Welcome
WELCOME There’s something about a love story, it’s like watching a fairy-tale unfold right before your eyes. It’s probably safe to say that every girl dreams of being the princess one day in her
perfectgown, on her perfect day. No two love stories are the same and that just makes them even more perfect.
I’m so excited to be a small part of an incredible and important journey with the two of
you. I hope to get to know and understand you and tell your perfect love story through real moments and beautiful images.
Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the WZP family.
- Wendy
Who is WENDY ZOOK?
First and foremost, I’m Momma to Zack and Addie. Because of Zack, I am a lover of hugs, sloppy kisses and advocacy for Down Syndrome. Because of Addie, I am a lover of coffee, imagination and colors.
I wear ballet flats every chance I get and feel like no outfit is complete without a handful of funky rings. I am an old soul trapped in a young heart. I love classic films and current chick flicks but would rather have the radio on (Van Morrison on Pandora lately) or a book on my lap than see a TV on in the room. I love it when I capture a story with my photographs. Two people in love strolling through Christmas lights weeks after their engagement. A groom fighting tears as he watches his bride walk towards him. A new business professional finding himself. A woman who feels like a princess for the first time in her life. A woman discovering her sexy side after a boudoir session. There is excitement and emotion (I’m probably crying behind the camera during your vows) in every session I do and I care about each client like a friend. Aside from my family, photography is what brings me great joy. It’s been a slow journey, but it is a great adventure. And I’m glad you’re along for the ride.
Wendy is a proud member and leader in Rising Tide Society, whose goal is to create a group of creatives who value community and col& HONORS laboration. Wendy leads the Rochester group. Wendy is a frequent contributor to Sixth Bloom Photography Tips. She is also a preferred vendor of Rochester Bride & Groom, who also featured one of her images in their magazine cover contest. Wendy teaches several online photography courses to help newbies learn their cameras and improve their images.
Features
Each year, Wendy participates in workshops and trainings to improve her technique and business. Some of these include a one-on-one mentoring with Hope Taylor Photography in Virginia, a group workshop with Caroline Logan Photography in Pennsylvania and a social media course with Carrie Swails of Photography Awesomesauce and Rock Your Weird.
PACKAGES & PRICING THE SWEET PEA [perfect for elopments, small ceremonies, more intimate affairs] •Complimentary Engagement Session •Up to 5 hrs of wedding day coverage •Editing and Retouching of final images (apprx. 40 engagements & 300 wedding photos) •Online gallery of final edited images •Second photographer for 5 hrs •Wedding photo album with 50 images, canvas cover and photo cut-out, date and name embossing, created together, with anti-yellowing paper and thick pages. {Starting at $2,500} THE LAVENDER [the most popular!] •Complimentary Engagement Session •Up to 8 hrs of wedding day coverage •Editing and Retouching of final images (apprx. 40 engagements & 600 wedding photos) •Online gallery of final edited images •Second photographer for 6 hrs •Wedding photo album with 100 images, canvas cover and photo cut-out, date and name embossing, created together, with anti-yellowing paper and thick pages. {Starting at $3,400} THE HYDRANGEA [the best value!] •Complimentary Engagement Session •Up to 12 hrs of wedding day coverage •Editing and Retouching of final images (apprx. 40 engagements & 800 wedding photos) •Online gallery of final edited images •Second photographer for 10 hrs •Wedding photo album with 100 images, canvas cover and photo cut-out, date and name embossing, created together, with anti-yellowing paper and thick pages. •$50 print credit •A complimentary family (up to four people) or anniversary photo session, to be used within one year of wedding date {Starting at $3,900} *Custom wedding package are possible. Please ask Wendy! ** Image amounts are an estimate. *** Additional hours available for $100/hr Referral credit is given to couples who recommend WZP to another couple that then books a wedding package with Wendy. Also, Wendy’s Facebook and Instagram pages offer frequent contests and giveaways!
“I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
What’s NEXT? Once you and Wendy decide you are a good fit for each other, a signed contract and a deposit is received, and then the fun begins! Wendy will start a private Pinterest board for you to share ideas for photograph requests and styles. These are merely suggestions; they will not be duplicated exactly. An engagement session is included with all of the WZP packages! This generally takes place about 6-9 months before the wedding, although the timing could depend on season or location preferences, travel plans, etc. About four weeks out from the wedding, Wendy will request a list of contact information for other vendors plus day-of emergency contacts. A tentative photography timeline is due at this time, too. Do you need tips on creating a timeline? Don’t worry, keep reading - that useful information is not far away!
