I met Katie & Mike on a chilly April day. I also met their adorable daughter and Katie’s Matron of Honor. Poor Mike had to drive his Harley all the way from Evansville, remember it was a quite chilly day. Don’t worry, Katie drove her car with their daughter. =) We started the shoot down town in Washington. Their daughter was excited to be in some of the pictures and others she just wasn’t having it. After quite a few different spots downtown, we headed to the park. We got some great shots at the park. My all time favorite was of them sitting on the sidewalk with the fountain in the background(you can see it below). At the entrance of the park on the road, I had Mike attempt to dip Katie, I thought they did just fine but it was pretty funny watching because neither one of them could stop laughing.
We eventually quit trying and moved down by the bridge. I took some pictures of Katie and Mike with the Harley and they turned out awesome! Their are certain sessions that I know when I am shooting that I can not wait to get home to edit them and this was definitely one them! After editing just a few I knew exactly why I was so excited to get to them, I was SO happy with them. Both Katie and Mike photograph great. They took directions great and were natural in front of the camera. Once I got them done they had 395 images to choose from. I know that sounds like a lot but I prefer to give them a bunch to choose from. I love when I can give a client so many choices.
And now onto the big day! Katie and Mike’s beautiful day was on September 9th, 2017 at New Leaf Fitness & Spa in Lawrenceville, IL. Their venue was absolutely gorgeous! It has a newly crafted exterior. The interior has a rustic country look to it. The attention to detail is perfect. The chandeliers were beautiful! They were made out of old looking glass bottles.
I sent Katie a questionnaire about her and Mikes relationship from beginning to their wedding day and for their plans afterwards. I am going to post some of the answers below. What ended up being your favorite part of the day? Before the ceremony, when my husband and I got to spend a minute together since we had already done our first look. Please share 2 or 3 words you would use to describe your wedding photography. Captured our emotions What did you like most about working with Kirsten Alana Photography? Great pictures for great price Why did you choose Kirsten Alana Photography to photograph your wedding? The price Recommendation If you are wanting great pictures without the expensive cost, use Kirsten Alana Photography. What advice would you give to future couples for their wedding? At the end of the day, all that matters is marrying your love. There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars you don’t have just to get married. How did you meet? Tell me a little about your story as a couple. We were from the same hometown, but I had moved an hour away. He was friends with one of my friend’s boyfriends and they convinced him to Facebook message me. We talked all the time until our first date, and the rest is history. Tell us about the proposal. I found a paper on the counter describing the ring. I confronted him about it that night. Then neither of us could wait, and he threw his proposal plan out the window and proposed to me in our home plain and simple and perfect. Were you nervous? How did you squash the nerves? I was not nervous for the proposal. We had talked about it several times and knew it was coming. For the wedding, I was nervous about everyone looking at me, and my husband was the only one that could help me relax. What was your wedding inspiration? Tell us about your food and cake. Cake was made by my MIL. It was all her design and choosing. We had scones and cookies instead of a meal and I’m so glad we did. What song did you walk down the aisle to? Endlessly by Green River Ordinance What song played for your first dance? Never Stop by Safetysuit (wedding version) Tell me about some of your favorite wedding details and how you came up with them! I liked the simple touches of royal blue with the mismatching centerpieces. Pinterest helped me with every decision. What were some of your favorite moments from your wedding day? My husband accidentally said “waffely wedded wife” instead of lawfully wedded wife. I couldn’t stop laughing because I had seen the YouTube video of the husband doing that and I had a hard time keeping a straight face until we got more into the vows and my husband started to tear up and then I couldn’t stop tearing up myself. What are you most looking forward to as a married couple? Enjoying our time together and one day having another kid. What's next on your calendar as a couple? Since the hurricane had our honeymoon cancelled, we hope to reschedule it for the spring. The vendors that were used at this wedding were: Venue - New Leaf Fitness and Spa Bridal Gown - Illusions Bridal & Tuxedo To see more pictures of Katie & Mike you can visit Kirsten Alana Photography on FB.
