LuminEssence Photo

831-204-2150

Overall Rating:

5.0 out of 5.0

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4 reviews

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Categories: monterey photography Address: 470 Spencer Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(map) Phone: 831-204-2150

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Reviews for LuminEssence Photo

ChristianAngelica
GUEST

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09/10/2010

He is the BEST photographer ever! Very easy to work with and he makes you feel so relaxed, be it with your engagement photo shoot or the actual wedding itself. I can't wait to work with him again in the future. He's simply AWESOME!

Christian and Angelica

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Adriana
GUEST

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06/19/2010

I have only wonderful comments for our photographer Brad. He was amazing. So enthusiastic and professional. Brad made us feel so relaxed. Between Brad and our wedding planner it was truly a stress free day. We had our dog Kane with us and Brad was awesome with him. We would highly recommend choosing Brad White as your photographer for any occasion!
Many Thanks,
Wes and Adriana Johnson

Vendor response to review

Thank you Adrianna! Your wedding was a pleasure to shoot. I really appreciated the small, intimate feel and, of course, Cain (the very cool dog!). I wish both of you all the best and if you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask!

Brad

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Mazion
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05/30/2010

Brad & Jess were awesome! They truely made our wedding day memorable. Brad was very professional & flexible. The photos are amazing & we couldnt be happier with the outcome. I will look back on these photos over & over again when we are old & gray with a smile:O)

Vendor response to review

Thank you Corina! I had so much fun with you, Julius, and the rest of the family! (For the record, your wedding was the first ever that I rode to the reception with the groom) Both Jess and I wish you many many happy years together!

Thank you!

Brad

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Annette
GUEST

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04/17/2010

Brad went all out to make sure we had the very best photography experience. From having an assistant to make sure nothing was missed, to meeting with us the day before to go over everything. He was very responsive to my emails and made sure that he covered the types of photographs we wanted. We wanted more candids telling the story vs. traditional posed shots and that's exactly what we got. It only took him a few days to have the pictures available and he even put together a slide show. We LOVED it! You can view it here:

http://animoto.com/play/VQngFXXfBsrF9Q1iOjXeoQhttp://animoto.com/play/VQngFXXfBsrF9Q1iOjXeoQ

There is nothing even slightly negative that I can say about LuminEssence. Oh, he even stayed hours after he was contracted for so that he could capture everything, from beginning to end.

Vendor response to review

Thank you Annette! Both Jessica and I, as well as the entire Eden West crew, really had fun working with you. I mean, how many brides, less than an hour from the start of the wedding, will be willing to move the ceremony outside to capitalize on fantastic weather???!!!! You, Shaun, and the kids were fantastic! Please let us know next time you are in the area.

Thanks!

Brad

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Vendor recommendation from sunsetphotoshoot llc

Photographers with a passion for you as well as images. (exceptional customer service with a real mission to simplify and please you!)

Photos for LuminEssence Photo

About LuminEssence Photo

We are re-defining the wedding photography industry! (Again) We were one of the first to switch to digital (back in 2004) recognizing that we could take exponentially more photos than we could with film at a lower cost. (To be fair, I'm sure lots of other photographers realized this same fact around the same time all around the country) Now, we are at it again by offering free wedding photography!

Very simply, you can have high-quality, full-day coverage without paying a dime yourself. How? Simply by by including us in your bridal registry! This allows your guests to buy you print credits. Get $750 in print credits and we'll shoot your ceremony for free, and you get free prints! If you do not like this option, no worries, simply buy a print credit for yourself in whatever amount you'd like and get the corresponding photography for free! Of course, you can also keep your registry open after you wedding to receive more print credits if you'd like.

Break free from the confusing packages, restrictive printing, and hidden charges other photographers offer. Come see the LuminEssence Difference!

FAQ for LuminEssence Photo

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Traditional / Posed

What do your packages include?

