Chi Photography

My new baby...and crazy cheap wedding photography deals

2010-06-25T10:19:00.009-04:00

It's been a loooooonnnggg time since we've updated this blog and lots of things have happened in the past year. My wife and I now have a beautiful baby girl, Joy, who was born May 21, 2010. Needless to say, we are VERY sleep-deprived, but we're adapting by working at odd hours...my new work shift is from about 3a.m. to 7 a.m.! Well, Joy's cuteness makes up for all the lost sleep...most of the time, anyway!

If you already booked a photographer , check out this option: Day After Wedding Photos or Trash the Dress Photos

Why...
1. I was already booked and couldn't photograph your wedding.
2. Chances are the wedding day was rushed and we didn't get too many photos.
3. We get to go anywhere you would like to take photos without the pressure and time restrictions of a wedding.
4. Unfortunately wedding coverage was out of budget but you still want great photos from Chi Photography.

$275
Includes 2 hours of photography at multiple locations, a DVD of all the edited images, 3 8x10s & 10 4x6s.

Wedding Photography Gift Registry (aka make your family pay!)
Need help paying for your photography bill? Do you want an album upgrade, more prints or hourly coverage? This is the perfect solution...make your friends and family pay! Who knows — if you can get enough people to contribute, your photography bill could be $0!!

Gift values start $100 and can be conveniently paid through paypal.
Couples can contact the studio at any time to verify registry purchases.

You can find a lot of helpful information (click on discussion) and photo updates on my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tampa-FL/Chi-Photography-by-Paul-Nguyen-Inc/135576188207

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions — paul@chiphotography.com or 727.481.5737

More FAQs

2009-07-10T22:39:00.004-04:00

Hi everybody!

Kristie and I are on our way to Europe this month and will be returning on Aug. 20. We'll be touring England, France, Italy and the Netherlands, and I'm sure we'll be taking tons of photos of everything! Here are some more answers to your frequently asked questions. I'll be checking my email periodically, and you can reach my assistant Mary at my usual phone number,
727-481-5737, or via email, paul.chiphoto@gmail.com

What are your prices?
Please visit www.ChiPhotography.com and click on "Investment" for an official contract and price list.

Do you give any discounts?
That really depends on how much I like you. Prices are generally very firm and non-negotiable unless your wedding falls between Mon-Thurs., or if I really need money to pay for more Kung Fu lessons.

Are you available to photograph my wedding?
I book weddings very quickly. As of July 9th, we've booked 41 weddings for 2009 and I won't be surprised if I end up photographing 60 weddings this year. But don't hesitate to contact me if you really want me to shoot your wedding!

I can shoot your wedding if it's not on any of the following dates:
Aug. 26, 09
Sept. 5, 09
Sept. 27, 09
Oct. 3, 09
Oct. 17, 09
Nov. 5, 09
Nov. 7, 09
Nov. 8, 09
Nov. 28, 09
Dec. 11, 09
Jan. 17, 2010
Feb. 14, 2010
March 6, 2010
March 20, 2010

Hmm...looks like you're booked. Do you recommend any other photographers?
Yes, I have 3 talented associate photographers. Their work can be seen here:
http://chiphotography.smugmug.com/Associate%20Photographers

Their rates start at a low $200/hr for a high-resolution DVD and a web gallery of all your retouched images.

I like your work and I like your prices. How do I book you?
Once you decide your package, we need a 50% retainer to hold the date. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the wedding. Please print out the contract, fill it out completely, and mail it along with the retainer (a check made out to Chi Photography by Paul Nguyen Inc.) to:

Chi Photography Inc.
6501 61st Drive East
Palmetto, FL 34221

FAQs

2009-05-13T15:50:00.000-04:00

Here are a few FAQs to help you better understand what's involved in booking us to shoot your wedding or event, and hopefully to help you make an informed decision when choosing a photographer. If you don't find the answer to your questions here, please feel free to contact us.

FAQ - Why do I need an engagement photo session?

2009-05-13T14:29:00.001-04:00

1. For us to get to know each other. Chances are you never been professionally photographed. An engagement session is a good way for us to get know each other before the wedding day. We can both see how we communicate with each other and on the day of the wedding you'll what to expect. Many times I never get to meet the bride and groom before the wedding. On the day of the wedding they're naturally a bit nervous and they don't what to do.

