Frequently Asked Questions:

Is “digital” good enough?

Why you?

Can I see some examples of your work?

Do I really need to hire a photographer?

Which package do you recommend?

Can we order our prints directly from you?

Can you shoot some black and white?

Why do you only offer 5+ hour packages?

Why don't you offer more than an 8 hour package?

Why don't you allow other people to take pictures next to you?

I heard gum chewing is a no-no in photography?!?!

Do you recommend putting out disposable cameras at the table?

Why do parts of some of your pictures look blurry?

Can you shoot in the dark?

Can you handle a wedding when the officiant says NO FLASH during the ceremony?

Where can we do our Bridal and/or Engagement pictures?

Do you recommend a Bridal Session in advance of the wedding?

When will my pictures be online?

When will I receive my Image Disk?

Is “digital” good enough? I use state-of-the-art technology, professional equipment to deliver beautiful, high-resolution images. I know you will be pleased. And not to worry, I always come prepared with backup equipment! Digital photography is to film, like CDs and DVDs are to audio and videocassettes. There are also other significant advantages to “shooting digital”. Please ask if in doubt and definitely view the quality of the images. You will be very impressed. The technical answer is that in Mid 2002, Nikon and Canon both released "film killer" Digital SLRs. Since then, both companies (I use Nikon) have release even better cameras with greater improvements. My students still shoot film so they can work in the darkroom,...but there is NO comparison...digital is the ONLY reasonable way to go for a wedding. 

Why you? When you hire DLP, you don’t have to worry about a substitute photographer. I have shot professionally for 20 years, shooting hundreds of special events and weddings, served as Photo Editor for a newspaper, and currently teach high school photography. One of the reasons I can offer my services so reasonably is that I do not have the overhead of a portrait studio. Since most of the work for a wedding is done on-location, this should not be a concern. In addition, this unique, modern-day digital package allows for tremendous savings. You may find a similar price, but you will NOT find anything close to this value.
 
Can I see some examples of your work? Of course. I have an Internet Photo Gallery you can view at http://www.drewloker.com/. You may also view entire weddings at: wedding.drewloker.com or selected images at www.pbase.com/weddings. As you will see, I shoot for great emotion and excellent composition.

All my friends and family have digital camera and they will be taking pictures. Do I really need to hire a photographer? It is true that digital cameras have dramatically changed the wedding photography scene. But there is a MAJOR difference between the equipment we use and a point and shoot. I don't care HOW expensive their camera is...unless they are using a high end camera with a external flash...there is no way they can capture what we can capture. 1st of all, most built in flashes only go about 12'. 2nd, ever heard of red eye? We still get it every once in a while...but the closer the flash is to the lens...the greater the red eye. 3rd, if the camera doesn't have a manual zoom (i.e....they have to push a button to out...and another button to zoom in) they are going to miss just about any truly candid action. Finally, it not JUST about the camera. I use a point and shoot all the time when I don't want to carry around $4,500+ camera (that's the cost of just one of my cameras + lens + flash). And I get pretty good pictures...for a snap shot. I know how to compensate for the digital lag that most point and shoot digital cameras have...and I know to get great composition even with a P&S. Just trust me...there is a MAJOR difference between what I can do with a P&S and what I can do with our DSLRs! :)
 
Which package do you recommend? Although I can customize to meet your needs, the best feature of the Enhanced package is that I will release all of the images to you on a DVD. Which means you will have all of the images I have taken, in their original high-resolution form. Because of this, your decision does not have to be complicated with a lot of packages and different price options to choose from. You will get 99% of what I shoot. At a larger/longer wedding, there may be 800+ images. You will not have to choose between shots...because you will have everything viewable on the internet to order from, and then on a Memory Card for your permanent keeping! Also, 5 hours is really the minimum amount of time it takes to adequately cover a wedding.

