What is so important about a Wedding Album?

If your photographer hands you a DVD with all the digital files, it is pretty much the same thing, right?  WRONG.  Absolutely, positively wrong.   And the following is my explanation of why I feel so strongly about this.

A Wedding Album Tells a Complete Story

A wedding is an event that is a story.  It is a story that documents the joining of two families to form an entirely new unit.  Wedding pictures are the first documentation of that new unit.  If a photographer hands you just a disk of images, it is like an incomplete thought, or a sentence fragment.  No matter how beautiful each image is, no matter how much you like them, you do not see them as a complete story.  You cannot appreciate the scope of the event by simply looking at each image individually.  When I am photographing a wedding, I am photographing it so I can tell a story with the images.

A good wedding album tells a complete story, from the details of the invitation and flowers, to the bride dressing, through the ceremony and the reception.  It includes both formal and informal portraits of the bride, the groom and their families.  It documents candid, real moments.  You say the disk has those same images.  Yes, but images on a disk are not put together in a way that relates the emotion of the event.  A really good wedding album puts all these images together to tell a cohesive story and makes you feel like you are there.  It takes you sequentially through the day with feeling and emotion.

A Wedding Album Helps You Remember Your Wedding Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So how do you really want to remember your wedding day?  As a collection of random images on a disk (that in a few years you may or may not be able to access due to new technology)?  Some people like sentence fragments, I guess.  Personally, I really enjoy a good book.

Did you enjoy this post on Wedding Albums?  You might also like to read Do Wedding Albums Matter Anymore.

To schedule an appointment with Lake George Wedding Photographers Blackburn Portrait Design, call (518) 584-4237 or use our Contact Form.

Susan Blackburn is a Lake George Wedding Photographer with over 20 years experience photographing amazing couples on the best day of their lives.

Picture Perfect Wedding Photos:

One of the questions I get asked the most by my wedding clients is “How do we make sure we get the best possible wedding photos?” Aside from making sure you hire a professional wedding photographer, there are a few common sense things you can do to ensure you get picture perfect wedding photos.   I am happy to share with you some of my tips and tricks for planning for your wedding photos below:

Hair and Makeup:  I always think that hiring a professional stylist who works specifically on weddings for your wedding day is a great idea.  Not only do they know how to make you look your best for the camera, they are also familiar with the typical timeline for a wedding day.  They understand the importance of being on time, which translates into less stress for you.  We also highly recommend that you do a trial hair and makeup with your stylist for your wedding look so there are no surprises the day of the wedding.

Touch Up Kit:  A touch up kit is a great thing to have.  Many of the professional stylists I work with provide one for our brides.  They usually include some extra hairpins, small can of hairspray, lipstick, mascara/eyeliner, eye shadow and blush.  I also highly recommend bringing a toothbrush and floss and a small sewing kit for any wardrobe emergencies.

Timeline:  I can’t stress enough how important it is to schedule enough time for each section of the day.  We work with all of our brides on this important item so they will be able to relax and enjoy their day.  It is important to not only have enough time but to have a start time and end time so everyone is on the same page.  Also, we recommend our clients build some time into each section in case they start to run late.

Couples Photos:  If outdoor photos are important to you, we always suggest you schedule your couples photos during the “Golden Hour” if at all possible.  This is the hour before sunset and the light is gorgeous.  If that is not possible, we will work around that.  As professionals we can handle most difficult situations without a blip.  As long as we have open shade and appropriate equipment, it should be a no brainer.  Be sure to allocate enough time to get amazing photos.

Schedule Time Alone in the Ballroom (or Tent):  We love getting some romantic shots of our couples in the ballroom or reception area before the guests are allowed in to the room.  And if you have spent months planning your event, we know you will appreciate them too.

Night Shots:  Night shots can be really fun as well as beautiful.  You get to sneak away together and have a little quiet time while we create some romantic photos under the stars.

Sparkler Exit:  Sparkler Exits are really fun and they make a great last page in your album!  Just make sure you purchase the longer variety.  And having several people available to light them is key.  Also, this may sound silly, but be sure your venue knows you want to do this well in advance.  Some venues have restrictions about this type of activity.

We hope you found this post on planning your wedding photos useful.  For more Wedding Planning Tips, may we suggest this post on Wedding Planning?

Be sure to also check out our Wedding Photography Portfolio.

