Why Order a Wedding Album? // Business

Wedding budgeting. It stresses out even the most organized, type A bride. How do you decide what's worth it and what's not? How do you stay within budget when you've been dreaming of this day for years? What should you sacrifice, and what is vital to keep when you're thinking about cutting costs?

There have been tons of wedding trends over the years, and in no industry is that more true than photography. Wedding photography has evolve so much, with the evolution of digital cameras and the media age. Pinterest was only just becoming popular when I got married, but it's now the go-to for brides planning their big day!

One thing I am emphasizing to brides this year is the importance of a wedding album. While it's completely up to each couple to decide their budget and wedding collection, I silently root for everyone to make the decision to include a wedding album. I want to make a case for why you should order one - and if you didn't, it's never too late to go back and make an album for yourself!

It's no secret that the photographs from your wedding day are the only thing you get to take with you when it's all said and done. They are the only keepsake from your wedding day that will last far beyond you. The same is true for your album. I deliver digital files with every wedding collection, because I believe in getting fun prints to hang on your walls, and putting up an album on Facebook. I'm so thankful I have the digitals from my wedding, because four years later, I've used them for new prints and to show friends and family.

But there is something different to holding a wedding album in your hands. There is something special in running your fingers over the leather binding, and in seeing your names forever embossed on the cover. Inside the album, you'll find the full story of your wedding day, not just a few random pictures here or there.

It's the difference between reading an article online or holding a book in your hands and poring through the pages. When you 'read' your wedding album, as you turn the pages, you can feel the emotions of that day all over again, in a way you just can't through the screen of your computer.

Think, for a minute, beyond yourself. How will you pass down your photos to the next generation? Will you want to email your grandkids a couple pictures of the day? Or will you want your children to grow up with a solid remembrance of their parents' love and commitment to each other sitting in a beautiful book, to be read and remembered for decades.

It's for this reason that I wish every bride would order a wedding album. Yes, they can be expensive, but the quality is unmatched. Yes, it's an extra 'something' on top of everything else you're considering for the wedding day. But when you think about your wedding, how do you want it to be remembered? Do you want others to see your day only through a screen, or do you want to hold the day in your hands, flip through the journey of your wedding, and remember again what you felt like as you made your way down the aisle?

I have heard husbands and wives alike wishing they had ordered an album before the memories became rusty in their minds, but never have I heard an ounce or regret over ordering a wedding album. Do yourself, and your children, and their children, a favor. Add an album into your wedding budget from the get go. It will be worth it, I promise, for many years to come.

To see my sample album, along with a special 20% offer, click here.

What to Expect Part 5: The Wedding Day // Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer

So, I mentioned on Sunday that I had started a What to Expect series and never finished it! November was probably the busiest month of the year, followed closely by December...and we all know how the holidays are! In between shooting weddings, family portraits, engagements, and more, I put this final post on hold so I could devote a good bit of attention to it.

The wedding day. It will be, or was, one of the biggest days of your life. Yet, it's just the beginning of something much, much bigger than a day or a person - it's the beginning of a new life together with new decisions, new journeys, and new dreams. That's why I make it a priority to capture the moment without interrupting it on your big day. 

I arrive fairly early on the day of the wedding, even earlier than you'd probably expect, to scout out portrait locations for your family, a first look, the bride & groom shots, and anything else we might need. It's important to have great lighting close to the ceremony or reception so you're spending as little time away from your guests as possible. Then comes getting ready pictures!

These are absolutely some of my favorites. I love watching the bridal party surround the bride, and the groomsmen attempt to play soccer in a 9 foot square room, with the anticipation building. I make sure to spend enough time with each party that I capture the emotions of the day, more than just pretty pictures of what each person is doing. I'll be back and forth a lot to make sure I don't miss the moment!

Some couples opt to do a first look, which I love. It gives you a special moment where it's JUST the two of you - which you honestly won't get the rest of the day. This moment is so crucial, not for me as a photographer but for you during this new adventure. My plan is always to take some stunning pictures as quickly as I can, and then step back and let you enjoy the moment you have with each other, alone, ready to begin your lives.

Next up is generally the ceremony! My goal is to be in place during the biggest moments - when your dad gives you away. You first kiss as a married couple. The happy tears that your parents cry. I make sure to walk around as quickly and quietly as possible. I promise to NEVER stand in front of your guests. If I have to crawl, so be it! I want to make sure that YOU are remembered, and not your photographer.

