Creative Moment-Driven Photography

Russ Hickman Photography



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Hi, I'm Russ. I grew up in the south and having lived in NYC for a few years after college, I now call Philadelphia my home. I love TV and could watch movies all day long. I have two hilarious dogs, a welsh corgi named Jackson and a chihuahua/dachshund named Benny. When it comes to photography, I'm all in. I put everything into it... my energy, my humor, my time and there is nothing else I would rather do. If you see me outside of a job, I always have a camera on me because I just feel weird without one at my side. I absolutely love creating photographs that tell a story. I want you to look at my images and feel the emotion of what they are feeling. I'm constantly trying new ideas and pushing myself to become a better photographer. As a wedding and portrait photographer, I get to meet so many amazing people who let me share in some of the best days of their lives. Each story is unique and I can't wait to hear yours!

about me

The Investment

Choosing a wedding photographer to capture one of the most important days of your lives isn't easy. I totally get that. You're preaching to the choir. I'm confident one of my collections will meet your needs, and if not, we can work together to build the perfect collection just for you. My wedding collections start at $3200. Email or call for more information! 

Are you interested in a photographer for Head Shots, Portrait, Family or Corporate Events? I'm your man! Click the contact button below and inquire for more information on your photography needs!

Frequently asked Questions

First, give yourselves that hi-five we talked about earlier. Then jump on over to the contact section and send me an email. I can't wait to hear from you!!

What's the next step?

Of course you should! I would love to work with you. I do strongly believe that you have to click with your photographer because that is when you get the best images. I'm going to share in one of the most important days of your lives, so not only do I want you to love my images but I want you to love me...or at least like me a heck of a lot. So let's meet for coffee and talk about what you have planned. Or if you're out of town, we can always discuss it over Skype!

Should we hire you?

Let me just say that I have never missed a booked date. Ever. If your wedding or event is happening, I'm going to be there. If I have to cancel due to a major illness or any other fault of my own, I will refund your retainer and, if I'm able, assist you in finding a replacement photographer. That being said, I want to stress again that I've never missed a wedding. Your wedding day is important to me and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

What happens if you don't show up?

I accept cash, cashier's check, money order, visa, mastercard, discover and american express. I also accept hi-fives but only when accompanied with one of the forms of payment previously stated.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Since I do not book more than one wedding or event on the same day, I require a 50% non-refundable retainer to reserve your date. That retainer is applied toward your total package price. I book dates on a first come first serve basis so this makes sure your date is yours!

Do you require a deposit to book a date and is it refundable?

Some of my wedding collections include the high resolution digital negatives with a signed license for reproduction. These are good for producing as many prints as you want.

What about the negatives and reproduction rights?

You know it! The details are so important. You spent forever deciding how you want your wedding to look and after the whirlwind of a day is over, I want you to be able to experience the day all over again through my pictures.

Do you photograph all the details? Shoes, flowers, rings, etc.?

Approximately 6 weeks, with a teaser just days after you say 'I Do'!

How long will it take to see our pictures?

I offer two styles of albums. A Fine Art Album and a Modern Album. Both are beautiful and have super high quality archival print layouts. All you have to do is choose a style and select your pictures. I'll take care of the rest! 

Do you offer albums?

You can totally get prints! I have partnered with a professional photo lab that allows me to offer you (and your family and friends) the ability to order a wide range of prints, books, albums, and other products directly from your custom proof web gallery. You can even crop or change the tone (color, black and white, or sepia) with the click of your mouse. I've even started printing on metal and bamboo, which is so cool! 

You shoot digital. Does that mean I can't get prints?

No! Not at all!...yes. 

Do you really treat your equipment better than your friends?!

Geeky gear talk! I'm all Nikon all the time. While I bring multiple cameras to every wedding or event, I shoot with two amazing Nikon D750 cameras and I'm in love with them. In my bag I carry about 7 flashes and a bunch of lenses and radio triggers. I also try and bring out my Yashica D medium format to get at least 1 or 2 portraits on actual film at each wedding. I use multiple methods of back-up to keep your photos safe from loss due to equipment failure. Fortunately, there has never been a need to revert to my back-ups. That's probably because I treat my equipment better than I treat my friends. 

What type of equipment do you use?

Absolutely! I love destination weddings and can't wait to shoot yours!

Do you travel for weddings?

I shot my first wedding in 1998 and still have a blast at each wedding I shoot! 

How long have you been shooting weddings?

Absolutely. This is especially important not only for peace of mind, but many venues require this. A bit of advice -- think long and hard before going with an uninsured photographer. There are too many what-if's in this world to risk it. 