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Disclosure: Some of the link below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
You've gotten engaged, booked all the important things, got the dress, picked out the rings, and now you have to decide how you want to go about the guests and gifts. A lot of times couples are pretty established by the time they decide to settle down and get married. Meaning they have the main things that you think of when you think of a wedding registry. They don't need another toaster or another margarita mixer...wait, yes you do! You can always use 2 of those! Okay, that's just me. A more modern and fun way of letting your guests know what you need for your new life there is a website called Honeyfund. You simply sign up on their website and let all of your guests know about it. Then they know exactly what you are wanting. There is an app for Android and Apple.
Okay, I can hear some people now...we don't need to go on a honeymoon and that's okay because that's not all Honeyfund is for! There are so many options! There is a registry called The Everything Registry. You can request a house down payment, home improvements, landscaping, and even an entertainment upgrade. There are even Fun Registries where you can request cooking classes, a year of housecleaning, and future babysitting! And of course if you do decide to use Honeyfund for a honeymoon, the site will help you with all the options and everything that is involved with each destination. There is literally a world of choices! Let's say you choose Hawaii. It breaks down airfare, rental car, and all sorts of different activities you can do. And all you have to do is request what you'll need. If you won't need the rental car then simply leave it off your registry. Honeyfund was founded on the show, "Shark Tank" in 2014. Honeyfund has been featured in the New York Times, BRIDES, and VOGUE. It was chosen has one of TIME magazines 50 best websites. I could never tell you everything in just this one blog post so you'll definitely have to check it out for yourself!
This blog post will be a short and quick to the point post. But don't worry I have lots of blog topics coming up and in the works! If you have an idea for a blog topic let me know. I really enjoy hearing what other people think and what they would like to read about.
I am going to start blogging about client sessions and some info about the client(s). I had done a few of these types of posts on my previous blog but since I have moved my blog to this site I will be re-posting the ones that I had done in the past. Once I am caught up with past clients and their sessions I will then begin on more recent sessions and of course new clients. After each session I give the client(s) a questionnaire about the session and working with me. I incorporate their answers and feedback in the blog. This helps future clients and potential clients get a feel for what it is like to work with me and have me as your photographer. I will also post some of the images from the session. If a client does not want me to write a blog post about them and their session they have every right to not have a post written about them and their session. So get ready for these posts to be coming up! Don't forget...If you have a question about something, let me know because I may be able to turn it into a blog post! Also, if you have an idea or two for a blog topic let me know that too! I'm always up for a challenge!
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Wedding bouquets are no longer just flowers anymore. The bouquets you see today are DEFINITELY not the kind that hang down a foot or two like your Mom or Grandma had. A lot of brides are choosing to go the DIY route allowing them to put their own touch into their bouquet. There are also lots of different options that you can purchase. This post will show you some of my favorite bouquets and how to make them or where to purchase them. The possibilities are endless! I love being unique and being different is the best way to be!
Beaded Bridal Bouquet
I love this beaded bouquet for so many reasons! It's VERY unique and I love pearls and shiny things. =) You can also put it on display for a beautiful conversation piece.
This bouquet can be found on Momdot. The full instructions arehere! Custom Jewelry Brooch Bouquet
Look at that bling and that shine! I told you I'm a sucker for those two things! I even love how the "stem" is wrapped in a satin ribbon. It is on the pricey side but if you've got it to spend I say go for it! This bouquet is handmade by HarmonyCreative on Etsy. The direct link for this bouquet can be found here.
Fabric Wedding Bouquet
This bouquet is also up there in price but look at it! And it's fabric! It also has the beautiful details that really set it off. This bouquet incorporates pearls, tulle, birdcage netting, and ribbon. Each flower is individually designed from being hand dyed to hand brushed. So you know that every bouquet this Etsy seller makes will have no two bouquets exactly the same. The Etsy seller is, The Sunny Bee Bride. The direct link to purchase this bouquet can be found here.
Chic Brooch Wedding Bouquets
These bouquets are just 3 of the 20 examples of DIY Brooch Bouquets. Of course the bouquet you make will not look exactly the same since the pieces you will find won't be identical to the ones shown but it still gives you a good idea. When you make your own the options are endless! You can find more examples and instructions onDeer Pearl Flowers website.
What do you think of these bouquets? Would you carry them down the aisle? Do you prefer flowers? Let me know what you think or better yet, if you had a unique bouquet post it to share with everyone!
