Hello.

I have been photographing and videorecording weddings and other events for over 20 years between the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. Although weddings are a major part of my work I also do corporate parties, awards banquets, quinceañeras, anniversaries, bar/bat mitzvahs, baptisms, shows and other events. I enjoy a variety of mediums from film to digital imaging. My samples speak for themselves. So do my clients. Please spend some time here and email me with any questions.

On this web page I would like to talk mostly about weddings. When I am at a wedding I have 3 main objectives: 1) to tell the story of the wedding day, 2) to help everyone look as good as possible in print, and especially 3) to give you the products and services you want in a form which you and your family can use and treasure for many years. With over 1400 weddings as experience, I know how to be unobtrusive yet take all the photographs you need and the ones you want. I hope the samples available on my website will get you curious. I have many newer and varied samples of photos and videos in my studio. Please call for an appointment.

If you are in a hurry trying to decide on a photographer and/or videographer please read this information carefully... I do things differently in my business. These may be the services you need!

I want you to know right away that I run my photography business differently than most other photographers. For one thing, I do not use the proof system.

The so-called proof system originated in the early decades of the last century, when photographers had to insert fresh film for each picture. They could not take many pictures, so they slowed everything down to pose it. And if they took more than the bare minimum number of photos, then the client was expected to pay for these "extras". This system still generates more money for the photographer and so it is often employed. Also, many photographers don't like you to get additional photos for free from your friends and relatives who have cameras. So the photographer may become hostile toward them. Nothing can bring down the mood of a wedding like a hostile and pushy photographer. You can ask around. It is not as uncommon as it may seem.

You do not select from a small number of proofs and pay extra for others. You get all your photos, often over 300, a fine quality album, and you get all your high-resolution digital files, set to music, on a CD, to print, view or copy and share. You get 3 copies of the photo CDs and 3 copies of your video. The video captures all the events, with excellent audio of vows, toasts, dances, and interviews with the guests.

I believe that anyone important enough for you to invite to your wedding is important enough to be in at least one photograph. When you hand your finished album to friends who were guests, they will be looking for their own picture. It requires many photographs to make certain all aspects of the day are captured in expressive and attractive photos. Many other photographers will offer to take 200 or more photos, but then you choose from, say, 40 to make into 5x7s or 8x10s for your album. The other photographs are never touched-up or made ready to print.

At many weddings my partner and I take over 400 photos. And we spend over a week just editing them so that they all look perfect. You get all these finished photos plus the high resolution files. We are proud of our work and want to make certain that you can make as many uses of your photos as possible.

After your wedding we process all the digital files, put them in a folder on a CD, create a slide show set to music, put a custom label on the CD and in its case, and then take that CD to the lab to have all your prints made. Then we give you the CD with your prints and album. We give you three copies of a CD that has all your photos ready to print or view. You can copy your entire album for the price of a blank CD and give it to anyone. They can email any particular file they want to a lab and get a copy. Using and sharing your wonderful wedding photographs couldn't be easier.

There has always been debate among photographers and consumers about the type of cameras best suited for weddings. In general, photographers argue for the equipment they already have. Because the technology is changing so rapidly I think it is important for you to see several varieties of prints and styles so you can be certain you are getting what you want. Digital photography has made it much easier to produce 'fine-art' versions of prints. Although I still own and occasionally use high-end film cameras I have the newest digital gear from Canon. I resisted the change from film to digital until I was certain that the quality and flexibility provided would be superior.

I can show you a sample of a digital photograph enlarged to about 60" by 40", almost life size. It is amazing how clean and sharp the image remains. With film there were always problems with dust on the negatives, deterioration of the negative, or the grain in the negative itself. You may know you never want a photograph this large, but you may have a digital file where you want to crop and enlarge a smaller image of some person or thing. That is where the extra resolution is so important.

You can get both comprehensive photo & video coverage without the expense of hiring 2 different businesses; the combined coverage is efficient and unobtrusive.

