Ben Michalski

Overall Rating:

4.9 out of 5.0

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5 reviews

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Categories: aberdeen photography Address: Aberdeen , MD 21001
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Reviews for Ben Michalski

goonsnogen
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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09/21/2008

Ben is excellent. I got all the pictures I was interested in getting. I never knew he was there but he said he got close to 2000 pictures. I am very much looking forward to seeing them!!! I got Bens name through a friend that had him as her photographer and she loves him as much as i do. Thank you ben, you did a great job, and i cant wait to see everything.

Vendor response to review

Hey dar'lin.....thank you so much for the kind words. I am amazed to see all these great reviews....I am one lucky photog to get ladies like you and the rest of my fans.

AND...as usual...your pictures will be....SPECTACULAR! See you in a few weeks and I'll send more over by next week.

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Susan
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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11/11/2007

Ben is so layed back, he made everyone feel so comfortable, we would reccommend each and everyone to him.Not pushy like some photogs I have seen at weddings.

Vendor response to review

yepper....laid back photographers are happy photographers! They also happen to be highly skilled...which is why they can be so relaxed. Uptight photographers are that for a reason....insecurity with the dang camera :)
Thanks Sue..

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Michelle
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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06/23/2007

So far everything has been great. I don't have my final wedding photos yet but Ben did our engagement pics too which turned out great. During the wedding, he was not imposing at all and very funny and friendly. He also was one of the cheapest photographers I meet with.

Vendor response to review

Thanks for the nice review...but I am not sure if I am 'cheap" since my basic package starts at $1800.00
The images have been delivered and they are "spectacular!"

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Sharon
GUEST

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4.6 out of 5.0

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10/06/2006

Ben was such a great photographer to work with. He has a great personality and made it fun to pose for pictures. We found him using The Knot and were incredibly impressed by his portfolio when we visited his offices. The thing I liked most about him was his artistic style coupled with his laid back attitude. During our wedding, we never felt like he was in our faces or annoying about getting the shots we wanted. He just got them done and they turned out beautifully. I am so glad that we went with him as our photographer and would recommend him to anyone.

Vendor response to review

Sharon...if all brides where as nice as you the wedding biz would be a breeze! I have been fortunate to have had wonderful brides in 2007...I am so happy you where happy with me and my services. I put my heart and soul into my photography and to see the results in coments like these makes me a 'happy guy!!!!"
But all of my brides this year had the one thing in common I just love to see and actually require for me to be their photographer...they where madly in love with their man and where more interested in planning a lifetime...not just a day. And the pictures are the proof to the pudd'en!
Thank you and everyone else who commented here..and have a wonderful "first new year together".

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ls1chic
GUEST

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04/29/2006

Love love love Ben!!!!!

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Photos for Ben Michalski

About Ben Michalski

Ben Michalski.Com....always gives Full Reprint Rights for your wedding images...No More Proofing!

First a bit about me; I am a professional wedding photographer...in addition to being just a professional photographer. There are several major differences, please allow me to explain. As a pro wedding photographer I have an obligation to you as my client and there are several things that are incumbent upon me to function in the capacity of a "true professional".

1: I run a real business so I present myself as such, well dressed on your day, well mannered and well skilled in the art and disciplines of photography.

2: I call myself a professional wedding photog because I not only get paid for my services...I actually know how to photograph a wedding from start to finish with no cheat sheet...I’ve done over 400 weddings.

3: I show up sober, energetic, enthusiastic and ready to be at your beck and call in order to create the memory that will last a lifetime.

4: I do it with class, respect and dignity and will be most gracious and friendly to all you invite.

5: I will strive to make you , your family and your guest most comfortable and relaxed with humor, a vast knowledge of photography and a smile

6: I will never insult, become angered or dis respect a guest NO MATTER WHAT!

7: I will photograph your day with the creative focus of the best the industry has to offer. My Talent, My Skill, My Equipment ( which is state of the art) My upbeat and relaxing personality and...My love for the work.

8: I will shoot with 2 (two) state of the art Canon cameras one of which is the Flagship of the Canon line and the most advanced and powerful camera on the planet with lenses that are made of the same glass as the Hubble Space Telescope.

