Photography Checklist

I believe that every wedding is unique. Every bride wants to be seen through eyes that realize the beauty she beholds, the beauty in every detail. I offer the fashionably artistic, photojournalistic style that the modern bride desires. With a background in makeup artistry and drawing in various media, I have an eye for beauty and detail which few can compare to. By using a combination of the non-intrusive style of photojournalism along with some loosely guided posing, I am able to provide beautiful images that consistently exceed the expectations of my clients.

Before the Big Day
I attribute much of the success of my business to paying attention to details; not only while shooting, but also during the engagement session and planning sessions with the bride and groom. I provide a complimentary engagement session as well as planning sessions for the bride and groom free of charge, as this allows me to really get to know them and pick their brains. What shots are most important to them? Which of my past weddings are they most fond of and why? What is their vision for their day? After all, their images are the single most important thing that they are paying for in relation to the wedding. They are the only thing the couple will have to remember their day by; the most important tangible item they will take away from their day!

The Shot List
Keep in mind that the best photographs are often unstaged and unexpected. Although I do not work from a list during the day, it is very important that I am on the same page with the bride and groom; I want to have the same vision for their images. Often, I will go over a shot list ask which of these are most important to them during one of several planning sessions that I provide free of charge. I also welcome brides to drop by magazine tear-outs and pictures printed from the internet that catch their eye. Photographers often seek inspiration from others, so this is definitely not offense! Here is a preliminary list that I give to my brides to look over:

PRE-CEREMONY

Bride getting ready for ceremony
Veil being put on
Full length shot of bride
Bride pinning mother’s corsage
Bride pinning father’s boutonniere
Bride with parents: together and separately
Bride with siblings
Bride with Maid-of-Honor
Bride with bridesmaids
Bride with flower girl and ring bearer
Groom getting ready for ceremony
Full length shot of groom
Groom with parents: together and separately
Groom with siblings
Groom with Best Man
Groom with attendants
Groom with bride’s parents

CEREMONY
Guests being escorted to seats
Groom and attendants at the altar
Bridal attendants walking down the aisle
Bride and her father approaching the altar
Father giving bride away
Exchange of rings
Lighting of unity candle
Kiss
Recessional
Bride and groom getting into car

POST-CEREMONY
Formal portrait of newlyweds
Newlyweds with each set of parents
Newlyweds with both sets of parents
Newlyweds with wedding party

RECEPTION
Parents being announced
Newlyweds being announced
First dance
Toast
Bride and father dancing
Groom and mother dancing
Close up shot of cake
Newlyweds cutting the cake
Newlyweds feeding each other cake
Bouquet toss
Garter toss
Guests at tables
Newlyweds leaving

In addition to the standard fare, these shots are part of my agenda:
Close-up of bride’s dress
Close-up shot of invitation
The bride’s arrival to the ceremony site
Attendants helping bride with her train
Close-up of groom when the bride appears
Close-up of parents during the ceremony
Close-up of hands clasped over vows
Newlyweds running out of church through tossed petals/birdseed/bubbles
Newlyweds first toast in their car
Close-up shot of seating cards
Close-up shot of table before guests are seated
Single women waiting for the bouquet to be tossed
Single men waiting for the garter to be tossed
Children asleep at the reception
Large snapshot of all guests

To really get everything you want out of your images, you have to make sure that you choose the right photographer. Please visit my website to inquire if Vogue Visions Photography is available for your Louisville area wedding.