Beloit, WI Family Portrait Photographer | The Walsh Family | Wisconsin Family Portraits

November 05, 2020 by Amanda Reseburg

Who: The Prohaska-Walsh Family
Where: Private Home

10 Important Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer (and What NOT to Ask) ~ Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

November 01, 2020 by Amanda Reseburg

Tis the season for booking wedding vendors.

Meetings may look a LITTLE different (hello, Zoom…..I’m still going to assume most of you are wearing pants….right?)…..but vetting wedding vendors hasn’t really changed. There are still certain things you should be asking when talking to a potential wedding photographer.

Here’s a little run down of how to get to the bottom of what your potential wedding photographer is all about.

1. How Long Have You Been Doing This?

Now, I am not a person who thinks that a person is amazing just because they’ve been doing it a long time. I’ve met plenty of “old guard” wedding photographers who are perpetually stuck in 1992. I’ve also come across many folks who have taken on the supreme responsibility of capturing a wedding and fell flat on their faces because of inexperience. There is something to be said for experience when it comes to weddings. A wedding is a different beast that taking passable portraits of your friends and family with a nice camera. There’s a certain flow to the day….there’s tough lighting situations….there’s a lot RIDING on a wedding. It can’t be redone. So, it helps to make sure the shooter you are interviewing has at least a few weddings under their belt (or a few hundred….even better!)

2. What Do You Shoot With?

This question is important even if you have no clue what the photographer is talking about…..it’s not to test your knowledge of necessary wedding equipment, it’s to test theirs. If they intend on showing up to your day with 1 camera body and a kit lens, the time to find out about that is PRE-wedding. A professional wedding photographer worth their salt should know the importance of backup equipment, professional level equipment, and a variety of lens and lighting options.

3. What Kind of Direction Do You Give?

Depending on a photographer’s style, they may go into your day directing the entire thing or take a very hands-off, candid approach. Neither approach is “wrong”, per se…..but you need decide what you want for your day. If you are going in expecting someone to tell you how to pose, where to stand, where to look at all times…..you’re likely going to be turned off by a photojournalistic wedding photographer who is setting out to capture the day “as is”.

4. What is Your Editing Approach?

Much like photojournalistic vs. classic style, you need to make sure a photographer’s editing style is up your alley. Are they committed to a vintage style of processing (which may render your colors different from real life)…..do they have a film-based style, something dark and moody or editorial. Is their style “light and airy”, which has been popular as of late. It’s far easier to find a photographer that is committed to the style you are seeking than to request that a, say, dark and moody shooter tries out a light and airy approach….just this once.

5. What is Your Lighting Approach?

Lighting is one of the things beginning photographers sometimes fear. It’s confusing…..there’s SO many variables….and so many options out there. But, if one thing is for sure, it’s that lighting situations at weddings are EVER changing and you’re going to want someone there who can roll with it.

I’ve often told the story of my FIRST WEDDING EVER where I walked into the ballroom where the ceremony was taking place and was confronted with a black ceiling….black walls….no windows and only a light grasp on proper lighting techniques.

Since then, I’ve definitely made lighting a centerpiece of my wedding offerings…..assuring my couples that whatever they throw at me, I can handle.

6. What is Your Turnaround Time?

If it’s one thing I see a lot when I read negative reviews of wedding vendors, it’s disappointment in communication. You want whomever you choose to work your wedding to be open about their communication approach (are they easy to get a hold of, or only easy to get a hold of when you’re about to pay them?) Do they have a history of decent turnaround time for delivered images, or do they regularly leave people waiting months for images? What about assistance in planning prior to the wedding for things like “must take pictures” or timelines? Are they responsive? Part of being happy with your chosen vendors is managing expectations from the get-go, and it’s important that if you’re (like me) the type of person who expects a return email in 24 hours or less….you don’t torture yourself by working with a person who is pretty laidback with response time.

7. What Happens if You Get Sick?

This question is more important now than ever. I can tell you from my own experience, my approach to illness and events has changed radically. Pre-COVID, I was that person who would have no problem working sick…..as long as I was there for my client’s big day. I’ve worked with the flu….I’ve worked with bad colds…..an injured foot…..and 6 hours out of a surgery following a miscarriage (wouldn’t recommend any of it). But, given the way things are now….in the midst of a pandemic….it’s become highly irresponsible to work sick. So you want to make sure your chosen photographer is connected enough to be able to bring in a replacement (a GOOD replacement, not their girlfriend with a nice camera) should they become too ill to shoot your wedding. Have a plan….discuss that plan….be aware of the plan! I know that our local photographer groups have had threads every weekend with people available to fill in for sick shooters. Photographers work together!