Many years ago I observed that the best locations for the photographs at a wedding were usually also the best locations for the videographer. Most brides & grooms hire (and support) two different businesses which are usually unaquainted with one another. When something important happens at the wedding or reception (which is all the time), both crews will rush to the same area and often experience conflict with lights and competition for floor space. The photographer often appears in the video and the videographer often appears in the photographs.

When you hire us to do both photography and videography you get a tremendous savings in cost plus the benefit of equipment and techniques which are integrated, flexible and effective. The proof can be seen in our collection of albums and videos. An important extra benefit is that we can use some of the photographs in the introduction and on the cover of the video. You get a beautifully produced video in a hard cover with your photographs on the cover and DVD label. And as always, you get three copies of the DVD and are welcome to make any other copies whenever you need them.

Of course we use a 3-chip digital video camera. The vows are always captured with a concealed wireless microphone. It is very common for guests in the back of the ceremony area not to hear the vows, even it the officiant has a microphone. We produce a video where all the vows are clearly heard. And at a typical reception we may interview 30-90 guests, each getting to say something personal to the bride and groom on their wedding video.

Special services we provide include B&W or BW+color photography, multi-media love-story videos to play at your reception, and excellent photo restoration of using Adobe Photoshop.

What does the "advanced" in "Advanced Wedding Photography & Video" mean?

• You don't get proofs - you get all the pictures and touched-up high resolution digital files.
• You can get both photography and video coverage in one easy package
• We provide the services you need at very reasonable prices
• We can provide digital or film as well as portable studio lighting
• Our styles include candid, photojournalistic, and formal posed portraits
• We create digital collages, multi-media videos and do photo restoration
• We use a 3-chip digital video camera and digital "non-linear" editing for top quality
• We use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, & AfterEffects for photo and video digital editing
• All our framing, backing and tape uses acid free archive quality materials
• We use the most current digital still and video cameras and lenses for clear & accurate photos
• We have 20 years experience working quickly and efficiently so you can enjoy your day
• You get to know and choose your options right from the start
• We serve the San Francisco Peninsula, South & East Bay, and Monterey Bay areas
• You get an easy to read contract the specifies the services we promise
• We show you how to get custom albums and enlargements at cost so you can enjoy your photographs and negatives for many years to come.

Here is what you get.

We usually come early to where the bride is getting ready and take pictures and video. Then we go to the church and photograph the gentlemen. During the ceremony I work unobtrusively. After the ceremony we can quickly and efficiently get the formal portraits. If there is time before the reception we might stop at a park for some romantic outdoor scenes. Then it is time to party. I work closely with the coordinator and DJ so that all events go smoothly (arrival, introductions, dining, toasts, first dances, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting, etc.) I can stay with you until the end, and we get lots of candids and family and group shots. For a typical wedding I may provide you with from 150-400 pictures, depending on the number of participents and the lengths of events.

Unlike most photographers who depend on selling enlargements for income, I give you all your touched-up high-resolution digital files to keep, as part of your package. That way you can arrange economical and custom enlargements when you need them. Of course I can recommend print labs if you like. In the future I always want you to be able to get the best quality albums, reprints, and enlargements you can. I will show you where the photographers go to get their albums at cost. The more good looking prints and albums you have, the more my work is seen, and the more business I get. That is why you get the high-resolution digital files promptly and at no extra charge..

The pictures really need to be seen framed and/or in albums to get an idea of their impact and intention. And, of course, I can't show you the many videos I have over the Internet. So I hope you will phone me so we can get together.

Packages may include photography alone, videography alone, or both photography and videography. The following are sample packages. Please call to arrange a personalized package. Prices range from $ 1390 to $ 3390. The package descriptions and prices are subject to change without notice so call soon to make arrangements.

