Engagement Photographer, Photographer's Tips, Wedding Tips

Why Engagement Sessions and Second Photographers?

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Engagement Sessions are really important. They’re not simply to have a fun photo shoot and the result being great photos. I look at engagement sessions as dress rehearsals for the big day. I get the chance to teach posing techniques, see how a couple photographs together and we get the chance to bond before the big day. I find all people that do engagement sessions have better wedding photos. When you’re planning your engagement session its important to consider what you’re going to wear very carefully. I like it when people coordinate their color pallet, dress in the same style and look like their dressed for the same event. In plain English, if you’re planning to wear royal blue, then the other person should dress in a complementary color like royal purple, red… If you going to dress in a sweater for the session then the other person shouldn’t be dressed for the beach. If you’re planning to wear sophisticated evening outfit then the other person shouldn’t be dressed to go bowling. In addition, you want to pick colors that look good on you. As a blond, I can’t wear most yellows, oranges, and purples. You also want to stay away from clothing that reads anything including branding and logos.

Another thing to consider when planning your wedding is a second photographer. Personally, if I were getting married I’d want 3-4 photographers covering my event. Additional photographers provide additional angles of multiple events and overall more coverage. One of my favorite examples is when the brides walking down the aisle, when you have second photographers you get both the front view and the back view. The front shows the brides nervous, overjoyed face and the back shows all the guests looking at her. Another great reason to have to photographers is the getting ready portion of the day. While I’m with the bride the second photographer can be with the groom. You get a lot more when you decide to go with additional photographers.

Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographers, Wedding Tips

What to consider when Hiring a wedding Photographer

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There is a lot to consider when looking for an event photographer. Event photography is very different from other types of photography. A good event photographer should be able to shoot everything, in every lighting situation, relatively quickly.

If I were looking for a photographer to capture my once in a lifetime event I’d do my research because there are no second chances.
First, you want a professional who shows up on time and dresses appropriately.
You want to find out about their experience level how many years have they’ve been shooting events? Did they go to school for this? And is this their full-time job?
You want to read their yelp reviews and ask for references. Yelp is uncensored resources when it comes to reviews and any professional photographer should be able to give out a handful of past clients that will speak on their behalf.
You need to find out if they bring professional backup equipment and what steps do they take to back up their work after an event.
You want to find a photographer that will get involved in your event. Someone that will show you weddings with similar lighting situations, someone that will scout the venue before the event and someone that will help you lay out your timeline relative to light.
When looking at a photographer’s portfolio you need to consider their portfolio as a whole and look for a consistency in their style. You want to fall in love with all the images, not just a few.  In general, overly photo-shopped portfolios are red-flag.
I’ve been shooting events for years. I graduated from brooks institute of photography.  I think part of a being an event photographer is to plan for cameras to fail so that when they do know body knows about it because you’re backed up.  My motto is that I keep a back up for my back up. After an event, I back up all my files to my desktop, laptop, two external hard drives, and online gallery and a disc. I have a 5-start rating on yelp because I take care of my clients. I get involved with my events. Before I meet with clients I research their venue and show them images from a wedding I’ve shot with similar lighting situations so they know what their wedding photos are going to look like before their event. I also go over timelines and advise clients as far as lighting.  When you look at my portfolio know that nothing has been photoshopped. I believe part of being a professional photographer is not having to rely on Photoshop to make great photos; you should be able to do it in camera.
I recently read that the number one regret most brides have is their wedding photographer because after the cake’s been eaten, the dress has been boxed and guest have all gone home all you have is your photos. Most brides don’t consider that when choosing their wedding photographer.

Photographer's Tips, Sara Jordan Photography, Wedding Tips

Wedding Photographer

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When I photograph a wedding my goal is to create quality images that aren’t going to look dated tomorrow. I want my clients to look back at my photographs 10 years later and think wow we looked amazing, what a special day, and do you think we could get away using these photos for Christmas cards 10 years later? My theory when it comes to photography is that I like straight up good photos, no silly Photoshop actions to make mediocre photos look cool, which is why when you’re looking through my portfolio know that none of my images have been photoshopped.

