I LOVE SHOOTING WEDDINGS
(okay, storytelling, but weddings are the GREATEST outlet for telling your story!)
Brian caught being Brian at his first Disney Dream Wedding at Anaheim CA. Want to get married there? Brian is Disney "Preferred Photographer" which is now required for Disney Dream Weddings.
SO… If I love them so much, why didn’t you find them on my site?
Legit question with an answer that you’ll only know if you receive this link.
I’ve dedicated 30 years of Saturdays to capturing the stories of countless couples. This has come at a cost of never knowing what weekends were even about with my own spouse and kids.
While I never regret being chosen from a massive pool of talented options, there were so many of those couples that I knew would one day ask me to remove samples from my site due to divorce. It happens, we grow, we change, we evolve. But there are some that were just awkward to work with due to the obvious signs that this was a mere warm-up for a more meaningful relationship later on.
At risk of sounding psychoanalytic, there is a great reason why this matters to me.
The relationship itself is all about the two of you. The photography of that relationship has it’s own visual chemistry. When I see pure love and authentic, mutual respect, another, ineffable gear takes over my camera. I am now at a place in my career that I can afford to decline weddings if I don’t feel that chemistry between the three of us.
YOU might both be head over heels in love - but if one of you does not gel with me, well… It’s “Good luck capturing authentic images if one of you is sneering at me.” HA, yet not…
If you’ve got the time, THIS POST might help explain other reasons. It is loaded with "things to consider, while shopping for a professional photographer".
Statistics say that you're five times more likely to click on the videos below first, but I wanted to put this out there for the readers.
If after reading that post, and/or liking what you see - if you still want to work with me, you can hit the RED BUTTONS at the bottom of this page to get things started.
I am forthright about pricing, but experience has proven that an accurate quote requires us meeting (Zoom or Facetime these days) to pencil out what you'd like.
No pen-rolling, sales-pitches, but there do need to be three of us in that meeting. If only one, would-be spouse is present, the other would miss a chance to KNOW that I’d be the right energy (VERY NEAR YOU) throughout your day.
Pricing and availability will not matter if all three of us do not gel.
I am stealth during candid captures, pleasantly-directive & efficient with those planned shots, but let's face it - the camera is not what makes this happen. If you don't like the person behind the camera, you may wind up with a great deal of artistically-composed, undesirable expressions! : ^).
For the record, it hasn’t happened with me in 20+ years, but I’m certain that it’s because of this process. All too often, we hear “those stories”, so I will always do my part, but being equally up-front, and decline a wedding, if my gut says to run.
I look forward to a chance to meet you both, and explore options.
Be well,
Brian
Weddings are where it all began for me. Certain that I'd be nothing more than a nature photographer, one brave uncle hired me to shoot his wedding. No back-up gear, no lighting, no insurance and for me - no sleep until the film was processed! A gamble with inexperience that I'd never take again, I got a mentor who reinforced how risky it was to offer my services without backup gear and insurance.
That was 30+ years (and 10's of thousands of wedding images) ago. I thrived at people photography, balanced with photo retreats for nature-only shooting, and yet, it keeps coming back to weddings. The one thing that allows me to plan, plan, plan, and then let go! It's instinct, it's "Johnny-on-the-spot", it's wide peripheral vision to see things before they happen, it's empathy to know when a father will tear up, or a flower girl will go charmingly off-the-plan!
More than that, it's a reminder to me that LOVE IS ALIVE! I am passionate about my work, and honest enough to tell you if I don't think my style is what you're looking for. I only ask that you do the same when we meet. It's not the camera, it's the chemistry of us all as a team. It's not the camera, after all, that will induce the levity when your breathing falls short before vows. (yes, I've talked a few brides off of the proverbial ledge, and reminded groomsmen to breathe their way into full presence)
I want to capture couples that KNOW what they want. If this is you, please click the button below to reserve a time that we can all meet-up. If you're in different states (or countries - as it was for me and my wife) we can Skype.
There's no catchy funnel to bait you on pricing, I'm straight up with numbers, but until we determine which services and inclusions matter most to you, numbers are just numbers.
Most couples land between $2500-$4000 average, but yours could be less or more if you take me to The Bahamas or Disney! (YES, I can do that, I'm on the Anaheim Disneyland "Preferred Vendor List". (and I've shot enough in The Bahamas, to guarantee you'd take back some AMAZING wall art!
SEE RED BUTTONS BELOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Looking for a great, passionate, storytelling photographer? Learn a bit more about Brian here...
“The two most important days of your life are the day that you were born, and the day you found out why.”
Brian fulfilling Bucket List on Safari in Kenaya - 2013
While on a shoot in Kenya to document mission work for my client, I found myself voluntarily shooting a Kenyan wedding. The day before we left for the remote village, I discovered an elaborate wedding about to occur at the compound/venue we stayed at in Nairobi. With permission from their Kenyan photographer, I voluntarily recorded a few hours worth of priceless images. Did I happen to mention that I'm passionate about this craft?
As your professional photographer, I get to be your historian as well as author. It is my responsibility to preserve your flowers, cake, dress, tuxes, jewelry, venue and MOST importantly your relationship.
If after we meet, you don’t feel that I have the aptitude, confidence or levity-producing ability, to produce or capture the true essence of your wedding, I will be grateful enough that you at least kicked my tire. I truly would never want to serve a couple that was not 100% certain of their choice.
I dress the part, and go to great lengths to not be noticed while I capture you savoring this day.
Again, CONGRATULATIONS, and I do hope we have the chance to meet. Brian
Let's Meet Up...
Since you and your partner represent two-thirds of the scheduling equation, we've implemented an online calendar so that you can book now while you're thinking about it. If you don't see a time available that works for your schedule, just call Brian to ask for something after-hours.