Bridal Shoot: Nicole and Julia

Earlier this month my friend John of Stained Heart Imagery and I have to opportunity to set up a really great bridal shoot with some models at an amazing location. Wedding Bells Boutique in Northfield styled the event, and Sally from Salon Du Monde came in and did hair and makeup the morning of. Our models Julia and Nicole were more than troopers running around this beautiful wedding venue all day, never complaining about the heat, or the dead birds (for unknown reasons it seemed that a flock of birds had died on the grounds earlier that morning. So sad!!) Ultimately our team was to die for, so the results were just wonderful. Here are some highlights from the day.

Rikki and Shane's Wedding

Rikki and Shane are two friends of mine who got married earlier in October. I cannot say enough about their wedding. It was beautiful. Very small and intimate. They had an incredibly lovely ceremony on the beach around sunset when the sky was the most amazing colors. There was a great classy cocktail party following at the Black Trumpet with some of the most wonderful food I've ever stuffed in my face. They were so relaxed, and gracious. I felt that they were two people who got it. It doesn't have to be about inviting everyone you've ever met, and doing exactly what's become expected by the wedding industry. It's about celebrating your union in a way that represents you. Their stamp was all over this wedding from the cupcakes (ladybugs!) to the beer options (when I got there Shane immediately grabbed a Guinness and explained that it was his favorite and the choice was a no brainer). Everyone in attendance had an amazing time, and the sense of community was strong. I felt super lucky to be a part of their special day.

buying your rights

A big trend in wedding photography has been "buy your rights" packages. For those who need clarification, this type of package is when the photographer comes, shoots your wedding, sends you a disc, and provides you the rights to print your photos where, when, and how you see fit (this is the type of package I mostly deal in). It's a beautiful thing.

Some of you may be wondering "Why is this so beautiful? They're my photos! Can't I just do what I please with photos of myself?" Well my friends, the answer to this is NO.

There was a time long long ago when photographers used a crazy little thing called film, and gave brides and grooms these wild things called PROOFS. They either came in a box, or as a book, but they were actual physical photos of the event. Bridesy and Groomio picked their faves for their albums and prints, and received what was included in their pre determined wedding package. Two years later when they decided "hey, you know, I kind of do want a 5x7 of grandma dancing with our card box on her head." they would have to take to the rolodex (because what the hell is a cell phone!? we're living in a world where cameras still have film!) and find their photographers number. Their photographer would then tell them what the fee for the 5x7 of Grandma would run them in photographer inflation land. Ten years later when they wanted more prints.. well sorry, Mister Photoman isn't doing the wedding thing these days and "hey kids, I didn't hand onto your negatives all these years. I hope you still love your album." Shrug.

How could these monsters get away with this (dramatics!)!? Well, the answer is simple. As the artists of the photos, we photographers maintain the rights to them, unless we give written permission allowing the rights to someone else.

Regardless of legalities, the whole thing still seems like a lot of crazy archaic nonsense. However, some old timers are still trying to hang onto your rights. My personal opinion? If someone tells you that they hold the rights to your photos, or that you can purchase your rights in addition to the fee whatever package they are trying to sell you, turn around and LEAVE. Perhaps run.. in slow motion if you want to be dramatic. There are plenty of AMAZING photographers that include the rights to your photos with the basic package these days, or the rights ARE the base package and they aren't inflating the price of the package as a result. These photographers have joined us all in the 21st century and realize that this is just the way of the times. Don't let any jerks try to tell you otherwise.

 True story: one day I decided to print a picture of a friend before a party I was meeting her at. I was going to swing through Walgreens really quick to pick the photo up. It all sounds so breezy. Swing through. Oh no, I didn't swing anywhere. They gave me such a hard time. I told the 18 year old boy at the counter "but I'm the artist!! I can print what, when, and where I want!!" he replied "then why are you getting your prints at a Walgreens. You need a letter of release from the artist!!" He had a point about the Walgreens thing, but I was the artist! Was I supposed to write a note to myself!?! I tried to explain my situation but he wasn't having it. The urge to punch him in his dumb face grew inside of my gut. Finally I showed him the picture on my website (god I love smartphones!), with my name on the website, then showed him my drivers license, and he gave me my photo. Also he looked super embarrassed, and I'll admit, I acted all sorts of smug. However, case in point, you're going to need proof in writing to actually cash in on the "rights" we've been talking about.