9: I will protect your images in a manner that very few photographers do...and deliver a " bang for your hard earned buck" that few, if any, of my peers can match.

10: I will never upsell, over sell, "back end sell" or make you spend more money by buying back your own images. I do not do proofing. What I capture are all yours to keep, print, copy and share. I may however make your images available on a website for your guest to buy if they so choose to do so. I do not do this for everybody..but will so if
requested for anybody.

This is my commitment and promise to you!

All I ask for is...you feed me the same food you eat. You are just as friendly and loving and hopefully are planning a lifetime...not just a day.

because the more in love you are...the better the pictures will be...it’s just that simple. AND... I don’t care if it’s raining, snowing, hailing or thunder storming...I can get the shot....every time.

If this sounds like what you are looking for in your professional wedding photographer...then give me a shout! We can get together and see if we are a match.

FAQ for Ben Michalski

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Traditional / Posed

What do your packages include?

Albums, Digital Files, High Resolution Images, Matted Prints, Negatives, Prints, Proof CD of All Images

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes

Do you offer special techniques such as hand-coloring or toning?

I do ALL the latest techniques...

Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?

I have experience with ANY LIGHT, ANY TIME..ANY WHERE.

Is your media preference film or digital?

, DIGITAL ONLY....any "pro" still using film is either to cheap to invest in a digital camera or doesn't want to take the time to learn.

How many photographers do you work with?

I work with 5 hand picked REAL PROFESSIONALS! Not newbies who want to make a quick buck. UNLESS I am training someone how to shoot a wedding the Ben Michalski way.

Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?

Unless I am being hauled away in a body bag.

Do you sometimes book yourself for more than one event in a day? Weekend?

NEVER more than one in any day. I will book two in a weekend though...but with at least one day in between them...time to get the creative juices all charged up again.

Do you have a replacement photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?

YEP!

What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you on the day-of?

TWO STATE OF THE ART CANON DSLR'S and 5 Grand worth of lenses. One of my lenses cost more than the average wedding shooters main camera.

Do you bring back-up equipment to the event in case of malfunction?

YEP!

Do you charge hourly or full day?

Depends on the situation.

Are you available to shoot extra hours? If yes, how much do you charge for extra hours?

YEP! $150 per hr overtime.

What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?

Breaks???? What's a Break?

Do you charge for travel?

Nope...it's all included in the package.

How soon after the event are the proofs ready for viewing?

I don't do proofs anymore...YOU GET ALL OF EDITED THE IMAGES INCLUDED IN ALL OF MY PACKAGES AND YOU GET ALL REPRINT RIGHTS.

In what format are the initial proofs offered?

N/A

How long can the client keep the proofs?

N/A

Do you retain the copyright for the photos?

YEP!

Do you reserve the right to publish the photos?

YOU BET!

Do you provide the digital files and/or negatives (or copies of the negatives) to the client?

DIGITAL FILES

Will images be available for viewing online?

THAT SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.

What kind of albums do you offer?

Hard bound coffee table types to the GRAPHI ARCHIVAL WEDDING BOOK.

When will the client get the final album?

Usually within 60 to 90 days.

Additional Advice

REMEMBER THIS LADIES.... THE SWEETNESS OF LOW COST IS LONG FORGOTTEN AFTER THE BITTERNESS OF POOR QUALITY AND INEXPERIENCE ARRIVES .

NO MATTER WHOM YOU HIRE....READ THE CONTRACT FROM FRONT TO BACK! AND DON'T GIVE THEM A HUGE DEPOSIT!

NO MATTER WHAT PHOTOGRAPHER YOU HIRE...DO YOUR HOMEWORK..."CHECK'EM OUT! AND MAKE DANG SURE HE/SHE KNOWS HOW TO USE A FLASH! AND ASK THEM IF THEY WHITE BALANCE ON THE JOB...NOT ON THE COMPUTER!

NO MATTER WHAT VENDOR YOU HIRE....MAKE SURE THEY WILL BE WELL DRESSED, ON TIME AND VERY EXPERIENCED!

AND PLEASE...PLAN A LIFETIME! NOT JUST A DAY...