Are you a licensed photography business?
Yes, indeed! I have been fully licensed since 1995. First, I carried local and state licenses in Massachusetts, now with the state of Arizona.
Back
If you could only use one word to describe your style, what would it be?
Most wedding photographers use a combination of styles and approaches. Mine is a combination of modern-traditional, candid and photojournalism rolled into one. How much or little I employ these different methods, at a wedding, is based on the feedback I receive from my clients. Some of my wedding couples may want very little in the way of posing, while others require that I be more hands on. Every couple is different. However, if I have to use one word to describe it, it would be 'sophisticated'. That is the word I have heard my clients use most often to describe my work. I rather like it! So that is what I am going with.
Back
What is wedding photojournalism?
If you do not fully understand what wedding photojournalism means, join the crowd. Many professionals in the wedding industry do not fully understand it either. It its purest form, photojournalism implies that there is no posing, guiding or subject manipulation of any kind. Yet, most self-professed wedding photojournalists are using a combination of all those things to obtain the same desired natural look. That said, outside of one person in New York City, whose price is prohibitive to me and ninety-nine percent of wedding couples, I am not aware of any other wedding photographers that can actually shoot an entire wedding in pure photojournalism form and satisfy their clients.
There are many images in my wedding photography gallery that show couples behaving naturally. I acquired some of these photos through pure photojournalistic method, I described above. However, most of these photos fall into a category I call pseudo-photojournalism. When we (wedding photographers) encourage couples to behave in a certain way, in order to achieve the photojournalism look. Good wedding photographers are able to incorporate a mix of candid photos, pure photojournalism and traditional photography, throughout the different segments of wedding day. The ceremony and reception events provide the best opportunities for pure photojournalism. That said, just because we are able to capture portions of a wedding day in this manner, does not make me or anyone else a wedding photojournalist. It just makes us wedding photographers.
Back
Are you saying then, photographers that call themselves wedding photojournalist are being disingenuous?
I think, they think it sounds cool and, in most cases, probably do not fully understand what it means themselves.
I was around, when Denis Reggie first introduced the wedding photography world to photojournalism in the mid-nineties. He defined wedding photojournalism this way, as soon as a subject alters their natural behavior in any way, in response to a camera nearby, it is no longer all-natural and, therefore, no longer photojournalism. Many photographers tried to emulate his 'fly under the radar' style, with little success. For most photographers, it is extremely difficult to produce enough quality images, using this blueprint. That did not stop the already surging demand for wedding photojournalists, however.
Wedding photographers came to realize is that most couples, looking for wedding photojournalist, did not fully comprehend what it is. To most couples, it sounded different, did not have the word traditional attached to it and so it became popular. So, in response to the burgeoning demand, photographers began to call themselves photojournalists, even though they operating the way, most wedding photographers already operate. They rationalized this description of themselves, by producing what I refer to as *pseudo wedding photojournalism (*see answer to previous question). There is nothing wrong with this method. However, I think it is unfortunate many wedding photographers have perpetuated this method, as what defines wedding photojournalism. It does not. Using this blueprint, I suppose I could call myself a wedding photojournalist too, but I know better. I believe in honesty and truth, in everything I do.
Back
Do you offer TRASH THE DRESS photo shoots?
On occasion, couples have inquired about having bride and groom photos taken, after their wedding day. These Trash the Dress shoots are actually nothing new. Photographers have been doing them for years. In sixteen years of being in business, I am offering them now, for the first time.
The main reason couples express interest in these shoots is simple. They want more quality photos taken of them then time typically allows, at most weddings. Every wedding day is different, but, in most cases, the photographer rarely has more than 15-20 minutes to take pictures of the bride and groom alone. In contrast, I usually spend close to an hour, shooting their engagement photos.
On a personal note, I do pretty well with those 15-20 minutes and, for most of my wedding couples, it is more than enough.
Back
Do you shoot with film or digital?
I photograph entirely in digital now, but I still get nostalgic about the film days once in a while.
Back
What is better, film or digital photography?
My opinion is that Digital photography has the creative edge and is inherently more useful.
The one major drawback to digital photography is the crazy amount of time professional photographers have to spend editing images. I am a perfectionist, and probably put in more time in the digital darkroom than most professionals. I commit about 4 hours of editing, for every one hour of photography. That is something we never had to do with film.
Back
Do you provide, both, color and black and white photography?
With digital, it does not make sense to shoot in anything but color. You can easily convert color images to black and white or sepia tone in the digital lab, afterwards. Conversely, it would be difficult and extremely time consuming to change a black and white image back to color.
Back
Do you have a studio or do you work out of your home?
I have a home office and home studio. My home studio is limited to photographing headshots, engagements and couples.
Back
Where do your wedding prices range?
My prices are a la carte. I offer basic hourly packages, which include high-resolution files and a print credit, for large and small weddings. Beyond the basic package, it depends on what, if any, options (albums etc.) you want to include with your base package. Get prices for weddings.
Back
Is sales tax required on professional photography services?
Yes, all licensed professional photographers in the state of Arizona, are required to collect sales tax on all photographic products and services. This is also the case in Massachusetts, where I used to operate. I imagine it is probably the case in most if not all of the United States. However, we are not required to collect sales tax for out of state weddings or prints ordered and shipped to other states. For example, if your wedding takes place in New England, no sales tax is applied. However, if you are from New England and getting married in Arizona, sales tax is required.
A photographer that does not charge sales tax is probably not licensed to do business
Back
Do you require a deposit or retainer to reserve a wedding date and, if so, how much is it?
I can only hold a wedding date, after a wedding agreement has been signed. There is also a retainer required, which will be applied to your overall balance. For most weddings, the retainer is only $200.
Back
What kind of payments do you accept?
Payments, related to packages and deposits, can be made with cash, check or credit. Credit card payments must be processed, through the Paypal service. (If you would like to delay your payment, Paypal has a bill me later program, which allows you to delay payment for up to six months, interest free.)
Photographic prints can be purchased through my online storefront at *Photo Reflect, using all conventional credit card payments are accepted. (*This is where your edited images will be posted on line.)
Back
Are you still available to photograph weddings in New England?
Yes! Since I moved to Tucson, I have flown back and forth to New England several times to photograph weddings. Lodging is covered. Airfare is extra. Still, I try to keep my overall prices competitive with area photographers.
Back
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I have been photographing weddings for more than twenty-two years. I am not exactly counting, but I think experience is a valuable teacher.
Back
What do you enjoy most about being a photographer?
Wedding photography is not just a job, it is an awesome adventure! As a freelance photographer I get to meet wonderful people all the time. Listening to them, sharing my ideas and vision is easily the most gratifying aspect of my business.
Back
Is Van your middle name?
In the past, I have had people call me 'Van', thinking it was my middle name, but no, it is a part of my last name. In Holland, where I was born, last names, usually, mean something. Many of them, begin with the word, van, which can either mean 'of' or 'from'. In the Netherlands, my name would be spelled 'Paul vanHelden'. Here, in the United States, having a last name that begins with a small letter will not fly, hence the new look, Paul Van Helden. Other names, you may recognize, with a similar disposition are Martin Van Buren, Dick Van Dyke and Eddie Van Halen etc.
Back
What is your favorite all time quote?
That is easy: do onto others, as you would have them do onto you. It is easy to do. Just imagine what it would be like, if even half the world actually abided by those lofty words in everything they do, every day of their lives!
Back
How does a question become a frequently asked question?
If I hear the same question more than twice, it qualifies.
|