I try to be as positive as I can be about life in general but when it comes to being a photographer and owning a photography business I’m not always so positive. It very well could be because the cold months are typically known as slow season to photographers. And since I don’t have a studio it is definitely more slow. I feel like if I had a studio it wouldn’t be as bad. I currently don’t even have extra space to do a shoot that takes up a smaller space such as a newborn session.
What REALLY gets me down and I can say is the number 1 reason I feel like I shouldn’t be a photographer anymore is when I see so many of my Facebook “friends” having their pictures done by someone else. I don’t expect all of my Facebook “friends” to hire me. I realize there are so many photographers and “photographers” out there these days to choose from. People will say, “oh, don’t take it personal”. But I do…unfortunately. I know it is part of the business. I want you to KNOW that this is NOT a feel sorry for me blog post. It is far from it. It is just how I feel and I finally have gotten the nerve to write about it.
Something else that goes along with all of this and feeling like I should just quit is I don’t seem to get much feedback on my blog posts. Is anyone even reading these? Does anyone even care? Why do I ask those questions? Well simply because there is nearly no interaction from my Facebook fans. And not only my blog posts but since I have been doing the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways on both of my photography pages, there has not been a whole lot of activity. I seriously have asked myself several times, “Why am I even putting forth all of this effort for nothing?” I just don’t get it! I am giving away free digital images and discounted sessions! I am already fairly cheap so getting a discount makes it even better! But still…very little interest is shown.
Another reason I want to quit sometimes is because people can’t seem to “afford” me. I have done my research and I am one of the lowest charging photographers in the area! Honestly if you want to go any cheaper than you are going to get what you pay for and you know that saying, “You get what you pay for”, well it’s true with photography just like anything else.
I know that I am not the best photographer out there. But I also know I am not the worst photographer out there either. I look at some photographers work and I feel like I am not even close to their level of skill. It does take years of learning and practicing to be REALLY good, I get that. You don’t just decide to become a photographer one day and be top notch at it. I don’t think I am over reacting because I have been doing this since 2014 and it will be 2018. I really just don’t get it. I wish somebody had answers… If you are photographer and feel the same ways let me know your struggles? Am I crazy? Let me know what you think and feel free to share. If you are a photography client(of any photographer) let me know what you think, also feel free to share. Are there any other photographers that feel that way? As a someone who has hired a photographer, am I crazy for thinking this way?
Kirsten Alana Photography offers more than just prints! These photography products are great ways for you to display your photos! I will list the products along with a description of the products and some images of the products. This blog post is some of basic wall display products. I will do another blog post of the other products that are available. There truly are endless possibilities to display your pictures!
Gallery Wraps
If you’re looking for a quality Gallery Wrap, inexpensively priced, without anything fancy such as a laminate, or hanging options, our Gallery Wraps are the perfect solution. Gallery Wraps are a way to turn any photo into a work of art. If you’re looking for a quality Gallery Wrap, without anything fancy such as a laminate, or hanging options, our Gallery Wraps are the perfect solution. These Gallery Wraps are finished with saw tooth hangers and corner bumpers without any paper backing.
Barnwood Frames
Add charm by displaying a special image in a genuine Barnwood Frame. From vintage themed weddings, to milestone moments, WHCC’s Barnwood Frames create natural warmth in one’s home. Reveal your beautiful story with a frame that has a beautiful past. Handcrafted in Minnesota, these frames are built using reclaimed wood from old barns. Our standard Barnwood Frame arrive fully assembled complete with craft paper backing, a wire hanger and a ‘Minnesota Made’ stamp on the back.
Float Wraps
Float Wraps are built to grab attention. WHCC takes your photographic or canvas print and wrap it around padded masonite, then coat it with a protective laminate for a sleek, elegant look. It’s black paper backing and thick gatorboard block with holes allows the image to hang extended from the wall, giving the appearance that your image is floating.
Wood Prints
Give your prints a natural look with your image printed on real maple wood. The beauty of the grain comes through on the lighter colors and white areas of your image giving it a soft and warm feel. Clients will love its eco-friendly durability along with the vibrancy of their images. Wood Prints are finished with a protective laminate. These arrive ready to hang with a pre-cut keyhole. Please be aware that the wood printing process is different from WHCC’s photographic printing process. Due to the nature of the maple wood, no two boards will look exactly alike. Each print will be unique and one of a kind. Pair your favorite outdoor, natural light image with the latest trend of printing on wood, from newborn babies to beautiful outdoor weddings. It will make a great addition and conversation piece in your client’s home.
