Who is “RFJ”?

My name is Robert F. Johnson: I created RFJ Photography out of a deep love for the art of photography. One of my favorite aspects of this work is wedding photography. I thoroughly enjoy helping couples capture the magic of their wedding.  I tend to shoot weddings in two different manners.  I will get involved in the setups if you want formals, and I will be in the background capturing candid's and other interesting moments of the day.  My major attribute is my ability to work with others and draw out the special essence of the people I am photographing. In my other life I am a Psychotherapist, lover of the arts, and avid kayaker.

RFJ Photography has grown!  We now have several photographers on staff. I shoot most of the weddings, however everyone on our team is tried, tested and trained in our approach to weddings.

Debbie Tomasovic:  Debbie is my life partner and began shooting weddings with me in 2004.  She has a very calm, relaxed nature that allows whom ever she is photographing to feel an ease that is seen in her images.  Debbie will get the image of the one person who doesn't’t like being photographed and is shy.  She does this with their full consent and has a way about making people feel comfortable.  She also captures the finer touches of your day, flowers, cake, programs, a pair of dancing shoes….. You name it, if it is there she will get an image of it.  Debbie understands the nervousness people experience on their wedding day.  Indeed she recently was a bride herself.  Debbie is great at being both respectful and at the right place at the right time to get the image.  In her other life Debbie is a psychotherapist, outdoor enthusiasts, and animal lover.

Two Photographers: We attempt to bring 2 photographers to every wedding.  The decision for 1 or 2 photographers will depend upon the size and scope of your wedding, the nature of the package you select and how we decide to approach it.  There are many obvious advantages to having 2 photographers.  You have 2 professionals covering the wedding from different angels, perspectives, and most importantly locations.  For example one photographer can be shooting the Bride getting ready while the other is catching the Bridesmaids coming down the aisle.  Another advantage is that in the rare event that 1 photographer is ill or incapacitated, there is another to capture the day.  We also carry back up equipment for each photographer present. We do not charge more for 2 photographers. In 2006, we had two photographers at every wedding.

The most important thing for you to know is
We view each wedding as unique and We see the Wedding Photography Plan as a collaboration of your needs and wishes along with our interpretation of your vision for the day.

Getting started with RFJ – determining what you want

Upon our initial meeting, we will begin to shape how your wedding will be created photographically. This is a time for you to tell us your vision for the day and we will begin to create a photography plan.  We will discuss the different options available and determine what your needs are. For example, some couples want a lot of candid photos of people attending the service. For others, the formals of the wedding party and the parents are most important. Other couples may want a more relaxed approach with the photographer in the background capturing what is happening. A few couples have even requested a group shot of everyone attending. It all depends on your unique needs!

Schedule some private time with your photographer on your wedding day

Whatever photography styles you decide on, I would like to suggest that you schedule some time to be photographed away from the bustle of the guests wanting your attention. This can take some planning, but every couple who does this is grateful they did. Here's why:

First, we will get the most relaxed and natural shots of you.

Second, it may be the only time on your special day when the two of you can be alone with the photographer to choreograph creative poses and shot sequences. Many couples have told me that they really enjoyed these few moments away from everything to just gaze into their partner’s eyes and be fully present.

I recommend that this time be scheduled either before the ceremony or just after it. Slipping away after the ceremony on the way to the reception is a wonderful opportunity to capture a few special moments together. It is an opportunity to let the wonderment of the event land before you are again the center of attention in a room full of people.

Let the photographer’s eye help you direct the flow of your wedding

If you choose, the photographer can help you direct the flow of your wedding day from one event to another. This may include coordinating key shots, or even signaling the right moment for the bride to begin her walk down the runway.
This service can be especially useful if there is no wedding planner. Because it is the photographer’s role to capture the details of your special day as they unfold, it is a natural fit to include him or her in assisting you with coordinating the day’s flow.
Of course the nature of the photographer’s involvement is entirely up to you. If you wish, the photographer can also stay very much in the background.

Wedding photography styles

Instead of trying to fit into a particular style, I like to think of every wedding as a Custom Ordered Photo Experience. The style that I most often use is a combination of the first three listed below. I will always provide formal portraits if they are requested. I will also shoot a combination of candid shots to capture the action of the ceremony and related events. If we have the opportunity, I will suggest a few creative shots that may be anything from artistic and glamorous to fun and silly.

Traditional photography includes portraits of bridal party and family -- close-up and full-length -- and candid photographs that tell the story of the day. This style is often included in most weddings.  Characterized by timeless posed shots.  The advantages are a beautiful but predictable wedding book.

Wedding photojournalism means no posed photographs - all pictures would be taken without any instruction from of the photographer.  Lots of candid shots.  The wedding would be covered like a news event with the photographer capturing all the events, drama, and action of the day.

Illustrative photography has drama, grand poses and majestic scenery. Every detail in the image is carefully arranged to produce a photograph with impact. This is the style you often find in high-fashion photography -- where even the candid photos are the result of precise posing and lighting.

Creative or impressionistic photography creates images with an unusual angle or juxtaposition. The photographer is creating his or her artistic impression of your wedding day. The goal is to produce a limited number of art prints from your wedding.
Most photographers actually present a mix of all four of these styles, with an emphasis on the first (traditional). This makes sense: even if you love the impressionistic approach, your mom and dad will surely want a touching photo of the bride and groom standing beside their parents.

Our Style

At RFJ Photography our style includes a combination of all the above styles.  Any given shot sequence could be taken from the mind set of any of the above styles.  Part of why we discuss your Photography Plan with you is to ascertain what style of photography best suits your needs and tastes.  Most often we tend to shot with a combination of the first two styles because most couples expect this.  However if you tell us that formals are the most important thing to you then we will weight the photography in that direction.  Possibly bringing High Power Flat Panel Strobes to Capture a classic look to your indoor group shots.  If you know you want the photographer to be in the background taking a more photo journalistic approach then we will weight the photography plan in that direction.   Our main style is to get what we think you want!

Other things to consider

You can provide me with a shot list. This is a list of photos you know you want. We will be guided by it but will not guarantee every shot on it. If we are shooting formals everyone in the wedding party needs to know the time to arrive and be ready (Dressed and Makeup done). The formals take some time and this needs to be planned for.