About The Photographer:

Matthew Whitlock went to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA right out of high school to study theater - focusing on technical design and lighting design. He switched his major to Fine Art Photography his Junior year and never looked back. The lighting design experience he gained in the theater directly benefited his portrait photography, and was enhanced during his semester internship with Jill Greenberg Studio in New York City, NY. After graduating from Coe, he moved back to South Bend and began work for Fan Action, INC - the publishers of Blue & Gold Illustrated (a Notre Dame Football Magazine) and Blue Gold Traditions (a Notre Dame Merchandiser). At Fan Action, he did all of the product photography for their many websites and catalogs, and shot sports photojournalism for the newspaper. Noticing the recent trend in Wedding Photojournalism, he saw the perfect opportunity to link his two passions - photojournalism and portrait photography, and Zeta-Alpha Studio was born.

Talk with Matthew about documenting your event!
phone: 574-315-1608
email: photography@zeta-alphastudio.com

About The Studio:

Zeta-Alpha Studio started photographing weddings in 2002 as one of the area's first all documentary/photojournalistic wedding photography studio. Since then, the studio has expanded to include portraits, sporting events photography, corporate & commercial photography and many others. While the the studio's attention & emphasis is almost exclusively on brides & grooms, some of the studio's other clients include Blue & Gold Illustrated, Prep Sports Online and Burkhart Advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

What is "Wedding Photojournalism?"
Do you photograph formal portraits as well?
How many photographs will you take?
What kind of cameras do you use?
Is black and white photography included, or would there be an additional charge?
Do I have to inform you of what events and groups I want to have photographed?
What about proofs and negatives?
Who will be the photographer at our wedding?
Our wedding is not in South Bend, Indiana. Will you travel?
What is required to reserve a date?
How do I contact Zeta-Alpha Studio?

Q. What is "Wedding Photojournalism?"

A. Wedding Photojournalism has emerged in the past decade as an alternative to the traditional portrait oriented style of wedding photography. The journalistic wedding photographer attempts to document the events of your wedding as they happen, with little or no intrusion. Often wedding photojournalists will start their documentation with images of the preparation, and continue photographing well into the reception, with the goal of creating a wedding album that resembles the classic "photo essay" made famous in publications such as Life, Look and National Geographic. Fans of wedding photojournalism feel that the images better capture the true emotions of the wedding event, while at the same time allowing the bride and groom to enjoy their time with family and friends.


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Q. Do you photograph formal portraits as well?

A. Absolutely. I always make sure to collect a list of the formal portraits you need well before your wedding date. You are assured of getting all of the posed photographs you request - in addition to any groupings you happen to think of on the spot at your wedding.


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Q. How many photographs will you take?

A. I capture at least 1000 images during a typical wedding day. I will deliver at least 300 images for you to proof. In most cases, I will capture many more images during the course of your wedding day. All my wedding photos are taken with a digital camera, so there will never be charges for additional film or processing.


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Q. What kind of cameras do you use?

A. Zeta-Alpha Studio is from the ground-up a digital studio, and I am committed to utilizing whatever tools and technologies are needed to reliably provide my wedding clients with high quality photographs and albums that will last for generations.

I shoot exclusively with Nikon Professional bodies & lenses. Nikon Nikkor lenses are generally accepted as the finest photographic imaging lenses in the world.


Cameras:
1 Nikon D200 10.2mp DSLR body
2 Nikon D70 6.0mp DSLR bodies

Lenses:
Nikon 80-200/2.8G VR IF-ED AF-S DX Lens
Nikon 17-55/2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX Lens
Nikon 10.5/2.8G ED DX Fisheye Lens
Nikon 300mm/2.8G VR IF-ED AF-S Lens
Nikon 50mm 1.4 D Lens
Nikon 18-70/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Lens
Nikon 24-120/3.5-5.6 VR IF AF-S G ED Lens

Storage & Lighting:
3 Nikon SB-800DX Speedlights
47 Gigabyes of Compact Flash Storage
Apple Powerbook Notebook Computer


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Q. Is black and white photography included, or would there be an additional charge?

I love color photography, but my true passion is black and white imaging -- thus, there is no additional charge for black and white photography. Most digitally captured images are available either as black and white or color images. If you see a color image that you'd like in black and white, or vice-versa, all you have to do is ask!


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Q. Do I have to inform you of what events and moments I want to have photographed?

A. Couples (as well as parents, etc.) are always encouraged to let me know about any specific photographs that are desired, and I provide a simple questionnaire that can help organize the most important photographs. However, if no specific instructions are given, rest assured that I will photograph all of the highlights of the wedding day while you enjoy your wedding celebration.


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Q. What about proofs and negatives?

A. Because of the large number of images produced at a typical wedding, traditional photographic proofs are not normally included – although they are available as an add-on option. Instead I use a sophisticated but user-friendly computer imaging system, with images posted on your own Internet website. Using this gallery, you can select and order images, frames, albums, and album pages. Your wedding website will let you share images with friends and family literally around the world.

Most of my packages include a Windows & Macintosh compatible DVD-ROM containing ALL of the your photographs taken at your wedding. Digital negatives are also available as an add on option for packages that do not include them.

All final printed images are professionally printed to provide the highest level of quality and stability, insuring that your wedding photographs will be appreciated by future generations.


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Q. Who will be the photographer at our wedding?

The photographer you meet with will always be the photographer who documents your wedding day. Rest assured that when you choose Zeta-Alpha Studio to document your wedding, Matthew is the photographer who will show up on your wedding day - you'll never be switched to someone you've never met and who's documentary and visual style doesn't match your expectations.


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Q. Our wedding is not in South Bend, Indiana. Will you travel?

I am certainly willing to travel to any location, as my schedule allows. I frequently travel to Chicago, Michigan, Ohio and Indianapolis to photograph weddings. In addition to the "local" travel, I have traveled to Missouri, California, and Wisconsin to document weddings. Please be sure to contact me of you'd like to see samples from any of my "destination" weddings. You will be responsible for travel expenses incurred if the wedding is more than 50 miles from my studio, in addition to the normal fees.


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Q. What is required to reserve a date?

A retainer deposit of 1/3 the value of your package is due upon contract signing, with the second third of your package due 6 months before your wedding and the remainder due 2 weeks before the wedding.


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Q. How do I contact Zeta-Alpha Studio?

You can contact Zeta-Alpha Studio via phone or email to discuss availability for your event.
phone: 574-315-1608
email: photography@zeta-alphastudio.com
or head on over to the contact info page


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