• Fact 49:
  • Fact 128:
  • Fact 58:
  • Fact 326:
  • Fact 273:
  • Fact 12:
  • Fact 4:
  • Fact 12:
  • Fact 2000:
  • Fact 1977:
  • Fact 61:
  • Fact 402:
  • Fact 100:
  • FACT 3:
  • Fact 8:
  • Fact 61:
  • FACT 32:
  • Fact 27:
  • Fact 777:
  • Fact 55:
  • Fact 19:
  • Fact 322:
  • Fact 8:
  • Fact 731:
  • Fact 601:
  • Fact 82:
  • Fact 760:
more facts?
Fact 49: Fact 128: Fact 58: Fact 326: Fact 273: Fact 12: Fact 4: Fact 12: Fact 2000: Fact 1977: Fact 61: Fact 402: Fact 100: FACT 3: Fact 8: Fact 61: FACT 32: Fact 27: Fact 777: Fact 55: Fact 19: Fact 322: Fact 8: Fact 731: Fact 601: Fact 82: Fact 760:

Fact 49: My favorite part of the reception is the wedding cake.  Aside from an all-chocolate one, I ALWAYS make time to sit down and eat cake.  And for the record, my two favorites are Carrot and Key Lime.

Fact 128: I know every word to the songs Shoop, Parent’s Just Don’t Understand, Paul Revere and Bust-A-Move.  I can be caught singing them in any public setting if they can be heard playing in the background.

Fact 58: My mother loves me unconditionally ever though I’ve been driving her nuts since birth!

Fact 326: I once competed in CBR, a cross-country scavenger hunt that is filmed from beginning to end.  During one of my challenges I had to eat 4 live crickets, 2 live earthworms and whale blubber.  For the record I won that event!

Fact 273: I have worked for many years on finding my inner strength and loving who I have become in the process.  As a result I have found a resounding happiness.  I remember to smile every day, sometimes all day long.

Fact 12: I am allergic to all tropical fruits that contain tiny black edible seeds in them as well as mango.  They cause me to go into respiratory distress.  Thankfully I can eat pineapples, my favorite fruit.

Fact 4: I began studying dance as a young child in all genres including tap, jazz, ballet, point and international folk.  At age 16 I was cast in CARNIVALE!, an International dance and music group.  We toured all over the east coast, including Walt Disney World in 1993.   Currently I focus in Latin American Ballroom and it continues to be my favorite of all the dance I have done.

Fact 12: My favorite movie of all time is the Goonies.  I have watched it more than I have watched any other movie.  There were actually several cuts of the film and I have seen them all, my favorite being the original version.

Fact 2000: I never laugh as hard as I do with my girlfriends.  They are my chosen family.

Fact 1977: In 2003 I competed in Red Bull’s international competition called FLUGTAG.  Teams from all over the world submit blueprints to build and attempt to fly non-powered flying machines.  My team was invited to compete in the event that took place in New York City.  We did not win.

Fact 61: My sister and I are my father’s two favorite things.

Fact 402: In October of 2007 we packed up all of things, put them in storage, filled 4 suitcases, grabbed the cats and our passports and moved to Paso Ancho, Jalisco, a small colonas in the foothills of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  It was the best decision we ever made.  The experiences we had there for 8 months were life-changing, eye opening and humbling.  We miss it every day.

Fact 100: Although I loved riding my bike as a kid it wasn’t until just recently that I have rediscovered those amazing inventions that balance on two wheels.  In the summer I try to bike at least 10 miles every other day.

FACT 3: My least favorite word in the English language is moist.  I hate it.  It makes me squirm when others say it, when advertising uses it or if I can’t find another word to use in lieu of it.

Fact 8: My cat Myla loves when I sing Opera to her.  It’s like I am the pied piper, whenever I begin to sing she has to find me and crawl up onto my chest, regardless of where she is or what she is doing.

Fact 61: My 7-year-old nephew is my favorite person to get into trouble with.

FACT 32: All of my pets are named after famous musicians.  My two cats are named Ani (after Ani Difranco) and Myla (after Miles Davis).  The newest addition is our English Cream Golden Retriever.  We named him Mingus after Charles Mingus, a jazz bassist.

Fact 27: I once helped saved people from a burning building.  My friend and I were driving through the city when we noticed a couch on fire on someone’s porch.  She kicked in the door and rescued the people inside while I stayed on the phone with 911 until help arrived.  Within 4 minutes the entire building was up in flames.

Fact 777: Our two cats have lived in 3 different states and 2 different countries making them more well traveled than some humans we know!

Fact 55: I am admittedly addicted to soup.

Fact 19: I have been caffeine free for almost 14 years.  It causes me to have hospitalizing panic attacks, so I’ve never tried Jager Bombs or a good ole’ Absolute and Red Bull.  You will, on occasion catch me sipping on a decaf hazelnut coffee, and sneaking a Reese Cup but only in very small doses.

Fact 322: Since turning 19 years old I have lived in Connecticut, California, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Jalisco (Mexico) and Parana (Brasil).

Fact 8: I embrace my inner tomboy.

