#rockymountainweddingphotographer – Page 3

Feb

BONA FIDE

You may have seen it in the news recently, a predator posing as a photographer. I’m really saddened by this, never should a situation like this ever arise. So I wanted to take the time to be more informative on the profession, what we do and the service we provide. After all we are in the best business!

I am proud to be able to say my business is legit! I am a legal photography business.

I get it! Photography is another luxury like that of a European vacation. Whether or not to choose between the less expensive or the most expensive tour/package can be a hard decision. So I’m here to share what I’ve worked so hard for and to provide for my clientele, family & friends.

As a legal photography business there are steps I had to take to make sure my business stood out amongst the crowd and provided some reassurance for enquiring eyes. I didn’t just grab my camera, take a few snaps ask someone to pay me for them and voila! I potentially could have done it that way, and there are some that do, but I chose to do it the right way. While the excitement was over running my emotional state, I knew I could not ethically take any money from anyone until I was L-E-G-I-T!

4 Things to think about when looking for a photographer to capture those most precious moments.

Are they a legally licensed/registered business? (It’s okay to ask these questions if they don’t already advertise this incredibly important point)
Are they insured? This is huge! I can’t stress this point enough. If the photographer is not insured you can bet they’ll be holding YOU, the client liable for any and all potential damages or injuries! YES! You could be billed for that and I can assure you receiving an invoice to replace a $25K lighting system that your uncle bumped into at your wedding causing a domino effect trashing all the photographers gear would likely give anyone a coronary. (As an insured photographer I carry liability insurance) I mean how awkward is that to have to send an invoice to your client or vice versa being on the receiving end of said invoice.
References! Do they have references or ratings? You may find these posted on their webpage under ‘kind words’ or ‘testimonials’. Or they may have ratings on their google page. Regardless of where they’re located ask to see some if they’re not visible.
Taxes!!! Do they pay their taxes? If they’re a legally licensed/registered business, they likely pay taxes.

Keep in mind that while we love to create and produce stunning timeless images for our clients, here at ALP we’re more proud of the fact that we can do it legally and with reassurance! With ALP you’re working with an established photography service provider and that is priceless.

I am licensed & insured. I’ve got paperwork to prove it. I run a legal tax paying photography business. It’s not cheap to run my business but I’m proud of taking the proper steps to be #legit

AdaLilly Photography

Feb

TIP TUESDAY #6

Use our online session reservation link to secure your session

We know how crazy life can be and if it were just simple to book appointments online everywhere it would take away from the additional planning etc. So we have created a very simplistic approach to booking your studio sessions directly from our webpage!

We encourage you to book soon as we are already booking several months out. While I’m trying to open the studio extra dates they’ll be by appointment only at this rate.

Now when scheduling online, please remember to check your junkmail for the confirmation email we will send back to you. With this you will receive another one with the contract to sign as well as our session preparation guide.

How does it work?

Where to go to book your session? Our bookings page (also linked on our platforms)

Next Steps:

Choose your session

Select date & time

(it will only give you the options of what is available, to find more dates simply scroll through the calendar)

Click Select

Enter information and payment

Submit

Wait for confirmation…

(usually received within 48hrs but remember to check your junkmail)

NOTE: Any VIP member pricing…your email must match that of which you provided when signing up for our VIP Membership or your booking will NOT be approved.

This is new to us too so there may be some kinks to work out still. For now lets give it a go and we can’t wait to see our calendar fill up to create beautiful timeless art with all our amazing friends, family, and favourite people…YOU!

Thanks for hanging out!

AdaLilly Photography

Feb

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #4

Today we’re back to talk about Comparing Packages & Asking about Your Rights…

Grab a cup of coffee and lets sit down and review those packages!!!

STEP 7: COMPARE THOSE PACKAGES

Knowing the exact dollar amount? You won’t know what the number will be until you decide what type of coverage you want for your day, how many albums you need and where your photographer is from. Packages can range well between $500 – $15,000 + on the higher more experienced end of the spectrum. When you meet with your photographer(s) ask for a general idea of what the investment will be based on the photographer’s standard rate/shooting feee and package. Additionally ask about the rates for their albums you think you’ll want and the amount of coverage you’re hoping to book them for. Do you require their services for the day? or possibly the entire weekend? Are you getting hitched at a destination location? All these factors can greatly effect your investment. Keep in mind the value you seek. Do you care about experience in the art? Is it important to you to have more than one photographer? If so you need to ask how much it is for the additional coverage. Do you want an engagement session or a newlyweds session? Are these additional to the packages or included? Is a second shooter part of the contract? If not ask about the possibility. While it’s nice to have a second shooter they’re not always available, be prepared for the possibility that they may not be if this decision is made later on in the discussions. Depending on the size of your wedding a third shooter may even be beneficial. Enabling all angles to be captured from your event.

