Timothy Faust Photography » for brides

Living the Dream and Remembering to Work

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:26:07 +0000

People walk in to my shop in Breckenridge every day and remind me how lucky I am to be able to live the dream and turn my passion in to my profession, and they are absolutely correct. In reality, I don’t need any reminder as to how lucky I am. Photography has brought me into the lives of countless people, through portrait and wedding photography, and has enabled me to travel to far corners of the world and experience things that would have been impossible if it wasn’t for me being a professional photographer.

Out of the last year, I’ve spent over four months travelling in order to photograph. I spent a month of that time in Tibet, where I was able to stay in guest houses sipping yak butter tea while watching the sun rise on Mount Everest. I spent two weeks on a road trip to California with my wife, during which time, I alternated between days of photography and rock climbing. For nearly two months I explored New England during the peak of the fall colors. I have photographed 2 weddings in Nepal, one in Washington D.C., another on the beach in Southern California, not to mention countless weddings across Colorado. This to me is what living the dream is all about.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself of how this is all possible. Part of that is realizing that photography is only a small part of the equation. There are many things that most people don’t know about that are required in order for me to be a successful photographer. So much time is spent on budgeting, it borders on ridiculous. For instance, when I traveled to Asia this past year, I incurred a lot of expenses. I had to weigh the option of having a magazine pick up the tab, or paying for the trip myself and having more freedom to photograph what I want. Then there is the question of whether or not I could pay for the expense with income earned from the project. This is an exceedingly impossible task due to all the variables involved.

Also, there is this illusion that photographers are self employed. People say that it must be great to make my own hours. A lot of time it is, but I also work pretty hard. It isn’t unusual for me to work 20 hours each day when on a project or photographing a wedding. With wedding photography there are no second chances, do overs, sick days, or good enoughs. It has to be perfect the very first time. With each wedding, I photograph, hours of time is devoted to planning every detail ahead of time, because I know expectations are nothing less than perfection.

That all being said, I do love my job. I am getting to live my dream, but sometimes I need to remind myself of all the work that goes in to it, because the last thing I want is to become complacent.

Andrea and David’s Wedding

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:07:03 +0000

Andrea and David asked me to be part of their small intimate wedding at the Lodge at Breckenridge. They were a great fun couple to work with and the winter weather really cooperated for us making for some relatively warm temperatures and some great views of the mountains.

Rose Taguchi Wedding

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:37:55 +0000

This past fall I had the pleasure of travelling to Washington D.C. to photograph an old friend’s wedding. I’ve known Hideki since high school and when we asked me to come to D.C. to photograph his wedding to Tomoko, I was honored. This has been the 4th wedding I have traveled to photography outside of Colorado in the past few months, and it was a blast. The bride, Tomoko, as well as several friends and family members are from Japan, which gave me another great opportunity to meet people from another culture. For anyone who knows me well, they know that this is one of my favorite things about photography.

Getting Ready

Hideki's mother getting ready

Flower in Tomoko's hair

Tomoko getting ready

It was a lot of fun. After photographing them getting ready at the hotel in Roslyn, we drove over to the Lincoln Memorial where Hideki had proposed to Tomoko to do some photos there. Even though the memorial steps were very busy, when we walked around to the back side of the memorial, we had the place to ourselves.

Hideki and Tomoko behind the Lincoln Memorial

Tomoko in front of the George Washington Memorial Bridge

After photographing at the memorial, we went back to the Top of the Town in Roslyn for the ceremony and reception. The venue overlooked all of D.C. and the Potomac.

Hideki and Tomoko on the balcony of the Top of the Town

First Dance

Walton Ward Wedding

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:17:07 +0000

I was fortunate to be invited to photograph this couples intimate wedding which they celebrated with their children here in Breckenridge, Colorado. They held their ceremony along French Gulch in front of a mountainside covered in Aspen trees. Although it snowed for the last few days, the day of their wedding was one of those perfect Colorado bluebird days without a cloud in the sky. To see the rest of the images from their wedding, please click here.

Wedding planning by Element Events. www.elementevents.biz

Kim and Evan’s Carbondale Wedding

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:59:38 +0000

This past weekend I had the privilege of photographing Kim and Evan’s wedding in Carbondale, Colorado just west of Aspen. It was held at the family’s home just east of town, overlooking Mount Sopris. These are just a few of the photos. To see the rest, click here.

Suanne and Ryan’s Wedding

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:18:29 +0000

This past weekend I had the opportunity to photography a wedding of Suanne and Ryan, two wonderful people from Aspen, Colorado. The wedding was held at a lovely ranch on the Colorado River near Gypsum.

Six Questions for Every Photographer

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:40:26 +0000

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. So how do you go about picking a photographer for something that is so new to you? These six questions should help.

