RACHAEL ‘A warrior of light needs love. Love and affection are part of his nature. He makes use of solitude but is not used by it.’
Hello! Planning a wedding is such an overwhelming task. I’ve been there and I can totally relate to that feeling. Photography is extrememly important part of the day. It’s what you’ll have to relive your day. There are so many moments that happen throughout the day, most that you’re not even aware of. It’s impossible to remember everything. That’s where great, no scratch that, amazing photography steps in. It captures the moments you missed and the moments you want to remeber forever. It captures your personality and love for each other. It tells your story. I created this magazine to help brides and grooms navagate the world of wedding photography. There are so many photographers to choice from I want to make sure you find the right one. One that will capture your day amazingly.
I was made for sunny days I make due with grey but I didn’t stay I was made for sunny days and I was made for you
What to Expect I’m just going to start out with the stickiest more difficult question to answer. It really depends on a couple of different things. 1. how much do you like photography? 2. how much do love photography? and 3. how much do you really love photography.
I’ve had couples where their photography budget was 50% of the entire budget and I’ve had couples where it was 10% of the budget. It depends on how important photography is to you. I believe it’s incredibility important...but I wouldn’t be a photographer if I didn’t think that. ;-) Your photos are what you’re going to have decades down the road. Do you really want to regret your wedding photos? And I’m not saying you have to spend thousands of dollars just so you won’t be disappointing. You could spend $4000 just as easily as $400 and still be disappointed. The point is to think about what’s important to you and your future spouse. If photography is high on the list, then spend some time looking and figuring out how much you’re comfortable spending and who might be the right fit. (something we’ll talk about in another post) I spend a lot of time figuring out what the client is looking for and then making sure I make it happen. Not every couple is going to be the right fit for me, but the couples I do book I work my ass off for and at the end of the day they’re blown away. And a good photographer will do that, our clients are our business. Without you there is no business. In the Denver area photographers range from the Craigslist finds for $500 to top of the field at over $5000. So I truly feel anyone can find a photographer for their budget. But why is there such a difference in price? The pricing difference comes down to, it’s a service. There’s no rule book, or hard and fast rules that each person should charge. There are photographers just starting out, there are photographers that have been around a decade. There’s photographers that do it for a little pocket cash on the side, there are photographers that run a studio. It’s a service and each person sets what they feel is right. We’re not out to scam you out of money because you’re getting married. We’re doing something we love and running a business. Bottom line is I promise you your photographer will put as much enthusiasm and energy into your photos as you express about them. If you’re looking for someone to simply take photos and don’t really care what the photos look like, there’s multiple thousands of photographers out there that will gladly take your money and help you with that. And the photos you get back will reflect as such. If, however, the photos are the most important thing in the whole entire world to you, and you absolutely LOVE the photographer’s work, then tell them that! I guarantee your photographer will be much more excited about going above and beyond for you if you’re genuinely excited about your photos and the work they do.
Your Uncle
with the nice camera
Of course your uncle, cousin, sister, friend of a friend has a great camera and could shoot your wedding. But do you want to risk the consequences of that? It takes much more then a great camera to take amazing photos. It takes knowledge of when things will happen. There are so many emotions happening at a wedding at any given time, and it takes someone that’s been at so many weddings they’ve lost count to see and react fast enough to capture those intimate moments. Weddings are a fast paced event and unless you know how to slow things down, you’re going to miss a lot. A professional photographer understands that the few minutes it takes to walk the bride up the aisle there’s at least a half a dozen emotion shots to be taken, and they know where to stand to get those shots. They know how to hand the million different lighting situations that happen over the course of the wedding. From dim getting ready rooms to wicked bright sun light, to less then bright churches, and crazy DJ lighting. Sure you can have your friend/relative shoot your wedding as long as you don’t care if your images are over/under exposed or even lost all the together. But if you care what your photos look like; don’t risk it. There are certain things in life that you get what you pay for and wedding photography is one. You’re paying for someone that knows lighting, that knows when your dad will tear up, and someone that can handle your crazy Aunt during family photos. And in the end deliver you amazing images that you’ll treasure for years to come. If you care even a little bit, hire a professional photographer that you love.
Questions to Ask
during your meeting
Every wedding magazine seems to have a list of questions to ask your photographer. I’m pretty sure an intern at the magazine come up with the questions too. Really my formal education is going to make or break your decision? (I hope for my sake it doesn’t. :-) ) These lists of questions either make photographers laugh, get annoyed or just simply make them not return an email. It’s fantastic to ask questions, I love it when a couple is curious and wants clarification. Just understand what you’re asking before you ask it. Don’t ask just
because a magazine told you too. Does it really matter what equipment I use? If you know cameras well and just want to know what I’m shooting, sure go ahead and ask. I’d love to talk shop with you. I think the more important questions to be asking are ones to get to know each other. Who is this person sitting in front of you? Are they easy to talk to? Are they trying to get to know you better? What do they see happening during your wedding? How do they handle photos of the two of you, or family? I want an open and honest relationship with my clients. If they have questions of concerns, I want to know. The important thing to remember is it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Your meeting should feel comfortable, like you’re just talking to an old friend. If you feel like that... well you just found your photographer. :-)
Time Line
leaving time for photos
There are so many things that go on during your wedding day. From ceremony decor to reception setting and prepping your gorgeous selves, it’s really amazing how many little things need to happen to make the whole day feel seamless. Everyone has their check list and their tasks for the day. I’m orchestrating, family photos, bridal party and photos of the two of you. Fairly simple right? How much time could that really take? It’s so important to talk through your time line with your photographer. Talk about what’s most important to you. Is it being at your cocktail hour or do want ample time for photos? Your time line, just like your whole wedding, is what you and your hubby find most important. So take some time and talk it through, you want to enjoy your day and not feel stressed or constantly worried that you don’t have enough time. Once everyone knows the play book you shouldn’t have to worry. I have a rule of thirds, a half hour of time for each major group. You probably won’t need that much time, but it’s there. If you pencil in a little elbow room you won’t feel rushed or worried your holding something else up. If you’re not seeing each other it means all of these happen after the ceremony. Not a big deal as long as there’s enough time that you won’t feel hurried. So talk it through, decide what’s important and make a time line. You don’t have to stick to it like glue, but you’ll have an idea. People will know where they’re suppose to be and when and things will go off like clock work. Then at the end of the day you’ll have gorgeous photos to remember how happy a day it was. And when you’re not stressed about time, you have time to be goofy and have fun!