Fact 731: I have an irrational fear of being struck by lightning.  Not only that, I know 2 people who actually have been struck and it scares the living ‘bejesus outta me!

Fact 601: The tattoo on the inside of my left arm is a Quaking Aspen tree that I drew in honor of my brother who past away in August of 2004.  They are indigenous to Lake Tahoe, Ca where he lived and worked as an Emergency EMT for almost 20 years.  And just for the record, “Yes!  It took over 2 hours and hurt like hell but I never cried.”

Fact 82: My Mormor and her friend Gloria have been best friends for 60 years.  They met in grade school and still spend time together at least once a week.  They have taught me the meaning of friendship and I long to have that when I am old.

Fact 760: Originally, I wanted to become a Marine Biologist.  As a kid I had the opportunity to study with Project Oceanology and The Mystic Marine life Aquarium in Connecticut, where I am from, all the way through high school.  At age 16 I traveled all the way to Belize to help assist researchers on a Dolphin and Reef research project.  To this day my love for marine life is ever-present.

  

FAQ weddings

How long have you been shooting weddings?
I SHOT MY VERY FIRST WEDDING IN 2002 AND SINCE THEN HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED ALMOST 200 UNIONS.

Do you shoot in film or digital format?
I BEGAN SHOOTING ONLY FILM 10 YEARS AGO.  IN 2004 I INTRODUCED A DIGITAL CAMERA TO MY EQUIPMENT ARSENAL, HOWEVER CONTINUED TO SHOOT WITH B&W FILM AS WELL. AFTER SEVERAL UPGRADES TO EDITING SOFTWARE, IN 2007 I MADE THE DECISION TO GO COMPLETELY DIGITAL, HANGING UP MY BELOVED NIKON 8008.

About how many photos do you take at a wedding?
THIS DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON EACH INDIVIDUAL EVENT.  I TEND TO AVERAGE BETWEEN 200 AND 300 IMAGES AN HOUR BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IT’S BEEN MUCH HIGHER, OTHER TIMES NOT EVEN 100.  AFTER I RETURN TO THE OFFICE THE IMAGES GO THROUGH, WHAT’S REFERRED TO AS, A CULLING PROCESS WHERE I EDIT DOWN TO ONLY ABOUT 30 TO 50% OF WHAT I SHOT.  I CHOOSE TO ONLY KEEP THE VERY BEST IMAGES FROM A SHOOT.  ON AVERAGE A 6 HOUR WEDDING DELIVERS BETWEEN 400 AND 600 IMAGES.

Do you eat wedding cake?
WHY YES, YES I DO!  IN FACT, I HAVE IT IN MY CONTRACT THAT I MUST RECEIVE ONE SLICE OF DESSERT AT THE RECEPTION.  :)

Do you photograph all of the details too?  Like the shoes, flowers, rings, table set ups?
I SURE DO! I ACTUALLY LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING ALL OF THE WONDERFUL THOUGHT AND CREATIVITY THAT GOES INTO YOUR WEDDING DAY.  I ONLY SHOW MY MOMENT PHOTOS SO THAT YOU CAN APPRECIATE ALL THE INCREDIBLE WEDDING STORIES I GET TO BE A PART OF EVERY WEEKEND.  I FEEL SO HONORED TO BE TRUSTED WITH MY COUPLE’S STORIES THAT I WANT TO SHARE THEM WITH THE WORLD.

How about family photos?  Do you take family formals as well?
ABSOLUTELY, AND I HAVE A SYSTEM TO MAKE IT AS EASY AND PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS!!!  PLEASE KNOW THAT I WILL ACTUALLY PHOTOGRAPH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU ASK ME TO.  I AM THERE FOR YOU TO GET ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU WANT SO DON’T HESITATE TO ASK ME.

What is your deposit policy?
I REQUIRE A NON-REFUNDABLE 20% RETAINER TO HOLD A DATE.  A SECOND NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT OF 60% IS DUE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.  THE LAST 20% PAYMENT IS DUE ONCE THE PROOFS HAVE BEEN POSTED ONLINE IN YOUR VIRTUAL GALLERIES.

Where was the craziest place you have ever photographed a wedding?
I WAS FLOWN INTO ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS ONCE FOR A WEDDING IN A TINY, OLD SESNA (BASICALLY A 1970 VW BUS WITH WINGS) WHERE THE ONLY SEAT AVAILABLE WAS BACK TO BACK WITH THE PILOT FACING THE OTHER 3 PASSENGERS WHOM I DIDN’T KNOW.  WE FLEW INTO A STORM HARVESTING THE STRONGEST WINDS THE ISLAND HAD SEEN ALL SEASON.  ALL I KEPT THINKING WAS, “PLEASE DON’T LET ME DIE BECAUSE THEN CAROLYN WOULDN’T GET HER BEAUTIFUL WEDDING PHOTOS.  AND ALSO, PLEASE DON’T LET ME PEE MYSELF IN FEAR, BECAUSE THAT WOULD JUST BE EMBARRASSING.”  HA!  WELL, I DIDN’T DIE AND STAYED DRY, ALTHOUGH, I HAD CONSIDERED JUST TAKING UP RESIDENCY IN ELEUTHERA TO AVOID ANY MORE SMALL PLANES.

