What to Expect with Craig Paulson’s Wedding Photography New York

(Want to read it later?  Downoad our Services or  Download our Services – Printable)

We Meet

You’ll come to my studio overlooking trendy Union Square and have a chat. We’ll look at albums, portfolios and slide shows on the computer. You can see my work and we can discuss the parameters of candid wedding photography.

It’s a great opportunity for me to hear more about your wedding plans: the location, the guest-count, the size of the wedding party and so forth. But more importantly, it’s a chance for you to answer the question, “Do we want to spend the most important day of our life with this person?”

Photographers and couples work together for a long time  – not just on the day of your wedding. I want that process to be as seamless and comfortable for you as possible and I tap into over 600 weddings worth of knowledge make that happen.

Once Booked

I’m now a resource for any questions you may have. I’ve fielded all sorts of requests in the past. I have been asked to go shopping for the wedding dress and to scout locations. One bride’s mother sent me a swatch of material from the bridesmaids’ dresses to see how the color photographed! Basically, I’m of wealth of knowledge about weddings and vendors and I’m happy to share it.

One month before the wedding we will sit down again at the studio to get down to the nitty-gritty. We’ll map out a timeline for the day and discuss important details such as the ins and outs of shooting in religious institutions. It’s a chance for me to finalize my plans for the day and for you to get the answers to any residual questions might have.

The Wedding Day

I love to start with the “getting ready” pictures because this is where the story really begins. I snap away, generally unnoticed, at any detail that will be fondly remembered. I may find dad in the garden practicing his speech, mom ironing the best man’s tie or the bride in her veil and jeans, stealing a sip of champagne to calm the nerves.

The ceremony itself will be covered from as many angles as possible. I shoot with a long lens so there’s no need for me to stand right up there with you. Afterwards, once the guests are mingling, I’ll ask the bride and groom to spare me a few moments. We’ll get away from the crowd and take some personal photos. This is also the time to organize any group shots; however, you may find the most beautiful pictures are the more spontaneous ones.

The rest of the day and evening will be covered with candid photography.

That means I follow the action I don’t direct it. I am there to document your wedding as it naturally unfolds. My reportage style of photography captures the details that make the story of your day complete. I may catch a four year old swiping a bit of icing off the cake or a pile of high heels left by the side of the dance floor when the party really gets going. I’m always looking for images that have the power, years later, to bring the memories rushing back.

After The Wedding

What you get to take home once the wedding is over, is very important to me. This is not only my pictures on display, it is also your wedding. I believe in the old addage that there is only one chance at a first impression. This is what you will get.

- All pictures printed to a 4×6 print. Normally around 900 pictures with the top 300 displayed in a beautiful Linen bound proof album with a matching Linen box holding the rest of the pictures.

- A wildly popular mini brag book. This is my personal top 100 pictures displayed in a great little handbag sized (5 in x 5 in) album.

- An online gallery displaying all the pictures taken at the wedding. This can be vetoed by you before going public. It can also be password protected.

- A DVD of the whole wedding in low res, perfect for blogs, facebook, emails, iphone etc.

- A DVD of all the “RAW” files.

Delivery …..

No more than 8 – 10 weeks after your wedding day you will receive proofs, brag book, and DVD. You use those proofs to choose the shots you like. They are sent to the lab to be printed professionally and hand retouched, if necessary. You can expect the final pictures for your album within another 10 weeks. I hold the copyright to all pictures.

Albums

Once you have chosen the shots for your album, the studio does a layout using the pictures you’ve selected. We send you a PDF file of the layout and you can request changes. We then do a second layout according to your specifications and this process continues until the album is laid out exactly as you would like. For more information about types of albums we offer visit Albums under this section of our website.

Video

I have chosen a select group of videographers whose style and approach compliment my own. The basic principles of my photography, that it should be candid, unobtrusive and work with available light also guide their shooting.

Steve

Steve has shot over 500 weddings in 15 years. He uses broadcast quality cameras to create a beautiful, documentary-style movie of your wedding day.

Prices start at $2500

Edward

Edward has a rare intuitive perspective. His youthful exuberance and artistic eye translate into unique films that reflect each couple’s individual taste and style.

Prices start at $3000

Doug

Doug has been shooting documentaries professionally for the past 22 years. He has won an Emmy, a Peabody and three Jury Prizes at Sundance. When you have only one shot to get it right, there’s no substitute for that kind of experience.
Doug approaches making wedding videos no differently than his films for HBO or PBS. He shoots hand-held, working as a one-man crew. His equipment is so small that he’s often mistaken for a guest at the wedding, enabling him to get great candid footage.

Prices start at $3800