1) What is your style for covering
weddings and other events?
I am among the first wave of "wedding photojournalists!"
When I came to the U.S. from Brazil in the mid '80s, my methods
didn't conform well with the all posed, all photographer-directed
methods that I encountered here. In Brazil, "formal wedding" photos
is virtually unheard of - you will never get anyone to go to a
church 1 hour before the ceremony to take photos.
It would be a few years before I met Mr. Denis Reggie, the man who
coined the now popular expression "wedding photojournalist." At the
first seminar where I saw him speak, I asked him something like, "Do
you mean there is a market for a type of wedding photography in
which you document rather than dictate what occurs?" His answer was,
" Sure enough, but you must be willing to work from the
sidelines."
That was a huge turning point in my career as a photographer. It
really brought back my passion. I had discovered a wonderful truth:
I was already a natural at wedding and event photojournalism.
Eventually I became acquainted not only with Mr. Reggie's work, but
also with the man himself. Today not only is he my mentor, but my
friend. On various occasions I have had the privilege of shooting
some weddings for him; and in a few instances, working alongside
him.
2) What is a "wedding photojournalist?"
A wedding photojournalist will observe, and sometimes even
anticipate, the action to capture it as it happens - when it
happens. Unlike the posed based photographer, he or she does not
make things happen. He chronicles the event taking the images as it
happens. No direction is given to the "players."
A wedding photojournalist works in an unobtrusive manner and you
will rarely notice his presence. He certainly will not be among the
most vivid memories of your special day. As a result, your
photographs will be the complete story of your unique wedding
captured on film.
All my techniques as a wedding photojournalist are carried over to
my other work. I consider myself an "eyewitness with a camera."
3) Do you do any posed photos at all?
Yes!! I do not limit myself and I am yours for the day - your wish
is my command.
I am comfortable in arranging and grouping people of all ages and
walks of life: I even posed a photo where former President Jimmy
Carter was in attendance. Part of my business is commissioned
portraits and I do a fair number of those throughout the year.
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, I do my homework to find out
my client's desires: I have a long chat with the Bride and/or her
Bridal consultant. By the way, I do recommend to all Brides to use a
consultant. During this conversation, I want to get a good
understanding of the sequence of events of the day, as well as the
"to do list."
Some clients want a bare minimum of posed photos, others have a long
list. I do not dictate "poses" to my clients, but I will not deny
them to those who would like to have them. When I do the "formals
shots" the
client requested, I make very sure that there are plenty to choose
from.
4) Do you include the images in you coverages?
As a standard feature, all my photo coverage will include two sets
of disks -- after a light editing for eyes closed and tongue
sticking out -- so you have the JPEGs [the universal "digital
negatives"] of all usable image at your finger tips. I few
percentage of my client will stop my services right there.
However the vast majority wants me to produce an
album for them.
5) What kind of albums do you use?
Nowadays I use primarily "digital coffee table albums" that
allow me to design the albums in a true magazine style with images
crossing seamlessly from one side of the page to the other. The
photographic paper becomes the page. Digital albums sport "cruelty
free" [man made] material in the cover.
A few number of clients still ask for the "classic album"
format. All photos are dry mounted to the page. They also can hold multiple
photos on each page: two, three or even four photos.
These albums have a custom bound leather cover.
All my albums are acid free material (museum quality),
made to stand the
test of time.
[Please also see Albums page
elsewhere in this website)
6) Is there an additional fee for designing the album and how
is it done?
No, none at all! I know for a fact that many studios will not design
your album without an extra fee, or you must go to an "independent
design house." I believe that the album design is an integral part
of my service, and is included in all of my price plans. I am not
finished until I put the completed album in your hands!
After you've made your selection, you will provide me with your list
of favorite shots.
From these, I will produce a design that will closely
resemble the final album. The design works like a blue print
showing sequencing of pages throughout the album as well positioning
of photos on the pages. Cropping and straightening is also done at
this point, wherever necessary.
The album design is then emailed to you for your approval. We have had
clients from NYC to LA - and many other cities in between!! This
system has been well received by my clients - it is very easy for
you to see the final look of the album.
One very important point: Everything I do for you is presented for
your seal of approval first!
7) Can I have a mix of black & white and color photographs?
When I first present the images to you, they are all in color,
however any image will produce an outstanding B&W version of it.
I must confess that I am B&W enthusiast: that is what made me change
my mind from becoming an architect to becoming a photographer. Most
of my fine arts work is done in black & white. I frequently dream in
black and white. I am happy working in either medium or mixing them;
they really blend well. I gladly can -- and will -- produce any percentage
of B&W that will suit your individual desires.
8) How many pictures do you typically shoot in a given
wedding?
