There are primarily two types of wedding photographers: traditional and photojournalistic. Traditional wedding photographers usually operate portrait studios, where their work is split between portraiture (seniors, families, babies) and weddings. They are extensively trained in posing and lighting techniques and tend to approach a wedding as a series of portrait opportunities.

These photographers often serve as director/producer, guiding you through posed shots at various points during your day. The results, when done well, are classical pictures with dramatic lighting.

If you prefer primarily posed shots, you'll want to choose a traditional photographer. If, however, you are interested in more spontaneous pictures that capture the genuine emotion of your wedding - and if you are comfortable giving your photographer freedom to break from the typical "wedding photo list" in order to achieve this - then the photojournalistic approach may be more your style.

Many photojournalistic wedding photographers got their start working for newspapers and magazines, where posing or staging is often not possible, e.g., in sports or news coverage. Unable to direct their subjects but required to bring back compelling pictures from each assignment, photojournalists have to be careful observers, paying close attention to the moments and details that tell the story.

I have been a photojournalist since 1988; my first ten years as a professional were spent working for major daily newspapers. Since going freelance in 1998 I have worked in Maine for magazines from all over the country. (Please visit the contacts page of my web site to see where my work has appeared.)

In my editorial (newspaper and magazine) career, my strong suit has always been people and event coverage. This carries over to wedding photography, where my strength is spontaneous, story-telling coverage.

I understand how important your wedding day is to you - not only are you making a public profession of your commitment to each other, but you have also gathered your families and dearest friends to witness your vows and celebrate the day with you. There are so many wonderful things taking place and my goal is to unobtrusively capture all these delightful moments - planned and unplanned - and to preserve them in pictures you can enjoy for the rest of your lives.

And, even though I'm a photojournalist, I encourage you to plan some posed shots if you want them. Most couples want at least a few portraits (of the couple, family members, the wedding party, etc.) as part of their personal history. Of course, that doesn't mean these shots have to look stilted or that they can't be fun. Together, we'll determine a style that suits you best.

With a photojournalist documenting your wedding, the result will be a lively, candid and up-close chronicle of this incredibly important day in your lives.

I take only one wedding per weekend. This means not only am I available to attend your rehearsal the day before, but also that I can cover all the festivities on your wedding day without having to slip out early to prepare for another wedding the next day.

Before the wedding, I work with you to set up a timetable for photos on the wedding day. Also in the planning stage, I will respond as quickly as I can any time you have questions or concerns or need help regarding any aspect of your wedding. I understand how difficult it can be to plan a wedding long distance and am happy to recommend other professionals who will render outstanding services.

On your wedding day, I typically begin coverage when the the bride starts to get ready that morning (and the groom and other family members, too, if you all happen to be getting ready at the same location). I continue until the band or DJ stops playing--up to ten hours if needed.

After each wedding,we will spend at least a week prepping images, organizing photos and creating online galleries. When you select images for your album, we normally spend at least another forty hours on each album. I firmly believe that devoting this much time to each wedding translates into a superior end product - and wonderful memories - for you.