I love photographing at Baytowne Wharf! It offers an awesome variety of looks. You can go for pure coastal, urban or even a Savannah type of look in your images. It truly rocks. And, if you add in a super couple like LeeAnne and Richard, you just can’t go wrong! We had a blast. They were so much fun and had a super love language between them. I can’t wait until their wedding in October. LeeAnne will have the best reception ever I think as she works for the catering division of the Emerald Coast Conference Center and that’s where it’s going to be held. After we hit all of the fun Baytowne areas, we went to the beach. Aside from a really freaky dead dolphin floating by, we had the best time. We had scheduled the session for Super Bowl weekend. Oh my gosh, I am so glad we waited until now. It was warmer (please note I did not say warm!!) and the sun was out with a glorious sunset. Ahhh…it was truly a dream engagement session!
This is my personal favorite from the day...love the deep texture!
Just look at how great they look together!
Who can resist a little Wizard of Oz?
Are they to stinkin cute together or what?
LeeAnne can use this if Richard is ever in the dog house
Sweet love!
Baytowne Gothic
Sassy girl!
I love this area at Baytowne!
Fun...did I mention I love to have fun?
As I said, Baytowne offers so many looks!! Love it!
Hey what do you know, we are entering the peak of wedding season once again. I swear the year just seems to fly sometimes. Maybe because I love what I do for a living! I have noticed many people asking some of the same questions and have decided to do an FAQ for wedding photography!!! So here you go!
What are the advantages of hiring a professional?
A professional photographer will be timely – arriving at your wedding promptly, and make sure you have quality products. A professional has just the right equipment and film for photographing your wedding. Having attended many weddings, an experienced wedding photographer will be at ease at your wedding. A professional uses a color laboratory that is in the business of meeting high professional standards of print quality. And, a professional is used to working with individuals, couples, and groups to make the formal photography go smoothly. When you think about the cost of photography, remember that the photographer’s fee is only part of your investment: You, your parents, your extended family and your friends will be investing time with the photographer during your wedding. Don’t waste time on your wedding day with a photographer who won’t produce results you love!
What is the first question I should ask a photographer?
First establish that the photographer is available for your date and location. Then you will want to ask, “If we select your studio, will you be the photographer covering our wedding?” Some studios have several photographers and you may be speaking to a salesperson. The sample albums may have been done by photographers who do not even work for the studio anymore. If this is the case, you should make arrangements to meet with and see the work of the particular photographer who will be doing your wedding. You should also ask for a commitment from the studio to that effect, in writing.
Shouldn’t I be asking “What do I get and how much does it cost?”
Even shopping for shoes or furniture you wouldn’t ask that question until you find the style and quality you like. After you have looked through a photographer’s portfolio – seeing candids, formals and illustrative pictures, you will know if this photographer has the technique, style and spirit to be the eyes through which you and your children will see your wedding day. Of course, you should determine if the photographer is within your budget, give or take a little, but what you really want from photography is memories and feeling. Look for an established and reliable photographer whose work moves you, whose technical quality is tops. If you find a photographer who makes you happy, you never will regret your investment, whatever the dollar cost. When we have invested in items that will be with us for the rest of our lives, our satisfaction has been highest when we have paid that extra bit for the best quality.
So, how much does wedding photography cost?
Prices range from $950 to $10,000, and even more! Photographs (and maybe video) will be your only permanent record of the day. You want good photographs, so be prepared to spend a minimum of $1,500. Reprints will begin at $15 to $45 each. Expect better photographers to charge the higher rates. In other words, it is reasonable for an unexperienced photographer to charge you as little as $10 for a print. And, it is reasonable for an excellent photographer to charge you $40 for a print of the same size. That is because you are getting better service and a better product from the experienced professional. If you are looking for a bargain and shop via phone for pricing, you are following a recipe for poor to mediocre photography. My research indicates that photography runs between nine and fifteen percent of the total wedding budget. When couples value photography highly and are on a limited budget, they will spend up to 30% of their wedding budget on photography.
We want to spend no more than $1,500, but all the good photographers start at $2,000 and up. Why is it so expensive?
