Saint Louis Style Weddings

Anyone that has lived in Saint Louis understands that we are unique in many ways. Saint Louis has it's own style. We have our own pizza, our own style of ribs and to a certain degree, our own style of weddings.

Saint Louis weddings are somewhat unique because in many parts of the country, a significant time gap between the wedding and reception is unheard of.

I was in Memphis recently with another Saint Louis photographer lecturing and helping educated other photographers. Speaking with the Memphis photographers made me remember just how blessed I am to have gotten my start here in Saint Louis.

With few exceptions, Memphis receptions immediately follow the weddings The local photographers were puzzled as to how and when we Saint Louis photographers can create such beautiful, artistic images.

Saint Louis style weddings generally afford far more opportunity to create the emotional, fun photographs our southern colleagues envy. But not always. 

One of my recent weddings was that of Allyson and Chris. They met at Washington University but neither is a Saint Louis native, nor is Saint Louis going to be their future home. 

Allyson needed to accommodate her family and guests by keeping the gap between wedding and reception relatively short. Virtually all of them were from out of town and not accustomed to Saint Louis style weddings. Or pizza for that matter.

But she hoped her pictures could reflect Saint Louis and wanted the style of imagery and the relaxed, fun-loving experience I offer. Allyson had complete faith that I'd be able to fulfill her wishes. Now I had a challenge! 

We worked a quick Washington University and Forest Park session into the wedding day. We got some great images but there is nothing more iconic than the Gateway Arch. 

Unfortunately a trip downtown simply wouldn't wasn't going to fit into our schedule. 

So we finished with a session the next evening on the river front, creating memories and images as unique as Saint Louis itself.

Mission accomplished!

In addition to working in Saint Louis, I intend to establish myself in the Memphis area in the future. I will be doing so with the confidence that great imagery, if considered important enough, can be achieved even when challenges are presented.

To view a video slideshow of Allyson and Chris' complete wedding... Click Here

Preserving Memories

A few months ago I blogged about watching families grow and how thankful I was to have the opportunity to share in the memories.

I can't begin to describe how rewarding it is to create artistic, heirloom imagery that not only captures but also preserves memories that might otherwise fade away.

Melanie and Sasan gave me that opportunity thanks to one of my gift certificates they received as a shower gift.

I'm proud to know that few, if any, of the other gifts Melanie received that day will stand the test of time or be cherished as much as these images. 

Snapshots and the cheap pictures taken in the department store serve a purpose but can't replace meaningful lifestyle portraits that actually capture the memories and feelings of a growing family. 

If you, or someone you know is in the process of building a family consider one of the best gifts possible.

 Preserved Memories.

Save The Date!

Save The Dates have nearly become as commonplace in wedding planning as white gowns and wedding cake. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are bookmarks. Some are magnets. And some are designed as post cards. 

Here's a post card I just designed.

Engagement sessions are including with my packages. The design service necessary to transform the engagement images into something memorable is included at no additional charge.

Engagement images can be used in announcements, to create a unique guest book, signature board or, as in this case, beautiful Save The Dates.

Top Ten List

Questions For Your Photographer

Most bridal magazines publish lists of questions you're supposed to ask a potential photographer. This is nothing new. In fact I've chuckled at these lists for many years.

Very few of the questions seem to be valid criteria for choosing a photographer in my opinion. Additionally they don't publish the correct or acceptable answers for these questions.

I thought it might be fun to take a examine one of these lists.

1: How many years of experience do you have as a professional wedding photographer?

A: Thirty

I think this is a reasonable question provided it's qualified to a certain degree. Experience counts, especially when things are moving quickly and plans suddenly change. However, if a photographer has been doing things poorly for a long time do those years actually count?

2: What percentage of your business is weddings?

A: Roughly 80%

Is there a right answer?

3: Approximately how many weddings have you photographed in the last year?

A: Approximately 30.

It's still only about numbers? Not about the overall experience provided? Not about image quality?

4: Can you supply me with references?

A: Yes. How many would you like?

Finally! A question that warrants an answer about customer satisfaction. Something actually important. 

5: Are you the person that will photograph my wedding.

A: Possibly. I have a personally trained and equally qualified associate that may shoot your wedding if I'm previously booked. But you'll know this information from the very start. You won't need to ask.

6: What will your attire be for the wedding?

A: Something appropriate. And, when possible, something that blends with the color scheme of the wedding. 

This question made the top ten? Honestly? 

7: What type of equipment do you use?

A: Primarily Canon DSLR cameras and lenses.

This is my personal favorite. What would a lengthy list of manufacturers and model numbers mean to the average bride?  When did skill become associated to the tools a craftsman uses anyway?  Does it matter to you which brand of stethoscope your doctor or what brand of wrenches your mechanic uses?

8: Is it professional equipment?

A: Yes. I think so.

This seems like an unnecessary extension of the previous question. What exactly defines professional equipment? I wonder if the writer was using a professional computer when formulating this list?

9. Do you bring backup equipment with you to a wedding.

A: Yes. Plenty of it.

This is the only equipment related question worthy of a top ten list in my opinion.

10. Do you have liability insurance?

A: Yes

A reasonable question perhaps. But isn't liability insurance designed to protect the photographer?  I'd suggest that hiring the right photographer is a much better insurance policy.

You may want to formulate your own list that concentrates on why you should invite the photographer to be part of such a significant day. What he or she is going to do to make your day special for you. And what the photographer's previous customers think about the overall experience and imagery he or she produced.