“You did such an amazing job. We couldn’t me more happy with our wedding pictures! So many compliments about you from wedding guests and us. Thank you a million you will be highly recommended!”

This couple was adorable! Great, simple wedding starting at Christ’s Chapel in Boise, then the reception at the Powderhaus Brewery. It was filled with friends, smiles, and loving helpers. We did pictures in the Julia Davis park along the Boise river. It was so relaxed, romantic, and perfect. Congratulations, you two!

I love doing wedding photography in Boise Idaho! If you’re engaged or looking for a photographer, let me know!

As a wedding photographer, I have been behind the scenes at a LOT of weddings. So I can speak somewhat well to what tends to work well at a wedding. And one question that comes up a lot is: “I don’t know whether to do a first look or wait until the ceremony.” Well, that kind of came out as a statement, but you get the point.

It’s romantic to think that your first look will be at your ceremony and it will be emotional and beautiful. But honestly, most people are so nervous by that point, the significance of the moment is lost. So unless you are both super carefree people who are used to being in front of hundreds of people, I’d suggest you do a first look before everyone gets there.

I know what you’re thinking. I didn’t do a “first look” before my wedding. I wanted him to see me for the first time when I was walking down the isle. But that’s a decision I regret. It would have been much more special if we had done a first look beforehand with no people there. We would have been free to express our emotions and remember the significance of the moment.

I’ve photographed a lot of weddings at this point, and the most emotion I ever get out of the couple is in private. So I always get a little thrill when the couple decides to do a first look beforehand. It also means there are a lot of pictures we can get out of the way before the craziness of the ceremony/reception. It makes things easier and smoother, most of the time.

Last word, though: this is your decision, as a couple. People do it both ways, and it’s fine. These are just the pros of doing one beforehand, which I always recommend. It’s just my two cents.

This was a question I always wondered… sometimes I still wonder. As far as cost goes, our wedding photography and videography is one of the cheapest QUALITY options. There are quite a few rookie people out there who will do it for cheaper or free, but it’s usually because they aren’t any good and can’t get anyone to hire them. So here are 4 reasons wedding photography costs what it does.

1. Weddings are incredibly stressful. Not just for you two. A good wedding photographer or wedding videographer will take his or her job very seriously, and that involves a lot of stress. If we don’t get that moment, if we don’t capture that smile, there’s no going back. You can’t ask for a redo of an entire wedding. On something like an engagement shoot, the environment is controlled, and you can ask for things or rearrange flashes. Not at a wedding.
2. It requires experience. Going off of number 1, weddings are NOT a good place to practice if you’re an amateur, unless you’re just a second shooter and not responsible to get the right shot the first time. So every time you hire a good wedding photographer, you have the benefit of years of practice. A good photographer knows what to do, where to stand, what to say, what settings to use, how to effectively use light in flattering ways, etc. That’s something you get from experience and education. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to pick up a camera and shoot a wedding.
3. It requires preparation (and work afterwards). When you hire a good photographer, they’ve usually already spent time promoting their business to the point where you can find them. They’ve spent hours quoting on jobs and fine-tuning their portfolio. And after you hire them, they spend time planning with you, checking out the location, etc. And after the wedding, they spend quite a few hours (depending on how good they are) in the editing room.
4. It requires an investment. Our last camera cost over $3,000, and that was without any lenses. Good lenses can cost around $1,000 each. And that doesn’t even count the investment of time and energy a photographer takes to learn their craft well and educate themselves.

Hope this helps you understand a little more! One of the reasons we are a little cheaper than most is that, as professional freelancers, this is just one of many streams of revenue we have. We do weddings because we like them, they aren’t our primary source of income.

