Top 10 Things to Ask your Wedding Photographer

Have you ever thought about the advances in digital photography?  It is a wonder!  But without technique, experience and understanding it is still just a tool in an amateur's hands.  When planning your wedding make sure you take the time to pick your wedding photographer with as much care as you have with all the other details!  Your photographer is going to make sure the memories of your most special day are captured and made into treasured pieces of art!

To make sure you are working with a professional who is suited for you, make sure you ask questions!  Ask lots of questions.  Here is an excerpt taken from PPA (Professional Photographers of America) of the top ten things to ask your photographer.

#10    Samples: Do you have samples of your work I can see? Do you have a completed product exactly like we will receive that shows us one wedding from start to finish? Is this sample from the actual photographer who will be at my wedding or someone else on your staff?

#9    Image Preservation: What steps do you take to protect my wedding photographs and how long do you archive them? Can I come back in 5 or 10 years and get more photographs or replace my album if something happens to it?

#8    Equipment: Do you use professional-quality cameras capable of capturing great images in all lighting conditions, or do you use consumer-level cameras? Do you have backup equipment if something happens to your camera or lights? Can I have black-and-white photographs or can you add special effects if I want to? Do you bring additional lighting equipment if it is needed?

#7    Collaboration: Will I be working with you or someone else on your staff? Do you work with an assistant? What is the process for reviewing, selecting and editing the final images for the album, enlargements and print sets?

#6    Deliverables: In what format do you deliver the proofs? What is included in the price? What additional options or products are available and how much extra for those items?

#5    Time: What is the maximum amount of time I will wait to see proofs? Once I’ve selected my pictures, how long will it take for final delivery of all printed products?

#4    Quality: Do you print the photos yourself or do you use a professional lab or a consumer hobbyist photofinisher like one of the big box stores? Are the images guaranteed against fading for my lifetime or beyond?

#3    Style: What is your artistic style? Do you shoot traditional poses, or have a more photojournalistic approach, or is it mixed? Do you like to shoot in the studio or at different locations, as well as on the wedding day? Can I see examples of an entire wedding day shoot to see how you might tell a wedding day “story”?

#2    Experience: How long have you been photographing weddings? How long have you been in business? Can you provide references? Can I view some of your albums? How do you manage distracted or uncooperative subjects or guests?

And perhaps the most important thing you need to discuss with your photographer …

# 1    Assurances: How do you ensure my satisfaction? What are your backup plans in the event you’re late or called away by an emergency?  What happens if there’s an equipment failure, or some other unforeseen issue? Do you carry liability insurance? Can I get all of the points we’ve covered in a written contractual agreement?

You are Beautiful!

Boudoir photography has been in the news a lot lately.  Take a look...here, here, and here.  But what is it really?  Is this a racy idea?
Let's talk about it!

Here at Allison Hope we have been providing boudoir sessions for years.  Our goal is to make sure each client sees the beautiful woman God created!  What a great way to love yourself and to share this special feeling with your loved one.  We strive to make each client comfortable and create classy portraits to treasure.  I often hear... "I would love to do that, but after I lose xx amount of pounds"  Yes, we want you to feel like a supermodel when you leave, but not due to a striving to fit into a societal mold of what is beautiful. Our desire is to share with you the beauty of who you are!  The definition of beauty comes from within, where you are most comfortable, from who you are!

Take a look at some of our amazingly sexy clients!

Share the Love!

I am excited to share with you my plans to travel to Honduras during the week of April 20 - April 28 of this year. I will be joining a group of about 20 others from my church congregation, the Nashua church of Christ, who will travel with Mission Lazarus in and around San Marcos de Colón, Honduras.

We will be distributing food and livestock, aiding local teachers, providing educational supplies, and conducting a Bible camp for local children, as well as some sort of construction project. 

Please visit www.missionlazarus.org to learn more about this organization.

So in the spirit of love that comes with the month of February, I will be donating 10% of all portrait orders during the month towards the mission trip!  If you place an order from any portrait session during February you will be helping me get to Honduras and spreading much needed love and support to the people there.  Thank you for supporting me as I take this amazing mission trip!

Save the Date!

Our engagement sessions offer the perfect opportunity to share your wedding date with family and friends!  These portrait sessions are a time to share a special couples bonding experience and capture the joy and excitement of starting your life together!

 These sessions also offer the opportunity to begin sharing your wedding colors, or your shared love of something, your creativity or silly relationship can be showcased.  Think about allowing us to capture your idea for a destination wedding?  How about using a chalkboard to share your date?  Balloons with the date?  Carved in the sand at your favorite beach?

We can use the images from your engagement session and design some save the date postcards or magnets.  We will custom design your save the date to incorporate your wedding colors or design themes.  Wonderful ideas and many opportunities to share your wedding date with loved ones!

Go here to see some creative ideas for save the dates!