I may be a bit bias, but this is the week I am most excited about in this blog series. Let’s talk all things photography and videography!

I have had the honor of doing wedding photography for a decade now, 10 years, it still blows my mind every time I think about it. I have watched my business grow and have had the JOY of taking part in so many different wedding days- each so different than the last. There isn’t much that I love more than getting to be there for such a pivotal moment in a couples lives, and when I see my photos hanging on their walls… it quite literally brings me to tears. It is so humbling to me, to think about the images that I get the privilege to take. Images that will be passed down for generations to come.

One day we will all be old and grey, and these are the images that bride and grooms will be pulling out of an old dusty box, as they flip through albums of memories – reminiscing through images that tell the story of very first day of their forever. These images and videos will allow them to go back in time and share the memories from long ago. And I get to be a part of capturing that story, it gives me chills.

That is why I believe it is SO IMPORTANT to find a photographer that you love. This is where the investment counts. At the end of the day, the venue will host another wedding, the planner will be coordinating the next brides day, the cake will be gone, the dress will be hung up/preserved, and the band will have another gig.

The only thing you will have left from your wedding day are the pictures and the videos that were so carefully curated. Those are the things that will keep the story alive for generations to come, as your memory fails, and the grandkids are swooning over a love story that lasted the ages– you’re love story is worth remembering and preserving.

Make sure you invest in these because they last for generations to come and help you remember the things that are so easy to forget over time. They capture the joy, the excitement, the details that you spent months deciding on. They remind you of that time your grandma dropped it low unexpectedly on the dance floor and the cake that wasn’t suppose to get smashed on your face (but was). They each tell a beautiful story that is worth sharing and finding the right person to capture these moments, well it is vital!

So, don’t be afraid to ask questions and invest in someone that you trust to capture the memories so delicately. It matters and it is worth it.

So, here are a few things to look for in your photographer and your videographer!

Personality Matters

Your photographer and videographer are the people that will be with you the most on your wedding day, so you want to make sure they are people that you enjoy! It is your best day, so you want someone that is going to celebrate you and add to your day, not someone that is going to dampen the mood or stress you out. You want someone who is fun to be around, organized, and flexible. Wedding days don’t always go as planned, so make sure your team is ready to roll with the punches and celebrate you along the way. If you don’t click in the first couple of interactions, it may not be the best fit even if you love their work and that is okay. You’re dream photographer and videographer are out there – I promise.

Check out their Portfolio

This is vital! Make sure that you like their work. Photography and videography is an art and the style is unique to the photographer/videographer that you choose. You need to like their work and their style, because that is what will be reflected in your images and videos. If you like dark and moody images, don’t choose a light and airy photographer. This is the same for video, watch how they tell the stories of past couples because while your story will be different, their style will be the same. Look at their work and see if you can envision yourself in their images/video. Do you like the story they tell?

Ask Questions

This is so, so important. Do not be scared to ask questions! This is an investment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have about our process and how a wedding day with us looks. If a vendor is uncomfortable with you asking questions, that should be a red flag. Communication and setting expectations is so important! When I talk with a bride for the first time, I explain what a wedding day looks like, the details of a contract/payment, and when to expect their images and previews. This is also all backed up in my contract, that is clear to understand and upfront — signed by both parties. If they don’t have a contract or proper things in place that hold you both accountable, I would be weary. It is always a good sign when they are prepared and organized on the business side of things! I have talked to way too many brides that did not have this in place and either had a last minute cancelation or never received their final images/video. So, just some caution when booking a cheaper photographer or videographer that seems too good to be true, it just might be!

Remember, this is the area where the investment matters. You can expect to pay $3000+ on an experienced photographer and videographer (each!!), but you will be so thankful for the experience that they bring to your wedding day (and long after). You don’t want to wish years down the road that you had invested more into your images and capturing those special moment. The price tag may seem like a lot now, but it will pay off in the end. Trust me on this one!

xoxo, Tay