Planning a First Look for Your Central Florida Wedding

March 29, 2022 in Tips

That moment when the groom first sees the bride in all her glory is an unforgettable one for both. You will treasure it in your photo albums, on your mantel and on your walls for years to come – so you want to get it right! One of the best ways to get a quality first look photograph is to do it before the ceremony rather than while the bride is walking down the aisle. If you want to plan the perfect first look at your Central Florida wedding, here’s how to do it.

Plan Ahead of Time

First looks are supposed to be spontaneous, but they also need structure behind them. Make sure to inform your photographer that you want a first look, then get their input on what will make for the most successful image. Discuss places, poses and any extra details well enough in advance to make a great plan and adjust as necessary.

Pick a Location with Meaning

If all you want is the moment itself, any private and charming backdrop will do. However, most couples like to pick a location that has some meaning for them. Maybe they sneak away to the reception hall for a few pictures, take them in front of a church or a house, or stage them in the chapel. It’s fun to look back and see not only your happy selves but the place you said I Do.

Stay Flexible

Sometimes the light changes. Sometimes it starts to rain. Sometimes your vision of where and when simply won’t make for a good shot. While you can’t be expected to know everything or see the future, follow your photographer’s lead about what will and won’t work. If you need to adjust on the day of, do it. Your photos will be the better for it.

Leave the Crowds Behind

One of the best tricks for getting a good first look is to leave the crowds behind. Not only should you not bring friends and family, but you should also aim for somewhere private, away from the crowds. Passersby love to gawk at a pretty couple, but that won’t help you feel relaxed. Try for a private alcove, a shaded wood or a deserted stretch of beach. This will lead to the best possible Orlando wedding photography results.

Forget the Accessories

This shot is all about the bride and groom, and that’s enough. Leave your flowers behind so they don’t get in the way of hugs and kisses. Ditch veils for the same reason. No need for formal tuxedo or suit jackets or the bride’s wrap. Unless the temperature actually requires extra clothes, they just get in the way, so leave them in the dressing room or with a trusted helper.

Budget in Enough Time

First looks are all about one look, sure, but you still want enough time to get the shot right. Budget in 15 minutes at a bare minimum. Half an hour is better, since you need time to get there and back to the ceremony. Give yourself space so you can relax a bit and so your Orlando wedding photographer can experiment and find the cutest pictures.

No matter how you approach your first look, you’ll have the most success if you think ahead. Make sure to hire a photographer that offers a robust planning session before your big day. This maximizes the time your Central Florida wedding photographer can spend on the staged and candid shots that you care about. Looking to learn more? Get in touch today!

New here? My name is Zac Wolf. I’m a New England and Orlando wedding photographer capturing your love through joyful, vibrant, and honest wedding, elopement, and engagement photography. I use my blog to share tons of vibrant engagement, elopement, and wedding photo ideas for inspiration, along with honest tips for wedding planning coming from a wedding photographer with over a decade of experience in the wonderful world of weddings. It also gives you a chance to see what it would be like to work with me as your wedding photographer. I would love to work with you one day! Contact me here.

About Zac Wolf Photography: New England and Orlando Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Zac, a New England and Orlando wedding photographer capturing your love through joyful, vibrant, and honest wedding photography. I make magic with your photos––regardless of the venue, the weather, or how you feel in front of the camera––I know how to make your photos look how you feel.
With me as your wedding photographer, you can enjoy the present moment of your special day and count on me to capture everything you’ll want to remember in the years to come. My 10+ years of experience as an engagement, elopement, and wedding photographer in Central Florida, New England, and across the country means I know how to make the process go as smoothly and easily as possible for you.
I can’t wait to capture your love. Let’s work together.

9 Ways to Use Your Orlando Wedding Photos

March 22, 2022 in Tips

So you’re planning your Orlando wedding photography, and you’re trying to figure out the deal. What kinds of shots do you want? How many? Of whom? These are all great questions to ask, but they’re definitely easier to answer if you first decide how you’re going to use your photos later on. Here are nine ways you can do just that!

1. Save-the-Date Cards

Before we jump to photos from the wedding themselves, you might consider an engagement shoot. These photos, also a part of your big day in a way, are important for planning. For example, save-the-date cards are a popular way to let guests know when and where your event will be held, and they look perfect with engagement photos.

2. Wedding Websites

Central Florida wedding sites are all the rage now, and for good reason. They make it easy for guests to plan their visits, they contain registry and flight info, and so forth. If you’re making a wedding website, engagement photos are the perfect accompaniment.

3. Thank You Cards

Once the day is done and the gifts are opened, it’s time to send your thank you. A card with your wedding photos on it will be perfect, and is a special keepsake recipients can enjoy forever.