STEP 8: WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? WHAT ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS?

READ THOSE CONTRACTS!!!! Most photographers stipulate in their contracts that they own the rights to all the images taken at the wedding. Yes! That includes the ones of you! What does this mean? This means that the photographer has the right to use all images promotionally where they choose. (website, blog, publication submissions, and ads). Knowing this leads us to the next part…digital proofs. Most photographers have a policy that you can only share watermarked images or images with their credit on them. If you want to print the images yourself or order an album from another source, you’ll likely have to buy the rights to the images.

Thank you for coming back! We’ll be wrapping up this section of WWI next week and then head into some more details of wedding photography and planning!!

AdaLilly Photography

Feb

TIP TUESDAY #5

Choosing the perfect location for your session

It’s almost time for your session and we’re trying to decide on a location. Here are some things you’ll want to think about:

Keep in mind the décor of your home. My personal photography style is bright, soft & airy. My home is more modern minimalist themed. I would never have us dressed in bright colors on a canvas on my wall because it doesn’t go with my décor. Make sure you coordinate your outfits and locations to match the décor style of your home. You also will need to coordinate the colours with the walls of your house so they don’t clash.
If you have a more vintage style decor in your home, studio canvas portraits may not look as amazing, and location portraits not as good unless you put them in complimentary vintage type frames to make them fit in more.
If you have a more modern home like mine, studio photos will more than likely be your best option.
You can also choose to have a lifestyle session done inside your home. We will come to your house and take photos of your family in your own natural environment. These are beautiful and will look great in your house because they match perfectly.

AdaLilly Photography

Jan

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #3

Hello! You’re back!

STEP 5: THE ANALYTICAL EYE

The analytical eye…nows the time to be a bit more critical in choosing your photographer. When assessing a photographer’s album, it is important to remember to note those pivotal moments you want captured. For example, did the photographer capture that first look as the bride enters the room or aisle? Is there a certain clarity in the images you’re looking at for example do they appear crisp and clean or are they sharp with a delicate softness. Is there considerate composition of the images? Were there any emotional images captured that speak to you? Do the subjects in images look relaxed even if posed? You two are the most important piece of the day’s puzzle but you want to see happy images of your friends and family too!

STEP 6: ‘CLICKING’ PERSONALITIES

Probably the most important part of the process. To love a photographers work is one thing, but to love and get along with the photographer is another. The client/photographer bond is absolutely the most important aspect when choosing your photographer. A few things to note as you discuss your vision and day: Does the photographer get overjoyed with your vision as you describe it to him/her? Do they present their recommendations clearly and respectfully? Are they shy? What are their mannerisms and are they uninviting? In order to get the best gallery of images we suggest that you choose a professional that has an unyielding hold of ettiquet but is brave enough to chase those epic images, but more than that, they should help alleviate some stress of the day.

You’re photographer will be your shadow, therefore the more comfortable you are with each other the better your images will turn out. They should ask lots of questions and be a good listener.

Join us again next week for another continuation to finding your perfect photographer!

AdaLilly Photography

Jan

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #2

First off we’d like to thank you for coming back again this week! We appreciate your dedication to us and something we’re passionate about. So this week we’ll pop in here with two more tips to add on to last week.

STEP 3: SETTING UP THE INTERVIEW

The decision to be made…one of the most important steps in finding your perfect fit! Please believe me when I say MEET IN PERSON!!! If possible that is. There are other ways to virtually meet in person if you’ll be hiring from abroad and this is still important to talk face to face. (Thank God for FaceTime, Skype and many other ways to host ‘in person’ meets.)

Lets quickly recap, you’ve sought out the style you love, you’ve fallen in love with the photographer’s portfolio, now we have setting up the interview. First call them. Find out if they’re available for your date. If they are, go ahead and connect through their contact page introducing yourself and your soon-to-be-spouse. Most photographers will have a contact form on their website asking a few questions but in the space provided where it may say ‘tell us more’ you can add tidbits in about the day, such as the event itself and the vision you have for your day. If there is room attach 3-5 of your favourite images from their site or your research. This way they’ll have a better idea of what you love. Sadly your photographer may already be booked on your date…what next? Well, ask and see if they have an associate or can recommend another shooter with a similar style.

