10 Things to Ask a Potential Wedding Photographer
Finding the right vendor for you can be tough, especially the right photographer. After all, they’re capturing the most important day of your life! It’s crucial to ask the right questions so you have all the information you need before making a decision. Here’s a few things I think you should ask before making things official.
10 Things to Ask a Potential Wedding Photographer
Finding the right vendor for you can be tough, especially the right photographer. After all, they’re capturing the most important day of your life! It’s crucial to ask the right questions so you have all the information you need before making a decision. Here’s a few things I think you should ask before making things official.
1. What’s your photography style?
There are various kinds of wedding photography out there. Styles such as photojournalism/documentary, traditional, and fine art are all common among wedding photographers (or some combination, like me). It’s OK if you don’t know the difference, just ask your potential photographer to describe their work to get an idea of their photography style. It helps to see if you are a good fit!
2. Do you have a team?
Depending on the size of the company, a photographer may have a few other employees that shoot weddings, therefore the person you’re speaking with may not be your day-of photographer. If the person works solo, like me, then they’ll be the one capturing your big day, potentially with the help of a second shooter to make sure every moment is documented.
3. How long have you been photographing weddings?
You’ll want to get a sense of how long your wedding photographer has been in the business and what their workload is like. Understanding their experience can help you make an informed decision.
4. Can I see examples of your work?
This is an important one! Be sure to ask for recent examples so you can get a sense of their photography style. This will be very helpful for deciding if they are the right photographer for you. You’ll want to see more than their best work, so make sure to check out a full wedding album.
5. What is your favorite part of photographing weddings?
This question gives you an idea of what your photographer is drawn to, and what their favorite part of the day is. Their answer will give you a little insight into who they are as an artist, and what aspects of the day they focus on.
6. Have you worked with my planner before?
If they say yes, your wedding planner is a good person to ask for a third party review of the photographer. You can get outside input of the photographer’s style and work ethic. Your planner and photographer will work like a team, making sure you stick to your wedding day timeline.
7. What does your package include?
You’ll want to find out what exactly is included in a wedding day package. You’ll want to ask if it includes an engagement session, photographer for pre- and post-wedding events, and editing and retouching your images in post-production. You should also take this opportunity to figure out if the package is at all customizable, so you can add or subtract things based on your needs.
8. What is the backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding?
If your photographer is unable to shoot your wedding last minute due to an illness or emergency, you should know what the plan will be. Understanding this well in advance will prevent any future stress if something does happen. Always good to have a plan in place!
9. How do you manage the timeline?
You want your photographer to have good time management skills so you don’t miss any part of the wedding and stick to your wedding day timeline. For photography, good light is key, so asking about sneaking out for sunset. Your photographer will love you for it, and you’ll get amazing images! Ask if they’d like to be included when developing the timeline so that everyone is on the same page.
10. Can I see a contract?
Before putting pen to paper, ask to see their contact. Read it over carefully and come back with any last minute questions. After those are answered you can make it official!
If you’re curious, you are always welcome to give me a call and ask questions!
5 Reasons Why Every Couple Should Do an Engagement Shoot
After the question is popped and celebrations have been had, the next thing you should think about is getting your engagement photos taken! Engagement photos have so many benefits - check out a few of them below.
5 Reasons Why Every Couple Should Do an Engagement Shoot
After the question is popped and celebrations have been had, the next thing you should think about is getting your engagement photos taken! Engagement photos have so many benefits - check out a few of them below.
It helps your photographer get to you know you
Your wedding photographer is going to be capturing one of the most exciting days of your life, so I believe it is important to get to know them beforehand. Think about it; you’re going to have a hair and makeup trial, you’re going to try on your wedding attire, and have a rehearsal for the ceremony - so why wouldn’t you do a test run with your photographer too? Having time to hang out together before your wedding gives me a sense of who you two are as a couple and the kind of chemistry you have. I’ll be able to pick out your personality quirks, how you flirt with each other, and be able to showcase that through the images
You’ll have professional photos to use pre-wedding
Try to get your engagement photos scheduled earlier rather than later so you can put them to good use throughout your engagement! You can include the shots on your wedding website for all of your guests to enjoy. You can also incorporate the shots on your save-the-date cards or in your guest book for your wedding day (Which I can create for you! Give me a call to see how). It’ll make things a lot easier than having to dig through years’ worth of pictures, trying to figure out which ones to use.
Reconnect with each other and capture this special part of your life
As you have probably figured out, wedding planning can be stressful. Trying to organize an event with hundreds of guests is definitely not a relaxing experience. This is supposed to be a magical time in your life! Your engagement period should be full of romance and reconnecting with one another. Allow me to help! We can have an afternoon of fun doing whatever it is you like to do as a couple. You’ll be able to look back at these images years from now and remember what a lovely afternoon you had together at the park or strolling down town. Plus, it’s an excuse to get all dolled up and take some gorgeous pictures with your significant other!
