Sarah E Dunn

+ WHAT KINDS OF TIPS CAN YOU OFFER TO GET THE BEST DAY-OF PHOTOS?

We love telling our wedding clients to pamper themselves before their wedding to relieve any jitters, drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated, and to relax and enjoy the day. Some of the best suggestions we can make are as follows:

• Assign a close friend or family member to gather family and friends for family portraits after the ceremony. Having someone who is familiar with everyone helps keep these photos moving along.

• Gather special items and put them in your Wedding Details Box to keep them organized and ready for photographs. Check out our Wedding Details Box Check List to ensure nothing is forgotten!

• Consider having an unplugged wedding ceremony. This means that all guests are asked by a sign when they walk in and/or when the officiant begins the ceremony to please turn off all electronic devices and put them away at the couples' request. Not only will your vows be genuinely appreciated, this also means cell phones won't be in your professional wedding photos!

• Build an hour of buffer time into your day-of timeline around hair/makeup appointments. These appointments may not necessarily be time consuming themselves, but lots of distractions and interruptions happen during this time as you finalize last minute details of the day. Even if things stay on schdule and there is down time, you'll get to enjoy some quiet time and get some photos with your gal pals!

• Take the stress off yourself and have lunch/snacks available catered or delievered to your getting ready locations. Ever since I've been a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding, I've recommended this to each of my brides. Following our hair appointment, my sister had sandwiches, chips, and mimosas waiting for us when we arrived at the getting ready location in the venue. This was such a convenient, simple addition to make the day go smoothly with as little hanger as possible. ;)

+ WHEN WILL WE SIT DOWN AND WORK ON OUR DAY-OF PHOTO TIMELINE TOGETHER?

I prefer to do a walk-thru of the wedding venue and sit down and work out our timeline at least two weeks before the wedding day. Most times, I'll have a good idea of how the day will go and will present it to you via email. But we will be sure to schedule a meet-up or phone consultation to work out the kinks together to ensure you get the most out of me as your wedding photographer. Or, if you've worked out a timeline on your own, I'd love to go over your plan together.

+ HOW DO WE PLAN FOR THE BEST LIGHTING DURING PREP, OUTDOOR CEREMONIES, AND FAMILY OUR PORTRAITS?

Remember this: WINDOWS ARE OUR FRIEND.

• Preparation and "getting ready" photos are such a fun way to capture the start to the day. For the bride and bridesmaids and groom and groomsmen, a room with plenty of window light from large windows is ideal for getting those beautiful photographs.
  
• Outdoor ceremonies are some of my favorite parts to an outdoor wedding. They offer a variety of options and can be some of the most creative places to get married. Consider the time of year your wedding is going to be held. Then, consider the time of day you will be walking down the aisle. No one wants to sit in direct sun in the middle of August at 3:00 in the afternoon, however, sitting under a large, shady tree not only will offer your guests more comfort, but will also limit squinty eyes and weird shadows in your wedding photos.
  
• Couples' portraits are best photographed at golden hour – the hour or so before sunset or after sunrise. If we do not get either of these times together to photograph your portraits, we will attempt to find a shady area of trees or buildings to shoot them. I reccomend "first looks" for this purpose so that we're still able to a few couples' shots together if we don't get the chance during golden hour. Either way, I don't mind getting creative!

+ HOW MUCH TIME WILL YOU NEED TO PHOTOGRAPH OUR FAMILIES, THE BRIDAL PARTY, AND US?

• Family photos before or after the wedding ceremony should take no longer than 30 minutes. We will be sure to list out all of the combinations of family members requested to be in photos ahead of your wedding date at your consultation two weeks before the wedding. It's important we remember everyone, so I want to make this as stress-free as possible.
  
• The bridal party is typically the quickest group to photograph. Depending on the size of your bridal party, we typically take 30-40 minutes to photograph everyone after the couple has seen each other (i.e. after the "first look" or after the ceremony). I will note: It's important to inform your bridal party, though, that these photos will be cherished for a lifetime and you'd like everyone to be cooperative, curtious, and [mostly] sober during this block of time for some great photos of friends + family being together. Then, everyone can let loose for the reception! It's a win-win for everyone.
  
• Couples portraits are definitely in my top 5 favorite parts of the day. Allowing 20-30 minutes to escape the reception to get some one-on-one time with your new spouse is the best suggestion I can make for your wedding day. You'll be so glad you did after getting your photos back and your guests will understand your short absence.

+ HOW LONG UNTIL WE GET OUR PHOTOS BACK FROM OUR WEDDING DAY?

You'll start seeing sneak peeks of your wedding photos on social media either the evening of or the day after your wedding. I know you're excited to see them, and I'm just as excited to edit them and post them for all to see! Most of my wedding clients receive their edited photos on their USB drive within two months after the wedding. Should something come up and a delay be needed, I'll be sure to notify you.

+ WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS? ARE YOU ABLE TO RECOVER PRIVATELY OR WILL I BE NOTIFIED?

Sh*t happens. That's why I carry two full-frame camera bodies and a number of lenses with me to all of my weddings. It's extremely important to me that your photos are not hindered due to lack of cooperation in my equipment or lenses. Throughout the day, you may see me pop on my laptop to backup your photos, just as an extra precaution. Any kinds of malfunction issue will be handled privately and I'll try my hardest to be back up and running with no problem. Should I not have the appropriate equiptment, I'll rent it for your event.

+ SHOULD MY EVENT LAST LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED, WILL YOU STAY?

Um, duh! I always check in with my couples 30-ish minutes before the end of the time allotted to see if you'll need me longer than originally planned. There is an additional fee for staying and it will be charged my typical rate per hour after the wedding via an online invoice. The contract will specify the policy and charges for this instance.