Am I hiring a specific photographer, or can you send out anyone from the studio?
There are some advantages to hiring a big studio. For example, if the photographer is sick, they can probably find someone else to cover the wedding. However, be careful of bait and switch tactics. Some very large studios may show you the portfolios of their best photographers and then send newer, less experienced people to actually photograph your wedding. Also, you should be able to meet with the actual photographer and not just an assistant or secretary before putting down a deposit. (see the next question)
What is the photographer’s personality like?
Most professional photographers have excellent skills with a camera, and most will do a fine job of photographing your wedding. What you should really look for is personality. Do you want a photographer who is a real go getter and will round up friends and relatives for portraits without having to be asked, or do you want one that is quite and unobtrusive who will get great candids without making people feel uncomfortable? You really need to sit down with your photographer and let him or her know what style you prefer.
What is in the photographer’s portfolio?
Every photographer has a portfolio that features their work. Although portfolios usually are limited to the best work the photographer has, it is an excellent way to see what he or she likes the most about their work. They will also show off their most stylish and creative work. Think of portfolios as a way to see the photographer’s potential.
Will the photographer be involved every step of the way, from pre-wedding planning all the way through album design?
Many photographers consider themselves done after the proofs are delivered. Unfortunately this is one of the times you need his or her guidance most. Having never designed an album before, you’re stuck with three or four hundred pictures to chose from. A photographer should be willing to sit down with you and help to make sure your album tells a story of your wedding, and doesn’t just become a jumble of pictures.
What kind of value do I get?
Unfortunately one of the first questions I typically hear is, “How expensive are you?” Finances are certainly an issue these days, but rather than simply consider the dollar amount, take time to consider the value. How much are you really getting for your money? Also, are you being asked to chose between packages that have more things than you really want? Almost all photographers will be willing to work with you if you are on a budget, so price should be one of the last things you worry about.
How do you archive my photos?
Now that digital photography is the new standard, I’ve gotten this question a lot. People who have experienced a computer crash know the dangers of storing all of your computer files in one location. Rest assured that your images are as safe as they can possibly be at Timothy Faust Photography. Five complete copies of your photos are kept. Three on-site, and another copy is kept off location (in case of fire or flood.)
1. Two copies are kept on a pair of duplicate hard drives (for you technofiles this system is called a RAID 1 mirrored reduntant array.)
2. A third copy is kept on a third hard disk in my computer.
3. A fourth copy is kept on an archival DVD stored in a separate part of the studio.
4. The fifth copy is kept on a portable hard drive that is kept in a secure offsite location, so in case of a catostrophic event at the studio your photos are still safe.
5. Also, a DVD will all of your images is availbe to purchase and keep. This DVD also included a license to make prints of the images yourself.

Planning a wedding from out of town?

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:33:56 +0000

Relax. It’s easier than you might think. I can easily walk you through the process. Before the wedding…

You’ve already completed the first step. You are looking at my website. Prices and examples are just a few clicks away.
If you would like to see actual examples of my albums, I would be happy to send you one. Call (970) 453-4538 to receive one at your door. A small fee and deposit applies.
Decide if you want a package or if you want to go with the a la carte option.
Call the studio at (970) 453-4538 for a contract, fill it out, and send it back with your deposit.
Sit back and wait. I will call you a few weeks before the wedding to go over the details of the event.

At the wedding…

With the exception of the Peak Seven Package, you have hired me for the entire day. I will get there early to get photos of the site and of the bride and groom getting ready.
If you have selected a package, the balance is due before any photography takes place. Many people find it convienent to pay ahead of time or have a credit card on file.
Allow time before and after the ceremony, as well as a small block of time during the reception. Summer storms are frequent but short in Colorado. Having multiple times set aside for photos will help the chances of having good weather.

After the wedding…

Your proofs will be available on this website within 3 weeks of the wedding. Your proof book will be available shortly after that.
Through phone conversations and email, I will help you select the type of album you would like.
Once we have decided on the type, you will send me a list of photos that you would like in your album.
I will immediately get started on designing your custom album, and within a few days your album proofs will be available on timothyfaust.com.
By exchanging ideas by phone and email, we can revise the layout three times.
Once you are satisfied, I’ll ask for any remaining balance and begin assembling your album.
Your custom handcrafted album will be at your door in 4-6 weeks, a long with any DVD’s you’ve ordered.

What could be simpler?

Destination weddings are my specialty. Over 80% of my clients are coming from out of town. Since photography is such a visual art form, working with me through the internet is painless and easy. However, if you do get a chance to stop by my studio, I would love to meet you. Just call (970) 453-4538 to make an appointment.