Derek Chad Photography

r photographer to capture everything from our special day. I knew after speaking with Derek the first time that we were in the best hands. Just a word of caution, he books up fast so don't hesitate!!

m the start. He's extremely knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. He answered all of our questions and even offered advice on what to ask and look for with other photographers so we could make a good comparison. We're thrilled that we chose Derek. He and his team were professional, attentive and extremely easy (and fun!!) to work with. We got the finished product 2 weeks after the event and could not be happier. He captured everything perfectly.

tion was I willing to cheap out on a photographer. I received dozens of recommendations from friends and family. I would look at their work, but nothing really impressed me. One day I was browsing through a random website and someone posted some pictures of their wedding. The pictures were incredible. They had the Derek Chad watermark on them. I thought it was a long shot considering the pictures could have been taken anywhere in the world. As luck would have it, Derek was local to us. We looked through some of Derek's online galleries and all of his work was excellent. We decided to go with him. We figured it would be a good idea to schedule an engagement session so we could meet Derek in advance, get to know his style, give him an opportunity to meet with us and learn what we were looking for. Taking photos can be a bit awkward. Derek made it fun. I'm not sure what he does, but he's a true artist. He has the eye for this type of photography. Anyone can buy an expensive DSLR camera and take pretty decent pictures. However, the artistry behind the picture is what separates a decent wedding photographer from a true master and artist. Derek is definitely an artist. You will hear from people that your wedding night will feel like a split second. I can verify that this is totally true. A 5 hour wedding party honestly feels like it was 15 minutes long. An amazing 15 minutes. Unfortunately, my brain was just not able to process all the memories because a mix of all the adrenaline, all the people I met with, and the constant moving around. If there's any piece of advice I can give you, it's spend the money for an excellent wedding photographer. Going back and looking at the pictures not only reminds you of the parts of the night you can't remember, it also gives you a chance to relive many of those moments. On a side note, Derek is really fast at getting you the final pictures. No waiting for weeks or months here. In short, I could not be happier with Derek and the pictures he took.

him again in the future. Derek Chad is amazing!

ouldn't have been any more perfect and I owe it all to Derek. He was able to pick so many beautiful places to photograph. He was easy to get along with and quick to reply back while I was (secretly) planning the whole thing. He made sure that the both of us were comfortable and you can just tell he has the passion for what he does and the natural ability to make you feel beautiful / handsome on your big day. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to have breathtaking pictures and memories to look back on!

d he was extra flexible and patient with them on the wedding day (being a dad himself). He turned the pics around very quickly, and they were stunning! He captured all of the special moments, all of the planned shots, and got interesting angles we never would have thought of on top of it.

ard all of our concerns and preferences and made sure to meet all of them. We received our pictures from him less than a week after our wedding day and we absolutely LOVE them!!! He's truly given us the best means for remembering our wedding.

ne ratings. Right away I was impressed by his professionalism, excitement, and friendliness. Derek generously fit us into his already busy schedule. We coordinated the time and place and a signal for when I would distract Michelle and get down on one knee. And Derek captured it all! I only expected about 15 photos, but within 1 week, he sent us OVER 40 wonderfully retouched and shot photos. He was a pleasure to shoot with and was great at making both me and my new bride-to-be comfortable and encouraged during the shoot. Derek was equally wonderful when we hired to shoot our wedding in May. He did a great job of getting the sweet and intimate moments with Michelle and I, and also wrangling our 3 separate family groups and getting pictures of 20+ person shots with everyone's eyes open, smiling and looking the same direction. Even the kids! Everyone talked about how fun and pleasant Derek and his team were to work with that day. If you can, absolutely incorporate Derek Chad in whatever in your life needs photographed. Thanks Derek!! -Craig

th his incredible portfolio sealed the deal. When he arrived on site (and way on time) he engaged with every contact person and then joined us for the spectacular "getting ready pics." Derek's attention to detail and calm demeanor put us at ease. He was engaged through out the evening and delivered a set of pictures that have been, at least destined as special, and more frequently described as the best wedding pictures ever. Derek truly captured a very special day. You'd be lucky to have him.

ous, original, and casual yet sophisticated. Our whole family loves them. They are THE perfect memento of that incredible moment and we'll treasure them forever. Call him today!