Metal Prints
The brilliance of WHCC’s Metal Prints is unparalleled! Using an innovative dye sublimation process, your custom images are printed directly onto high quality aluminum for a clean and lasting finish. WHCC’s Metal Prints show off vibrant colors in a way no other medium can. Your most captivating shots take on life-like depth and dimension for an impressive display that stands the test of time. Metal Prints give your home décor an ultra-modern feel. Brighten up any workspace with sleek, stylish, contemporary art. Create breathtaking scenes in a studio or gallery space. No matter where they are displayed, Metal Prints will steal the show!
Standout
The sleek Standout is made from lightweight foam with the edge of your choice. Choose from popular sizes between 8x10” and 30x40” and two different depths. Holes are added to the backside making it ready to hang as soon as it arrives.
Bamboo Panels
Bamboo is a sustainable harvested material and a beautiful mounting option for your images. Bamboo Panels are conversation starters. Bamboo Panels pair beautifully with images in outdoor settings, but also bring a natural feel to images captured indoors. The beauty of bamboo is that it lends character to almost all photographic styles including family, baby, wedding, and landscape. The distinctive pattern of the bamboo is exposed along the edge of the panel with a smooth finish. Bamboo Panels arrive ready to display with a carved out keyhole on the back for easy hanging. Bamboo Panels are a solid, more substantial alternative to Standout. They have a similar style to Wood Prints without the appearance of wood grain showing through your image.
Image Blocks
The Image Block has a similar look to a Gallery Wrap in that the image or design is wrapped around a 1" thick wood block, but is created with a Lustre or Metallic photo print. Start by picking a 1" or 2" thick Single Image Block or add depth with a Multi-Block. From there, the size, paper, and decorative design are completely up to your creative eye.
Framed Prints
Expertly Handcrafted, Professionally Framed Give your images the presentation they deserve with these remarkable, handcrafted frames. The very best mouldings to craft these beautiful, high quality frames have been selected. Whether Canvas, Metal, Fine Art, or Photo Prints, your images are skillfully framed to preserve them for years to come. Timeless and Traditional The Lexington Frames have been a popular classic since framed prints have been offered. In four timeless colors including Black, Cherry, Iron and Bronze, Lexington Frames have a traditional moulding style that is the perfect fit for any type of images you want to display. Pair warm, low contrast prints with Deluxe Frames for a popular vintage look. Available in Toffee Crunch and Rum Raisin, this 2¾” moulding is finished with a slightly gilded edge for the perfect touch of detail. Ashland and Colonial Frames bring character and warmth into the home. Available in two beautifully brushed color options, Aged Gray and Aged Umber. Colonial is one of the thickest moulding sizes offered and gives a memorable impression with its ornate detail. Ashland has a 1¾” flat surface moulding with brushed finish, making it very similar to our Distressed Frames. Sleek + Modern Go modern with a Slim or Gallery Frame. Available in Black, White and Gray, these frames speak for themselves by adding a clean, crisp look to any setting. Made from the same wood moulding, each style comes in a different width and depth. These sleek frames can also be mixed and matched with a variety of wall display options for added depth and dimension. One-of-a-Kind Reclaimed Frames offer a unique style you won’t be able to find anywhere else. With two options to choose from, these re-purposed frames add a touch of sophistication to any room. Walnut provides a rich, dark brown wood finish with an angled cut moulding for timeless appeal. Maple with Black has a solid natural wood front with a painted black edge creating a dynamic combination. Each reclaimed frame is hand crafted using salvaged or deconstructed wood and trees from Michigan neighborhoods, parks and urban areas. Add a Pop of Color Distressed Frames are so much fun to mix and match, you’ll find the right colors to enhance any image and achieve the look you want. These frames come in eight fun colors and have a brushed, distressed finish. Add a vibrant touch to family images, especially those with a beach or outdoor theme or perfectly capture the romance of wedding images. Brightly colored Distressed Frames are charming in a child’s room. They are so versatile, you can display them in countless ways for any desired look.
Have you fallen in love with any of these products? I know I love them! If you have had a session with me, or would like to book a session so you can get your hands on some of these great products, you can contact me by filling out the form below!
