Tips to Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography is a special and timeless way to capture the memories of one of the most important days of your life. However, choosing the right wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision for you and your partner.

1. Look for a photographer whose style aligns with your vision for your wedding. Do you want a more candid and photojournalistic approach? Do you prefer a more traditional and posed look?

2. Review the photographer's portfolio to see if the quality of their work meets your expectations. Pay attention to the lighting, composition, and editing style to see if it aligns with what you're looking for. Make sure to ask to see complete galleries.

3. Consider the photographer's experience and reputation. Ask around to see if anyone you know has worked with the photographer and if they were satisfied with the results. Read through reviews on the photographers listing on Google or Yelp.

4. Be sure to have a clear understanding of the package options and pricing. It's also a good idea to have a conversation with your photographer about what you're looking for in terms of coverage on your wedding day.

5. Communicate openly with your photographer throughout the planning process. Share your expectations and any important details about the day with them so they can be prepared to capture the moments that matter most to you.

Hope these tips help and of course, I'd love to be considered as your wedding photographer.

XoXo,

Ashley

Wedding Venues Pictured Above: Ski Valley Taos & Bishops Lodge

5 Reasons for a First Look on your Wedding Day

If you're in the middle of the wedding planning process, you're probably trying to decide whether or not to do a first look. As a wedding photographer for the past 10 years, I've photographed dozens of weddings a year and have seen what works and what doesn't.

Here are my 5 top reasons that you need to have a first look on your wedding day.

1. First looks provide an intimate and emotional moment for the couple before the ceremony starts. Many of my couples prefer this to seeing each other for the first time that day while all the wedding guests eyes are on you.

2. They help to calm nerves and alleviate some of the pressure before the ceremony. There is just something about being able to go into the majority of your wedding day being together. Dealing with the opinions and stresses that unfortunately come with weddings can be so much better with your soon to be husband or wife at your side.

3. A first look can be used as an opportunity for a more relaxed and intimate photo session with the couple. One of the saddest things for me as a photographer, is when the wedding timeline is so packed that there is barely any time for photos of the couple. First looks help to make sure that you receive more photos of just the two of you.

4. First looks provide a private moment for the couple to exchange personal vows or letters. This is such a sweet time to share messages with each other that you don't necessarily want to read or share with all of your wedding guests.

5. A first look can help to schedule the wedding day, allowing for more time for things like family or bridal party photos. This way, after the ceremony is over, you get to mingle with your guests instead of leaving them for photos.

Wedding Venue: Bishops Lodge

Makeup Artist: Betty Rose

Dress: Vintage Chanel

Planning on proposing? Read this first.

Are you planning a proposal? Congratulations! What an exciting time. As a wedding photographer for over the last decade, I've seen and heard about my fair share of proposals and I've gathered a few tips for you as you are planning to propose.

#1 Make sure to document the proposal. Whether you have a friend hiding with an iphone, or a professional wedding photographer or videographer, please make sure you find someone who's job is to document the proposal. This will be a time that you both will treasure forever and want to look back on it.

#2 Rethink making it public. I get it, proposing in front of a big crowd of people definitely can up the wow scale of a proposal but I would usually recommend keeping your wedding proposal at a less crowded location. This can not only take some of the pressure off you, but also tends to make your future fiancé less nervous also. You're worrying less about what everyone is thinking or being in the way or having that obnoxious group of people that are hurling insults at you.

#3 Keep it sincere. Don't worry about saying the perfect words. This is someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. They already know you. If your love language to each other is playful banter, incorporate that into your wedding proposal.

#4 It's okay if they know that it's coming. A wedding proposal doesn't have to be some big surprise for it to be romantic. For a control freak like me, I had a hand in picking out my ring and had a basic idea of when the proposal was coming.

#5 Try to bring some nostalgia into your proposal. Whether it's a location that holds a special memory Or an activity you love to do together, incorporating your past into this beginning of your forever future goes a long way.

What tips would you add for planning a wedding proposal? Drop them in the comments below!