Derek isn't simply a "photographer", he is an artist. His attention to detail is meticulous and it was a huge reason our photos turned out to be the very best wedding photos that I have ever seen. Our family and friends continue to rave about them and have posted and shared so much they may just crash all social media sites. ;-) I didn't think it was possible, but his photography moved me to tears.

ecial day!

turn around for the pictures, just a few days!

oth a great listener and super-clear about the information you need to make your decisions. He loves what he does. You hear it in his voice and feel it when he is setting up his shots. His recommendations demonstrate lots of experience, which you want with something this important. We are absolutely in love with his photos of our wedding. They have added an incredibly special and enduring dimension to the whole experience. Thank you, Derek!

st, quality, reviews and package contents (what you get for your $) assigning weights each criteria depending on its priority. Being an amateur photographer myself Derek's portfolio immediately caught my eye. His shots were all well framed and cropped and his images weren't your typical wedding fare. Derek eventually won out in this mini photographer battle royale and was excellent in the role. He arrived hours earlier than scheduled and took photos of my bride at the hotel and he even brought an assistant (additional photographer) on the day to take photos of the details. Derek is quite expensive but the quality of his work speaks for itself. We got >500 photos from the day and all were very well cropped and framed. The couple that he attempted digital affects (blur) on weren't really to my liking but the originals were included as well so I see this as a perk. Derek was a joy to deal with and brought a casual air to how he went about his work. He managed the children extremely well and this made the whole process a lot easier.

to my wedding because he wanted to make sure we were totally on the same page going in to the big day. As a result I was comfortable and felt like he was just another friend hanging around to make my day special. As a bonus, the pictures came out FLAWLESSLY. Derek Chad is the sweetest, most professional and FUN photographer. If you're lucky enough to snag him when he's free, I promise you will be so happy with the results!

t at capturing a variety of shot, and directed us confidently but without feeling like a drill instructor. Best of all was his enthusiasm and excitement for the whole event - especially when you're feeling nervous, he reminds you easily about what a happy day it is. Technically, Derek is fantastic. His sense of lighting and depth of field are excellent. He's also quite good at capturing spur-of-the-moment and action shots. Several of our friends ordered prints from him, because they liked them so much. Before, during, and after the event, Derek was a delight to work with. He surprised us every step of the way with his thoughtful communication, his thorough planning and set-up, and his absolutely impeccable follow-though and genuine interest in making sure we were happy with his services. We both give Derek Chad Photography the highest recommendation.

ime. Derek really delivered on this vision and then some. He prepared just enough and executed perfectly the day of making adjustments to still get the photos that were important to us and our family. His calm presence and confidence allowed to capture greet images and show his talent. Thank You, Leane and Jen

me as a bride. I love how he interacts with the people he is photographing, he is so fun and outgoing and by the end of my wedding everyone was asking to take photos with him! I have looked at my photos a million times and each time I do, they still leave me breathless.

less-than-ideal situations. For our engagement shoot, the light kept changing and we were sometimes getting chased around by security guards around the area, which made it all the more amazing when we got our photos back and saw nothing but knockout after knockout! Then on our wedding day, in spite of the fact that we only had about 4 hours with him, we found several locations in and around our venue that made for some really great shots! You can tell Derek cares about his craft by how he poses his subjects (when necessary), how he knows when to get a laugh out of family members, and how gracious he is towards all wedding guests. A nice little bonus was how fast we got our photos back too - my husband and I left for Bali a few weeks after our wedding day, and we weren't expecting our wedding photos to come before the trip! Nearly all of our friends who are married said their wedding day was a huge, joyful blur. Mine was no different, but we're definitely glad to have had a photographer like Derek whose work makes that blur a little clearer and easier to remember!

inning he was very professional, and he had lots of patience (catching the perfect moment is not that easy), he also had great suggestions which we really appreciated. He was on time and responded to all our inquiries right away. Our family was very happy with the final product and so did we. He actually was very kind and took extra time at no charge just to make sure he had the perfect shots.

ing I mean he really goes of his way to get the best picture. Also is a plus he's very funny, sweet and caring. Took some of the best pictures I've seen in a long time.

ments within the wedding (and reception) that typically go unnoticed. His use of a drone also made for some amazing shots and an inspiring video. The end result is a lifetime of memories captured on film. I can't recommend Derek Chad Photography enough.

ry ways, and his work was flawless. We are so happy to have so many wonderful pictures of their happy day, thanks to Derek Chad Photography!

