Wedding photography guest blog with eileen from BeanBot Productions. All photos by BeanBot Productions.
BeanBot Productions is brought to life by wife and husband team eileen and Randy. eileen (who prefers her name spelled with a lowercase “e”) has been working behind the lens for over 20 years while Randy, who actually has his Masters in Math, found his way into creative work through travelling and working with eileen.
“Of course we love photography and art, but we really love the people and getting to know a couple. Getting to witness their marriage and ceremony is so special to us.”
How do we choose the right photographer?
It’s important to take the time to look through a photographer’s work and make sure you like their style. You can ask for specific shots but you may not be able to change their style. Once you have a few photographers in mind whose work and style you like, you’ll want to bring your budget into consideration.
Meet your photographer in person and ask yourself, “Can I spend an intense day with this person as my guide?” Ask your prospective photographer questions, but don’t just follow a script of questions you find online. Follow your gut; if you click with someone, that’s your photographer.
Do we need to do an engagement photo shoot?
The engagement session is a trial run for your wedding day. Most people have never had a photographer follow them around for a full day. So the engagement shoot is a great way to get over any camera-shy awkwardness and build a relationship with your photographer. I like to offer some tips on posing and interaction during the engagement shoot to make sure the couple is looking their best.
What’s the biggest mistake couples make when it comes to wedding photography?
Honestly, spending too little. Many couples wish they had spent more after the fact. Couples spend a year or so planning their wedding and then it’s all over. Photos and videos are the only part that carries on. You don’t necessarily have to increase your overall budget but you can consider allocating more to photography/videography.
It is still possible to save money on your wedding photography. Some vendors will offer seasonal discounts, if you’re planning your wedding for the winter or on a weekday. Another great way to save money is to plan and book ahead. If you’re able to book your photographer 12-18 months before your wedding, you may be able to secure current pricing.
Where should we splurge on our wedding photography?
Physical prints are definitely worth the splurge! You’ll get hundreds of photos delivered to you digitally that you’ll have forever. But when they’re on a computer, you just won’t look at them that often. It’s nice to actually see the art that you paid for up on your wall, in an album, on the coffee table, etc. Framed prints also make really great gifts for parents.
Any final tips?
Don’t try to do too much! It’s easy to get caught up in what a wedding “should” look like but you need to decide what you really want. What is going to add value to your day and to your experience? Start there and try to keep your needs and wants as top priorities.
If you’d like to learn more about BeanBot Productions to book them for your big day, or just to scroll through some beautiful photos, make sure to check out their website (www.beanbotproductions.com) and visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest.
