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Engagement Sessions

Recommend us!

The caterer and DJ come and go, but your portraits last forever...

Wedding packages include an entire day of photojournalism, formal and informal portraits as well as numerous candid shots, in a photojournalistic style.

I personally hand-process each portrait—with close attention to detail. You deserve nothing less!

A typical summer/fall wedding package is $1800-$2500. See below for more on rates...

You own the copyright and receive all of the full digital files, so you can print or share your photos as you like. Pricing is up-front and affordable, and consultations are always free. Hourly rates and portrait-only packages available.

About Me

I am passionate about photography and have been a working professional for more than 20 years.

I take my craft very seriously. I'll be in the right place at the right time to get the shot.  I look for small moments, fleeting expressions that elevate a photo into something more than a snapshot. In the post-process, I'll crop and adjust to perfection. I personally process each of the images you select from proofs.

References are available, but a picture is worth a thousand words! At the bottom of this page are a few samples from my portfolio, or you can visit my Facebook page for more.

I have a broad range of experience, including events, photojournalism, landscapes, portraits, and even commercial studio work and architecture.  I will combine all of these specialties, bringing them together into an amazing photo essay of your wedding day.  As an Adobe trainer, I am expert in airbrushing and digital negative development. My photos never look "processed" or fake. Having started out with film, and then making an early transition to digital, I offer the best of both worlds.

Discretion is the key to great wedding photography, and I will not intrude on your day with forced poses or awkward directions during critical moments. I'll capture the genuine emotions of the day. During the portrait session, I'll suggest settings, backdrops and poses, taking cues from your direction. I'm very good at coaxing smiles in a relaxed, comfortable session.

Weddings require a team effort, and my wife is invaluable to me. I also work with several interns on a regular basis. By working together, we can offer a much higher level of service—a level of service you deserve on your special day.

I have the right equipment and a bag of tricks that let me get the best shots. I shoot in the photojournalistic style and tell your story in pictures, documenting the day and capturing special moments.

What is photojournalism? This is the art of telling stories through photos, as opposed to taking formal, posed portraits or imposing an unrealistic vision on the subjects. I will be a traditionalist for the posed sessions, but a photojournalist for the rest of the day.

For more information about my philosophy and experience, click here or send an email with your questions.

After the Wedding - RAW Processing

One of the biggest differences between a professional and an amateur photographer is the post-process. I always shoot using "RAW" format, which allows much more flexibility in the post-process.

The digital negative is only the starting point. As Ansel Adams said, "The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance."

As a former Adobe Trainer, I am highly skilled in the digital darkroom. I hand-process each image that you select from proofs, carefully adjusting the lighting, color and exposure. I will do custom dodging, burning and pay close attention to detail. My goal is to make the image as close as possible to the moment in which I experienced it, without letting the camera get in the way.

Once the wedding is over, our relationship continues. We'll go over the photos, choosing which to process and print. I'll demonstrate the post-process with samples, so you can see before-and-after.

I will work hard to ensure that your images are the best they can be...images to last a lifetime.

Are you interested in learning this yourself? Choose the DIY option, with training available on Mac or Windows, on a variety of packages you already own.

Rates

The typical rate for a complete summer wedding is between $1800 and $2500.

There are no hidden fees, no printing fees, and consultations are always free. We also understand that the recession has affected a lot of people, so feel free to negotiate!

All of the images and digital negatives are yours to keep—you own the copyright. There are no "print credits" because you won't need any. You can have your photos printed yourself, or you can work with one of our partners for professional mounting, matting and framing. Need museum quality prints? I partner with a number of providers to get you exactly what you need.

Since I only use the highest quality lenses, your photos can typically be enlarged quite a bit. 8x10 or 16x20 prints will be razor sharp, with excellent color and contrast. Some images can be enlarged to 40x60, or can be cropped for a better composition.

A typical day will include photos of preparations, details, the ceremony, a formal portrait session and candid photography at your reception. This will include a wide variety of artistic shots, action and candid photos from a number of perspectives. Your requests are also important to us, and we listen.

Options include a second photographer, multiple locations, engagements sessions, and more. Portraits and engagement sessions on location or on campus are a specialty.

A la carte? My hourly rate is $150 per hour with a $700 session fee.

You can have your photos printed by one of our trusted partners or by a processor of your choosing, with no additional markup.  Luxurious, hand-crafted wedding albums are available. There are a wide variety of option in albums, ranging from $250 to $5000, so you can personalize your album to match your own tastes and budget.

I maintain backups of all your files, so your photos will be safe, and my package rates include post-processing and retouching.

Send me an email (preferred) to discuss your needs.

Take advantage of our Photos and Music Combo. DJ Shooter is one of the leading wedding deejays in Central Pennsylvania. Save $300 on the cost of your wedding (pending availability).

Other services

Have some old family photos that you'd like to restore and display? Photo restoration services will make those old photos look like new!

Please email me at info@amesphotos.com if you would like more information or would like to meet and discuss your needs.

Below are just a few samples from my portfolio... check my FaceBook page for more, or I'll bring some along when we meet.

Images are the property of William Ames, State College, PA ©1986–2012
Redistribution, copying or other unauthorized use is prohibited