Because photography is not a commodity, it is a well honed art. Because some people can see the difference between poor photography and good photography, and they are willing to pay for it. Because to make a living at photography, the artist must gross an average of $3,000 to $6,000 per wedding. Because if the not-good-enough-yet photographers charged more than $1,500 he/she would never get a chance to practice at a real wedding. Because a professional photographer knows that his/her expenses and overhead, even with digital photography, even with the smallest package, are $1,500 to $2,000 per wedding.
We’re having a small wedding, with thirty people, and only wanted to spend $1,500 on pictures. What can we do?
The first thing to do if you want a professional photographer under these circumstances is to be flexible. A true wedding professional only can only work so many weekends a year, and reasonably expects one or two large weddings per weekend from May through October, or year round in tropical climates. If he/she reserves a prime Saturday or Sunday in October for you, then larger weddings will have to be turned away. If your budget is small, you will be choosing from the second and third tiers of wedding photographers. If you plan your wedding in the evening or especially early in the day, you might find a photographer who can fit you in after or before another event, and thus be able to work with your budget. Unfortunately, when you are limiting yourself to a smaller photo budget you can expect lower quality photographs.
What does Mari’s Paradise Images charge for a Saturday or Sunday Wedding?
Costs, which include an album and proofs, perhaps even the high-resolution files, start at $2,500.
What technical details in sample photographs should I watch out for?
Lighting quality is an important ingredient in superior photographs. The light in photographs should be natural and flattering, so that the pictures look three-dimensional. Overuse of on-camera flash can ruin wedding pictures. Watch out for flattened faces, harsh reflections off of cheeks and foreheads, and dark shadows directly behind or next to the subjects. With finesse, a fine photographer can work with almost any outdoor lighting situation without using flash.Look for a variety in subject size – a mix of distant, medium and close-up pictures. Even with groups, lighting and posing should be interesting. The well posed bridal portrait should minimize the subjects’ flaws (weight problem, blemishes, etc.) and express who the subject is and how he/she/they feel. The dramatic and scenic wedding image, like the red convertable on the show-room floor, attracts everyone’s attention, but most brides and their families, like most car buyers, want what suits them personally. You want pictures that tell the story simply, with immediate impact, and as if the photographer was not even there.
Some photographers ask that no one else take pictures during the formal photography. Is that reasonable?
Yes. If the photographer is trying to work quickly through a series of formal pictures, a snap-shooter might slow the process. A problem arises when there are several cameras aimed at a formal group – the subjects will be looking at different lenses. The diverted attention will ruin the professional’s picture. Or, if the professional is using a light-sensing trigger device (“slave”) on a second flash, other flashes will trigger this flash, ruining the pictures [that you are paying for] and wasting battery power. There are many other reasons why a professional might ask others to refrain from picture taking during formals. On the other hand, many guests find snapping a few pictures a pleasant part of attending weddings, so it should not be a big deal for your professional to be relaxed and let people snap away when formals are over. Ideally, guests should show respect for the bridal party and photographer and put down their cameras during the formal photos.
I want to make copies of my photos. Does my photographer really own the copyright of his/her pictures? Do I still have to pay the photographer if I make the copies myself at a copy shop?
Yes and yes. According to federal law, images produced by a professional photographer are copyrighted the moment they are created. Federal law prohibits copying or reproducing copyrighted material without permission from the owner of the copyright, i.e., the photographer. If you copy or scan your photos, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you or your videographer transfer the proofs to videotape, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you don’t feel comfortable paying for these copies, find a photographer whose work is so good that you are glad to pay. When I really appreciate something I purchase, like a purse, my child’s education, a good pair of shoes, or even medical care, I do not mind paying a premium for getting the highest quality. Look for the photographer who will provide you the satisfaction of paying for job well done.
Well, I hope this has answered a few questions for some folks. And please contact me at mari@destinweddingphotographer.com if you have any more questions you want answered!
Now on the the big news! We have added new a best of new wedding video! It is a compilation of some of our most fun weddings. Come and check them out!
