What to expect when choosing me?
As a photographer at your wedding, I am with you for a large part of your day. This means it's important we connect well. You wouldn't want to feel awkward around your photographer, right? To help with this I make sure we talk or meet several times before the wedding, and if we do an engagement session together then we have even more chance to get to know each other [NOTE: an engagement session is not required to get great wedding photos]. I work with all personality types and know the tricks to bring out the best in even the most camera-shy person. I am quiet and discreet for the most part, so you won’t even notice me most of the time (I’ve been described as a ‘ninja’!). I step in when I need to give direction to make sure you get the wedding photos you need efficiently. You won’t need to worry at all about your photos as I’ll have it all under control and will keep an eye on time for you to make sure things are on track. My job also involves being a pseudo-wedding planner, so that means before the wedding I can help with your timeline and photo location planning. During the wedding I keep an eye on all the details and communicate regularly with your planner and/or staff, especially if I see a potential issue.
GETTING READY
I can get preparation photos in as little as one hour or less depending on locations and how much candid coverage you'd like. Ideally, you and your partner are getting ready in the same venue, or within a few minutes drive from each other if you'd like both sides covered. Or you can have a second photographer along so you can get more photos of each side. I can cover both sides myself though, or just focus on one. Don’t worry - the photos are all PG, and I like to start snapping away when your hair/make-up is further along. I capture the details like the shoes, dress, jewelry and anything else important to you. Groomsmen are much quicker, and I usually get shots of them suiting up, googling how to tie a tie, struggling to get their boutonnieres on, and having some laughs. I am usually stepping in to help with the finer details like lint removal and getting their boutonnieres on. I also have an emergency kit with me just in case, like scissors, fashion tape, sewing kit and breath mints!
PORTRAITS
We either start with a First Look, which a great way to have some intimate time before being in the spotlight or some separate photos of each side together just before the ceremony. I try to finish these by about half an hour before the ceremony, so you aren't seen by guests arriving. After the ceremony, I usually get a shot of all the guests together after you've had as much time as you'd like mingling and being congratulated by your guests (it's best to skip the receiving line). Then I dive into the family portraits to get these done quickly. It's great to have a list of the photos you want done beforehand. That way we can get through these as efficiently as possible so you have more time later. I then get lots of photos of the happy couple as well as the wedding party, in various combinations before the reception starts. The longer we have for this time the better, so make sure to build a buffer into your timeline in case your ceremony runs late. I look for scenic backdrops in beautiful light and let you guys have fun together with only enough direction to keep things flowing nicely.
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
Of course, I also capture the whole ceremony so you relive all the small moments as well as the big ones, like the knowing looks, laughs, and reactions, like from your teary-eyed family. These are the things you didn’t know happened that you’ll love seeing over and over. During the ceremony I use two camera bodies and different lenses to quickly capture these fleeting moments with both the close-up and wider perspectives.
At the reception I take lots of candid photos of you and your guests having fun, the heartfelt and hilarious toasts, cake cutting, and mad dancing skills until as long as you want me there. If you are doing some sort of 'Grand Exit', I make sure you schedule that in before my coverage ends. If you do this a little earlier then more people will be in your photos, as older guests and guests with small children are more likely to not have left by then. I also capture any and all those details you spent so much time (and money) planning.
EXTRAS
Depending on your plans you may need coverage before the ceremony, like the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner, wedding shower, or even a 'Day-After' session (where you get to be more adventurous). I am happy to make a personalized quote for whatever you need!
*NEW: Drone photography is now available for no extra charge (if time/restrictions allow) - fun!