{FAQ: Have You Shot At My Wedding Venue?}

Let me guess, being new to this whole “getting married” thing, you’re not really sure where to start when it comes to researching photographers. One quick Google search for “wedding photography advice” and “what questions should I ask my wedding photographer” and you’re off to the races. You set up phone calls with photographers you like and then when they ask if you have any questions, you list off what you’ve found online - after all, they seem like relevant things to ask, and at the end of the day, wedding photography is a huge investment so you want to make sure your bases are covered.

A question I get asked by couples frequently is “have you shot at our wedding venue before?”

It makes sense, especially since this question is listed in The Knot’s “Important Questions to Ask Photographers Before You Book” and The Knot shares this advice: “Why you want to know: Your shooter should be aware of any lighting needs or issues specific to the space. If they haven’t ever worked in your venue, they should be willing to check it out beforehand.”

Now trust me, I get it: at first blush. it seems like it would be the most ideal to find a photographer who has shot at your venue before because it’s easy to assume they might have some sort of mastery of the space over someone else {hint: it doesn’t.} Here are a few reasons why this question, while it has honest intention, can lead you down the wrong path.

Wedding Photography Advice: Why It Doesn’t Matter If A Photographer Has Shot At Your Venue Before

1. Your Photography Choice Should Be Based On Level Of Connection And The Quality Of Work

Choosing based off of who has shot in the space severely limits you in terms of options. Ask them questions about their approach, their shooting style, how they guide on the wedding day - make sure you connect as human beings and feel connected to their work vs. just where they’ve worked before. Talented photographers move to new cities, work in multiple markets, live in places oversaturated with venues or just live in a place where people get married in nontraditional places - focus on finding the right fit for you, not just your venue.

2. Photographers can have shot at hundreds of venues without shooting at your specific location.

So instead of ask your photographer what makes them qualified them to shoot your day instead of disqualifying them based on a building.

3. Many photographers will offer to walk through a venue with you and your planner or show up early on the day of to location scout.

This isn’t always necessary, but it you had a complicated or super unique venue or a logistically-complex day planned, coordinate with your photographer to do a walkthrough or ask them if they’re available to show up early to your venue to check it out.

4. Venues look different depending on the time of year, the weather and the time of day.

Because of this, I make location decisions along with nearly every other photograph-related choice based on light. True professional photographers know how to approach unknown spaces and shoot it well. What settings I use, where I stand, the angle of my lens, what lens I choose and a dozen other little factors are all things I consider before I take a picture. A wedding in June on a sunny day where the bride gets dressed at 11AM will look completely different than a wedding in November on a cloudy day where the bride gets dressed at 3PM.

5. Being new to the space inspires creativity.

Because I may have not shot at your venue 5+ times, I have the opportunity to see your venue through fresh eyes and approach your day in a unique way. So instead of seeing the same “classic” shots that are always taken at your venue, you’ll also have photos that are reflective of you and your fiancé as a couple.

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SO, all that being said, if you’re hiring a professional, it won’t matter one tiny little bit if they’ve never photographed your venue before. I could shoot at the same venue 10 times in a row and do something different every single time out of both choice and necessity.

If you’re making the decision of who to hire based on if they’ve shot at your venue before, you could be making a big mistake and losing out on both gorgeous images and an incredible experience.

{What's a Gap Day?}

Wedding days are magical and fantastic, but they are also tiring. Sometimes weddings run late into the evening or there is an after party and you get to bed incredibly late. Then the next morning you need to wake up and catch a plane to your honeymoon. There’s a lot that’s happening in 24 hours and it doesn’t seem like you even get a chance to breathe for a moment. A gap day is exactly what you think. It’s a day in between your wedding day and your departure for your honeymoon. There’s a lot of benefits to adding a gap day. It’s something that my husband and I did after our wedding. We actually had two gap days! There is no need to be frantic either wondering if you really actually have everything packed because you have that time to gather everything you need! Having that day to sit and figure everything out can come in super handy.  

Another Reason

You will also have more time to see family that traveled to see you. We had so many family members come into town for our wedding. Family comes from near and far to weddings and most of the time the Bride & Groom only gets to see them for a short moment on the wedding day. If you add a gap day after your wedding this gives you the chance to have breakfast with your family or do something fun with them. This will not only give you a break but it will also make your family feel special and appreciated.  

To sum up, adding a gap day can be especially helpful for a few reasons.

1. You get a breather in between the wedding and honeymoon.

2. You’ll get the chance to visit with family after the wedding.

3. You get to double check your suitcase and pack your essentials.

   
   Bonus

4. You can open all of your gifts the day after your wedding which is very exciting!

Those are just a few reasons for taking a gap day. I’m sure you could find more, but it’s one of the best decisions from our wedding!

{Getting Ready // Wedding Details You Should Have}

I love showing up on the wedding day and jumping right into photographing all of the beautiful details for the day. It allows me to get the creative juices flowing and to ease into your wedding day. I love taking all of your details like your rings, jewelry, invitations, and pairing it with ring boxes and other accessories by laying it out into a beautiful design that really sets the tone for your gallery. This blog posts solely exists so you can know exactly what details to bring with you on the wedding day so I can photograph them and make the most out of my time with your details. Here are some things that you should have on your wedding day to get the most out of your detail photos.

The Bride

• Invitation Suite

• Rings (all 3)

  • It is good to have all three rings to make the most of your detail photos. We can have the maid of honor or myself bring the bands to the groom for the ceremony.

