Ask the Experts: Wedding Photographer
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Photography by Kaitlin Rodgers
Probably one of the most important elements of a wedding are the memories you take with you – and Kaitlin Rodgers knows this better than anyone. Besides being the featured photographer for our cover, we asked Kaitlin to share some of her experiences that can elevate your wedding day and the memories you keep.
WW: Kaitlin, you are an expert wedding photographer; do you specialize in any other type of photography?
KR: Outside of wedding photography, I do engagement photos, bridals, and even proposals!
WW: That’s great! As brides choose the perfect photographer for their wedding, do you have any advice for them?
KR: Ask them what the wedding photography process looks like from consultation to delivery of photos. This will tell you precisely what you should expect from that photographer, and make you feel much more comfortable knowing that everything is going according to plan.
I also suggest doing your research beforehand and take the time to look through your potential photographer’s website and social media accounts, as well as looking at what other people have to say about them via reviews. If you like what you see, then you know you can trust them to get the photos you want!
WW: What can a bride ask you or tell you that will help to create the end goal or picture that they want?
KR: I’m always all ears when it comes to any specific photos that a bride or groom wants. For example, at one wedding, the bride asked if I could take a picture of her dad’s hand on her back during the father/daughter dance. Of course, I was more than happy to get that shot, especially since I knew it would mean a lot to her! However, there is a fine line between requesting specific photos and not trusting your photographer to get great images.
At another wedding I photographed, the bride gave me a list of about 25 particular photos that they wanted. As always, I was willing to do what I could to get those photos, but I couldn’t help but think, “this bride doesn’t trust me or my creative ability to get great photos.” Again, you ultimately hire your photographer so you can enjoy your wedding day knowing that you will soon have photos delivered to you that you love!
Again, you ultimately hire your photographer so you can enjoy your wedding day knowing that you will soon have photos delivered to you that you love! On the other end of specific photos are family photos. These are important to be specific on! About a month before a wedding, I get with my couple, and we create a detailed and precise family picture list so that on the day of the wedding, we aren’t trying to remember who needs to be in what photo because I already have the plan with me. I always tell the couple, “ask your mom what family pictures are needed,” moms are great at knowing this kind of stuff! Having this information is such a helpful and worthy task to do before the wedding, and it saves SO much time.
WW: Moms are the right person to give that task! Speaking of family, are there any funny stories about shooting a wedding that you’d like to share?
KR: I can’t think of a specific story, but I often giggle – and cringe – thinking back on the first weddings I photographed. I’m thankful for growth and change, and the people who hired me liked my work well enough to hire me. But looking back, I had no idea what I was doing. I was just too excited to photograph a wedding that nothing else mattered! Humble beginnings are not something to be despised, and I’m glad I can look back and laugh.
WW: Anything else you want brides to know?
KR: I want brides to know that we (wedding vendors) are passionate about you and your wedding! We are in the wedding industry to make our couples’ weddings successful!
WW: Kaitlin, thank you so much for the insights. I know a lot of couples might start writing down those family lists as soon as possible!