2. To preserve the memories of being engaged. Your engagement is a VERY special time in your life. These photos will be something you can always look back at to remember this time. When you’ve been married for a while, you’ll start to forget about what it was like to be engaged. If you have a set of photos to look back on, you’ll never forget those special moments.

3. To announce your wedding. There are several creative ways to announce your engagement with your photos. One common way to use your photos is to send out save the date cards. We can make custom save the date cards and even incorporate your photos into custom wedding invitations. I can also set up a wedding website for you with your engagement photos so you can tell your whole family to check out your website to keep up with your wedding plans.

4. To have a romantic date. When you are in the process of making each other laugh, you realize how much you love each other. Your job on an engagement shoot is to have fun and be in love. Try to think about all the reasons you love each other and how excited you are about getting married. I like to take couples to a place that is special to them for their engagement session. Maybe the place where you had your first kiss, or your first date. The more romantic the session can be, the better the photos will turn out.

5. To show off how good you look. Your engagement is one of the times when you will look your best. You will be excited and in love, which makes you look better than ever in photos. Why not get photos to show your family and friends how great you look.

6. To have fun! Everyone who I take pictures of has an awesome time during their photo session. These aren’t the boring photography sessions you had when you were a kid. You get to spend quality time together and most of the time find some cool places to hang out. My goal is to get couples to interact with each other and find ways to make each other laugh. When you are having fun, I can get the best pictures of you.
7. Because your fiance wants to. Guys, if your fiance wants engagement pictures… you should listen to her ;). The easiest way to keep her calm during the wedding planning is to just do what she says.

FAQ - Why do I need two photographers at my wedding?

2009-05-13T14:28:00.003-04:00

4 REASONS FOR HIRING TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS:

1. You get more angles and perspectives at any moment which means more photo choices for you. No matter how amazing a single photographer is, they cannot take photographs from more than one spot at any one moment.

2. Building on reason one, two photographers can be in two different places at one time. During pre-ceremony activities, wouldn’t you like to have pictures of the bride with her bridesmaids as well as the groom with his groomsmen?

3. Safety should be a major concern. Wouldn’t you love to have a picture of your first dance or your father giving his daughter a memorable toast? What would happen if your photographer had an equipment failure? Sure, any professional photographer carries backup equipment, however, chances are that enough time will pass before the backup equipment can be ready to go. In an even worse scenario, a memory card failure would leave you with no pictures during the entire time period it was in use by the photographer. This has never happen to me but camera equipment does break.

4. Off-camera lighting. This is probably the most important reason to have two photographers. My photos look the way they do because of this lighting technique. I need someone to hold and adjust my lights and equipment, such as large umbrellas and softboxes. For me to pose everyone, set up my camera, and adjust my lighting, (which can be as far as 100 feet away) is very difficult and at times impossible.

FAQ - How much wedding day coverage do you think I need?

2009-05-13T14:27:00.001-04:00

Every wedding is different. Some beach weddings with only the bride, groom, and officiant need 2 hours of coverage, while a large, 3-day Indian wedding with 500 guests requires more than 30 hours of coverage. With a typical wedding, I like to start an hour and a half before the ceremony. I start by photographing the bride and bridesmaids getting ready and I take several fun group shots of all the girls. At the same time, my wife or a second shooter photographs the groom and groomsmen. The ceremony usually lasts 30-60 minutes and immediately afterwards, we take formal photos of family members and friends.

*Please note if the photographs are being taken outside, it is necessary to wait until sunset for the best lighting. It would be much easier for me to photograph everyone after the ceremony but that is not always the best time. For example, if the ceremony finishes at 6 p.m. but sunset is at 8 p.m., I would suggest to start the reception immediately after the ceremony. I would then take everyone out for photos at 7:30 p.m. I could also take the formal group shoots of the family immediately after the wedding, then take the bride & groom (and possibly the wedding party) out during sunset. This usually works the best.

Depending on the number of people, it generally takes 30 minutes to do formal family photos. Afterwards we take some fun group shots of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, which takes 15 minutes or so. Finally, we photograph the bride and groom alone for another 15- 30 minutes. Then we all go back to the reception. I usually stay at the reception for 2 hours then I head off. In a nutshell, I'm at beach weddings for about 5 hours and church weddings for about 8 hours.