To schedule a consultation please call (518) 584-4237 or use our Contact Form.

A Wedding Day Timeline–Do You Really Need One?

Do we REALY need a Wedding Day Timeline?  I get this question all the time!  The short answer is–Yes!  While it is surely impossible to account for every second on the Wedding Day, you do need an outline of what is taking place and when.  You need it, your vendors need it, and your Bridal Party and Family need it.

The biggest benefit of doing a Wedding Day Timeline is that it relieves stress both during the planning process and on the Wedding Day.  Think of it as a little insurance policy in terms of stress reduction.

Actually, the earlier you begin to plan your Wedding Day Timeline, the better off you will be.  And one of the most important areas for time allocation is the formal photos.  These include Family Portraits, images of the Bride and Groom, First Look, etc.  You will want to make sure you have enough time to create beautiful images without you or your photographer feeling rushed.  We highly suggest you begin working with your Photographer on your Wedding Day Timeline as soon as you have chosen your date and venue.

Timing for the photos also has an enormous impact for your Makeup and Hair Stylists.  In order to get a proper makeup application and/or hairstyle that will hold up all day, your Stylists need adequate time to work their magic.  If you talk to a Stylist, the number one stressful thing for them at a wedding is an impatient Photographer breathing down their neck to hurry up and finish the Bride’s look.  So do your Stylist the courtesy of planning ahead and building in time for them.

Catering is another huge area where timing is critical.  Your caterer will need a good idea of when you want to enter your reception for dinner because the timing of the meal depends on it.  The caterer does not want to serve overcooked food to your wedding guests.  It is also helpful if the Caterer, Entertainment and Photographer are all on the same page as to when the formalities like First Dance, Toasts, etc. will happen.

Read our Blog on Wedding Day Timelines for planning one for your wedding.

Be sure to check out our Wedding Gallery view some of our work.

Ready to book a Saratoga Springs NY Wedding Photographer?  We would love to chat!  Call (518) 584-4237 or use our Contact Form.  We would love to photograph you!

 

Wedding Album Design

Some wedding photographers (me) love designing albums.

In fact, when I am photographing a wedding, I am kind of shooting with the story of the album in mind.
I recently did a post of Must Have Photos for Your Wedding Album.  In that post, I outlined what types of photos you should choose when thinking about your wedding album.  Your wedding album is not only one of the first heirlooms you create for your family.  It is a story of how the day unfolded.  My ultimate goal is if someone who has never met you happened to pick up your wedding album, they would immediately feel like they knew you and had actually attended the event.  I personally don’t feel it should be a compendium filled with the formal family photos.

What To Think Of With Wedding Album Design:

With that in mind, here is a sample wedding album design I created with images from Shannon and Zach’s wedding last fall at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, NY.  They were a sophisticated couple who created a very personal event at a lovely, quintessential wedding venue.  There was no huge bridal party.  Zach is a chef and catered the event himself.  The wedding ceremony was highly individual.  Shannon did all the floral design for the event herself.  The details were exquisite, from the Badgeley Mischka shoes, the amazing dress, to the food itself.  They also had a fabulous time with their family and friends at the reception.  With that in mind, I wanted to create an album that showcased the details, how much fun was had at the reception, the emotional feeling of the ceremony, and how great they are as a couple together.  I did not include any of the family formals–yikes!  I think it is ok though, because this was really all about the story of the day.  I tell all my couples that at the most, one page of family formals is plenty.  You can always make small family portrait prints to display in frames around your home.  Of course, this is simply my personal preference.  If my clients feel otherwise, I do defer to their wishes.  Because it is their album, not mine.

Finishing Touches for Wedding Album Design:

Below are some photos of the finished album.  There is nothing like a professionally designed and produced wedding album. I chose a Rose Gold Leatherette for the cover because lots of the details at the wedding were Rose Gold.

There you have it–my take on wedding album design.  You can read more about wedding albums and books here.

Are you getting married in the 518 area?  We would love to have the opportunity to chat!  Give us a call at (518) 584-4237 or use our Contact Form.

 

What do you need to know about Wedding Photography Contracts?

I think the first thing you should know about any Wedding Photography contract is that a good contract protects both parties–the provider and the client.

When couples begin planning their weddings, one of the many services they look for is Wedding Photography.  Like any other product or service, there are different levels of expertise, professionalism, and talent in the Wedding Photography field.

