5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer

Full Disclosure: If you haven't noticed, I AM a Professional Wedding Photographer.  So this post is naturally a little biased.  However, Professional Wedding Photographers are more than just photographers for a Bride to Be.  We consult, we calm, we lend a hand, and we are involved in all the details.  That said, I see so many Brides go with a family member or friend for their wedding photography and it breaks my heart.  Not just because their pictures might not be great but because there is so much more to a true professional than just the pictures.

So here it is, my top five reasons for hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer:

1. Experience I cannot stress this enough.  When you are hiring a professional you are getting experience from many many weddings.  A professional isn't just taking the shot in front of them, they are thinking ahead to the next shot.  This is crucial in weddings.  Weddings are hectic and a time crunch.  You want an experienced professional who knows how weddings flow, who knows what to expect, and especially who knows how to deal with the unexpected.
2. Professionals are, well, Professional As a wedding professional I am personally invested in each wedding I photograph.  I want to make a good impression and do my best for you.  Word of mouth is also key, I know that your friends and family are watching how I handle myself.  You don't want to hire a friend and have them hanging out with the Groomsmen when the cake cutting is going on.  This is my job and I give it my all.
3. Unbiased Third Party Weddings are highly emotional events which is why I love them!  The love is flowing, the friendship, but also the stress.  At times it is crucial to have a third party who can diffuse the atmosphere and does not have a history with anyone involved.  It's easy for me to ask a family or friend to go ahead to the reception while we do couples shots without hurting their feelings.  They don't know me and have no beef with me, or at least I hope not!  The point is its easy to give direction, instruction, and move people along with some authority when they don't know me.
4. Art My favorite part!  You are hiring an ARTIST.  There is so much more to photography than having fancy equipment, or just pointing and shooting.  Photographers are painting with light, gently revealing emotion, paying attention to color and lines, and capturing raw reactions.  This takes experience (see Reason #1), and an artistic eye.
5. Products A wedding professional is going to offer you amazing products.  The wedding day is over, Uncle Jim has given you your photos on an unlabeled burned CD and they're now sitting in your drawer.  And that's where they will stay.  I offer my clients high end albums, gallery wraps, metal prints, countless options so that their memories come alive off their walls.  You are going to pour so much time, energy, and lets face it--money into your wedding that you should have constant reminders of that amazing day surrounding you. That is what makes those memories last and remind you of those emotions years from now.

We all know that weddings are expensive and wedding photography is one of the most expensive parts of your wedding.  However, it is also the most lasting.  If you hire a professional you are not paying just for the act of taking photos that day.  You are paying for consultation, communication, behind the scenes, experience, an artistic eye, high end editing, gorgeous products and it will be well worth the money because you will have the best.

Erika & Travis Get Hitched!

I have absolutely been DYING to share this wedding!  Seriously, I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to get wrapped up so I could share it.  I am in love with the location, details, emotion, all of it.

Erika and Travis' wedding was absolutely stunning.  It was one of those weddings that you open up your favorite Wedding Magazine and fall in love with.  All the details were perfect from the champagne and gold colored bridesmaids gowns, to pops of pink and fushia in the bouquets.  However, as anyone knows who has helped plan a wedding, it looked amazing and effortless due to lots of planning, and hard work from friends and family.  But what better way to celebrate a union of two people than to have everyone involved?  That's really the perfect word to sum up this wedding, FAMILY.  Erika and Travis are both huge family people whether its through blood or close friends.  Their love and compassion radiated over the whole ceremony.  I really can't put it into words.  So without further ado...Travis & Erika's big day.  Congrats guys!

                    

                 

Mad Props Go to:

Caterer: Mark Wischhusen

Venue: Candoro Marble

Florist: The Flower Pot

Baker: Vickie Davis

DJ: Firehouse DJ, Ryan Ladd

Makeup: Scarlet Strange

Hair: Alyse Wieland

Oh Baby Baby

In case, I forgot to mention it...Speed Racer and I are pregnant!  We are having a baby and quite soon too I might add!  Our little one is set to make its debut February 3rd, 2015.  So between holidays and preparing for baby, the posts and updates may be few and far between.  I appreciate your patience during this time, especially all of my clients who have already shown me so much patience and love!  I cannot wait to share the next stage in our life with you as well as my photography career.  Here's to the next adventure!

A special thinks also to Kayla with Kayla F Photography!  I cannot get over my amazing maternity session with her and adore each and every beautiful image she took!

Jodi & Blake's Engagement Session

Fall colors, woods, a pond, pumpkins, and a family owned farm...what's not to love about this engagement session?  Early in October I headed over to Anderson County to Jodi's family farm for an afternoon of fun photos.

