Should I Hire A Makeup Artist for my Wedding?

You’ve made a big investment in photography (and possibly videography as well) to help capture your big day. You want to make sure you absolutely look your best. Although, I’m sure you do a very nice job on your everyday makeup, I strongly recommend to hire a makeup artist for your wedding.

Here’s why:

Even though you’re great at doing your own makeup, a MUA can do it so much better. I mean, after all, that is their job. We especially recommend hiring a good MUA if you don’t normally do your own makeup. They know what will look good on you and can make it look natural and flawless.

Makeup artists use high-grade makeup – nothing runs, shines, or smudges, ensuring that you don’t have any makeup malfunctions during your big day. They also know what works well with the flash, the lighting at different times of the day, etc.

On your wedding day, you’re going to be moving around all day and you want your makeup to last. You’ll need to be wearing about 30% more makeup than normal. It may seem like a lot in real life, because you’re not used to it, but it won’t look like a lot on camera. Makeup artists know exactly how much to put on.

A MUA knows how to accentuate your features to make sure you look your best for portraits and close ups. They know that cameras alter lighting and colors and how to avoid common makeup issues with photography. Some everyday makeups can make you look oily or shiny on camera – MUAs make sure the makeup they use will photograph perfectly. Also, on your wedding day, you’ll be wearing a lot of white. You don’t want to look washed out in your photos and a MUA knows how to make sure that doesn’t happen.

And lastly, they know your schedule and can help keep you on track by making sure to have you ready in time.

So, when it come to the question: “Should I Hire A Makeup Artist for my Wedding?” the answer is a resounding yes. Feel free to email me with any questions you have about how this can effect your wedding photography as well: jennifer@itsjenagain.com.

Get details and pricing on Asheville Wedding Photography by Its Jen Again or get more Asheville Wedding Planning Tips.

Benefits of a First Look

Many of my couples ask me whether or not they should have a first look. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what the Benefits of a First Look are yourself. In my professional opinion as a Wedding Photographer, I think they are an excellent idea. I love first looks. I know that they are a tad bit ‘nontraditional,’ but let me take a minute to explain the benefits of a first look.

1. Your wedding day will be crazy busy. No getting around it. You have so much to do and so little time to do it in. If you have a first look, it helps to calm down the day a bit. Instead of trying to rush around to get everyone together and have pictures taken between the wedding ceremony and reception while your guests are waiting, you’ll have that time to relax and enjoy your guests and not have to worry about being late to your reception. We can do all of the main portraits before the ceremony even begins – at the very least, the bride and groom and bridal party photos. This way, your hair and makeup are still perfect, as they were just finished. If your family is coming earlier, we can do their photos beforehand, as well, or we will only have to worry about those portraits after the ceremony and not the bridal party shots.

2. A first look also gives you a very special, intimate moment with your new spouse. If you are nervous or stressed out, this will especially help to relax you, and your spouse can comfort you and let you know it will all be OK. During the ceremony, there are many of people around and you can’t fully take in the moment because everyone is staring at you. With a first look, that moment is just between you and your spouse (and your photographers, of course – but we stay out of the way).

3. Even if you have a first look, your husband will be just as happy to see you walking down the aisle and you’ll still take his breath away. Don’t worry that you’ll be spoiling the moment by seeing him prior to the ceremony.

If these benefits of a first look haven’t convinced you and you still want to go with the more traditional timeline, go for it! It’s your wedding and you need to be happy with your decision. Here are some tips on planning the family photos to help you plan that part of your day appropriately.

Get details and pricing on Asheville Wedding Photography by Its Jen Again or get more Asheville Wedding Planning Tips.

Or send me a message here and let’s get started!

Feeding your Wedding Photographer

Here is a simple rundown of how feeding your wedding photographer should work because it is one of those unasked questions by our Wedding Photography clients.

A wedding typically lasts 10 to 12 hours. If we take getting ready shots and are there all day, we try to eat a big breakfast before we get there, but that only lasts so long. We are often running around like crazy all day trying to cover the whole wedding, and don’t have time to snack or take a break. We’ve literally been known to run to the bathroom to cram down a sandwich or pretzels that we packed in three minutes and then get back to it.

All that said, it is important that we get a small break to eat during the day. Feeding your wedding photographer is preferably done during the reception when everyone else is eating – particularly the bride and groom, which works out because nobody wants to have photos of themselves eating, anyway.

We do prefer if you provide a hot meal for us so we don’t have to leave and find a local food place, or worry about spoiled food that’s been sitting in the car all day. Although it can be what everyone else is eating, we don’t have to have a plated meal as long as something is provided. Many venues offer vendor meals that you can get for us, so inquire about that when you have the chance.

Finally, feeding your wedding photographer is important because it is hard to stay creative on an empty stomach. Think about if you didn’t get a lunch break at work – it makes it hard to focus the rest of the day because you’re so hungry. You also don’t want us passing out during your reception. (Even though my fiancé is a medevac pilot, that’s not how I want your wedding to go down 🙂 )

Please let us know arrangements ahead of time so we know the plan. Thank you!

Get details and pricing on Asheville Wedding Photography by Its Jen Again or get more Asheville Wedding Planning Tips.

Asheville Wedding Photographer Prices

Asheville Wedding Photographer Prices vary tremendously across the board. You can choose a photographer off of Craigslist for $250 or you could choose the award winning, highly published film photographer for $8000.

So how are you supposed to know what to look for and how to choose? How do you know if a photographer is legit and won’t bail on you?

