Yes, I know this is two “things i love” posts in less than 24 hours, let alone two posts about photography. Indulge me.
I realized I never actually introduced you all to our photographer, whom we absolutely love. If you’re antsy, you can skip down some since I first want to share at how we arrived at her.
I spent the first few months after our engagement scouring the internet for a local photographer we both liked. We already had our venues booked and date set, so it was important that the next thing we booked be our photographer. I had contacted what seems like a million photographers inquiring about availability, packages, pricing, etc. before we narrowed it down to a handful. After we narrowed it down to about 4 or 5, we spend some time reviewing their bodies of work, their blogs and websites and asking people we knew that had used them before what they were like. I had shared with my mom right off the bat who was one of our top picks (this was a tough decision), and she wasn’t very happy about her work as we were, so it was back to more research.
It was at that point when I decided to meet with two of them. I had heard fantastic things about both of them from people we know first-hand, and I (we) really loved their work. The FI was not as concerned about how well we clicked with them as I was, so I went alone to both meetings. They each showed me some albums and photos, shared with me their backgrounds and pricing and we chatted over just about everything. It really was like sitting at a coffee shop with an old friend just catching up. That was uber important to me. I wanted to make sure I clicked with our photographer. After all, she was going to spending one of the most important days of my life with me and documenting it.
Once I met with both of them, the FI and I spend a few weeks talking about what we liked about each. We had some criteria for our photographer, regardless:
1. We wanted a second shooter. I know some photographers tell you that you do not need want, but we WANTED one.
2. To have some sort of album or product credit with their packages.
3. That the engagement session was included with the package.
Each of the photographers offered all of the above. So it was a matter of who we liked better (boy this was tough). In the end, we chose Lisa Hessel. We loved her work, mom loved her work, all of her packages included the above AND they all included unlimited time. As an aspiring photographer myself, I think with weddings, you cannot put a time limit on photography. We loved that her and her second shooter would be able to be with us all day, capturing the happy and loving moments, the laughter and the emotion.
We have yet to have our engagement pictures done yet, which we are doing this Fall. BUT I love her work. I love when she updates her blog because it is as if I fall in love with her work all over again. Plus, I love that she uses Finao albums (this probably means nothing to most of you). These are some of my favorite professional albums and I love the variety you can get with these. So, lets just say I am beyond excited about my wedding album.
This is one of my favorite images by her:
I know it isn’t a super exciting image, but I have had my eye on that photo since day one of stumbling upon her work. It just captures the emotion so well.
I also love that she loves sunflare. Take note:
And, I also love that she loves urban photos, especially in her favorite alley:
And, one more. Promise (at least for now). I love this alley/backstreet/urban shot:
What are your requirements for your photographer? Any specific qualities or options you’re looking for?
9:24 pm on July 29th, 2009
So, um, I noticed that you blog. And, um, I added you to my google reader this after. And tonight as I sat down to peruse my subscriptions, I noticed this entry. Whoa… you are too kind
. I’m super stoked to be working with you 
. We’ll talk soon!
9:29 pm on July 29th, 2009
Oh yay! I’m glad you added me! I’m SOO excited to work with you, you have no idea!
9:22 am on July 30th, 2009
Okay, so photography was a HUGE deal to me when I was making a wedding budget…I come from a picture family (like we had a million pictures, professional and candids all of the time) and S does not. I searched all over for someone that included 2 photographers, engagements, bridals, all day the day of the wedding and rehearsal dinner all within our budget. We found our guy and booked him (JP Beato)…I am considering doing a post on him soon.
Are bridals big in the Midwest?
10:19 am on July 30th, 2009
Photography was probably the most important thing to us.
As for bridals, they aren’t a huge thing in the Midwest, but it is something that has become more popular. I’d like to get them done myself, but I’m not sure what I would do with the photos, which is why I was thinking of a day after session with the FI just for fun.
10:29 am on July 30th, 2009
In the South, you display your bridal on your wedding day at the reception.
I considered a day after session, but like I said S is not a photo guy. He is doing engagements because he knows it matters a ton to me. I won’t force him into another set of pictures but this way I still get plenty of pictures with my dress
11:20 am on July 30th, 2009
I’m so excited to meet Lisa now – even more than before!
6:51 pm on October 1st, 2009
[...] already talked about how much I love the photographer we picked (I’ve raved here). But I’m here to tell you she’s back. Not that she has disappeared, because she [...]