So now you’re looking to hire an NH Wedding Photographer….. Where to start?!
Aaah!! Your getting married! A huge congratulation is in order! I’m truly so very excited for you!
I was a bride once- a few years back – and I remember how excited I was. Yet- so very overwhelmed. (maybe that is why we decided to elope… to a very warm climate! Ha!) However, looking back, I wish I knew then what I know now- when it came to choosing a photographer for my wedding. There are many many talented New England wedding photographers out there who are incredible at what they do. So how do you possibly choose just ONE to do the job for you?! And what should you be looking for?
But first, A little backstory. I was married in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It was January, so we were super excited about hopping on the plane and heading south! Our wedding was an all-inclusive deal. It included most everything for what every bride looks for, the ceremony location – cake- hair and make-up, reception meal & drinks… and yes… even the photographer. Now- we did get a few “Awesome” pictures from our wedding day, and I will always cherish that we have those memories to look back on. But- do you know where all of those pictures are now?!?! They are still- on the CD stuffed in a drawer- collecting dust. Some are online and stored on our old computer (a computer that is now stored in the back of my closet.) On a side note- I encourage you to read a blog post that I wrote about “The Power of Print.”
Now that I’m a New England wedding photographer- my vision of awesome wedding photography has changed. I look back at those pictures (Yes.. still on my computer)- and realize that… Yikes… from photographers standpoint- those pictures aren’t very good. And- they are all on that disk. Not yet printed. No album. No family heirloom.
So I thought it would be a good idea to write a little bit about what I would look for – now- if I were doing it all over again. 
Every newly engaged couple have a budget. I totally understand the budget. Believe me! Our wedding was so small- only 15 people were there. We went to the resort photographer. Why? Because it was included and because it was our cheapest option. So I know where you are coming from! Money was tight then. Heck! It still is! But do you want to know my biggest regret? Not having amazing pictures from our wedding. (unfortunately, this is the #1 regret of most couples) There is an awesome article here!
But now- years later- I am a New England wedding photographer, located in Southern NH. Not only am I an artist– but I’m running a business. A business that helps feed my family and pay our mortgage. What makes me different, though? I TRULY care about your wedding- your memories- your story. And I want to explain (or help explain) what (in my opinion) a couple should be looking for in regards to their New England Wedding photography. (Sorry to keep repeating New England wedding photographer- although it helps Google SEO find my website. ha)
So First let’s just get this one out there- Price. Yep… That is a good starting point when beginning your search for your New England wedding photographer (Sorry- SEO lol) However I want to just give this piece of advice- please don’t limit your search to only those who you think are within your budget. Many times- a photographer (ahem.. sorry just clearing my throat.) will work out a payment plan that helps the couple. So if you see photographers who work is really calling out to you- contact them anyway! See what they have to say. What do they have to offer? Are they willing to work with you? And that leads me to another point- Do you like this photographer? Do your personalities mesh well? Can you laugh together (okay- maybe even cry together too)? Ask yourself one simple question- Could you consider them a friend? You will be spending a lot of time with your New England Wedding Photographer. (From the planning process- to the engagement session- the rehearsal- the wedding day- and the final delivery of your images) You should really – and I mean really like your photographer. How does this person interact with you during a session? Are you relaxed? Do they understand posing? (Even with natural pictures- good photographers are posing to some degree) Are you having fun? The interaction between your photographer and you also makes a huge difference in the emotion captured. If you can’t trust your photographer’s vision- or process- you most likely won’t get images that reflect who you are as a couple. (Which is an excellent reason to take advantage of the complimentary engagement session!) Oh… did I mention that every collection includes an e-session?… Well, it does! Whoop Whoop!
Anyway- back to price. I will say this. In regards to photography- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. (I promise I’m not yelling at you there. ) But legit New England Photography businesses have fee’s to pay- taxes- overhead- gear- and yes… continuing education. (Just a tip of the iceberg with the fee’s haha) So their prices will be comparable to other legit businesses. If there is one area you shouldn’t skimp on with the budget is your photography. Your pictures will be one legacy of your lives together and the album will be your first heirloom that gets passed down from generation to generation. Ooo!! Album! Yes!! Here is another area that I would LOVE to touch on. Please Please Please get a wedding album.
I speak from experience here…. Don’t be like me- my wedding pictures on a disk stuffed in a drawer. (okay some are on that old computer hiding in my closet- and a few have been posted to FB, but still… you know where I’m going with this) Getting the digital files are great. But who knows where technology will be years from now? Eventually, that wedding picture you love (in jpeg format) will be rendered useless- then you have nothing. Your wedding album, however, will be the first story of your lives together. This book will be a reminder of your wedding day. Believe it or not- the memories do tend to fade, but looking back at your wedding album will bring it all back. The emotion of your day- re-lived every time you open this book- your own personal fairy tale.
