Here are some questions that I frequently get asked…by brides, by grooms, by mothers and fathers, by fellow photographers. Doesn’t matter who asks…the answers are the same.
1. What medium do you shoot?
Although I know how to shoot film, I choose digital.
2. Do you ever double-book weddings?
I do not book more than one wedding a weekend, let alone more than one in a single day. Weddings are exhausting. I limit myself as much for me as I do for you. You don’t want an exhausted photographer, do you?
3. Do you shoot in color or black & white?
I shoot digital. So this means that I capture the images in color…but later, I treat each picture and process it according to what I think looks best. Sometimes, you will get one image in both color and black & white. Other times, you’ll only get only a B&W version of the image.
If you want to order a B&W print of a color image, I can easily make the conversion. But I cannot convert from B&W to color. Sorry!
4. What is the difference between low-resolution and high-resolution images?
Low-res image files are watermarked photos that you can e-mail easily or post online to Facebook, your wedding Web site and wherever else as long as it complies with the print & use release that comes with them. But don’t bother printing them as they will look incredibly pixelated. (and it’s illegal… 🙂 )
High-res image files are print quality. If the high-res images are included in your package, you can make as many prints as you want, in whatever size. But you cannot share the actual digital image files with others.
5. How long does it take to see my pictures?
Honestly, this depends on workload at the time. I try to get a few teaser pics up on Facebook within 10 days of your event/shoot. Sometimes, I post a blog with some of my favorite photos within 2 weeks of your event/shoot. Other times, you’ll get your full gallery first, depending on the time of year. The contract between us says you’ll get the images online within the 4-6 week timeframe, but to be honest, I’ve never gone more than a month from your event/shoot, and that’s usually during the busiest time of year.
6. How many images can I expect from my wedding day or session?
For weddings, this will vary according to the number of hours you book me. But this number typically ranges between 700-1000, depending on how many hours of coverage you purchase.
For lifestyle sessions, you will usually have 60-80 fully edited images from which to choose.
7. How will my friends and family order prints?
Fear not, I’ve made this process oh-so-easy! When you receive a link to your gallery, you can pass that on to anyone and everyone. They can order photos from within the gallery. Once I receive the order, it takes about two weeks to get the prints to you. And for prints, you CAN order by credit card.
8. What equipment do you use?
I’m a Canon girl. All the way. You can bet that I will have backup equipment at every wedding. Your day is worth too much to risk something going wrong.
My equipment consists of:
Cameras
5D Mark III (his name is Zeus, cuz he is almighty.)
5D Mark II (Her name is Nadine)
5D (His name is Stuart.)
Lenses (in order of frequent use)
- Canon f/1.4 35 mm
- Canon f/1.2 50mm
- Canon f/1.4 85 mm
- Tamron f/2.8 28-75mm
- Canon f/2.8 70-200mm IS
- Canon f/2.8 16-35mm
- Canon f/2.0 135mm
- Canon f/2.8 100mm macro
If there is anything else you want to know, just ask! 🙂 If you ask by leaving a comment or sending me an e-mail, I will update the list of questions to include yours. 🙂
meganmeyer - Darbi,
For your wedding photography, which lenses do you use most often? Thanks!
Darbi G. Photography - Megan, your comment just made me realize I haven’t updated the equipment list since last fall.
I actually sold my 17-55 EFS lens (since it wouldn’t work on the 5d) and bought the L series 16-35.
But to address your specific question… I think I use all my lenses at some point during the wedding.
I put on my 100mm macro for of course…macro shots. But also, it is a really good focal length so you don’t have to get in people’s faces during certain parts of the day, but still get in close. It’s slow to focus, so I wouldn’t use it for anything that is action packed. 🙂
But I’d say the three most-used lenses are the
16-35… for scene-setting shots and some all-purpose coverage
the 50 is a gem for low lighting…and portraits. YUMMY.
And then I do put on the 70-200 for ceremonies. It’s so heavy, so I don’t typically use it a bunch unless needed.
Does that help? 🙂
Chrissy - Darbi
what lens do you primarily use when shooting your engagement sessions
Darbi G. Photography - chrissy— the 50 1.2 is my go-to lens for engagement sessions. I'd like to use my 70-200 more, but oftentimes, I need to be closer to the subjects due to space limitations. 🙂
Mary - what kind of editing software do you use?
(i saw your site via amy enderle's pages on facebook!)
Darbi G. Photography - Mary!
I use Lightroom and CS4 Photoshop. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't be a stranger. 😉
Katherine - Hi Darbi,
I just found your site – beautiful photos! Just wondering if you shoot natural light or utilize flash? Also, do you print images yourself, or recommend an external lab?
Darbi G. Photography - Hey, Katherine!! thanks for stopping by. I typically shoot natural light (gotta love the 50 1.2!!!) but I do use flash for weddings, mostly during the receptions…or in cases that call for a "fill flash"… I'm also experimenting more and more with off-camera lighting to add drama to portraits.
And no, I do not print images myself. I use WHCC or MPIX PRO. 🙂 Or if clients purchase through my viewing gallery, I've started using the viewing gallery's printer (www.exposuremanager.com)
Hope that helps. Don't be a stranger. 🙂
chrissy - i just love your photos. thanks for getting back to me, i wanna get the 70-200mm f2.8 as well. pictures are a hobby of mine, the price is scary. do you feel it was worth it? i may settle for the f/4 version.
just wanted to say love the work i wish i lived in your state. i cant take my own maternity shots 🙂
cant wait to see your new work this spring and summer