wedding images

Q: My priest said that no flash pictures are allowed! Will that be a problem?
A: Not at all.  We'd never use flash during a ceremony - even if it was allowed.  In fact, we never
           use flash anywhere - unless it's absolutely necessary.  We much prefer the ambient realism
           of available light which tends to be quite mood setting.  It also enables us to work much more
           discreetly.  But when we must use flash, we have developed a special multiple-light system
           which simulates the natural beauty of available light - and introduces a "3rd dimension" into
           the images.
Q: Do you do pictures at the bride's house before the wedding?  How late do you stay at the re-
           ception? 
A:   Our coverage is utterly unlimited re: number of images, locations and time!  Often, we begin
            the day early in the morning with photojournalism of the bride at the hair salon, the groom
            at breakfast, etc.  If the bride is getting dressed at the house, we would wish to be there.
            The magical transformation; the metamorphosis into a "bride" are must have images!
            It really depends upon each individual situation.  A totally custom approach.  
            People are always commenting on how impressed they are at how late we work at the recep-
            tion!  Typically, we are shooting until 10:30-to-12 p.m..  Each event is singularly unique...
            and our coverage varies accordingly.  
            Over the years, we've acquired a sensitive knack of realizing at what point of the evening
             people would appreciate not remembering how they looked!
Q:   Do we also get an engagement and wedding picture for the newspaper?
A:  Yes, they're both included in our coverage.  We also have the newspaper forms to fill out.
             You simply select your favorite image.  We take care of the rest for you.  
             Also included are two (2)-other optional sessions of photography.  One is our very in-
             demand and fun Engagement Session.  The other is our cutting edge and very illustrative
             Bridal Romance session.  (More about them both on the "Pricing" page).
Q:   How much do your packages cost?
A:     Actually, we don't offer any packages whatsoever.  We're telling your unique story with
              images.  The creative design of your particular story will require "x-number" of images...
              in an exciting blend of various shapes and sizes.  All of that is utterly unpredictable -
              until you first see the actual images!  (For specific details, please see the "Pricing" page).
Q:    Did you go to school for this?
A:     I've never stopped going to school for this!  I began with my college graduate school studies
             in audio/visual communications.  From then on, I continue to seek out courses, seminars,
             and workshops taught by the very finest - most inspirational instructors who specialize in
             wedding photography as a high impact art form.  Some of the many teachers have been
             Rocky Gunn, Denis Reggie, Monte Zucker, Bill Stockwell, Michele Celentano, Bambi
             Cantrell, Ken Sklute, Greg Bleck, to name just a few.  Classes taken in 2002 alone -
             have been throughout Wisconsin...as well as Arizona, New Jersey and Georgia.
Q:  Isn't all wedding photography the same?  What makes DREAMSCAPES special?
A:    We try very hard to do things that aren't being done elsewhere.  We try very hard to not
             do things that are being done elsewhere.  Again, the DREAMSCAPES experience is
             very spontaneous and unpredictable.  We're always "pushing the envelope"; looking
             for fresh, new ways to create your storybook.  Obscure "ingredients" such as cross-
             processing techniques, exotic lenses, infrared and high speed grainy film can introduce
            a fine art "otherworldly" aura into the "realism" of the wedding.
            Not a "cookie cutter" operation.  The approach is custom.  100% personalized.
Q:   My wedding's not until next year.  How soon should I decide?  Is it too early?
A:   We only photograph one wedding per day.  Therefore, we have to turn away lots of
           business.  The only fair way to handle this is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
           Our weddings often book 1 to 1-1/2 years in advance.
Q:  What about the negatives?  Do we get to keep them?
A:   I would be very skeptical and cautious about anyone who parted with the negatives!
           The photographer's reputation is on-the-line at all times.  Where will those rolls
           of film be processed and printed?  What will the results look like?
           Without the negatives, how will display samples be made to show other perspective
           customers?  To give away or sell the negs shows no concern for any of the above.
           Besides the above, we've used our negatives to win many, International Wedding
           Photography Print Competition Awards.  Also, we are considering writing a book
           on wedding photography in the future.  No negs...no book!
Q:  What kind of equipment do you use?
A:   This is usually a "learned question".  Couples have already visited a studio that
            makes a big selling point that their equipment is "medium format"...rather than
           35mm.*  Actually, it's much like asking the baker what brand of flower he plans to
            use in the wedding cake!  We don't enjoy discussing equipment, because it's really
            boring to listen to.  Also, such "tech shop talk" isn't at all helpful for you.  
            All that really matters is whether you like our images.  The equipment is nothing
            more than a pen in the hand of a writer; a vehicle of vision.
            But if you must know, we bring *lots* of equipment!  Both medium format and 35mm.
            ( *The irony is that the nation's top high-profile celebrity wedding photographers are
            currently using all 35mm!)
Q:   Do you shoot black & white film?  Or do you make black & white from color negs?
A:   This is another "learned question" like the one above.  This time the other studio
            has said that superior results can be achieved by shooting black/white film.* 
            Once again, why should anything else matter except...do you like the images?
            It just so happens that we do use black & white film.  But we can also get great results
            printing color negs to black & white.  Scanning/printing color-to-b/w is also great.
            (*The irony is that the nation's top high-profile celebrity wedding photographers are
            currently using all digital!  Everything shot in color. Black & white decided/
            produced after the fact!)
Q:  What about the "proofs"?  Do we get to keep all of them?
A:   Actually, there are no proofs in our system.  Instead, we have an exciting storybook
           design session with the bride & groom at our studio.  Imagine the fun and emotions as
            you view your wedding images together for the very first time...as a slideshow with
            a musical sound track!  
            Next, we'll present our proposed storybook design layout; your "electronic
            blueprint".  Instead of you trying to turn many hundreds of images into a smoothly-
           flowing, emotion-grabbing layout, we do it all for you.  You just point to anything
            you'd like changed.  Together, we'll fine-tune your "killer storybook design".
            For friends & family, there are CD or videotape slide shows to place orders from.
            They are passed out to both sides of the family.  More folks get to view/order images.   
            For those who can't see the slideshow CD, they can view and order right over the
            internet!  This is especially great for those people out of town, state, or the country.

Q:   How long have you been doing this?  Don't you ever get tired of weddings?
A:    DREAMSCAPES was born in 1979.  Back then, we were very specialized.  We
             photographed exclusively weddings; nothing else.
             We never get tired of weddings, because each one is different in its own distinctive
             way.  Rather than us trying to make things happen, (which would get tiring),
             we capture those unexpected elements; those fresh, impromptu blossoms-of-distinc-
             tion as they open up one by one.  (Literally anything could happen at any time!)
             Possibly the best analogy I've heard, compares Yul Brynner in his role as The King
            & I.  He spent decades portraying the very same role over & over again.  Yet he was
             always filled with great passion as he continued to strive for "the" performance.
             And so it is with DREAMSCAPES.  It is with great passion and zeal that our quest
             endures...as we gently but urgently seek to tell that elusive "perfect" wedding story.

Q:   Do you have recent sample images that were actually done by the photographer who
            would be at my wedding?
Q: Can I have the actual person who would be photographing my wedding meet with me
           for the initial wedding photography presentation?