David F. McKinney’s wedding photography has been called clean, crisp and classic.
“I try to maintain that in every presentation, from lighting to composition,” the photographer says. Gimmicks, says McKinney, come and go, but classic wedding photography is lasting and timeless. “The last thing I want is for someone to pick up their wedding album in 20 years and say, ‘What were we thinking?’” As one of the official photographers for the University of Kansas, McKinney is experienced in taking photographs in all kinds of venues, thinking on his feet when the situation deems necessary.
The photographer limits himself to photographing 15 to 20 weddings per year; that way, he doesn’t burn out and he’s able to forge a personal relationship with each couple so that he may fully attend to each of their unique wedding experiences. McKinney books clients from in and out-of-state. Rarely does he book clients who he has not yet met in person. During the initial consultations, which are always free, McKinney listen carefully to the future bride and groom in order to learn what their expectations are for their wedding photography. Although many samples of his work are online, McKinney shares his most recent work in person.
If the happy couple does decide to book DFM Photography, the next step is usually an engagement sitting. Almost all engagement photos are taken on-location, in Lawrence, Topeka, or Kansas City. But more than just photography, the engagement sitting is a opportunity for McKinney to learn even more about his clients and for his clients to learn more about him.
“It’s an opportunity for me to see something about the chemistry between them—it’s not about me, it’s about them.” For example, while some couples are prone to public displays of affection, others are more reserved, and either scenario is just fine with McKinney. Watching the couple interact not only gives him a notion of what he can expect from the couple at their wedding, but it gives him an idea of what kinds of photos they’ll be comfortable with him taking. After delivering the engagement prints, McKinney works closely with the couple to establishing a timeline for the wedding day.
McKinney’s website, www.dfmphotography.com, is a key part of his business philosophy, and perhaps unusual in the amount of information that is offered there.
“There’s nothing hidden,” he says. “I disclose a lot.” At his website, future brides and grooms can look through samples of McKinney’s photography, view his pricing and read his thoughts about personalized, romantic wedding photography. DFM Photography offers six wedding packages. The commonly chosen are the Silver, Gold and Platinum Packages. However, DFM Photography is more than willing to customize any package to fit a couple’s needs.
Photography is more than a business. It is a personal, creative mission of service to the couple. David McKinney truly enjoys every wedding and every couple he photographs. “I put more into it and get more out of it than any other creative endeavor in my experience. It allows me to be more of who I am … it’s a gift I give myself and to the lucky couple.”
