What is your style of wedding photography? 

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My style of wedding photography is in the storytelling-documentary genre (also known as journalistic). I take images that tell the story of your day under three main themes. Those are glamor, emotion, and celebration. I find this style to be relaxed and not as structured. Don't get me wrong, there will be posing (about 30 minutes worth), but not a long production where you will miss out celebrating with your guests. 

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How long have you been doing wedding photography? 

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The 2026 season will be my 11th season shooting weddings! I have had a fun time capturing each and every wedding I have been hired for. It has been an honor and I would be flattered to capture yours as well! 

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Where are you based at? 

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Home base is Urbandale, IA, a suburb on the northwest side of Des Moines, IA.  I have lived in Urbandale for about 30 years and lived in Iowa for 49. I am an Iowa native, but did live in Colorado for 6 years in the 1980's. 

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What is flat-fee wedding photography? 

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 Flat-fee wedding photography offers one all-inclusive price to capture all servcies within your All-Day or Half-Day wedding package.  By doing this you don’t need to track how many hours I am on-site. This means you don't have to rush or worry about missing moments. I’ll be present from my arrival to the conclusion of the last reception event, ensuring your day is stress-free without concerns over time limits or extra costs. 

 

Also flat-fee photography means you have free unlimited access to ask any questions you'd like.  Open-door communication is critical to ensure there are no unmet expectations. 

 

 

Does the flat fee photography apply to orders through my online album? 

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Unfortunately, the flat-fee does not apply to print orders. These would an additional cost to the client and their guests. 

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How many images can I expect to receive? 

 

On average I tell my clients to expect between 25 and 35 edited images per hour I am with them.  In 2025, I delivered on average 847 images per wedding, ranging from low of 350 (small wedding less than 30 guests)  to 1,109 (around 200 guests). These images are included in the package price. All images delivered to the client are theirs to keep. It is recommended to save the images to a cloud-based service for day-to-day use and safekeeping! 

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Do you give your clients every image you captured? 

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I shoot in RAW file format.  This format is all the sensor data at the time the shutter button is pushed. These files are very large and then get compressed into the traditional .jpg file for viewing and delivery. Given the nature of the RAW file format I do not release all images taken.  But don't worry, I will provide any image that tells the story of your day. 

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Will I get 'rights' to my images?

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Typically when this question gets asked is in reference to copyrights.  I give my clients an image use license.  This license allows my clients to use all images delivered and downloaded by them for personal use. Personal use includes ordering prints, albums, and displaying them on their personal social medial platforms.  For vendors, my clients can share images, however I request image credit if this is done.  Travis Dean Photography retains all copyrights to all images captured and delivered. 

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Are you insured?

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Yes I am. I can provide a certificate of insurance for your venue if one is needed. I have equipment and liability business insurance. 

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What is your turn-around time for getting edited images to your clients? 

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I have a 45-60 day turn-around to get edited images to my clients.  The first day starts the day after your wedding date. The busy months of September and October will be closer to the 60 days.  

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Do you farm out your editing or do you edit each image? 

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I do not farm out my editing to anyone. I review every image taken and select the ones that fit the glamor, emotion, and celebration themes. I then edit those one by one for you.  

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Do you charge travel fees? 

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For weddings within Iowa, plus an additional 25 miles outside of the border, I do *not* charge travel fees. For weddings outside of the service area, a travel fee applies. 

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Can I print the delivered image at a "big box" store? 

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I do not recommend the use of big box stores (i.e. Target, Sam's Club, Walmart, Walgreens) to make prints.  All of my images are edited to a specific white balance that is calibrated with www.mpix.com  This is the website I would recommend using to print any images you'd like. 

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 Do you offer a second photographer?  

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There is a common belief that having two photographers at a wedding is preferable. However, based on my experience, a second photographer is not necessary to capture your wedding day effectively. When I started photographing weddings, I worked with an assistant but found our photos were often redundant. This led me to conclude that the value of a second photographer is overstated. By choosing a single photographer, you can achieve comprehensive coverage and reduce costs.

 

After eleven seasons below are my top four reasons why a second photographer is most likely not needed. 

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​#1: The assumption is that two seasoned photographers are provided for the cost of one.

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 It is common for second photographers to have less experience than lead photographers, often viewing the role as an opportunity to learn and develop their skills. They may use the events they photograph to expand their portfolios. Additionally, second photographers sometimes possess equipment that may not perform as well in low-light conditions compared to that of the main photographer, which could result in missed shots under challenging lighting.  Lastly, a photographer with a second photographer has probably already added the cost into their package price which reduces the two for the price of one paradigm. 

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#2: The belief that preparing in two separate locations requires two photographers is a common misconception.

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With a well-planned and organized timeline, it is not necessary to have two photographers, even if both parties are preparing at separate locations. I coordinate the schedule so that each party is aware of where I will be and with whom, ensuring efficient coverage throughout. Typically, the distances involved are minimal and can be covered quickly. The groom and his party generally require less time for preparation, allowing me to allocate more coverage to the bride and her party. I often begin with the bridal party, then proceed to photograph the groom's party, before returning to complete the coverage with the bride’s party prior to the ceremony. This approach enables me to deliver consistent, high-quality images in line with my signature style of wedding photography, which was one of the considerations for your decision to hire me.  

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#3:  I have a big wedding party and big guest count. Two photographers will make sure nothing gets missed!

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Managing a large wedding party presents no challenge for me. My approach involves segmenting the timeline into 30-minute intervals dedicated to the bridal and groom's parties, the couple's first look, and family portraits. I often receive positive feedback regarding the efficiency with which I organize family photo sessions. During the reception, my priority is to photograph all attendees at my clients’ weddings. There are effective and creative methods to achieve this as a sole photographer. Once dinner and the primary reception events conclude, I systematically visit each table to capture guests who are seated and socializing. Subsequently, I document moments at the bar area where guests are mingling. For particularly large receptions, I accompany the bride and groom to each table to ensure group photographs with their guests in an enjoyable manner. I am dedicated to working diligently for my clients and their guests, ensuring that the celebratory spirit of the event is thoroughly documented.  

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#4: I will have a backup in case something happens to you or your equipment.  

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I fully appreciate the underlying concept of an "insurance policy" in this context. I maintain a list of trusted primary wedding photographers who are prepared to step in should unforeseen circumstances arise. That said, I am deeply committed to my clients and will always make every effort to fulfill my obligations. Additionally, it is important to note that many second photographers may lack experience and possess less advanced equipment, which could present challenges if they are required to assume full responsibility at short notice.  

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Regarding my equipment, I arrive at every wedding with three cameras. During the ceremony, I carry two cameras and use one for the remainder of the day. Each camera is fitted with two memory cards, allowing every image to be instantly saved on both cards. If a camera malfunctions, I have two backups ready and can switch without delay. After the event, I back up all images from the memory cards to an external hard drive. One of the memory cards—still containing the images—is stored in a fireproof box inside an anti-static bag labeled with your name; this card isn’t erased until your photos are safely delivered and downloaded. Redundancy is crucial in wedding photography, ensuring nothing is lost. A second photographer usually lacks this level of security, as they tend to use less advanced gear while building their experience.   

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