what your vendor team should know (xo, your wedding photog)

After 150+ weddings over the last 6 years, I’ve learned a few things and want to share them with you! If you’re envisioning a stylish, unique, fun and memorable wedding for your guests (and yourselves), then you need to read this.

Weddings are one of the most fast-moving days of your lives, while also being the most emotional, expensive and exhausting — they take expertise and experience from so many talented professionals to occur seamlessly. From my perspective as a Baltimore wedding photographer with an architecture + design background, here are 5 things I recommend discussing with the rest of your vendor team in advance, to ensure your photos are the most authentic, beautiful and genuine version they can possibly be.

ps: if you need vendor recommendations for any of these categories (and more!), I’m happy to share my list of favorites once you’re officially part of the family of #urpcouples! You’re welcome in advance. ;)

1. having the planner / florist / officiant’s help with this one thing will have a huge impact on your ceremony photos:

…ensuring the ceremony backdrop is (and YOU as a couple are too!) centered in the aisle, to avoid the space looking unbalanced and slightly off -- unfortunately photoshop and editing after the fact can’t fix this, but taking a step back during setup to double check can go a long way! This is a huge pet peeve of mine since it’s so easy to prevent.

Sometimes, the design of a space won’t allow the aisle to be set up so that it’s centered on the wall or backdrop you’ll be standing in front of, or the chairs are not setup yet when your florist begins installing the ceremony backdrop, but if this is the case, have them ask that at least the front 2 chairs are placed so they can ensure it is all centered from there! Knowing any issues in advance (one of the reasons why final walkthroughs at your venue with your planner [and/or florist, photographer, venue coordinator etc], is so beneficial!) and planning for a creative solution can go a long way. I can almost guarantee that waiting until the day of to see how it looks once everything is setup is too late!

2. ask that your DJ / band / entertainment does this one thing with us, but does not use these:

documenting all of the reception events (introductions, toasts, speeches, dances, etc) in their best light benefits from a heads-up right before they’re about to happen -- we may need to reposition ourselves, our flashes or the person giving the speech and scrambling at the last minute isn’t a good look. ...a simple check-in goes a long way!

You know what else isn’t a good look? A dance floor full of speckled or lasered dancers. Unless you specifically enjoy the look of chicken pox on your guests, please ask your DJ not to use colorful lighting dots / laser beams because they are terribly unflattering in photos!

3. one of the beauty related questions I always get in advance (and am happy to answer):

I am always happy to communicate (or let the planner share this info!) when hair + makeup should be complete for photos in advance of the wedding day to set the tone for a relaxed start... when hair/makeup runs on time, it means the day won’t start off rushed and stressed and our couple can take their time getting dressed and soaking it all in!

4. a reasonable ask of the videographer, who I’m physically standing alongside the whole day:

working together as a creative team that communicates both before the wedding day and on the day of, to avoid getting in each other’s shots (and placing tripods / light stands in each others way ;)) will ensure a fabulous experience for everyone... if we can tag team different creative ideas for couple’s portraits -- we all benefit!

5. please relay this important message to your catering team!:

no one wants photos taken while they’re eating, so feeding the photographer (+ videographer) right after the couple gets their dinner allows us to be ready to photograph the speeches / toasts / special dances when they begin… my favorite caterers (IYKYK) know that it’s to everyone’s benefit to not feed the photographers last, but if you have any questions, you know how to reach me! ;)

Do you have any specific questions about these or other vendor considerations? I’m happy to help, just email me at naomi@urbanrowphoto.com and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction — I truly believe if we all function as a supportive, kind and cohesive team on the day of, it’s a better experience for everyone!! No one wants added stress on a wedding day that could have been avoided with a simple conversation in advance. ;)

xo,
Naomi

6 important questions to ask a wedding photographer

There are tons of lists you can find in wedding magazines and blogs about all the questions you should ask potential wedding photographers, but I wanted to clear the air and distill it down to the most important ones (…at least in my mind)!

Here are some of the questions I often hear from couples and some that I don’t always hear but feel are very important to ask to make sure you’re extremely comfortable with the person you choose to document your most important and best day (yet)!

ps: you might want to save / bookmark this post to refer back to and share it with your newly engaged (or soon-to-be-engaged) friends!