Obviously, the first thing on your mind is Asheville Wedding Photographer Prices, which is totally understandable. You need to stay within your budget and not go bankrupt planning a wedding.

BUT think about this. How much cake will you have left ten years from now? How about your food – nothing? What about the decorations? Or the flowers? Invitations? All of it is usually lost or tossed on purpose because it serves no purpose.

And let’s be honest… who really wants ten year old cake & tacos?

The photographs are the ONLY thing that you have left that serves any purpose. The fifty, sixty, seventy years that you are married to the love of your life, these pictures will be hanging on your wall. Your kids and grand kids (maybe even great grand kids) will look through your album and ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ about our funny hair and bad style.

The pictures are one of the most important aspects of your wedding. Hands down.

So how do you decide on a photographer that within your budget but fully capable of getting the job done? Ask them all these questions:

1. How many weddings have you shot? Obviously the more the better, but someone just starting out may very well know what they are doing. I would suggest choosing someone who has shot at least 3-5 weddings recently. They will be familiar with how the day will run and can anticipate shots better than someone who hasn’t shot any.
2. When was your most recent wedding? This can be tricky, because there are wedding ‘seasons’. And some photographers only work certain months out of the year. As long as they’ve shot a wedding within six months, you should be good! Ask to see the full gallery that was delivered to the client.
3. May I see a wedding you’ve shot from start to finish? If they aren’t willing to share a full gallery start to finish, that is a red flag. It could mean that they ‘borrowed’ images from another photographer (which is totally against the rules). Or they shot it themselves and aren’t confident enough to send it to you.
4. Do you shoot digital, film or both? This is going to be more of a preference thing for you. Understand that film comes with longer turn around times and your photographer MUST know what they are doing. You can expect to spend quite a bit more money for a film photographer.
5. How long before I see my images? A typical turn around time is six to eight weeks. Be prepared for that. But, some photographers, like myself, guarantee your photos within two weeks. You could also ask your photographer if they will rush edit them for you for an extra fee.
6. Are the digital images included with printing rights? Digital photographers should be including at least small digital images in their packages for you to print from – via a USB or online gallery. Find out how long your online gallery will be live and make sure you can download from it. Film photographers may not do that due to the process that is required.
7. Are you the person that will be present at my wedding? Some photography companies hire outside photographers to shoot their weddings for them. Usually this is totally fine, but there is a slight chance you get a new photographer who isn’t totally sure of themselves.
8. What happens if you get sick? EVERY photographer needs a backup plan. If they don’t have one, run. Period.
9. Are you photographing/videoing other events the same day as mine? It’s not necessarily a deal breaker if they are photographing two events in one day, but just know that they will be time restrained, and if you’re the second event, they may be exhausted.
10. Is it ok if guests take photos? It should be fine if guests take photos. Obviously, Uncle Bob can’t be in the way of the photographer and the guests can’t hold up  yours &  the photographers schedule, but it should be fine if they take photos during your event. The only restriction might be during formals due to the time constraints and making sure things go smoothly – so be prepared for that as well.
11. If my event runs over, will you stay? Is there an additional charge? Most photographers will stay for an hourly fee. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you are aware of how it works from the beginning. Here is a great article on making sure you have enough hours of coverage.
12. What is your refund/cancellation policy? Even though we know you aren’t cancelling your big day, it’s good to know where you stand if there is an emergency. Make sure to ask about date transfers too if you need to change the date of the wedding.
13. Do you have insurance? Yes. The answer here is always yes. Make sure they have liability and equipment insurance. No exceptions to this one.

So, yes, while shopping for Asheville Wedding Photographer Prices is important and a valuable part of your search, there are other factors that should be considered when choosing a photographer. Make sure to protect yourself and have gorgeous images to show for years to come!

Have any other questions you’d like answered? Email me at jennifer@itsjenagain.com

Still looking for an Asheville wedding photographer? I’d be happy to chat with you about your big day. Contact me here.

How to Look Your Best on Your Wedding Day

We’re here today to talk about wedding day prep. Here are some tips on how to look your best on your wedding day:

1. Tanning: If you’re going to tan before the wedding, be sure to avoid tan lines – especially if you have a strapless dress. If you’re getting married in the summer, make sure that in the two to three months leading up to your wedding you’re tanning evenly to avoid tan lines.
2. Hair & Makeup: Get your hair and makeup professionally done. Be sure to do a trial run beforehand to ensure you like the look before your big day.
3. Accessories: Try on your dress with different accessories you think you want to wear on your wedding day. This way, you know what it looks like with the dress so you know for sure what you want to wear, and are not trying to decide on a necklace, etc. on the day of your wedding. This takes away getting ready time and causes unnecessary stress.
4. Shoes: Walk around in your wedding shoes prior to the big day to get them worn in. Also, take some sandpaper to the bottoms to scuff them up a bit so you don’t slip down the aisle or on the dance floor. If you are going to walk around in grass, you’ll want to get some high heel protector caps so you don’t sink in the grass. Also be conscious of walking on uneven grass so you don’t face plant in your pretty white dress.
5. Eat & Drink: The best way for you to look your best is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water the days leading up to, and the day of, your wedding. Also, be sure to eat on your wedding day throughout the day so you don’t pass out or get a headache. And if you’re going to drink alcohol, don’t get drunk before photos – especially if it’s red wine that can stain everything (including your mouth). Save it for after all the big events at your reception.

Get details and pricing on hiring Its Jen Again as your Asheville Wedding Photographer by Its Jen Again or get more Asheville Wedding Planning Tips.

Have any questions about how to look your best on your wedding day? Email me at jennifer@itsjenagain.com or contact me here.