Not ALL Wedding Photographers are the same

So.....I just got married myself! Having just been a bride I felt I needed to share with you.

Lately I have had so many questions asked by brides and even brides who I wasn't able to fit in their wedding.  First off......not all wedding photographers are the same.  Honestly you might even like their photos in their portfolio however that doesn't mean you will be happy with your photo's of your big day.

Pricing plays a huge part in your choice of photographer for your special day.  Now as a photographer and a bride I just have to say you cannot get this day back.  You cannot redo your wedding.  If you are disappointed you are stuck.  Now I am not saying you need to extend your budget for photography in order to get good photos.  I am also not saying that if you spend huge money you will get what you hope for.  What I am saying is research!!! It's not always just liking their portfolio.

Whoever you choose to hire first off imposes on your special day.  They are there with you on a day that seems to fly by.  They should be there to help not just stand back.  I realise this because I am sure to capture what I need in order to feel satisfied I did my job.  Let's face it not all brides are photographers.  This being said if your photographer just stands back and doesn't tell you what to do how are you to know that you missed a photo opportunity.  I help my clients work out schedules and pick time frames that are realistic to capture as much as possible.  If my clients need to keep their budget down I explain what options are and what photos might be more important to them in the long run.

For example.  Your day flies by and usually your photos help you remember it.  What if you missed out on a photo you were hoping for.  For example you were hoping to get a photo of your dad's first sight of you but unless you say that not every photographer thinks that is important.

Now a large part of photography is the business side.  This is something you might not know.  I hear horror stories continually of brides being disappointed on how a photographer dealt with situations.  You may not know what to ask when hiring a photographer.  Things like choosing packages that include a second shooter and then having a photographer show up at your wedding with just them, is a huge disappointment.  Or not being able to get quick replies back.  This can be so frustrating not only in photography.  I realise that it is so exciting to see your wedding photos.  Trust me....I am just as excited to edit them.  I hear of brides waiting for 3-6 months to get their wedding photos.  This is shocking to me.  I cannot imagine waiting that long.  Part of why I don't book 3 weddings each week is so that I am able to set aside time to edit.  I promise my brides a sneak peak within a couple of days.  If I am travelling for the wedding sometimes it's a little more challenging however I do whatever it takes.  Many brides are wanting photos to share on facebook with friends and family.  I always make sure to get them a little something almost immediately.  Then I quote a realistic time frame for them to expect ALL their images.  This is usually 1 month however that is always worst case scenario.  I NEVER and I mean NEVER have a bride contact me looking for her photos.  I am always upfront with them and in regular contact with them throughout the process.  

When people unaware with photography see prices for wedding photography they may be shocked.  However please be aware you are paying for more than just photos.  You are paying for their equipment costs, editing skills, talent, and business skills.  These are things you cannot put a price on.  When it comes to researching your photographer ask for references.  This can go a long way.  Ask for other brides names so you can hear about their experience.  With facebook now a days you may see a beautiful photo and immediately think "I want to hire that photographer!" however what you may not know is that they showed up late to that wedding, they took 6 months to get them their photos after numerous emails to them, or they missed photo opportunities that the couple cannot get back. 

I never leave a wedding without consulting my bride and groom to make sure they felt that they got everything they hoped for.  This is important to me.  I want amazing referrals not just amazing photos.  I do destination weddings for this reason.  Many of my clients are not willing to risk their special day just to hope someone they hire will get them what they want. 

Now if you have taken a moment to read this blog please share it.  Yes you may not be getting married but you could save a bride from making a mistake and being disappointed with their wedding photographer choice.  Regardless of who they choose to photograph their wedding they need to be aware of some questions to ask.

Contact me today with any questions you have regarding wedding photography. 

Destination Wedding Photography

When you have decided to do a destination wedding you have 3 different options for photography.  This decision can be extremely difficult.  Here is a little bit of information to consider

1) Bring your chosen photographer with you

For my regular wedding clients I have package pricing put together for the day.  However I work with destination couples to come up with packages that work for them.  Usually this covers them covering the cost of my trip and an additional price based on what they are hoping for.  I absolutely think this option is by far the best.  You can have a photographer like myself who is there not only for the day.  This allows you to have photos of different days, such as time on the beach with friends, wedding, trash the dress, etc. 

