Why You Should Invest in a Wedding Photography Experience
If you’re planning a wedding or elopement, finding the perfect photographer is probably a process you’re in the midst of. After all, entrusting someone to document such a special time in your life is no light responsibility! After years of photographing couples in love, I’ve come to realize that photography isn’t just a job; it’s about providing a unique experience for every one of your couples. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing why you shouldn’t just invest in wedding photography, but a wedding photography experience.
What is a wedding photography experience?
First of all: what is a wedding photography experience? Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t view being a wedding photographer as just a job. If you’re looking for someone to show up, take some photos, and leave, then we probably won’t be a great fit. Instead, I provide my couples with documentation of every stage after being engaged, planning support, printed memories, and of course a friend throughout the process. Here’s an example of the types of events I would love to document for you, and that I think you’d love to look back on:
Engagement Session
The first event we of course have to celebrate is your engagement. Whether it was a total surprise or you secretly knew it was coming, this is such a special time in you and your partner’s life. Once your partner has popped the question, it’s like a whirlwind from there. Having an engagement session is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy it before it's over. After all, you won’t be a fiance again! If you and your love have never been in front of the camera, engagement photos are the best opportunity to get comfortable with it before your big day. Trust me, you will never regret an engagement session!
Check out Iris & Durant’s engagement photos at Shenandoah National Park for some inspiration!
Engagement Party
Most couples want to celebrate their engagement with their family and friends. I mean, who doesn’t love a good party with your favorite people? While you’re shedding a tear with your lifelong best friend or making a toast with your fiance, I’ll be there to make sure you remember all the best moments. Especially if you plan on eloping with minimal guests, and an engagement party is a perfect time to gather your loved ones together and pop the champagne!
Rehearsal Dinner
The nerves, the excitement, and the buzz that naturally emulates the day before your wedding. Everyone is so thrilled to see you two finally get married and start your new lives together, it’s almost too much to contain! Rehearsal dinners may not seem like a milestone event, but it’s your last night before you’re officially married. The people closest to you are reflecting back on what brought you to this point, and the emotions are palpable in the air. As you laugh, cry, and reflect with them over a good meal, why not have someone there to catch all the in-between moments? I would love to give you those memories to look back on!
Creative Portraits
Whether you’re eloping or having an intimate wedding, it’s no secret that there are some pretty beautiful places to take wedding photos, even just in Virginia! A few of my couples have opted to travel to a local (or not-so-local!) spot to take photos in their wedding or elopement attire either before or after their ceremony. This could mean taking photos at sunrise in Washington D.C. before your wedding in the city, or hiking in Shenandoah National Park the day after your celebration. I find passion in collaborating with my couples to create something unique to them and their love story!
Wedding Day
All of this would be kind of pointless if I didn’t show up to your actual wedding day, right? I can be there from the moment you start getting ready to the moment you drive off into the night. We’ll work together to create a custom timeline of your wedding day to ensure nothing gets missed! I currently offer 6-hour, 8-hour, or full day wedding coverage depending on how long you want me to stick around. For elopements, I offer 4-hour, half day, or full day coverage as well.
Printed Memories
I know you didn’t think I would leave you in the dust after your wedding gallery was delivered. All my wedding and elopement packages include a minimum of a $150 album credit that you can use towards printing your memories! No matter how big or small your day is, your photos should never live on just a screen. It’s important to me that all my couples have tangible photos to look back on whenever they want to relive their most special day.
Elopement planning support
Earlier, I talked about how I provide elopement planning support to all couples who need it. But what does that mean, exactly? In short, I’m going to be there for you from the moment you inquire to, well… you might not be able to get rid of me! If you just got engaged and have no idea where to plan your adventurous elopement, I’m coming in with all the best recommendations. If you’re trying to decide between a private Airbnb or a vineyard in the hillside, I can help you choose! We’ll talk all about what your vision is for your big day, without the precedent of traditions that you don’t align with. I’ll get you in touch with all my favorite vendors, iron out your timeline, and make sure your day is everything you could have dreamed of.
Don’t forget about the honeymoon
If you’re asking if I want to come with you, I do! No matter where you’re traveling to for your honeymoon, I would love to tag along and continue learning your story. Some couples choose to elope at the same destination as their ideal honeymoon spot, and I think that’s a great idea! Whatever your plan is, I already have my bags packed.
What a few of my couples have said about me…
“Maria is such an amazing person to work with! When my fiancé proposed, Maria was right there to capture my dreams coming true! She captured all the raw emotions and more. During the photoshoot after, she was so encouraging, she knew exactly how to make us feel comfortable in front of a camera. I am still crying at my photos, such beauty and talent! Thank you, Maria!”
-Maria Athanasakis
"Working with Maria was the most amazing experience possible. She was there for every step of the way, and so easy to connect and talk with. She took the time to get to know us, and listen to all our ideas down to the tiniest of details to ensure the shoot was all that we wanted and more, even creating a shared pinterest board to collaborate picture ideas (such a good/fun way to share concepts)! She scopes out every location before actually taking you there, to ensure it will be the most beautiful backdrop for pictures. Maria will truly listen to all that you want and deliver pictures that are above and beyond your expectations. We are still head over heels with her work, and truly cannot wait for her to capture every special moment of ours for years to come!"
-Kylie Kamienski
Bonus: How far out should you book me as your photographer?
To make sure we have plenty of time to craft the perfect experience for you, I recommend reaching out to me around a year before your desired date. This will give us all the opportunity we need to get to know each other, have some fun, and document all of your milestones! To reach out to me, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. In the meantime, let’s be friends on Instagram or you can visit my Pinterest profile for more wedding & elopement inspiration!