So many people hear their photographer say "and you have rights to your photos!" and assume it to be the case. Make sure it is in your contract first and foremost. I also suggest asking your photographer to send you a separate sheet with their signature stating your rights so if you DO ever decide to pop into CVS to print out extra one hour prints of your niece sleeping with her face in cake you don't have to leaf through pages of a contract to show them where it says you're allowed to be printing this there.

Artists’ copyright laws exist so artists aren’t ripped off. With how readily available images are on the internet these days that protection is amazingly important. However, in my opinion this doesn't mean that the average bride and groom should have to spend the rest of their married lives running to their photographer every time they want to frame a print. Knowing the right questions to ask your photographer is a huge deal. However in many cases knowing WHY all the wedding blogs are prompting you to ask certain questions can be super important as well.

how to hire a killer photographer on a pint sized budget: advice

I haven't posted a just text blog since I created this page, but I've been reading lots of informative blogs lately and thought I'd try my hand at providing people some insight. Most of the blogs I read concern the many angles of the wedding photography industry, since this is where most of my income stems from. I've noticed an abundance of blogs lately concerning brides on a budget. Now, since many photographers write these blogs, there are lots of skewed views, and being a photographer myself, I can't say my view is any less skewed. However, I try to approach the topic of budget from both sides of things, and have some insight that some brides may find helpful.

Photographers round the internet cry: "PLEASE!" they all plead. "Do not hire an ameture to shoot your wedding!! Don't have your uncle with the 'nice' camera shoot it for free!! Go with a pro!!" I see it in every post. While I agree, yes, your wedding photos are the only tangible relic that will remain of your wedding day when the cake and flowers are long gone, I have to say, you need to decide how important photography is to you. If, when you really sit down and think about it, you can honestly say that you're fine with trading quality photography in for upgraded meal options and top notch ambiance then I honestly think you should go with the least expensive option possible. An uncle, a neighbor, a student at a local college. It's your day, and it's an expensive one, so spend the money you plan to spend on it exactly how you want to. Just please, close your eyes and consider the worst case scenario.. don't close them yet, read first, then close... You, 20 years from now, looking at your photo albums, and you have only one blurry photo of you and your husband on your wedding day. Your mothers eyes are shut in the only photo of you and her, and somehow whoever was taking the pictures plain forgot to take one of you and your father.. Please make sure that you feel like you'd look back on your day and smile anyway.

ok, so photography is important to me, now what? Alright, it's time to decide on a budget, and search for a photographer. Most brides will hit up bridal shows, and ads in local bridal magazines looking for their photographer, but this is an article about finding photography on a budget. Think about it, the more anyone, not just photographers but any business owner, puts financially into a service based business, the more the cost of their service is going to rise, correct? So photographers who are paying fees to have tables at bridal shows and for ads in magazines are going to be more costly. Not the best jumping off point. So, where do you look?

craigslist is yo friend! ok, I may have jumped into that statement a bit, but don't be afraid of craigslist. Many photographers would rather use their hard earned money for things like great lighting equipment and lenses to better be able to photograph your wedding day. Some of them are great photographers already working for larger companies and are just trying to pick up extra work on the few weekends they don't already have booked. And alright, some of them are total creeps. So you're going to have to pick through them patiently. It's like shopping at TJ Maxx, it's a hodge podge of the good, the bad, and the ugly, and it's up to you to decide what's worth what.

Now, you may be tempted to jump on the first photographer that's offering "$400, all day wedding coverage!!".. Please don't do this. You're looking for a good deal, yes, but you know what you're mother said about things that seem too good to be true?

