Today, South Florida wedding photographer, Ivan Apfel is in the vendor spotlight!  Ivan Apfel started off his interest in photography at age 15 and has loved it ever since.  A family man at heart, Ivan Apfel has a talent for capturing the special moments in life – and his creativity is apparent in his photographs.  Learn more about Ivan Apfel below and visit his vendor directory on my Kate Parker Wedding.

Number Of Years in Business

I guess you could say that I have been a photographer for about twenty four years now.  I started taking photography as my art class elective when I was fifteen.  Continued studying it through high school and went on to obtain my Bachelors in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD).  I actually started my career as a Documentary Photographer and did not shoot my first wedding until 1997.  I found myself slowly moving more and more into the wedding side of the business and then when my wife and I settled down to start a family I transitioned into a wedding and portraiture business with a documentary influence.  That was seven years ago and I can honestly say it was one best decisions I have made.

Preferred Wedding venues/locations/styles?

Well, I think we can assume that Documentary Photography is my style of choice.  That said, many of my friends are commercial photographers.  I have been influenced by their lighting and angle usage and have adapted it into my portrait shooting.  As for favorite venues and locations, I really don’t have any favorites.  I have had nothing but enjoyable experiences with the ceremony and reception venues in South Florida.  As for locations, the only thing I require is that it allows for creativity which is easy.  A few years back I took a great Bride and Groom shot in the hallway leading to the restrooms (see image below).

Pricing Information:

About three years ago I ditched the “package” pricing style for that a “a la Carte” style pricing.  When I started out in my career, things were tight.  While I knew things would grow and the finances would get better, I had to be conscious of my spending.  This is true with many younger couples as well.  I felt that the “a la Carte” system would be fair to everyone.  If you have thousands to spend on an assistant and a second shooter, multiple albums and all the trimming, then I can help you with that.  If, on the other hand, you have a smaller budget but don’t want to sacrifice getting great pictures, I can help you with that as well.  My wedding day coverage with image disc begins as $1,098.00 and my custom designed albums begin at $600.00.

What makes you stand out?

Some of then things that my clients have said that set me apart from many others are my speed, my availability and commitment to them and my final product.  Having trained on film has allowed me to be patient with my shutter release and not shoot with the “machine gun” method.  I also learned to compose and create your images using the camera settings and lens choice.  Put these together and it allows me to have proofs online within 72 to 120 hours after the wedding with the image discs ready to ship within 10 days.  As for availability, I understand that not everyone has the same schedule so I make myself very flexible and easy to get a hold of for my clients.  Technology is making this even easier with eMail and texting.  I had one bride who was a Lieutenant in the Coast Guard based in New Orleans right after Katrina.  The only time she had to talk was after 11:00 PM.  She loved the fact that she could call or eMail me and I was there to talk.  As for final product, I would never give my clients anything I would not be proud to own myself.  And I have pretty high standards.  It took me years to find a lab and book maker that would make sure my prints and books met my standard.  If I do not like the brightness or color balance, I send it back and have them correct it.  I never let them direct ship because I want to inspect each print and book to make sure it is just perfect for my clients.

What is the favorite part of your work?

My clients.  Definitely my clients.  I have been really lucky to have such great clients.  I enjoy working with them to develop the vision they have of their final day.  I like playing off their moods on the wedding day to bring them out and take images that capture the magic, excitement and emotion of the day.  As a side note, I really love it when I see my clients on Facebook and their profile pictures are the ones I shot of them.

If you have any spare time how do you spend it?

I have a personal blog site for friends and family called “Family, Food, Photo”.  That pretty much sums it up.  My wife and son are my life and we love spending time together which includes cooking, and being the way I am, I have it all documented in photographs.

Which Charity are you donating to and why?

I designated my “myKPW” donation go to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  For the past few years my wife and I have been big supporters of art initiatives and breast cancer awareness/research.  This past year we have added children charities as well starting with Make-a-Wish.  So decided to add to it with the JDRF.  I really love that myKPW is so committed to giving back.

Ivan Apfel
my Kate Parker Vendor Directory: Ivan Apfel
Website: www.apfelphotography.com
my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: South Florida < 25k

South Florida wedding photographer, Ivan Apfel, is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.