Everyone knows that planning a wedding is a huge job.  It’s extremely stressful. So,with this list of questions we hope to lighten the load-at least a little bit. =] Knowing the right questions to ask can really make a difference…and make your decision a lot easier.  Here are a few to remember:

1. What is their style — traditional, photojournalist, glamour, etc..

We work off of each others strengths. So when we shoot you get a combination of all types of photography. We also enjoy being artistic in what we do.  Many of our brides choose us of because we are not your “stand still and smile” type of photographer.

2. Do they shoot in mostly color, black and white, or both?

We shoot mostly in color-but in the end your proofs are a nice mixture of both. (As some photos just lend themselves to black and white.)

3. Do they shoot digitalvor with film?

We shoot digital. It makes it easier to give our brides what they want. We also enjoy keeping up with the changing times. We attend seminars though-out year and are always learning more about what we do. We don’t want to be the photographers who think they know-it-all and stop learning. Then they are stuck in that one rut. That’s just not who we are.

4. How many images do they shoot at a average wedding (or at a wedding your size?)

April and I are snap-happy. We love what we do-and because of that our brides make out.  We’ve shot anywhere from 600 at a small wedding to 2000 at a larger one. The number of images we shoot vary greatly depending on your particular event. If the DJ is great and rockin’ the joint, and people are up dancing,  having a good time-you will have more images.  If not then you may have less.

5. Do they work with assistants? Or students? Will they be shooting too? When will you meet them?

We do not work with assistants or students. We think that yes-students need to learn, but not at your wedding. It’s a one time event-not a learning experience for your photographer.  If you can’t meet them-how will you know you even like them? (And if you find out you don’t like them to close to your date-will you be able to choose someone else?)

6. Can I give the photographer a list of shots that I want?

Your photographer should know the “traditional” list of photos like the back of their hands. If they don’t then they aren’t for you! Every photographer should ask for a special list of photos that are out of the ordinary-so nothing gets missed.

7. Am I meeting with the person who will be taking photos at my wedding? If not, can I meet with the photographer assigned to my wedding?

With Lyrical Lens Photography we pride ourselves on owning our own business-and when you meet with us-you meet with US, and not some sales person. You see OUR work, and not a collaboration of a bunch of photographers. How will you know you will get the photographer whose work you like best? (And can you see an ENTIRE wedding from that one photographer?) With us, you meet us, and see our work. What you see is what you get-it’s that easy. (As it should be…)

8. How long has the photographer been shooting weddings?

April and I have been shooting together (as owners of Lyrical Lens Photography) for about 4 years now.  Before that we worked on our own, shooting weddings, and portraits. We both have been shooting actively since we were in our early teens. (We’ve know each other since we were six!!)

9. How many weddings do they shoot a day?

If a photographer has to rush out of your wedding to be to another one on time (or risk them being late-if your the 2nd wedding…). Then they are not the photographer for you. We only book one wedding a day-we just don’t think it’s fair to have to leave before we are absolutely sure that everything has been taken. No matter what the time.

10. What type of equipment are they using?  How will they light everything?

Ask the exact camera system. Saying they use quality Nikon (or Canon) equipment just isn’t good enough anymore.  You do not want your photographer to show up to your wedding using the same camera (or equivalent) as one of your guests.  Now, it’s not all about the equipment. But the equipment sure helps. (especially for making sure nothing goes wrong with their equipment.) Professional cameras made for professionals are work-horses. They are made to be beat on…and if your photographer is proud of their equipment they will tell you. (Then you can go home and look up the price!) We use Nikon D-3’s. With Nikon speedlights-and Nikon lenses.

11. How long will it take to get your proofs? What sort of proof  options do they offer? What do they do with the rest of the images that are not included in your proofs?

This question varies for us. Usually somewhere between 4-6 weeks. It really depends on the size of the wedding, and the number of images taken. We cut very few images. So we edit most everything we take. (Some are perfect and don’t need editing…) We also don’t batch edit (where you let your computer do all your post processing for you) We’ve tried this approach and we just think that editing them one at a time is better. (Batching makes the same correction to all the images-but all the images have different lighting-even if they were taken right after one another.) And if your package includes 400 images what happens to the rest? Most photographers just ditch them-and they keep this is mind while shooting. (They may not shoot a image-or a series of images because they are concerned with the 400 you get in your package. We don’t consider what comes in your package until the end-after all your processing is done. Then we choose the best 400-(now don’t forget this is the best 400 made up of two professionals-so you are getting the best of both of us-not one of us-or one of them and a student). Then we do something special with the rest of your images. We don’t advertise it-so if your interested you have to contact us! (Our past brides have loved this-so we think you will too!)

http://www.lyricallensphotography.com/contact/

That’s all for today…I have still another 9 questions-so check back in a few days!!

Till next time,

♥Connie

Here’s some shots from receptions where the DJ’s rocked it out:

reception with lights

last dance

reception toast

Well, wedding season is officially here!! I hope all you brides and grooms are having a great time planning your weddings!! April and I have been meeting with alot of anxious brides and grooms! We really love getting to know our wedding couples-and one way we do this is with engagement sittings!! Many times we offer engagement sittings as gifts from us. We love to spend the afternoon with a couple, getting to know who they are, what they like, and how much they enjoy being photographed. This also gives the couple time to get to know us, and how we work. Normally by the end of the session, we’re hanging out like old friends!   It’s a great way to get to know your photographer….if your interested, let us know!! We would love to get to know you!  We broght this slideshow over from the other blog….we love it, and want to make sure everyone gets to see it!!

Cindy and Bob from connie kessel on Vimeo.

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