FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


hOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER?

I have been shooting professionally for over 24 years. I got my start with portraits and modeling portfolios in the mid 1990s, I photographed my first wedding in 1999, and have personally photographed 600 weddings all over the world since then. Wow, that happened quickly. I now have a callous on my shutter button finger the size of a 1974 Buick Electra. I currently limit myself to 15-20 weddings a year so I can give clients my full attention and have a real life hanging out with my family, being a parent, bicycling, making music, seeing movies and traveling.

hOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

When I was 10, seriously. Since then it has been a non-stop journey through jobs and genres, from photojournalism to fashion to weddings and portraits. Want to know more? Check out my About Page.

WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?

My work is often referred to as "cinematic," "fine art documentary" and "wedding photojournalism." I act in the role of observer rather than director and I see photographs in everything. I am always watching the light and composing subjects and I carry my camera with me all day, everyday. 

People inspire me. My wife and children inspire me. Music inspires me. Ideas inspire me. Bicycling inspires me. Movies, particularly surreal French movies like "Amelie," inspire me. I don't intentionally look at wedding magazines or wedding photographs. I don't follow trends and I don't like gimmicks. I want your photos to look as beautiful and timeless forever as they do today.

I bring 3 cameras to weddings, with a wide angle on my left shoulder, the normal lens around my neck, and a short telephoto on my right shoulder. I've been doing this since the beginning of my career, so when I see something in front of me, I rely on muscle memory to instantly reach for the right camera. I prefer natural light from the back or the side, and rarely use flash at weddings which allows me to be unobtrusive and discreet. 

Photographed at the Seattle Space Needle on film with natural light and a 50mm lens. This image was also published as a double-page spread in the April 2009 issue of Women's Health Magazine in an article about life after marriage.

What is your price range?

I am experienced with weddings all around the world, confident that I can go into any situation with any kind of lighting and deliver images that will make both my clients happy and that are portfolio worthy. My wedding photography pricing range differs depending on the amount of time I’m needed and the location. I regularly shoot 6 hour events as well as 3-day Indian and Hindu weddings, and the destination weddings I photograph are often multiple day affairs. I would like to customize a package that works perfectly for you, so please fill out my contact form and let’s set up a time to discuss what you need. Inquire about special pricing for elopements, micro weddings and weddings during the week. All coverage includes a custom wedding website gallery with direct downloads of color corrected, high-res photographs for printing, and assistance with a timeline for your wedding day to help things flow smoothly and use my time efficiently. If you like my portfolio, reach out and contact me!

Discounts available for artists, musicians, military and first responders.

WHAT ABOUT SALES TAX?

For weddings in the US, the required state tax will apply. For weddings in other countries, your wedding is tax exempt.

HOW DO WE SECURE OUR WEDDING DATE?

When I receive your contact information I will check to be sure I am still available on your wedding day. Then we can meet or talk on the phone/FaceTime/Skype to discuss the details. Once you decide you want me as your photographer I will require a 50% deposit and a signed contract.

HOW MANY PHOTOS will WE GET?

There are countless factors that determine quantity, like the number of guests, number of locations, specific customs, the duration of your wedding, etc. For a 6 hour wedding, I typically deliver at least 600 images. Your collection is carefully curated so you receive the best version of the important moments and events.

WHEN WILL WE SEE OUR WEDDING Photographs?

I get super excited about seeing photos come back and I am probably just as excited as you are, really. During peak season (June through October), I typically deliver images to clients in 4-6 weeks. In the quieter months, it's more like 3 weeks. I am a perfectionist and I operate on the premise that quality is critical so I do not outsource my post production/editing to assistants or editing companies. I won't settle for second best and I think in the end you’ll be glad I didn’t.

DO YOU MAKE WEDDING ALBUMS?