I came across a really good article about things photographers hate to hear and I'm going to put my 2 cents in on each one. I'll link the original post at the bottom of the page. I'm going to list them as they are on the article and follow up with my opinion, because I just LOVE giving my opinion! So here we go....
1. “Let’s Do This Thing I Saw On Pinterest!” I actually don't hate this. I advise boudoir clients, wedding clients, seniors, and sometimes other clients depending on the type of session to make a board on Pinterest. The main reason is so I can get an understanding for their style. There are times that I go completely blank because I feel like I've done every pose. I'll look at Pinterest and show the client something that's been pinned and do something along those lines. Just don't ask me to recreate every photo you have pinned. I've never had a client say this, "but it looks so much better on Pinterest", I'm not trying to do EXACTLY what was on Pinterest. All photographers are different, there is not a single one that is the same. Please don't expect something you see on Pinterest to look EXACTLY the same. Even if 5 photographers were to recreate the same shot, you’ll see a difference in all of them. There are also no two clients that are the same. Maybe the picture on Pinterest was more photogenic. I don't feel like Pinterest is a way of stealing someones idea. I personally think that if you don't want your ideas used then don't put them on Pinterest. To me, that's what Pinterest is for, to share ideas so others can use them.
2. Being Treated Like a Terrorist In Public Places
I can't personally speak on this because I've never felt that way. 3. Competing For Attention With Cell Phone Photographers I love what the author has to say about this in the article. The perfect example is at weddings. It's so damn annoying having guests step out in front of you when the bride is walking down the aisle. I've had other instances where I'm doing a group shot and there is one or a few people in the group not looking at me but looking at someone that is taking a picture with their phone. I just want to say, "Hello?!, I'm the one with the camera, I was hired to shoot this wedding!". This is an example of your photos not looking how I want because not everyone is looking at me and that drives me crazy when the photo is perfect but some of the bridal party are looking at the camera. Just like the author says in the article if you're ever a client or part of the bridal party you should just know that you should probably be looking at the actual photographer. It may sound like I'm saying look at me, look at me, I'm the big bad photographer but I am indeed the photographer. Here is the link for my Wedding FAQ's blog post. 4. “Gorgeous photo! You must have a great camera!” This one is so annoying and just plain stupid! What if you're a baker and I said, "that was a great cake, you must have a great oven!" What?! No! It's not the camera that makes the photo. The photographer takes the photo and then MAKES the photo. I've seen some amazing photos from cheap point and shoots. It's just a complete insult to the photographer and obviously to your intelligence. A nice camera always helps but it definitely is NOT the only factor.
5. "Let's Put The Baby In This!"
I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert or even close to photographing newborns. Being a newborn photographer is a whole different ball game. I give HUGE props to newborn photographers.. Most of the time the baby is never in or on what you see. It's all the magic of editing. Like the baby hanging from the tree branch...nope. Even the baby propped up on it's elbows, is not real. Below is a video of the editing process of editing a newborn picture. Click here to see the video. Video courtesy of Kindred Moments Photography. 6. “Can I Get All The Original RAW Photos From The Shoot?” No, absolutely not! No chance! Not happening! No! That was the best answer I have, lol. I want my best work to be out there, not the unedited, straight off the camera images. My touch and style comes out mostly when I'm retouching and editing the photos. Daniela Bowker says is best, "Asking a photography to hand over a memory card, USB, or DVD of raw images is akin to asking an author to present you with their book in manuscript format: unedited, unformatted, and including the paragraphs and chapters that didn't make it."
7. When You Edit Our Photos And Put Them On Facebook
I'm sorry but they tend to look like hell! And it's a violation of the contract you signed. It's also against the law because going against a contract is illegal. Remember, it's our work and you are not to edit or alter them. 8. Never Having Good Photos of Ourselves I usually don’t care for most photos of myself that was not taken by an actual photographer. That's all.... 9. When You Make Us Miss The Good Light Photographers tend to or at least try to schedule when the lighting is good outside when the shoot is outside. There is that time in the day where the sun is perfect and the photos turn out just amazing if you can catch it at the right time. So just don't show up late, no matter when you're scheduled. The photo below is a perfect example of a photo taken at the golden hour. Photo courtesy of Amy Clemons.
