10 Question with Marci Curtis

Photographer - Marci Curtis

Business: Marci Curtis - The Michigan Wedding Photojournalist
Location: Troy, Michigan MI
Experience: 20+ Years
Photography Types: newborns, seniors, Engagements, Family, Weddings
Profile: Marci Curtis - The Michigan Wedding Photojournalist
Website: www.marcicurtis.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

I’ve spent most of my life watching people through a lens. Capturing life unfold moment by moment. Anticipating it and documenting the reactions to it. Heck, I even photographed my own C-section! It’s how I experience life, how I hold on to fleeting feelings and cement them into my memories.

I graduated from U of M with a very weird degree I started working as a photojournalist for the Ann Arbor News. From there I spent over 6 years at the AP in New Hampshire documenting every person who wanted to be President. Turns out that was great training for weddings. Lots of personality, not a ton of live action, but everyone needs those images to tell a story and everyone is counting on you to get THE images.

Every wedding takes on a life of its own. The cast of characters changes, the narratives are similar, but the potential for a wild ride is always bubbling underneath the surface. I’ve photographed so many weddings by now that they are like breathing. I can advocate for clients, head off potential disaster, time manage, entertain and direct all while capturing unique, unseen fleeting moments so they will get cemented into memories for you too.

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

Oh boy! I stopped counting after 1,000 and that was about five years ago :)

Every wedding is unique, every couple has different needs. The only thing they have in common is loving fun, story telling photos documenting the reality of their fun wedding day. I love being able to help as needed along the way since I've seen just about everything that can and does go wrong and I can usually keep it from happening.

I worked as a photojournalist for newspapers (things people used to read when the dinosaurs roamed the earth) and after being a full-time professional photographer for almost a decade I photographed my first wedding. Ahhh… happy stories! What an amazing and lovely change. I was hooked. Now they are my happy place. They are so much freaking fun.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

Well, it’s photojournalism at its core. Some people call it candid, or documentary or story telling and lots of other fancy names. It’s all about capturing the moments as they happen and recreating the day as it unfolded with as little interference in a couple’s day as possible.

Then I started getting really into creating epic portraits of couples showcasing their personalities and/or their environment. It’s this wonderful high wire act. While I do love my behind the scenes photos, I know couple really want that one incredible photo that is a totally unique, lovely portrait that they’ll hang over their mantle. It’s such a great creative outlet to look around for the perfect place to get that awesome, one of a kind portrait.

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

When a couple knows that I’m the photographer they want. I’m usually hired right after the date is set and the venue is booked.

I’d rather have a couple that falls in love with my work and my reputation than book me super far in advance. If I’m available and we are a good fit, I’m happy to be there for you.

September and October are Michigan's most popular wedding months to get married during. You might not sweat to death and it probably won't snow.

I work on a strictly first come, first served system and keep my online availability calendar up to date so potential clients can see if I'm available.

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

All my packages are based on time. I have 5 different package 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours. About 90% of the time, couples need 8 hours if they’re having a wedding and reception. All the images I deliver are edited, ready to print high resolution digital files. My 8 hour package currently is $2,900. It includes planning help, tips, multiple locations and my award winning, 1,000 + wedding expertise.

Couples can add in an engagement session, albums and second photographer a la carte if they want to.

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

Yup! I’m a solo photographer. It’s my secret weapon for becoming invisible on the wedding day. It’s harder to be a ninja when you’re part of an entourage. I’m married to a fellow photojournalist, so it’s easy to come up with a second shooter, but really, my comfort zone is working alone.

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

Within 50 miles of Troy, Michigan - Free.
Up to 100 miles away - $50.
More than a 3 hour drive? Destination fees + hotel.
Leaving the country? I have my passport. Destination fees + reasonable travel expenses. Hit me up and I’ll get you a quote. I’ll even throw in my foreign baby talk skills for free.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

They can be added in a la carte. Because everyone’s needs and tastes vary so widely, I usually suggest my clients create a DIY version from my resource page since there are lots of great options out there. Trying to do it yourself might be a great way to start. If you don’t love the results, give the album to a parent and then hire me to create one for you.

If you do need me to design your albums, I offer 14x11 horizontal albums with 40 sides for $1,000.

Prints can be purchased from my site for a very reasonable price and my favorite professional lab is connected to the links I send to clients so they can receive all their high resolution, edited and ready to use digital files.

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

Two weeks via links to see the photos, print and download. Sneak Peeks on social media come sooner.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

If couple cancels outright, they lose their entire retainer (50% of the total fee).
If/when I can rebook their wedding date (I keep my online calendar up to date), the couple will get 50% of their retainer back.