Congrats, guys! You're getting married!
I am so excited to be your photographer.
Welcome to the fam! I am truly honored to be a part of what will be one of the biggest, most memorable days of your life. I want you to know that I am here for you during your journey from now right up to the big day. I'm not just here to capture your memories sometime down the road. If you need help planning, or just have general questions, you can text me any time day or night. I am more than happy to help wherever I can! Send me photo inspo, or a link to your wedding Pinterest board if you'd like! I'm always up for chatting about ideas and making sure I capture everything you've been dreaming up.
You can reach me at (517) 920-1161
Lets talk engamgent sessions.
Engagement sessions are a perfect time for us to get to know each other a little better before the wedding day! When thinking about location, I always suggest choosing a place that means something to the two of you. Whether its a woodsy hiking trail, or a downtown date night, I want to capture your relationship in its element. Your session doesn't have to be be awkward or boring. Lets find something you guys can have fun with and capture that! Bring whatever you'd like to include in your photos. (And yes, pets are always welcome)
I recommend wearing neutral/earthy tones and avoiding distracting bold patterns/stripes for your session. This will help insure that the subject of your photos is you and not the outfit you're wearing. ;)
As far as meeting time, it's best if we plan to meet an hour to an hour and a half before sunset. That helps eliminate harsh lighting and deep shadows.
The wedding day- Getting ready
So, it's time for the big day... what do you need to know about the getting ready photos?
Rule number one... NATURAL LIGHT. Of course, this isn't a deal breaker, but it always makes me happy to see some nice light for those hair and makeup photos. If your bridal suite doesn't have a lot of natural light, make sure you, as the bride, take the most well-lit spot in the room. Some clutter is okay and to be expected around the getting ready stations, but try and keep the snacks and soda cans to a minimum right around the areas I'm photographing- it just keeps the photos looking clean!
Determine whether or not you will be doing a first look with your bridesmaids, your dad, or brother(s) after you're in your dress and plan to prepare them for when and where this will be taking place.
It's always a good idea to calculate on the long side when planning your timeline. It's better to be ready early and have a minute to breath before the ceremony, than to rush the important last moments. (Of course, we won't judge if the timeline runs a little behind- it happens all the time- you can't plan for everything and that's totally to be expected.)
Flat Lays/detail shots
During the getting ready process I will take a some time to gather all of your details for some flat lay shots. What does that mean? I'll take your rings, jewelry, shoes, etc. and lay them out in a pretty collage for some memorable detail shots. If this is something you like the sound of, think about preparing a box of everything you want to include for me to take when I first arrive. Some ideas of things to include:
- A copy of your wedding invitation
- One of your save-the-dates
- Any jewelry you will be wearing (including a head piece)
- The bottle of perfume you're wearing
- Your shoes
- Your garter
- Some left over loose flowers or greenery from your florist
What about a first look?
Why is a first look helpful? It is not only an excellent way to save time after the ceremony by allowing you to get a big portion of your bridal and wedding party photos done ahead of time, but it also allows a few minutes for the two of you to spend together in a more privet setting before walking down the aisle and lets me capture your reactions a little better than I can during the ceremony- but I get it if you want the grand reveal to be at the alter; that's a super special moment, too!
Wedding Party photos
These are always a blast! Just a few things you can do to prepare your bridesmaids and groomsmen:
Make sure the girls remove any hair ties from their wrists before the ceremony and have their bouquets with them for the photos.
Groom, make sure all of your guys empty their pockets for the photos and their boutonnieres are securely fastened/straight.
Family Portraits
Family photos are important, and we don't want to leave anyone out. Make sure everyone involved is aware of when and where they will be taking place (Usually this is done directly after the ceremony at the alter, but if the lighting is not ideal we can do it wherever.) and consider assigning someone who knows the family well to assist in gathering the right people for the photos- It's hard for me to know who is family and who is not for the photos!
Common Groupings:
Bride/Groom + Bride's parents
Bride/Groom + Groom's parents
Bride/Groom + Both sets of parents
Bride/Groom + Bride's immediate family
Bride/Groom + Bride's extended family
Bride/Groom + Groom's immediate family
Bride/Groom + Groom's extended family
Bride and groom Portraits
While a first look is great, it sometimes means shooting in non-ideal lighting. Even if you aren't doing a first look and we do your photos after the ceremony, but before golden hour (the hour leading up to sunset) I would recommend setting aside 20 minutes to sneak away from the reception just before sunset and grab some shots with that ideal, dreamy lighting.
In total, I recommend dedicating an hour of your wedding day solely to your bride + groom portraits- after all, these are the photos you'll use to hang on your walls, frame, and update all of your social media profile pictures and cover photos.
Of course, if you simply can't set aside that much time I am happy to work with whatever I can get!
The grand exit
If you are planning a grand exit with sparklers, bubbles, etc. that you want captured on camera, but you're having trouble fitting the timeline into the package length you booked, consider doing a "fake exit". Usually the last hour or two of a reception is all about the open dance floor and if the bouquet and garter tosses are already finished there is only so much variety I can get from the dance floor. Some people like to do the exit for the camera, then go back in to finish up the party after I have left. Just an option- I don't mind sticking around until the end either!
I always tell people to pause in the middle of the exit for a kiss, and if you want a really cool photo, we can have everyone gather around you in a circle with their sparklers (or bubbles, or whatever you've chosen) to add some depth and interest to the photo.
So... Whats next?
Between now and your wedding be sure to keep me in the loop! When you have a timeline nailed down, send it my way so that I know how to best prepare for the events of the day.
In the meantime...
- If we haven't already scheduled your engagement session, lets figure out a date and get it in the books!
- Roughly 2 months before your wedding I will send out a questionnaire for you to fill out together just to make sure I'm aware of all the important details.
- I will invoice you for your final payment a few days before the due date just as a reminder.
- Feel free to send me questions or photos you want me to make sure I get anytime you think of them!
Again, my phone number is: 517-920-1161