I always have been known as a "heavy shooter." I estimate that no
matter the scope of the wedding, I will shoot 150 exposures per
hour. The more intimate weddings can be well covered with 600 to 900
shots, but 1,200 to 1,500 photos is more common. I have had many
weddings that surpassed 2,000 shots.
9) Would you be available to travel?
I can travel anywhere on the planet where I can take a car,
airplane, boat, canoe, horse or a camel. I have passport and camera
...and I will travel! [Naturally, travel fees will be adjusted
accordingly].
10) Can I purchase the "negatives"?
YES!!! As a matter of fact, all of my price plans already give you
ownership of the digital negatives.
11) Approximately how many weddings have you photographed?
I have never counted them; however I have been a professional
wedding photographer for over 20 years. I photograph between 45 to
50 weddings a year. I think that it is safe to say that I have
photographed well over 900 weddings.
12) What percentage of your business is dedicated to weddings?
75 to 80% of my business is in wedding photography. I have
photographed Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, interfaith
and civil weddings.
I am first and foremost a wedding photographer.
13) Are you the person who will photograph my wedding?
If you hire me, I am the one you are going to get. If you hire one
of my associates, he will be the one to photograph your wedding. It
is as simple as that!!!
14) Do you bring an assistant, and if so, will that person
also take photographs?
On occasion I will bring an assistant, however my assistant does not
shoot photos. I am aware that some photographers over book
themselves and then send their assistants to "fill in." This is
definitely NOT me! If I bring an assistant, there is no charge to my
clients. If, however, you deem that an assistant is mandatory, we
can make financial arrangements to book an assistant to guarantee
his availability.
15) How do you typically dress for a wedding?
I strive to always be among the ten most elegant people you've ever
met!
The way I will dress for your wedding will be determined by reading
your invitation: I will dress as one of the guests. It is customary
that I will wear a black suit and tie, but I attend a fair number of
"formal attire optional" events every year.
16) Do you bring backup equipment with you to weddings?
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Anyone who would take on the huge responsibility of
photographing a wedding cannot call themselves a professional
photographer if he does not carry a bare minimum of backup
equipment! It is customary for me to carry 2 camera bodies and
different type of lenses - wide angle and telephoto lenses. I also
pack 2 flashguns, flash batteries and enough to last me for the equivalent of two weddings!
17) What type of equipment do you use?
All state-of-the-art digital equipment! My
cameras come with an array of lenses from ultra wide angle to telephoto, suitable for covering anything from
social events to sporting events to
wild life. My equipment allows me to work from the "sidelines"
without interfering in the action.
18) Do you visit the ceremony and reception sites prior to the
wedding?
I always to go the site about 1/2 hour before the event at which
time I do the necessary assessments: any place will look differently
in the morning, afternoon or evening. When you add your own
decorations, dim the room lights, and add candles, the place is
completely transformed. I want to see the real thing.
19) Are you skilled in diffused lighting and soft focus?
I do add some choices of diffused photos; more for the posed shots,
or sometimes ceremony or room setups. There are as many diffusion
techniques as there are photographers. Please look very closely at
my site to see if you like these shots. These photos are good
examples of the only technique I will use to get the best results.
Also one of the advantages of shooting in digital format is that you
can manipulate the images after the fact to suite your desires.
20) When will I get my proofs?
Within
8 weeks after the wedding. You have up to one year to order your
album.
21) Would you be willing to hold my date?
I am constantly contacted by prospective clients from across the
United States as well as, due to advent of the Internet, places as
far away as the States of the former Soviet Union and Argentina.
When I have a close understanding with a prospective client, I am
willing to give that person 3 or 4 days to finalize their decision.
Other than that, to hold a date I must have a firm commitment in the
form of a signed contract and a deposit equal to a portion of the
retainer fee.
22) Can you give me some basic pricing information?
Please click on the pertaining link bellow and I will be delighted to send you
my complete Fee Schedule.
My warmest congratulations on your up coming special event. I
greatly appreciate your inquiry and I look forward to meeting and
working with you.
JC Brasil
Visual Artist
Wedding Photojournalist
Atlanta, Georgia
I can be reached
via email or on my direct line
404-255-8655.
So we can chat about the exciting
opportunity to photograph your wedding, about the exciting photo
approach I bring to the wedding or about any question you may have
before making up your decision to hire your photographer.
I will be
delighted to provide additional info about my current price
scheduled and availability to photograph your upcoming event. Please
click in any of the following pertaining link (s):
If you are planning
to get married in the next six months please
click here – due to the proximity of your date, I
rush your ahead of the pack!
If you are planning to get married in a date beyond
the next six months please
click here
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provide us your contact phone number the date, time and location(s) of
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