When and How To Book Your Wedding Photographer

I wish I had a one size all answer to the question of when one should book their wedding photographer.  I have a few openings for 2014, but at the same time, next year is booking fast.  My general answer is that if you love the work that I do here I believe you should fill out the Contact Form right away and inquire about your date.  I've had to turn away at least a dozen inquiries for 9/27 alone and June 14th has been off the charts too.  If I have your wedding day open I will want to schedule a meeting with you so I can show you my work in person, hear all about your the day you have planned and have us get to know each other.

Here is an outline of how things usually work:

1. Determine your date and your venue.
2. Find a photographer that you love and find out if your date is available.
3. If your date is booked I will gladly help you find someone who is a qualified professional.  I strongly urge you not to go with a family friend or Facebook photographer.
4. Ask lots of questions at our meeting.  Do not be shy about being skeptical and please do ask to see an entire wedding that I have shot.
5. A signed contract + deposit will secure your date.  This can be done with a variety of payment methods in person as well as online.
6. Stay in touch.  I will add you to my mailing list not to spam you, but to help you stay in the loop as to what I am up to.
7. We will have a chance to touch base at your engagement session and once again at a pre-wedding meeting to go over the timeline of your day.

I don't have an online calendar here as it is a lot to maintain and they sometimes don't sync correctly, etc.  I can tell you that most of 2014 is gone.  I do have a large gap in July.  If you are still in need for that month, please contact me now.  There are two dates available in August, two in October and two in November.

2015: I have 8 weddings booked already with most of June already gone.  The Fall months are usually next to go.  Right now the bookings are spread out for 2015.  Let's set up a meeting soon so you can make a sound decision and secure your date.  

I'm all fired up for warm weather and lots of wedding and engagement photography.  The season has already begun and it's only going to get busier.  I look forward to meeting you soon.

A newly married couple kiss in front of the gazebo at Ellendale Farms in Crown Point, Indiana.

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Wedding Photography Locations in Northwest Indiana

The above image was taken at Valparaiso University a The Chapel of the Resurrection on campus.  It's been a few years since I've photographed there, but happy to report that I will be returning in another month for Heather and David's wedding ceremony.

I often get asked "Where Did You Take That Photograph?!!" and the above image is always one of those I get asked about.  Today I'm going to post a few more images I often get asked the location of.  I always say we can make great photographs anywhere.  I've shot in alleys and you will find at least one of those on my wedding photo gallery page.  So if you don't have an exotic location for your wedding, don't sweat it.  Here's an example of an image taken on the edge of a parking lot on Route 41 in Saint John.  The couple told me they were asked by friends if they had flown somewhere previous to their wedding day to take photos!!  Good to hear, that means I've done my job.  :)

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Newly married couple walks among the greenery at The Shrine of Christ's Passion in Saint John, Indiana.

I'm surprised that many couples who book White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana don't know about the swampy bridge out in the middle of the course.  I suppose it's not high on their list during a tour of the facilities, but it certainly makes for great photo opportunities.

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A couple kisses on a bridge that overlooks an exotic swamp at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana.

For a rustic outdoor wedding, Gardens on the Prairie in Lowell, Indiana is a great location.  Sounds odd, but most days it's a garden center - a place where you buy seeds and plants for your own landscaping.  However, they have a beautiful garden there and various areas for outdoor weddings as well as an indoor area should weather not cooperate.  This wedding party group shot was taken in front of 'The Ruins' structure that can be seen off the main road.

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Wedding Party group photo in front of The Ruins at Gardens on the Prairie in Lowell, Indiana.

While photos in Chicago might not be viable for a lot of you, if you want a photo opportunity every time you turn around you will certainly find one there.  I often go to the city for engagement photos, but occasionally get the chance to do wedding images there.  The beautiful garden at Millennium Park would certainly be one of my stops.

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The bride and group walk through the Millennium Park gardens with the tall buildings of Chicago in the background.

I mentioned alley ways earlier and perhaps this graffiti wall in the back of a Hobart business counts for that.  It's just off the path of the boardwalk along Lake George.

