ABOUT US:

Welcome to Slice of Life Photography

In essence we are the historians...
Not in the biggest sense of the word but perhaps in the smallest ... one bride, one groom, a couple of cameras, and one special day. As the moments of this day unfold, we secure all of the smiles, love and kisses family and friends can offer. Our unobtrusive, two camera methods can seamlessly respond to a candid situation as well as a quick portrait. While our approach is disciplined enough to ensure consistency it is also buffered with enough whimsy to keep it fresh and edgy. This eclectic mix of imaging styles is the basis of our life affirming, bridal albums and coffee table books.

In essence we are the historians... but in deed our function is to illuminate the memory of one special day for a life time. Perhaps in the future the grandchild of one of my brides will be looking at some of my images and retort "it really was windy on grams wedding day". I don't think I could be paid a greater complement.

Get your Slice of Life!

Warmest Regards;
Michael A. Desjarlais
Owner/photographer

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: What could I expect to see in a typical wedding package?
A: A little bit of everything. I love to shoot photojournalism... life as it happens. Shooting an entire wedding using only this style may create a document that can be chaotic and visually unsettling. On the other hand shooting an entire wedding using all posed shots is too static...(yawn) no real emotion. Mixing some posed images with candids gives the final album a certain visual balance. Contrasting these image types is one of the techniques we use to create our stylized presentations. My personal preference is to design my albums with more candid than posed shots. This can be adjusted to my clients taste. I have interviewed many brides and almost all concur: They want the modern, edgy feel of photojournalism but may also like a beautiful portrait on their wedding day. We "get it"!

Q: Do you personally shoot all of your weddings?
A: Yes. Me and one assistant.

Q: What is an Autograph Portrait?
A: Our Autograph Portrait is an 8x10 image (usually from the engagement session) mounted in a 16x20 over sized mat. We then display the framed image at your wedding reception, open faced, for well wishers to sign. What a wonderful keepsake!

Q: O.K we're interested in your services, now what?
A: We can schedule a personal interview/portfolio review. If you would rather start slow, perhaps a "micro meeting" on the phone will get us started. We arrange meetings for days or evenings.

Q: What do we need to do to book you as our wedding photographer?
A: Fill out our "Wedding detail" and Contract. A retainer equal to 25 percent of your desired package is required. This is a first come first serve proposition. We cannot hold dates without a retainer.

Q: When do you require the final payment?
A: Payment is due at (or before) the time you receive your proof book. No images will be released or up loaded to the web until final payment is made.

Q: Explain the post wedding process. When will we receive our proof book and wedding album?
A: The proof book is ready in three-six weeks from your wedding day. The album is ready in four weeks from your final approval. Our flexi-design process allows you to see and customize the album before we commit it for printing. During the holiday season expect delays. Albums for Christmas delivery must be approved before October 25.

Q: What is the difference between a Coffee table book and your flush mount album?
A: The Coffee table book is comprised of ink lithographs. These are ink reproductions of the original images. Just like a library book. Our premier albums are assembled by skilled artisans using original photographs. Sharper. More vivid colors. Pages have a heavy art board feel. When opened this book lies flat. With less than 1/16" gap the book is virtually seamless and allows us to design beautiful panoramic spreads.

Q: Do you offer any less expensive alternatives to the parents album?
A: The image folio may be an ideal option. These tri-fold presentations come in a gift box and hold 8-4x6 images of your choice. Friendly priced under $100.00.

Q: We want a fall wedding with the all of the colored leaves. What month is best?
A: Usually mid to late October.

Q: Our wedding is this fall and we are concerned about it getting too dark. What time of day should we schedule our wedding?
A: Without extensive travel to a location, or A receiving line, 2:00 pm or earlier is safe. By 5:00 pm most useful daylight is gone. If you have scheduled your wedding for a time later than 3:00 and you want an outdoor session, we may want to consider doing our images before the wedding.

Q: We are considering one of your packages that include an engagement portrait. How should we dress?
A: No plaid or bold stripes. Solid/muted colors are best. All black or all white dress can work quite well. If it's not too hot, long sleeves are better than short. Avoid shiny fabrics.

Q: I noticed on your print price list there is an up fee for image enhancements. What do we get for the extra money?
A: Image enhancement may include, wrinkle reduction, teeth/eye whiting, Skin smoothing/blemish removal, stray hair removal, or special effects. Justifiably, if we dedicate considerable time to the refinement of an image we have to charge something for those resources. Our up fee is a mere 50 percent of our standard print prices. Most of our images do not require any form of enhancement and are therefore sold at our standard price.

Q: How long do you keep our images on file?
A: My experience tells me that after the first year it is very rare to sell any images from a wedding. My clients that have finished albums have never purchased any extra images from a wedding after the first year! The album is truly the final statement. So in regards to your question... I have never thrown away any wedding negatives or files... nor am I interested in storing wedding files indefinitely. For those of you that feel the entire archive is important, it may be purchased.

