Lifestyle Photographer| Clovis|What to expect when booking me as your wedding photographer
What to expect when booking me as your wedding photographer
I like to label myself as a small wedding photographer, who prioritizes elopements and small micro weddings. What this means is if your guest list is over 100 people most likely I’m not the photographer for you. I think large weddings are beautiful, but based on what I feel connected to, as an artist is more geared towards intimate moments. This is because when I’m not working on weddings, I’m capturing maternity and family sessions. Just like I do with my other sessions. I always like to remind my clients of what my work will represent. That is a real genuine, pure, and intimate moment and representation of who they are through my eyes and my lens. I like to leave out all the extra fluff and focus on creating moments based on emotions, but also capturing the person as they are. Don’t get me wrong if I have a little inspiration strike and get creative or obsess over an idea. Maybe I’ll include a little fluff, but that’s super rare and mostly only happens once or twice a year through my regular family maternity sessions.
Layback yet professional
As I mentioned before, I am super laid-back and don’t like to stress over little things. I like to have fun during my weddings and joke around to make people feel comfortable. I feel like this is important because it doesn’t only make me enjoy what I do but it also helps my clients also enjoy the experience rather than dread having their photo taken. I believe that having your photo taken shouldn’t make you feel insecure or nervous or awkward. I’m a huge believer that the energy I bring to my weddings will also be projected onto my clients to help them relax a little. With that being said, I consider being professional at the top of my list of priorities, when running my business. I’m always meeting my deadlines and if for whatever rare emergency, I’m not able to. I will always be transparent and communicate that with my clients ahead of time. I stay on top of my emails text messages and phone calls. Normally if I don’t reply right away it’s either because I’m out working on the field or busy editing. If this happens I’ll reach out within 24 hours at most. With my weddings, I like to offer the most communication possible. Don’t feel bad or shy about emailing me with questions or concerns. I understand how meaningful and important this day is to you. I want to make you feel that it is also equally important to me. I have couples send me photo inspiration or photos of their venue/wedding location. Trust me I’m also super excited for the wedding day to come.
Honest and Transparent
I pride myself on being honest and transparent with my clients. If there’s something that I feel won’t look good or I can’t do, I will always be upfront. Also from the first time we speak, I like to explain and walk through what to expect from me and my work progress. I elaborate on the type of photographer that I am. Most likely they’ve already read about me or done some type of research if they choose me to cover their special day.
Timeline
As for a timeline, I like to structure it around main consultations. One that happens before we officially book the date. This meeting is mainly to answer any questions or concerns as well as to make sure we both are a match for each other. Here’s where we establish a timeline of your day. We Agree on location, time of arrival, etc, and narrow down all the little details that will occur on your wedding day. During this meeting, it’s important you state all your needs and wants. That way we can discuss what can be accomplished. Often clients don’t have realistic expectations of what can happen. That’s where my experience will come and help guide my clients on what is obtainable based on their budget schedule and my abilities. After the first meeting, I will draft up a contract and a proposal with everything we discussed in our meeting. Once that is signed and the retaining deposit paid I will go ahead and book the clients and reserve their date. The second meeting happens two months before the wedding date. Here is where we will discuss any minor changes that have possibly occurred in the timeline as well as any new wants or needs that need to be adjusted in the contract or simply check in on any last-minute, questions and concerns. If there are any changes made, I will go ahead and adjust them into the contract and have clients sign again. In between the two meetings clients have an open line of communication with me. They’re able to constantly email, and text me with any questions they might have. From there it’s just a waiting game till the main event which is the wedding day whether it’s elopement or a small wedding. I give them both the same amount of time and energy. After the wedding day, my usual turnaround time for weddings is three weeks from the wedding date. I don’t do sneak peeks. I like to finish my entire gallery at once and have it submitted for the Client to review together. Once the client reviews and selects images in their package I go ahead and send them their digital downloads immediately that day after the photos are delivered. I normally send my clients an email, thanking them for booking me. In hopes to continue communication if they were ever to need me again.
I’m your extra helper
I wanted to mention that part of me being such a laid-back photographer and prioritizing making my clients feel comfortable. I will often be used as an extra hand. I’ve had many cases where I’m helping brides get into their Dresses. since I do focus on elopements and small weddings often clients don’t have bridesmaids. so I will be that person for you helping you get into your wedding dress, spanks or even reminding you to bring your bouquet. It’s all part of my job, and I cannot mind at all.
I hope that does short blog helps you understand what to expect when you book me as your photographer as well as get an insight into who I am and what it is that I do when photographing weddings and elopement. I have enjoyed every single wedding I have captured till this day and that is because I have stayed true to what I believe in and who I am. I like to say the smaller things bring the biggest impact and I believe that is why I capture intimate moments like elopements and intimate weddings.