I knew after our first meeting, that Jodi and I were going to hit it off.  Jodi is sweet and makes everyone around her comfortable.  So when the time came,  the day of the shoot, to meet Blake I knew he would be the same.  Blake has a contagious smile and between these two we just kept laughing all day.

I loved that these two chose to be adventurous and get out on the pond in the boat.  Even if it did have a small (tiny), leak in it.  The whole day they were up for anything which is exactly what a photographer wants.

You can tell that family, history and heritage are all very important to both Jodi and Blake.  Not only did we shoot on the family farm but Blake's family showed up to help out and Jodi's Mom provided a lot of the cute props.  Blake plays in a bluegrass band and you can just tell with both of them that the area is very important to them.

Jodi and Blake I cannot wait to photograph your wedding next July!  Thanks for being up for anything, even some of the off the wall things I asked you to do.  I felt so comfortable with you both.  Your love and respect for each other is apparent in every photo and I can't wait to experience that 100 fold on your wedding day!

2014 Holiday Mini Sessions

For weeks and weeks you heard me talking about the Holiday Mini Sessions I was going to hold at Riverdale Elementary School.  Well the day finally arrived and it was such a wonderful, fun day!  I loved seeing all the cuties out in their holiday outfits as well as capturing so many fun family moments.

I had so many favorite from this day!  I think everyone enjoyed playing around in the gym as well as being able to go outside thanks to the beautiful weather.  Thank you to all my amazing clients for being willing to travel some for these mini sessions and for showing up for such a fun time.  I will definitely be offering this again next year and am already thinking of different possibilities.  Until then, I hope these help put you in the holiday spirit!

Holiday Mini Session-October 25th

Holiday Mini Sessions are right around the corner!  Can you believe it?? I am so so so excited for this opportunity and to see what these sessions will bring.

For some of us it's too early to be thinking Jingle Bells, Hot Cocoa, and a chill in the air.  For others of us, that's all we're thinking about!  Whether you are a Holiday Fanatic or like to give the holidays their due time, this is a great opportunity to get updated and cherished photos of you and your family for a great price.  We are so lucky to have a unique venue all to ourselves!  Riverdale Elementary has given us the space for the day and this includes their awesome gym, classrooms, outside, and beautiful architecture of the building.  We will have holiday set ups in some areas but we also get to just explore!  So even if you're not ready to put on those tacky sweaters, we can get some lovely shots!  Contact me today through the contact page on my website (www.runawayalice.com)  for more information!

Baby Brennan

I'm not going to lie, I've been wanting to photograph this kid since before he was born.  When I found out Heather was pregnant, I knew this kid was going to be sweet and adorable, just like his parents.  So as soon as Brennan came into the world, we booked a session for when he was about 6 months old.

Unfortunately our first effort at a session got completely rained out.  Not just drizzle, we're talking serious downpour.  But that was okay, we waiting a month or so until the afternoon rains died off some and Brennan had mastered his sitting up a little more.

It was a really amazing day and I just loved spending time with this little guy.  He's so laid back and just happy to be around!  We've already got a Holiday Mini session scheduled with this cutie and I cannot WAIT to see how those turned out.  Stay tuned!

Attention Brides

Tomorrow is officially the last day to take advantage of the Bridal Bucks offer from the August Knoxville Pink Bridal Show!  This is an opportunity to save a lot on your wedding photography package.

I will be taking calls all day long setting up times to meet with brides tomorrow, so feel free to give me a call, schedule a consultation, contact me through email or Facebook!

Holiday Sessions!

Our holiday sessions are filling up quickly!  I know its early to be thinking about the holidays, and you may not want to yet, but just think of already having your pictures done and getting your cards ordered before everyone else this year!  What a load off to have one thing done and be ready to concentrate on fun stuff like, shopping!  (Have I mentioned I'm a little bit of a shop-a-holic?)  Our holiday session is filling up quickly, so contact me today to reserve your time slot!

Happy Monday all!

Holiday Mini Sessions

 

I am super excited to be offering Holiday Mini Sessions this year!  This is the perfect opportunity to get great family photos as well as those fun shots for Holiday Cards.  ​Break out the tacky sweaters and hot cocoa!  I will be offering a great holiday set up at Riverdale Elementary in Strawberry Plains.  If you haven't heard of Riverdale, it's a historic building that has been restored by Connie and Wayne Whitehead and is now available as a photography venue.  Its got a lot of character and I'm excited to be able to offer my clients a new location that we can use for Mini Sessions no matter what the weather is like.  Spots are limited so please contact me to reserve your time slot as soon as possible!