Mpix.com and Smugmug.com.

[back to the top]



Does Matt keep back-ups of the image files?

     I'm very proud of my work, and it is my intention to keep every photograph I've ever taken.   If your files are lost or destroyed there shouldn't be a problem getting copies, but this is no excuse to avoid properly archiving your wedding photography when it's so easy and inexpensive to burn extra DVDs.  I'll do my best, but I cannot guarantee that I will have copies of your wedding photographs forever.
  
     Type "digital photo archiving" into your favorite search engine for the latest information.

[back to the top]


Who owns the copyright to the photographs?

     Matt Needham owns the copyright to all of the photographs.  You, your family, and your friends have my permission to reproduce and use the photographs for your personal enjoyment.  Written permission must be obtained prior to any commercial use.  Please read my wedding photography contract for more information.

     I am willing to negotiate for wedding photography packages that include exclusive copyright to all the photographs for the Bride and Groom.

     Please email or phone with any questions.

[back to the top]


Where to get reprints and enlargements and Wedding Albums

     Although almost any photo lab can make reprints and enlargements from digital image files, I recommend going to a full service photo lab.  A full service lab with be staffed by people who are interested in photography, and have had better training.  They will be using top of the line materials (look for Kodak or Fuji photo paper), and have better maintained printing machines.  All of this means you get better quality photographs, and often for the same or similar prices as the economy labs.  99% of the time I get a call from a client having a problem at a lab they are standing in a big box store.  Usually the solution to the problem ends up being "go to a full service lab", so save yourself the hassle, and just go to the real photo lab in the first place. 

     Full service labs offer "correction" as part of their regular printing service.  This means a lab tech looks at each photograph and makes an assessment of the color and density (lightness and darkness), and reprints as necessary until they get what they feel is the best print.  Some labs offer discounted prices for proofs printed straight from the file without any correction.  I calibrate my monitors every two weeks to insure accurate colors and contrast, and the files I deliver should print nicely straight from the file, but I still recommend letting the lab "correct" the prints.

     If your photos have a toned effect (sepia or other color), they will need to be printed on color paper (the regular choice for prints).  If you order them printed on BW paper they will come out neutral BW (no toning effect).           


     Here is a list of some other full service labs in the area.  I have only used Wolfe's Camera (in Topeka), and Douglas Photographic Imaging, but have heard good reviews about the others.

Wolfe's Camera          800-359-6533          www.wolfes.com
635 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603

Crick Camera Shop          (816) 444-3390          www.crickcamera.com
7715 Stateline Road, Kansas City, MO  64114

Process One          (913) 648-0871‎          www.processonephoto.com
7105 West 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212

Digital Labrador          816-841-9624          www.digitallabrador.com
125 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Photographx          (816) 505-9989          www.photographxunlimited.com
7611 NW Roanridge Road, Kansas City, MO  64151

Douglas Photographic Imaging          800-234-0713          www.douglasphoto.com
2300 E Douglas, Wichita, KS  67214

     If you want to make your own wedding albums and photo books just use your favorite search engine, or here are some links.   I have not used all of these services myself, so please check for online reviews of their products and sevices.   If you have received excellent or awful service and/or products from any company (on this list or not), please let me know. 

Photo Books & Photo Albums
www.blurb.com
www.adoramapix.com
www.picaboo.com
www.mpix.com
www.myphotopipe.com
www.kodakgallery.com
www.visionartbook.com
www.weddingalbumsandmore.com
www.weddingalbumdepot.com
www.dyowa.com
www.bridesincorporated.com
www.flushmountalbums.com
www.albumsource.com         

Album Design and Publishing
www.catprintsdesign.com
www.weddingalbumdepot.com
www.bridesincorporated.com
www.liquidminds.com
www.whiteweddingalbum.com
    
[back to the top]



Is there a difference between pro-only photo labs, and the photo labs anyone can use?

     Photo labs that only work with professional photographers and studios do offer some different services, but for the most part these are only of interest to photographers who are making their money selling prints.  The materials and machines used in almost all photo labs from big-box store labs, to full service labs, to pro-only labs is top-of-the-line.  They use the same printing machines, and the same high quality Kodak and Fuji papers and chems.   Kodak and Fuji do not make economy grade materials; if your lab isn't using Kodak or Fuji paper for C-prints (regular color photographs) find one that is.  Any differences in print quality will depend mostly on the people who work at the lab.  As long as they have been properly trained, and do their job well, print quality should be excellent. 

