Two years ago we received a comment online (flickr or somewhere) from a bride with the monicker Hindsight Bride. After a few “clicks” we found out she was a wedding blogger. We replied to her comment and told her she could post the photos on her blog if she wanted, because, hey, we love to share. Wedding blogs are wonderful sources of information, many of which are written by brides who have been through it all. We were particularly intrigued by this wedding blogger because her wedding story includes an unfortunate tragedy. No, the cake didn’t fall to the ground, nor did a groomsman faint. It’s something far worse, something permanently catastrophic and not recoverable. Ok ok, enough drama. Her wedding day photos were ruined by the amateur photographer she hired. She thought she did her homework and was being clever by using a student from the university she was working at. The end result, however, was bad. Of course we were not thinking “Ha ha that’s what you get” but rather this could be a moral for brides to hire professional photographers.

“Every time I looked at my wedding picture disks, I cried. I mean real, big, ugly, self-pitying sob sessions.” ~Hindsight Bride

A few social media comments and emails later, she popped the question to us. She wanted to get all dressed up and do an anniversary shoot while recreating the DIY details of her wedding. We were honored and beyond excited that she asked. So we met her and her hubby on their one year anniversary at the NC Arboretum and spent a few hours taking portraits and detail shots. Both of them were completely amazing to work with and it makes us love our jobs even more when we get emails like this: “We can’t thank you enough for helping us capture the moments that remind us of how much we love one another… While I can never go back in time and redo my wedding photos, this is the next best thing.”

Weddings are never perfect. Something is bound to go wrong, and after photographing many weddings we are always expecting the unexpected. You can’t control every aspect of your big day, but you can chose a photographer wisely. So we encourage you to read Hindsight Bride’s whole story here. She says it best, we are just her anniversary photographers ;)

“If you want professional photography, you need to hire professionals. They don’t come cheaply, but they’re worth it!” ~HSB

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Earlier this week Jill and Rob had a small, intimate wedding ceremony at Biltmore Estate in Asheville. They chose to get married at the Inn on Biltmore. This may have been a small wedding, but that doesn’t mean you get any Joe Shmoe to officiate it. Jill and Rob were wed by the always jovial Rev. Tim Lolley. Following the ceremony we drove to the Biltmore house and chatted along the way. We had a fun portrait session on the front lawn and around the house, then stopped at the lagoon on the way back to the Inn. It was foggy and mysterious, which made for some awesome photos!

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Tags: Asheville, Biltmore Estate, elopement, inn on biltmore, intimate wedding, lagoon, NC, North Carolina, small wedding, wedding photographer, wedding photography

With the recent snow and wintery weather in western North Carolina, we want to warm up the blog with a verdant, summer wedding. Abby and Jacob’s North Carolina wedding was at Lake Eden Events in August. This gorgeous venue is east of Asheville in the town of Black Mountain. Shortly after their wedding we posted a sneak peek, which you can check out here. We are so fortunate to get the best clients ever, and this couple is no exception. They were such a joy to be around and their love for each other shines brilliantly in the photos – especially in those candid shots that we are always devoted to capturing at every wedding.

Want to see even more photos? Watch the HD slideshow.

Vendors:

Photography: Two Ring Studios
Venue: Lake Eden Events
Florist: Flora
Cake: Tiffany’s Baking Co.
Hair: Cody’s Wedding Creations
Planner: Shay Brown
Rentals: Classic Event Rental
Band: Orange Krush

To see more North Carolina wedding photography, please visit our website.

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Tags: abby, black mountain, candid, jacob, lake eden events, NC, nc wedding photographer, nc wedding photography, North Carolina, North Carolina wedding, north carolina wedding photography, photojournalist, summer wedding, wedding, wedding ceremonies, wedding photographer, Wedding Photographers, wedding photography, wedding photojournalist, wedding receptions, western north carolina, WNC

I’ll be honest, we want your business. But, more than that, we want to make sure we are the best fit for you. Without fail, finding a photographer that is compatible with your style and aesthetic ensures great photos all around. Choosing a photographer may be one of your most important decisions, so here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Spend time looking at photography that inspires you.

Spend some time looking at good wedding photography online. Better yet, spend some time looking at photography that inspires you. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, and it is essential that you like your photographer’s work.  Let’s face it, you are spending a lot of money on photography. Behind reception costs, photography may be the most expensive line item in your budget. Furthermore, your wedding pictures need to stand the test of time. Take some time to think about your personal aesthetic, and what you will value the most, not just today, but ten years later. Are you a classic bride? a traditional bride? an elegant bride? a rustic bride? an outdoorsy bride? a romantic bride? Think about your personal style and what you are naturally attracted to, then look for a photographer that can match that style.

We love this classic photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt, from Life Magazine
Image from WikiMedia

2. Go with your gut first

Although wedding photography may seem expensive, go with your gut first, not your wallet. You know what you’re attracted to; you know what looks nice and what speaks to you personally. Also, be sure to look at a variety of photographers. You don’t necessarily have to limit your research to the area you’re having your wedding. You can look at photographers from all over the nation and the world to research what style you are attracted too. {aaah the beauty and power of the Internet!} A couple of our favorites are Ryan Brenizer and Abigail Seymour.

Annie Leibovitz is a major source of inspiration for many photogs
Image of Queen Elizabeth by Annie Leibovitz via Iconic Photos

3. Ask to see lots of pictures

Lastly, make sure your photographer can show you lots of pictures. You want to be sure that your photographer is capable of taking great quality photographs in many settings and situations. Make sure your photographer can get the shots of the details that you may miss because you cannot be everywhere all of the time, or because the day went by so fast you just don’t remember everything.

4. Bring your tear sheets and inspiration boards to your meeting

Pick a few shots that you love and go from there. Just like you meet your planner with your inspiration boards and tear sheets from bridal magazines, you can bring images to your photographer that inspire you; talk about what you like and why. This ensures that you and you’re photographer are a good fit. You don’t want anything left to change on your wedding day!

Good luck!

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Tags: Photography, research, Tips, wedding photographer