Congratulations on your engagement!
This exciting chapter in your love story deserves to be captured in beautiful, timeless photographs. As your potential wedding photographer, I'm thrilled you're considering me to document your special day.
This guide aims to answer all your questions about my wedding photography services and help you understand what to expect when working with me.
THE PROCESS
Before the Wedding:
- Pre-Booking Consultation Call: We'll start with a casual chat to get to know each other, discuss your vision for your wedding day, and answer any questions you have. I want to understand your unique story and needs to ensure I can capture photos from your wedding day that truly reflect your love.
- Contract and Invoice: Once you've decided yo officially book me as your wedding photographer and chosen your photography package, we'll provide a clear and detailed contract outlining our services, timeline, and payment schedule. You'll also be sent an invoice for your package with the timeline of payments included. 25% of your package cost
- Questionnaire: I'll send out a questionnaire for the two of you to fill out together. This will focus on your love story and helps me get to know more about your relationship, personalities, and comfort levels before our first session together.
- Engagement Session: This is a fun and relaxed opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and capture some beautiful portraits together. It's also a great chance to break the ice and build rapport before your wedding day. Typically, the engagement session is done 6-12 months before your wedding day to allow you time to send out Save The Dates and Invitations.
- Planning and Timeline: I'll work closely with you and your wedding planner (if you have one) to create a detailed photography timeline for your wedding day. About a month before your wedding day, we'll have another meeting via video chat or phone call to go over all the last-minute details and everything that you want captured for the day. Based on our conversation, I will craft two customized timelines for you to use on your wedding day - one for photography/to share with the bridal party and another for your non-bridal party guests to follow. This ensures we capture all the important moments without any stress or missed opportunities.
On the Wedding Day:
- Preparation and Planning: I'll create a detailed timeline to ensure smooth coverage of all the important moments, from getting ready to the last dance. I'll also be there to assist with any unexpected situations, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day. Whether it's the groom getting fitted for his suit or the bride putting on her dress, these moments are precious and worth documenting.
- Ceremony and Reception: I'll blend seamlessly into the background, capturing the joy and emotion of your ceremony and the fun and energy of your reception. I'll be there to document all the special moments, from the first kiss to the last dance.
- Family and Formal Portraits: We'll take some time to capture beautiful portraits of you and your loved ones. I'll pose you in a natural and flattering way, ensuring everyone looks their best.
- Creative and Detail Shots: I'll also capture the little details that make your wedding unique, from the floral arrangements and wedding favors to the personalized touches you've added. These photos will help you relive your wedding day and cherish the memories for years to come.
- Capture the Joy: We'll discreetly capture the raw emotion and authentic moments of your wedding day. From the genuine smiles to the heartfelt tears, we'll preserve the essence of your celebration in stunning photographs.
- Professionalism and Respect: My team and I understand the importance of your special day. We'll be professional, courteous, and work seamlessly with your other vendors to ensure a stress-free experience.
After the Wedding:
- Photo Editing and Delivery: I'll carefully edit your photos to ensure they are vibrant, timeless, and reflect your wedding day and love story. I'll deliver your final images via an online gallery in a high-resolution digital format.
- Back-Up Your Images: Save your photos to multiple locations to prevent data loss. Flash drives, external hard drives, and cloud photo storage are all great options. (PRO TIP - If you have Amazon Prime, you can save your images to Amazon Photos for free!)
- Purchasing Prints: From the gallery, you are given the option to purchase prints, albums, and other keepsakes. (This is a great time to use the print credit that comes with your wedding package!)
- Sharing and Storytelling: Share your wedding photos with your loved ones and create beautiful albums to tell the story of your special day. You can share the direct link to your gallery or download your favorite images to share.
- Review: Leave a review for me to help other couples find the perfect photographer for their wedding.
I'm passionate about telling your love story through our lens. I believe in capturing genuine emotions, creating timeless pictures, and exceeding your expectations. I am confident that my expertise and dedication will make your wedding day unforgettable.
Let's embark on this exciting journey together!
PRO TIP #1
TIMELINES ARE IMPORTANT
Creating a detailed timeline with buffer time for unexpected delays is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success on your wedding day.
If you can, I highly suggest scheduling a private 10-20 minute break for the two of you to just relax for a few minutes and relish in the fact that YOU ACTUALLY JUST DID THAT!
PRO TIP #2
Shot Lists Are Critical
Create a list of essential shots you want captured with friends and family. DO NOT leave it up to memory (yours, mine, or your momma's!) to make sure you have all of the groupings that you want - chances are, at least one grouping will get missed if you leave it up to memory.
(Don't worry, I have a template for this that I can send you.)
PRO TIP #3
Delegate tasks to friends/family
You're both going to be busy getting ready - delegate tasks to trusted friends and family so you can focus on enjoying the day.
Tasks to consider delegating:
- Phone duty (you're going to be too busy to be constantly checking your phone for calls and texts!)
- Food and drinks for the bridal parties (seriously, please make sure you're eating!)
- Set-up/Decorating/Tear down
PRO TIP #4
Break in your shoes
Wear your wedding shoes around the house for a few hours each day leading up to the wedding. This helps avoid discomfort and blisters on your big day.
PRO TIP #5
AVOID TANNING (REAL, FAKE, AND SPRAY) IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO YOUR WEDDING
Avoiding tanning of all kinds in the days leading up to your wedding day is crucial for maintaining a flawless look. Tanning, whether from the sun, a tanning bed, or self-tanning products, can cause unexpected skin reactions such as redness, irritation, or uneven color. Additionally, tans often develop unevenly and can result in streaks or patches, which can be difficult to conceal with makeup. Sun exposure also increases the risk of sunburn, which can be painful and unsightly. To ensure a radiant and consistent complexion on your big day, it’s best to skip tanning and focus on a healthy skincare routine instead.
Hydrate Well and drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your wedding to keep your skin looking fresh and glowing.
PRO TIP #6
ENJOY THE DAY
Seriously, JUST HAVE FUN! Your day is going to come and go so fast, it can feel like a blur when you're being pulled in so many different directions.
Live in and enjoy every moment as it happens - leave it to the professionals to capture all of the magic!
Remember, it’s your day—focus on enjoying the celebration with your loved ones and don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is your photography style?
I describe my style as a blend of natural light, photojournalistic, and romantic. I capture genuine emotions and candid moments throughout the day, while also creating timeless and elegant portraits.
Will/Can you travel for our wedding?
Of course! I'm happy to travel wherever your love takes you!
I don't charge for travel unless I require a flight, hotel, and/or rental car.
Will you be directing us throughout the day?
I will certainly provide guidance and direction to ensure we capture all the important moments. However, my goal is to capture genuine and natural interactions, so I try not to be overly intrusive or scripted. (with formal portraits being the exception to this rule)
How do we choose the right package for us?
I offer a variety of packages to fit different needs and budgets. We'll discuss your priorities and create a custom package that's perfect for you.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
Don't worry! I have experience photographing in all kinds of weather. We'll have a backup plan and I'll use my creativity to capture beautiful images even if it's not the sunny day we hoped for. Plus, I always keep clear umbrellas in my car, just in case!
Do you offer videography?
I specialize in still photography, but I can recommend trusted videographers who share my aesthetic and approach.
Additional resources
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