Hello again friends! I am so excited to be launching into week two of these helpful blog posts for ya. Now it might see at first glance that this isn’t super important, but I am actually here to say IT IS. I always try to make sure that I represent myself and how I operate as realistically as possible on social media and my website, so that when you actually inquire – there is no surprise about who it is you’re talking to! And if you’re considering reaching out to book me for your wedding, have a quick look at these 8 things to expect with working with me and see if you start nodding with each one 🙂

#1: That I’m Human.

Hey. Guess what. I’m human – just like you. I am currently planning a wedding – just like you. I never ever ever want to lose sight of that in all my future years of being an entrepreneur, because ultimately, I am here to serve. I am not here to boost my ego and shout “what I know to be true” over you during the wedding planning process. And more importantly, I never want you to feel like I am some cold-hearted crazy person who doesn’t understand that weddings are expensive – because I DO! I totally get it, and have worked through that obstacle in my own wedding planning as well. My goal is to come alongside you during this wild ride and offer as much helpful information as I possibly can! So if you are dying to have me as your photographer, but truly can’t budge on the budget – LET’S TALK. I would never want money to be the reason why someone can’t book me who is truly dying to have me photograph their wedding. Now understand, I got bills to pay and an in n out appetite to keep up 😉 so I will always work with you, IF I am able to. But if for some reason it just doesn’t work out – I have some pretty awesome referrals to send your way!

#2: That I Value Consistency.

When it comes to how I treat each and every one of my couples, I value the consistency of every step. Whether that’s communication, following through with what I say, or simply just showing up for you. I value working with integrity to make sure you feel valued and heard during this process! I can only imagine how many websites you have probably visited during this planning time, and I totally understand how overwhelming that can be! Put your mind at ease. Do you value the details of each decision? My A-type personality will work with that just fine.

The Kate you meet via social media or my website is the Kate you’ll meet in person! Nobody likes to be cat-fished right? Haha and my goal is to make you feel like you have already known me for years before you even meet me! Because that kind of connection with your vendors is what will establish trust!

#3: That I Want Your Trust

Speaking of trust.. There is truly nothing worse than not being able to trust someone right? That connection is broken and the relationship has officially entered into that weird limbo of I-don’t-really-know-what-to-do. But if you’re anything like me, you try and figure out a way to resolve it ASAP cuz ain’t nobody got time for weird limbos – anyone else feel me on this?

Anyways, back to the topic. I will be touching more on this in the not so distant future, but who would you trust more with something valuable that you own? A random stranger or a friend? I’m pretty sure 99% of us would pick our friend. Because we’re familiar with them and know how they conduct themselves and that they have your back. That’s exactly how you should feel while in the planning process with me, and any vendor really. We are about to create some of the most valuable memories you will ever have, and you deserve to feel 100% comfortable and also feel like you can trust your photographer whole-heartedly with that process!

#4: That You Feel Valued

One of the ways that I always make sure I try and do this is by: Going The Extra Mile! Whether that means hitting up the market before an engagement session to pick up some lotion for ya because you forgot to grab some on the way out. Or by hand-selecting a unique gift that is an expression of your relationship. Or by simply giving you a hug. I am always looking for ways to go the extra mile for my couples, and part of that means allowing me into your relationship for the time that you have me, so that I can find a way to do it perfectly for you both!

One of my favorite things to do at the end of engagement sessions IF I can – sometimes timing and other factors mean I can’t – but if the opportunity is there, I love to end out the session by having my couple dance to their first dance song. I encourage them to sway with each other, close their eyes and hold them tight. I try and do this as often as I can because it’s always good to re-focus and remember why we’re all here – because you two are getting married and spending the rest of your lives together!

#5: Respecting Your Time/Marriage

I’m going to tell you a quick story. This point is kinda piggy-backing off of the last point, but I value making sure I give you the space to feel the reverence of your marriage – yes, that also means on wedding day.

I was about to photograph a first look, and the anticipation was high. The groom was so ready to see his bride, but nervously fidgeted while waiting for her to walk up. She started to walk over and with each step began to start crying knowing that she was about to see her husband for the first time in about 2.5 seconds. She reaches up to turn him around and the moment they do, the space is immediately filled with so much peace and joy that I literally felt like I could touch it. And it was in that exact moment that I knew I wanted to give them space without having a camera around. I quickly got what shots I needed and quietly walked away motioning to the groom that I was going to give them a few minutes.

Giving you the space to feel the importance of the decision you two made is something I watch out for. I am a big advocate for enjoying the moment and being fully and completely present – not necessarily have a camera taking a photo every second. I would never compromise your forever memories, so please don’t take this as me saying I’m not going to be photographing incredibly special moments because I AM. But I choose to understand that in the sweetest of moments, I get what I needed and let you guys enjoy that time.

#6: Celebration

This is one of the words that defines my brand as a whole. I am a walking celebration ready to hype you up and be excited about the fact that we are celebrating your love! Have I said celebrating enough yet? 😉 but in all seriousness. You guys are getting married, and that deserves to be treated with the excitement and joy it deserves because I mean come on – you planned this whole wedding around that fact right? That you are having all of your best friends and closest family members surrounding you on your day CELEBRATING your love! So my goal is to keep the party going even if we’re taking portraits away from your guests. I’m pretty sure everyone enjoys having fun right? I mean.. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t enjoy that.. and having fun should be a HUGE part of the process!

It’s music to my ears when I hear my couple describe how much fun they had at our session or on wedding day!

#7: Passionate

There is genuinely nothing I love more then following this passion of mine. When you have passion for something, you are constantly looking for ways to learn new things, grow, explore and make that passion better. In the same way, my brain is in continuous thinking mode on wedding day and during engagement sessions. I am constantly checking in with the situation and making sure you guys feel at ease, and that there is nothing that could take away from that.

There was an engagement session I did once where the location we were at was just POPPIN with people. There was genuinely tons of people just streaming by and even though I knew my couple trusted me, I also knew that not everyone is totally comfortable with taking photos in front of complete strangers. So even though I knew there were some shots that could be super cool, I didn’t force it. Because the importance of feeling at ease is SO key to what the end product looks like!

#8: That Any Time You Leave From Interacting With Me, You Are More In Love Than When We First Started

This plays into how I mentioned earlier that I love to end engagement sessions with the first dance song of choice. This also plays into why I might have you guys talk about your favorite things about one another on the shoot, or what you’re most proud of about the other person. Because I am a tool in fostering the connection between YOU GUYS more. In order for your love to be captured in the realest and truest form, it requires that you are able to open up in that way, and the only way to do that is by feeling a connection with your photographer.

Hope you’re starting to see how everything kind of plays into each other, and how one part completely affects the others! Again, I am here to help you with the process as best I can because I am here to serve you!

Next week you get to look forward to: 3 Tips For Choosing Outfits For Your Engagement Session!

Have a fabulous start to your week,

Kate