With pleasure! In the digital age, photos are often shared on social media and forgotten, and sometimes lost due to hard drive crashes and other technical issues. I want your memories to last and for your photographs to make your house feel more like home so I offer the highest quality prints, books, and wall art. My albums are leather bound, printed on archival photo paper and hand-made to last a lifetime. They will not fade or discolor. Your prints will last generations and designing albums to fit your story makes the results all the more personal. 

CAN WE CHOOSE HOW MUCH COLOR VS. BLACK AND WHITE?

Yes, the amount of each is up to you, or you can leave it up to me. I love color, but many of my favorite photographs are black and white and my portfolio reflects that. I think some emotional photos have to be in color and photos that are more graphic, compositional or abstract tend to read better in black and white because they draw your eye towards the shapes and lighting. I typically give clients about 60% color unless they have specific preferences. I've done weddings entirely in black and white and entirely in color, and my coverage of Indian weddings tends to be bright and vivid.

DO you take group photos of family and Wedding Party?

I do! Although I am hired for my documentary style wedding photography, every wedding requires time set aside for traditional group photos, usually in color (unless you have other wishes). Family and wedding party typically do not want to be standing around waiting for direction, so well before your wedding day, we will schedule this section of your day quickly so I can get back to observing the candid moments of the day.

WHAT HAPPENS IF you can't make it?

I've never missed a wedding in my 24 years because I will move mountains to get there.  Should I find myself unable to cover your day, I would pair you with an experienced, talented photographer in Minneapolis or St. Paul. who I trust and you can count on.

Where have you photographed weddings? DO YOU TRAVEL?

Most of my weddings now are in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and secondarily, the Seattle/Tacoma area where I used to live. I've photographed destination weddings all over the world, including Zihuatanejo - Mexico, Bali-Indonesia, Hong Kong-China, Udaipur-India, Bangkok-Thailand, Seoul-Korea, Honolulu-Hawaii, Washington DC, Anchorage-AK, Vancouver-BC, Portland-OR, SunRiver-OR, Orcas Island-WA, Spokane-WA, Fargo-ND, Sioux Falls-SD, Spillville-IA, La Crosse-WI, Duluth-MN, Chicago-IL, New York-NY, Burlington-VT, Atlanta-GA, Phoenix-AZ, Napa-CA, Sonoma-CA, Fremont-CA, Palm Springs-CA, Palo Alto-CA, Berkeley-CA, Carmel-CA, Los Angeles-CA, San Diego-CA, Sausalito-CA and San Francisco-CA.

I am always excited about opportunities to travel to new places and I keep my passport ready.

Barat, January 2005 in Rajasthan, India

HAVE YOU WON ANY ACCOLADES OR AWARDS?

I do what I do because I love it. That, and I've lost every other marketable skill.

DO YOU STILL SHOOT FILM?

I started my career shooting and processing film, and even printed 20x30 enlargements from negatives in the darkroom of my old Seattle photo studio. I still offer film coverage as an option for clients who want it and I now replicate the look of my favorite types of films for my digital work. I was very cautious when making the transition from film to digital cameras, in part because I wanted to make sure I could make my digital photographs match the timeless look I was getting from film. I’m very proud of the fact that no one can tell which of my portfolio images are film and which are digital.

Shooting film taught me how to choose my moments carefully, and how to be patient and analytical during the compositional process. A roll of film is 36 frames, so I have to be discerning about capturing the decisive moments.

What Is Your Favorite Quote About Photography?

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt

Can we find you ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

My website portfolio is the best place to see my work. Of course, I am out there on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and I frequently post my favorite iPhone photos to the VSCO sharing network. You can find it as the golden circle in the middle of the row of icons below this paragraph. In order to divide my personal and professional work, I have two Instagram accounts, @bradleyhansonphotography is my professional account with weddings, portraits and landscapes from my cameras, and @bradleyhanson is more like my diary of personal images from my iPhone. The links are below this paragraph. If you want to know more, email me and I’ll answer you shortly. I am old school like that.

Speaking of old school, my phone number is 206-393-8292