10. Terrible Photography Clichés
There are trends in photography that just need to go away. Sometimes they may look cool but don't do it in every photo! I'll give the examples the author of the article talks about. When the photo is black and white but there is one thing left in color. Yes, I've done it before. But it was when I first started. I've learned a lot since then. Thinking that crooked photos look good. Crooked photos drive me crazy! There are a few times when you can pull this off but most of the time I'm in Photoshop and I'm straightening EVERY photo the best I can. Here is the original article: 10 Things Photographers Freaking Hate With a Passion.
What are your thoughts from the perspective of a client? If you are a photographer, what do you think? Let me know in the comments!
For the most part I agree with this article. You can find the original article here: Not your parents' wedding: The new do's and don'ts for modern wedding guests. I will give my thoughts on each rule and you can read the original article too. I would love to see your thoughts in the comments! The old rule: Thou shalt not steal the bride’s thunder by wearing white to a wedding — oh, and black’s out of the question, too. My opinion: I didn’t realize wearing black was so frowned upon. Black can be worn and dressed up. Plus black can look really good if it's done correctly. But the golden rule is not to one up the bride. Wearing white is fine, just don't wear a wedding dress(duh!). I think if you wear a white dress and add some accessories to it you're fine. Also, don’t dress like a slut…I’ve seen it way too many times. The old rule: Thou shalt not take photos on your smartphone, because … wait, what’s a smartphone? My opinion: I can not emphasize enough on letting the photographer do their job and let THEM photograph the wedding. They did hire a photographer for a reason! And not just because I am a photographer. It has always bugged me. Follow the rules of the couple if they have specified them. If they haven’t then at least be respectful. You can read more about this on a previous blog question, Do you allow other to take photos while you are photographing the wedding/reception? The old rule: Thou shalt send in your RSVP via snail mail. My opinion: I was a little taken aback when I read this. If we are talking about before the 21st century then weren't invitations always sent in the mail and wasn't there always the little RSVP cards that came with the invitation for the guests to return to the couple? If that's the case then OF COURSE RSVP via snail mail because obviously that's how the couple want you to. Now, if we are talking about today's wedding couples then that's a different story. Nowadays wedding invites are sent out in the mail(still!), or by email. At least those are the only two ways I've ever been invited to a wedding. But yes, always be courteous and RSVP! RSVP in the way the couple requested. The old rule: The bride and groom are expected to create a registry. And thou shalt not stray from the items on the list. My opinion: Always always always stick with the registry the couple made. They made it for a reason. You can not go wrong with their registry....or money. Money is always good. Since a lot of couples already live together they may already have a lot of the main stuff. The old rule: Thou shalt respectfully participate in all wedding traditions, including the throwing of the bridal bouquet. My opinion: Don't be a party pooper! The bride is doing a bouquet toss because she wants her single girl friends to participate. I know it may be embarrassing but just humor the bride and do it! The old rule: Thou shalt attend every second of the wedding ceremony, which will most likely be in a religious setting. Then, you can attend the party. My opinion: I understand there are reasons you may not be able to attend the ceremony since it's earlier in the day. Even if you think it may be boring, go! The couple invited you for a reason. This has always bothered me when it's a younger couple and all the friends show up to the reception but are nowhere to be seen at the ceremony. Don't just come for the party. You were invited to their special day and that includes the ceremony. Just be respectful. The old rule: Thou shalt consider bringing a plus one if and only if the invitation makes it clear that a person other than you is being invited. My opinion: Typically the invitation will be addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Jane Doe if married. If single it will say, Ms. Jane Doe & Guest. Only bring a friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend if it says & guest. If you are comfortable enough with asking about bringing a guest feel free to ask. Just don’t assume it’s okay and bring whoever you want unless it's clear. The etiquette for every wedding is going to be different. Typically if you know the couple well enough you will know what to do if there is something you question. Of course you can always ask the bride or groom but try not to bug them. Don't forget to let me your thoughts in the comments!
