It’s a huge decision.  HUGE.  Every choice on your wedding day is big but choosing a photographer is choosing how you are going to remember and relive your day for generations to come.  When your big day is all said and done…you’ll have a marriage, a ring, a dress you most likely will stash in a closet at your parent’s house…and your photos.  I mean that’s so much pressure!!!  But I’m here to help.  The hunt for a photographer can be daunting because there are SO many.  Where do you even start?  To help I’ve put together a list of five tips to help with picking your wedding photographer.  This is not a fool proof system by any means but I feel so fortunate to have worked with tons of brides over the years who have basically become my best friends and these are what I have come to realize are the common denominators.

 

You have to like THEM…not just their photos.

This is huge.  A lot of couples don’t realize that you spend the majority of your time on your wedding day with your photographer.  I mean…where you go…I go.  That means I am with you when you are getting ready.  I am hanging out with your best friends and your family.  I am partying with you on the trolley (sans alcohol of course).  So if you don’t like me as a person…that’s going to be a major drag.  I joke that I’m best friends with all my brides because that is what it feels like.  On their wedding days…I am just another one of the girls.  Because we both took the time to get to know each other beforehand and make sure we were the perfect fit as people…and it always makes for an unforgettable wedding experience.  I can’t stress this enough…love your photographer’s photos…but love your photographer too.

 

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Know a human who has worked with them.

Referrals are king!  I can’t tell you the number of horror stories I have heard from bridesmaids or random wedding guests about their experience with their photographer.  Someone random they found and then this or that happened.  It is SO important to know at least one human who has worked with them or seen them in action.  Someone who can tell you first hand that they had an incredible experience.  When I get an inquiry that is a referral from another bride it is the greatest compliment they can give me because it means they loved their experience enough to take the time to tell someone else about it.  That is so huge!

 

Can you imagine yourself in their photos?

This is a big one.  There are literally hundreds of thousands of wedding photographers out there.  Probably millions but I don’t know that for sure.  All with different styles and skill levels and approaches on wedding days.  As a bride (or groom) it can be hard to know what kind of style you like.  You’re not a photographer…how are you supposed to know how to describe a specific style of photography?  So an easy to fix is to try to imagine yourself in their photos.  Now, I’m not talking about the decor or venue of a wedding day.  I mean the photos themselves.  Do you find yourself wishing they were taken just a little differently?  When you meet with a photographer are you asking them if they can take other types of photos than what you have seen?  If so, this person probably isn’t for you.  If you look at a photo and you can imagine yourself in it…then there’s your winner.

 

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Google doesn’t matter.

This sort of relates to the “know a human who has worked with them” tip, but in the world of wedding photography Google doesn’t matter.  I’ll probably make a lot of people mad by saying that but I really believe it.  This is not to say you can’t find a great photographer by searching Google for them.  But anyone can show up on a Google search.  You can pay to show up first or pay someone to make you show up organically.  Personally, I would rather spend that time and money investing in the relationships of my past and current and future couples so I get to work with more couples just like them.  Because let’s be real…I work with the best couples in the world.  🙂

 

Go with your gut.

I don’t know about you…but I get gut feelings about everything.  Gary tells me over and over again to trust my gut but I constantly second guess myself.  And of course the right choice was always my gut after all.  (that Gary…so smart)  In wedding planning in general…whatever your gut is telling you is probably right.  If you really want an outdoor wedding but someone is telling you that it’s too risky and to book a ballroom.  Don’t listen to them.  It’s your wedding.  Do it your way.  Same with your photographer.  You’ll get that gut feeling when you know it’s right…you just have to trust it!

 

**bonus tip**

When planning a wedding…budget is king.  It is’s not only important to stick to your budget but to create a budget that ultimately gives you everything you want on your wedding day.  So I think it’s so important to be realistic about what that means.  I can’t tell you how many brides have reached out to me after their wedding saying they went with a different photographer to save money and it was the biggest regret they had about their wedding.  Every time I hear that my heart sinks because I don’t ever want anyone to be unhappy with anything to do with their wedding.  So really ask yourself as you are planning your budget what is most important to you and plan accordingly.

