Colorado Wedding Photographer - Mark Creery Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. I work with you to personalize your wedding package based on how much coverage you need and any features you want to be included, like an engagement session or album. Since every wedding is unique my couples find my flexibility helpful and refreshing. I can also provide small wedding/elopement packages. I can accommodate most budgets, so get in touch and I can try to make it work for you.
Yes and Yes. With each package, you get the digital images in high-resolution JPEG format that are fully-edited to look their best (including blemish removal if needed). There is no watermark and you can share them with friends and family as you like. I give you a print release so you can print them anywhere you choose. You can also order professional prints through your online gallery which are guaranteed to look beautiful.
Yes. I fully edit each image in color, but also create custom black-and-whites so you choose which you prefer. I also go a step further and produce some artistic versions for a stand-alone art piece, with different finishes like a more de-saturated vintage look, creative blurring, color shift, and stitched together, high-resolution panoramic photos.
As soon as I complete the photo editing process I will upload them to your online gallery, where they will be available for download with a PIN. This gallery will be online for at least a year. It's here that you can share your photos with friends and family. You can also hide photos you don't want others to see before sharing. I will also mail you a USB flash drive that includes all your images, including black-and-whites. Despite myself always having a back-up of your photos, I always recommend backing up your photos to different locations, including the cloud, for safekeeping.
Yes. You can add a second photographer to any package at a flat rate no matter how long I’m there. I do not have an 'in-house' photographer, and instead, pick one of my trusted 'seconds' who is available for your date. As my seconds are photographers in their own right, it's good to give me lots of notice if you decide to add a second photographer to your package. While having more photos on your wedding day is great, a second photographer might not be necessary if you don’t need getting ready photos in different locations, your wedding is below 200 guests, or your budget is tight.
During the ceremony I use two different camera bodies with a wide-angle and telephoto lens on each that I can quickly switch back and forth from (within just a few seconds). So for the processional, I might use my telephoto to capture the bride coming from further away from the end of the aisle and then swing to the groom for a close-up of his reaction as he sees her (hopefully capturing some tears or a big grin), then I might go to a wide-angle as she gets closer and then get behind as she passes by and zoom in to the groom's expression again between her and her father's shoulders. Then from there, I am moving around discretely during the ceremony to capture lots of different angles, and getting people's reactions and the key moments (some people have called me a 'ninja'). If you are choosing between adding a second photographer or an album to your package, I usually recommend getting an album because I am capable of handling everything on my own.
I travel throughout Colorado and Wyoming - wherever weddings happen! Travel is the nature of my job given the amazing scenery all over, so I don’t charge an additional fee. If you are having a destination wedding further away I can give you a custom quote. I have experience photographing in many different environments and venues around the world, so I know how to handle any location even if I haven't been there before.
You will generally receive your pictures within six to eight weeks, depending on how busy my workload is or vacations, but it’s usually earlier. I post some soon after the wedding on my business Facebook page and Instagram so you have something to stare at and share while you wait patiently. You will also get an online gallery to easily share your photos and order professional products, such as prints and canvases. While waiting for your photos might seem like forever, your photos are actually forever so I don't want to rush them!
This is a common question as this is often recommended to do by blogs. There are many photos I know to capture from my vast experience - the First Kiss, exchanging the rings, First Dances, the details, etc. - basically anything typical. Beyond that, I am always looking to capture candid photos and anticipating moments. We will discuss your day again close to the wedding to make sure I am on the same page as you, and this is where you communicate any surprises I might not know about. I will also give you a questionnaire that will ask certain questions about your 'must-have' photos. Beyond these, I encourage you to make a family photo list so that this part of the day goes quickly and efficiently. I am happy if you'd like to share a Pinterest board to give me an idea of what you like, but it's not necessary. I can use this for inspiration, but find that trying to recreate photos is not ideal as this takes away from the creative, spontaneous nature of my photography. An exhaustive list of wedding day photos taken from the internet I find is not helpful, as then I am trying to check off photos and risk missing real moments in the process.
Yes and yes! I encourage my couples to consider getting an album. My albums are gorgeous works of art that you will fall in love with, and it will bring back all of the emotions of your wedding day. I personally design it to best tell your wedding day story. These are family heirlooms that will get passed down for generations. Have a look at my page on wedding albums for more information. Check out what your album could look like.
Yes. Nothing is more important to me than making sure you get the high-quality wedding photographs you deserve. To help with this I use top-of-the-line Nikon equipment, with multiple back-up camera bodies and lenses in the very rare case of equipment damage. My camera gear is also water-resistant, which means I don't have to run for cover when raindrops start falling. My high-quality cameras also allow me to photograph in very low-light settings, often without even using a flash to add light, which is very useful for church weddings where I don't want to detract from the solemn nature of the event or flashes are not allowed. I also have a camera body with a silent shutter so I can play ninja, perfect for those quiet moments during ceremonies when you can hear a pin drop.
Nothing horrifies me more than the thought of losing any of your photos. So I have a system in place to make sure I have multiple copies of your photos at all times. My cameras have dual memory card slots, which means I always have a back-up of each photo right away. I use very large-storage memory cards, so I don't have to change them during your wedding, which is an easier way to misplace them. When I get home I back-up everything on my computer onto multiple hard drives as well as uploading them immediately to the cloud, so I take no chances when it comes to your precious photos. All this means you have nothing to worry about when you put your trust in me.
I have lots of experience in a wide variety of venues in three countries and many cities and towns. Colorado has such a wide variety of venues and many natural locations to choose from. If I haven't shot at your venue(s) before, chances are I have at somewhere similar before (including dark churches). To make sure there are no surprises and to scope out potential photo locations I always try to show up to a new venue early. I do not generally travel for rehearsals for this purpose though. Although it's reassuring to know a photographer has worked at your venue before, I can honestly say that some of my most creative work has happened when I see a place for the first time with a 'fresh' eye.
I am a photography specialist only, even though the equipment used for videography is similar. Videography requires specialized audio and software, plus cool gadgets to up the production value. It's better to find someone who excels at each discipline. Book me first and I will be happy to find you a good one that fits whatever budget you have left for your video. A new feature that I am adding to my services is drone photography, for no added charge (should time permit)! Fun!
Yes, I do! I have professional photography insurance which means I can photograph in any venue that has a high liability insurance requirement. Plus if my equipment gets damaged I can quickly repair or replace it so that I always have the gear I need for your wedding.