     That said, in general I assume people working at a store that specializes only in photography will have better training and more experience than folks working in the big-box store lab (I have experienced exceptions to this though).  One reason why full service photo lab photos may look better is because of "corrections".  Corrections are when the lab technician running the printing machine does the adjusting of lightness/darkness, contrast, and color instead of letting the machine/software do it.  An experienced lab technician will usually do a better job with corrections, and this will show in the finished prints.  Corrections are necessary when printing from film, or printing from digital photo files that were processed on an uncalibrated computer monitor.  My photos are processed on a monitor calibrated to printing industry standards, and rarely require corrections.

     With the popularity of the internet many labs that were once pro-only now accept business from anyone.  For example Mpix.com has been serving professional photographers and studios only for decades under the name Miller's Professional Imaging.  Miller's is still pro-only, but they offer the same high quality printing services to anyone under the business name Mpix.

[back to the top]



How much will high quality prints cost?

     Full service photo labs can be more expensive than the economy labs, but the quality difference is usually worth it.  I use Mpix.com.  Here are a few common print sizes, and their prices (as of the last time I updated this):

4"x6"  $0.29          5"x7"  $0.99          8"x10"  $1.99          11"x14"  $6.99          16"x20"  $15.99    

     I think they compare very favorably to the economy labs in the big-box stores, and it's top of the line, professional quality materials and service.  You can find their full, current price list at http://mpix.com/PrintPricing.aspx

     Walk-in full service labs will be more expensive than online labs (because they are much more expensive to run), but when you are having problems, or needing custom work, or you're just not sure what you need, talking to a real, live human being face to face can be well worth the price.   

[back to the top]



What is the difference between C-prints, silver gelatin prints, ink jet prints, and giclee prints?

     C-prints are regular, color and BW photographs created by projecting light onto paper coated with light sensitive, silver halide emulsion, and developed in wet chemistry.  The colors and tones are created by dyes.  Almost all photo labs are using this process for small prints (12"x18"ish and smaller), and many use it for larger sizes also.  I recommend photo labs that use Kodak Endura or Fuji Crystal Archive products.   Both offer a variety of surface textures.  Kodak and Fuji claim that properly archived their prints will last 200+ years.

     Silver gelation prints are traditional, black and white photographs created by projecting light onto paper coated with light sensitive. silver halide emulsion, and developed in wet chemistry.  The tones are created by silver.  Prints on silver gelatin paper that can be run through normal printing machines cost a little bit more than C-prints, and are not available at all photo labs. 

     Although some folks claim they can see a difference between BW C-prints and BW machine made, silver gelatin prints I have never been able to see any difference.  I've done extensive comparisons, and I normally order my BW prints as C-prints.  A possible exception to this is BW printed on silver gelation, fiber, baryta base paper.  This is a more hands on printing process; it is much more expensive, and very few labs offer it.  I still think that framed and behind glass there is very little noticable difference between a fiber, baryta print and a machine made print, but I have to admit that I love the thickness and texture of the fiber, baryta paper when I'm holding it in my hands. 

     Silver gelatin prints have a lifespan of approx 100 years if properly cared for.  Eventually the silver in the print starts to tarnish just like silver jewelry.  This can be avoided by sepia or selenium toning (very rare lab service).  Properly toned and archived machine made silver gelatin prints should have a lifespan similar to C-prints (200 years).  Properly toned and archived fiber, baryta, silver gelatin prints are supposed to have a lifespan of approx 300 years.

     Ink jet and giclee prints are the same thing.  Artists and photographers use the French term for ink jet "giclee" because they think "ink jet" doesn't sound fancy enough.  I think it's silly because well made ink jet prints look fantastic!  Ink jet printers spray ink/pigment from tiny nozzles onto paper as it feeds through the printer.  All ink jet prints are not equal.  There is a huge difference between the ink jet printer you got free with your last computer purchase and the ink jet printers used by professional photographers, artists, and photo labs.  The inks and papers used for professional printing are much, much more archival than regular papers and inks.  In my opinion it requires more skill to make a good ink jet print than C-print or silver gelatin print, so printer operator skills and training are even more important.  Properly done ink jet prints on regular looking photo paper are indistinguishable from C-prints.  The ink jet printing process does allow for a greater variety of paper types which can effect the look of the photograph.  Ink jet prints are usually more expensive than C-prints of the same size because they tend to be more labor intensive.  Ink jet printers can make much larger prints than C-print machines, and many labs use C-prints for smaller sizes and ink jets for larger prints, as well as specialty products such as cards and photo books.  Properly archived, and created using archival materials, ink jet prints are supposed to last approx 300 years.  