8. How Do You Feel About…..X, Y, Z?

Your photographer is one of the only wedding vendors that is with you the majority of your day. They are with you during getting ready, for all the intimate moments….through portraits and dancing, eating and cocktail hour. They are integrating themselves into your day. So, it’s important that who they are jives with the event you are putting on. This is very important to consider right now with current mandates on events. If your photographer is not comfortable shooting a 100+ person wedding right now, that’s something you need to discuss with them PRIOR to the day, so they are not blindsided by a maskless dancefloor. If you intend to do something kind of off the wall…..like have your picture taken with weapons or try to gain access to private property for pictures…..these are all things NOT to spring on your shooter. There are literally thousands of photographers in any given state, you are bound to find someone who gels with you and your plans without having to look too hard. But, having a photographer with you who is very uncomfortable the entire time is going to reflect in their work.

9. What Do You Want to Eat?

This is a touchy subject with some photographers. There’s an ongoing debate with whether wedding couples should feed their vendors or if vendors should bring their own food. This is another one that has been changed with the pandemic (if you are having a buffet, this girl is bringing a sack dinner…..sorry not sorry). However, once things kind of right themselves again…..it’s important to know whether or not your photographer expects to be fed (this is often in their contract and sometimes it depends how long they are there for). My own personal feelings on it are this: As long as I know AHEAD of time whether a meal will be provided or not, I’m golden. I have no issue bringing my own food…..but I LOVE wedding food. Like, legitimately. So, I’ll never turn away some saucy chicken and potatoes.

10. What Can We Expect From You?

I love questions like this. People want to know YOU…..they want to know if you are someone who is likely to show up at their wedding just as excited as they SHOULD be for such an occasion…..or someone who is bitter….and probably should have hung up their cameras awhile ago. Are you a jokester? Are you someone who is going to buddy up to the bride’s grandmother and teach her how to do the Cupid Shuffle (all the while capturing it, of course). Expectation setting is SO important with wedding planning. Afterall, most of you have never done this before (the whole wedding deal)…..and don’t really know WHAT to expect.

This applies to deliverables too. Are you going to get a gallery and have to spend MORE money after the wedding ordering prints? (This is a very old school way of approaching things and isn’t done very often anymore). Do you get reprint rights of your images? What about Engagement Sessions, do you have to purchase those images ? (A practice that IS still utilized). Are you going to see a sneak peek of your day at some point?

SET EXPECTATIONS….make sure that the person you pick to tell your story is going to come as close to meeting your expectations as possible. With so many choices out there, there is no excuse for heavily vetting the candidates.

WHAT NOT TO ASK

”Can You Do This For Cheaper?”

There’s a few caveats to this. I’m not the type of person that’s EVER going to say there is never room to pare back a package. If you are looking to hit a specific budget, talk to the photographer about that and see if they have a package that fits into that.

The problems arise when you fall in love with a photographer who is WAY out of your budget…..but you want them to lower their price for you. Because you love them. And love should be enough.

Pricing is based on experience, on market analysis, on worth. If someone is commanding a higher price than you expected for their services, it’s because that is what they are worth. The market supports it (otherwise they would find themselves completely unemployable).

If you ask about pricing or budget options and the photographer explains that their pricing is their pricing…..then that’s their pricing. Many photographers will attempt to educate clients about wedding photography pricing…..and this is not done maliciously. Like I said above, you may be new to the whole wedding rigamarole. If there’s someone who has been in the game for a long time willing to bestow nuggets of advice, take it!

When it comes to wedding vendors across the board, it is definitely a “you get what you pay for” situation.
If wedding photography is incredibly important to you, I suggest putting it as a high priority budget item over other things that may not be as important, such as super fancy centerpieces.

Many photographers are happy to discuss setting up payment plans, so that is something you definitely can and SHOULD ask about!

At the end of the day, knowing what to ask potential photographers will lead you well on your way to securing your dream shooter! Keep expectations clear….and be reasonable and easy to work with…..and you will end your day happy and secure with the notion that your story was told thoroughly and beautifully!

Happy Planning…..and if you are planning for 2021 or 2022, let’s chat! Hop on over to the contact form and let’s discuss your dream day!

Wisconsin Photographer | Fractured Thoughts

October 27, 2020 by Amanda Reseburg

My late-stage 2020 Resolution (because Lord KNOWS nothing I promised to do January 1st actually happened)…..blog more. I figure I used to blog consistently until life got in the way. I can do it again now that we are all stuck inside and distancing and such.

So here goes!

LISTENING TO: I’ve added quite a bit to my road-trip play list. Lately I’ve been enjoying Bleachers, Avett Brothers, and The Mountain Goats.

WATCHING: Well, lately it’s been all political stuff, which is starting to wear on me (same, right?). Pete Souza’s documentary The Way I See It left me a sobbing mess. Immigration Nation on Netflix did the same. We’ve been watching scary movies with the kids leading up to Halloween, including their first viewing of Teen Witch…an important milestone for any kid, I’m sure.

My one silver lining was Schitt’s Creek. OMG, this show. I love love love LOVED it.

READING: Not a dang thing. Sigh. I wish I was making time for reading….but alas, I’m not. Don’t have the brain space right now.

We are 7 days out from the election. For the past 13 years I’ve tried REALLY hard not to let politics seep into my business presence on the internet……but honestly, at this point, the gloves are kind of off….so to speak. If people don’t realize by now that I’m not a fan of Donald Trump (that’s saying it in the NICEST way I can possibly muster)….then, well….let this be your notice. I’m not a fan of Donald Trump. I look forward with rapt anticipation the day we never have to hear that man’s name or hear his voice again.