4. Make Your Wedding Album

Obviously, a wedding album is a must. Sites like Shutterfly and Chatbooks make this super easy if you are looking for just something affordable. Your Orlando Wedding Photographer likely can help you create an heirloom quality album with your wedding photos. One that will not only be beautiful, but will last for generations to come.

5. Order Wall Art

Just as obviously, you’ll want to frame and hang a few pictures of your wedding. Don’t overdo it; your home is not a shrine to your vows. But a few pieces in the living room, dining room and/or bedroom is a lovely tribute to your love.

6. Use Them for Holiday Cards

If you guys do annual holiday cards, wedding photos are the perfect way to commemorate the year you got married!

7. Make Refrigerator Magnets

Sorry, but that’s just cute. Magnets are easy to make with sites such as Social Print Studio or Zazzle.

8. Share Them with Guests

Although your attendees likely won’t frame an 11x16 of you two next to the altar, they will still enjoy your wedding pics. Not only might they want to put a few of your photos in their albums to remember the day by, but there are often candid shots of guests and formal ones of those in the wedding party or family. Putting your photos in the cloud and sending the link to guests is a great way to say thank-you.

9. Your Orlando Wedding Photographer May Have Other Ideas!

If you’re curious about what else you might do with photos, feel free to ask a professional. There are all sorts of things you can do with good photos … but naturally you have to get them first.

Ready to book a Central Florida wedding photographer? Time to reach out and learn more about packages, rates, dates and so forth. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Timeline Tips For Your Orlando Wedding

February 25, 2022 in Tips

If you’re getting married, no one needs to tell you that there are a lot of moving parts on the big day. From keeping the champagne cold to making sure your family is all in line for photos, it’s enough to run anyone ragged in the months leading up. If you don’t get your timeline right, moreover, you could lose out on valuable photo ops, a mistake you can’t make up for later. No one wants that! Luckily, a few simple timeline tips can help your Central Florida wedding run much more smoothly.

Block Out Getting Ready Time

Rather than telling yourself “We need to be ready by 3,” plan a specific timeline of events. Hair and makeup from 1-3 PM, for instance, followed by a first look exactly at 3 PM, followed by the ceremony at 3:30. This will make your Orlando wedding photography plan much more successful, and the wedding overall.

Block Out the Main Time Periods on a Checklist

While a typical Central Florida wedding day involves hundreds of small moments and different photos, here are the main phases:

Getting ready: Hair, makeup, dresses, suits, you name it. Capture these special moments to make that wedding album feel real later on.
First look: The first time the groom sees the bride is a special moment. If you choose to have that happen candidly, while the bride walks down the aisle, that’s great. Or you can take a quiet half hour before the ceremony instead.
Ceremony: Exchanging vows must be caught on camera!
Décor: Your reception has been decorated to a turn before guests arrive, so if you want to get photos of it before the crowd descends, this will need to happen before the ceremony. (Or right after, if guests are in transit for a few minutes.)
Cocktail hour: Traditionally this follows getting hitched, and is a charming time where toasts get made and guests get (hopefully only a little) tipsy.
Dinner: You may want to get some photographs of plates and happy guests, or you may prefer your photographer to eat during this time so they can be ready for the real action once dinner is over. It’s something to discuss during your meeting with them.
Cake cutting: Often the happy couple’s favorite pictures are from this time, so choose an Orlando wedding photographer who knows how to capture those moments best.
Sunset or night photography session: Your location and time of day will determine whether you take these photos, so ask your photographer about them.
Dancing: This is when some of the most amazing, candid and memorable photos happen, so make sure you book a photographer who can stay for at least part of it.
Departure: Some people plan a little something for departure, whether that’s a boat or car exiting the scene, some fireworks, or even a horse and buggy. Obviously you’ll want to get that on camera!

Put Someone Trustworthy in Charge of the Checklist

Who is in charge will depend on the kind of help you have that day. If you have a wedding planner, that’s an obvious person who should have the checklist. Anyone else who is heavily involved – the maid of honor, mother of the bride, etc. – should also have one. And your photographer should get one beforehand so they can keep the photos on track as well.

A photography timeline meeting can help ensure your wedding runs according to plan. Before you book a Central Florida wedding photographer, make sure they offer a sit-down planning session so you don’t miss any of those cherished moments on the big day. Have questions? Feel free to get in touch and learn more!

Tips to Budget for an Orlando Wedding Photographer

February 18, 2022 in Tips

Sure, your wedding is one of the most memorable days you will ever experience, but that doesn’t mean you want to plunk your life savings down for it. It’s important to make a careful budget so you can get the food, drinks, flowers and everything else right … and so you can get a Central Florida wedding photographer who captures the whole day beautifully. Here’s how to budget for a photographer!