FAQ - What you are paying for

2009-05-13T14:26:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, you're not paying me to take photos. You're paying me for my effort to take the best possible images. I've broken down my 'effort' into three parts:

1. Photography knowledge - Most professional photographers have the same equipment. There aren't any special cameras or lenses that one photographer can buy that others can't. If that's the case, why does some photographer's work look drastically better or worse than others? Photography knowledge. It's just that simple. I received my BA in Photography from USF and spent another 2 years at commercial photography school. I regularly attend photography workshops to learn the newest trends.

2. Best equipment - Even with all the photography knowledge in the world I would be a terrible photographer if I only had a point-and-shoot camera. I use the latest and greatest Nikon equipment.

3. Enthusiasm - Even with all the photography knowledge and best equipment money can buy, being an enthusiastic and creative photographer is the key to to making people feel excited about their photos. This works both ways...the bride and groom also have to be excited. I've photographed $100,000 weddings in beautiful locations where the bride and groom were tired and miserable. And I've photographed small weddings in a small backyard, and the bride and groom were very happy and carefree. Good photos are always the result of enthusiasm.

FAQ - Why is full payment due before my wedding?

2009-05-13T14:24:00.002-04:00

Payment must be made in full, including all taxes and travel fees, before the wedding or event date. I understand that you'd feel more comfortable making the final payment after you receive your final products. Unfortunately, I can't budge on my policy of receiving full payment 14 days before the wedding. This is nothing against you personally. All clients are required to do this once they sign the contract. In April 2007, I agreed to deliver the finished products to a bride and groom before they paid the final balance because they told me they were short on cash. They still have not paid me their remaining balance. The groom is even the brother of a good friend of mine, which I thought would help ensure that the groom would pay, but he has found many ways to elude me. Honestly, I have more to lose if I don't deliver your final products to you. You could file a consumer complaint and greatly affect my reputation as a photographer. I would be shooting myself in the foot if I didn't deliver what you paid for.

FAQ - What comes in my package? How many photos do you take? Can I print my photos from the CD/DVD? Where should I print my photos?

2009-05-13T14:20:00.004-04:00

All photos are edited & you are licensed to print them from your CD or DVD. After every wedding or portrait session I photograph, I edit all of your photos one by one so they look great. And this takes a long time to do! The color, exposure, and sharpness are perfect in each image. Every package I offer includes a high resolution CD or DVD of all your edited images. You'll be able to make your own prints from this CD or DVD. (And I don't add any watermarks because that just looks bad.) I also upload all of your images to your own online gallery for you to share with your family and friends. On average you'll receive 75-100 photos for every hour of coverage.

Please do not get your prints from Walmart, Walgreens, or any other non-professional lab. The photos will look terrible and do not reflect the quality of my work.

I recommend the following labs:
www.reedyphoto.com
www.mpix.com
Ritz Camera

FAQ - When is the best time to take photos?

2009-05-13T14:18:00.001-04:00

No contest, the best time to take photos, whether for a family portrait session or for wedding photos, is 30 minutes before sunset and 10 minutes after. You can check sunset times here: http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/Florida.asp

Jeff & Chelsea's Wedding

2009-01-08T14:11:00.005-05:00

We shot Jeff and Chelsea's wedding on Anna Maria Island just before Christmas. After photographing more than 200 weddings, we have to say that this couple and their families made this one of our top five best weddings ever. Everyone was so happy, cooperative and enthusiastic. Jeff and Chelsea were awesome to work with and so willing to stand in the cold to get beautiful portraits!

Looking back at 2008...and looking forward to 2009

2009-01-01T18:40:00.005-05:00

2008...The past year was super eventful at Chi Photography ... we shot almost 50 weddings in the Tampa Bay area and we bought our first home, where we're setting up an in-house studio.

2009 ... Kristie will be celebrating ONE YEAR of working full-time at Chi Photography in February. Can you believe she hasn't killed Paul yet (or Paul hasn't killed her?) And speaking of celebrations, our TWO YEAR wedding anniversary is on Jan. 20. We're taking a much needed vacation Jan. 13-20. WOO-HOO! We've got tons of goals for this new year, including posting client images, special promotions and lots of other fun stuff on this blog. We'll also be unveiling our new website.

Here's a pic of us and our new house. Happy 2009!