7 Steps to Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

There are lots and lots of photographers out there. So how do you choose who will be the best fit for your wedding?

 1. Start online.

The web has now made it easier than ever to help you narrow down your top contenders. Some things to think about. The website should convey the photographers style and show examples of their work.

If a photographer you are considering doesn’t have a website, THAT IS A HUGE RED FLAG. Their style may be dated and not embrace current technologies, or they are an amateur.

2. Ask your married friends.

Getting advice from someone who has been there and done that is invaluable. They will tell you from experience that your photographs are the only thing left, invest in them. It’s a great way to get started instead of the phone book.

3. Set up a meeting with your top choices.

You are looking to make sure your personalities mesh. The person you choose will be in your face the entire wedding day. Make sure you choose someone open and friendly, someone who will get along will all ages. Someone very detail oriented.

4. Meet with the photographer who will actually photograph your wedding.

If the studio you choose has associate photographers, it is critical that you meet with the person you will be working with and that you see examples of THEIR work.

5. See a complete wedding from start to finish.

Seeing a greatest hits reel is not an indicator of how your wedding will be covered. Your photographer should have samples of complete wedding coverages for you to look through.

6. Get an Accurate Estimate

Comparing coverages is a tough job. Ask about extras like travel fees, retouching fees, engagement sessions etc. Ask to see first hand the products that come with your package.

7. Trust your intuition

That’s why we have it, right? Choosing your photographer is a lot like choosing your wedding dress. You probably didn’t just go to the bridal shop and pull any old dress off the rack, you thought about it carefully, you tried on a few to get an idea of your style, and in the end when you put on THE ONE, you knew it was THE ONE. Choosing you photographer is the same, when you know, you know.

visit our website at http://www.wgallerie.com

w gallerie

w gallerie (formerly illustrative images) is a boutique style photography studio.  Husband and Wife team, Woody Walters and Ninya Walters start with the medium of photography and then transform it into art.  Woody began his career in photography in the commercial world and his portfolio of fine art images can be seen at http://www.woodywalters.com.  He traveled the world selling his art and then came back to teach at his alma mater Hawkeye Community College for nine years.  In 2005 after losing his mother, father, sister, and a niece, he decided to leave to open illustrative images.  During 2005-2009 Woody and Ninya brought home more awards for their portrait and wedding photography than any other studio in the state of Iowa. 

 

We are so grateful for our loyal client base in Iowa, it has made this decision so tough for us.  But after much thought and prayer, Woody and I have decided to take a chance, wanting a better life for ourselves and our family.  In 2009, We will start over in Huntsville, Alabama.  We are excited to bring our unique vision to a new area and look forward to spending quality time with our two small children in a beautiful and warmer part of the country.

 

w gallerie will offer boutique sessions for senior portraits and will photograph only 40 seniors in the Class of 2010.  We are available for only 20 wedding dates in 2010, and we only have room for 4 new babies each month in their ultimate baby book plan.  Please give us a call at the studio to get more information, introduce yourself, or just chat.  We look forward to meeting you! 256.426.5198  http://www.wgallerie.com

PP of Iowa Convention 2009

We just got back from convention in Des Moines and our heads are spinning from all the new information we want to incorporate into the studio.

Woody and I were honored to be asked to teach a seminar on our digital effects called Effects that SELL.  It highlighted our other business http://www.digitalphotocandy.com 

One of Woody’s biggest strengths is his ability to teach.  He can make such complex topics easily understood.  It was one of our first chances to speak to a group together (Woody’s been teaching for years, but for some reason, they asked me along too!) and we got a great response!

Seniors 2010 there’s only room for 10!

Woody and I are excited to start a new chapter in our lives.  We are opening a second location in Huntsville, Alabama in Mid July 2009! 

SO, IF YOU ARE A 2010 SENIOR IN IOWA and know you want us to photograph your senior portraits you need to book NOW!

We only have room in our schedule for 10  (yes that’s right, 10) senior portraits in Iowa this year.   Call the studio now 319.266.3618

Grad Cards for Class of 2009

 

We are starting to get calls for Grad Cards.  All orders placed before April 15th get 15% OFF, so if you know all the details of the open house, get a jump on it and we’ll put something custom together for you.

Become a Fan on Facebook

Ok, I’m in my 30’s but hopefully still a little in the know.

We’ve created a page on Facebook for the studio to keep in touch with all our frients (friend clients).

Become a fan of the studio buy clicking here.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Cedar-Falls-IA/w-gallerie/36887314875?ref=ts

Heather and Jonathan (and Chloe and Jack)

When we booked Heather and Jon’s wedding earlier this year we talked about including their dog Jack in the engagement portraits.  I love it when you can personalize a session with anything so I was totally up for it.  Heather and Jon ended up getting Jack a sister about a week before the session so she came too.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog that small before.

Heather and Jon both went to UNI so it just made sense to photograph them by the campanile.

I love the angle on this one!

This one was one of my favorites sans the dogs.  I love how happy they look.  We are so looking forward to their July wedding and can already tell their friends are going to be a lot of fun!

Kate and Ian October 18, 2008

We had the best time at Kate and Ian’s laid back wedding in October 2008.  Kate is honestly one of my favorite brides, she has such a laid back personality and was so willing to just trust us.

Ian is from Canada and his groomsmen were a riot.  I learned lots of things like how crazy expensive cigarettes and alcohol are in Canada.  Shocking!

Ian’s hog was there and Woody couldn’t quit drooling!

Thanks for such a great day, Kate and Ian and we wish you the best!

The Beach Family

We’ve really gotten to know the Beach Family over the last year.  After photographing Shyann and the family.  They are a TON of fun.

Every time I see Sue she shrinks!  I hope I look as good as she does when Wyatt and Zelle are leaving for college.

Sue works for the American Red Croos and they are needing volunteers to donate blood.  There’s an event at Gallagher Bluedorn TODAY 8-3 pm I hear they are even giving you pie.  Since it’s as easy as pie to donate.

The Nielsen Family

We’ve worked with Rayne and Chuck Nielsen a lot this year.

Here is her adorable Grayson playing with a leaf when it was much warmer outside.

 

Her little brother Carson is such a little dollie!  She LOVES him so much. 

By the way, Rayne is a stylist at Sharper Image Salon in Waterloo (Kinda by the Alabar Plaza)  She is AMAZING at what she does.  If you need an updated look I highly reccommend her, she’s given me the best haircuts I’ve ever had and is a genius with color.  Can’t wait to see her later this month!  To schedule an appointment call:  287-3835