Not everyone wants an album, though. That’s okay. I understand. I do. But because I really feel that I would be doing you a disservice for offering some sort of printed product, I offer matted prints with my wedding collections. Don’t get me wrong- I also offer the digital images. However, For those of you who want an album- the WEDDING EXPERIENCE PLUS gets an exquisite wedding album telling your story. Personally, I truly believe that my images look their very best in your own Wedding Album, and I haven’t had anyone say they regretted investing in their first family heirloom. 🙂 (I have heard regrets about NOT getting an album though)
Now, I referred to myself earlier as “An Artist“. I am. (I’m not a cook- a hair stylist or even a writer. Can you tell?? ha) Photography is an art, and each photographer has their own style. Be sure to love your photographer’s artwork. (you may or may not like my style. And that’s okay. Reach out anyway and I will help you find a photographer whose style you do like.) It all comes together to tell your story.
So what is it that I really do? Well, I can tell you that I don’t just take pictures, I make images and I create art. I have a vision. I see things differently. 99% of the time- when I press the shutter I can visualize the finished image. I already know if I’m that image is going to be in Black and white or color. I understand the way light works- and how to use it to benefit the way my images look.
Your photographer shouldn’t just be a person with a nice camera and a Facebook page. Your chosen photographic artist should have the training and the knowledge to get amazing pictures in any lighting situation. Anyone can purchase a professional, high-end camera- but that doesn’t mean they know how to use that camera to the best of its ability to get awesome imagery. Professional gear certainly helps with image quality- but without the knowledge of the photographer who operates that camera- this amazing “nice’ camera is no better than any point-n-shoot. (For the life of me, I can’t cook a gourmet meal. Now don’t get me wrong, I can cook- I have an oven/stove, recipes, and some other basic things to make edible meals- but they aren’t good enough to sell at a restaurant. The same thing goes here. Everyone can get a snapshot- but not everyone can create art. So if you are paying anyone- even if it’s only $50…. make sure you’re getting images that you couldn’t have produced yourself. (you can see what I use for gear HERE)
So I think I’ve rambled a little bit here! That’s my style. I tend to talk too much. But just the same, I hope that I was able to help you consider just a few things when looking into a New England Wedding Photographer. (okay okay- SEO again)
Let me recap just a few things- Quickly this time, though!
- Budget and Price. Please don’t let this be the ONLY factor when choosing your wedding photographer. I learned my lesson there. Make sure you LOVE, and I mean L-O-V-E their work. Does their work show emotion? Or just posed pictures? (unless of course, that is what you are looking for)
- Make sure you connect with your NH Wedding Photographer. Do you like them as a person? Would you be friends with them?
- How good is their work? ( I mean technically here- is it focused properly or is it blurry? Do skin tones look off?) How is their editing? Can they show you printed sample work? I bring this up because I once had an email asking me all this. It was actually kind of a rude email- but hey they were all valid questions! I was happy to answer it!)
- Aside from the Technical aspect of their work- Do you like their artistic visions? Their style? (also kinda mentioned in point 1- so it must be important! haha)
- Do they offer beautiful wedding albums? (I’m not talking about shutter fly albums here either… no offense shutter fly) I’m referring too legit- exquisite wedding albums. After all- this will be one of your legacies- your first heirloom. Make sure it’s beautiful and high quality.
- Are they a business? or a friend with a nice camera? (not being snide here- we all start out somewhere. I too was the friend with the nice camera.) but with wedding photography- what happens if something goes wrong? Gear breaks? A venue requires insurance? (Wha wha?!?!? Insurance? I didn’t even go there.) A professional has all this already figured out- before it happens.
For more information about New England Wedding Photography with NH Wedding Photographer K. Lenox
please call 603-703-2626 or connect with me via email: HERE
To learn the price point please click: HERE
Testimonies and my Knot Storefront click: HERE
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
kl
| Keene, NH Wedding Photography by New England Photographer, K. Lenox.
K. Lenox Photography is anything but your average New England wedding photographer. Each wedding is treated with care and creativity not found with other New England and NH wedding photography studios. Your wedding day is carefully crafted to offer one of a kind unique photography in the Southern NH area. This is New England wedding photography at its best. K. Lenox Photography is an award-winning photographer based in the Keene/Brattleboro VT area. Offering wedding coverage in Keene, Brattleboro, Maine, Massachusetts, and destinations worldwide, and is located right here in the Southern NH area. Creative. Fun. Fresh. Award-winning. These are the words typically used to describe this New England wedding photographer. With clients based all over the East Coast Keene, NH is home to this New England wedding photographer. We take pride in offering our clients the type of New England wedding photography they are looking for. It’s one thing to take pictures, it’s another to create art for our clients. Our New Hampshire, NH, Vermont, VT and Massachusetts, MA clients are typically looking for artwork for their home vs. snapshots, and that is what draws them into our Keene, NH wedding photography business. Serving Keene, NH, Brattleboro, VT, Boston MA, and Beyond K. Lenox Photography offers NH wedding photography coverage in the Keene, NH area, including but not limited to, Brattleboro VT, Greenfield, MA, Walpole NH and the surrounding areas. In addition, we also offer wedding photography coverage in South Carolina. Not looking for an NH or New England wedding photographer? Please be sure to consider us for your high school senior photography and all your family photography needs in the Southern NH area. We are located conveniently in the tri-state area at 238 Rt. 9. West Chesterfield, NH 03466. Learn more about NH wedding photography call 603-703-2626 |