What to Ask A Wedding Photographer at Your Initial Consult/Meeting

1. To see a full gallery (or 2-3!) …bonus if one of them took place at your venue!

However, be careful… don’t get caught up in thinking “if my photographer hasn’t worked there yet, do I need to find one that has?” Short answer: NO.
Pro Tip: Our creativity is heightened when we visit and photograph at a venue for the first time. Trust me! ;)

Also please keep in mind that your wedding will likely look very different than any gallery we share — as it should! The colors, vibe and/or season may be similar to yours, but in the end, what you’re really looking for is to make sure that the photographer has the ability to document a variety of moments throughout the day with ease: both big and small moments, candids and formals; that they have a mastery of shooting in a variety of conditions: low-lit churches, rain/wind, dark ceremony / reception spaces, etc. and that there is a clear and compelling and real (aka: not forced or overly posed or stiff) story of the day being told through the photographs…

2. Will they go on a final walkthrough or visit your venue prior to the wedding if they’ve never been before?

I absolutely will and even if I have photographed there before, I believe it’s extremely valuable and if I can align my schedule to work with your visit, count me in!

3. How do they direct family formals and make sure not to miss anyone?!

COMMUNICATION! I will share a standard family photo list with you in advance and we will go over it to make sure we have a good understanding of the VIPs in your fam! I’ll also bring it with me on the day of the wedding. Another reason why having 2 photographers is hugely helpful: usually the second photographer will be helping to wrangle people, get them up and ready on deck and keep track of any groupings we need to go back to.

4. Do they have trusted vendors they can share with you?

Heck yes! Just ask and you will receive the most comprehensive list (once you’re officially booked with Urban Row)! I only share the names of people I have worked with on a wedding day or during an editorial shoot so that I am confident you will also love their communication style, talent and personality!

5. What makes them different than other photographers?

You can read my reasons here (see the first 3 questions!). ;)

6. How do they ensure your images are backed up before they deliver them in case technology fails?

For me, both of my cameras shoot and record the same images to two cards so I always have at least one card to work with if the other becomes corrupt. I also never delete / format the cards until after I’ve delivered your wedding so if for some reason my computer and external hard drive both fail, I will have the cards to go back to. I also back everything up to an offsite third party backup system just as another method to ensure everything is safe!!

I know for most couples, this is your first time planning a wedding and it’s so hard to know what to ask all of your vendors… I love it when couples ask me questions! I’m an open book and happy to share if you’re curious or concerned — just ask away!

3 things to consider when planning a winter / holiday wedding

Winter weddings are gaining popularity recently and many wedding venues will transform into cozy, festive hubs of celebration for you and your guests to eat, drink and be merry! If you’re considering getting married during the month of December, there are a few additional layers of detail to consider and factor into your planning.

…enjoy these tips from years of experience capturing couples at recent winter weddings held at unique Baltimore and Maryland wedding venues!

1. be mindful of how days are shorter in cooler months and how the timing of your ceremony can directly affect your photos

for example, if you’re planning a church ceremony that will last about 45-60 minutes to incorporate a full mass and/or start at 3pm or later, the sun will be setting right at the end of your ceremony and won’t allow for many portraits (if any at all!) using natural light. rushing to get portraits in after your ceremony while everyone is anxious to get to the reception and enjoy cocktail hour does not make for a great experience. for weddings between november through february, I highly recommend doing a first look and planning for portraits of you and your partner, bridal party and immediate family BEFORE the ceremony to ensure we have plenty of time to take gorgeous photos in the most flattering light and while everyone is still fresh and focused!

2. find out what your venue will look like during the winter months and if/how they decorate for the holidays

are there added twinkle lights? how festive is their typical winter decor? are you able to see the designs for their decor in advance to make sure you can coordinate any colors, textures or florals to compliment and look cohesive?

Baltimore Country Club for example, has their own holiday decor and florals designed and provided by Victoria Clausen Floral Events… not only is it gorgeous and one less thing for you to think about, but it also makes for beautiful backdrops for your photos both inside and out. I’m all about the added value! ;)

3. don’t let the weather scare you

use the colder weather to your benefit! gift your bridesmaids scarves, fur stoles, cute sweater wraps, fun jackets, boots, etc… your photos will be unique and full of personality :) aaaand, unless it’s pouring rain out, I will ALWAYS recommend we take your portraits outside since natural light is more flattering and will allow us more options of poses, movement, light and shadow.

I love seeing all the unique details our couples include at their late fall and early winter weddings since it usually means warm signature cocktails, cozy wraps and tons of greenery and texture!