Hansel Dobbs Photographer

Contemporary, Photojournalism

Albums, Custom Graphic Design, Digital Files, Flush Mount, High Resolution Images, Matted Prints, Negatives, Prints, Proof CD of All Images, Thank You Cards, Video Montage

No

Most wedding photographers today are not only professionals with their cameras, but also know a thing or two about Photoshop and other digital editing tools. Through the years I have developed my own recipes for color and black and white editing that I would call special in terms of the unique pictures that result from this editing. I also apply textures to certain pictures that I feel will benefit artistically by their application.

I love light! This is what photography is all about. I am always looking for unique light and shadows that I can use to really make a picture special.

I am 100% digital, but I am experimenting with film here and there. Given the opportunity I want to start integrating some film here and there into my work.

I am the primary photographer and I have a second photographer that I shoot with when my clients require two photographers.

I am always at all events unless something tragic happens.

I bring a full line of professional Nikon photography gear and backup equipment. I also make sure that wherever my equipment is that it is locked up and very safe from sticky fingers out there.

You bet I do. Back-ups for back-ups too!

I charge based on a full 8 hour day and then hourly beyond that.

I sure am. I charge $200 per hour beyond 8 hours.

I do require time for a meal and prefer that the client's reception venue provide a meal. If this is not possible then I will need to know so that dinner can be arranged by other means.

I am based out of Dallas, TX so my travel fee is $400 to other cities in the state of Texas. This includes travel expenses for portrait sessions related to your wedding package.

2-4 weeks

I mail a DVD with the edited high-resolution images and then they are uploaded to an online proofing gallery for you to share with friends and family.

You receive a DVD with the edited high-resolution digital files. You essentially have what I have, but I don't release unedited digital files.

You bet!

Sky is the limit here. From sleek and elegant to animal print/fire red eye popping albums. We can create just about anything for you. It's a lot of fun!

Your pictures are delivered within a month of your wedding and the album is typically delivered within 3 months after I have your final approval for album design and specifications. The picture selection and album design process can take around 1 month.

How much does wedding photography cost?
Your wedding day will go by at a whirlwind pace. When all is said and done, your memories that you will treasure will be all wrapped up in the photographs from your special day. Not only will you look at them with fond memories over the years, but your family will also treasure them for generations. My commissions for wedding coverage currently start at $2,200, with package coverage starting at $2,500. Please inquire for more details and to find out if I am available for your wedding day, as I take on a limited number of weddings each year. Prices are subject to change throughout the year, and are normally modified annually. Reserving your date now will lock you in at my current rates. Commissions are currently being taken for 2011 and 2012. Please contact me to learn more.

I’m interested in hiring you – can I view an entire wedding’s gallery or two?
Absolutely! I think that this is critical when selecting your wedding photographer. Anyone can pick and choose 20-30 great photos for a portfolio, or 100 for an album; viewing an entire wedding from beginning to end gives you a sense of what I present to my couples. If you are interested in hiring me, please feel free to contact me for the access code information to view some weddings.

What if something happens and you can’t be at my wedding for some reason?
If this is the case you will be informed immediately. The first step I will take is to find a comparable photographer who is available to shoot your wedding and let you know who it is so you can check out their portfolio to see if that would be okay. Fortunately, I have a great network of photographer friends here in the Dallas area. If the substitute photographer meets your standards then problem solved, but if I can’t find a comparable photographer in time then you will be granted a 100% refund of all monies paid at that time even if some services have already been completed such as engagement and bridal.

How many photographs do you take at a wedding?
We present our couples, on average, with approximately 80-100 proofed photos per hour that we are shooting. We are a little shutter happy. On a side note, we have found that on average, for every hour that we shoot, there is 2-3 hours of editing involved in the post-processing end of things.

What happens after our wedding day?
I start editing your wedding photos and give them that extra pop and crispness that really gets your attention. This usually takes 2-4 weeks. I will put a DVD together with your high-resolution photos on it and there is also a folder of the same pictures, but much smaller. These are good for putting on your cell phone or uploading to Facebook to share with friends. I also create a password protected gallery where you can view your photographs and share them with friends and family. You can also use this online gallery to order canvas prints and larger prints.

What about albums?
You bet. When we meet for the first time I will certainly bring an album or two so you can see them in person. They are incredible. They are a lot of work, but the end result is well worth it.

Something to think about is the advances in digital media since your parents were married. I know since mine were married there wasn’t even digital media and things went from punch cards to large video tape things to cassette tapes to floppy discs to hard discs to CDs and so on. Things change.

