recommendations

Click to download these recommendations and my wedding questionnaires.

Preparing for the photography:
- MOST IMPORTANT- Please contact me when planning your timeline. I want to ensure enough time is scheduled for the photos
you would like. Minimally an hour for formal photos is needed between ceremony and reception, and preferably an hour and a half.
- Please fill out the questionnaires to give me specific details as to what photographs you would like.
- Have a clear timeline prepared prior to the wedding so that I can prepare myself and my equipment for each event. Also, make sure
that you discuss with me how much time to allot in your timeline for photography- please do this far in advance of your wedding.
- If you are having an event planner who will be managing the events, I would like to speak with them prior to the wedding so that I
understand how the day will progress.
- To help the group formal shots go quicker and more smoothly please select one or two people ahead of time to assist me in guiding
family through the photos. Make sure that you give me a complete organized list of all the formal photos you would like taken.
-  Generally, if you book me for more time, it allows for less rushing and less stress, and more time for me to be creative, which makes
for better photos and more options for photos.
-  I recommend taking your formal photos prior to the ceremony, this provides for a more relaxing time taking photos, more time for
photos, and more time for you to spend at your wedding with your guests.
- I encourage you to hire me to photograph the preparation portion of the wedding day for both the bride and groom. This can be the
best time for me to get great individual photographs of you both, and helps tell the complete story of your day.

Choosing your wedding day locations:
- An overall beautiful location will make it much easier to capture beautiful images.
- If any part of your wedding or reception is outside, consider the timing. Try to avoid anytime near noon for outside events because of
harsh lighting, and for ceremonies later in the day try to schedule them early enough to allow for the ceremony and formal portraits to be taken before the sun sets.

Choosing and decorating the ceremony location:
- In each image of your ceremony, the background behind you while you are saying your vows will be showing. Having an uncluttered,
beautiful background is preferred. (Avoid having large speakers, microphone stands, etc. that create ugly distractions. If they must be
used, try to mask them with decorations or flowers, or have them set far off to the side.)
- Generally, ceremonies held outside yield more beautiful images than ones held inside because the lighting is better.
- If the ceremony is to be held in a church, pay special attention to the lighting. Some churches can be very dark, which makes
photography difficult. Please discuss this with the church planner ahead of time to see if flash photography is allowed. If possible,
please have all interior lights turned on. If additional lighting can be added please do so, especially if they can spotlight you.
- With a church if they have special rules please provide them to me ahead of time.

Choosing and decorating the reception location:
- For interior locations, buildings with many windows generally result in nicer photos because I can rely on softer window lighting
instead of flash alone.
- Looking at the details of the location is important. Notice any eyesores: exit signs, fire hydrants, ugly signage, etc., and ask about
having it removed for the reception or plan to cover it with decorations (after first getting approval from the location host).
- Pay special attention to the areas that will be backgrounds for you and your wedding party’s table, the dance floor, the garter and
bouquet toss, the cake cutting, and any other important event. If you can fill one side of the dance floor with flowers, decorations or
lighting I can use as a backdrop for dancing shots.
- Extra lighting on dance floor provided by the DJ also makes the images more interesting.
- When choosing where to put the head table, try to pick a location with a clean background. If they place you in front of windows,
make sure that the sun will not set directly behind you- this will make it very difficult for photos and for your guest to watch you.

Tips for ceremony:
- Prior to the start of the ceremony, just after guests are seated, I recommend having the officiant make an announcement.They can
remind guests to shut off their phones. They also can set boundaries for guests taking photos- I’ve had quite a few weddings with
guests that remain standing in the aisle or constantly get in my shots throughout the ceremony, making it difficult and sometimes
impossible for me to get “the shot.” So I’d recommend that guests should stay in their seats to take photos and try to remain
unobtrusive.
-For the processional, it’s nice when everyone processes up the aisle, versus having the men come in from the side- it provides more time for photos.

Preparing yourself for the wedding day:
- When selecting your hairstyle and makeup, select styles that will be timeless in your photos. Generally, when the makeup is
more on the natural side the photos tend to be more flattering. Dark lipsticks and heavy eye makeup tend to look faded and
smeary after a long day. I also recommend bringing touch-up makeup to use throughout the day. Especially a powder if you
tend to get a bit shiny. To help you stay alert and look healthy, make sure you are hydrated, fed, and have plenty of sleep.
- Make sure you’re comfortable with your wedding dress: how to do a corset back, or button back, and very importantly, how to bustle
your train- and how to teach other to do it.

Others:
- I highly recommend hiring an event coordinator to either help you plan your wedding, or minimally to be there as a “Day of Coordinator,” to be there to keep the day running smoothly, to address any problems that come up, and to make sure all the details are taken care of. It will save you, and your family much unnecessary stress, and result in an overall better wedding day.