• Jewelry

  • Necklace

  • Earrings

  • Bracelets

• Wooden Hanger

  • It is always nice to have a custom hanger. There are so many stores on Etsy that make beautiful custom hangers. If you are not interested in a custom hanger with your name or wedding date on it I suggest at the very least having a wooden hanger. This looks much better in your pictures than cheap plastic hangers.

• Heels/Shoes

• Perfume

• Extra Stuff: Ring Box/Antique Tray

The Groom

• Shoes

• Socks

• Tie

• Pocket Square

• Boutonnière

• Watch

I’m keeping it simple today and leaving you with a list of things to think about bringing with you. No need to really dive in too deep into why other than the fact that these lay flat images will look so beautiful with all of those items. I suggest collecting all of these items a few days before the wedding and getting them into a box or bag that you can hand to me when I arrive on the wedding day.

5 Reasons Why You Should Print Your Wedding + Engagement Photos

Have you thought about what you’re going to do with those gorgeous engagement pictures when you get them back? Are you just hoping to get the most Instagrammable images ever? Or maybe you’re only looking for 1 Save the Date Picture. And maybe a nice picture to get your mom off your back. But what about you?

Have you and your honey talked about printing any of your engagement photos?

If you haven’t, it’s totally a discussion you should think about having. And not just because I, the photographer, am telling you too. But because printing those photos could be really, really good for your soul. And your relationship. Which is exactly what we’re talking about today. 🙂

So. Without further ado, let’s get to it. And along the way, we’re going to share some of our favorite images from Danielle and Luke’s gorgeous engagement session with you. 🙂

1. It’s okay to love yourselves

Hello…. You love your honey. Why don’t you want to show it? It’s been scientifically proven that when kids see printed photos of themselves with their families on display in their homes that it improves their self confidence and self-value. And if printed photos can do that for kids, just imagine what it can do for you and your boo-thang.

Is it conceited to print a professional picture of you and your honey? Nope. Not at all. Especially if the image you choose to print is one that you absolutely LOVE. In fact, every time you walk by it, you’ll get all those good, giggly feel-good-feelings about your honey every single time. And that’s pretty hard to top.

2. It’s the everyday you.

Most couples prefer normal-every-day-engagement-clothes-them instead of dressed-up-fancy-them on their walls. After all, these are images that are going to be in your home for a while. And you don’t always get dressed up in your wedding-clothes (at least we’re assuming you don’t). 8/10 of our couples prefer hanging their engagement photos in place of their wedding photos just because they’re a little more “them.”

3. You’re only engaged once.

Never want to forget a moment of how it felt to be engaged? I mean, that’s why you had engagement photos taken in the first place, right? If that’s a big YES from you, then there’s one more reason to print from your engagement session. What’s a better reminder than walking by one of your very favorite engagement photos on the wall in your home every day?

I mean, sure, you could also open your phone, log onto Facebook, scroll through all of your photos until you find the date you posted the photo on. Or scroll through all of your albums until you find your photos. That works too we guess….. but we like to keep things good and simple around here.

4. Family heirlooms for future generations.

When you print your photos, you’re not the only ones who get to appreciate them – your family, both present and future, do too! If you’ve ever seen your parents’ or grandparents’ old wedding photos hanging in their home or come across a box of old images from their weddings, then you know how special and meaningful those artifacts are. Your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren being able to touch, hold, and sift through your wedding photos is a powerful way to connect through generations.

5. You haven’t taken wedding pictures yet.

Wait…. Shouldn’t that be a reason why you shouldn’t print your engagement photos? You guys! No way! That’s even more of a reason for you TO print your engagement photos!! Or at least your very favorite!! Not only will you then have a gorgeous image for you home, but then you can also display your photo at your reception entrance. Or by your guestbook table.

And when you finally do have wedding photos ready? Well, friends. That’s what I like to call building a collection. Or in this case, a gallery wall. I will know what images and sizes you printed your engagement photos in and can help you design a gallery wall that includes your favorite wedding photos to build on to your already printed, already favorite engagement photos that you can’t live without.

So. There you have it, friends. My top 5 reasons why you should print your engagement photos. Still on the fence? I get it. It’s a big decision. BUT. Around here I’m a big believer in hanging things on your wall that you love. And if that “No place like home” saying sign isn’t tugging at your heartstrings? There’s no reason why you can’t replace it with your very favorite engagement picture. Or at least add to it.

Dress Hangers

Plastic or Wooden?

This blog is going to be short and sweet cause really there isn’t much info to pass along, but the tip I am going to give you impacts the look of your image immensely! The wedding dress hanger you choose can make your photo & dress look classy or…not as classy. I know you want that dress to look classic, elegant and beautiful and that’s why I am writing a blog post about hangers. Something that is so mundane and something that as an ex-retail store associate, I can say from the bottom of my heart is that I. Hate. Hangers. Anyone else with me on that? But they play a minor, yet important role on your wedding day.

I highly recommend that the hanger you buy should be wooden. The white plastic hanger that may come with your dress or that you can pick up for a pack of 10 for a dollar at Target is not the kind you want to use. They don’t look as classy and take away from the elegance of your dress and image. Plus it won’t match any of your decor. Thinking of your hanger as a part of your decor for the wedding day makes so much sense because we can actually use it for details photos. I suggest a wooden hanger, something rich in color. You can even take it a step further and get your new last name written in the wire frame. Mind said “bride” with the wedding date one it. This personalizes the image a bit more. These wooden hangers emphasize the elegance of your dress and makes from classic, timeless and more expensive, high end wedding images, plus it’s a great investment that you can keep for forever! We hope this helps!

{Just for reference, although you can not see the hanger very well, if she had gotten a wooden hanger, it would have not looked like it was just floating in midair and made it stand out just a little bit more.}