Can we order our prints directly from you? As of 2006, all print orders are submitted over the Internet directly to the professional print lab of Smugmug.com providing you with the convenience of website ordering so you can start receiving pictures right away at the same low Internet pricing I would pay.  Previously, brides would have to get their entire order together, sometimes waiting on family to give the bride their order so the family member could get the couple’s discount pricing for placing the order together. With this system, you can place an order for 1-8x10 (for less than $4.00) the day I post your pictures on the Internet…and then later, when you have more time, place an order for more prints, any time you want. You can also order photo gifts, have more control over the exact cropping of an image, and have a wider variety of print surfaces such as matte, lustre, or glossy (I recommend matte) as well as many print sizes. In addition, Smugmug offers a very reasonable First Class Mail option that does not penalize you for ordering small quantities of prints. And you can use a credit card. And lastly, your family and friends will have the same ability and convenience of ordering at the same low print pricing. (See FAQ Prints for more info)

Can you shoot some black and white? All photos can be converted to B&W. Therefore, thanks to digital, it is unnecessary to shoot the same scene twice, once with color, then again with B&W, like I used....good riddance the old days! So, for any picture you want as B&W, just let me know, and I will create a black and white and upload it right next to the color version from which you can order just like the color version.

Why do you only offer 5 & 6 hour packages? It has been my experience in shooting weddings for over 20 years that weddings take 5 hours to cover adequately. I used to offer a 4 hour package...and I finally just got tired of rushing through everything just to save a buck. Trust me, the extra hour makes a big difference. You may still need to do a mock departure (some people like to party a long time), but 5 hours is much more suitable to getting a good start, decent coverage during the wedding, with good coverage during the reception. (see FAQ Time for more info)

Why don't you offer more than 7 hours of coverage? Technically you can add more time, but like the above, more time than 7 hours doesn't necessarily equate to more unique pictures. Our goal is to capture everybody and capture the day very thoroughly....and at our capture rate of about 100 pictures per hour, most people end up with PLENTY of great photos. Just look at any of the existing galleries of recent weddings. 7 hours usually allows for great coverage from hair dressing through at least most of all but the really long receptions (I have seen some long ones). And, ultimately, because I shoot continuously during the event, 7 hours is about the longest my arm, should, hand, and feet can literally stand...no pun intended.  (see FAQ Time for more info)

Why don't you allow other people to take pictures next to you? Some photographers claim copyright and/or protection of their ability to make more sales from their posed shots. My position couldn't be more different. Because of my unique packaging, you have purchased the full printing rights at wholesale pricing for YOU and YOUR guests. Simply put, they can print MY pictures for as little as 20 cents! There is just no reason to take the same shot as I am taking. I PROMISE my shot will be better EVERY time. Now, the technical reasons...and they are important too. If somebody is shooting right next to me, even if they wait until I am done, people start getting confused as to where to look. Invariably, SOMEBODY will be looking off. It also takes just a few seconds longer, for every shot. So, particularly for the formals, please help me...and let people know that ALL of the pictures I take will be FREELY available on the internet. They will be able to download them for free...or order directly over the Internet for ridiculously low prices. I told somebody this last week and they said, "RIGHT!". They didn't believe me. This is why I recommend that you include in your program, "All pictures from the photographer will be freely available at http://weddings.drewloker.com. I REALLY don't mind them taking the same shots...but help encourage them to get the shots we are not getting.

I heard gum chewing is a no-no in photography?!?! It's true. I once heard a Father tell the entire bridal party during the rehearsal to leave the gum at home on the day of the wedding. He ACTUALLY recommended buying a tub of mints to have on hand...that gum would make for unsightly "actions". He didn't mention pictures specifically, but that is where the real challenge comes in....especially with the kids. I can't tell you how many pictures are ruined because somebody's mouth is open. There isn't much you can do about the guest, but try to let the bridal party know to avoid chewing gum on the day of the wedding.

Do you recommend putting out disposable cameras at the table? I think this question has not come up in a while (as of 2016). But even in 2006, when film processing was available at local stores like Walgreen's I would as tell people to save your money!!! Really. It may not cost much to put the cameras out...but it is going to cost a bundle to process. You are hiring DLP to provide you with maximum coverage....much greater than any number of disposable cameras could provide at a MUCH, MUCH greater quality. Take a look at any of the wedding galleries....and you will see what I mean.

Why do parts of some of your pictures look blurry? Sometimes it is just a special effect. Like during the First Dance I use a special technique to blur the background while keeping the couple sharp. Sometimes part of the couple blurs but I will still post the picture because overall it is still a special pictures. If the officiant has called for no flash, we will use special equipment and techniques to still take pictures. Generally, this type of photography is called "time exposure" or long exposures. While most of the picture will be sharp...if people MOVE during a long exposure, they will be blurred. It actually makes for an interesting effect when you see movement of hands, etc. We take a lot of pictures during this time...but we also delete a lot because sometimes there will be too much movement, etc.

