Apollo Fotografie: 10 Questions with Jonathon Dakarai

Photographer - Jonathon Dakarai

Business: Apollo Fotografie
Location: San Francisco, California CA
Experience: 11 Years
Photography Types: Engagements, Weddings
Profile: Apollo Fotografie
Website: apollofotografie.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi, I'm Jonathon, founder of Apollo Fotografie. Becoming a wedding photographer happened by chance for me, or maybe it was fate? Out of college, I really wanted to go into filmmaking. When I was working at HBO in the casting department, a fellow employee asked me to photograph her friend’s wedding, and they loved their photos. It sparked a new career goal as I was inspired by helping couples document the most special day of their lives....It was basically love at first click!

Since starting Apollo Fotografie, I have been fortunate to employ other amazingly talented San Francisco wedding photographers who share the same passion for fine-art photography and the storytelling techniques borrowed from filmmakers.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

Too many to count! I started off 11 years ago, and just continued to grow. As more wedding inquiries came in, I expanded our team, eventually adding videographers & a photo booth to our collections!

3. How would you describe your photography style?

WE CAPTURE YOUR DAY THROUGH STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES & PHOTOJOURNALISTIC EMBELLISHMENTS.

This allows our couples to feel comfortable & at home in front of the lens. With a focus on natural light, organic posing & fine art wedding photography, we aim to capture every precious moment of your wedding day as it naturally unfolds – so you can enjoy your day again and again.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

We recommend booking your wedding photographer 9-15 months in advance.
Peak months are May through October.
Saturdays are the busiest days of the week.

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

We offer packages for every need! Our most requested collection includes two photographers for 8 hours. The starting price for photography collections $2750.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

Jonathon photographs the Model X Collection from the photo pricing guide. For all other events, their associate shooters who have been trained extensively in their style photograph in their place based on Collection choice & their availability. They use the same cameras, same lenses, & the same technique/approach on the wedding to ensure the style is consistent with what you have seen. Jonathon also hand-edits each wedding at Apollo Fotografie to each wedding a final magical touch.

In order to guarantee that every couple receives a cohesive result from you have seen on our site, all the photographers at Apollo Fotografie use the same techniques, cameras, lenses, camera settings, & poses at every event. We employ a lot of natural light in our work which gives your finished set of photos an organic and fine art feeling. The end result will be a mixture of crafted imagery with journalistic embellishments. For the portraits, we will guide you into incredible natural lighting with natural poses that create balanced compositions.

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

Our main collections that we offer include 100 free miles to/from your venue. Anything exceeding those first 100 miles we bill at $2 per mile.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

You can add albums to your collection!

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

For our standard turnaround, you will receive your proofs within 30 business & full collection within 90 business days. Films & albums are delivered at 180 business days. You may also purchase rush services to expedite the process (depending on availability).