Questions and Answers with John Munson
"I believe that wedding photography should be more than just a series of snapshots. It should tell the story of your incredibly significant event. People tell me I have a unique ability to make people feel comfortable and that allows me to truly capture their personalities. The result is pictures that show the emotion and unique beauty of your wedding. A wedding is really the peak of one's life and its both a pleasure and honor to be a part of preserving that."
John Munson
What do you like most about your job?
I love being a wedding photographer for lots of reasons, but to name a few: I love getting to know the wedding couple. I love witnessing the lifelong commitment people make to each other. I love all the beauty surrounding a wedding including the church, venue, dresses, flowers, table settings, lights, candles, little kids, and peoples' faces. I love capturing all the religious and cultural rituals. And I especially love the dancing, laughter and the overall happiness at a wedding. It is really the peak of one's life and its both a pleasure and honor to capture that on camera.
Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
Over the years, I've come to realize what makes me unique in the wedding business. I have an artistic eye as well as technical mastery of my equipment. I do not get stressed or tire easily, which allows me to continuously take hundreds of tack sharp photos throughout the day. And lastly and probably most importantly, I am empathetic and aware, and that allows me to truly capture their personalities with my camera. Every couple I've ever photographed feel comfortable around me, and that almost always results in wonderful photos.
What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
I think the most important things to look for when hiring a wedding photographer are the following:
1) Great Personality: Is she/he personable, and will he/she make you, your spouse, and your family and friends feel comfortable?
2) Reliability: Do they have a proven track record and/or examples? Most professionals have second or third camera as backup along with extra lighting and batteries. You can not afford to have your once in a lifetime experience to be botched by a total amateur.
3) Skill Level: Do they take simple snapshots or capture expressive candids as well as creative compositions?
If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade?
I would say the best way to juggle getting a good photographer while not blowing your budget is by negotiating the best package. Tell the your favorite photographer some of the other prices you've seen and see what they can offer you. You can also get a lot of discounts on things such as prints or discounted parent albums if you agree to pay the normal rate for the service and the main album.
What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
Reliability: When did you start doing wedding photography? How many cameras do you use? What kind of lighting do you use?
Personality: What do you like about doing this job. How do you handle the formal portraits?
Artistry: What is your style? What lenses do you use and why? Do you have any signature shots that you like to take?
