Photographer - Adam Hebert
- Business: Epoch Moment Photography
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado CO
- Experience: 6 Years
- Photography Types: Engagements, Weddings
- Profile: Epoch Moment Photography
- Website: epochmomentphotography.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
I'm Adam Hebert, The owner and founder of Epoch Moment Photography and Epoch 365.
I started my photography journey a little backward. I started on the editing side of things and had used photoshop and Adobe products for 20+ years before even owning a camera. I used to draw, digitally ink, and color comic books, so I knew how to edit an image as well as a lot of the rules of composition that apply in photography. Over the years I got more into composite images and manipulating photos in Photoshop which ultimately led me to buy my first semi-pro level camera.
Within two weeks of owning my first camera, I decided to quit my safe job of 17 years to pursue photography. I had no idea what I was doing or how I was going to make this work... I just knew I had to try. I didn't want to have an easy option to turn back so I put in absolutely no notice and simply walked off the job. I spent the next few months filling my head with as much photo knowledge as possible, practicing every day, and finding different sources to learn how to use a camera and how to launch a successful photography business.
After about 6 months of owning a camera, someone I knew asked me to second shoot a wedding with them. I went not knowing what I was walking into... From the very first moment on the wedding day, I fell in love. I knew that day that weddings are what I wanted to pursue and I was all in! So I reached out to local photographers near me and asked if I could intern or help or watch or follow or clean their studio... Anything to gain some knowledge from someone who had already made it. After a few weeks, I got a response.
A 20+ year wedding photography veteran said he liked my eager motivation and asked me to come shoot a wedding with him. So I did... This was in fact my 3rd wedding and maybe 7th month of owning a camera. I spent the entire day shooting with him as a third shooter so I could learn a few things, then went home and began editing the very next day. Within a few days, I delivered him a set of photos that I edited and he absolutely loved them. His response to my work... "You're ready!" The next week he had me shooting a wedding... ALONE... And with less than 8 months of owning a camera. I had a Nikon D7100, one flash, 2 lenses, and 2 batteries.
So I swallowed my nerves and shot the entire wedding alone and internally panicked. I went home and edited the photos and delivered them to my "mentor" to which he ecstatically paid me my $150. Then said he will contact me when he has another one.
I later found out that he entered those photos from that wedding into a few contests under HIS name and was winning the national contests with them. So needless to say, I decided to leave my "mentor" and launch Epoch Moment Photography. Now it's been 6 years as a full-time wedding photographer and more than 200 weddings since that experience... And my photos are still the first that show on his website.
2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?
I've been shooting weddings for 6 years and filming weddings for 3 years.
I don't really keep track anymore... I would guess it's near or over 200 weddings as a lead photographer and 3 as a second shooter.
3. How would you describe your photography style?
I would say I have an exaggerated clean and real style. People always say that their photos look like movie posters and they feel famous viewing them.
I like to experiment and try new things but also keep to a journalistic approach when shooting. I can be the fly on the wall or, when needed, I can also help inspire or create little moments that will make for some great photographs.
I'd also consider myself an adventure photographer as I've shot a lot in the mountains, climbed cliffs, shot on top of castles, the eastern plains, the beaches of CA, and the top of 14k ft high mountains. I love wandering and finding new places.
4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?
As soon as you have the wedding date confirmed with the venue... Or, and this may be a bias statement, book the photographer BEFORE everything else. Spend your money on one of the only things you get to take home from the wedding (photos and video... Your spouse is the other thing).
Then find a venue around your photographer's availability and you're good to go!
Just book as early as possible.
5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
I like to keep things simple... So I only offer one package for weddings and one package for elopements.
I just don't like the 4, 6, and 8, hour packages I see and think that it's just adding more stress to a bride to have to decide what hours they want coverage, plus worry if it's enough, and if things get behind on the wedding day it's an extra $250/hour, and blah blah blah.
One package, one price, covers everything you need for photo and video. No time limits, no hidden fees, no surprises... Just awesome pictures and video and no added stress for your wedding day.
The Epoch Wedding package covers a lead shooter with unlimited time, a second shooter, a video person, digital download of all edited images, free engagement, highlight video, help with wedding planning if needed, high fives, hugs, basically everything you need to capture your wedding day and proudly share it with the world.
6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?
I am the main shooter for all of my weddings and events.
My second shooter and video person are sometimes hired pros but can also be vetted students of mine so they can gain some additional wedding experience. I prefer to have students second shoot as it allows them to gain confidence and grow their talents. They've all been vetted for basic skill sets and knowledge, so now they just need the experience of live weddings to become a well-rounded photographer.
7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
I do not charge a travel fee unless the day of shooting plus drive time reach more than 14 hours or if I am traveling outside of Colorado.
8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?
I do not include an album or prints with the wedding package.
Prints are available through the online gallery and have little to no mark-up from what the lab charges me. This allows my clients to get pro-level prints without the stress of paying ridiculous prices. I want them to print my work at the best quality, so I do not want to push them towards a local lab with unnecessarily high prices. I know most other photographers disagree with this concept but hey, you do you, and I'll do me.
Though I can do them when asked, I don't offer albums on my website or in the package for a couple of reasons: One, it would cost a ton of money to have me design an album, which I will happily do, but I also encourage any clients who ask to use a service like Shutterfly or similar and design their own for a fraction of what I would charge them.
At the end of the day, I like to sleep knowing that I didn't charge a client $40 for a $3 print. I may not sleep a whole lot, but I do sleep very well at night.
9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?
The time varies depending on the time of year and current workload. My goal is always 30 days, but I cannot always make that happen as some months are extra busy with both work and life.
I deliver everything digitally on a web gallery. Then when the engagement and wedding photos are done, along with any videos, I upload everything onto a USB drive and mail it to the client.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
My policy is that if I have not done any 'work' for the client or have turned away inquiring clients for their date... They will get a full refund no matter the reason they cancel.
If I have shot the engagement or turned away other clients... I will usually keep the reservation fee. But that also depends on the situation... This is a people business, so every situation is different.
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