Can you shoot in the dark? We prefer to shoot in the light. Seriously. And generally, the more light the better. It does LOOK nice to have the lights dimmed, but both photos and especially video need a certain amount of light. But, yes, we can shoot in complete dark if you want it that way. You may think this is a funny question....but is one we get asked all the time as people want to turn the lights off at a reception. We employee special autofocus sensors specifically designed to shoot in low lighting. If you are shopping around...you might definitely want to ask this question...because not everybody can...at least not effectively.

Can you handle a wedding when the officiant says NO FLASH during the ceremony? Yes, definitely. In fact, thanks to digital and other state of the art technology, we can specifically shoot with out flash MUCH easier than the old days. However, it is still better that the officiant allow us to use flash. We are always discreet...and still turn the flash off during parts of the ceremony or to capture special "long exposures". Most officiants will still allow us to take pictures...but there are all type of churches...and some are still very strict...others want what is best for you. I REALLY recommend that even if the church has a "No Picture" policy, ask if they can make an exception and allow the use of flash. A Father recently asked me, "Do you really need to use the flash...will it help you get better pictures for the bride." I said, "Yes"...and he said, "Well, I want what is best for the bride...so do what you need to do." I wanted to reach out for his hand and kiss it! Instead, I told him "Thanks! We will still be discrete with the use of our flash!". Another Catholic church right down the road couldn't be further on the other end of the "use of flash" guidelines! I recently did a wedding at a Catholic church in Austin. The stated policy was very strict. But, when I talked with the Father...he said just don't flash TOWARD the congregation. I couldn't believe it. Having said all of this, please realize that we are VERY discreet even when the officiant doesn't limit us. We limit movement, and shoot with out flash when appropriate.

Where can we do our Bridal and/or Engagement pictures? There are lots of places all over SETexas. See Vendor and Contacts to view a list of places that I have shot before. Some of the best places are private residences. See my wedding galleries and look for the Engagement and Bridal sessions.

Do you recommend a Bridal Session in advance of the wedding? Yes and No. It is great to spend an hour getting that perfect picture, not to mention getting to know you all. We can do the bridal portrait on the day of the wedding, but on that day, we will have 15 minutes tops...and are limited to the churches scenery. So, I separate Bridal Portrait session is a great idea. On the flip side, it does stand the risk of damage to your dress. And it does have an additional charge. Do I have to wear my wedding dress shoes for the Bridal Session? Only if your shoes show! I have been meaning to add this to the FAQ after watching several recent brides hurt their feet or the shoes. If you want a picture with you in the shoes that's great...and we can start or end with that pictures. For the rest of the time, where something comfortable.

When will my pictures be online? For small/short weddings,  7 days is the turn around time. But this does depend on current workflow and/or if it is during the school year, and can be anywhere from 1-3 days for portrait sessions and 5-10 days for weddings. Longer/larger weddings could be up to 14 days. The process to look through all of the pictures we take, cull down to presentable images, then post process for display in a ready to order state takes a considerable amount of time. Basic Package images will be posted quicker as less post processing is done to the images since a Data Device does not come with the package. The Enhanced Package will take a few days longer as more retouching is done to the images prior to upload so they will be ready for the Data Device. You may begin to see pictures uploaded to your gallery, but until you receive an email stating that the gallery is online, there may be more to be uploaded. As soon as the pictures are online, you may begin ordering your pictures.

When will I receive my Image Disk? You may request that your disk be sent to you ask soon as I can get it ready, which could be a couple of weeks after the images have been upload. Normally, I do wait until your gallery has been up for a while and people, including yourself, have ordered their first round of images. This way, your burned disk will include any edited images that were prepped for printing. If enough time has passed and/or I am in the processes of burning several other disks, I may go ahead and burn your disk. Not to worry if you haven't gotten your disk...I keep your paperwork in a special file until your disk is burned. In the mean time, you are are able to download any image straight from the website. Be sure to follow the steps  for downloading the actual file (high res)...and avoid copying and pasting the screen image (low res). Also, if a file has been edited AFTER you have received your Image Disk, you may download the new version online at any time.