WEDDINGS
Is hiring a wedding photographer worth it? This is probably the biggest question most brides have when deciding on wedding photography. Think about it this way: so much time, effort, and money go into creating the perfect wedding day, do you really want to put the job of capturing it all in the hands of an amateur? You probably wouldn’t hire someone to make your wedding cake that has only done a few of their kid’s birthday cakes. No, you’d want to see previous examples of their work and know that they are not only capable of making a wedding cake, but capable of making it taste good and most importantly, getting it delivered on time.
So what separates an amateur from a pro? Just because someone has an expensive camera does not make them a pro. Yes, proper gear is important, but knowledge of how to use the gear is more important. Just like with the cake example, you’ll want to see examples of their work. Are they taking the types of pictures you want to see of your wedding day? If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, reach out to potential photographers and ask for examples. Furthermore, experience is crucial. An experienced wedding photographer can be a lifesaver during your big day. They know the routine and know just the questions to ask to make sure nothing is missed or overlooked.
Lastly, I highly recommend doing a mini shoot like an engagement shoot with your potential wedding photographer. This is probably the best way to guarantee you will be happy with your wedding photographer. You will get to meet your photographer in person and get a feel for their work flow. It is also a great time to discuss dates, wedding plans, and any special requests you might have. The best part is if anything bothers you during your shoot you can always mention it to your photographer to make changes for the wedding day or decide to go with a different photographer. Remember, any small inconvenience during an engagement shoot will be magnified on the actual wedding day.
For this last reason, all of my wedding packages come with a free hour engagement session. I believe getting to know each other before the wedding is crucial for everything to go as smoothly as possible.
PACKAGES
I don’t believe in a one size fits all, so I have made my Wedding Packages as flexible as possible to meet the needs of each bride on her special day. The prices listed below are the starting points for building your custom wedding package. Every package will come with a one hour engagement session, personalized image gallery, a set number of downloadable images, the ability to buy extras, and easy-to-order custom prints, photo albums, and canvases. Things that will need to be factored in addition to the prices below will be travel, wedding party size, time spent on location, use of multiple locations, and use of a second photographer.
GETTING READY
Getting ready encompasses a large portion of your wedding day. Everything from hair and make-up, pre-celebrations with your besties, and the big moment of actually putting on your wedding dress with the help of the people closest to you. Then don’t forget about the groom and his posse. Shots of the best man helping the groom to get ready or groom party having a relaxing card game before the wedding are all shot now, during the preparation phase for the wedding. This is also the optimal time for the “First Look” pictures either with father and daughter or bride and groom.
CEREMONY
The big moment has finally come! Everyone is waiting breathlessly to catch a first glimpse of the bride. This collection of images will consist of pictures like a traditional first look, walking down the isle, the father giving his daughter away, first kiss, and so on. This will also include formal pictures of the wedding party and families of the bride and groom. These will either need to be taken right before the ceremony or right after. If possible it is always best to get as many done before the ceremony to not cause too much of a delay between the ceremony and the reception.
RECEPTION
The reception is where the party is! Everyone can breathe easier now that the I Do’s are over and it’s time for congratulations and toasting. Lots of things are happening at receptions like the cutting of the cakes, the first dance, mother/son and father/daughter dances, and of course you have the send-off. Let’s not forget the bouquet toss or the garter toss either!