Why You Need a Wedding Planner | Love Your Photographer

Dear Couples, 
Are you just starting the wedding planning process? (and oh what a process it is-former bride over here!!) 

Venue? Check
Florist? Check
Photographer? Check Check Check! 

But what about a wedding planner? 

You're thinking you don't need one right? Your cousin is going to help organize people for family portraits and your sister's boyfriend's youngest half-sister is going to keep the reception running on time. 

Stop yourself right there. 

Would you have a dentist color and cut your hair? A chef design your living room layout? 

Everyone has a specific skill set related to their job. Especially the vendors involved on your wedding day! 

I can't say enough about how much smoother weddings run for EVERYONE when a wedding planner is involved. It means I can come to them with questions and not you while you're trying to enjoy your party! It means your timeline is AWESOME and your day runs ON TIME. 

So often photographers get pulled in to keep the day running on time (which is important to be on time) BUT I want to be in my creative place so I can capture the best moments of your day. I really don't want to be shuffling your guests from cocktail hour into the reception and to please please please take their seats so we can get the first dances underway. I should instead be setting up my gear and positioning myself in the best spot to shoot your first dance as a married couple! 

Wedding planners help your vision come to reality, manage any surprise snafus and keep your day running on time! (I realize this is a SMALL sampling of ALL the tasks a wedding planner does, they do SO much more!).  

Let us each do our jobs, so you (and your family) get to enjoy every moment of your day and the time leading up to it! 

Myself with Caitlin Krebs of Caitlin Krebs Events at our first wedding together. Our second is this weekend! 

Love, 
Your Photographer
 

Love, Your Photographer | Advice

This is my first "Love, Your Photographer" post. The purpose behind these posts is to share with my clients things that might be helpful, for their wedding day or engagement session.  

Today we are talking about light! And why it should be important to you! 
 

Hands down I look for amazing light over the background. I can shoot with a tight crop, and a wide open aperture and make even a parking lot look soft and romantic. But bad light is bad light, and its hard to change that. 

Instead, I plan my sessions around the time of the day that will give me the best light, so I don't have to compromise on location or light. 

The best time of day tends to be an hour before sunrise and 1-2 hours before sunset. 

Why does this matter to you? I'm a natural light photographer. I adore soft, glowy, romantic light. It wraps around you in the most magical way. 

When we are picking the time to start our shoot, this is my biggest focus! If a day doesn't work for you to get there to allow maximum golden light shooting, I recommend we pick a better day. I  have yet to have a client say they don't want to shoot during golden hour! Its just so perfect! 

When planning your wedding timeline, consult with your photographer. That way we can help you maximize the best photos, at the right time and flow with the rest of your day. 

But my wedding is mid-day and not a cloud in the sky! 
Fear not! There are many ways to combat the harshness of direct sunlight during the day. I often look for open shade. Maybe from buildings, or trees (not right under them or you will look very green), or position you in such a way that the sun is behind you and I'm exposing for shadows. 

Of course this does depend on the time of year, and if it's cloudy out! Fear not, cloudy its a good thing too! It acts like a soft box. Gentle diffuse light. No bad angles, or shadows! I still get gorgeous photos on a cloudy day, in a totally different way. 

The most important thing to remember is its about you two. Your love for one another. That will come through regardless of the light situation! (But pretty light never hurt anyone!) 

Below are some of my favorite light soaked photos! 

Love, 
Your Photographer