Laura Matthews
Glen Allen, VA
Female, 33
I'm a natural light portrait and wedding photographer based in Glen Allen, VA. I have had a camera in my hands since I caught my Barbie's wedding to Ken on my pink Kodak 110 camera. I am happy to share my experiences from how I got to where I am now. Feel free to ask away!
This is not my practice, but different photographers have different policies. My packages include the couples choice of digital files or a print/product credit. Also, some photographers do not provide digital files at all. When I started my business in 2009, I only sold prints. I still highly encourage this today since so many clients fail to even print/display digital images. My turnaround time for a wedding is very fast, usually 2-4 weeks, but there are many photographers who have 12 or more weeks for turnaround times. I am primarily a portrait photographer and may only do 5-10 weddings/year. There are photographers who do several weddings per week and their turnaround time is much slower.
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I don't have a running total, but between my computer, processing software, lenses, camera bodies, studio equipment, and various other items, I most likely have around $16,000 invested at the moment.
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Natural light is my specialty. I shoot outdoors typically 1-2 hours after sunrise or 1-2 hours before sunset. I also have a window light studio which has spectacular north facing light. However, there are instances where I use flash such as for wedding receptions where it can be quite dark and I am trying to capture the action. I also will use studio lighting in addition to window light to help create dramatic portraits.
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Never.
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If it's pouring rain out, chances are you will be inside for a wedding. I use professional equipment that allows me to capture images in very low lighting situations.
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There are a number of ways to minimize features. One way is with posing. Turning a larger person to the side and changing the angle at which you shoot are some ways. I personally have a round face, so I like my portraits taken of my profile.
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I haven't really had a true "Bridezilla" situation. But I have had a bride insist on me giving them unedited RAW digital files stating "photographers do this." Actually, no reputable photographer I know would EVER do that.
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