The best way to weed through the sea of photographers on craigslist is to look at the website they should have linked to their ad. Do they not have a website? Well, that's our first red flag. The average computer literate person (and you want a computer literate photographer!) can keep a basic website running for less than 10 bucks a month. If they're not at least committed enough to their photography to shell out ten bucks a month, it's bad news. This goes for any photographer you have referred to you by any means. Always ask to see a website. Photographers these days should have one. It doesn't have to be fancy at all. It can even be kind of crappy, it just needs to exist, and have a portfolio of photos that make you sit up and take notice.

Keep a bookmark on your browser of all of the photographers who's websites wow you, and even those who are wowish but are totally wowing you price wise. You can make more concrete decisions concerning how you feel about them once you've made some contact.

Wedding websites: Another way to hone in on photographers is to hit up wedding websites. Again, you might want to skip the photographers advertising on their pages. Instead, hit up the message boards. Make a post that says something like "budget photographer in (insert state)??" then a short post about what you're looking for. Other brides LOVE to talk about the great deal they wrangled, so you're bound to have several bites. Again, make sure you get websites. If a bride doesn't seem to know her photographers website, just Google the name. If nothing comes up, but she swears he's great and she can give you his phone number, you might want to skip this one.

Have a fancy photographer date: Contact all of the photographers that did have websites that struck your fancy. Let them know your budget up front, and what you're hoping to get out of that budget. Let them know what areas in which you might be flexible (maybe you're willing to forgo prints, or you'd like a second shooter, but it's not going to make or break things for you). Don't bring up price as one of your negotiables, because let's face it if you say you might be able to squeeze extra money out of the budget, no matter how great your photographer is, they're going to try to get at any cash they can sniff out.

Once your photographers have contacted you and you've emailed a bit, set up a time to meet, and ask that they bring either hard copies of their images, or a laptop for you to review their work on. If they tell you they can't meet, or that there's a consultation fee, then they're not your photographer. It's reasonable if you live far from them and they'd like to meet somewhere in the middle, or even if they need you to come closer to them because they have a very full schedule, but if they're just opposed, this is shadey behavior! Customer service is going to be part of their job during this process, and you don't want someone who's dropping the ball before it's even rolling.

While you meet with them talk to them about all of your concerns, even if they've been gone over via email, and really look at their images while you're having your sit down. You don't want to hire someone you just LOVED having coffee with over someone you were just pretty cool with because you forgot how much more you loved photographer number two's images. If they're in front of yo face you won't be entranced by a mediocre photographer based solely on you're common interest in Atari. Do keep in mind however, you want to make sure you like the person you hire a bunch. Your photographer is pretty much your new bestie on your wedding day. They're right there for all of the most memorable moments. You don't want to hire some creep that gives you the willies no matter how amazing their photos are or how low their price is.

Good Questions to Ask on your fancy photographer date:

• Schooling or training (remember, self taught is A-ok, just ask a few questions about how long they've been doing their thing)
• ask about their equipment, and if they have backup gear. (write the info they give you down, because while you may be reassured by their confidence in their gear, they may actually have a steaming pile of garbage. Google it up when you get home.)
• How they like to run their "average wedding day".
• If they have an assistant, if this is included in their fee, and if their assistant has compatible equipment to theirs. (again, none of these are deal breakers, it's just pluses in their column)
• Copyright arrangements. (IMHO a photographer who won't give you rights to your photos IS a deal breaker these days. But again, it's your day and you need to know what's important to you.)
• Random social questions! Seriously. Chat. Ask them if they like Vampire Weekend as much as you do. Do they watch Game of Thrones? OMG, I love Game of Thrones. BFF!!

