For a lot of my clients their wedding with me is their first wedding ever, which means they typically don’t have a lot of experience with working with wedding photographers. There are A LOT of things that go into photographing a wedding that you might not think of, it’s much more than just showing up and taking pictures on your wedding day. With that in mind I thought it would be helpful to breakdown what it’s like to work with me as your wedding photographer, to help get an idea on what to expect. So let’s get into it!
1. Inquiry Form on Website
The inquiry form on my website gives me a feel for who you are and what you’re looking for from your photographer. Highest priority with my couples is making sure that we are a good fit for one another. In the inquiry form we will go over all the details of your wedding day, everything from the when, who, what and where, to what you’re most looking forward to and least looking forward to. The answers to these questions will help me to determine if this is a wedding I will be able to shoot by myself or need a second shooter and determine whether or not my style will be the best fit for the expectations of your wedding day.
2. Confirmation
Because I can’t stand not knowing if an email went through or not, a confirmation email goes out automatically to let you know that I actually did receive your inquiry. After that I will begin working on a response for you which you will receive within 24-48 hours during the week and up to 72 hours if it’s a weekend/wedding season. I use the answers from your inquiry form to put together a proposal for you as well as some information to help you with preparing for your wedding day.
3. Availability
I’ll determine availability/fit based on the location of your wedding as well as some of the other logistics such as how much coverage you and your partner are looking for. I always want to make sure I am able to put my all into each wedding so I limit the number of weddings I take per month. If we are a good fit I will put together and send a proposal via email with all of the information you’ll need to know before booking.
I do not require a consult call in order to book because I get it, life is crazy and it can be really hard to hop on a call with someone during a regular season of life let alone when you’re planning a wedding. So you get a little face time with me though, I try to send a loom video if I have a spare moment from my kids introducing myself and giving you the low down of who I am and what I am about.
4. Contract Questions
After you receive your proposal, if you have any questions before you sign your contract and pay the deposit on your invoice I’m happy to jump on a phone or video call. You’re not signing your life away, BUT your wedding day is pretty damn important so you should have all your questions answered before you sign the contract. Note, your date will not be officially reserved until a contract is signed and the first payment on your invoice is paid. I work on a first come first serve basis, but I will let you know if we have a proposal set up if I get another inquiry.
5. Signing the Contract
I’ll send over your contract and invoice and once your first payment is paid and your contract is signed your wedding date will be officially reserved on my calendar. It is important to note that your wedding day will not be reserved until we have a signed contract and a retainer paid. Your contract will go over a LOT, so make sure you read through! Some important things to look for and note are my turnaround times (so you know when you’ll get your photos back), as well as everything that I include in your package.
6. Next Steps
Once you officially reserve your date, we get to work on the fun stuff, planning! I send a next steps email going over what your experience will look like with me along with a wedding day guide that has ALL the tips on how to prep for and what to expect on your wedding day. Along with the guide I will send over engagement session booking info (if applicable) so we can get a date on my calendar for the two of you.
7. Final Questionnaire
About 6-9 months before wedding day, I’ll send you your final questionnaire with all the details/info on how I construct a wedding day timeline. It will break down how much time you will need for the types of photos you want as well as what the order of events might look like on your wedding day.
8. Final Prep
Around 1-3 months before wedding day we will set up a video call to touch bases and go over all the details of your wedding day. We will go over everything from timeline, what to pack in terms of details, what to expect and go over any other concerns you two may have leading up to your wedding day. We will also talk about your venue and the logistics of your wedding day. If you have favorite spots on your wedding day you know you want photos and make sure to let me know here!
9. The Wedding
It’s time for the wedding, and for me to paparazzi your ass. I show up on your wedding day ready to get to work! We will have timelines, we will have family photo lists, we will have photo gear, backup photo gear and everything I could possibly need to document your wedding day without a hitch.
I will be there to re-pin a bobby pin, keep you and your wedding party on schedule, make sure you eat and drink and document the whole thing as we go! I get that this is more than likely your first wedding, which is why I will make sure your day goes off without a hitch and you’re feeling good throughout. Uncomfortable in front of the camera? I will tell you exactly what to do and where to put your hands. Not sure what you need to bring from your hotel room? I’ll let you know you’ll need your phone, keycard and wallet tucked into your clutch. Wind has your veil flying like crazy? I will make sure it goes back in pinned and ready for photos.
10. Sneak Peeks
Trust me, I am just as excited as you are, so sneak peeks are sent 48-72 hours after your wedding day. I will also definitely share your photos ALL over social media. Your sneak peeks will essentially be a mini album of your wedding day. You’ll receive a couple of photos from various parts of your wedding day telling the full story.
11. Your Full Gallery
I send you your final gallery and print release 6-8 weeks later. I make sure your online gallery is secure and safe and you have all of the best photos from your wedding day. You’ll be able to download all of your photos from your online gallery and you’ll have access to your online gallery for an agreed upon number of weeks found in your proposal and contract.
12. Sharing is caring!
I share the gallery with vendors unless told otherwise. All of the people that worked with you on your wedding day worked SO hard to make sure it went on without a hitch! I love to share photos of their work with them so that they can look back on your wedding!
13. I share the crap outta your photos.
Yes I am obsessed with you and yes I will still be obsessed with you after your wedding day. I will share your photos EVERYWHERE, yes for real. You’ll be on my website, my Instagram feed, my stories and all of the above, and I hope you’ll feel the same and be sharing your photos all the freaking time too!
Well there you have it, all the ins and outs of what it is like to work with me as your wedding photographer from start to finish. Hopefully this helped give you a clearer picture on what you can expect when working with a wedding photographer, and if you’re looking to have me photograph your wedding be sure to fill out my inquiry form and we can start from square one!
