It's Raining...It's Pouring (Sometimes).

All of this recent wet weather has had me thinking…thinking about what it takes to make your wedding day go smoothly and the behind the scenes preparation I as your photographer do to help you have the day of your dreams.

For me, it’s more than just packing a camera.

For every job I attend (not just weddings), I carry 3 Camera bodies and a barrage of Lenses that interchange between the bodies. I carry double the battery power and memory cards needed for the job. All of my Camera’s write to 2 separate memory cards (so I already have 2 copies of everything I have taken before I leave your portrait session or wedding)

I carry a ladder, I’m relatively short but a ladder is invaluable when your trying to take a large group photo.

I have a large emergency kit like no other. From a sewing kit to bandaids, bobby pins to toiletries. If you need something random on your wedding day just ask it is likely that I will have it with me.

The unpredictable Australian climate means that I pack a pile of Umbrellas. Weather you want clear brollies or a splash of colour the choice is yours, we can use these functionally or to add some fun to your photos!

Then there’s the ground sheets and towels, and lighting for when Mother Nature isn’t being kind or if we need to utilise an indoor option or for when it gets dark.

Want to lounge about, not a problem…we have a variety of sofas and lounges. We even have a row boat (just make sure to chat with Cherie if your wanting these things bought along on your wedding day)!

I do however find the most important thing in my wedding day tool kit is my relationship with my couples, other vendors and wedding providers.

With 18+ years experience in the industry when things go a little pear shaped or the heavens open, it’s good to have other people in your corner.

Love Cherie. xx

“There’s No Harm In Hoping For The Best As Long As You’re Prepared For The Worst!”

Choosing your Wedding Photographer

It would be easy for me right now to say “pick me” and to look no further but that is not helpful to either you or me.

We are all different and as you know some people get on better with others and this is no different with your wedding photographer. We are all individuals and we want to catch that individuality in your wedding photos.

Like each other.

This is important. For a bride…you will most likely spend more time with your photographer than with your significant other. You want to feel natural and at ease on this special day and you cannot do this if you are feeling uncomfortable with the person who is behind the camera.

Remember, your photographer will be with you literally ALL DAY!

To help with this, I offer a complimentary engagement photo session with all booked wedding packages. This helps couples feel more natural and comfortable in front of the camera prior to your wedding day. Knowing me and knowing you helps alleviate some of those wedding day nerves!

Love their style.

Each photographer specialises in their style because that’s what they connect with the most. That’s why there are so many of us! Photographers see things and shoot differently. It is difficult to copy someone else’s style if it is different to their own. This could result in photos that look unnatural and not exactly what you wanted.

Realistic expectations.

Professional “anything” costs money and like the cliche, wedding photography is no different “you get what you pay for”.

Professional photos are not just the image that you see. You are paying for knowledge, skills, equipment, time, insurance and hours of behind the scenes editing to add that extra bit of magic to complete your wedding photos.

You cannot expect an amateur to produce professional images, the same as you cannot expect a professional photographer to charge amateur prices.

It will also take time to get your images back to you. It’s just not possible to deliver quality images to you just 48 hours after the event. Revel in that post wedded bliss, dive into your honeymoon, admire that ring on your finger and enjoy doing everything for the first time now as a married couple (like the first time washing the dishes as newlyweds!). Your wedding photos will be back soon!

Gather lots of info.

Look around at lots of their work. Check out multiple sources not just what you see on Facebook or Instagram. (You know yourself how easy it is to get a screen shot these days and add edits & filters to make it look screen worthy. How do you know if what you see on social media is actually true?)

Websites are helpful as photographers will have more detailed information and usually more images available there for you to see.

Go to their studio. Meet with the photographer. See their work in printed form. Not everyone wants their images on a screen. You’ll want to see what their photos look like enlarged and printed.

Ask about the “extras”

Check and see if they have photographed at your wedding location before. Ask to see some images from there. Are they willing to go and visit the venue prior to your wedding day if they haven’t been before?

Are there any additional costs involved, like travel? What happens if your day doesn’t go according to plan and everything is late…are they willing to stay longer than originally planned…does this cost extra?

Look at the additional things your photographer will offer, like albums? Not everyone offers things like these and they can differ significantly between photographers. Ask to see samples.

Are they prepared to do what you are looking for? Maybe your photographer has an insane fear of heights, so photos on top of a cliff may not be an option!

Just a few hints & tips for choosing a wedding photographer. Enjoy your wedding planning - that is half the fun!

Love Cherie. xx