TIP 1: STYLE
I would say the most important thing about your wedding photographer is that you LOVE their style! There are many styles to choose from, make sure their style resonates with you and represents you well. In the age of photo taking and sharing it is easy to get lost in the sea of colors, light and airy, or dark and moody. Over a decade of photographing. I spent most my 20’s learning with film and experimenting with styles. I have come to love the “dark and moody” style and all the ways I can make it work for almost any situation.
TIP 2: ADAPTABILITY
Make sure to consider how seasoned your photographer is. Yes we all love a good deal, yet your friend who just bought a camera at Best Buy probably shouldn't be trusted with something as important as your wedding. that they can adapt to any given situation. Rain, snow, or sunshine. It is important that your photographer is ready for any situation. Traveling, indoor ceremony and receptions, bad lighting, or a desert storm pouring rain on you while you say I do. You need a photographer that can adapt without any warning or hesitation. I have been put in all these situations and it was only because I have spent most my life photographing that I always knew how to adapt.
TIP 3: PERSONALITY
Could you imagine how horrible it would be if you and your wedding photographer didn’t mesh well? I Make sure we take the time and care to schedule a free consultation over the phone which leads to an in -person/ video chat to make sure that we are 100% the perfect match for you. We are artistically guiding you through your wedding day and it is just as important to us as it is to you that it is a win-win and everyone feels comfortable. The goal is for the shoot to feel like friends hanging out, there just happens to be a camera around. The Engagement Photo Session is truly where we get to know one another. We like to think of this as a warm up.
TIP 4: THE ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SESSIONS
Engagement Sessions are one of the most important photo shoots when it comes to the working relations between you and your photographer. Almost all of our Brides express just how awkward they feel in front of the camera. Rest assured Guiding you through this experience is something I am best known for. This is where we really get to see how we interact together. This is where you get to experience just how quickly I can make you feel relaxed, natural, and looking your best in front of the camera.
TIP 5: VIEW A WHOLE GALLERY OR TWO
If you can, see if your potential wedding photographers have a few “Full Galleries” for potential client viewing so that you can get a more in depth look at their work. We live in a world full of Instagram marketing so most of us photographers are just showing off what we think will get the most likes and comments. A closer look will show you how well your photographer does in every situation. Will you find a gallery full of posed generic photos, or hundreds of beautifully documented moments of life unfolding all around you? Remember you will miss plenty of treasured moments happening with family and guests, the candid real life moments are always the best. Thankfully what I love most is capturing these intimate moments of life.
TIP 6: THE WEDDING DAY
You have spent all the time doing all the research to find your perfect wedding photographer. It is time for you to relax and just live in the moment of your day as best you can. Your wedding photographer should not be a stress point for you, in fact they should bring a sense of calmness. Helping you feel at ease knowing that they are working hand in hand with all the other vendors to make sure your day is flawless. It is an honor to be tasked with the responsibility of capturing all the beautiful life moments unfolding at your wedding. This is where I enjoy the process the most. Naturally flowing with the tide of the wedding, capturing this once in a lifetime event. You live in the moment and I will photograph the rest.
TIP 7: LOGISTICS; CONTRACTS & TIMELINES
Contracts are the best tool for both client and photographer. It states a clear understanding of what to expect. From Dates of events, contact info, payment plans, delivery of gallery and an estimate of how many photos to expect, artistics rights, client usage, copyrights, rescheduling, cancelations and pretty much everything you can think of. These are real contracts written by real lawyers alongside photographers to make sure it simply protects both parties.
I normally try to send a sneak peak the night of, or by the absolute latest the next afternoon. My contract says 12 weeks for delivery of full gallery by the absolute latest, yet I am known for delivery in record time.