Professional, experienced wedding photography for State College, Central Pennsylvania and beyond. I include an entire day of photography, with formals, fun photos and hundreds of candid shots in a photojournalistic style.
Experience matters, because your photos will last forever!
I personally hand-process each portrait, with close attention to detail. You deserve nothing less! Scroll down for samples of my work.
Wedding packages start at $1350. 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, DIY and portrait-only options are available.
Travel within 2-3 hours of State College and destination weddings are 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'll find small gestures and special moments, fleeting expressions that elevate a photo into something more than a snapshot. I will include the landscape, the architecture and document the day so you can return to it again and again. In the post-process, I'll crop, dodge, burn and retouch each image 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 ceremony or force poses or make awkward directions during critical moments. I'll capture the genuine emotions of the day. I'll keep it real. 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.
I work fast!
Experience matters. Portrait sessions after your ceremony keep your guests waiting. You'll be hungry and waiting for the party to start. The wedding party will be bored. I realize that, so I don't waste your time. I don't need a tripod for most locations, and I keep each of my lenses on a different camera body so I don't need to switch them out. I know what I'm looking for and I know when I have it. It is not unusual to photograph your wedding party in four or five locations plus a private couples-only session in about an hour...and without compromising quality.
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.
What is photojournalism?
Photojournalism is the art of telling stories through photos. A photojournalist documents the day, as opposed to taking formal, posed portraits or imposing an unrealistic vision (like a fashion shoot) 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.
For examples of RAW processing, I've assembled a digital darkroom page that shows before and after versions of a photo, stepping through the post-process and retouching of an image.
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. Click here for a post-process walk-through.
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 wedding is between $1350 and $2500, with flexible options and upgrades.
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 museum-quality mounting, matting and framing. 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.
$1350 - The Basics
|
$1800 - The Most Popular Choice
|
$2250 - Standard
|
$3800 - Deluxe
|
Name your own price
|
$2900 - Music and Photos Combo
|
Add-ons
- The Booth - full service photo booth, with props, a knowledgable assistant and full processing - $800
- Budget booth - DIY with the right equipment and setup - $450
- Second professional photographer—Rates vary.
Advantages
• There are no print credits because they are not necessary. You will have all of the digital files, with no copyright restrictions and no watermarks. If you prefer to purchse prints, they are available at a discounted rate through my online store.
• All photos are taken in RAW format, so they can be converted to black and white, with extended darkroom capabilities for lighting, contrast and color.
• I use only the best L series and prime lenses, with several backup cameras.
• I personally process all of your photos. I do not outsource color processing or retouching.
• Backups of all your files are maintained, so your photos will be safe.
Custom Options area always available to tailor our services to your needs. Extras include a second photographer, multiple locations, albums, engagement sessions, and more. Portraits and engagement sessions on location or on campus are a specialty. Engagement sessions are just $200 when booked with your wedding photography.
A la carte? My hourly rate for weddings is $150 per hour with a $1000 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 from Leather Craftsmen. 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.
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 when you book us together (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.
Equipment
I am sometimes asked about my specific equipment...
I am currently shooting with a Canon 5D and 7D (with a Canon 40D for backup) with L series and prime lenses. This provides extremely sharp images for enlargements up to 100 inches. Most venues do not allow flash photography, and I have the right equipment to work with available light. While I prefer to work with natural light, there are occasions where flash is better, especially during the reception. I use a 580ex Speedlite or studio strobes, as appropriate. Post processing is accomplished using Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop CS6. I hand process all of your files personally, and do not send them to a 'photo farm' overseas.
Looking for other services? We love and personally recommend DJ Shooter - Shandygaff disc jockey and for outdoor weddings, Tiny's BBQ.
Contact Us
Primary:
William Ames
PO Box 845
State College, PA 16804
or
William Ames Photography
210 W Hamilton Ave #113
State College, PA 16801
Please note
Prices and availability subject to change. Standard contract required.
Images are the property of William Ames © 1986–2013
Redistribution, copying or other unauthorized use is prohibited