Semi-Modern, Semi-Old-Fashioned Wedding Photography by Joey Allen in Las Vegas, Nevada

FAQ about Wedding Services

A: Depending on the services you request, you can receive them in as little as one day or as long as two months from your wedding day. 4-hours of wedding photography with retouching on 100 photos selected by the bride and provided on DVD disc in original resolution may take approximately 30 days to prepare, but this is a rough estimate.

A: You can bring them to your favorite kiosk or upload them to a professional online lab. There are different maximum recommended sizes for photo printing, and this information is specified with the package you request.

A: As many as I have to in order to capture everything I think would be important to you.

A: It varies, but somewhere around 40-75% of the photos are usually deemed to have personal or artistic value that the client would appreciate, and so I include them. I am currently considering plans to provide a second option of fewer photos and more detailed retouching that includes skin smoothing (see below).

A: Most of the photos in my portfolio are the results of my standard retouching, including both color and B&W photos. If you see a photo with selective coloring or a soft glow, it has been through additional processing.

A: I do not do skin smoothing unless specifically asked for (this is advanced retouching and takes a considerable amount of time per photo). If there is an obvious pimple or similar temporary skin flaw, I will remove it in the finished photo as part of my standard retouching. I am considering changing my policy on skin smoothing, but an appropriate rate increase would have to be made that reflects the greatly increased retouching time required - or I would have to offer fewer photos.

A: Yes, I do offer the RAW images. The RAW files are my only proof of ownership, and so there is an additional fee.

List of things every bride should consider for their Vegas wedding

I will be the first to say you should keep a close watch on your vendors and confirm dates and times. This is especially important for persons booking limos, shuttles and other transportation services they are depending on. I have witnessed too many wedding couples being disappointed by their shuttle/limo not arriving on time or at all (yes, sometimes they "forget" you booked the date and time). Other times, they may forget the package you requested (extras may not make it onto the shuttle). Also make sure that the florist is on the ball and has the selections you requested.

Brides, bring an pair of comfortable shoes for walking, because these is a lot of walking on your wedding day. Stylish and compact are both plusses! Bridesmaids and moms probably would benefit from this as well.

Your train is going to get dirty. You can't avoid this, especially if you want to walk around the Strip. Sheer fabrics seem to evade getting quite as dirty, but it still happens. As far as I have seen, the only way to avoid getting your train dirty is to not have one.

Makeup/hair styling often takes longer than expected. I can count on 3 fingers the number of makeup artists who did not take a longer time than planned. This is where most brides seem to fall a bit behind schedule. It probably will not hurt to have your makeup artist come in a little earlier than you might think is necessary.

Being late is not the end of the world. If the worst thing that happens on your wedding day is arriving late (usually to the ceremony), then it is still a great day.

Veils are a nice touch. If you like them, get one.

Las Vegas is HOT during June, July and August, and pretty hot in May and September. Hot means temps almost always between 100 and 115 in the daytime, staying between 90 and 100 by midnight and reaching lows in the 80s only around 6am. A surprising number of visitors plan outdoor weddings/venues during this time of year, only to begin melting within 30 seconds of leaving an air-conditioned environment. Your wedding does not have to include a heat stroke!

The best time of day for any outdoors daylight wedding ceremony is when the sun is just beginning to hide behind the mountains. The second best time of day is any time of day when the surrounding environment prevents direct sunlight from hitting the wedding party or any of the guests. The third best time of day is probably when the sun is to the backs of the seated guests (if the sun is to their front, then everyone seated has to squint during the ceremony). Why is this important to you? Because better lighting makes my job easier!

The Strip resorts do have restrictions on outside photographers, but in many cases those limits are looser if you are getting married or staying there. Others may give permission if requested and approved in advance. There are exceptions to any of these rules, so ask around.

Ask nicely enough, and maybe the resort staff might allow you to take pictures at a table. Bring your own dice AND fake poker chips if you intend to roll them for a photo, because you usually can't use theirs.

Photos often come out better when you are having fun. Think of those things you already do naturally to express how much you care about each other, and let it all come out naturally. If you're really feeling it, the photos will remind you of those feelings later.

That's all for now!