Wedding FAQ

Why shouldn't I let my (insert family member or friend here) take the photos at my wedding? He has a nice camera.

This is a pet peeve of mine. It is not the camera that makes the photos. It is the person working the camera. I have a very cool camera, but that doesn't mean I can hand it to just anyone, and them make it work. Likewise, I can't work a lot of cameras because of the vast difference between them. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II. Nikon's are the complete opposite of anything Canon. Literally. Some point and shoots are hard for me to figure out to on the fly... I have spent a great deal of time learning, perfectly, critiquing, and building on my photography. The reason you shouldn't let someone, just anyone shoot your wedding is the fact that you WANT photos. Have them bring their camera and take some, but don't be dependent on them.

Also, remember, you get what you pay for. I'm going to tell you a story of a girl, the sister of my childhood best friend. We have been friends for 27 years now, and her little sister was getting married on short notice. Well, they had a friend picked out to take photos. Trying not to impose, I took my camera and stood in the background. I wanted some just for me. The girl they had taking photos was timid. That's not a trait of someone you want orchestrating the photos on your wedding day. Trust me. She wouldn't tell people where she needed them to go. She just let everything kind of go and stood in the background. I asked the bride to come down and take a few photos with me for my collection. I didn't want to impose or overstep, but the other "photographer" was done so I did. I also took a big group shot of all the sisters, the significant others, and kids. As we went back up to the reception, I started inquiring about family pictures and what the girl had taken so far. 

Come to find out she hadn't taken any. When I asked her about it, she said the bride didn't want them. That wasn't going to fly with the bride's Dad or Mimi. I told her she needed to take them. I'll never forget her response. "Since you have a flash and all, I'm going to let you take them." Take them I did. She left shortly after without saying a word. I sent her a message the next day apologizing if I had overstepped, but I know the family well and knew those pictures would be wanted. She never responded. This girl ended up charging the bride and groom around $500 before they ever saw their images. Once they received them and looked at them, they found 129 images on the disc. Only 7 were of the bride and groom, and none could be blown up to anything larger than a 4x6. The bride sent me a message quite upset asking if I had any she could get. In the short period of time we were there, I took almost 600 images. I gave her a little over 300 with well over 100 being of her and her husband. I printed her an 11x14 gallery wrap as a wedding gift and fixed all the files I had.

Long story short, we may not be the right fit for you, but find someone who is willing to stand behind their product, show you a significant amount of photos from a wedding they've shot not just a few outstanding images, and will work for and with you to achieve the images you want of your day. Unless the family friend or relative you're trying to get to take the photos of your wedding is a professional, you are going to be disappointed at the end result.

What if I don't want an engagement session with my package?

Engagement sessions are important besides the photos. Engagement sessions give us a chance to get to know each other and learn about one another. It breaks down the awkwardness between you, your fiance, and me and relaxes you around the camera. If you aren't comfortable with me, it will show on your wedding day photos. I don't charge extra for the engagement sessions in the package. I give them to you as a gift so that we can break down that barrier.

What if I want my engagement session photos before I get the rest of the images on disc?

That's totally fine! We can definitely hook you up with what you need, when you need it.

What if I need a photo for the newspaper pretty quick after the session?

You let us know. We will take care of you!! Emailing you a couple of photos that will work for a newspaper announcement or something is definitely not an issue!

I would like some different looks for my engagement photos. Can we do that?

Absolutely! We are here to serve you. We want to make sure you have the best possible experience and get the best possible images you can get. You let us know what you want, and we will make it happen!

Can you help me with outfits?

Of course! Call, text, email me, and I'll help all I can!

What is the album that is in the wedding packages?

It's a nice, leather bound book with your names foiled on the front and the date or a custom photo front if you want. The pages are thick pages so they won't bend and tear. If you want leather you pick the leather color, you get to pick the style of the pages, and proof the pages before it's ordered. It's your book! You have to like it! It's a great way to showcase your wedding without having to pull out discs or flip albums. It can be customize it in any way you'd like including adding text of your vows, songs, etc. to the inside.

 

 

Can you help me find locations for engagement shoots or bridals?

Yes!! If you give me an idea of what you're looking for, I have some lists of locations with example photographs from each I can send. If you don't find something you like, or you find a type of something you like, I'm always game for looking up new spots!!! Sometimes the best ones are right under everyone's noses!