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Bride and groom lean against a graffiti wall in downtown Hobart.

I thought we'd end with a fun one of Chris and Candy dancing toward the White Chapel in Hobart, Indiana.  This is one that people always recognize the church in the photo, but can't always place where it is.  It's Grace Lutheran Church on Rt. 51 just south of Hobart Mercy hospital.

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The bride and groom dance their way toward Grace Lutheran Church in Hobart, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this post featuring my most asked about wedding photography locations in Northwest Indiana.  

A quick update on availability: A few select dates are still open for 2014.  I have July openings strangely enough and part of October and November open.  2015 dates are currently getting booked at a good pace.  Please fill out the Contact Form to see if your date is available.

Spring Wedding at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana

Kevin and Rachel had a wonderful Spring wedding at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.  This grand old ballroom is well known for it's decorative floor and uplighting.  When I arrived I immediately went up to the balcony for a photograph of the untouched, fully decorated reception hall.

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The day began with some tender getting ready moments between our bride Rachel and her daughter Lindsay.  The flower girl was a little bewildered by what was going on, let alone a photographer in the room.  She clung to mom for awhile until finally seeing Dad, the groom, when she entered the ballroom of The Allure.

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The Allure has a fantastic bridal room for the girls to get ready in.  The natural light from the large windows can make for wonderful detail images of the wedding dress and more.​

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The indoor wedding ceremony took place in The Allure's downstairs facility where guests can mingle right after the ceremony while family photos are taken in the main ballroom.  As Kevin became emotional while reading his vows to his new bride, I scanned the room to see parents and family having their own emotional moments.

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While ceremony guests mingled and drank cocktails, I took the wedding party along with family to the grand ballroom of The Allure for photos.  Finally, our flower girl Lindsay could be united with mom and dad again in a tender family moment.​

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During the reading of his vows, Kevin mentioned Rachel's great smile.  He could not have been more correct as she flat out glowed for her wedding portraits on the Allure's ballroom stage.​

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The wedding reception had so many fun moments.  From the speeches delivered by the wedding party to the first dance to the bouquet toss, a spectacularly fun time was had by everyone.

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This is merely a sneak peek at this fun Spring wedding at The Allure.  Stay tuned here for more images and the Facebook Pages listed below will also have updates.​

80% Marketing, 20% Shooting

As I was preparing to launch my photography business, I kept reading how it was going to have to be 80% marketing and 20% shooting to be successful.  I certainly took that advice, especially at the beginning when jobs were scarce.  In 2010 it has really paid off.  It's been my busiest year yet and I'm loving that.

The flip side of this is that the last few months have turned that ratio in the opposite direction.  Hence the minuscule number of blog posts of late.  I'd much rather do the gig than market for the next one, but I know it's part of the job and I can't relent if I want 2011 to be a break out year.

The purpose of this posting is to ask for your help.  If you cannot participate, I certainly understand.  A lot of you have already helped so much.  Thank you for that.  

Here are a three things that you can do to take a bit of the weight off me during this busy time....

• If you are a recent client and have been satisfied, call or email someone and let them know.  Post it on Facebook, blog about it, send a link to this site or http://www.sbvphotography.com
• Save one of my promo images below and post to your Facebook wall or forward in an email with a note.  Three Wedding promos and two High School Senior promos are ready to be posted.  Don't forget, if a client books a wedding with me, you will get a $50 cash referral.

Click on an image to make large.  Then right click to save to your computer.

  
 

• For the more ambitious among you, I'm looking for an occasional guest blogger for the Wedding Journal.  Perhaps you are getting married soon or have just been married or are going on your 20 year anniversary.  Maybe you have never been married, but have attended numerous events.  Either way, your perspective would be appreciated here.  Fill out the contact form if you are interested.  Tell me what you would like to write about and I'll make arrangements to get your thoughts here on the website.  Perhaps you are part of the wedding industry (photographer, vendor, etc.) and can share your ideas here.

Thank you for your help.  Thank you for reading.  Thank you for your support.

All the best,

Steve