Deluxe Coverage Up to 10 hours on location Approx 200-450 finished photos Two 11x14 and four 8x10s High quality album 1.5-3 hour video highlights DVD DVD has custom intro & menus Up to 5 locations Original digital files are included.   $ 2790 for photo OR video only $ 3390 for BOTH photo & video

Comprehensive Coverage Up to 8 hours on location Approx 150-350 finished photos One 11x14 and four 8x10s High quality album 1-3 hour video highlights DVD DVD has custom intro & menus Up to 4 locations Original digital files are included.   $ 2290 for photo OR video only $ 2890 for BOTH photo & video

Extended Coverage Up to 6 hours on location Approx 125-300 photos One 11x14 and two 8x10s High-quality Album 1-2 hour video highlights DVD DVD has custom intro & menus Up to 4 locations Original digital files are included.   $ 1790 for photo OR video only $ 2390 for BOTH photo & video

Basic Coverage Up to 4 hours on location Approx 75-200 photos Two 8x10s High-quality album 1-2 hour video highlights DVD DVD has custom intro & menus Up to 3 locations Original digital files are included.   $ 1390 for photo OR video only $ 1890 for BOTH photo & video

If you feel genuinely comfortable with the photographer you have chosen, your friends and relatives whill sense your trust. That is what makes it easy for us to move among a large crowd of strangers ('friends we haven't met yet') and get lots of great expressions in our photographs.

Chosing a photographer or videographer is often not easy. There are many issues that clients are not aware of. For example, it is extremely important that you hire a photographer that always rotates two or more cameras during the entire day. That way, if something goes wrong with a camera, you don't lose ALL your photos. Another important issue is that many photographers will sign a contract with you on behalf of their business, but then on the day of the wedding a stranger ('the associate') shows up to do the work. This 'associate' may or may not be what you expected.

There are many good reasons not to have a friend photograph or videorecord your wedding. No matter how enthusiastic she or he may be, friends want to join the party, too; But a hired professional is always your employee and should always be looking for ways to create great photos and videos. Professionals have many years experience working with lighting situations which can change quickly and are often sub-optimal as well as with a fast pace. A well-meaning friend or amateur can ruin your precious photographs without even knowing it. Professionals can afford to bring backup cameras, videocameras, lights, meters and backdrops. Amateurs usually use amateur or "pro-sumer" gear and may not choose the correct operating mode for the weather and lighting on your most important day.

Making arrangements for photography and/or videography.

Don't wait long before you book your date. Some dates have already been booked months to a year in advance. Telephone or e-mail me and let me know what you are planning. Then you can come into my office in San Jose or Santa Clara to look at sample photographs and videotapes. It is important to talk in person. Letting your photographer get to know you, and feeling comfortable and at ease around him or her can be important factors in how natural your photographs appear.

I require one third of the package price as a deposit to hold the date for you. Approximately 2 weeks before the wedding day I usually ask for the second third of the package prices. This gives us an opportunity to go over final details. On the day of the wedding, at your convenience, you can pay the remaining third if you like. Some people prefer to pay the last third when they pick up their materials. You can decide what makes you most comfortable. I provide you with a contract so we can both know what to expect on your important day. If anything in the contract is not the way you like it, then we can adjust it so that you can feel comfortable and certain that everything will go smoothly.

For more information...

I would enjoy talking with you about your special event. You can phone me or email me at the locations shown right after this paragraph. If you leave me a message (email or phone) please let me know the date of your wedding and the best way to reach you. I hope we will be able to spend some time talking and then have you and your partner come in to view samples and talk in more detail. Trust and confidance are very important. On the day of your wedding I do not want you to have to worry about me or any of your vendors. If you like and trust me then the chances are very good that so will your friends and relatives. This makes it much easier for me to move among everyone and photograph great expressions while you enjoy a perfect day.

You can phone me at (408) 984-3333, oe
e-mail me at studio@growing.com

All photographs on this website copyright (C) 2008 by Douglas Dailey

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The following information is attached for indexing purposes only:

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