A contract with any Wedding Vendor should clearly spell out expectations and address most if not all situations and conditions.  Helpful Hint:  If your vendor of choice works without a contract run–do not walk–away.  Fast.  I would argue that any Wedding Photographer working without a contract is an amateur.

So what is included in a professional Wedding Photography Contract?  To begin with, the most basic information should be documented in a contract.  This includes the names of the Contracting Parties, the event date and time, and any pertinent venue information.  Example:  Cindy Lou Who and Bob the Builder are getting married on December 25, 2019 at the Saratoga National with the Ceremony Time of 3 PM, reception to follow.

Next, the amount of time contracted and what services and products are included should be clearly listed.  Example:  Eight hours of photographic coverage, a second photographer, an album with 20 pages, and digital files with printing rights for $xxxxx.  I am a big fan of spelling all these things out in print.  For example, if it just says Bridal Album, the size could be wide open for interpretation.

After that, there should be clauses spelling out what happens in certain circumstances.  Is the retainer non-refundable?  What is the payment schedule?  Liability–what happens if the photographer’s equipment fails and you get no images?  Do you get your money back?  How much is Overtime if you want your Wedding Photographer to stay at the reception a little longer?  Is there Shipping and Handling on your order if you live out of town?  Is there a deadline or penalty if you do not choose your album images in a timely manner?

Many items in contracts are relatively simple, straightforward things that should be spelled out up front in order to avoid confusion later.  Managing expectations on both ends is critical.

Did you enjoy this post?  You might also like this post on Wedding Planning.

Ready to schedule a consultation?  Use our handy dandy Contact Form!

Susan Blackburn is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer living and working in the Saratoga Springs NY area.  She services clients in Saratoga, Lake George, the Adirondacks and beyond.

Wedding Photography Shot List–Is it necessary?

At some point in the Wedding planning process, couples begin to wonder how they will get all the photos they want during the wedding.  The question invariably pops up, “Do we need a Wedding Photography shot list?”  Many blogs and publications will make you think this is something you definitely need.  But do you?

Candid vs. Posed Wedding Photos

I would say approximately 25-30% of every wedding I photograph is posed, more formal photos.  Whether they are the family groups or traditional bridal portraits, these types of wedding photos are important.  However, I do also love capturing the candid moments in a more photojournalistic way, and those are generally not scripted.

Formal Wedding Photos and Groups

As a working wedding photographer for many years, I do always appreciate a list of important family group images that you definitely want to have.  It helps make the family formal portion of the day go way faster if we know ahead of time how many groups and which family and friends are included.  It is a bonus if there is a person for each side who has a copy of the list and can help us gather people–after all, we do not know who your aunt from California is or what she looks like.  One of my recent brides even did an Excel Spreadsheet and it made the formals fly by.  Just make sure to be open to other possibilities as well as what is on the list.

However, when it comes to a 10 page list of every image imaginable, not so much.  When you hire your wedding photographer, you should be confident that they will know that you need photos say of the Bride alone, Bride with Groom, etc.  If you have hired someone who does not understand that, I will gently say that perhaps that person is not really qualified to photograph a wedding.

I know, for example, that I need to create images of the Bride alone on the wedding day.  I do both traditional portraits and something a little more creative for variety.

Weddings and Pinterest

What about Pinterest you ask?  I am always happy to take a peek at your Pinterest Boards.  It will help me understand what style of photography you gravitate toward.  However, I honestly do not want to spend the entire day recreating 300 images that other photographers have made already.  I am happy to use those inspiration images as a jumping off point, but let’s use them as what they are intended for–inspiration.  Let’s go off and create something unique to you.  After all, the day is about you–not some random couple you have never even met.

All this is not to say that I never accept input from my couples.  I am always up for trying different things.  I just personally do not want to be a slave to a shot list.  I think any creative person you hire would feel the same way.

Did you find this post on wedding photo shot lists helpful?  Do you think you will use a Wedding Photography Shot List at your wedding?  You might also like this article on Wedding Planning.

Be sure to visit our Wedding Photography Portfolio.  Ready to book a consultation?  Give us a call at (518) 584-4237 or use our Contact Form.

Saratoga NY based Wedding Photographer Susan Blackburn has been serving Wedding Couples in the Capital District of Upstate NY for over 20 years.