Hello, thank you for coming to our FAQ’s. Here you will find and understand even just a little on how we usually work locally and abroad. Hopefully this will also help you to get to know us a bit, but I would prefer to meet you guys in person for us to bond and get to know each other better. Call or email us, we are easy to reach, and also I will be looking forward to personally shake your hands.
Cheers!
Paul
What type of camera do you use?
Since film based era until now I only use Nikon cameras.
My gears are:
Nikon D3s – The most recent flagship of Nikon. More power for low light and a new sensor for those amazing color and contrast. I find it 2-3 stops cleaner than its predecessor D3. Acquired this baby June 22, 2010.
Nikon D3 – The new flagship camera of Nikon. Got this camera December of 2007, first wedding shoot Dec. 15, 07. Amazing in low light conditions, can go as far as ISO 1600 w/o seeing noise. Amazing balance of color and highlights. This camera can go to 9 fps to 11fps. I have captured candid moments with this camera like never before.
Nikon D700 – A recent purchase to our constant upgrade of equipments (September 22, 2009). This camera is a small version of the D3, it also renders the same quality image and the low light capability. Plus the fact that it is also a full frame camera. We only give the best to our couples.
Nikon d2xs – This camera is the previous flagship of Nikon. Doesn’t have the “no noise in high ISO” capability of the D3 but it is fast and gives amazing colors.
Nikon d300 – Got this camera February of 2008, it is 60% similar to the D3 and its amazing! Color is great and can go as far as ISO 1600 without obvious noise. This camera can go where other cameras cant. I love it, I love it, I love it!!
Nikon d200 – I also love this camera. It has its own unique color rendition, and fast too.
Nikon d80 – This is so amazing for outdoor shots.
I already gave up my d70, it’s been passed on to another photographer.
Army of fast lenses, flash slaves, light strobes, flash triggers and more.
For post production we only use Mac laptops and desktops.
Do we need to feed you during weddings and other events?
It is a fast paced event, and i always arrive 4 hours before ceremony in order for me to capture a lot of candid moments, paraphernalia and portraits of the groom and bride. We do get tired and we need nourishment to keep our strength and stamina, we would be very much thankful if you do.
Do you also capture candid moments?
Of course, we now post more and more moments in our website coz a lot of couple are asking me if we capture those emotional moments during weddings/events. We produce around 3000++ to 4000++ images during weddings (depending on the program) and 80% of those are candids.
How many weddings do you do in a day?
I only take 1 event per day to maintain quality and to give each event unique images.
How fast can you give the proofs?
Prenup pictures will be ready for pick up in a week’s time. Wedding pictures will be given right after the reception, on the wedding day itself.
Will you also be giving enhanced images like what we see in your website?
Since we have an onsite presentation, all of the images that are included there are enhanced, thats around 100+++ pics or more depending on the time frame we have during the whole event before we show our onsite, and the pictures we use for the onsite will also be included in the dvds we will give you. Also our output is not far from our enhanced images, click here to view samples of unedited pics that we will be giving you right after the reception. That is why we are confident to turn over the pictures right away in order for you guys to enjoy and reminisce all the amazing moments captured from your wedding.
Is it really Paul Vincent who will take pictures?
Yes, since we only take 1 event per day, guaranteed that I’ll be the main photographer. I’m the one who will instruct and guide you all the way. ” If you want something done right, do it yourself” is what i always say.
How many years have you been taking pictures?
Ive been taking pictures since college, it started as a hobby then it grew to a passion. I have been doing weddings since year 2000, but I carried the name Paul Vincent, this 2005 only.
Do you also do out of the country events (weddings, e-sessions and post-nuptial shoots)
Yes, of course. We do make special arrangements/packages for couples with these type of situations. You may call, email or even sit down with us to discuss this further. We usually compromise and give the best deals we can offer w/o sacrificing our quality. Remember that the number of crew varies for out of the country events depending on the scope or load of work, but it always starts with a minimum of 2 crew members, Paul Vincent and an associate photographer. But let me tell you that there are times that 2 is enough.
How many are you on the day?
We are 9 all in all. 3 photographers 1 junior photographer and 4 lighting assistants and graphic artist/photographer. I have chosen my crew carefully, guaranteed they are courteous and trustworthy. Each one has a designated task to perform which they do flawlessly. Philippine weddings are far more different than weddings abroad. Here it is so fast paced that you need to be coordinating 3 tasks at one time. And it takes time, a lot of trial and errors to master the flow of Filipino weddings.
Why 9 crew?
When i was starting, I offer 1 photographer only and 2 lighting assts. Of course I have different rates then. I do get the job done but not all. I cannot be 2 places at one time. Then I offered 2 photogs, somehow it made my work easier and I dont run as much. But still there are moments we still miss thats why I made it 3 photogs. In a venue we can position ourselves in a triangle so we can cover our backs so to speak. Just imagine documenting and coordinating 300 to a thousand guests. It is extremely overwhelming. And since we have upgraded and added new lighting equipments and cameras, 2 assts can no longer do it. Adding another 2 lighting assts makes foot work faster and efficient. Less strain with the equipments and more muscle to carry them also. Having this number of crew gives me more attention to wedding details. Im more able to anticipate moments thats about to happen without worrying bout my equipments getting lost coz I have eyes on me and everything else.