I have a 5-star rating on yelp. Unlike most companies that do reviews, yelp doesn’t allow business to take down negative reviews.  In addition, if you are a first-time yelper your review won’t show up, yelp doesn’t post new yelper reviews is to protect the consumer they want to make sure business aren’t posting fake reviews. On my Yelp page, I have 8 reviews showing and 10 that are hidden, which really sucks.
I think my clients are more likely to be first-time yelpers. I am very hands on with my clients, I cater to them, I’m part-wedding planner/maid of honor and I capture amazing memories.  Honestly, my business is my love, my baby and to be able to do what I love more than anything… I’m truly blessed.  To take it a step further I want my clients to be blown away, so I always go a step above and beyond for them. So after my clients get their photos they tend to want to rave about the quality of my work. Some of the reviews that are hidden had me in tears after reading them. I’d like to share a review with you.
We hired Sara for our engagement photos and Wedding photos.  We couldn’t have been more pleased and happy with our decision.  We had interviewed a few photographers prior to hiring Sara and came across good talent but lacked professionalism and a sense of them really loving what they do-Wedding photography.  Sara was not only extremely talented in her work, she is very attentive with any little or big questions we had, even if it had nothing to do with photography, she was always willing to go the extra mile for us-it made us feel special and that she genuinely cared for her clients.  She always went out of her way to support us in any way possible and we will be forever grateful for that!! 
Our photos turned our AMAZING!!!!!
We wouldn’t recommend anyone else she’s as good as they get!!

Xo
Gina and Nelson

Photographer, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

What does a second photographer do?

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A second photographer provides more coverage, different angles and additional back up for a wedding. While the main photographer usually starts with the bride getting ready, a second shooter generally starts with the groom. During the ceremony the second shooter will simply capture other angles of the event. While the main photographer is shooting formals the second is shooting cocktail hour and reception details. During the reception the second photographer helps to get table shots and additional candids of the event.

A second photographer is a must for every wedding.

About Me, Wedding Tips

My Bridal Shower

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Since My husband and I decided to elope I decided to do a dress reveal at my bridal shower. Before I came out I had a hand full of friends dress up in vintage wedding gowns. It was super fun for all, and unique. I really wanted my bridal shower to be a little different then your typical bridal shower. I had a game where guest had to draw what they thought the wedding dress was going to look like. Also tested my guests knowledge of Brian and I’s relationship.

 

 

 

About Me, Photographer, Sara Jordan Photography, Wedding Photographer

Photography Reviews

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I have a 5 star rating on yelp. Unlike most companies that do reviews, yelp doesn’t allow business to take down negative reviews.  In addition if you are a first time yelper your review won’t show up,  yelp doesn’t post new yelper reviews is to protect the consumer they want to make sure business aren’t posting fake reviews. Back to my Yelp page I have 8 reviews showing and 10 that are hidden, which really sucks.
I think my clients are more likely to be first time yelpers. You see I’m very hands on with my clients, I cater to them, I’m part wedding planner/maid of honor and I capture amazing memories.  Honestly my business is my love, my baby and to be able to do what I love more then anything… I’m truly blessed.  To take it a step further I want my clients to be blown away, so I always go a step above and beyond for them. So after my clients get their photos they tend to want to rave about the quality of my work. Some of the reviews that are hidden had me in tears after reading them. I’d like to share a review with you.
Sara Jordan is the best!  We paid for her to shoot our wedding and rehearsal dinner in Cabo San Lucas for 3 days.  She arrived in Cabo and immediately went to the rehearsal site to scope out the locations, sunset and lighting.  My husband and I love surprises and the reason we chose the venue is not only for the beauty/scenery, but because the ceremony and reception were held in different locations on the same property.  For a wedding like this we would normally need more than one photographer to capture everything with all the moving parts.  However, due to the expense of the destination and location we could only have one along with the videographer.  Sara nailed it and was able to be all over the place to capture our moments on top of lugging all of her serious heavy equipment.  The best thing about Sara is that she knows who hired her and she is not afraid to take charge and get the photos that you are paying for on your special day.  You don’t want someone who can’t stop someone in your bridal party from talking or walking away to get drinks, to tell someone to spit there gum out, take their shades off or put their jacket back on for the photo.  She is truly a natural and her photos are the proof!  See for yourself on her website.  Our wedding is under destination weddings.

Heather & Steve