2) Use the resort photographer

This option is usually your most cost effective option.  However you need to know what you will be expecting.  I recently had a friend use this option.  She got 60 photos on a disc and some prints and an album.  However just so you know my wedding packages usually consist of 400-700 images.  Also her images weren't edited.  This is so important.  I notice little details.  Eg.  Sunglasses sitting on a rock right beside them, or skin imperfections, etc.  I offered to edit her photos for her.  She definately went for that when she saw a couple before and afters.

Before edit / After edit

Before Edit / After Edit

3) Use and outsourced photographer not on the resort

Many very talented photographers are moving to tropical locations to do wedding photography.  I've had clients who used this option and it's usually about the same price as taking your photographer there.  Many resorts have fee's to have an outside photographer come onto the resort.  Definately do your research and view portfolios and photography styles.


Now if you or someone you know is thinking of doing a destination wedding please share this post with them.  Also, brides if you want a quote or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Wedding Photography can be quite emotional... this wedding in particular is one I will never forget!

I was asked to photograph a wedding last summer for a cute young couple.  At this point in my career I had chosen not to do a lot of weddings because they were such a huge venture.  I was so focused on families and boudoir sessions that I never made a point of even photographing weddings unless they were for close friends.

Alicia came to me asking me to photograph her wedding and when I knew what type of bride she would be I said absolutely.  I knew she was going to have a beautiful outdoor wedding with horses and also had a super cute bulldog so that didn't hurt.

We started with their engagement session at Centenial park in Sherwood Park.  They brought their little English bulldog puppy Roxy which made for a fun evening.  It worked out perfect that she had her trial makeup done for her wedding right before our shoot.  She went with Raw Refinement Makeup Artistry who I recommend and work closely with.  Steph is a fantastic makeup artist who always makes my clients feel amazing.

Now for the big day.....I met the girls at Alicia's parents house while she started getting ready.  My second shooter Savanna with SMcMillanPhotography met me there.  Savanna and I have worked together many times and we always have such a great time.  The house was packed full of people and it was a fun easy morning. Steph with Raw Refinement Makeup Artistry had a busy morning of makeup that is for sure but once these ladies were ready....look out!

One of my favorite moments to capture is the moment a woman gets into her wedding dress.  I think this is when reality sets in and emotion begins.  I also beleive it's one of the most beautiful moments.

 We then head over to the guys getting ready quickly and straigth out to the ceremony location.  Miller Venture Arabians.  Alicia's very involved with her horses so what better than to get married directly infront of her horses.   The weather couldn't have been better that day and everything was running smoothly.  Alicia's mother walked her down the aisle while her father waited for her at the end.  He had been extremely sick that week and was unable to walk her down the aisle.

After an amazingly beautiful ceremony the guests headed to the reception (a hall nearby)  while I organized and rounded up family and the wedding party for photos.  For those of you who know me.  I can be kind of bossy.  However this is very important to get the photos you want.  Now for the most emotional part!!!!

The bride gets organized and I get prepared to do photos of her and her parents.  Her mother comes over and quietly whispers to her daughter that her father was actually not doing well and was leaving in an ambulance from the neighbours since he didn't want to attract attention.  Weddings are emotional days and this moment will stay in my memory forever.  Alicia broke down.  I asked everyone to give her 5 minutes and let her cry.  I walked over to her and said "it's ok....cry. Let it out we will figure this out"  As I walked away from her I began to cry.  I couldn't imagine what was going through her mind.  This is her one day! Her one chance for a photo of her and her father on such a special day.  You can't just redo this day.  So while organizing the rest of the wedding party and family I asked them to stay together.  I walked over to Alicia as the ambulance drove past.  I grabbed her hand and told her "this is your one day, your one chance, and I want you to have a photo of you and your dad no matter what!!!"  Get in the car!  We pulled up while the EMS workers were loading him onto a stretcher.  Being the bossy photographer I am, asked them to stop for a moment.  They looked at me quite confused as I'm sure they have never had this happen before.   I had him sit up, and wrap her arms around him.  (as you can see from the photos below you wouldn't know that's what was happening)  I did have to photoshop his skin color a lot but this moment she will cherish forever!  

You can see the emotion in this brides eyes, however what you don't see is while I was taking these photos I was also crying.

Now as I'm sure you are all wondering.  He made it through!  He recovered and has these photos to look back on of his daughters special day.

This wedding will forever be one of those extremely special ones.  It taught me that emotion is ok.   That the fact I was in tears made me so uncomfortable and I felt unprofessional.  However, it was me.  This is also another reason I do what I do.  I capture moments!  Happy, sad, emotional....whichever these moments are I capture them.