Mercy Hasselblad is a freelancer and wedding photographer in Boise, Idaho. She loves to help people and capture their special moments. Her motto is: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

1. Think about poses you like. Now, some people have a problem with posing. And honestly, I like to get genuine moments. But especially at an engagement session, capturing a natural moment happens less than it does at, say, a wedding. So it really pays off if, beforehand, you think about what kind of cuddly, romantic things you do with each other that you’d like to remember. For example, my husband and I didn’t kiss before our wedding, so he kissed my forehead. And I was so glad our engagement photographer captured that. But think of about a dozen different things you like to do. Look up “engagement pose ideas” on pinterest, you’ll get a TON of ideas.
2. Think about wardrobe. Most people do consider this, but sometimes it works better than others. Try to get coordinated with your fiance, and keep in mind the color scheme you want your final photos to have. For example, if you really like the bright, romantic vibe, try to wear light colors like pastels and whites. If you like a little more serious and formal, wear more serious colors. But always remember: I want this to be about you, and your personality as a couple. So if you’re a bohemian princess and he’s a nerd, bring a couple of outfits that take that to the extreme (along with your “normal” engagement clothes).
3. Location, location, location. The Treasure Valley/Boise area is AWESOME for taking pictures, especially nature pictures. And if you don’t have any location ideas, I’ll definitely give suggestions. However, if you have a spot that is significant to your relationship (the first date, where you met, your college, etc), I’d be more than happy to work it into the session!
4. Props. Props can be super fun, but especially when they are significant to your relationship (reenacting a picnic, movie memorabilia from a significant movie, etc). I can definitely help with this! It makes for very cute engagement pictures that you’ll both treasure all the more. A couple I photographed earlier this year got engaged at a color rave, so we went out to the middle of nowhere in Caldwell, Idaho, and they had a color fight. The results were super cute!
5. Relax. Everything will be okay. Keep in mind that most couples are a little awkward in front of the camera (unless you’re professional models, haha), so don’t worry about it. I’ll give you some time to warm up and we’ll get good pictures. I’m on your side, and I’m willing to take as much time as needed to get pictures you’re happy with, even if we have to schedule another day.
6. Love one another. Sometimes, either you or your fiance will be uncomfortable or awkward. This will be good practice for your marriage: don’t be critical of them. It’s entirely normal for one of you to have a weird face or not be affectionate to the other’s satisfaction. But the best sessions work out when both individuals are encouraging instead of critical. In general, it’s usually the guy, because guys don’t usually spend time looking in the mirror or posing for pictures with their friends. But sometimes girls are like this, too. It’s okay, it’s entirely normal. Accept them for who they are and remember the good things you like about them.

1. Make friends. It’s easier to be photographed by someone you know, love, and trust. You trust they won’t make you look horrible. You trust that they’re not secretly thinking how horrible you look. So before you get behind the camera, spend some time getting to know your subjects. Laugh with them. Compliment them on their appearance (see #2). Share personal stuff about yourself. Let them know you’re human, not just a big-shot professional photographer.
2. Encourage talk. When you do get behind the camera, keep up a steady stream of compliments. If they aren’t doing a good pose or their face looks off, don’t say, “Hey, your face looks weird. Try something else.” Instead, just don’t say anything. Your absence of praise will naturally lead them to find a pose you like. One bad comment can break a nervous bride (or young model) into tears.
3. Practice. Photograph friend’s kids for free. Or dogs. Dogs work, too. The thing about kids and dogs is that when they’re awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera, it’s super obvious. You can’t miss someone’s dog barking at you or a kid walking off or having a tantrum. And if you can get different types of kids to get comfortable, you can do anything.

Hope this helps! I’m still practicing getting all my technique right, but I am good at getting people comfortable in front of the camera.

I just saw this article on The Knot and thought it was worth linking and sharing. Several of these aren’t true for me as a photographer (i.e. I usually give the couple a few highlight photos ASAP after the wedding, give the couple full rights, etc), but I thought this was a generally good article. 

By Lauren Kay

Choosing your wedding photographer will be more about a feeling than your budget or anything else.

You’ll want someone you click with, since they’ll be following you around on your wedding day. You may get a feeling from their pictures alone, or it may be a gut reaction when you meet them for the first time. Budget will still play a role in your decision of course, but instinct (and vibe) will totally take over when it comes down to it. It’s not irrational; it’s actually normal.

Engagement photos will feel like a test run.

Unless you’re a professional model, you’ll probably feel a little shy in front of the camera at first…