WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?
Reach out here to check my availability and request pricing. If I’m within your budget, we can meet via Zoom to ensure I’m a good fit for what you’re looking for. The booking process is very easy.
DO YOU CAPTURE GROUP + COUPLE PHOTOS?
Even though I’m a wedding photojournalist I always capture group photos, unless the couple requests otherwise. Additionally, I skillfully take beautiful portraits, and artful compositions within their environment. I’m happy to accomodate any requests as after all, it’s a celebration and coming togther of families and friends.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH?
I love the craft of photography. As a former press photographer, I tell stories using a documentary approach that captures the authentic moments of your special day. I keep things simple and make sure you both never get overwhelmed or feel like the wedding is a huge production of lights, light stands, and assistants. My trusty Leicas are all I need to get the job done right using available light.
I happily capture a limited set of staged photographs, including the obligatory group photos and creative shots of the couple.
I’ll capture the life of your wedding as it unfolds without forcing any direction, ensuring your wedding memories are captured in the most authentic and beautiful way possible.
DO YOU HAVE REVIEWS?
Yes, there’s a ton on the internet. For the most recent, check out The Knot or Google.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I’m from Chichester, England, and made the move to San Antonio, Texas, in 2006. Why? I married a Texan. We both worked on a cruise ship in 2002 and started dating (cue ‘The Love Boat’).
WHEN DID YOU START IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
I have been a full-time professional photographer since 1992, starting as a press photographer. I’ve been drawing since a kid, and then I picked up my first camera around 13 or 14 years old. I still sketch, but I do it with a camera. Good fortune has been in my life. I got a break working on a local newspaper shooting news stories, sports, and handshake pics, and I developed my craft. Most importantly, I had great mentors who taught me a lot! I then traveled the world for ten years before meeting my wife, who hails from Texas.
DO YOU HAVE A STUDIO?
Yes. I have a cozy studio adjacent to our home. Appointments are by Zoom at this time.
I cannot emphasize enough how much I value the photos that I deliver to my clients. As a former press photographer, I have always adhered to strict editorial standards. I do not believe in manipulating my images using Photoshop or any other third-party plugins, except for making small adjustments to the color balance, brightness, contrast, minimal dodging/burning, and overall look. This is what makes these images trustworthy and an accurate portrayal of your special day.
WE ARE BOTH UNCOMFORTABLE HAVING OUR PICTURES TAKEN. HOW CAN YOU HELP US DURING THE WEDDING?
Well, that’s how I feel too! I’m a calm, mellow person who inherited and embraces that classic British sense of humor, especially the self-deprecating kind! I have this uncanny ability to blend into the scene rather than bring attention to myself. Combined with my documentary style, will have you both used to me within the 30 minutes of getting ready time. The only time you’ll really be aware of the cameras is in the family group photo and the creative portraits. You can just be you, and I will take care of the rest.
WHAT CAMERA GEAR DO YOU USE?
I’m a film and digital photographer. I photograph with Leica M Rangefinders. I use an M6 and M3 for the film, and for digital, a couple of M10s. The Leicas is steeped in cultural history; these cameras are entirely manual, quiet, and unobtrusive. I also love using a medium format Mamiya RZ67 film camera for landscapes and portraits.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BOOK YOU FOR OUR WEDDING?
$1500 will hold the date along with a signed contract.
SHOULD I GIVE YOU A SHOT LIST?
You will see that I’m very thorough and I cover the wedding day, including all the decor and details as I find them. There is no need to provide a shot list. The only list that I might need is a list of the family group shots. If I have one of those detailed shot lists from the internet that your photographer must cover, then I really cannot focus on delivering what you hired me for in the first place.
DO YOU SHOOT INTERNATIONALLY?
Yes. I photograph Texas statewide, all over North America and Europe, passport-ready. I love shooting in my home base of San Antonio, Texas. 50% of my weddings are in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and the Texas Gulf. My recent weddings were in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Santa Fe, and California.
HOW MANY IMAGES DO YOU SHOOT?
It varies with every wedding that I shoot, so there is no set answer. I’m not a ‘machine gunner’ hoping to get lucky shots. I think, anticipate, and react to moments ensuring great images every time. ‘Less is more’. Quality over quantity.
WHEN MUST I CHOOSE THE ALBUM DESIGN?
Aim to have your final approval within 60 days of the first release date as the whole process can otherwise get delayed with other client’s weddings. This way, I can give you the full attention you deserve.
DO WE GET A CHOICE OF BLACK AND WHITE OR COLOR?
I deliver about 60% in color and 40% in black and white. Brides trust me to choose according to my artistic interpretation at the point of capture. Photos in black and white cannot be converted into color as they’re captured with cameras that only record black and white. I take great care over the final file and prints delivered to you.
DO YOU BLOG EVERY WEDDING?