Understand the Average Costs

A dose of realism will go a long way toward getting the right photographer. While rates change depending on location, time of year and experience, you should expect to pay around $4,000 for a great photographer. In populated places such as Orlando, that might run a little higher, but you can make it more affordable by choosing the right package and budgeting wisely in other ways.

Do Your Due Diligence

Before hiring anyone, do some research, such as:

Exploring different styles of photography, such as rustic or photojournalistic or vintage, to find your own. This will make the first meeting with potential photographers much more seamless.
Speaking with friends about their photography experiences and recommendations.
Calling around to different photographers to ask questions about how they normally work before setting up meetings with two or three you really like.

Explore Different Orlando Wedding Photography Packages

Photographers usually offer a range of packages. This includes how long they’ll be there, how far they will travel and what types of product are included (digital and physical). If you love a photographer, ask them to help you mix and match services so you can afford to have them there on your big day.

Minimize Your Costs with Digital Files

Can’t afford expensive framed canvases and prints? Not a problem. Almost any photographer today is happy to put your edited photos on a file-sharing service for you to download later.

Find A Photographer Who Is Nearby

Sure, your “perfect” photographer might be in Miami, but if you live in Orlando, you’re going to have a heck of a time getting them to your event. Even if you need to sacrifice your aesthetic slightly, it’s better to hire an Orlando wedding photographer and keep all those travel costs (sometimes thousands of dollars) for other things.

Hold Your Ceremony and Reception at the Same Place

You will save a lot of money by holding all parts of your Central Florida wedding in one place. When you book a venue all day long, you pay less for the site fee. Many churches have catering on site or people that they work with. Estates and ballrooms almost always have food services. Avoiding transport for all your service providers will minimize costs too, so you can spend more money on pictures.

Ask for a Recommendation

If you love a photographer but really can’t afford them, ask them to refer someone who shares their style but is just getting started. This will help you save bucks, but will also ensure you get someone a professional is willing to throw their weight behind.

Have more questions? Get in touch to talk to an experienced Orlando photographer today!

Orlando Wedding Photographer Prices

February 15, 2022 in Tips

When you’re first looking into Orlando wedding photography, you no doubt want to know about costs. It’s the primary question on the minds of many couples already experiencing sticker shock at the price of venues and caterers, flowers and dresses. And that’s okay … it’s smart to get the budgeting out of the way upfront so you can focus on the fun. Here are the main considerations when it comes to hiring a good photography team for your Central Florida wedding.

Average Wedding Photography Prices

The cost of a wedding photography package can vary hugely based on factors we will discuss below. However, the average cost for a photographer in America is somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000. When you’re doing your initial budgeting document, plan on this range. If you really need to get that number down, it will mean sacrificing somewhere. Let’s take a look.

Experience Matters

A lot goes into wedding photography. Taking good pictures requires more than simply pointing and clicking. Even critical elements such as composition and lighting aren’t the whole story. Your photographer must also understand timing, organization and communication. The longer they work, the better they become at these elements, which is why prices range based on experience.

Typically, costs will start at $1,000 or so for an inexperienced photographer. They can up to $10,000 or even $15,000 for someone who is highly sought-after. Ideally, you’ll choose someone in the middle.

You Pay More for Full-Time Professionals

Additionally, people who do this full-time will charge more than those who are simply earning some side-hustle money. If you want to hire a friend or a novice, that’s fine, but it may mean sacrificing the quality of photos or a well-organized timeline. Even a slightly unprofessional photographer can still produce some great shots, but if you want to capture every moment well this likely isn’t the place to scrimp.

Prices Vary with Cost of Living

If you’re having your wedding out on a family member’s country property, you may be able to find an area photographer who will charge according to local prices. However, if you choose an Orlando wedding photographer, then they will cost more. This is true whether they’re shooting photos in the city or traveling to an event. Speaking of travel …

Travel Costs Stack Up

If your Central Florida wedding photographer will have to drive to get to your wedding, you can expect to pay a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars more, depending on how long it will take them to get there. If you love the artist, that can be worth it. If, however, you want to save money, then choose someone nearby.

Style Matters

That indefinable je ne sais quoi you feel when looking at truly gorgeous photos? That comes from somewhere. It’s an ineffable combination of experience, natural skill and a finely honed aesthetic, and it’s not always replaceable. If you truly love what someone does, it’s worth skimping on another area of your wedding and saving up for the photographer who can capture your big day best. Here are a few ideas for trimming the fat:

Hold your ceremony and reception in the same place.
Have only one meat and one vegetarian choice at dinner.
Make bouquets for the table yourself, and spend only on the big floral arrangements.

… et cetera. While this might take some doing, all the work you put into saving money will be reflected back from your album for years to come.

Have questions about wedding photography in Orlando or surrounding areas? Get in touch today!