Q: Should we provide you with a list of people to be in our family formals?
A: A list like that may be better in the hands of family or friends that know your guest. I usually arrange my formals by title rather than names. I may ask for the "brothers and sisters of the bride".

Q: I would like to have the photography to start at the hair dressers, is this a problem?
A: It is not a problem we love to shoot real situations. To avoid long periods of "down time", please be sure to schedule the appointment reasonably close to the wedding time. About three hours in advance of the wedding has worked out fine.

Q: I noticed you offer an optional cover image on your coffee table books. What size are the images?
A: For the 8x11 Keepsake book the image is 6-1/2 x 5-1/2. The 12x12 book image size is 6x6. Yes text may be added. The price for either is a very "friendly" $50.00. For a little more you can upgrade to our distinctive handmade leather cover.

Q: We are interested in your 5 hour ala carte package. Can you offer any advice?
A: An effective way to conserve our valuable time is combine the pre wedding (getting ready) photos with the portrait session. This allows us to skip the stop at the park and go from the wedding directly to the reception. Be sure the reception hall and D.J. aware of our time constraints. Having them on board will ensure our success. Ask to be announced as soon after you arrive at the site. Avoid long periods of "down time". When announced we suggest you cut the cake, do the toast, and perhaps do your first dance. Cutting the cake at this time allows you to feature the cake on the dance floor. This place of prominence is much better than to sticking it in some unnoticed corner of the reception hall. After the bride and groom cut the cake, it may be removed and cut up for serving. The cake may now be served immediately following dinner. This keeps your dinner hour an hour long and frees up the dance floor. If time becomes a major factor an extra time may be procured.

PRICES:

THE SIGNATURE SERIES
All signature series offerings come with full photo coverage.
Including; Two photographers, up to four locations, prewedding, ceremony, scenic location, and reception site.
Also included! Our heirloom, Flush-style albums. Constructed with thick, durable lay-flat album pages featuring a tiny 1/16" gap that virtually eliminates the center book gutter. Ideal for panaramic spreads. What's more the album has the look and feel of a traditional wedding album with rounded corners, gilded edges, and leather cover. Unmistakable quality!

Something Old Something New : $2850.00
- Two photographers.
- Full coverage up to 8 hours.
- 10x10- 40 page Flush mount album.
- You receive 300-400 images displayed online for 90 days.
- ADD your choice of 1 Proofing and 1 Premium options.

Family Affair : $3550.00
- Two photographers.
- Full coverage up to 8 hours.
- 12x12-44 page Flush mount album.
- You receive 325-425 images displayed online for 90 days.
- ADD your choice of 1 Proofing and 3 Premium options.

I DO : $4250.00
- Two photographers.
- Full coverage + Up to 10 hours.
- 11x14- 48 page Flush mount album.
- Hi Res Image DVD INCLUDED.
- You receive 350-450 images displayed online for 90 days.
- ADD your choice of 1 Proofing and 4 Premium options.

For a description of all options see our ala carte price list.

Options:
Proofing options
- Proofbook
- Proof DVD

Premium options
- Engagement portrait
- Engagement autograph book
- Autograph portrait
- DVD slide show
- Framed 11x14 image
- Image array
- Cover cameo w/ hot stamped text (up to 2 lines)
- Full cover photo with text
- Leather upgrade
- Standard parent's album
- Clone parents album
- Bride's mini book
- 200 Announcment/Thank You cards with envelope

COFFEE TABLE ALBUM SERIES
All of these offerings include a finished Coffee Table Book. Proofs are uploaded to the internet for 90 days.
Longer term proofing options are available.

Short N Sweet : $1675.00
- Photographer/assistant coverage.
- Up to 5 hours total coverage.
- You receive 150-275 online proofs.
- Custom designed 8"x11"-20 page, multi-image, Coffee table book.
- Add 1 proofing option.

A Little Bit Sweeter Please : $2150.00
- Full photographer/assistant coverage.
- Up to 8 hours total coverage.
- You receive 275-325 online proofs.
- Custom designed 12"x12"-28 page, multi-image, Coffee table book.
Bigger book, more pages!
- Add 1 proofing option.

Sugar Me Not : $2475.00
Our finest coffee table book!. High gloss pages and a custom designed book jacket give this selection a personal identity.
- Full photographer/assistant coverage.
- Up to 8 hours total coverage.
- You receive 300-375 online proofs.
- Custom designed 10"x10"-40 page, multi-image, Coffee table book.
- Add 1proofing option.

Options:
Proofing options
- Proofbook
- Proof DVD

©2010 Slice Of Life Photography
Wedding Photographer, Pittsburgh