What to Expect

If you’re reading this then you have chosen me to be your wedding photographer. I am beyond thrilled to have you booking with me! Here are a few things you can expect through out this special season.

Let’s get started!

1.You’re engaged! I know the planning can be a little overwhelming and the anticipation of getting to the wedding day is strong, but I really encourage you both to live out this season of being engaged to the fullest! Every season is so special to experience, including the planning process of your wedding.

2. Have we scheduled your engagement photos yet? If we haven’t, we will soon! After your engagement photos, you can expect your photos to be in your inbox 2-4 weeks after our session! At this time you can be looking through some of the sample timelines towards the end of this guide!

3. As we get closer to your wedding date, I will check in with you and schedule us a time to grab coffee and talk about all the details of your timeline!

But most importantly, I want to be more than your photographer; I want to be your friend. I get to be a huge part of one of the most important days of your lives and that’s not lost on me. Please let me know how I can help you through out any part of the planning process. How can I pray for you? How can I encourage you?

Engagement Session

An engagement session is complimentary in your package. Why? Because I really believe engagement sessions are that important! They not only provide you with a lot of great photos and memories but it’s also a wonderful way for us to get to know each other! By the end of the session you’ll have a ton of new photos and a better understanding of my approach for taking photos; which is so great to have before your wedding day.

Your session can take place in Nebraska, where I am based, but it doesn’t have to. If you’re already going on a vacation together, why not have photos done there too? If you’re interested in booking me for an engagement session outside of Nebraska, let me know! We can chat about how that may be the perfect choice for you!

Outfit Inspiration

Choosing outfits for your engagement session might seem a little overwhelming, but I promise I’m here to help! First it maybe good to decide your locations and then match your outfits
to it or if you already have the perfect outfit picked out, I can help you choose a good location that matches the same vibe.

I would say two to three outfits is a good number for your engagement session. More than three and you might be more busy spending time changing rather than taking photos! ;) I would recommend choosing outfits that feel “you” but bring confidence as well! Maybe for one of the locations you want to go more casual such as jeans and a tee shirt and for the other you choose something more dressy as if you’re going out on a date night! Another big thing to keep in mind is that neutral tones are always a great choice! They are classic and unlikely to go out of style. They create a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic! This ensures that your engagement photos will remain timeless and won't look dated when you revisit them in the years to come. :)

Don’t be afraid to include accessories or props! Headbands, earrings, bracelets, jackets, cardigans, layers, glasses, blankets, drinks, champagne, etc. These things are great because they give your photos variety!

Find more inspiration here: https://pin.it/25pVoPL

Tip!
Are you getting your hair and make-up professionally done for your wedding? Schedule your trial runs the same day as your engagement session!

Location, Location, Location

Choosing your location(s) for your engagement session is super important because it really sets the whole vibe for your session!
I like to tell my couples to think of a spot that means something to you as a couple. It could be one of your favorite date spots, restaurants, where you got engaged, favorite spot during your childhood, or even a activity/hobby you like doing with each other! For your second spot, I encourage you to choose a location that you find pretty or aesthetically pleasing. Is it an open field during sunset? Or maybe by a small pond? Don’t be afraid to look online and get some inspiration or take a look through my Instagram. If you see something you like, let me know! I bet we can use either the same or a very similar location.

Wedding Day Tips!

GETTING READY

TIP #1: I think my biggest advice is to consider where you’re getting ready! I would suggest you pick somewhere meaningful like your home or somewhere with nice natural lighting such as a cute airbnb or salon! Often times the bridal suites in churches and venues are great spaces! I would try to avoid Sunday school rooms with bright paint or a mural of Noah’s Ark on the wall. ;)

If possible, get ready in a place with lots and lots of natural light.This lighting is so nice and flattering for your photos!

TIP #2: I always recommend keeping all of your details in a shoe box or a small bag so it’s all ready for me to photograph when I get there! It may seem rather over board to include your shoes, perfume, and invitations but I promise you, documenting these details will be so nice for you to have to remind you of all the small things that went into your wedding day!

Details Checklist

  • invitation suite (save the dates, invites, programs, rsvp)
    veil

  • dress

  • rings

  • shoes

  • ring box

  • perfume

  • jewelry

  • special heirlooms

  • tie

  • watch

  • cuff links

  • vow books

  • loose florals from florist

  • bouquet & boutonniere

CEREMONY

There are no second chances for taking great shots during the ceremony, so it’s important to plan it with your photographer in mind!

TIP #1: Lighting

The most important factor is the lighting. For an outdoors ceremony, I would choose somewhere that the sun will be behind your officiant or a space that’s in full shade. For a ceremony time, 2-3 hours before sunset is ideal for lighting! If you’re choosing an indoor location, I would look to see how much natural light is coming in. Are there lots of windows? The more natural light, the better! With that being said, I definitely understand sometimes options are limited and we can figure out the best way to make any scenario work.

TIP #2: Take it slow

Whether it’s walking down the aisle or the first kiss, please don’t rush. These moments create some of the best photos to have but they happen so fast! Take your time and allow me to capture the sweet moment. Keep in mind that the longer your ceremony is, not only will you have the chance to take everything in but I will have more time to make my way around and capture different angles of you and your friends and family.

TIP #3: Give your ceremony an extra something!

Have everyone blow bubbles, throw flower petals, confetti or just stand up and clap as you walk down the aisle for the first time as a married couple! I think this adds something extra and special to your ceremony, plus it creates some fun photos!

Find more inspiration on wedding exits here: https://pin.it/4Gi2Qw7

RECEPTION

Ahh, finally the reception. Dinner and dancing... it really is the best part right? During the reception a lot of thephotos I take are going to be candid, which I think make some of the best photos! With that being said, there’s a few different things that can really help these candid photos stand out!

TIP #1: Cake Table

Some things to think about may be your cake/dessert table! It’s always better for photos when you both can stand behind the cake table rather than in front or beside it.Another good thing to consider is your background of the table. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy but I would stray away from having bright windows behind you! This sometimes creates a haze in your cutting the cake photos.

TIP #2: Lighting

The more secondary lighting you have at your reception, the better. Whether your reception is outdoors or indoors, candles and string lights really help the ambiance of your photos and give them some depth also ratherthan just a flat background.

TIP #3: DJ

I try to coordinate with your DJ when I arrive on the timing of events, but I highly encourage you to discuss with your DJ before hand and advise him/her not to have a bunch of colorful lights during your specialty dances. Colorful lights are so fun for when everyone is on the dance floor and really awesome for photos. But for your special dances, we don’t want your face or hair to be purple or bouncing off of my flash.