TIP: Choosing a Photographer - Cost

I've been meeting with a lot of brides lately and something that seems to come up during every conversation is about how you go about choosing your photographer.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on the topic. Previously, I've posted additional thoughts on the topic, here.

COST - IT'S ALL RELATIVE

You should spend more money on the things that are most important to you. If photography is important to you, then the extra money you spend to get someone who you think is out of your league could be worth it to you in the long run. Remember, your pictures are about the only things you keep after the wedding. The dress may or may not be kept. The food and drink gets consumed and is gone. The day is over. What are you going to have left to remember it all? Just your pictures.

I read recently in a bridal magazine that the statistics show, on average, photography is the #2 expense in a wedding ... coming in at 15% of the budget. That's right after the reception/food/drink/catering budget which was around 40% of the total budget. I found it interesting that the photography budget was 2x the expense of the dress. So how much did you spend on your dress? Not saying that this is a hard and fast rule or anything, it was just an average.

Something to consider and ponder.

Sneak Peak: Kristin + Phil

Full post to follow soon. -

Engaged: Cory + Drew, City Garden St. Louis

Cory + Drew are getting married!

It was an incrediably nice day in the middle of November for our session....it was a non-typical November day...it was bright and sunshiney. What a treat!

I love the soft, romantic feel to this image.

Great ring, right?!!!


Cory, I LOVE your smile!


This is one of my favorite images.




ANOTHER favorite.






























Here is the link to your slideshow.*

Engaged: Crystal + Dean

Crystal + Dean are getting married in a few months.


Crystal + Dean LOVE the St. Louis Art Museum.

So the idea was to have a few photos there since it had such personal meaning to them....well, evidently, you can't have your engagement session at the St. Louis Art Museum.

*** UPDATE 11/31/09: photos removed per St. Louis Art Museum Rules ****


This has got to be my favorite shot.


Aren't they cute?!?!










A little sunflare! LOVE IT!!!!


They are so perfect for each other!

Crystal + Dean actually met at a speed dating event.The chemistry between them was strong and they fell in LOVE!!!


This is another favorite.





LOVE this tree.


ANOTHER FAVORITE!!!!


A great vintage feel to this shot....I LOVE IT!


Click here for their slideshow.*

Engaged: Sarah + Patrick

Sarah + Patrick are getting married.

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We met on Main Street St. Charles for their session.

I LOVE this time of year. The light is such a beautiful, golden tone.

I love doing the engagement session with couples. This is when I get a chance to get to know the couple better. And the couples get a glimpse of how I will work with them....and they all say how much fun it was....which relieves me to no end cause I definitely want to make it as painless as possible for them. :)

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Doesn't Sarah have GREAT eyes!

This is a favorite!


Darling! Just Darling!!!!



































So many more cute shots, click here for the slideshow. *

Engaged: Lanita + Ian

Lanita + Ian are getting married!!!

We did their engagement session at City Museum...by specific request of Lanita & Ian.

I'm soooo thrilled they wanted to go there.

I LOVE the City Museum. It's a great place to explore!!!

This was my first time doing an engagement session here. I want to do it AGAIN!!!

This has got to be my favorite shot from the session.


A little window light. I LOVE window light.


Her laugh was infectious!!! This expression here below was typical of how they interacted with each other and I LOVE THESE KINDS OF SHOTS!!!!








So handsome!


Had a little fun at the arcade.








LOVED the ferris wheel on the rooftop!!!


Aren't they cute together?!?!








Another favorite!!! They are such a stylish couple!!!! LOVE THAT!!!!














Had a little fun at Art City.






I love these kinds of engagement sessions!!!I encourage my clients to choose a location that has meaning to them. Maybe some place they go to regularly or the place they first met. The engagement photo-session is very much them on a date that I happen to come along and happen to be documenting their time together. Those are some of the best kinds of engagement sessions.If you'd like to see more of their session, click here. **