In short, you want to interview them based on their criteria to make sure that's all up to snuff, but also make sure that this is someone you'd sit down next to at a party and enjoy a conversation with. Don't let any photographer make you feel like "Hey, you're on a budget, you don't have the right to be choosy." You totally do. They're trying to get your business, and they should bend over backwards for it. If they have a problem with the price you're discussing, then that's their fault for agreeing to meet with you after you were upfront about your financial limitations. They're a snob, you don't need them, crossed off, next please!!


Before parting ways ask for a copy of their contract and bring it home to really read it. They may seem great, but you don't want to find out later you signed on for some shadey nonsense. Once you're ok with them, and their contract, get them the deposit, fast! Don't let them get away!!

I found a photographer who's totally out of my price range, now what?
Don't you watch Say Yes to the Dress? You're never suppose to fall in love with a dress (or a photographer) out of your price range!!! Well, I suppose since it's too late for that you can try some creative options. Inquire as to whether they work with an assistant, and if you can hire THEM for your wedding day instead. Most higher end photographers work with an assistant who is essentially training under them. Their assistant is likely properly equipped with the necessary knowledge and equipment to shoot a wedding his or her self, and likely shoots a similar style (with the photog you loves guidance and training) at a more affordable rate.

No, but I like, really freaking love that photographer.. So you're smitten. I get it. Well, there are two options that would be an alternative to throwing caution to the wind and breaking the bank.

Option one would be to hire the bank busting photographer for a short portion of your day. Have them show up just as your done getting ready, and photograph your formal shots (it would probably be advantageous to do a first look session in this case), and your ceremony. Then have some cameras around for your family and friends to document the rest of the evening. Or enlist the help of the dreaded "uncle with the nice camera" or "budget college student" we mentioned earlier. Personally, I have to honestly say that I feel like this just isn't the greatest option. Please don't get me wrong, I don't feel like it's a mistake to book a photographer for half the day. Some couples aren't planning on doing a bouquet and garter toss, and just don't really see any need for professional photos of their drunk cousins doing the Macarena late into the night. I wish these couples all the best. However, in this particular scenario it would still be a fairly costly option (dream photog will realize that you're smitten making all of these compromises on his or her behalf, and will likely not be merciful), and you'll be stressing if things are even running a minute late.

The second option I feel is the better of the two. Hire someone who is lower than your initial budget for your wedding day. Make sure you still love their photos, but juuust have some money left over in the budget. A few weeks later take that money (you might have to toss in some of the cash you got at your wedding, but I'm sure you got plenty. Your fam likes you, right?) get your hair done, buy a small bouquet, and put your dress on. Put your husband in his nicest suit, buy him a boutineer, and book two hours with the photographer of your dreams. You won't feel the least bit rushed, and you won't be overly concerned about getting grass stains on the underside of your train or messing up your hair. Sure you might not have the exact bouquet from your wedding day, and your husband might not be wearing that tux he wore that night, but the shots will be beautiful because the photographer will have all the time in the world with the two of you to make them just right. Plus it's an excuse to wear your wedding dress one more time!

Kelly and Rob's wedding

On my way to shoot a wedding this Sat. I was incredibly tired from having shot a wedding the night before, and visiting with my Mom after. To be completely honest, I was sort of dragging ass that morning and silently pleading that the universe would present an opportunity for coffee soon. I gave my best friend Nicki a ring on the way to the location where the bride was getting ready. I told her about how tired I was and how I knew this day was going to be a long one for me. We chatted a bit and she asked me where the wedding was. I told her that it was at the Mantaloking Yacht Club, and she started to laugh. Finally she informed me that not only was her boyfriend, who's a good friend of mine, djing this wedding, but two of our other friends were related to the bride and would be bridesmaids. I instantly felt like the universe had given me a break on a rough morning. I no longer cared about coffee. When I arrived Kelly was thrilled that I already knew everybody, and we were all instantly comfortable working together. Not only did Kelly wind up with a photographer that already knew half of her bridesmaids, but the rain held out for her outdoor ceremony, and her and her now husband Rob had an amazingly beautiful wedding. I'd say the universe was on their side too.