lfilling - he exceeded every expectation! Our August San Diego wedding is very memorable thanks to his work. His photography style is what initially caught our attention - it has a very natural, crisp, artistic and contemporary vibe that captures moments in very special ways - the quality is absolutely worth every bit of its value. To further add to the photography experience, Derek and his team are genuinely friendly and professional. Communications were prompt, all details were clear and accurate, and the support and comfort he provided throughout the process was one of a kind. Derek maintains very open and friendly lines of communication: he provided great recommendations and suggestions, he remained flexible and open to our requests, and collaborated so well with our other wedding vendors. Overall, he supported our wedding with such a positive attitude we were so grateful to have. After the wedding, his communication and support continued. We received the pictures incredibly quick, and are extremely happy with the results - the quality is top-notch. We also purchased his photo book option on which he got to work immediately! - we had in our hands, amazing photos in a beautiful book in such a short time after our wedding, that we still felt in that moment. We also really appreciated his use of technology to make the process so easy: everything from his website, his prompt email communications, an online invoice system, the photo gallery and photo book editor, made the whole process so enjoyable. We highly recommend Derek Chad Photography to all of our friends and family, and hope to work with him on other projects in the future.

olutely incredible set of photos and video that documented our special day! I would highly recommend Derek Chad to anyone who is looking for a photographer!

nderful guys you will ever meet. We can't talk highly enough about how much he went above and beyond for our wedding. He arrived a day early to ensure every last detail was covered; from our rings, to my dress, our shoes, the Vermont leaves and stunning close ups of my husband's uniform. He took extra trips to our venue, (a whole 40 minutes away from where we were all staying), to shoot photos of the venue and grounds. Both of our families to this day still remark on how much they enjoyed and loved our photographer. Once the wedding was over, we were amazed how quickly we received our photos. We had them back before our honeymoon was even over! He had captured our day beautifully and we were so pleased. Not only is Derek such a pleasure to work with, his photography never disappoints. We will forever be his number one fans and HIGHLY recommend him to anyone. He truly is the best at what he does!

o anyone I come in contact with.

ly fun to work with on the wedding day. Derek was flexible on timing, and even was willing to travel to Huntington Beach for our wedding at no extra cost. He was fun and laid back on the wedding day. He has been prompt in responding to every email I have sent- whether a request or question or just a check in. AND what I find most amazing of all, he finished our pictures before my husband and I had even made it back from our 6 day honeymoon! The pictures are top quality, and everything we wanted- and I am extremely picky- my father is a professional wedding photographer, but of course he wanted to be able to enjoy the day with us and not be working. We were very choosy when we asked Derek to do our photos, and we are absolutely thrilled that he was willing to do them. Have Derek take your wedding photos, just do it. He is amazing.

e couldn't agree more.The pictures came out great and the video he put together for us made the relatives that couldn't be there feel as if they were. We would definately use him again in the future and Highly recommend him to anyone that wants the most natural and beautiful pictures.

for our wedding. While there are many good photographers out there, there are only a handful of great WEDDING photographers. Derek is one of them. Just because a photographer can take a good picture of a landscape or flower doesn’t mean they know how to capture those special moments during a wedding - whether candid or posed, intimate or communal. Derek has this knowledge and skill and his photos are the proof. When we found his website and looked through his portfolio, we quickly realized he was something special. Once we talked to him, we knew he needed to be our photographer. Derek is extremely friendly and accommodating. He listened closely and asked appropriate questions to determine the things that were important to us. Some of our requests such as a “photo booth” for our guests were a bit outside his normal scope, but he was able to make all of our wishes happen. He stayed in contact with us and was extremely quick to respond. During the photo sessions, Derek's manner put us at ease immediately. His directions were clear and comfortable and often funny. Our guests loved him and his staff. During the ceremony and reception, Derek and his staff were unobtrusive yet still got every important shot. Derek delivered the photos even quicker than we expected after the wedding, and he provided many options for us. He even took care of submitting our photos to be featured on various websites and magazines (after asking our permission). We especially liked that Derek had plenty of experience photographing same-sex couples and understood how the dynamic is just a little different for posing and photographing a same-sex couple. All in all, we cannot adequately write a review that captures just how happy we are with his service. We HIGHLY recommend Derek Chad Photography.

for our wedding day needs and photography wishes, which included shooting in two very different locations on event day. He was super responsive, leading up to the event as well as after--especially with the all-important delivery of the final photography. And, what amazing work it turned out to be! Communications about what the packages entailed was outlined clearly, and everything was delivered in an organized, timely, straightforward manner. Also key to mention: As a same-sex couple, we were not looking for a completely conventional wedding day event, and Derek got that immediately, providing ideas and guidance for approaching the day's photography a bit different/unique. And, last but not least, we certainly aren't going to complain about the features/coverage he and his team managed to get online on some reputable sites (I think that speaks a ton for the quality of his photography).

ter our wedding and they are absolutely stunning! You will not regret signing with Derek!