“Kissing your hand may make you feel really good, but a diamond lasts forever.� - Anita Loos
Wendy includes an engagement session in all of her wedding packages. These sessions are laidback, natural and so much fun! It’s a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to get to know each other better and to really feel comfortable with one another before your big day.
EngagementSESSIONS
Consider the time of year and setting of your wedding when choosing your engagement session date. A summer wedding outside may seem “off” next to photos from your inside winter engagement session. If your wedding has a theme or colors, you might want to keep that same scheme when choosing outfits for your engagement session. If you’ll be using engagement photos for Save-the-Dates, leave at least six weeks between the engagement session date and when you’d like to mail your reminders. Engagement sessions typically last about 2-2.5 hours. You can choose multiple locations (within that timeframe) and may have up to three outfit changes. Wendy will also dedicate some time during a break to photograph your engagement ring in detail.
Consider a theme for your engagement session Past WZP couples have done:
•Outdoors/rustic sessions at significant locations
•Vintage-themed sessions with time period-appropriate dress, hair and locales
•Eclectic/whimsical sessions with fun props and bright colors
•Moments of an engagement session featuring hobbies and interests (fishing, reading, shows, sports)
What to Wear for an Engagement Session
•Be true to yourself – if you are a jeans-and-sweats kind of couple, don’t feel like you have to wear a ball gown and heels! Beautiful engagement sessions come from jeans and a nice blouse.
•Don’t go too matchy-matchy – Keeping a color running throughout is nice, but you don’t want to look identical to one another; plus, it can lead to a more “boring” time!
•Consider your environment – Will you be outdoors with lots of trees? Avoid a green dress!
•Remember your accessories – Little details like a fancy hair barrette, a beautiful thick scarf or sparkly shoes add a little “pop!” to your photos and can also be a way to incorporate your favorite colors or match your significant other without wearing the same outfit!
•Be comfortable – If you’re buying new clothes (which you don’t have to do!), break them in a little bit (especially shoes!) and make sure you won’t be itchy or miserable from discomfort. Also, remember the weather and environment. Stay warm but not too cold or too hot.
"Love is a flower that grows in any soil,
works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or
winter now, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive." Louisa May Alcott
Pro's & Con's of a FIRST LOOK A First Look is when a couple chooses to see each other prior to their ceremony. (A “No Look” is when the couple may stand at a corner or opposite sides of a barrier to talk, pray or hold hands but not see each other.)
On one side, a First Look means:
•Losing the surprise and emotions of seeing your significant other walk down the aisle to you
•Breaking with tradition
•Starting your preparation and photography earlier in the day
It also means:
•Sharing an emotional moment in private as opposed to in front of all of your loved ones
•Being able to do some photographs of the two of you and your bridal party before the ceremony
•Needing less time between the ceremony and reception for formal photos
** Don’t ever feel pressure to do one or the other – think about your day with both scenarios and ask yourselves which one just feels “right.” I love both! ** If you’re option for a First Look, consider a special, secluded area that the two of you can meet and have your moment in peace, away from your bridal party and guests. Allow plenty of time for kisses!
Advantages of a SECOND SHOOTER A second photographer on your wedding day can be extremely beneficial to both you and me!
•An increase in the amount of final images •Additional angles •More candid moments captured •Immediate backup in case of emergency •Two sets of eyes to catch things •Smoother and quicker organization for group and family portrait time
** Wendy chooses a professional photographer with similar style and extreme professionalism and a great personality to assist her on your wedding day. She has a separate contract with that person binding them to the date and her expectations for your day.
Frequently asked QUESTIONS Why do you love doing what you do? I've photographed everything from newborns and maternity to family sessions and boudoir. Couples photography is where I feel most able to bless others with beautiful images and also where I am always pushing myself, teaching myself and proving myself. I'm a sucker for a love story. I love the planning, collaboration and adrenaline that goes into wedding photography -- and the lasting friendships it provides.