I have some video tapes from when I was a kid, but I don’t have a video tape player, which means it’s hard to enjoy the old digital media. However, I have hundreds of actual photographs in albums that I can always enjoy no matter the changes in technology. In 30 years you might not have a device to put your CD or DVD in to enjoy those photographs and it might be difficult to keep transferring them to the new media. A wedding album is timeless and always enjoyable. Ask me about them.

Where will you photograph our engagement session?
This is completely up to you! What parts of town do you like to visit? Are you a nature person or an urban person? Which style of photography do you prefer – lots of trees and natural elements, or lots of building and that sort of thing? Is there a part of the city where you go frequently on dates, where you went for your first date, where the proposal took place? All of these can be fun locations for a shoot. The choice is up to you!

Click HERE to learn more about engagement sessions and see some examples of locations.

I am an on-location photographer when it comes to engagement sessions. My engagement sessions are very laid back and fun. I prefer a “photo hunt” style engagement session. Once we select the location, we will meet up on the day of the session and talk briefly, and then go out shooting – while strolling and talking. As I see spots that I visualize would make a great background, we’ll stop and shoot, and then we will go off again looking for the next location.

When do you take artistic photos of the couple alone?
Everyone just wants to get to the party. All of these people have come to celebrate your marriage, and my goal is do document it all! The best time to do these photographs is right after the formal family photos and before the reception. It typically doesn’t take very long and the pictures are so worth the little bit of extra time. My goal is to get you back to the party as soon as possible.

What do I get with my wedding photography package?
Every package includes a DVD of your high resolution digital images as well as a copyright release for printing purposes. This means you can do a lot with your images and print them where you like.

When should I book a wedding photographer?
There are many factors to consider in answering this question. What month will you be getting married and is this during the summer months or a holiday period? Should this be the case then you will want to book at lease 12 months in advance.

What about our engagement portrait?
Without a doubt most wedding photographers will either include a portrait session in any packages he or she offers or as an add-on option. It is included in most of my collections. This is a good way for both you and me to work together prior to the big day. It will help build trust and confidence that I will produce the outstanding pictures that you want. I think it’s an essential step to getting to know you!

I’m having a religious ceremony, are you familiar with the events that will take place?
We have been blessed to have photographed many different types of wedding. We’ve documented Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Non-denominational Christian, Vietnamese, and Nigerian ceremonies. If you are having a wedding that is not listed here we would absolutely love to learn all about the customs and events of your day.

Can I get a discount for low season or weekday weddings?
As the business of weddings is still predominantly a weekend affair it means that dates are limited in the year. I receive the same requests for a single date many times over. I attend one wedding per day, so it limits the number of commissions that can be taken. Some photographers will offer a reduced rate for people getting married on weekdays or at certain months of the year. I feel that the effort involved and the precious time I take to deliver amazing wedding photographs is the same whatever the day or month. So my rates are applicable to any day or time throughout the year.

Someone I know has offered to do our wedding photography for $300 and give us the file.
There are photographers of all levels and experience and that means that there will be a broad range of prices for what looks like the same package. Some who cover weddings for such a low rate may not be able to produce the high quality pictures that you want. People who offer this service for such a low price may be just getting started. Professionals will have built up years of experience and will have invested much in the correct equipment (and backup equipment).

We love your style, but would love to have some traditional portraiture. Is this something you do?
I do traditional portraiture at most of our weddings. Even the most modern brides still want the heirlooms that family portraiture creates. I do not, however, conduct portrait sessions in a traditional way. Instead, they are very loose, fun, and show off your personality. I will spend only 20 to 30 minutes on posed family photographs.

Do you shoot with film or digital?
I am 100 percent digital. When I shoot, I not only shoot for the moment, but have a clear vision of what the finished image will look like. By shooting digitally, the possibilities are limitless! And yes, the quality of digital is as good as film.

Do you have a studio?
I have a home studio, but I do not shoot traditional studio portraiture in it. It is strictly for editing and preparing images for clients. I am a lifestyle photographer who shoots 90% outside. I have a few locations around Dallas that I love to shoot at, however I’m flexible and would love to explore new areas of the Metroplex you love. If you are looking for something more traditional, I suggest you try contacting other photographers that will fit your needs.

What size can I print the images?
They are high resolution images. However, I suggest going through me for images larger than 11×14, because the quality of local printers, like Walgreen’s, is not good at enlarged sizes.

What’s in your bag?
I use two Nikon D700′s (full-frame) bodies.
50mm f1.2
85mm f1.2
70-200mm f2.8
24mm f1.2
28-70mm f2.8
45mm f2.8 T/S

Dallas Wedding Photography | San Antonio Wedding Photographer | Hill Country Wedding Photographer