why that consult matters
There are so many factors into choosing wedding vendors. Let’s figure out if we’re a good fit by chatting and then having a complimentary engagement session to see how we work together!
It’s that magical time of year where everyone decides this season needs a little extra magic with an engagement! And, as a wedding vendor, that means I get to hear from a lot of you reaching out with first steps as you tiptoe, or cannonball into the wedding planning machine. I’ll start with reminding you, I hate this machine for you! In my perfect world, every single decision we make is driven by passion and FEELING. I know that isn’t how the world works, exactly. I definitely think you can find a way to do a lot of things like this!
This is where meeting your vendors comes in. There are so many factors that come into play when going through your wedding checklist. We want to dive right in and say Budget Budget Budget…and yes! That matters…but I’d encourage you to start with your heart, and then let the rest fall into line. When you think about what you have as a tangible, keepsake thing from your wedding day I feel very lucky to say it’s the photos that remain. You might feel instantly nostalgic about your dress, your flowers, your cake. But guess what encompasses all of those things, plus the things that REALLY matter (ope, yep, I said it)? It’s the images. My goal is to get you right in the feels with every image that comes in your gallery.
To get to the point of this blog: A phone consult or facetime meet is a really great way to get a feel for how you vibe with a vendor. Specifically, me! There are an endless amount of weddings that happen weekly, yearly, monthly. Every single client that comes my way is not an automatic match. I can get a feel from how you inquire with me if you’re going to like me. If you’re here to tell me how much your family matters to you, and that you’re excited to spend the start of your married life together enjoying it with your partner and friends: YES. Hit that contact me button immediately! If you’re a bit more laid back, but still know that the experience and end result and FEELING matters to you, look around a bit more then go back to that button :)
I like to use an initial meet as a way to get to know each other, and then I always offer an engagement session as a complimentary way to see how we work together, once you’ve secured booking your wedding date with me! It is WAY worth my time and creativity to get to know you, serve you, and get some images into your hands once you decide to choose me to spend your wedding day with you. I want you to be so sure of our connection, and trust in me from the moment you sign your contract!
SO hello! Congrats on your engagement, and if all of this sounds like it would work for you, let’s chat!
A plea to the universe ;)
The best wedding days are filled with traditions that are meaningful to the couple. This couple who was married at Oak Grove at Jorgensen Farms included a gift exchange from Dungeon and Dragon friends including weapons for their DND characters. A gorgeous fall day with the best couple, best officiant (Windi Noble) and best venue in Columbus Ohio
if there’s anything I’ve learned in this business, it’s that when I share things that feel authentic and true, it attracts couples, humans, and events that feel authentic and true to what I love to shoot. Here’s a look into Cait and Pat’s Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove wedding. When we met to chat about their plans, they mentioned how each of their friends, who play in their Dungeons and Dragon campaign, that got married were gifted weapons specific to their character. Speak no more. What an amazing + unique tradition, I immediately knew our paths crossed for a reason. I love weddings for a whole lot of reasons, but the highest one up there is getting to see people embrace what is important to them + share those things with their loved ones.
so what’s my plea? bring me more of these. Authentic + honest and true to who you are type people, ready to share their love with the world! Get in touch today, and I promise to woo you with deals you can’t pass up!
how to pick a venue that best suits you in Central Ohio
tips and how to on selecting a venue for your wedding in Central Ohio, just in time for engagement season!
I get that it can feel daunting to even start viewing - let alone narrowing down - wedding venues! But, having photographed over 300 weddings, I’d love to share with you what I see couples prioritizing when it comes to location. And, pepper in a little of what makes my job - therefore your experience - a whole lot smoother + delightful.
my number one:
make sure weather plan b isn’t actually a “plan B”
you have to expect that what can go wrong, it will go wrong. So visualize your wedding day with rain, sleet, snow, hail, anything that you’d prefer to ward off (then sage the shit out of that? or something along those lines?)….then think. If I have to follow that plan, will I be happy with 1. the experience and 2. the photos? I am your photographer, but I will always encourage you to prioritize your EXPERIENCE over photos.
think about how travel on your wedding day will look
maybe I’m writing this as number 2, but this is a huge one. So many variables to take into consideration. Do you have a huge bridal party? If yes, and if you’re planning to travel around an area by bus/limo, this adds a considerable amount of time and coordination. The alternative to traveling around the city / area is choosing a venue that is more of an all in one. Somewhere that has both getting ready rooms (please let’s have those with natural light, such a small and large request), photo locations that feel unique and varied, and a ceremony location that is ideal for both good and bad weather. Plus if you can be secluded for some photos without guests present.
invest as much time visiting sites as much as you’re willing!
you might be surprised where you find yourself drawn to - and definitely take into consideration how you feel + the staff as you’re touring!
winter weddings and first looks
a match made in heaven.
In my experience with weddings, August goes quickly into September that leads to early sunsets right into October where we’re trying to fit everything in before 6pm. And, every year it hits me like - how did I forget how early it gets dark “all of a sudden.” Every year, I’m absolutely thrilled with my ability to work with my couples to make the most out of our time together AND their wedding day experience by - YES - “getting the photos done before the ceremony”…but more importantly (!) extending the amount of time they spend together, and lowering the amount of stress that comes with fighting Mother Nature and Sunset!!
So while, of course, I won’t FORCE you to do a first look, but I will highly encourage it. I’ll ask you to talk to people you know who’ve been married recently and ask them what they did + what their opinion is about timing.
When I have a couple who does want to do a first look, we’ll usually work the timeline to do that about 2 hours before ceremony time, as long as there isn’t a lot of travel time involved. Of course this is variable to each couple, but generally if I have 2 hours + an agreeable crowd (and if they’re unagreeable, that’s my job to work with them!!) we can get through the meat of the photos then! And, voila! you’re done with photos once you’re refreshed and ready to walk down the aisle. Free for the night to enjoy + mingle + have zero stress about when you’re going to have time to sneak away!
Emily + Brian | engaged!
engagement session in the woods in summertime. shot on digital and film in Columbus Ohio
a quick + sweet engagement session from this summer (take me back, what I wouldn’t give to be unbearably hot like it was this day!) with Emily + Brian + their pups. shot on digital + film (with double exposed xmas lights // portrait 400)
Sulin + Ted | on film
A winter wedding (12.30, to be exact) in (grey) Cleveland, with an awesome second shooter (heyyyaaaa Mal!) and I shot more film at this wedding than I had all year. Seems crazy due to the (dark) conditions and all...but the time off from my last November wedding until this one fueled the passion I have to create art for my couples in a way that's different. See their film highlights below!
(black and white film shot on HP5, rated 1600, pushed 2 in development. color is fuji 400 h. All developed and scanned by The Darkroom)