Engagement Sessions Why they’re important
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to who thinks engagement sessions are important. Some couples want them, others are a straight up now way am I doing that! Here’s my reasons why it’s important. 1. You get to know your photographer even better 2. Which gives you even more amazing photos, both at the engagement session and at the wedding 3. You’ll know what to expect on the day of the wedding. You’ll be use to having a camera around and feel like the photographer is just another friend. 4. How many really great photos do you have of each other? And a photo taken at the bar doesn’t count. :-) Do you have to do a session? Of course not, I never force my clients to do anything, but I highly recommend it. The benefits vastly out weight the negatives. Which I can’t even think of a negative. I love engagement session. A lot of photographers I’ve heard say they hate them, which sort of mystifies me. The pressure is off, you’re just hanging out. Maybe even drinking. I take all the creative freedom I can get! I lead in with telling the couple to completely forget everything that comes to mind when they think of an engagement session. That’s not what we’re doing here. We’re here to have fun and relax. By the end of a session I want the couple to have completely forgotten I’m even there. I’m looking to tell a story of who they are and what their love looks like. But this is me, I have a feeling most other photographers approach it differently. So ask your photographer, what do they recommend?
Family Photos
How to make them fun!
The ‘have to do, but no one wants to do them’ portion of the day. It’s a pain to stare at the camera for a long time taking photo after photo, while the photographer says ok 1..2..3. Trust me it’s not a picnic on the other side of the camera either. So that’s why I decided to make family photos as fun, easy and quick as possible. I always do the immediate family (siblings and parents) and grandparents. Beyond that it’s up to the couple. And most couples don’t want more then that. If you want more then just your immediate family make a list with people’s names on it and give it to your photographer prior to the wedding. The more people you want, the more time it requires, so it’s important that you and your photographer are on the same page. I make family photos as fun and light hearted as possible. The more I have you laughing the less fake and contrived the photos are, which is my ultimate goal. The day of the wedding make sure the family members participating in the family photos are told where and when they’re suppose to be. And let them know it’ll go quickly if they cooperate. Motivating family for photos can be like herding cats, so let them know what you’re expectations are. Everyone wants to make the bride and groom happy on their big day. They’ll move mountains if you ask them. :-)
The Bride and Groom Your photos
Ahhhh I love spending one on one time with the Bride and Groom. It’s definitely my favorite part of the day. Having the time to just soak up all that’s happening, the emotions, the sites, sounds and love! The day goes by so fast, it’s hard to stop and just be present. Being present is soo important though. Being able to remember what you felt like at certain moment throughout the day. I love taking a couple to a private space just out of range of all the guests and just letting them breath. Breath a sigh of love and appreciation for what’s happening that day in that moment. I don’t pose much during my time with clients because I want them to be with each other, not with me. The photos should speak what love and hope they have for each other. That’s what we’re all there for, to celebrate, support and encourage the Bride and Groom. Of course I’d love to spend hours just being engrossed in the moment, but time usually doesn’t allow for that. But don’t over look photos of you two. They really are important. You got your hair down and you look gorgeous why not take a ton of photos?
To See Each Other Or not?
It’s really the biggest time line subject of the entire wedding. It will determine what photos are done before and which after. It determines how much time you spend with your guests. But there’s also so many traditions, emotions and expectations wrapped up into the decision too. I personally saw my husband before the ceremony and I absolutely don’t regret it. I knew I didn’t want all the emotion of seeing my husband for the first time be walking down the long church aisle with 200 people starring at me. That pretty much freaked me out. But that’s me. If you decide to see each other before the ceremony you can still make the moment special and beautiful. You can make it as private or public as you want. Brides, you can still walk up to your fiance, and believe me the fact that it’s not your ceremony won’t take away from seeing each other. And you can embrace and kiss and cry all you want without having to get on with show, if you know what I mean. After you see each other there’s plenty of time to take all the necessary photos before guest even arrive. Then after the ceremony you’re free to enjoy your guests and all the hard work you put into the day.
Slow Down & Enjoy
It probably is cliche to say, ‘it goes by in a blink.’ But it is so true. There’s only a few times in your life you plan and plan and plan for one day, just to have it go by in a blur. Is it all the anticipation? Is it just your expectations? I learned a long time ago that when things are going really well to stop, look around and take a mental picture of what I see. It helps you remember memories a little better. I have a memory from my Europe trip several years back where I did this. I was on a the deck of a ferry on my way to Greece. The sun was setting over the sea, the smell of salt and wine was in the air. I remember feeling so incredibly blessed to be doing such an amazing trip, I had my future husband at my side and everything just felt right. I took a deep breath and thanked the Lord for being able to experience such a sense of peace. I did the same thing twice during our wedding. I stopped looked around and just watched what was going on around me. All these people there to support us. I’ve never felt more loved. I always tell me clients to stop and breath during their wedding day. It brings everything into perspective and helps to slow down the day just a little bit.
RACHAEL Rachaelgracephotography.com rachaelgracephotography.com/blog 720.252.3205
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