Thursday, June 25, 2009

Madison and Matt's engagment shoot

We headed down to Clemson (Go Tigers!) for Madison and Matt's engagment shoot. We had fun photographing them on the exact spot where they were engaged! Madison and Matt are both Clemson Grads and were excited when we told them that we had access to Death Valley to take some shots with the Rock and on the Field. They are very much in love and it made for some beautiful and romantic moments that we were able to capture.













































Thursday, June 18, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions


Will you travel for my wedding or portrait session?

Yes! We will go just about anywhere you need us to go! We only charge expenses as the additional costs of destination weddings. We also have our passports, and we are available to travel with you to your destination wedding anywhere in the world!


What cameras do you use?

Over the years, we have collected a range of various tools, and we really enjoy the creative freedom we have when using them. Our team shoots with Nikon and Canon digital cameras for weddings and events. Nikon D300, Nikon D80, and Canon 40D.


Do you have backup equipment in case something goes wrong?

Everything that is utilized for your wedding - camera bodies and lenses, strobes, memory cards, hard drives, etc. - is backed up to make sure nothing is missed!


If my wedding lasts longer than originally scheduled, will you stay?

Most packages include unlimited coverage for your day with no extra charges. Some packages do have time limits and we are very up front about the cost to additional coverage. However, if you do ask us to stay longer, we will not ask for payment the night of your wedding. The wedding day should be about your wonderful day together becoming husband and wife, not about paying the vendors between dances and such.


Why should I get a Bridal Portrait?

This is something that many brides choose to do, but is not necessarily for everyone. The Bridal Portrait Session is an opportunity for you to have your own special and private time with a professional photographer who can make you look your best and create an image that will become an heirloom. Some choose to display the framed photograph(s) at the reception for everyone to view. Of course if you choose not to have the session, there will be plenty of opportunities during your wedding day to create meaningful portraits as well. We specialize in what we call glamour brides; unique locations with fashion or contemporary poses. See our bridal photos for a taste. (Brides posing on couches on top of mountains, or on hotel roofs, or near hundred year old bridges, or covered bridges, or in vast fields with mountain backgrounds, or in Clemson’s Death Valley Stadium, etc…)


Why should we choose to do an Engagement Portrait Session?

For us as photographers, and aside from having the opportunity to create images of you as a soon-to-be married couple, the biggest reason is to establish a relationship. The engagement session is a great way for us to get to know each other better. It helps me to understand who you are as a couple and what your personal style is which will in turn have a major impact on your wedding photos. The more we know about you both, the easier it will be for us to create a final product that will truly represent you and your day. Not to mention that the engagement photos can be used for a wonderful Photo-Guestbook for your wedding day.


How long after the event will my proofs be ready?

Due to the large number of images captured at weddings (1000-4000) and the time it takes to properly edit these photographs, they are usually ready and online within 3-4 weeks after the wedding.


How much assistance do you provide in the planning of the album?

Each album is custom designed to be an original, expressive, and artistic story of your day. Once you have selected the images you want in your album, we design the album and upload it to www.approvemyalbum.com This password protected site allows you to virtually page through the album to see if you like the new design. We can make changes if needed to make sure you love your new album.


Will I receive a copyright free CD of all of my images?

Yes! We include the copyright release on the CD as photo number one. That way you don’t have to keep track of a paper release which always seems to end up separated from the CDs. You can print the release as needed and print your photos at high quality. We wait till you have picked out your album photos, portraits and or proofbook photos before we give you the CD. That way all of the touched up and photo shopped photos are included on the CD for even better prints at your discretion.


What kind of portraits do you do?

Our absolute favorite subject to photograph is people, and we are skilled at creating many different styles such as abstract black and white, environmental, and colorful and contemporary. I do not have a set “formula” for any portrait, and one never looks like the other. A portrait should express something of one’s life and personality, not just what they physically look like. My goal is to get to know the client as much as possible in order to decide what style will best suit him or her, and so that I can be better equipped to make a portrait that is meaningful. We are available to photograph infants, children, maternity, boudoir, couples, families, models, pets, etc. If it’s alive, we can make a portrait.


In what locations can we shoot my portrait?

Anywhere! While we can arrange for a formal studio session, sometimes the more meaningful shots happen in the spaces you love. We can arrange for photography in the comfort of your home, your back yard, a local park, or wherever!


Do you have a studio or do you work out of your home?

Touch of Grace Photography LLC has a beautiful studio that is covered inside with our wedding art. The studio is a great meeting place to discuss your wedding day. It is conveniently located in Greer SC, with easy access to Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Ashville, Greenwood, Columbia and Charleston. (Not to mention GSP for the wedding destinations!) We travel statewide, nationwide and worldwide. Our studio address is: 417 South Buncombe Rd, Suite 2 Greer SC 29650 It is in “The Plaza” strip mall across from Honeywell on S Buncombe Rd.


Will you be the one shooting my wedding?

Yes!! We only shoot one wedding a day. This ensures that me and my team are able to be at every wedding we book.


Are you a part time or full time photographer?

Touch of Grace is a full time business photographing available to photograph weddings, infants, children, maternity, boudoir, couples, families, models, events, pets, etc.


Do you have any formal training?

My staff and I are continually going to educational workshops learning new techniques and styles. I graduated Clemson University with a minor in Communications. This allowed me to take many photography and Visual Arts classes. I have also studied with world renowned photographer Kirk Voclain.


Do you shoot color, black and white, or both?

We shoot all photos in color to give us the maximum flexibility with any special effects you may want. Any color photo can become a black and white, sepia, black and white with selective color, or any other special touches you may want.

Touch of Grace Photography's Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you correct your photos?

Most of photos are simply photographed correctly in the first place, thus not needing corrections. Every photo is evaluated for white balance, brightness, contrast and grain. If corrections are needed, we are awesome at Photoshop! Every photo you select for print will be beautiful.


Do you come to the rehearsal?

We actually come to your wedding rehearsal! I think all wedding photographers should. This is the best time to check light readings, explore the location, see the flow of your wedding and meet your family and friends for that added connection. It helps us do a better job the day of your wedding. Even if we have photographed at your venue before, every wedding’s flow is different and we want to be able to know what happens when at on your special day. It is also a great time for us to bond with your wedding coordinators and make sure they know what we need and vice versa to capture your wedding day perfectly.


How much is it to reserve my wedding date?

Touch of Grace Photography requires only 25% of your selected wedding package to reserve your wedding date. The remainder is due 30 days prior to your wedding day.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sarah and Matt Engagement Shoot

Sarah and Matt are so in love. We walked around Falls Park and we took some amazing shots of them. They brought their sweet golden retiever with them. The three of them took some sweet and fun engagment shots.