How long does it take to receive my images?
MY WAIT TIME, ON AVERAGE,  IS 8 TO 12 WEEKS.  THIS IS DO TO THE FACT THAT I EDIT ALL IMAGES IN-HOUSE.  SOMETIMES IT CAN TAKE A LOT LESS TIME DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF YEAR.  MY PHILOSOPHY IS THAT THE POST PROCESSING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ACTUAL DOCUMENTATION AND I REFUSE TO RUSH THROUGH MY WORK JEOPARDIZING THE INTEGRITY AND QUALITY OF THE FINAL IMAGE.  I ALSO BELIEVE THAT EVERY CLIENT DESERVES THE SAME AMOUNT OF CARE AND ATTENTION SO I ALWAYS EDIT IN ORDER OF THE EVENT DATE.

What is the difference between med-res and hi-res images?
ALL SHOOTS INCLUDE A DISC WITH ALL OF YOUR IMAGES IN MEDIUM RESOLUTION.  THEY ARE PERFECT FOR EMAILING, BLOGGING, MYSPACE AND FACEBOOK.  YOU CAN ALSO MAKE AMAZING 4X6 PRINTS AT ANY PRINT SHOP YOU CHOOSE, HOWEVER YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO PRINT ANY LARGER THAN THAT FROM THE FILES.  I TAKE HUGE PRIDE IN MY IMAGES, AS I BELIEVE MY CLIENTS DO, AND I DO NOT TRUST MOST PRINT
SHOPS TO PRINT TO THE LEVEL OF QUALITY THAT THE IMAGES ARE DESERVING OF.  ALSO, BECAUSE I AM A GREEN-PHOTOGRAPHER I REALLY ENCOURAGE MY CLIENTS TO ONLY PRINT WHAT WILL BE HUNG ON THE WALLS AND APPRECIATED DAILY.  I USE ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRINTERS IN THE COUNTRY INCLUDING BAY PHOTO, WHITE HOUSE CUSTOM COLOR AND JONATHAN PENNY.  I ALSO OFFER HIGH QUALITY FLUSH MOUNT ALBUMS FROM FINAO, INCLUDING A VEGAN OPTION, AND IS MY PREFERRED METHOD FOR MY CLIENTS TO SHARE THEIR STORY FOR YEARS TO COME..

IF YOU PREFER TO MAKE YOUR PRINTS ON YOUR OWN AND KNOW OF REPUTABLE PRINT SHOP IN YOUR LOCAL AREA, THEN YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO PURCHASE YOUR HI-RES DISC WITH THE OPTION TO INCLUDE ALL YOUR IMAGES  IN COLOR, B&W AND EVEN THE ARTISAN EDIT, MY HIGHEST LEVEL EDIT OF ALL OF MY FAVORITE IMAGES FROM THE DAY. (EDITING TIME CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 8 HOURS FOR THE ARTISAN EDIT ALONE.)

What is reprint copyright?
IT MEANS I AM GIVING YOU PERMISSION TO TAKE YOUR DISC AND MAKE PERSONAL COPIES FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS.  ALTHOUGH I RETAIN THE FULL COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP OF THE IMAGES, YOU RECEIVE UNLIMITED COPYRIGHT FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.

If you got married who will photograph your wedding?
AHHHH, YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, WHEN THE TIME COMES, BUT I CAN PROMISE THE PHOTOS WILL BE AMAZING!

Have you taken any continuing education classes?
IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE MADE AN EFFORT TO LEARN AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY CAN.  DUE TO THE NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES ARE ALWAYS CHANGING AND EVOLVING.  I HAVE ATTENDED WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS AND BEEN MENTORED BY TOP WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE WORLD INCLUDING BEN CHRISMAN, JAY REILY, [b]ECKER, JASON GROUPP, DAVE & QUINN CHEUNG, SUSAN STRIPLING, JESH DE ROX, SERGIO, TYLER WIRKEN, BRETT BUTTERSTEIN AND LACOUR.  I HAVE ALSO ATTENDED SEVERAL CONFERENCES INCLUDING WPPI 2009 + 2010 IN VEGAS, THE FOUNDATION CONFERENCE 2009 IN DALLAS.AND MOST RECENTLY THE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP IN ALLEN, TEXAS 2010.


Can you give me a little more information regarding your destination rates? I LOVE DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND HAVE QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE TRAVELING BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR UNIONS.  I ALWAYS HAVE AN ACTIVE PASSPORT AND EMERGENCY BAG READY TO GO!  :)   CLIENTS CHOOSE THEIR PACKAGE AND ARE THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE FOR 2, 2 NIGHTS OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, A 3 DAY RENTAL CAR AND $100 FOOD STIPEN. WEDDINGS TO PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO HAVE THEIR OWN SEPARATE ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE.  PLEASE INQUIRE WITHIN.

or archives  
Don't even think about scooping my stuff! © 2009 Kirsten Lewis Photographer   |  RSS professional photoblog by flosites.com