yah Photography
This past week I sent Griffin & Trey their full wedding album! As I was preparing their album to send to them, I started reminiscing back on their day, and it was absolutely perfect! I felt as though it deserves a highlighted spot on the blog, so here it is! Below I have included some of my favorite photos from their day that really exemplifies the love, happiness, & excitement that surrounded their whole entire day!
Part of a wedding photographers job is also helping couples create a perfect photography timeline for their wedding day, including key moments to capture and scheduling tips to ensure an stress-free day! Below are our best tips for creating that perfect timeline!
An early start ensures smooth sailing. Sure an early morning wake up might be a little rough, but worth it in the long run to ensure enough time to get picture perfect getting ready and to also get those detail shots! No one wants to be stressed getting hair and makeup because they’re rushed.
First Look vs Traditional Ceremony? There are pros and cons to each for your photography timeline. The choice can impact the flow of your day and the timing of photos (not in a bad way- it’s just different!) so make sure to communicate your plans early on in the planning process to your photographer so they can plan accordingly.
Let’s talk golden hour! I LOVE getting those amazing golden hour and sunset photos of my clients. However, this means that it will interrupt dinner/ social time during your reception. Make sure you’re okay with this! (Keep in mind that if day-of you change your mind one way or the other- that’s totally fine too!)
Group photo logistics, meaning you should communicate the number of combinations of who is taking photos together to your photographer ahead of time, and they will prepare a list to ensure this goes smoothly and in good timing. This goes for bridal party photos and family photos.
Leave room in your timeline of the day to have those candid moments with your friends and spouse! Lots of times those unposed raw moments are the best photos. Allow your photographer the freedom to document them for you!
Are you doing toasts during dinner? Plan ahead and let your photographer know if you’re doing toasts at your reception- these photos are often filled with emotion and are great to have for the memories.
Factor in time for your first dance, parent dances, and general dancing later in the evening. Your photographer will want to capture the energy and joy of these celebratory moments.
If you’re planning on ending your night with an exit, make sure that you have reserved the correct amount of time for your photographer. Some wedding photographers scheduled time might end earlier than the exit, so make sure you talk about that before your wedding day.
Just remember, when it comes to a wedding day, flexibility is key! No matter how well planned out and detailed your timeline is, don’t be scared if there is an unexpected delay or spontaneous moment that comes up. These add to the charm of your day, so embrace the journey and trust in your wedding photographer and vendors!
Being in front of the camera can feel daunting, especially on your wedding day when all eyes are on you. But fear not! With the right poses and a dash of confidence, you'll shine in every shot. Here are some poses to help you feel comfortable and look stunning on your special day!
1. Practice Makes Perfect:
Before the big day, practice posing in front of a mirror. Experiment with different angles and expressions until you find what works best for you. This will help build your confidence and make you feel more at ease when the camera is clicking away.
2. Lean on Your Partner:
Your partner is your biggest supporter, so use them as a prop! Lean on their shoulder, hold hands, or share a tender moment together. Not only will this create beautiful, natural-looking photos, but it will also help you feel more relaxed knowing your loved one is right by your side.
3. Focus on Each Other:
Forget about the camera and focus on each other. Engage in conversation, share a laugh, or steal a kiss. Genuine interactions will result in authentic and heartfelt photos that reflect the love and connection between you and your partner.
4. Movement is Key:
Don't be afraid to move around during your photoshoot. Walk hand in hand, twirl in your dress, or dance together. Movement adds energy and dynamics to your photos, making them more captivating and memorable.
5. Embrace Natural Poses:
Opt for poses that feel natural and comfortable to you. Whether it's standing side by side, sitting on a bench, or walking together, choose poses that reflect your personality and relationship. Being yourself in front of the camera will yield the most authentic and beautiful results.
6. Trust Your Photographer:
Your photographer is there to guide you and capture your best moments. Trust their expertise and let them lead the way. They'll know how to make you look your best and will ensure you feel comfortable throughout the process.
Feeling comfortable in front of the camera is all about confidence and embracing your natural self. With these tips and a positive mindset, you'll not only look stunning in your wedding photos but also enjoy every moment of the experience. So go ahead, strike a pose, and let your love shine through!
It’s no secret that there’s a lot of wedding vendors out there… and I mean a lot. Especially when destination weddings/ vendors that travel are becoming more and more available, it can be really hard to narrow down which vendor team you want for your wedding. Here are some things that you can look for and keep in mind when you start inquiring and chatting with different vendors!
Quick response time
Obviously, give them some grace especially if you’re reaching out during peak wedding season, but also make sure they aren’t taking forever to get back to you.
Transparent on pricing
Most vendors send you a “welcome packet” of sorts that list out and describe their different packages and pricing. Everyone does this differently, so just make sure that you know what all comes included with what you’re paying for!
They make you feel comfortable
Being in front of the camera can be uncomfortable! You want a photographer that can help you relax and feel your best while in front of the camera, especially for important photos like on your wedding day.
They ask YOU a lot of questions
As a wedding photographer, a huge part of working with my clients is figuring out who they are as a couple. Starting out I love to ask how they met, where they got engaged (if I wasn’t there to photograph it <3), and other little questions like this to really start to get to know them personally and as a couple! This will also help the photographer with determining what you’re comfortable and not comfortable with pose-wise in front of the camera!
Willing to answer your questions
In this industry, we often get asked a lot of the same questions by our different couples, and it’s completely understandable! It’s a huge day with a lot riding on your vendor team, of course you’re going to ask questions! The response/ attitude of the vendor you’re inquiring with says a lot about them and how they work!
They can provide examples of their work
Nowadays most (if not all) vendors have some form of social media, whether it’s instagram, facebook, tik tok, or even blogs, where the clients can go and look at your past work. However if you ask a specific question about something, they should be able to send you past work to look at. This helps with their credibility and figuring out if you like their style or not.
Editing style/ style in general
With the growth of social media, there is also a growth in trends. This also can affect the wedding industry and its vendors as well. You are encouraged to look at different editing styles with photographers because they’re not all the same. Find a style that you click well with, and reach out to photographers within that style! Different styles can mean different posing techniques, different colored images, and different things to be focused on photographing.
They provide reviews/ testimonials from past clients
Double check and see if their website or The Knot or other credible sources like those have client reviews about the vendor you’re talking to! This also helps prove credibility by listening to what others have to say about their experiences.
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, each wedding day is so unique to the next. There are key components to each wedding day that make it so personal and unique, and it’s our job to document them! A huge example of this are your detail shots. These include your invitation suite, the rings, florals, perfume, jewelry, anything that holds ,earning to you, your dress, veil, shoes, etc. The things that make up your detail shots are the most personal and unique to you items, because they were all hand selected and designed by you with your wedding in mind. This is why as a wedding photographer, I love taking the time to capture these still moments!
There are no rules to detail shots, you can add in whatever you like! You can take the traditional route and add your something old something new, something borrowed, something blue or you can take a new route and put in something that has significance to you! There is no rhyme or reason. Whatever you come up with and give us to document is perfect, and we love being able to give you tangible memories of them.
Detail shots also let us get creative with the design and layout. It really shoes the photographers vision and creativity well because there is no rule book in how to document these. We take what our clients give us and turn it into a beautiful display of personal items!
These are just some of the many reasons why I love documenting the details! So much time and effort goes into planning a wedding, and no detail should go without being properly documented.