I’d be lying if I said we always want to be picked by every one we meet with. The truth is we don’t. While you’re setting up the interview, we too are interviewing you. To be honest we may just not jive together after meeting in person. So it’s best to always set up 3-5 potential photographer interviews who are available on your wedding date. Be prepared to talk about the venue, style and your vision for your photos, and remember it’s okay to not ‘click’ (pun fully intended) with everyone.

STEP 4: VIEW A FEW FULL WEDDING ALBUMS

This is so crucial!!! I see so many couples base their decisions on the highlight reel in a photographers portfolio. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!! View an entire gallery. That means ask to see one of their full weddings. Why? As a photographer I will be totally transparent with you. We show all our prospective clients a portfolio of the best of the best, or our favourite images from one or several weddings we’ve photographed. It’s not that we’re trying to hide anything its just those are the ones that get us really excited about the art we’ve created and we want to share it with you. But it still will not give you a well rounded idea of the entire picture. Ask to see two or three galleries from REAL weddings they’ve shot (not someone else at their company) so you can get the full picture of what your complete collection may look like after the wedding. If you fall in love with all the images rather than just the chosen highlight ones then bravo, you’re heading in the right direction! ASK questions! A LOT of them! I believe in honesty no matter how hard the question is to answer, if the person you’re meeting can’t be honest, that’s a red flag! Integrity is everything.

Time to go get the kids so remember to check back with us next Wednesday where we will talk about Critical Eye & Personalities.

AdaLilly Photography

Jan

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN

As photographers we know and understand completely just how hard this decision is for your big day. Believe me it’s not easy for us either. While there are numerous photographers out there and some may think the market is over saturated, the key to finding the one to fit you and your vision is really very simple. But with all that wedding planning we understand just how hard it can be to try and make these decisions. You’re likely asking yourself where do we start?

ALP WEDDINGS – Wednesday Weigh In is here to help. We’re strictly keeping Wednesdays dedicated to weddings…and not just about wedding photography even though that is our passion!

HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

STEP 1: WHATS YOUR STYLE

While research is important, how do you begin to research someone or something you’re not even sure you know what/who’s style you love?

We recommend choosing the style of photography you fall in love with first. Seek out styles that taylor to how you want to feel overtime as you look back on your day as you flip through your heirloom album specified to fit you and your vision. So while you’re heading on over to Pinterest to start looking, make sure to create your board and fill it full of images that make your heart flutter. Images that inspire you. They may be from a fashion blogger, a real wedding or staged shoot, it could be as simple as a flat lay image. Regardless of inspiration its a great place to start to seek out that perfect match for your photography needs. I’d be lying if I said you won’t go down the worm holes because you will but the fun about creating these boards is you’ll have a pristine idea of what you want your memories to reflect on your big day.

STEP 2: DO THE DIGGING

This is so important. While one couple may not have been completely happy with their wedding photographer, they may not have clicked well enough to have a more than reasonable outcome. Whereas another couple may love and boast about the exact same photographer. We’re all human after all and therefore we won’t always click well with each other. So its very important that you dig into the ones with the styles you favour. This is just a start. Start reading their about me pages and get a small sense of getting to know who you’ll be meeting for coffee in the next step. Personally we offer all inquiring clients our free guide to wedding photography. (We’ll attach the form below to request our guide) It’s a small token of our appreciation for just looking us up!

A photographers portfolio will tell you a lot about how they capture ones wedding day. We all have a different eye. I may see one angle and another may see a complete opposite. But, that doesn’t mean one is more right over the other, it may just mean difference in perspective. However a portfolio will not tell you how you will get along. This brings us to the next step, of which we will touch more on next week. But we did promise you a little freebie!!! Scroll to the bottom and fill out the request form for your ALP WEDDINGS – A COMPLETE GUIDE TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY.

We don’t want to overwhelm you as we know the process of planning a wedding is somewhat stressful and oh so busy. So we’re going to leave this right here and reconvene on the topic next Wednesday where we will discuss the next steps of setting up interviews with photographers and seeing a full album in person of a wedding.

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***BONA FIDE***

***TIP TUESDAY #6***

***WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #4***

***TIP TUESDAY #5***

***WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #3***

***WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #2***

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BONA FIDE

TIP TUESDAY #6

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #4

TIP TUESDAY #5

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #3

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN #2

WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN