I am a firm believer that communication and preparation are critical in most things in life.  Photography is no different.  If you hire me to be your photographer, one of my first commitments is that I will communicate often and that I will be prepared.  Preparation is not only needed for a large event, such as a wedding.  I prepare for headshots, family shoots, etc...  Here is a just a small sample of what we will discuss prior to your shoot:

Wedding

*  Location, location, location......it's not just a real estate cliche anymore.  I will know your location inside and out by the time the big day arrives.  If I have never shot a wedding at your location, I will make at least one visit prior to the big day.  We will discuss whether you want outdoor, indoor, or a mixture.  We will determine if there is a unique or pleasant location nearby that can be used for pictures.  We discuss a backup plan for uncooperative weather.  I will let you know whether the lighting presents any issues and what potential measures to take for those issues.

* Does your venue have any special rules?  I will know ahead of time if your church allows flash photography.  I will know if they will allow me to move around during the ceremony or if the reception venue has rules about where we're allowed to go to take pictures.

*  What role will time of year and time of day play in your photographs?  Brides wanting to have mostly outdoor pictures in July have to be consulted differently than brides wanting outdoor pictures in October.  I will discuss with you how the time of your ceremony in turn affects the time of day that your pictures are taken.  How bad will the shadows be?  Will there be enough light outside?  We will discuss all of this and much more.

*  How much time will be needed for pictures?  This is probably the question that photographers are asked most often.  This depends on many factors.  How many family photos do you want?  A bride who wants pictures of every cousin, aunt, and uncle will need more time than a bride who only wants parents and siblings.  Are you ok with your photographs being taken at the church, or do you want to stop somewhere on the way to the reception?  Are you going to see each other prior to the ceremony?  These are all things we will discuss during your consultation and in the days leading up to your big day.

Senior and Family Portraits

*  Pick a location that shows off your personality.

*  Wear clothes that are comfortable, complementary, and flattering

*  Bring anything that will add to your photo.  Just a few examples are musical instruments, jerseys, jackets, and pets.