The process of capturing your magic on your wedding day
Some of our coverage is dictated by the information you provide in our wedding day details questionnaire; however, Jaxon Photography provides each of our clients with a baseline level of service that is far from basic. Here are some details about how we photograph a typical wedding.
Recommend start
For an average sized wedding (8-14 in wedding party and 50-125 guests) we recommend photography begins at least two and a half hours prior to the start of the ceremony. If you are having a first look or would like the formal portraits taken before the ceremony, we can schedule more time before the start of your ceremony.
What we do before your wedding ceremony
During your day-of-wedding preparation we will be photographing the details: the wedding dress, shoes, jewelry, hair, make-up, garters, bridesmaids, and flower girl dresses. The interaction between the bride and her party makes for some very memorable images as well.
For the groom and groomsmen the preparation is not quite as intensive. In addition to photographing the suits, shoes, and groomsmen’s gifts, we will focus the coverage on the camaraderie among the groom’s party.
In the perfect world
Ideally we prefer to take the family portraits and the group portraits of the bride and her party and the groom and his party at the end of the getting-ready period, followed by separate individual portrait sessions for the bride and groom unless you are seeing each other before the wedding ceremony. If you choose to see each other, we can take the formal couple portraits while your make-up is fresh. All of this hinges on everyone: family members and wedding party, being on time.
To first look or not
Some couples have difficulty deciding whether to see each other and take photos together before the ceremony. Our response is that it depends on the timing. If you plan to take the first look at the ceremony location just before the wedding starts, then ok. Otherwise, we counsel our clients not to have a first look because it adds to the pressure of your already heavily-scheduled day. An early first look means you will have to be ready hours before the start time and if the schedule is running behind it adds to your stress. We don’t think additional headaches are good for our bride.
The ceremony
All of the photography coverage during your wedding ceremony is photojournalistic in nature. We creatively document the proceeding, capturing actions and reactions that creatively string together the story of your day.
When designing your ceremony area, please be sure to allow space for the camera to capture the action in a spot that will neither block your guests nor infringe in anyway on the experience of the proceedings. Please reach out to us if you have questions.
Post ceremony portraits
If you choose to have the formal family portrait session after the wedding ceremony, the key is for everyone who will be photographed to remain in the ceremony area. If that happens we can complete the session in 30 to 45 minutes. However, if we have to spend precious minutes locating important family members, you can imagine how the process could be drawn out. We work our way down from the largest family groups (if you request extended family group portraits) to the bride and groom. We do not allow photography by anyone else during the post ceremony portrait session.
The reception
One of our first activities at the reception is to photograph the details of the ballroom. We like to do so before the guests are allowed in to the room. In total we need 7-10 minutes to photograph the room and its details and we prefer to have it completely empty of staff for at least two minutes. There are lots of details to photograph during this time and having some time to capture the bride and groom’s vision for the room is vital.
During the reception our coverage style is primarily documentary. The introduction of the wedding party, first dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, cutting of the cake, the formal toasts, speeches by the parents and others are all part of the program and we require no directions. Sometimes we photograph artistic images of the program and wedding rings during the reception. However, for the most part, we follow the lead of the event planner.
At a pre-determined time, based on time of day for the wedding reception, we ask the bride and groom to step outside of the facility for fifteen minutes for portraits. We love to photograph newly-wed couples at sunset when the lighting is perfect for romantic images.
Deliverables timeline
All of your edited previews are posted in a private online gallery within three to five weeks after your wedding day. You will see, on average, 75-100 images for each hour of photography. We allow 45 days for you to select the images for your album. In 4 to 6 weeks your album will be ready for your approval and the album will be ready to ship in 8 weeks after your approval of the design. Wall portraits are shipped within three weeks of order.
Equipment/storage
All our photographers carry at lease two camera bodies, multiple flashes, and an assortment of lenses. All cameras include multiple storage devices so we leave each wedding with two copies of all files. At the office, upon download, an immediate backup copy is made of your wedding photographs. A third backup of the files is uploaded to a secure online server. The original cards are kept in a separate location for six weeks.
How we work
When you book Jaxon Wedding Photography services for your wedding day, you will have two professional wedding photographers covering your wedding. If your facility (church or ceremony event location) does not have a dedicated location where the wedding party can get ready, we strongly suggest using a nearby hotel. These rooms tend look better in the photographs we will take as you and your wedding party prepare for your day. The bride and bridesmaids and the groom and his groomsmen will have a dedicated photographer.
At Jaxon Photography we are honored by the confidence and trust placed in us to play such an integral role on your wedding day. We do not take this lightly, our guarantee to you is that the quality of your images will be as good as or better than what you have seen in our samples. Thank you.
We look forward to serving you soon. Call or email us.
Jaxon Photography | Atlanta Wedding & Portrait Photographers
| 659 Auburn Av., Ste G12 Atlanta GA 30312
