Chester County Wedding Photographer

My Approach to Photographing Weddings

My style is pretty laid back, and although I do direct subjects in posing, I keep it relaxed so we can capture natural, happy photographs and get you back to your party. I photograph a mix of traditional shots for family portraits, as well as fun, unique, and lively photos of the bridal party and couple. I love capturing the finer details of events and the excitement of the preparations that lead up to them. Clients describe my photos as "natural" and "relaxed" and often comment on the vibrant but true colors of my editing.

During formals, I will work quickly and efficiently to bang out those group family photos, and then we will have a more casual photo session with the wedding party. We can visit as many locations as you like, and I can often offer suggestions if you are unsure of where to find great photo opportunities.

When a second photographer is hired, two points of view are captured, allowing one photographer to cover the dance floor while the other captures seated couples and those who linger around the bar throughout the night.

The reception part of a wedding usually spans four to six hours. It includes cocktail hour, introductions, the first dance, toasts, parent dances, cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss, and sometimes other formal or cultural dances.

I use different lenses to capture wider venue shots, where you see a large crowd partying, and close-up, intimate photographs of the first dance, parent dances, and toasts. Professional lighting is used to create the best possible images, as well as for creative effects such as backlighting or dramatic shadows.

As for coverage needed, I usually don't need to photograph the last hour of the reception unless you have a sparkler send-off or something else planned for the end of the night. Generally, all the formalities are finished by then, and it's the same people dancing who have been dancing all night. I am happy to stay until the very end, but it is not always needed, and that hour is often better used at the beginning of the wedding day. We will still sneak away for a few minutes for that end-of-the-night portrait; it will just happen an hour before things actually end.

Details & Decor

Documenting the finer details of an event with my macro lens is another aspect of shooting weddings that I adore. I look forward to creating a beautiful photograph of the wedding rings, preserving the invitation, or showing off the colorful bouquets. Sometimes, a detail picture can offer a different or artistic view of something ordinary, such as a couple holding hands or a dress hanging in the doorway. At other times, it documents the room decor, including place cards, centerpieces, or any other elements that showcase the ambiance of your wedding.

Often, I will photograph the "room shots" of your reception hall, all set up, while you and your guests enjoy cocktail hour. I will photograph some wide-angle, "overall" views, as well as close-up images of your table favors, menu cards, and wedding cake. You've spent a lot of money on your venue and decorations; it's my job to ensure you can look back at your wedding day and remember the details for years to come!

If you have any special items you'd like photographed (beyond the obvious ones, such as your wedding bands, shoes, and so on), please let me know, and I will be sure to give them the special macro treatment. Sometimes this could be a rosary from your grandmother or a lucky penny in your shoe — or even the "something blue" you've sewn into the inside of your dress. And, always bring me a copy of your invitation to photograph.

So, Why Should You Hire Me???

...For My Experience, Efficiency, and Energy

Experience

You want someone who is prepared to get great images no matter what happens, right? Someone reliable whom you can trust to be there on time and work hard for you. Weather, family drama, transportation issues, and running late are common occurrences on a wedding day, and they won't stress me out.

After photographing over 400 weddings, I can professionally handle whatever is thrown at me and still produce high-quality images, even if the rain keeps us indoors and the timeline is an hour behind schedule.

Do I have crazy stories? You bet I do. (One day, I may write that book...) But I have not yet had an unhappy client. I am straightforward with everything and am pretty easy to work with — if I don't say so myself — and keeping a good relationship with my clients is my number one priority, and the reason that a large portion of my business is repeat clients who continue to hire me as they grow their families, and referrals from those same happy couples.

Efficiency

During family photos, I work quickly and systematically to capture all the key moments. I already have a list of your family members and requested photos from our previous discussions, so all you and your bride or groom need to do is relax and enjoy the day. It's my job to herd the cats.

I want you and your guests to enjoy your wedding, and I will work efficiently to get you guys back to the celebration so I can document the fun, the family, the emotions, and the dance moves.

