Planning
In order to get maximum value out of your photographer, It's preferable to include him/her in the early stages of planning, when it's relatively easy to make adjustments to your wedding day's schedule and accommodate your photographic goals in a realistic manner.
Photography is both an art and a science. The scientific part is relatively easy for pros, at least most of the time. The artistic part is another story! You're much less likely to see creativity/artistic value if you've timed your day's schedule to the passing of a hurricane and force the photographer to work with the cookie cutter approach! I prioritize artistic value and that's the reason behind my 4 hour minimum booking - It's already limiting enough!
My strategy is logically simple: I Plan for Success !
So much effort, time and money goes into the planning and preparation of this unique event, why would you want to rush through it, when it arrives?
Your wedding day is worth living for the moment! 
Beware of photographers who, for fear of rejection, will come across as very agreeable to any time line and claim that they can do it all very quickly, just so that they can get your business. Even if unintentional, the consequences of this approach will not unravel, until it's too late for remedies.
Fact is, we can all do things quickly, regardless of occupation! Some jobs or aspects of a job are not meant to be quick for good reason.
There's usually a price to pay for rushing! Quality conscious individuals instinctively know this from experience.
Here's a short point list to realistically help you start evaluating how much time is likely to be needed for your photographic needs. Life's not perfect so a buffers are needed to deal with the unexpected.
- How many shoot locations have you planned?
- How much travel time is needed between those locations?
- How busy are those locations when you get there?
- How much walking distance from parking to shoot location and back?
- Are there facilities nearby: water, washrooms?
- How many portraits are planned at each location?
- How many people are involved in portraits at each location?
- Did you leave enough time for the Bride and Groom shots? While there's good light?
- On a hot day, you'll sweat and by the time we do the bride and groom shots, your makeup will need help and extra time.
The benefits of a sensibly timed approach means more enjoyment for you and translates into better photography, allowing me to showcase the style and elegance of your wedding, while capturing the many beautiful emotions of your day. The results are far more desirable and this way, we both win!
There's another alternative worth considering if your schedule can't be adjusted to fit in your photographic needs and that is, to shoot all of your posed shots prior to the ceremony. However "untraditional" as it may be, the flow from the ceremony onwards is truly natural, allowing everyone to enjoy the day to its fullest in a totally uninterrupted atmosphere.
Taking the bride and groom shots first, ensures your hair, makeup and clothes look their best! Besides, as far as traditions go, nowadays most couples live together before their wedding, proving that being practical has an advantage over traditions! This photo option puts everyone at ease for the rest of the day, making them warmer and involved with the event. Because there are no interruptions, it's the most natural fit for candid photography! One thing is certain, it beats the bejeebers out of a stressful and tense day due to unrealistic planning! Who wants that for a memory of their wedding day?
In addition, a SHOOT LIST to select from and add to is provided for you to download.
Please complete it and email it prior to our first appointment, so that we can accurately evaluate the time needed at each location.
This list will then be kept and managed by my assistant, to streamline our work flow on the wedding day and ensure that your requests aren't left out! The final touches for that list can be done later.