The Benefits of a First Look....

Wedding season is about to begin so I thought this would be a good time to write about brides and grooms doing a first look. Some couples cringe about the subject of seeing their bride or groom before the wedding ceremony. The usual response I hear as a photographer is “I don’t want to break the tradition”… or something to this effect. The choice of whether or not to do a first look is completely up to the couple because this is your special day, however, I have listed a few reasons below as to why it is a good idea to consider doing a “First Look” photo session to get the most out of your photography investment.

First let me start by offering a little history lesson. The old tradition of not seeing the bride or groom before the wedding ceremony dates back to the time when marriages were pre- arranged. The bride and groom were not allowed to see each other or meet before the ceremony mainly to keep the man from being a run a way groom. These days, we are free to marry who we choose which eliminates the fear of either party being left at the altar.

Many couples, myself included, say that their wedding day went by so fast and it was all a big blur. The fact is that photos are the only tangible item that will last a lifetime and help you as a couple remember your wedding day. Consider this, the bouquet and garter will be tossed and the flowers will wilt away. Your photos will be the only tangible items that will remain to help you remember your special day for a lifetime to come.

In my experience as a wedding photographer, the opportunity to take photos before the ceremony offers a better timeline of the rest of the day’s events. Setting aside this time in the beginning of the day allows me the time to be creative and offer the bride and groom unique photos that they can appreciate and admire. With most of the photos out of the way before the ceremony, you are now also able to join with your guests at the reception site in a timely manner. Your guests will enjoy being able to promptly celebrate with the new couple and makes the entire time line of the day flow smoother.

If you are a bride reading this post, I suggest taking the time to do some research on the subject. After booking your photographer, make sure you both have a clear plan and outline for photography time on your wedding day. Having discussions about this during the planning stage will help the day flow smoother for you, the photographer, and the bridal party.

Good Luck and God Bless

First Communion Photoshoot

It was such a blessing to this First Communion photo session. Little Rose smiled beautifully and looked like a little Angel. Here is a preview of the session.

Jasmine Star Webinar

Wow.... I am feeling so inspired right now. I just completed a 2 day webinar workshop with international wedding photographer Jasmine Star. She is such an inspiration to the industry and offers a wealth of knowledge for starting and running a successful photography business. What I admire about her most is that she is so humble!! When the workshop was about to end, she teared up and made a comment that she was not worthy to be here, doing the workshop.... She so couldn't be farther from the truth.

After only four short years, she has created a very successful brand simply by being herself and gaining trust among her clients and fellow photographers. I admire her spirit, her style, and her inspirational story. Thank you Jasmine!