Practice for the big day
Chances are you haven’t had a professional photographer follow you around for hours snapping pictures of you doing everyday things. So it’s totally natural to feel a little nervous or uncomfortable. Let’s try to get those nerves and feelings of discomfort out of your system before your wedding day. You don’t want any awkward shots of you and your significant other on the big day, so take this time to practice a few poses and get relaxed in front of the camera! Once you see how great you both look in professional shots, you’ll be even more excited for the big day. You’ll also be used to my direction and feel much more comfortable when we’re shooting on your wedding day (and under a time crunch!).
Documenting your relationship
Use this as an opportunity to express yourselves as a couple. We can shoot at your favorite hiking spot, at the café where you had your first date, or any other meaningful location. Use this as an opportunity to show who you are as a couple and let me capture your connection. I want to be able to highlight your personalities through my pictures, so feel free to include anything that reflects who you two are. Have a picnic, play with your dog, or cook breakfast at home. No matter what, I’ll be there to capture it all.
5 Golden Rules to Follow During Your Engagement Session
It’s totally normal to have a thousand questions about your engagement session before it happens, you’ve probably never been a part of one before! There’s no need to stress over it—it’s supposed to be a fun and exciting time for you and your fiancé(e). I’ve put together a couple of golden rules to abide by during your shoot. As long as you follow these, your pictures will be stunning, guaranteed.
5 Golden Rules to Follow During Your Engagement Session
It’s totally normal to have a thousand questions about your engagement session before it happens; you’ve probably never been a part of one before! There’s no need to stress over it—it’s supposed to be a fun and exciting time for you and your fiancé(e). I’ve put together a couple of golden rules to abide by during your shoot. As long as you follow these, your pictures will be stunning, guaranteed.
Relax and Get Comfortable
Unless you’re a celebrity, it may feel strange to be having a photographer follow you around. Some poses may feel unnatural from how you and your S.O. behave towards each other in real life, but I promise they will make for some spectacular photos if you just relax and enjoy yourself. Think about it as a practice photo shoot for your wedding day! It’s a good opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera, since you’ll have double the amount of pictures taken of you on the big day. Take this time to really enjoy the moment with your fiancé(e). Use it as a break from wedding planning and think of it as a great way to spend a few hours together. Keep in mind that this photo shoot will result in some amazing and frame-worthy pictures.
Think About Your Wardrobe
Think about where your photo shoot is happening and what kind of outfit you want to wear. If you’re getting your photos taken in PNC park, a ball gown is probably not the best choice. If your backdrop is a cityscape however, that might be a bit more appropriate. I also suggest you avoid wearing clothes with busy or distracting patterns so they don’t clash with your environment. I recommend items of clothing that are either neutral or bold, and solid colors so you and your S.O. really stand out from your background.Bring a few options with you so I can get shots of you and your S.O. in a couple of different looks. Consider bringing one casual look and something closer to cocktail attire (or black tie if you really want to go big!). You should also make sure that you and your S.O. wear outfits that go well together. No need to get super matchy, but you want to look good standing next to each other! Ladies, when it comes to jewelry, try not to wear anything too flashy that might distract from the real subject of the picture—you two.
Listen to your photographer
An engagement session is not only an opportunity for you and your S.O. to produce some stunning pictures, it’s a time to get to know me, your wedding photographer! I’m going to be right by your side throughout your big day, so it’s important we get comfortable with each other before then. I’ll work with you to find the most flattering angles and poses for both of you. Some of the poses I ask you to do may feel a bit odd, but trust me! I know what I’m doing and I’m only trying to get the best shots for both of you.
Location(s) matter
Choosing a location that is important to you will make the whole vibe of the shoot feel more casual and normal. If you have a favorite spot, let’s shoot there! Check out last week’s post for choosing the best spot for you. The point is, if you’re in an environment that is special to you two as a couple, the whole concept will feel more natural and fun, resulting in better images. If you have a few spaces that you want to use as a background, I can also make that work. Need help deciding between a few spots? I’m here to help.
Act Natural
Let me know prior to the shoot the kind of overall vibe and look you are going for. You want to make sure you’re staying true to yourselves as a couple. If you’re not a super PDA couple, you may not want every single picture to be of you two kissing. Let me know what kinds of images and poses don’t feel right for you so I can avoid them. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Have fun with this experience and really enjoy these moments I’m capturing. Remember that this is about you two showing off your love for one another, so relax and have fun!
The Pros and Cons of Having a First Look
One thing’s for sure when it comes to your wedding day—the moment you see your significant other for the first time, all dressed up for the occasion, is bound to be a memorable one. Some couples are choosing this moment to happen before they walk down the aisle, while others are sticking with the more traditional route and waiting until the ceremony to see each other. There’s no right or wrong choice, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few pros and cons to having one.
