There’s something magical about leaving your wedding, all dressed up, surrounded by your best friends and family members, blowing bubbles, holding sparklers, or waving ribbons. But is it really? For some, having a grand exit to their wedding is like the culminating event of their biggest day of their lives. But for others, it seems forced and restrictive. Here are all the things to think about as you plan your wedding timeline and consider whether or not you want a grand exit!
Read MoreIn the photography world, there’s a common “Karen”-like term used for the random person at a wedding with a camera who often gets in the way of the hired photographer(s). Because that person is often an older gentleman with a DSLR or point-and-shoot, or God forbid an iPad, photographers affectionately refer to these people as “Uncle Bob.” We get it. Things have changed drastically over the last couple of decades as digital cameras and phones have become better and better for amateur photographers. It could be that these people think they are providing a special gift to the couple, or they want to have photos to show off to family and friends. They will film the bride walking down the aisle, the first dance, and special speeches and then send these photos/videos to the couple or post them on social media. However, here’s why that is not a desirable “gift.”
Read MoreThe most traditional and expected part of wedding day photography is the wedding party and family photos, but I’ll be honest— it’s a lot like wrangling cats. Without proper planning and coordination, you’ll lose groomsmen and several cousins to the bar, Uncle Joe will wander off to the bathroom, and you’ll be left standing, frustrated, as you wait for someone to go find your missing family members. However, with careful planning and an experienced coordinator/wedding photographer, this part of the day CAN be made as painless as possible.
Read MoreSarah Claire and Chandler’s wedding day began with a gloomy, rainy forecast. It was supposed to rain all day long, so I arrived armed with my Crocs, set of clear umbrellas, and a couple of extra changes of clothes. But the forecast and rain definitely did not dampen anyone’s spirits! The girls were in the house having such a fun time getting ready, singing, and dancing, and the rain miraculously stopped right as we headed out for bridal party portraits…and never started again!
Read MoreOne of the first questions I ask my wedding clients in their planning phase is whether or not they want a “first look.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a “first look” is when the bride and groom meet on the wedding day, before the ceremony, to see each other for the first time. For some, this is out of the question…some more traditional couples want to wait to see each other for the first time in the aisle. And there is nothing wrong with that! But there are some benefits to a first look…
Read MoreYou’ve just gotten engaged and are embarking on one of the most exciting and daunting things you will ever have to do: plan a wedding! After you secure the date with your venue, one of the first vendors you should book is your wedding photographer. Many wedding photographers offer "complimentary” engagement sessions as a part of their wedding packages, and there are several reasons why (and why photographers LOVE doing them!). An engagement session is not just something extra added into a wedding package to convince you to book with a photographer. Having an engagement session with your actual wedding photographer has so many benefits…
Read MoreI have been photographing weddings for 13 years this month. I did not go to school to be a wedding photographer—this second career sort of fell in my lap when I got my first DSLR, took a few classes, and people started asking me to take their family photos. When my husband’s cousin’s wedding photographer bailed, they called me, and three days later, I shot my first wedding! I was terrified; I literally had no idea what I was doing! But it was so much fun; I loved capturing all the special details and moments of the day. That’s when I fell in love with wedding photography, and I have never looked back! I recently booked my 100th wedding, so I thought it was a good time to share some things I have learned about getting ready for a wedding day in case there are any photographers out there just starting out who are preparing to shoot their first wedding and have no idea where to begin!
Read MoreThis past October, I was once again called to capture the magic of another Fowler family wedding—this time, it was for Blakely’s brother Ethan and his bride Cheyenne. While their wedding wasn’t quite as “Halloweeny” as Jordan and Blakely’s, it certainly carried a hauntingly beautiful, almost ethereal vibe, with details that seemed pulled from a ghostly dream.
Read MoreI have been shooting weddings for over 12 years, and I’ve built a strong workflow for ensuring I capture all the important moments of a wedding day. But there’s nothing worse than feeling rushed and unable to deliver the quality and quantity of photos I know I could deliver if I had enough time on the wedding day to dedicate to documenting them! Couples put so much time, energy, and money into planning their perfect day, and obviously, they want every moment captured. In order to get every moment captured, though, thoughtful planning and consultation with your photographer is essential. Here are ten mistakes I have seen my wedding clients make over the years and suggestions on how to avoid them.
Read MoreLogan and Caiden got married on October 5, 2024 at Cedar Creek Ranch, in Waxhaw, NC. It was a perfect sunny, warm, October day! Cedar Creek Ranch is a gorgeous barn on an open space at the end of a wooded drive, with a bridal suite, pond with water features, several spaces for ceremonies, and a huge reception tent! It’s the perfect spot for a couple wanting a venue that has plenty of space, amenities, and a rustic yet sophisticated vibe!