After the ceremony we have to HUSTLE to get some family portraits done! This is when you'll see the take-charge nature in me come out. I'll make sure we get every photo on your list as quickly as possible, because who wants to wait an hour to eat dinner? Right after family portraits are some BIG moments - bridal party shots and bride & groom portraits (especially if there wasn't a first look). Again, working quickly without missing a beat is the key. I'll get both the formal pictures and the candid ones with the whole party, and I'll shoot a lot to make sure I get the mood of your wedding in each picture!

And then my favorite part, just the bride and groom. You're MARRIED and so in love and so happy, and I love love love capturing this part of the day. I'll slow it down a little bit during this part - I never want you to feel rushed, and I know these pictures will hang on your wall for years to come. That, ultimately, is my goal - to take pictures that you will be proud to share not on Facebook or Instagram only, but in your home for 20 or 50 years. Pictures that your children will look at fondly, Pictures that will allow you to remember how you felt in those first few moments as husband and wife.

Then comes the fun part - the reception! This is always a whirlwind of cake cutting, dancing, speeches, and hopefully a lot of eating! I promise not to miss a moment - but I can't promise that I won't join in the fun for a little bit :) After that, we send the bride and groom off with the last few pictures of the day. You can leave for your honeymoon knowing that I'm hard at work editing your session so I can post a sneak peek for you within days, and a blog post within a few weeks.

And, once I deliver the images, I promise you'll look at them again and again. I promise they will be one of the most precious things you own for years to come. And I promise they will always make you remember the love you shared that day, and the story that began in that moment you said, "I do."

View Parts 1-4 of What to Expect
What to Expect Part 1: Family Portraits
What to Expect Part 2: Engagement
What to Expect Part 3: Maternity
What to Expect Part 4: Before the Wedding

What to Expect Part 4: Before the Wedding

This is the start of some BIG posts, because a wedding is the biggest project to tackle out of all my sessions. So, as I thought about it, I realized I needed to split this up into two parts so there wouldn't be one gigantic post. This one will be more about consultations and how I will treat you as a client, and will feature a lot less images. The next one, though, will show you WHAT I can do on your wedding day. So stay tuned! 

I think it's important to note that the first thing I do when I get an email or contact about a wedding is get REALLY excited. I feel so honored when people even consider me to capture the most important day of their lives. I always answer brides as quickly as I am able, because I don't want to be the reason their wedding plans are delayed, or a source of stress when there are so many more important things going on.

Once I chat with you a little bit to figure out if we are a good fit, I'll get some details about your wedding to make sure that I'm available and that you will be happy with what I'm going to deliver at the end of the day. There's a lot in here that I won't go into, like the full contract and all of those little details that are pretty boring but so necessary! 

Once you choose me to be your photographer, then my work really starts! The first thing we'll figure out is a good day for your engagement session. Again, I won't go into a ton of detail on that, because I wrote about what to expect during your engagement session here.  I love it when couples choose to add an engagement session to their wedding collection because I want to get to know you, and why you're getting married. And I want you to get to know me, and get excited that I'm going to be the photographer at your wedding. I think this is such an important time, and I wouldn't miss it for the world!

After your engagement pictures are delivered to you, I'll start thinking about the wedding timeline. I'll work with you on each detail - how big is your bridal party? Are there any special family situations? What about anyone that you're honoring during your ceremony because they're not able to be there? Before I even step foot in the venue you've chosen for your ceremony, I want to know what's going to be most important and why. 

You can expect that I will answer every email as quickly as possible if you have any questions. You can expect that I will scout out your location beforehand if I'm able, or at least get a good idea of what it looks like before I arrive that day. You can expect that you will feel like a VIP during the whole process, because YOU are my priority. Regardless of what other weddings or portraits I'm shooting, I want you to feel like you are the most important thing to me every time we talk. I want to put your mind at ease, knowing that I feel confident about the day before we get there, and that I'll do everything I need to ahead of time to prepare for your very special day.

A lot of work goes into the pre-wedding planning, but it is all worth it to make your wedding the most beautiful and special day it can be. And on that note...stay tuned for part 2, where I'll discuss the whole wedding day and exactly how I'll capture each moment without letting it slip past. Thanks for reading!