The Pros and Cons of Having a First Look at Your Wedding
One thing’s for sure when it comes to your wedding day—the moment you see your significant other for the first time, all dressed up for the occasion, is bound to be a memorable one. Some couples are choosing this moment to happen before they walk down the aisle, while others are sticking with the more traditional route and waiting until the ceremony to see each other. There’s no right or wrong choice, but if you’re on the fence, here are a few pros and cons to having one.
PROS
Take all your photos before the ceremony
Having a first look allows you to get most of the portraits out of the way before tying the knot. That way, after the ceremony, you can enjoy your cocktail hour, mingle with guests, or even eat dinner before the reception! Couples who wait until after the ceremony may miss out on parts of their own wedding or visiting with their guests, especially if the reception immediately follows.
You’ll feel less rushed
Wedding photos with your fiancé(e), wedding party and family will take up more time than you think (and with good reason). Your photographer will want to make sure you have a variety of perfect images to choose from, so you should allow anywhere from 1.5 – 2 hours for pictures. Trying to fit all of that in during a short cocktail hour can cause stress, which is the exact opposite of how you want to feel on your big day. Trust me, your tense emotions will show in the pictures. After the ceremony you can spend some time reflecting on the fact that you just got married instead of rushing to get photos taken.
You’ll feel more relaxed and attentive during your vows
Sure, I can understand thinking that seeing each other before the ceremony will take all the excitement out of the walk down the aisle, but in reality, it will still be just as thrilling. You’re walking down the aisle to get married! How can that moment ever lose its magic? The only difference is that the “first-time” jitters will be out of your system. Your mind will be clear and you can focus on the most important part of the day.
It’s a more intimate moment
When you walk down the aisle, it’s not just your significant other that will be seeing you for the first time all glammed up, all of your guests will be as well. Obviously, you want them to be a part of your special day, but the feeling of seeing each other with hundreds of eyes on you can make the whole thing feel more like a spectacle rather than an intimate moment. A first look lets you enjoy the raw and organic emotions with one another before everyone else gets to see you. You may even feel more comfortable letting your emotions out, since 100 people aren’t all watching you. Plus, their opinion and reaction is the only one that matters.
It makes for some creative & emotional photos
There are so many fun options for seeing each other for the first time. You can walk up behind your S.O., stand back to back, hold hands on opposite sides of a door, cover their eyes from behind—the options are endless! I’ve got some great innovative ideas for your first look, just ask!
CONS
The photos aren’t as authentic
Staging a moment to see each other for the first time isn’t going to feel as natural, bottom line. When you appear at the other end of the aisle, your reaction is going to be pure and raw. Something that’s planned could influence you to react (or not react) a certain way for the camera, instead of showing your truest emotions. When you hear the music, see the guests rise to their feet, and see your fiancé(e) waiting for you, there’s no hiding how you really feel.
It may lessen the importance of walking down the aisle
Walking down the aisle is a staple moment of anyone’s wedding day. It’s often something people picture when they find the outfit of their dreams, “I can see myself walking down the aisle in this”, it’s the moment you share with your parent(s), and the anticipation of finally exchanging vows is at an all-time high. Seeing each other before all of these emotions happen can make the whole thing feel a little less emotional.
You’ll have to be ready much earlier in the day
Since you’ll want to get all of your wedding photos out of the way before the ceremony, you’ll need to push up your wedding day timeline a bit. You’ll all need to be ready hours before your walk down the aisle, which, depending on your ceremony time, could be tough the night after your rehearsal dinner. Skipping a first look allows for a little extra shuteye.
Your wedding day attire might get dirty
If you’re taking pictures with your S.O., family and friends outside, you run the risk of getting your dress or suit dirty before you even exchange vows. Skipping a first look mitigates any unnecessary stress and you can wait until the last possible minute before getting dressed!
You’ll really be married when you take the photos
Think about it, these pictures will be sitting in frames around your home for the rest of your lives. Would it be weird to think that in them you’re not technically married yet? The authentic joy you feel after exchanging vows is absolutely something that warrants taking pictures. There are plenty of ways to schedule your wedding day so that you don’t feel rushed during the photo session, but there’s no way of substituting that “just married” feeling that’s sure to radiate in every photo captured.
HELP! How to Prevent Wedding Day Disasters | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer
Let's talk frankly - on your wedding day, something is going to go wrong. It always does. There's a lot of moving parts to a wedding, and sometimes things just happen. However, if you're prepared, this doesn't have to be a big deal. Usually the issues that arise are minor, and easily remedied. To help you get ready, here are some tips keeping things running smoothly!