[back to the top]    



Can a color photo be printed BW?  Or vice versa?  What about sepia?

     While it is usually possible to have the lab convert a color photo to a BW or sepia photo, you may get better results if you ask me to do the BW or tone conversion and provide you with a new file.

     All of my digital photographs start out in color, so if you would like to see a color version of a photo that I deliver in BW or sepia just let me know.  Although most of my BW photos are taken with a monochrome final image in mind, so they may not work as well in color.  I only keep the original color files for a few weeks after I deliver the photos, so please notify me as soon as possible if you would like to see the color version of a photograph that I delivered to you as BW.  

     If your photos have a toned effect (sepia or other color), they will need to be printed on color paper (C-prints, the regular choice for prints).  If you order them printed on BW, silver gelatin paper they will come out neutral BW (no toning effect). 

[back to the top]


Can the photos be re-edited?

     After seeing your wedding photos for the first time you might notice something that you'd like edited, or maybe you think a few would look good with a particular effect.  Please let me know as soon as possible.  Most of the time there is no problem editing from the finished photographs.  In a few cases it would be better to work from the original raw files, and I only keep those for a few weeks after I deliver the photos to you.

[back to the top]


We need an extra copy of the DVD or extra set of the 4x6 prints

     Feel free to make your own copies.  If you need me to make them for you extra DVD's are $15 each.  Extra sets of 4x6 prints are $0.50 per print.

[back to the top]


Sharing your photos

     An easy way to share photos is to use a free online gallery at a photo lab service web site.  You can upload your image files to a private gallery and control who can view the photos.  Your friends and family can even order reprints and enlargements directly from the site.  There are many sites that offer these services.  I use www.smugmug.com with my family and friends; they do charge a small, yearly fee for an online gallery, but I think they offer features that make it worth it.  Mpix.com is another great photo lab, and their online galleries are free.  Mpix will provide postage paid CD/DVD mailers, which may be more convenient than trying to upload 100's of wedding photos.

[back to the top]


Taking care of your prints and image files

     Prints will last for decades if properly processed and cared for.  Having prints made at a professional lab takes care of the processing.  Storage is up to you.  Store and display your prints using archival, acid free materials; don’t just toss them in an old shoebox.  Buy an archival photo storage box.  Keep prints dry, and away from excessive heat and light.  Prints that are handled a lot will deteriorate sooner; if you want a set to pass around, make sure you get clean reprints for your long term albums.  Framed photos should be framed with UV protective glass.  Even with UV protection measures, prints exposed to strong sunlight will eventually fade. 

     Backup your digital image files several times.  Hard drives, DVDs, etc... can fail.  I make at least 3 copies of all my important photos:  1 on my hard drive, 1 on DVD, and 1 on a back-up hard drive.  External hard drives are cheap costing less than 50 cents per gigabyte of storage.    Having at least one backup somewhere outside your home is important.  Keep a DVD at your office, or in a safety deposit box, or store files online.  Make copies of the DVD with your photos as soon as possible; make copies for your parents, siblings, and friends.  That way they can get the photos they want without bothering you, and you have lots of back-up copies of the DVD. 

     Have an archiving plan for your digital image files.  Backing them up insures you have copies if your hard drive fails.  Archiving insures they are accessible over the long term as technology changes.  Every few years it is important to make sure you copy the files to more up to date storage technology.  If you buy a computer that doesn't have a DVD drive, then it's definitely time to get your wedding photos off DVD, and onto whatever new media is best.  Type "digital photo archiving" into your favorite search engine for the latest information.

     Don't skimp on back up equipment and materials.  Use a known and respected brand.  Single session (no re-writing) CDs and DVDs are more archival than multiple session media (re-writable).    Make sure you have a case for each disc.   Store discs in a vertical position, and protect from UV light (sunlight).  Don't write or stick labels on the disc itself.  The only safe place to write on the disc is the clear ring in the center.  Use an archival marking pen. 
      
[back to the top]


What type of cameras does Matt use?

     I'm using Canon professional, digital single lens reflex (DSLR) D series cameras.  I carry a variety of fast (suitable for low light) zoom and prime lenses covering very wide angle to telephoto.  I have an extensive background in film photography with plenty of experience shooting, processing, and printing 35mm, medium format, and 4x5 sheet film.  I photographed weddings for years using film, and at first only reluctantly tried digital.  It quickly won me over, and now I love it!

[back to the top]