OPED HE WOULD, AND FAR MORE THAT WE DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT OR ANTICIPATE! DEREK IS FUN, EASY-GOING, AND A DELIGHT TO WORK WITH; HE MADE SHOOTING WITH HIM REMARKABLY COMFORTABLE. HE HAS A FUN CREATIVE EYE THAT ADDED A UNIQUENESS AND QUALITY THAT IS UNSURPASSED. THE IMAGES ARE BRIGHT, SHARP, COLORFUL AND OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY ONE WOULD WANT. WE RECOMMEND CHOOSING DEREK CHAD PHOTOGRAPHY OVER ALL OTHERS. WE CAN'T EXPRESS HOW HAPPY AND PLEASED WE ARE WITH DEREK AND ARE AMAZED WITH HOW HE EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS. THANKS TO DEREK, THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF OUR LIVES WAS BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURED. CORY & RANDY

. Derek is extremely patient and waits for just the right moment to capture each picture whether you know it or not. His pictures are so true to form and has such an incredible eye for detail that when you look at your pictures, you can feel the very essence of each photograph. Derek photographed our wedding and was able to catch each moment so that we were able to re-create the wedding in our minds as the day was such a blur to us. He takes the time to get to know you personally and he was on-time with the delivery of his pictures! He also provides you with a link to your pictures and sends a thumb drive with all the pictures. Derek is extremely talented and I would recommend his services to anyone wanting to capture their special day in astonishing quality!

g pictures are remarkable, and it's because of his eye to detail. He captured every beautiful moment of the most important day of my life and I am beyond grateful to have been able to work with him. I would highly recommend Derek and his team for weddings, events, birthdays, etc. - we certainly will! Our wedding will last a lifetime because of your beautiful photography. Thank you, Derek!!!

and staying in touch and since I am from out of town, he was extra helpful in the planning stages of where to pop the question. His approach was perfect for us and I couldn't have asked for a better turn out. While I was looking for someone to take these photographs, I was also looking for someone who we would begin a relationship with where we would ask them to photograph the wedding and we both cannot wait for him to be there on the big day. We were extremely impressed and overjoyed with the results. It was shocking to me how quickly he had the final product for us and we will cherish those moments forever. I highly recommend Derek Chad Photography! - A Very Pleased Groom To Be (Chris V.)

e the process fun! They were very friendly, outgoing, and engaging to everyone in attendance and were able to orchestrate shots in a very natural manner. Our family and friends raved at how great they were. We also have four-year-old boy-girl twins, and Derek and Nancy did an amazing job at keeping them focused and excited. Artistically, they captured some amazing shots and expertly framed and chose beautiful and interesting backgrounds. They also captured spontaneous moments perfectly. Their photos tell a story and the emotion, light-heartedness, laughter, and love immediately come across. From a technical perspective, the photos were superb and the attention that they gave to lighting, angles, framing, etc, provided perfect results. Professionally, we couldn't have asked for more. Derek was always immediately responsive, whether it be by phone, text, e-mail, or Facebook. We had to re-schedule our engagement session two or three times, and he was flexible and understanding. He met with us personally multiple times to plan, discuss, and deliver his work. We never felt rushed or pressured, and he was always attentive to our questions and ideas. Apart from the photos, Derek also provided a video slideshow of the engagement session which was so good, we made an impromptu, last minute decision to show it at the reception. He chose an absolutely perfect song which was just a testament to thought and level of detail he puts into his artistry and work. The slideshow was one of the big hits of the night! It brought many happy tears to our family and friends. We could go on endlessly, but the bottom line is Derek's professionalism and enthusiasm for his work is top-tier. We'd encourage anyone needing a photographer to visit his website and see his amazing work. With Derek as your photographer, you'll have had a fun and exciting ride, have stories and memories captured in exquisite and beautiful detail, and feel like you've made a great friend in the process!

ture the right moments. When we found Derek online, we knew he was the right one for us. His gallery of opposite- and same-sex couples celebrating their engagements and marriages clearly showed his skill in capturing the emotional quality of the event. I’m happy to report that our wedding turned out perfect, and working with Derek was an absolute pleasure. He contacted us right before the wedding to make sure expectations were clear, and he followed up after the wedding with great photos and a classy presentation. We will cherish our celebration and the beautiful photos of it forever.

ictures!! We recently had new baby pictures taken as a repeat performance. Lovely!! I very highly recommend Derek Chad Photography!

and we are both very thankful that we took this advice. Derek Chad Photography did an excellent job of capturing our special day and the special moments in time throughout the event. Derek went out of his way to study the best shots and create an albumn that was reflective of our personalities. Derek made the process easy and fun and it did not feel like we were posing for multiple pictures. He truly captured the essence of the day. We were both thrilled with the end product and continue to reflect back on the pictures even today! JT