Step ONe: Wedding Timeline
Part of having everything go smoothly is having a well thought out wedding timeline (which is why I meet with my clients two weeks before the big day to finalize the details!). If you have a wedding planner, they'll be with you for this! If you're doing it on your own, make sure you ask your vendors how much time they'll need for their part of your day. For example, talk to your hair & makeup artist. How long will they need for each bridesmaid, the moms, and you? Then build in a buffer (at least 15 min) in case things run over! For photography, I prefer we build in 2 hours for pictures (1/2 hour for family formals, 1/2 hour for wedding party, 1/2 hour for the couple!, 1/2 hour for travel/buffer). For photography, this can be split up throughout the day if you plan on sneaking out of the reception for sunset pictures or if you're doing a first look. Be on the look out for a photographer's ideal timeline - coming soon to the blog!
step two: put someone in charge
When something inevitably goes wrong (again, its usually minor!), having someone in charge (who is NOT you) makes a big difference in how quickly it can be fixed. If you've hired a wedding planner, they'll be the go-to on your big day to handle these issues. If you didn't, put someone in charge! This can be your Mom, your maid of honor, or just a close friend that you feel would be able to handle things. Give that person all your vendors contact information, and make sure your vendors know who your point person is! This keeps you from adding more stress on your wedding day!
Step three: Pack an Emergency kit
The day of your wedding, you're going to need some things. Pack a small bag in advance that has everything you might need. If you don't end up using it - great! If you do, you'll be glad you prepared. Make sure your point person for the day is in charge of it!
Here's some things to consider packing. Depending on your day, you may need more or less!
- Sewing kit - many a button has fallen off during weddings!
- Stain removal pen - if something falls on your dress before the ceremony, you may need this
- Advil (or your preferred pain reliever)
- Hem tape & safety pins
- Tissues
- Deodorant wipes - works better & easier than a traditional deodorant when you have your dress on
- Wisps- remember those mini toothbrushes with breath fresheners on them? Super helpful!
- Blotting paper - especially for a summer wedding
- Nail file
- Makeup - especially your lip color for touch-ups throughout the night
- KrazyGlue - you never know!
- Earring backs
- Antacid
- Hairspray (travel sized)
- Lens wipes - if you have glasses (cake getting on glasses is hard to get out!)
- Tampons or sanitary napkins
- Lint roller
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
If you don't want to purchase all these items and make your own bag, there are many different "Bridal Emergency Kits" you can buy online! This is one of my favorites, but there are plenty of options to choose from!
STEP FOUR: RELAX!
The most important thing you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to relax. Yes, some things may go wrong. However, what's important is you marrying the love of your life! Let go of the little things, and focus on being present with your new spouse! Enjoy your day, and celebrate your relationship!
PS: A massage a few days before your wedding can help too!
Thanks for reading! If you have any other advice, please leave it in the comments!
Katie
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Three Steps to Avoid Wedding Day Amnesia
Three Steps to Avoid Wedding Day Amnesia
How to Remember the Most Important Day
Wedding day amnesia can happen to anyone (grooms and brides!). I definitely have a fuzzy memory of parts of my wedding, especially the busy, crazy, running around and having fun parts. After planning your wedding for a year or more, the day itself seems to fly by. You'll be surround by friends and family, and having an absolute blast. I think it is the overwhelming amount of emotions, events, and partying that can cause you to forget parts of your wedding day, or (like me) only remember a blurry, fuzzy version. Planning time for yourself, and time for just you and your partner, will help to center you, and allow your mind to remember everything.
Step 1:
During the getting ready, step into the bathroom (or bedroom, or hallway, or anywhere you can get a moment of peace!), shut the door, look into the mirror, and take a deep breath. You're really about to do this. You're getting married! Think about all the reasons you love your partner, and why you want to be with them forever. Think about the proposal, and your first date. Think about how excited you are to see them at the first look (or walking down the aisle). Remember how you feel in the moment (also don't forget to eat - you don't want to pass out during the ceremony!).
Step 2:
After the ceremony, when you walk down the aisle, don't stop and talk to everyone. There will be plenty of time to stop by everyone's table during the reception. Take a short walk, just the two of you (your photographer will follow behind you getting awesome candid shots - but you can ignore them). Talk about how crazy it is that you're married now. Talk about your excitement for the reception. Just be present and with each other. When you've had a few minutes together, then go back into the craziness of family photos!
step 3:
During the reception, you can coordinate with your photographer to sneak away for a minute. It is a little easier to leave the party for a few moments if someone else (the photographer) is asking for you. Take a few sunset/night-time shots, and then your photographer can go back inside and continue capturing the party, leaving the two of you to have another private moment to talk, or just be with each other. Go back in and keep partying when you're ready!
Throughout the day, just take a moment. Take a deep breath, and look around. If you do these three things, it will help you remember the best parts of your day, and allow you to be fully present. As an extra bonus, having those candid moments built into your timeline will make for awesome pictures!
Thanks for reading. If you have questions, or just want to chat, contact me!