A plea to the universe ;)
The best wedding days are filled with traditions that are meaningful to the couple. This couple who was married at Oak Grove at Jorgensen Farms included a gift exchange from Dungeon and Dragon friends including weapons for their DND characters. A gorgeous fall day with the best couple, best officiant (Windi Noble) and best venue in Columbus Ohio
if there’s anything I’ve learned in this business, it’s that when I share things that feel authentic and true, it attracts couples, humans, and events that feel authentic and true to what I love to shoot. Here’s a look into Cait and Pat’s Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove wedding. When we met to chat about their plans, they mentioned how each of their friends, who play in their Dungeons and Dragon campaign, that got married were gifted weapons specific to their character. Speak no more. What an amazing + unique tradition, I immediately knew our paths crossed for a reason. I love weddings for a whole lot of reasons, but the highest one up there is getting to see people embrace what is important to them + share those things with their loved ones.
so what’s my plea? bring me more of these. Authentic + honest and true to who you are type people, ready to share their love with the world! Get in touch today, and I promise to woo you with deals you can’t pass up!
Spring Favorites in Columbus, Ohio
Spring is so close to springing in Columbus, Ohio. Magnolia blooms at Goodale Park are an iconic Columbus Spring Time visit. Wedding portraits taken at Goodale Park are a great way to highlight the season and the city
as basic as we get: that mid March pull to celebrate all things spring. Here are a few of my favorite shots around Columbus: Goodale Park, specifically, to welcome those blooms and sunshine with open arms! Jenn + Colin were married at The Ellis in Italian Village with gorgeous florals!
how to pick a venue that best suits you in Central Ohio
tips and how to on selecting a venue for your wedding in Central Ohio, just in time for engagement season!
I get that it can feel daunting to even start viewing - let alone narrowing down - wedding venues! But, having photographed over 300 weddings, I’d love to share with you what I see couples prioritizing when it comes to location. And, pepper in a little of what makes my job - therefore your experience - a whole lot smoother + delightful.
my number one:
make sure weather plan b isn’t actually a “plan B”
you have to expect that what can go wrong, it will go wrong. So visualize your wedding day with rain, sleet, snow, hail, anything that you’d prefer to ward off (then sage the shit out of that? or something along those lines?)….then think. If I have to follow that plan, will I be happy with 1. the experience and 2. the photos? I am your photographer, but I will always encourage you to prioritize your EXPERIENCE over photos.
think about how travel on your wedding day will look
maybe I’m writing this as number 2, but this is a huge one. So many variables to take into consideration. Do you have a huge bridal party? If yes, and if you’re planning to travel around an area by bus/limo, this adds a considerable amount of time and coordination. The alternative to traveling around the city / area is choosing a venue that is more of an all in one. Somewhere that has both getting ready rooms (please let’s have those with natural light, such a small and large request), photo locations that feel unique and varied, and a ceremony location that is ideal for both good and bad weather. Plus if you can be secluded for some photos without guests present.
invest as much time visiting sites as much as you’re willing!
you might be surprised where you find yourself drawn to - and definitely take into consideration how you feel + the staff as you’re touring!
winter weddings and first looks
a match made in heaven.
In my experience with weddings, August goes quickly into September that leads to early sunsets right into October where we’re trying to fit everything in before 6pm. And, every year it hits me like - how did I forget how early it gets dark “all of a sudden.” Every year, I’m absolutely thrilled with my ability to work with my couples to make the most out of our time together AND their wedding day experience by - YES - “getting the photos done before the ceremony”…but more importantly (!) extending the amount of time they spend together, and lowering the amount of stress that comes with fighting Mother Nature and Sunset!!
So while, of course, I won’t FORCE you to do a first look, but I will highly encourage it. I’ll ask you to talk to people you know who’ve been married recently and ask them what they did + what their opinion is about timing.
When I have a couple who does want to do a first look, we’ll usually work the timeline to do that about 2 hours before ceremony time, as long as there isn’t a lot of travel time involved. Of course this is variable to each couple, but generally if I have 2 hours + an agreeable crowd (and if they’re unagreeable, that’s my job to work with them!!) we can get through the meat of the photos then! And, voila! you’re done with photos once you’re refreshed and ready to walk down the aisle. Free for the night to enjoy + mingle + have zero stress about when you’re going to have time to sneak away!
it's the most wonderful time of the year
….booking season!
I do believe I say this yearly - because there is nothing quite like - let’s be honest - JOB SECURITY! Being self employed is not for the weak. I depend completely on you guys to find meaning in my work, see that we’ll be a good connection with each other, and hire me for your wedding day photography! Woof.
SO this time of year brings a slew of engagements as people pick the holidays to decide they’re ready to take the leap into marriage + wedding planning.
For those of you on a time budget, AND also ready to inquire immediately, I’ll make it easy on you. Here’s the contact form to use to get in touch. This time of year I like to offer incentive to couples who are ready to take the leap and know we’re a good fit for each other. This is as much to benefit you as it is to fill my calendar and make sure I have enough work for the year!
use the contact form below and your wedding pricing proposal from me will include a free hour of coverage.
Easy! Let’s do this and make magic together!
I’ll take this blog post to be a quick hello + meet who I am + how I work!
THE number one thing I can tell you about how it will be working together on your wedding day is that my only goal is to keep you happy, comfortable, present, and enjoying your time together.
I have been a photographer so long that working your timeline into the most sensible + efficient way comes so easily to me. I will work hard to help you plan your day to be as calm as possible.
building trust with your vendors
This year has brought to me MANY amazing experience working with my beloved clients. But, I want to highlight two of them, in particular, that stand out in my mind as absolute gems of the year.
when it comes to your wedding, you’re IN IT for a long time before your wedding day. If I remember anything, it’s that when the wedding day finally arrives, you finally feel like you can let out a big exhale + relax! This is a great thing, and a great feeling to get to have with the people you love the most. I believe I can help you get a little bit of the exhale started weeks, maybe months, before your wedding day with this little bit of how to.
I’ve never been a big social media guy. I think that it’s just a glimpse, and I don’t have my phone out for reel-ing or BTS because what’s more important to me is being present with you. BUUUUUT. (ooof, did you expect that!?) this year I’ve found that the people who are the first likes on my insta…their weddings were extraordinary experiences for me, and for them.
What does it mean?! It means that what you can do to help build your own confidence in how smoothly your day will go is follow along on some level: Facebook, Instagram, Blogging, email, text…with the vendors you’ve chosen. Be invested in them. See the work that they do on a consistent basis leading up to your wedding…and then be confident in your choice to have them be a part of your day. Trust yourself to know you did your job + made a wise choice. Do not micromanage ;) Be the couple getting married, and fully immerse yourself in your wedding, while you let the things around you unfold beautifully!
does this resonate with you!? are you in your planning process? get in touch today, I’d love to serve you!