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    Over the past 25 years, Christopher Hartt's photographic style (a classic blend of photojournalism and portraiture) has made him one of the Metroplex' most recognizable and sought-after wedding and editorial photojournalists. From his early years as a National Geographic assignment photographer, Christopher's photographic specialization has evolved to include a long list of wedding, editorial and advertising/PR agency clients which range from Tim McGraw (Curb Records) to Martha Stewart Weddings.

    Photography Education: Photography MFA (Masters of Fine Art) from Academy of Art, San Francisco

    A licensed and insured freelance photographer, Christopher Hartt currently holds membership/certification for organizations including:
   
    * Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
    * Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI)
    * National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
    * National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP)
    * Adobe Certified (ACE CS) Master

    A popular instructor at the Santa Fe Wedding Photography Workshops, Christopher is also a senior staff photographer for the Worldtrekker Foundation.

    Christopher Hartt has operated from the current primary business location in Plano, Texas since 1988 and is listed with the Dallas Metropolitan Better Business Bureau under the business telephone number of (972) 375-1551.

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Many of the “new” photographers seem to have omitted the “About” tab on their websites.  Why?  Well, when the professional history is:

1) Got Married,

2) Bought digital camera from Costco,

3) Got a cool website with great tunes and flash slideshow

4) Got ads on The Knot and Google

5) Charge $4,000-$5,000 for wedding photography

Who would take a photographer like that seriously?  Unfortunately many brides never ask the obvious question – “What background or training do you have as a wedding photographer?”  If that question were asked more often, many brides would be spared the heartache of receiving pictures that are poor image quality, “artsy” (many pictures of feet, shoes, dresses, but few of bride and groom, family members, etc), or that have inconsistent exposures (one is quite bright and washed out, next one might be too dark).

I’m certified by Adobe as an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) for their Creative Suite (Photoshop).  There is a database referenced at the Adobe site of all the ACE certified individuals.  I am on that list and every week I receive 1-3 telephone calls or emails from brides who are interested in learning if I can “fix” their wedding photos in Photoshop.  Quite often, the answer is “no” due to the pictures being photographed with low quality equipment, low quality lenses, “automatic” exposure programs which are easy for inexperienced photographers to learn, etc. 

Today, (December 4, 2007) I met with a bride whose wedding pictures were generally poor quality.  Even though she had paid nearly $5,000 for her wedding and reception images, they were poorly composed, inconsistent focus and exposure, very grainy – due to using 3200 ISO for most of the shots, and many of the shots were in black and white – presumably because the color was so bad with many of the shots.  This often happens when a photographer doesn’t have appropriate flash or ‘hot light’ illumination.

Without naming any names (because this is a story that happens over and over again), I looked at the photographer’s website and found this:

“Is it a faux pas to not have an About Me page?  Is there really any combination of words that will make you suddenly like me and jump feverishly to your phone to call me?

You won’t find any photography clichés here.  I don’t want to “capture your precious memories” or “make them last a lifetime”.  I’m not that kind of photographer.  I’m the kind that is in the middle of the dance floor, spinning in circles to get the emotion on your face, the hands that are clinched together, and the poor dress that got trampled on.

I’m a chaser of flower girls, a peek-a-booer with ring bearers, a hider behind potted plants.  I’ve also heard that I’m pretty entertaining to watch.  You’ll see me on the floor, on a chair and sometimes up against a wall…and always blissfully smiling.”

 

When I read this description that the photographer had written about herself, I asked the bride I was meeting with “what convinced you to hire this person?” 

The bride replied “I just thought her style was really cute and I like the music on the website.  I know now that I should have asked about REAL experience or equipment, but I just assumed that everyone who advertises as a wedding photographer knows what they’re doing.”

The result of that meeting today is that Hartt Lab can fix some of the unhappy brides photos, but the fixes will average about $6.10 per image.  For fixing about 300 images so they can be usable, this bride is paying me about the same amount as if I had photographed her entire wedding/reception/bridal/engagement. 

Sadly, in the state of Texas – as well as most of the rest of the US – there is no licensing or standards for wedding photographers experience, equipment, liability insurance or business practices (bonding).  This situation is very similar to some years back when General Contractors were not required to be licensed.  They would take people’s money and often not live up to the contract they signed or representations made.  Very often, these same General Contractors couldn’t be found when a legal suit was filed.  They just changed their name and moved to a different part of town.

When it comes to wedding photographers, the best advice I can give you is Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware).  There is only one chance to get your wedding pictures right.  Consider the “artistry”, but also keep in mind the experience, equipment, business stability and background of the photographer.  You may be happy with a 25-year old photographer, but the more prudent choice might be 25 years of professional photography experience.