We get this question ALL of the time… Why are you the right photographer for us?

And it’s a hard one!

Truth is, we aren’t always the right photographer. There are so many amazing couples planning beautiful celebrations for their wedding days, and we’re just not the right fit for every single one. A big part of the process of hiring your wedding vendors is finding that perfect fit. So what do I tell folks when they ask me:

How do I know you're the right photographer for me and my partner?

I tell couples to look at three different areas when hiring a photographer - their editing style, their approach to photography, and their vibe (that’s right! It’s more important than you may think).

The Vibe

It's so important to make sure that the photographer you choose is someone you're comfortable spending the majority of one of the most important days of your life with - that's the vibe I'm talking about!

Of course, you want to work with a photographer who has a stunning portfolio, but your needs go beyond that. When you're planning a wedding, you're inviting all of the people that you love, and spending the entire day with them.

But here's something you might not know: the person you end up spending the most time with (besides your partner, of course!) is almost always your wedding photographer 😱

It's essential to choose someone you really vibe with! You want to make sure you're hiring a photographer who makes you feel calm, comfortable, and excited about your wedding day — someone who you really get along with and helps to alleviate your stress rather than add to it.

The best photographers are the ones that feel like friends!

We've heard it from our clients time and again, that this is what makes their experience with us so impactful.

The Approach

You'll also want to hire someone who has a lot of experience photographing the type of wedding you plan to host. Couples should take a look at their prospective photographer's portfolio to see examples of their work at similar weddings or venues.

Are you looking for a documentary style photographer, or someone who is super hands on and loves perfectly posed photos? Perhaps you're looking for someone with an editorial edge, or someone who's got all the trends, or someone a bit more (or less) traditional? Just like with editing style, review your photographer's portfolio and ask them about their approach to capturing your wedding day. They should be able to tell you what style (or styles!) of photography they tend to favor and how they handle each part of your wedding day.

…but what about your approach, Amanda?

I tell all of my couples during their intake call that I specialize in telling love stories and capturing once in a lifetime moments in a way that is both artful and fully authentic. I focus on creating a relaxed, playful environment for my couples to flourish in and I like to create images that are joyful, bold, and creative, while evoking the real emotions of a wedding day. It's my promise to tell every couple's love story authentically, and beautifully.

My team is THE hype squad. We are extremely prepared for your day - we have a detailed schedule, curated photo list, and a clipboard and pen always with us. To me it is critical to be over-prepared in order to offer my clients a supportive, fun environment so they can focus on being themselves and just enjoy this amazing event they've worked so hard to bring to life!

And finally, the Style

Couples should also pick a photographer that can deliver beautiful images that fit the vision they have for their wedding day. Consider your design aesthetic, color palette, lighting, and venue. Does the photographer you're considering have experience capturing events that are designed like yours? Does their editing style fall in line with how you envision your photos? Does it go with the vibe of your wedding?

Most photographers describe their editing style as either dark and moody, light and airy, or true to life. I like to describe my own editing style as more true to life, with a bit of moodiness and an unending love of color. When you chat with a prospective photographer, ask them about their approach to editing and take a look at their images to make sure you see consistency in their work.

To learn more about us, our approach, and what makes us so very different, scroll through this incredible gallery of our last wedding at The Stevens Estate in Andover, MA.

Tell me a little more about your approach and the photos you create for your Wedding clients?

I am a lifestyle photographer, producing magazine worthy images that are as authentic as they are artistic, and my approach to photographing a wedding day is to utilize a mix of documentary style and a more hands-on approach.

During wedding prep and group photos I take the time to declutter the background, thoughtfully pose people, and guide my couples through the process so that we get some fantastic images in record time, all while having a blast! For other parts of the day, like your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception, I like to blend in and become an active observer. It's so important to capture everything that's happening and not miss a beat - from the little things to the bigger picture! It's all a part of a couple's love story.

Finally, for couples photos I like to keep it playful and fun. I work with movement and focus on connection just as much as I pose for fun, creative portraits. The result is a beautiful mix of classic couples photos, joyous candids, and fine-art images that'll likely leave you saying "That's us?! That's us!!!"

What makes you different from other Wedding Photographers?

We're a blast to hang with and we have been told that we take some really incredible photos! We have a unique editing style and eye that is 100% us - no one can touch it. It is purely our aesthetic. I think when you see one of our photos, you know it's us. But there are a lot of photographers who can say that.

I think one of the biggest differences that I see is our commitment to being a thoughtfully run, socially-conscious business. I actively donate my photography services, as well as a portion of our annual revenue, to various organizations and individuals that support the causes we're committed to fighting for - including but not limited to LGBTQIA+ rights, racial equality, and the end to mass incarceration and police brutality (you can read more about that here).

We're a queer, gender non-confirming small business. As one, we strive to use our social media platforms to spread awareness and offer actionable ways for folks to make a difference for our community and the communities we support. I also regularly audit AMP to make sure we're hiring, working with, and recommending an inclusive list of partners and small businesses. I'm always thinking about what I might be missing, how our content could be more diverse or more inclusive, and as a result am always growing and learning. For me, that journey will never stop.

(questions and answers taken from our interview with Kelly Elizabeth Events for their blog)

Vendor Team:

Venue: The Stevens Estate

Caterer: Fireside Catering

Florist: Rococo Floral Co.

Videographer: Sheila Drakeley Photography

Dress: BHLDN

Ring: Mejuri