Albums, Digital Files, Flush Mount, Prints, Video Montage

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes

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

I generally stay away from these types of trendy image manipulation because I do not think that they are timeless. I will do this at the bride's request of course, but I strongly discourage it.

I do like to either use sepia toning or black & white (depending upon cloud cover and lighting) for the photos in addition to the color photos.

Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations?

I began my career in 1999 shooting small local bands in the north-east. The lighting at these shows was atrocious! But, I learned a ton about delivering quality in the most challenging lighting situations possible. Fast-forward to today, I get to spend the whole wedding on the beach! Lighting is great (if you know how to use it) and I am consistently happy with the quality of the images from these weddings. Of course, if you have any doubts, take me up on my Free Engagement Challenge and let me do a complimentary engagement (or bridal) shoot for you! If you aren't completely happy then you still have time to find another photographer.

Is your media preference film or digital?

Digital, by far!

How many photographers do you work with?

I work with a group of four other photographers.

Do you guarantee your presence at the actual event?

It depends upon the wedding. For larger, more complex weddings, yes, I will be there. Either way, you will know BEFORE you book me if I will personally be present!

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

Yes I do. I will book multiple weddings if they all share the same wedding coordinator. Because we have beach weddings down to a science I can safely cover multiple events by working with my team of photographers without missing a moment.

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

Absolutely.

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

I shoot with a D-700 and almost exclusively use the 24-70 2.8 Nikon lens. I have more glass but absolutely love that lens!

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

Of course!

Do you charge hourly or full day?

Neither. I make my money on the prints as a way of standing by my work. For a wedding I ask that you commit to purchase $750 in prints beforehand by purchasing a print credit. I also have a bridal registry system to help you cover this initial purchase.

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

Yes. I do not charge extra for extra hours. I like to extend the shoot because it helps me build a better album and sell more prints.

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

We have beach weddings down to a science. Don't worry about our breaks or feeding us, we've already got that covered!

Do you charge for travel?

Yes. If you have a beach wedding that is not in the Monterey area I will charge for travel. I do not like to leave the peninsula so my travel rates are steep.

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

Most weddings have their photos ready in 24 hours. However, during peak season it may take as long as 5-7 days.

In what format are the initial proofs offered?

Proofs are available online in a gallery. Family and friends are welcome to view and purchase prints as well! Also, if you use our bridal registry system there is a link from your gallery inviting them to chip in and help out with your prints and album as a wedding gift.

How long can the client keep the proofs?

Your images are available online forever for free.

Do you retain the copyright for the photos?

Yes.

Do you reserve the right to publish the photos?

Yes.

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

No.

Will images be available for viewing online?

Yes.

What kind of albums do you offer?

I offer hand-designed "blended image" albums. While most photographers use free software templates to design your album I painstakingly blend your photos together to form a single image one each page. The result is that the feel of the day is captured in a much more artistic style without any space wasted on picture frames or white space.

When will the client get the final album?

The albums take a while to design. I try to have the initial album design available within two weeks. The design is available online. Once the initial design is completed the process of tweaking the design to fit exactly what you want begins. This process can take a lot of time because there is no limit to the number of times that you can make changes to the album. Once you are completely satisfied with the design, the final proof is built for your final approval. Then, the design is sent to the printer and you are just a couple of weeks away from a stunning, hand-crafted and individually-designed album!

Deals for LuminEssence Photo

$1-for-$1 Print Credit

Deal does not expire

For every dollar you spend hiring us to shoot your wedding we will in turn give you an equivalent dollar print credit! So, if you hire us to shoot your ceremony for $1,000 you will get a coupon for a $1,000 online print credit to use however you'd like, including having your album printed!

Free Bridal Portrait or Engagement Session

Deal does not expire

Try before you buy! Come in for a no-hassle bridal portrait or engagement session at no cost. If you don't like the photos, the service, or us, simply walk away! There is absolutely no obligation to buy anything, or to hire us for your wedding. This is just a get-to-know-you session that gives you the chance to see if we are what you are looking for!