Read MoreIn the wedding industry, there’s a definite controversy over feeding vendors. Some clients/coordinators suggest vendor meals, and others opt not to feed their vendors at all. But I’m here to tell you that hangry vendors do not perform well! You really should plan to feed your vendors, or at least the ones who will be at your event for the entire day, and here’s why.
Read MoreAs I was writing a blog post with tips for planning weddings a while back, one of my suggestions was to have a bridal emergency kit with you on the day of. As a photographer, this is something I always carry with me, and it has come in handy more than a few times! So I decided to expand upon that post and create this one outlining some important things to put in your bridal emergency kit. (This would also make a fantastic bridal shower or Christmas gift for a future bride!)
Read MoreIt’s no secret that I love color. When my children or students ask me what my favorite color is, I have a hard time answering, because I love them all! Canaan & Kyle’s Dugaren Vineyard wedding was so full of color, I could not help but feature it. Just a little over an hour away from my home, Dugaren has a beautifully crafted building with both indoor and covered outdoor areas, a big open vineyard surrounded by beautiful trees, and the most amazing bridal AND groom suites! And on June 8, the weather was warm, but not too hot, and sunny…a perfect summer day.
Read MoreCatie & Kishon got married in the loft of the Dairy Barn at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. Her soon-to-be brother-in-law officiated the ceremony. One of the biggest surprises of the ceremony was the song that Catie chose to walk down the aisle with her dad to; it was her mom and dad’s wedding song. Surrounded by family and friends, their day was perfect…the weather could not have been more beautiful, and there was the most dreamy sunset before their reception began.
Read MoreIf you’re a couple who has recently gotten engaged and begun planning your wedding, you know that one of the most important things is finding your venue, which will also dictate your date and other vendors! There are so many things to consider when choosing a venue: your vision, the size of your wedding and the number of guests, whether or not you’re set on getting married in a church, whether or not you want an all-inclusive venue, and of course, your budget. Luckily, if you are in the Charlotte, NC/York County, SC area, you have a plethora of wedding and event venues that suit every wedding vision imaginable to choose from!
Read MoreSo you’ve just gotten engaged and are in the beginning phases of planning your wedding…congratulations! What an exciting time! After that initial excitement, however, it can become overwhelming when you start thinking about all the vendors you will need and all the choices and decisions you will have to make. At the top of your list should be your photographer, because after all, your photographer will be tasked with capturing all the beauty and special moments of your big day. You want to make sure you pick one with the skills, vision, and style who will document your memories perfectly. So take a deep breath… and let me share some steps that might help you find the perfect wedding photographer!
Read MoreLoray Mills is an exquisite venue with multiple spaces, and their ceremony was held in a beautifully lit space just adjacent to their reception hall, which was decorated to the nines! As Amanda and David read their vows to each other, both laughter and happy tears ensued, and when they were pronounced husband and wife, they literally jumped into the air and didn’t come down from the clouds for the rest of the day! They leaped into their reception with such energy, danced and sang their way through the first dance, and then continued the celebration with their friends and family until their exit—during a summer thunderstorm! All their dancing and energy in the clouds had to be released in some way!
Read MoreAnd then venue…oh, this venue! When I visited Castle Ladyhawke the first time for Olivia’s bridal portrait session, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are so many rooms and nooks and crannies for amazing photos, including a library, 3-room bridal suite, knights’ chambers for the groom, grand staircase, carriage house, garden shed, and a hidden room behind a bookcase just for vendors! We had so much fun creating Olivia’s portraits, and I could not wait to get back up there for the wedding!
Read MoreI grew up in Beaufort, SC, so anytime I have an opportunity to go back there, I do. There’s just something magical about the sea breeze, the ebb and flow of the tides, the scent of pluff mud, and the Spanish moss draping from the Live Oaks. Even though I moved away just before middle school, my ties to the area keep pulling me back: family, friends, the Chocolate Tree, the deer at Fripp. One of my friends who has become an integral part of my photography life is Blakely Fowler, who owns his own photography business, Blakely Clayton Photography. When Blakely and Jordan got engaged and asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was so honored and absolutely excited! Their wedding was planned for late October—and it was going to be a “Hallowedding.”
Read MoreEstablishing a strong working relationship between a wedding photographer and a second shooter is one of the most important parts of capturing a seamless story of a wedding day. I consider my seconds as a part of my “team” on the wedding day, and keeping that “team” mindset is why I think I have established such good relationships with my seconds! Keep reading for some suggestions to help the lead and second create a successful working relationship.
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