Jennifer and Tyler are one of those couples that you can immediately see sharing a lifetime together. I can’t really explain it, but they just have that soulmate mojo working for them. Anyway, I like it! So, their wedding story is pretty interesting. They had their wedding at the ever fantastic Emerald Grande at the exact same time as the Destin Seafood Festival made the return to the harbor. Yes, a venue with very little parking to begin with was hosting an event predicted to bring in tens of thousands of people. But the hotel was prepared and the wedding went off without a hitch! Whoot whoot! They said their vows amid some georgous arrangements by Celestines as random flocks of seagulls passed over. The couple got married on Norriega Point to cheers of boaters and spectators and then the reception was on the Captain’s Deck, a nice airy area. As couples danced to the music provided by American DJ Zoran, the fireworks lit up the night sky giving everyone a reason to kiss. And thus ended another perfect wedding day on the Emerald Coast!
Here is a sneak peek at Jennifer and Tyler’s wedding this weekend. The Brandi and the Emerald Grande crew rocked it out even with the added challenge of the seafood festival on property. The evening ended with fireworks for the couple. More to come soon!!
Hey all of you engaged couples all over the country…can you guess what I am about to announce just by looking at the headline? Oh I bet you did, it’s the hot discounts for all of you cool couples with fall and winter weddings!! I know what you’re thinking, how sick it would be to get some awesome wedding photography for a discount. But how much of a discount could it really be? Try 30% for weddings between December 1, 2009 and March 30, 2010!! Let me excite you some more…you could be getting over a $2,000 discount. Yes, I said it….you can get over $2,000 off on a fantastic wedding package by an award winning, fun, hip and experienced photojournalist …unbelievable!!Hurry, book now!! There are a very limited number of weekends until March 30th when this offer expires!!
Jennifer and Tyler will be married at the Emerald Grande next month. They are such a cute couple and that combined with a great venue I can hardly wait!!
In the meantime Jennifer came down to Destin to do her bridals this week. You had better not be reading past this point Tyler!! She had some fantastic makeup done by Cleo Spielberg at the Spa at the Grande and a dress that was stunning and not the same old strapless A-line we have seen all year. Since the weather was inclimate, we did many of our images inside and around the immediate exterior of the Grande. It was a beautiful shoot indeed!
It sure didn’t look like it was going to be a great night to photograph Megan and Shaun’s engagement session last night. It had been raining all day and heavy dark clouds loomed low on the horizon. But just as they arrived, a small bit of sun began smiling through the dark mass causing light rays to dance over the water. It was awesome!! We had a great time and Megan was a true trooper. She held a smile and super attitude despite dealing with a painful broken toe!! Now that’s SPUNK! I guess all of that kissing they did numbed the pain
Well, I gave you a sneak preview earlier in the week of Kyle and Abby’s wedding at the Emerald Grande, now here’s the real blog.
With both her mother and future mother-in-law along with her two bridesmaids, Abby got ready at the Spa at Emerald Grande. It was awesome. There were so many things to photograph. She and her moms shared laughter and happy tears as they got ready together.
The wedding was simple but so intimate and elegant. With only six people in attendance, Kyle watched as his bride came down the stairway with her father. He shed tears of joy upon the first glimpse of Abby. It was so sweet and poignant. It was a simple ceremony, Kyle and Abby wrote their own vows straight from the heart and the sunlight filtered over the Captain’s deck onto the small but joyous crowd. As they kissed….and oh what a kiss…onlookers clapped and cheered from balconies above.
After the ceremony we went to one of the secluded area beaches where we made some really fun images. I hope they have a lifetime of health and happiness together!!!
Mike and Asha made such a cute couple. They had been dating for over 10 years and loved each other more and more every day!
When I photographed their wedding last winter, I knew their images told a great and fun story of love! The groomsman jumping randomly in the wedding portrait didn’t hurt anything either!
This featured wedding is in Emerald Coast Brides magazine which is on the shelves of most major vendors right now! Grab a copy and check out this great couple!
Hurry, book now!! There are a very limited number of weekends until March 30th when this offer expires!!
It sure didn’t look like it was going to be a great night to photograph Megan and Shaun’s engagement session last night. It had been raining all day and heavy dark clouds loomed low on the horizon. But just as they arrived, a small bit of sun began smiling through the dark mass causing light rays to dance over the water. It was awesome!! We had a great time and Megan was a true trooper. She held a smile and super attitude despite dealing with a painful broken toe!! Now that’s SPUNK! I guess all of that kissing they did numbed the pain 
Well, I gave you a sneak preview earlier in the week of Kyle and Abby’s wedding at the Emerald Grande, now here’s the real blog.