Are you insured? 

I sure am! I'm happy to be a member of ISPWP, Fearless Photographers and the Professional Photographers of America! 

Are you a member of any photography groups or associations?  

I am the primary photographer and I have personally shot all of the photos you see on this site. That being said, you can't go wrong adding a second shooter to your package and I totally recommend it! 

Do you work alone? 

What about when you're not shooting weddings? 

While wedding photography is my primary focus, I am also available for portraits, head shots, website photography, corporate events, parties, family reunions, or whatever else you can throw at me. Basically if you need something photographed I'm the man to do it. 

My style combines story telling with raw emotion. I want you to feel it. I draw inspiration from everything around me, combining photojournalism, editorial and fashion into your unique story.

What's your style?

-Liz & Peter

Russ is absolutely incredible. Two weeks before our wedding we decided to switch wedding photographers. Russ was willing to fly from PA to NH the morning of our wedding and rush to meet us for pictures. He even had a wedding the night before and must have been exhausted (not that he let us see that!). He alleviated SO much stress and anxiety and we did not regret the decision one bit. He is incredibly professional and fun to work with. My fiance and I were so comfortable and we absolutely loved having him around. He showed us pictures as he went along and they were gorgeous. He knows how to use the light (and lack of it!) to make beautiful images. I would recommend Russ to anyone!

-Lindsay & Adam

Russ is amazing! He feels like your best friend and brother at the wedding. My husband hates photos and he had so much fun with Russ and even made a comment at the honeymoon that he wished Russ was with us to take photos! He has such a great eye and is able to work so quickly you can have photos in multiple locations without feeling rushed. He talked the hotel into allowing us on the roof! Our photos are amazing and I know Russ will do our family photos for years to come and remain our friend! I would pay double for him and never regret it!

-Avi & Brian

Good photographs were something that my husband & I agreed would be worth having. We could not have picked a better photographer to be a part of our special day. Russ Hickman is truly an artist. His style and eye for beauty is one of a kind. It was such a joy to have him capture so many special moments and work so hard to keep the memory of our day alive for many years to come. I can't tell you how many guests as well as our entire wedding party complimented Russ and his capabilities. He has so much talent and he is also so personable and becomes your friend. There is not one downside to having Russ Hickman be a part of your big day, we recommend him for any and all special occasions you may have! Thank you Russ!!! 

-Jessica & Shane

Russ was an absolute delight to work with! We couldn't be happier with our choice to hire him for our engagement and wedding photos. He did not miss a single detail or photo opportunity, and his experience in the industry really shines through in real time and in his finished work. His kind heart, genuine honesty, sense of humor and flexibility, I think, set him apart from other vendors that you will work with. You spend your entire wedding day with your photographer, and we truly feel that we gained a friend in Russ. He was very patient and receptive to our ideas, and always open to chat about them to help us achieve our vision. He has mastered the delicate balance of being direct and getting the job done, without reducing the sentiment of the most important day of your life. We were so thrilled with our engagement photos and are even happier with our wedding photos! If you are looking for a photographer with a creative impulse and an artistic eye, you will love what Russ does with your day. We've gotten so many compliments on the uniqueness of both our wedding and engagement photos, and we couldn't agree more! Bottom line: if you work with Russ you will have FUN and beautiful and thorough documentation of your special day, and if you're lucky, even a new friend :)

-Patrick & Daniel

Russ went above and beyond to not only conduct an amazing photo session but he did it with a great balance of professionalism and levity. His demeanor and masterful execution caused us to get the most out of each location. His keen perception allowed him to craft and achieve authentic pictures of my fiancé and I. His artistry was palpable and collaborative as he always checked in with us to make sure we were comfortable and happy. Also, as someone who is not a Chicago Native, he made sure that he had researched areas and familiarized himself with the city beforehand. This level of preparation really amazed us. And probably most important was that Patrick and I had fun! A lot of fun! We have amazing pictures but we also have fantastic memories of that day. Not only does Russ provide excellent service, he also brings his genuine self. He is kind, patient and hilarious. Spending time with him was a treat in itself. I couldn't imagine having anybody else making these memories with us.

Got questions? I've got answers! Wanna talk about your wedding, those portraits you can't wait to get, your day, the best TV shows out right now, your favorite color? I'd love to hear from you and I'm ready for it! I'm based in the greater Philadelphia area and absolutely travel, so fill out that info and lets make some amazing images together!

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Russ@russhickman.com
215-791-3224

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