I really try, too, like 8 out of 10 weddings, but it’s not always possible as my main focus is delivering wedding images speedily to my clients.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
My hero of sorts is a French photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson. He is considered the master of candid photography and was one of the early pioneers of street photography. It’s his particular early work that I’m drawn to. Cartier-Bresson was uniquely talented at capturing decisive moments using geometry, composition, form, and balance in his images. I have many photographers I enjoy reading about, and if you come to my studio, you’ll see a huge stack of books. Right now, I’m reading and learning about Eve Arnold (you know, the one who became friends and photographed Marilyn Monroe). Books are my number one source of inspiration.
This is not a concrete list. I work with anyone but these are certainly solid charming pros. Click for San Antonio or Houston,
Beautiful Italian-made GraphiStudio. I include books in all custom packages. Oh, and they’re made in Italy. Yes, Italy!
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY ALBUM?
Delivery will depend on how long you take to order. I personally custom-designed the album layouts. All album designs and online proofing are available for ninety days once they have been released to you. You’re allowed up to three free design changes. Generally, it can take up to four weeks once the design is approved by you, as the books are handcrafted in Alba, Italy. Your custom-designed album will be one of a kind and well worth the wait.
HOW DO WE KNOW IT WILL BE YOU WHO SHOOTS OUR WEDDING?
I personally shoot all of my weddings, most with an experienced second shooter. I also shoot small weddings solo (50-75 guests) for a reduced fee.
WHAT ABOUT ENGAGEMENT OR BRIDAL SESSIONS?
Higher-end packages include a bridal or engagement session. Or you simply add an engagement session a la carte. If you don’t want a bridal or engagement shoot, that’s fine too. I custom design packages.
DO YOU EMPLOY SECOND SHOOTERS ON THE DAY?
I personally shoot all of my weddings and, most of the time, with a second experienced shooter. No outsourcing here
DO YOU HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE?
Yes
PRIVACY POLICY
I take your privacy seriously. I do not sell or redistribute your information to anyone, ever. I occasionally send out newsletters or promotional emails to our couples and to those who register to view their online galleries.
CAN I HAVE THE RAW FILES (NEGATIVES UNEDITED)?
I do not release RAW files. What you will receive are a blend of black and white and color images, beautifully edited JPEG files, along with a printing release. The release gives you the full ability to print the photographs whenever and wherever you would like.
DO YOU ALSO PROVIDE VIDEO SERVICES?
No, only photography. I have a list of referrals in the info menu.
CAN I HAVE THE RAW FILES (NEGATIVES UNEDITED)?
During my editing process, I remove and delete images that do not meet my standards for delivery. This can be anything from test shots, repetitive images, shots where I unintentionally overexpose or underexpose, etc. I deliver all of the images that don’t fall into those undeliverable categories. The outtakes are not archived, so they are not available.
HOW DO YOU ARRANGE TRAVEL?
I book all my travel, like airfare and hotels, if needed. If I shoot in San Antonio or the Austin area there are no travel fees. If I shoot in Houston or the Gulf Coast area, then there’s a $500 travel fee. For out of Texas to destination weddings in the USA, a $1500 fee is added – this covers flights, two nights hotel, and car rental.
REFUND POLICY
I’ve have never had an unhappy bride, let alone a request for a refund, but the lawyers want this posted on our website in addition to being in the contract signed at booking. We go above and beyond to ensure that you will be thrilled and that you never have to think to ask about our refund policy. Don’t take my word for it though, read some of the independent client reviews we’ve received. With that being said, here is a message from legal: Philip Thomas Photography, LLC (STUDIO) and its photographers specialize in artistic, photojournalistic wedding photography. Due to the nature of event photography, STUDIO does not guarantee any specific image will be captured. CANCELLATION. Should the CLIENT cancel the reservation of the Wedding Date or cancel or breach this agreement, the STUDIO shall retain all deposits and fees paid up until the reservation is cancelled. The STUDIO reserves the right to hire a qualified subcontractor(s) to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement. In the event of an emergency rendering the STUDIO incapable of carrying out its obligations, the STUDIO will endeavor to obtain the services of a qualified and competent substitute. Should the Studio be unable to obtain a substitute, all deposits shall be refunded to the CLIENT as the CLIENT’S sole remedy. If the CLIENT cancels or postpones the original assignment date, if the STUDIO is available on the new date, the STUDIO reserves the right to issue a new contract and charge the most up to date pricing. The pricing provided on this agreement applies only to this agreement for the dates specified. LIABILITY. The CLIENT has hired the STUDIO for its expertise in providing wedding photography and the CLIENT acknowledges that photography is an art. Accordingly, the CLIENT defers to the Studio in determining the best way to document the wedding. The STUDIO shall not be liable for omissions caused by failure of the CLIENT to maintain all agreed sched¬ules or caused by delays due to inaccurate information provided by the CLIENT. The STUDIO shall not be liable for failures or faults in the manufacture or processing of materials or other causes that may reasonably be deemed beyond the control of the STUDIO. In the event such circumstances prevent the STUDIO from performing its obligations or delivering the agreed product or service, the CLIENT’S sole remedy shall be the refund of any deposits, as a Limitation on Damages as set forth in paragraph 19. Omissions or failure to produce specific images that may be discussed or proposed at a planning session shall not constitute a breach of this agreement and/or shall not result in a refund or other compensation to the CLIENT by the Studio.