VOTE guys. VOTE VOTE VOTE.
I strongly believe that in the current political and social climate, it’s almost irresponsible to stick your head in the sand and pretend it doesn’t affect everything and everyone. Especially if you are a person of privilege. I am a person of privilege and it helps no one if I pretend what is happening to my fellow human beings isn’t happening. Having a business in the midst of that means making a decision: are you a human being or are you a marketer? Do you care more about “likes” and virtual head-pats than doing what is right?

I think 2020 has exposed a lot of people’s seedy underbelly…..and it’s opened MY eyes to what kind of business and online presence I truly want to have. Honesty and TRUE, authentic speech being paramount. That will not always happen perfectly, as I’m human and flawed as all get out…..but it’s always on my mind when I post….when I market….and when I am with clients. Humanity and decency before all else.
We are currently doing school virtually for all three girls and it’s….well, it’s something. Molly has really taken to it…..Bridget pretty much just colors and makes letters, so no problem there…..Betty has struggled a bit and will probably be returning to in-person classes sooner than later. We’ve been fortunate so far that no one in our little bubble has been sick and we’d like to keep it that way, but we do realize that eventually we are going to have to rip that school bandaid off.
I’m going to be trying my darndest to get my butt back to SOME semblance of a workout routine. I did Crossfit for a few years until Molly got sick and I couldn’t really drag my “I’ve been up 15 times during the night” butt up at 4AM for Crossfit. So, my routine fell to the wayside. I have most definitely gained the Covid 19. Covid 25 more like it. I’ve spent 7 months sitting on my butt brooding and eating fatty things.

Our condo association has a gym and pool, so I’m going to try to use that to my advantage. We’ll see what happens. I figure I’ll either stick with it and be back to my “normal” size by next wedding season or I’ll decide to hunker down for another 7 months and embrace lumpiness because carbs are tasty. Stay tuned.
SPEAKING of weddings….wedding season over here is pretty much winding down. It was memorable, for sure. Lots of mini-weddings which I honestly really enjoyed. Sometimes paring down and having just an intimate gathering is pretty great.

Weddings for 2021 are already booking fast and furiously. I had to reschedule quite a few from 2020 so we were already ahead of the game as far as booking up. So, if you are looking to get married in 2021, you’re gonna want to slide on over to the contact form and give me a jingle. The links to the package PDFs are on that page as well.
I’m also working on an Elopement package to tie into the rise in “mini-weddings”. It’s going to be called Ope! We Eloped! and will include all-inclusive travel + coverage packages. Keep yer eyes pealed for that!
We tried Miss Molly on an insulin pump a few months back. It was an epic fail. This whole diabetes thing is such trial and error. Sigh. She absolutely hated….but we hold out hope that someday we can try again.
My husband and I have been cross stitching together this entire shutdown time. He’s managed to complete several projects to my 16% done on one project which just goes to show who has more free time. :) I kid….I kid. Sort of.
We lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg…..which was, of course, the rotten cherry on the shitty sundae that is 2020.
The family and I attempted a “Time of Covid” socially distanced vacation to St. Germain in the Northwoods in September. We rode the family vacation struggle bus a bit….entertaining three kids of varying ages in a cabin is a FEAT, let me tell you. But, it was nice to be on the water, fishing, and I wish we would have had a few more days to soak in some quiet. That’s what I keep repeating to myself: I just need more QUIET.
I realized just this week that I started writing back in the “before times” and had managed to knock out over 15,000 words on a project before everything went to hell. Will maybe try to revisit that this winter.
SENIORS! We actually has a pretty great senior season, considering all the upheaval. Senior Season is over now for Class of 2021, but I will start looking for Senior Reps for the Class of 2022 in January. If you want to be in on that, make sure to sign up for Type A Mail to be the first “in the know”. Rep-hood comes with discounts, so you definitely want to get in on it!
If you own a small business in Wisconsin, like me, make sure you check out Phase II of the We’re All In Grants. There’s no rule that you have to have support letters this time, so signing up is SUPER easy.
So what do we have coming around the bend for Type A? Well, LOTS of marketing material updates to prepare for 2021. Some changes in my pricing structure (nothing insane)….and the most WONDERFUL time of the year: The Cyber Monday Double Up Sale. That kicks off November 29, so make sure you’re getting Type A mail so you know all about it as soon as it starts. Don’t want to miss out on 50% off now, do we?
If you’re looking to schedule holiday portraits, we can make these work (either in your home, with a mobile studio, or on location). If you’re wanting these for holiday cards you better get your booking in ASAP!
Like I said, I’m going to be trying to blog a heck of a lot more (about industry and photography related stuff, not just….you know….random rants. If you’re looking for that, may I suggest Facebook lol). So, stay tuned!
Here’s some personal shots from the last few months. I’ve been woefully underperforming on personal images…..must get better at that as well!