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These are some frequently asked questions(FAQ's) that clients have asked me or that they should be ask when hiring their wedding photographer. I have listed some of the questions and answered them in the fashion I do my weddings. If there is a question that I didn't answer please feel free to ask me. If I can get more questions or remember other questions I will do another blog.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes. Depending on which wedding package you purchase will determine the cost. Do you come to the rehearsal? I typically do not. If there is something out of the ordinary happening that you think I need to be there for let me know and we will discuss it. As a photographer are you laid back or aggressive? I am definitely laid back. I try to be just another person at the wedding but the one with the camera capturing all the moments. I’m not uptight and I like to connect with the bride, groom, and bridal party so that everyone will feel comfortable with me so that they are able to act natural when I'm taking their pictures. When everyone can act natural the pictures turn out that much better. I honestly like to connect with the bride the most because she has all the details in her head. She is typically the one I go to if I have questions. If she has a wedding planner I will go to the wedding planner first to see if she has the answer to my question. There are times that getting everyone to listen is difficult. The worst case is when the bridal party or people part of the wedding have been drinking. I'm fine with everyone trying to have fun or help get rid of the nerves. I try not to be rude when directing people where or how we are doing a photo. In the nicest way possible I will slightly raise my voice and tell the group what I am needing from them. An example would be if I need everyone in the bridal party in a certain spot for a group photo and they are talking with guests. I will say something like, “okay if you’re in the bridal party, I need you at x spot, we are on a schedule.” Most of the time I don’t have to say anything because either the bride, groom, a member of the bridal party, or family member will yell these things for me. Which I feel a lot better having them do it. =) How many images can I expect from my wedding? Depending on the wedding package you purchase you will either get 50, 75, or all images that I approve of. If you choose to purchase a wedding package that has a set number of pictures but you want all of the pictures you will have the option to purchase those. I will normally take between 500-1000 images. After going through all of those images I usually end up with 400-600 images. Do you work from a shot list? No. I have the traditional poses memorized along with the popular shots such as the ring shots and dress shots, etc. What if my wedding is not local? That's fine! I will be more than happy to be your photographer! If your wedding location is beyond 20 miles of my home, I charge $.65 per mile after the first 20 miles. If it is a destination wedding, which would typically be out of state, we would discuss the pricing for that. What do you wear to weddings? I usually wear a long dress, leggings or dress pants, and a nice top. I will ask you what your preference is though to be safe. How long will it take to get my images? This really all depends on how many other weddings and sessions I have to edit that are before yours. To be safe I say it can take up to 3 months. I like to take my time going through all of the images and looking at every one of them. I also like to take my time editing, color correcting, and retouching the images because I am picky and I want you to have the best images possible. I work on albums in the order they were booked. If your wedding was in June and a family session was in May, the family session will take priority over all other sessions. I do go back and forth editing so I don’t get burnt out on one session or wedding. I do always try to look through my sessions and pick out some of my favorites and edit them first so that I can put up a sneak peek. Do you allow others to take photos when you are photographing the wedding/reception? This is a touchy subject. I can not force people to not take pictures while I am photographing your wedding. I do discuss with you that it is best to either have a sign stating that you have a photographer at the wedding venue usually placed at the entrance. Another suggestion is putting a little note in the invitation or on the wedding program. There are some great examples of ways to let your guests know this that are not pushy but light and informative on my Pinterest. If guests are not notified in some way of this, problems with the pictures could occur. An example is if I am photographing the bride walking down the aisle and guests either step into the aisle to get the brides picture or hold out their cell phone to get a picture or video they will end up in the final image. I know myself and the bride do NOT want that. Another example similar to guests being in the way is if I am taking a group shot and guests want to get a picture too, that is fine but if we are on a schedule and we have to wait on 5 people to get a picture when what really matters is if I got the shot then that time adds up. When do you eat? This all really depends on the time of the wedding. I may snack at lunch because typically the girls will have lunch brought in and I will snack then. I eat dinner when the bride, groom, and bridal party does. When they get in line I get in line right behind them. I have actually gotten looks that say, “what do you think you’re doing”. Well what I’m doing is eating and getting that over with so that as soon as the bride and groom are done eating I can continue with the pictures because that is when the couple sometimes will interact with their guests. I’m not going to stand there and photograph the bride, groom, and bridal party eating. I will snap some pictures of them and the bridal party eating but I just get a few pictures. What if we hired you X amount of hours but run over and need you there longer? Again this depends on the package you purchase. You will more than likely be safe on the ceremony. Really the only time this may be a problem is if things were running behind and the reception runs