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What If A Photographer Is New To My Venue?

December 19, 2019

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Why it’s okay to hire a photographer who hasn’t photographed your venue yet | Texas Wedding Photographer

I get this question ALL the time–I blame all of the online bride planning services *cough* The Knot, who tell brides what they “need to ask before booking their photographer” without actually knowing.

“Have you photographed a wedding at my venue before?”

And I know there’s a certain sigh of relief that comes over a bride when she hears “yes!” And I Totally understand! But here are a few reasons why hiring a photographer who has never photographed your venue might be a good idea:

(all of the photos in this post are from weddings I photographed at new-to-me venues!)

1.Photography is all about LIGHT. And the good thing is that light is EVERYWHERE. A seasoned photographer (I’m not talking about spices here😂) will be able to spot the best, most flattering light wherever he/she is and create beautiful and unique imagery. A floral watercolor spring wedding at The Riverhill Mansion and Country Club in Kerrville Texas by Allison Jeffers Wedding Photography 0020

2. Fresh eyes. Traveling to new places is so inspiring to many photographers(myself included🙋🏻‍♀️) and keeps them from getting in a creative rut. When I go into a new-to-me venue, I don’t have any preconceived ideas, so I’m able to creatively challenge myself. That means you get unique photos that no one else has!A minimalist ranch wedding in the Texas Hill Country featuring a canoe bridal party entrance and night portrait. 0087

3. More photos! After photographing the same venue over and over again it’s easy to forget to snap as many detail photos of the venue as I normally would. But when I go to a new venue, I’m photographing every nook and cranny!  Trees, walls, landscape, you name it!

Hotel Emma wedding Photos featuring a fall romantic wedding with bhldn gown and The Elegant Bee floral 0129

Personally, for weddings I book at new-to-me venues, I either take a tour with the venue manager or I plan to meet my couple at the venue so they can show me where everything is going and I can get an idea of locations for the First Look, family photos, and so on. I’m a fast learner and adapt well to new environments, so that’s not an issue for me. Especially since the sun angle changes throughout the ENTIRE year. I’m used to adapting every time I go to ANY venue, no matter how many times I’ve been there.

A Contigo Ranch Fall Wedding in Fredericksburg Texas by Allison Jeffers Photography 0129

I think instead of asking “have you photographed my venue before?” Brides should be asking “can I see some weddings where it was your first time photographing the venue?”

Here are some of mine!

Michelle + Mason at Contigo RanchA Contigo Ranch Fall Wedding in Fredericksburg Texas by Allison Jeffers Photography 0241

 

Kaylee + Braxton | Stone Oak Wedding

 

Catherine + Wayne| The St Anthony Hotel 

The St Anthony Hotel Wedding Reception San Antonio first Presbyterian Church Ceremony by Allison Jeffers Photography 0222

 

Kristen + Keaton at Hotel Emma & Holy Trinity Catholic Church

A Hotel Emma Wedding by Allison Jeffers Wedding Photography San Antonio Wedding Photographer 0153

 

So instead of hiring someone because they’re familiar with your venue, think about what photography style you like, what kind of personality goes well with you and your fiancé (i.e. do you want serious editorial photos or photos that capture how joyful you are?), ask how long the your photographer has been photographing weddings specifically, and look at some full wedding galleries from each photographer you inquire with. Asking for a full gallery is not a crazy request! Just be sure to ask it in a trusting way, not a demanding way. A lot of photographers also blog their weddings so you can lurk before inquiring. I regularly keep up with mine, and you can find it here!

See more of our bride tips on the blog here!

Related Post: 10 Grand Exit Ideas CEREMONY AND RECEPTION GRAND EXIT IDEAS

xoxo, Allison

 Allison Jeffers is a photographer and educator serving sweet couples and helping other creative entrepreneurs reach their goals. She specializes in wedding photography, elopements, and proposals as well as Bridal and Engagement portraits in Texas. She is available for travel worldwide and has her passport ready!

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