Energy

I can get both young kids and adults to look like they enjoyed the photo-taking process, and, let's be honest, that is not always the case! I will crack jokes and make a fool of myself to get authentic smiles and put my subjects at ease.

I can not stand those uptight photographers who count to three before every press of the shutter and suck the life out of the subjects. At any given wedding, I'll find myself discussing superheroes with the groom, calming a frantic mother of the bride, keeping divorced parents apart during the family session, and joking with the wedding party.

I maintain a calm and upbeat demeanor and am open to almost anything. If it rains or snows, you can bet that I'll be asking you to go outside for that excellent shot!

One thing that has stuck with me came from a meeting with one of my clients a few years ago:

"Six of my friends got married this year, and not one of them liked their wedding photos."

Don't let that be you.

Contact me now to check my availability for your date, and let's start discussing your event!

Photographing Formals Before the Ceremony

I know not everyone is open to the idea of seeing their fiancé before that emotional walk down the aisle, but hear me out on why it’s worth considering. More and more couples are choosing to get their photos “out of the way” before they take their vows, and then it’s party time for the rest of the night. If your ceremony and reception are several hours apart, then you probably have ample time in between, but if your ceremony and reception are back to back at the same venue it’s wise to consider doing the formal photos before saying “I do.”

Your hair, make-up, dress, and everything are freshly done, and you look your best.

Why wait until after you cry to get your portraits? And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the white dress gets the dirtiest in the church. I swear these venues wait until they have a wedding for the floors to be swept- and the girl with the long train is the one doing it. But seriously, you pay to get all done up, why not get the photos taken when you look fresh?

The “first look” shots might end up being some of your favorites.

I LOVE the shots of the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time in their wedding attire. When you see each other we can set it up to be private or with the families or wedding party present. At the reveal, you have the opportunity to kiss, hug, talk and spin to show off your dress- you can’t do that at the front of the aisle! You can spend a minute or two together, just taking it all in, either just the two of you or with your wedding party and families present. These are often some of the most “real” shots of the day, and it’s a special moment you and your fiance share together. I promise you, that walk down the aisle is still emotional and surreal.

Why try to cram hours of photographs into cocktail hour?

A typical wedding should allow about 2 hours for formals, more if the families or bridal party have a lot of people. Trying to squeeze all the photos into cocktail hour may be possible, but your photographer is stuck shooting just the necessary group shots, and you often don’t have time for artistic or fun photos, and the entire process will feel rushed. Not to mention you miss out on the hors-d’oeuvres! When formals are done beforehand there may be a few quick shots to take during cocktail (for example, if Grandma and Grandpa weren't there earlier in the day) but then you are free to get the dress bustled, mingle with guests, and relax and enjoy being a newly married couple!

Another essential aspect to this is daylight- in winter weddings the sun sets early and doing a first look before the ceremony is often the way to go for single venue events, and even for weddings that don’t have much time between the ceremony and reception (or have a lot of traveling). Speaking as a bride, my husband and I did this at our wedding in 2004 and it made the day go much more smoothly. Additionally, you have significantly more time to mingle with your guests. I have never, ever even once had a couple say they wish they DIDN’T do formal photos first- in fact, many have said that they are so glad they did it and if any other couples ever need convincing to give them their number.

That being said, as your photographer I am here to serve you and do what YOU want on your wedding day. If you always envisioned seeing your groom at the end of the aisle for the first time, then we will discuss the timeline and how to best make it work, and your photos will still look great!

Regardless of your decision, I am happy to help with timeline planning, so feel free to call or email me.

More Information

All wedding collections include high-resolution digital files. Custom-designed wedding albums are available in several sizes and styles.

Learn more about me and my love for animals and iced tea.

Don't just take my word for it; read a few testimonials from real clients.

I am always happy to answer any questions - FAQs.

You can view my pricing here. If you like what you see, please call or email me to schedule a time to review some albums, including a full wedding or two, and discuss what makes your wedding unique.

The April 2020 issue of County Lines Magazine features my images in their annual wedding feature, "Things are Different... the Second (or Third) Time Around."
Read the full issue here: County Lines Magazine April 2020; article begins on pages 42-43.