What's your fav part of a wedding day? The moment of the vows is always a very real, raw moment that I cherish witnessing and capturing. However, it's usually getting to know my couples and what's important to them that determines my favorite parts of each different event. Sometimes it's seeing the joy in a parent who has just recovered from a difficult illness or the support seen in a couple who has been through hardships together. I love a happy ending, and in getting to know my clients very well, I also learn what's truly special on their day.
Are packages customizable? To an extent, yes. Packages are created from my years of experience in providing the best coverage and final products to tell your story in images. However, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that require a bit of tweaking to the established collections.
Do you recommend a second shooter? I love having a second shooter! It's an extreme benefit to both you AND me. It's an automatic backup in case of unforeseen circumstances, but more than that, it's additional angles and extra final images and a second pair of eyes.
Do you only photograph weddings in Western/Upstate NY? I consider weddings not only in Western New York (Buffalo, Rochester, Finger Lakes), but also in the Hudson Valley area of NY (Woodstock), Northern New Jersey and Western Massachusetts. Thanks for your consideration!
"Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Robert Browning
What they think TESTIMONIALS "Wendy is a sensational photographer. Since the first time we met, I was so comfortable with her. She is so sweet, caring, relaxed, happy, open-minded and creative! From our engagement session, my boudoir session and now our wedding pictures, I was never disappointed! She truly is focused on making her clients happy."
"Wendy was amazing from start to finish! When sharing our photos with others, the ultimate praise I believe a photographer can be given was shared with me: "Wow, I didn't even knwo she was there!" She caught the fun without interrupting it."
"Wendy is the most amazing photographer. She made us feel 100% comfortable and relaxed for both our engagement shoot and wedding. Her attention to detail is unmatched and she ensured that everything I requested was taken."
"We loved Wendy! She took our engagement pictures and they turned out better than I ever dreamed. Wendy is so fun and easy to work with. She made the entire process natural and really enjoyable."
Advantages of an UNPLUGGED WEDDING Have you heard about the growing trend in hosting an unplugged portion of your wedding day? In an effort to keep all of your guests fully present as you recite your vows, many couples either have their officiant make an announcement or post a sign at the ceremony location asking attendees to turn all devices off. Doing this also allows your professional photographer to have an unobstructed view of all of your love story's moments. And the best part? All those beautiful candid moments of guests enjoying the beautiful day you've planned. See Wendy's Pinterest page for more Unplugged Weddings ideas and images.
Timelines for the
PERFECT DAY
Creating a photography timeline for your wedding day provides not only peace of mind for both of us, but a clear direction of where and when we should all be throughout the day. It will help us avoid confusion and delays and keep everyone -- family, bridal party, vendors -- on the same page! Things to keep in mind when creating a tentative timeline:
•Any travel, even just walking, between locations (Add extra time the bigger the group is, the more we should be hidden and the higher the heels!)
•Factor in "ME" Time -- for a snack and some water, bathroom breaks and just some quiet moments to collect yourself and take it all in
•The size of your bridal party and the size of your families -- if one or both of you has a very large list
of family portraits (which is great!), we should not only notify those guests when and where they'll be needed so it flows smoother, but we should also consider adding some extra minutes
•If you're doing a lot of photos before the ceremony (like a First Look and bridal party photos) you'll need less time before the reception for photos
A tentative timeline is requested by Wendy 4 weeks prior to the big day.
Keep IN TOUCH wendy@wendyzookphotography.com [ Wendy is available easiest by e-mailing. You’ll receive a response within 36 hours of any e-mail. ] (814) 931-9621. [ She can also be reached by telephone. Please no calls after 8 p.m. ] www.wendyzookphotography.com [ Follow Wendy’s blog for tips and recaps from other weddings and engagement sessions. ] www.facebook.com/wendyzookphotography [Wendy’s Facebook page] www.instagram.com/wendyzookphotography [Instagram feed] [ These feature favorite images, giveaways, contests and lots of advice from her vendor friends. ] www.pinterest.com/wendyzookphoto [ Wendy’s Pinterest page includes boards on everything from bouquet ideas to wedding etiquette and even some of her favorite love stories and publications. ] If you want to catch up or just have some questions, let’s grab coffee or have a Skype date!