How is your workflow during events?
Since we have a quite number of crew, i have trained them to disappear when not needed. We have short wave radios with us so communication is easy. We also have 2 service vehicles in every event, this is to make sure that half of the team will be at the next location ahead of time and already documenting all that is happening. I always plan 2 steps ahead as much as possible to anticipate things that might go wrong. I wasnt always a photographer, I used to be an Operations Manager in a large security firm once. And I am used to planning with military precision. But like all missions, you need to be flexible. Every event is unique that must be treated delicately. Having the right attitude and a very competent crew and suppliers are very important to have a successful event.
Do you allow outside back-up photographers?
No….first we are 9 in all, if you will be having videographers also, it will double the number of crew in your venue, we will be too crowded. This is for my team and the videographers team only, not yet included the coordinators and makeup artists. Second, having outside backup photographers will not allow me to exercise and execute all possible angles where i can freely move anywhere i want w/o stepping on others shoes literally and figuratively speaking.
Why do you dont alllow outside back-up photogs when you yourself offers a back-up photography service?
This is because some photographers dont know their role. Being a backup photog means that you wont be a hindrance to the main photog, the main photog will run the show, backup photogs usually are in the sidelines only capturing all the images that the main photog may not or wasnt able see. You are hiring an outside backup photog’s service that will give you his/her different perspective for your wedding and not duplicate the main photographers angles and images.
What kind of style of layout do you do?
We have a minimalist kind of layout. When we shoot, we make sure that each picture already looks like a layout, so there is no need to crop or cut the images, we reserve the integrity of the picture by arranging the images as it is in each spread and just make the image stand out on its own by making it vibrant, removing blemishes etc. We do this because this technique of layout doesn’t goes out of style. It is exquisite and elegant for all generations to come.
How do we know that we will be getting the same quality like what we’ve seen on this site?
“We cover 1 event per day, guaranteed that Paul Vincent will be the one to document the event from prenups to preps, ceremony and reception. It is not our habit to choose which only are the best locations or best couples to post, we are confident with our output, that is why we post every event we do in this site to show our consistency and quality. “
Does the projector and screen include in your package?
No, projector and screen is not included. But we only do/show our onsite presentation with our recommended projector supplier. This is to make sure that the technician are well trained and the quality of projectors are high.
There are venues that require accreditation of suppliers or otherwise we (couples) will be charged with corkage fees, how do you handle this?
We have arrangements already in this kind of situations. We will need you to contact us and coordinate with us regarding this.
What is your mode of payment?
Depends on the package youll be availing. If youll be getting our regular packages, we require 20k to block the date. Next payment will be 2 months before the event or during prenup if you choose to have one. Next or last payment will be on the wedding day. For service only package its 50% dp and full on the day of event.
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RANDOM THOUGHTS: Everyone who needs to know…
In the span of my career as a wedding photographer, I have seen first hand how couples evolved in choosing their suppliers wisely. Couples now understand why is it best to spend more on quality rather than quantity. Still i find couples out there who are basing their decisions on how many items they can have and whose gonna give the biggest discount. And where do you find them? In bridal fairs of course, I have nothing against bridal fairs, I always join fairs too.
A wake up call: All suppliers in bridal fairs will show their best, its a SHOWCASE. You wouldnt know if youll be getting the same quality of work till the day of your event. You will hear all kinds of beautiful words or sales talk during these events. And what are these beautiful words? “discounts” and “freebies” of course! Sadly, some are still blinded by these words.
We do offer them also but to a limit. You know why? Coz quality service and output will be affected. I am more concerned on the quality that we will be giving the couple, rather than what more I can give you to gain your trust and for you to book us.
For me I let my work do the talking. QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY is our motto, and they are “always” merged together, and not “quality…every now and then”, or best described as “hit and miss”. Too bad if you will fall on the “miss” part.
So why am i thinking out loud? To educate everyone who needs to know, not to decide hastily in getting suppliers specially in fairs, or just because they have the biggest discounts or have more freebies or have “celebrities” as their samples.
Know their work, how CONSISTENT they are with their service and output and how well do you get along with them. Know these and you are set. Here’s a tip: To know how consistent a supplier is, ask their last 5 consecutive weddings during their peak season (December or January). Most of us are shooting everyday during peak season. You will know how good your suppliers are if they are consistent during these times.
I am not saying we are perfect, though this is what we aim for, and yet we barely scratch the top of it. We cannot please everybody that is a fact but we always do our very best and put our hearts out in every shoot.
Keep in mind, a stress free event, professional service and quality work are always priceless.
Happy supplier hunting guys!!
Cheers,
Paul Vincent