 

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I pulled up outside the restaurant with 15 minutes to spare.  I was about to meet Megan and Martin for the first time and I was so excited.  I started gathering my things and all sudden I froze, realizing…I had forgotten my wallet.  I called Gary, who was in Indiana, and had a little freak out on the phone.  He offered to call the restaurant and pay for our bill over the phone because…well…he’s just that kind of guy.  I sat there weighing my options…drive home and be late.  Or fess up and make the world’s best first impression (insert sarcasm here).  I went with the latter.  I mean…meeting a couple for the first time and then immediately saying…oh yeah, I need you to pick up the bill.  Not my finest my moment.  But this is exactly why I love Megan and Martin so much.  I walked in with my tail between my legs and explained my absent-mindedness and they were so awesome about it.  We laughed and I promised them I am typically way more together.  We had a few drinks and chatted about their wedding and buying houses and it was such a great night.  I instantly fell in love with these two and lucky for me…despite my wallet debacle they asked me to be their wedding photographer.  🙂  I honestly can’t say enough good things about these two.  They are so sweet and funny and obviously meant for each other.  Their engagement session was one for the books and as we parted ways I secretly wanted to crash their date night so we could keep hanging out.  They are the real deal and I am so excited for their wedding this October!

 

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Maybe it’s luck or fate or just really great planning on my part but it never fails that every wedding season kicks off with the most fantastic wedding.  Couples that I absolutely love.  Wedding days that are filled with so much love and happiness and just overall awesomeness.  It’s like starting each year on the best foot possible.  And this year was no different.

 

Alida and Ben’s wedding was one for the books.  It was such a perfect day that was literally bursting at the seems with so much love.  It was the perfect combination of friends and family and a heck of a lot of fun.  Every aspect was so thoughtful and unique to Alida and Ben….and made for a truly epic day.

 

Alida and Ben…thank you for allowing me to be such a special part of your big day.  From beginning to end it was perfection.  I hope you guys are settling into your Colorado life and I promise if I’m ever in Denver I will 100% decorate your house.  😉  Love you guys!!!!!!

 

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A HUMUNGOUS thank you to my second shooter, Nicole Lender.  Couldn’t have done it without her!

And a giant thank you to all the vendors that made this day do spectacular!

Planner: Ashley Carpenter – Simply Elegant Group (Ashely was AMAZING to work with…I highly recommend her!) |  Florist: Victoria Claus – AEG Productions |  Venue: Lacuna Artist Lofts  |  Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s |  Caterer: LM Catering |  DJ: Style Matters  |  Hair/Makeup: Bev Esquivel – with Kate Johnson Artistry

 

 

There are certain couples I meet and there is just this click.  Like this instant thing and I know we are going to be fast friends.  I had that exact feeling when I met Melanie and Jon for the first time.  From day 1 they never felt like “clients”…they always felt like friends.  Their wedding day was one of my all time favs and still getting the chance to be a part of their story just makes me happier than they will ever know.  They recently welcomed a very special lady into their lives and she is beyond perfect.  Meeting her and seeing them as a family for the first time brought out a lot of squeals and awwww’s and really cute photos…if I don’t say so myself.  Melanie and Jon…I am beyond happy for you guys and can’t wait until Sutton is old enough to binge watch some Gilmore Girls.  You know I’ll be there with the pop tarts!  🙂

 

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During my last trip to Chicago I got to spend time with some of my very favorite wedding couples turned friends turned families (look out for a lot of cute photos coming in the next few weeks).  Which as you know is my new favorite thing.  It just gives me all the warm and fuzzies to see their lives grow and explode with so much happiness.  It never gets old.  So it’s safe to say getting together with Marissa and Jay and their ADORABLE son Everett…made my whole day.  I love getting to see this little guy grow up and of course…spending some time with two of my favs.  🙂

 

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