For the technical 411, I use The Hartford (one of the best), and I carry $2,000,000 in liability and medical insurance ($4,000,000 general aggregate), $10,000 medical expenses per person, amongst other fancy coverage I hope never to need. I can provide certificates of insurance if required.
Your booking fee is non-refundable in the case of cancellation. However, if you need to reschedule then the booking fee is transferable to the new date if I am available. As long as you consult me first before committing to changes then I should be able to continue working with you.
For me not to make your wedding I would have to be stuck in the hospital, or worse. And that would be very sad. But so far (knock on wood), I have never missed a wedding for any reason. I will do everything in my power to be there, so rest assured I will not call in sick because of the sniffles. I may even hire an additional photographer or assistant to help me if need be. That being said, in the highly unlikely event I can't make it, I have a network of qualified photographers that can be used as a replacement with short notice. I am part of a great community of professionals that are there to step in and help in such a terrible circumstance.
That's a great question that is a tough one to answer succinctly. I'd say my personality for starters. I am calm and empathetic, with a quick wit, and discreet yet assertive when needed, with a touch of ninja added in.

As far as the photography, I offer unique value, like panoramic photos that are multiple photos stitched together. These make amazing art pieces for your walls! To complement those wall prints, I also offer artistic edits that again make one-of-a-kind art pieces. So, along with the custom black-and-whites you get, you can have up to 3 versions of one image. I am also branching out into adding a drone to my repertoire, to allow my creativity to grow. These are just a few things that make me a great value for your investment.
400 to 800 photos is a typical range of photos you get from a wedding photographer, but the number depends on the amount of coverage and if there are two photographers or one. Some photographers only give you what they consider the 'best-of-the-best' (or maybe they didn't get that many good photos), and some provide a lot more candid moments.

I strive to tell the best story of the day possible, so I am always looking to capture candid moments. As a result, my average number of delivered wedding photos is close to 150 images per hour of coverage, so an average of 800-1200 photos per wedding. With a second photographer that number goes up by about 50 per hour of coverage. I am not holding back any photos that I think you as the client would enjoy, and you will appreciate that.
No, wedding photographers don't give you all the photos they take at a wedding. For good reasons. First, wedding photographers take a lot of photos to make sure they capture the best moment and expression possible. Second, it's a disservice to give you all the photos and let you decide which ones you like. If you received 2000 to 3000 photos from your day, they likely would not be edited to the degree required to make them shine the way they deserve.

A good photographer will remove any photos with 'duplicate' moments, closed eyes, and awkward expressions. Just a split second can make all the difference. With a thoughtful selection of your final photos by an experienced professional, you will see your wedding story unfold moment by moment as you look through your photos, but not feel completely overwhelmed by the end. No one has complained to me about not getting enough photos or that I missed an important moment, so trust that your photographer will do what is right for you.
Yes, you do have the rights to print your wedding photos for your own personal use, as well as share them with your family and friends as you see fit. Your wedding photographer maintains the copyright and ownership over the photos, which means they can use the photos for their website, marketing, advertising, and commercial use.

Most wedding photography contracts have a model release that permits the use of your likeness for these purposes. If you do not want your photos to be used you would need to pay for a non-disclosure agreement to prevent the use of their work. Since photographers rely on showing their most recent work to stay relevant and marketable, it is important that they maintain their ability to promote themselves or be compensated if not.