over. My reception pricing structure is made to where this should not be a problem. Can I request poses or an image I want to recreate be photographed? Absolutely! This is your day! We will meet or talk via phone, email, or text before the wedding and I will go over questions and this is one of the questions. If we have already met but you forget something or something changes, all you have to do is either text, email, or message me on Facebook and I will change or add it. I also recommend you make a board on Pinterest of images you like so I can get a feel for your style. Is an album included? It is not included in any of the wedding packages I offer but you are more than welcome to purchase one through me. You will receive a discount when purchasing prints or other photography products such as an album. Do you have any recommendations for hair or makeup artists? Yes, I have several hair and makeup artists that I work with that I can give you their information. Can we keep every image you take including the out-takes? The simple answer is no and I will explain why. I want the best of my work out there. So if there is a picture where the camera didn’t focus or someone was in the way, there is no reason for you to have that picture. I select the best ones to give you. What is a copyright release and do you allow it? A copyright release is the copyright from the photographer to the client. At the moment of transfer the copyright no longer belongs to the Photographer, he/she no longer owns the photograph. In fact, in these cases the photographer can technically never use the photographs without permission of client. And no, I absolutely do NOT EVER do a copyright release. What is a copyright? A copyright means that I own the photo as soon as I press the shutter button. It gives me exclusive rights to decide how it is displayed and distributed. I am the only one that can make any alterations(edits) to the photo. So when you take an image that I photographed and put a filter on it, that is illegal. I shot the image and edited it so that is my work and I want my name associated with the image exactly how I created it and not with some filter. It is not a way for photographers to be rude or stingy, it is a way to protect the photographers work. What is a print release and do you allow it? A print release allows the client to print the images (though I cannot guarantee good results if you use a consumer photo lab such as CVS, Walgreens, etc) for personal use (such as to display in your home, scrap booking, etc) and even share online in places such as on Facebook. A print release does NOT allow you to edit the picture in anyway (this includes cropping), selling of the image, or entering the image in a contest without the permission from the photographer. It is very important to me that my work does not get altered in ANY way as it is my work, just like a painting or a song. Yes, I do allow a print release but this does not give you the right to alter the images in ANY way. Amazingly enough there is a right and wrong client for every photographer. Most photographers do not want to take on every person that contacts them for a session. You may be thinking that is crazy and photographers should take anyone willing to pay. But you will find out shortly sometimes it’s just not worth it.
I run a business, I make money from this business, I use the money for things my son and I need. It's just like any of your other 9-5 job but it's a lot more work because once I’m done with the actual photography session I am far from done. Even before the session, I have been contacted by the client so we have conversed several times. Then I have to make sure I have the right contract and get that sent out. I have to do all the designing of advertisements and posting of those ads. I may not have had to create an ad for the session my said client has booked for but it still has to be done for other sessions or for the business in general. What I'm getting at is the right client for you will admire and like(hopefully love) your work, hire you, pay the price, purchase the prints and/or products. They will post their images with your logo and not crop it so it can’t be seen. They will do this so that they can show off the images that are and be proud of the way they look PLUS make sure the logo can be seen. They can go further and give the photographer credit in the description of the image or better yet make a post thanking the photographer and writing something positive about working with them. These clients are the ones that I made my Referral Program for. I greatly appreciate these clients and want to thank them in my own way. The wrong client will make the excuses that they can't pay X amount right now, this and this isn't working, I don't have the time. Another thing with what I feel is the wrong client is you only see them when there are free sessions being given away. I feel like the right client will book a session and even take advantage of whatever special is being offered. Here's the thing, most photographers have their pricing on their web site or Facebook page. If you can not commit to those prices please move on and don't waste the time of the photographer and all the work there is beforehand just to have an excuse. And please don't try to get a discount. I run specials quite often but you can't always bet on those specials so don't wait. You never know when another special will come along. I understand money is tight but if it is then don't inquire about a session unless you can commit at that time or in the near future. Again, I understand that money can be an issue but talk to your photographer about a payment plan, most will do those for you. I know that I am definitely MORE than willing to work with you on a payment plan. Don't just tell the photographer some excuse because then you don't seem like the right kind of client and surprisingly photographers do communicate with each other. These trends could also make a photographer turn down a client, and yes it's happened. I don't intend any of this to sound rude but photographers are not running a photography business for the fun of it. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy it but it also a means of income too. |
AuthorMom, Fiancee', & Photographer. Archives
September 2018
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