Shooting since 2015, I know how fast moments move — and how to be in the right place before most people realize something's happening.
A lot of people ask for "just one hour." It's a fair ask — you know roughly how long your event is and you want to keep costs in check. Here's the reality of what one hour actually costs me to deliver.
The hour you see on-site is surrounded by 3–4 hours of invisible work. Charging for one hour of time would mean charging you for an incomplete job — rushed editing, no breathing room to capture the real moments, and a final gallery that doesn't reflect what the day actually felt like.
"Great event photos aren't taken in the first 15 minutes. They happen when people forget the camera is there."
— Marc Fernandez, shooting since 2015I arrive early to scout the venue, find the light, identify the key moments that'll happen and where. This isn't billable time — it's what separates organized coverage from reactive scrambling.
The first 20–30 minutes of any event people are stiff, aware of the camera, still arriving. The best photos happen once guests settle in. One hour doesn't get you past the awkward phase.
A 2-hour shoot produces 400–600 raw frames. I cull that down to the best 60–100, then color grade every single one. That editing alone takes 3–4 hours after the event.
Your photos are organized and delivered to a private client gallery — not a Dropbox link or a Google Drive folder. You can browse, select favorites, and download full-resolution files on your own time.
Gear loaded, drive to location, scout on arrival, drive back. For a 1-hour event across San Diego or out to Temecula, travel alone can be 2+ hours round trip. That's part of the real cost of showing up prepared.
Every booking — even the smallest — carries this full workflow. The 2-hour minimum reflects the real cost of doing it right.
Confirming venue, shot list, timeline, any specific moments to prioritize. Charging gear, preparing backup equipment.
Finding the light, identifying background options, positioning for key moments before guests arrive.
Active coverage: candids, group shots, key moments, details. Constantly moving, reading the room, anticipating what comes next.
All files imported to two separate drives. No risk of loss before editing begins.
Every frame reviewed. Duplicates, missed focus, and blinks cut. Only the keepers move forward.
Each selected image color graded individually. Consistent look and feel across the full gallery.
Uploaded to your private client gallery. Full-resolution downloads available immediately. Web-optimized versions for social included.
Every tier includes the full workflow — pre-event coordination, on-site coverage, professional editing, and private gallery delivery. No hidden fees.
The right fit for intimate gatherings, pop-ups, birthday parties, and small celebrations where you need a professional present for the key moments without full-day coverage.
Four hours gives you the complete story — guests arriving, energy building, key moments, and the wind-down. This is where most events live. You get the beginning, the middle, and the end.
For events that run all day — multiple segments, changing venues, formal and informal moments. Corporate conferences, large-scale celebrations, or anything with a full schedule that needs consistent visual documentation.
The 2-hour minimum isn't arbitrary — it reflects the real scope of work that goes into every booking. Pre-event coordination, travel, the shoot itself, culling 400+ frames, editing every keeper, and delivering your gallery via a private portal takes 10–12 hours total even for a 2-hour event. One hour on-site doesn't change that. The minimum protects the quality of what you receive.
Think about the arc of your event. If it's a 2-hour birthday brunch — Essential. If it's an evening gala with dinner, speeches, and dancing — Standard. If it runs all day or has multiple segments, venues, or a corporate audience that needs the full story — Full Day. When in doubt, book the Standard. Most events run longer than planned and the 4-hour window gives real flexibility.
If you think there's a chance of going over, add the Extended Hours option when booking. If something unexpected happens on the day, additional time is available at $200/hr — but only when I have the schedule available. If I have another commitment, I can't stay. Pre-arranging is always the safer choice.
Standard delivery is within 7 days of the event. With the Rush Delivery add-on, you'll have your gallery within 48 hours. Photos are delivered to a private gallery — you'll get a direct link with password access. From there you can browse, mark favorites, and download full-resolution or web-optimized versions.
Yes — Temecula wine country is actually one of the best backdrops for outdoor events in SoCal. The $75 travel fee applies for locations 30+ miles from San Diego. If you're planning a vineyard event, an outdoor celebration, or a corporate retreat in the Temecula Valley, reach out and we'll work out the details.
Send me a message through the contact form with your event date, location, and rough timeline. Once we've talked through the details and you're ready to confirm, a 50% deposit holds the date. The remaining balance is due one week before the event. Dates are not held without a deposit.
Send me the date, location, and a quick description of what you're planning. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.