FAQ

Why did you choose such a weird name for your studio?

I knew I didn’t want to be Your Name Photography. I wanted something different, something that people would remember (even if they couldn’t pronounce it), and something that gave a glimpse into what I’m all about as a photographer. Très Amusante Photographie is French for Very Fun Photos, and those are what I strive to produce.

Why should I choose Très Amusante Photographie?

Are you a hardcore introvert who feels miserably uncomfortable and awkward whenever you have your photo taken? I feel you. I am you. But don’t worry! I’ll provide posing directions to guide you into what will work best for you and your group, and we can try your ideas too, but I’m not going to force you into unnatural positions that elicit fake smiles. In fact, after their session, my clients often comment that they were really nervous, but pleasantly surprised by how much fun they had and that the experience felt just like hanging out with a friend.

I book only a limited number of photo sessions each year, so I’m always excited to get to work on a new project and never burned out. I want our time together to go as well as possible, and creating stunning portraits of your crew is just as important to me as it is to you. So whether it’s your wedding or your family portraits, I’m always available to talk if you need any assistance or advice in planning for your session.

When it comes to weddings, I never forget that it’s YOUR day, not mine. I know when to take a shot and I know when to step back and let you take in the moment privately. If you’re looking for a bossy or pushy photographer, you’ll have to keep looking because that’s not how I operate. At the risk of sounding patronizing, it really is an honor to be asked to be a part of such an important event and I take the responsibility very seriously. 

Where are you located?

Based in Ann Arbor, Très Amusante Photographie is available for weddings and portrait sessions in southeast Michigan. I shoot exclusively on location, so for family sessions, I ask you to choose a location that’s meaningful to you. It can be anywhere from your favorite park to your backyard to the neighborhood playground. If you aren’t sure how or which location to choose, I can offer suggestions for some of my favorite spots in and around the Metro Detroit area. For weddings, I’m happy to travel anywhere within the lower peninsula of Michigan for no additional charge. Been bitten by the travel bug? No problem! Arrangements can be negotiated for destination weddings or portrait sessions held anywhere in the world.

How did you get started in professional photography?

I took a black and white darkroom class in high school and a couple more in college as well as courses on color printing and studio lighting. I also worked in the local camera shop selling point-and-shoots, SLRs and running the one hour printing lab. On a whim, I took what was intended to be a temporary position assisting in an Ann Arbor portrait studio. It was there that I was introduced to wedding photography and eventually became a full time studio employee responsible for editing images for orders, album production and second shooting at weddings. After years of academic training and professional instruction, I was ready to open my own studio – Très Amusante Photographie. 

What equipment do you bring to a session / wedding?

I prefer to carry two camera bodies with me, one with a wide angle lens and the other with a telephoto, so I don’t have to stop and change lenses as often. In case one of those cameras has a technical difficulty, I keep a third body close by as a backup. I work with prime as well as zoom lenses and choose which one to use based on what will work best for the subject, the lighting conditions, and the depth of field I want to achieve. When working in low light situations, I also bring the equipment required to provide off camera flash.

What kind of insurance do you carry?

These days, it’s all too easy for someone to walk into a big box electronic store, purchase a DSLR, and walk out a “professional photographer”. In fact, I’m willing to bet that you know someone personally who has done exactly that. A true professional is insured – no excuses. In addition to equipment protection, I have general liability coverage as well as an errors and omissions policy – all three are standard for any professional photographer worth their salt.

What credit cards do you accept?

Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

What if I have a question that’s not listed here?

By all means, email me! I’ll be happy to provide you with more information. If you’re interested in setting up a session or wedding consultation, I have some questions for you too!