Dawn Derbyshire Client Guide

WeddingEXPERIE NCE THE

A guide for all Dawn Derbyshire Photography clients

Welcome

I remember when I got engaged. Even with nearly a decade in the wedding industry, being on the other side of the wedding process was a whole different beast. Things are WAY more complicated than you could anticipate. I spent my whole engagement joking about how I can’t imagine how people plan 100+ person weddings when my 6 person wedding was making me overwhelmed. I am so impressed by how many of my awesome clients are tackling wedding planning, getting degrees, buying new homes, and making pretty much ALL the big life changes all at the same time. I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting , but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over! My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images, it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible. Because to me, in the end, you don’t just walk away with my photos, you walk away with memories. And I want both your photos AND your memories to be amazing and joy filled!

Get to Know Dawn

You might not have noticed, but I am wedding OBSESSED. I might care about your wedding as much as you do, and I think that makes me take better photos. I’m loud and weird and fun and want to make your wedding day fun too. While my posing and style is romantic, behind the scenes I’m all about laughter and making your day enjoyable while making your photos magical.

On Your Wedding Day

I wear a LOT of hats. I might be your photographer, but some days I’m also your dress fluffer, umbrella dispenser, snack carrier, time line manager, bouquet holder, general jack of all trades who will do anything in her power to make sure the day goes off without a hitch. Except you two getting hitched, of course. Want to know some of the things I love on wedding days?

THE LITTLE DETAILS

I love starting off the day with beautiful details! I consider this my “warm up” time. These details allow me to be creative from the moment I begin shooting on your wedding day! I love having this time to prepare for the rest of your day! I even bring ring boxes, hangers, anything that might elevate my photos and help tell the story of your day.

COUPLES PORTRAITS THE TIME WE SPEND TOGETHER

Portrait time with my couples is hands down my favorite part of the day! This is when I produce my best work and when my couples really get to enjoy being together on their wedding day. These are the shots that get hung on the wall, that you show your grand kids, that live in albums and become your legacy

Okay, I know your wedding day isn’t about me, but the fact that I get to hang out with two awesome people in love along with their friends and family is amazing. Being chosen to document your day is an honor that I don’t take lightly, and I try to take in and enjoy every moment of your day.

This Magazine

By the point at which I give out this handy dandy little magazine, we’ve had the chance to chat and hopefully I’ve answered a lot of your prebooking questions. It’s important you find someone whose work you LOVE - but I believe it’s just as important that you find someone who will make the experience enjoyable! You probably want a photographer who is fun to be around if they’re going to be hanging out with you for 8+ hours AND will be all up in your personal space while you’re having a little PDA. The truth is your wedding is a once in a lifetime occasion - The two of you are about to start the most challenging, rewarding, exciting, life-changing experience of your lives together - and choosing someone to capture that day through photography is a big decision. I’m here for the hard part, the part where my years of wedding-ing come in handy. Engagement sessions, time line planning, finding the best place to get ready, what to do with your Pinterest board, and getting the ball rolling on your ideas for portraits are just some of the things I hope to touch on here. I want this to be a great reference as you plan and to be able to put my many years of experience to good use.

I’ve tried to curate a magazine full of answers to some of my most often heard questions, and hopefully at least a little bit of the knowledge I’ve shared will help you out on your wedding planning journey!

THE GIFT OF a shoulder to lean on.

This may not be what you were expecting to find in your photographer’s client guide, but if you don’t read anything else in this magazine, please read this. This is NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR PHOTOS. I strive to create a connection with my clients. I want you to love my work, but I don’t want you to pick me just because you like my photos. Because so much of what makes my work what it is comes from the connection I aim to create with my clients. I talk a lot, laugh a lot, and have zero boundaries. I am not only going to be documenting a monumental event in your lives together, but I am going to be intertwined in the memories of your day forever. So I want you to like me. Heck, I need you to like me. I am going to be the vendor you spend the most one on one time with, the one most likely to be the shoulder to cry on, the calming force in your day, the walking laugh track to your portrait time banter. I don’t just hold precious memories and choose which to document. I am a part of those memories. So I want to click with my clients. I want you to be able to trust me, and to have fun with me. Let’s make this experience as amazing as we can!

The Process

THE MEETING

If you have this magazine in your hands, you’ve hit this stage! We have chatted and gone over everything. Now you get to decide if I’m the photographer for you!

CONTRACT AND BOOKING

After our meeting, I will hold your date for up to a week. If during that time you decide to book me, I send you to my online booking site where you choose your package and payment plan, sign the contract and pay your retainer.

THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Once you’re booked, we get your engagement session set up! I’ve got tons of fun ideas that we can discuss and figure out what is right for you. Once we shoot, the images are delivered within one week

THE PAPERWORK

6-8 weeks before the wedding I send out your digital questionnaire. This helps me come up with a time line and plan out our locations and shots for the day, along with helping me get to know you even better and gather info for possible publication submissions. I need this back at LEAST a week and a half before the wedding

AFTER THE WEDDING

After the wedding, images are delivered in 6-8 weeks. A box shows up at your door full of pretty stuff, and if you have an album there are instructions on how to start the album design process. There will be a link to your online gallery to share with friends and family, along with a copy of your print release. You have the option to order prints through the gallery OR take your high resolution files and order them at the printer of your choosing. I have a list of places I love if you’re stumped, but if you’re printing in person you’ll need a printout of that release form!

EngagementSESSION

The importance of an engagement session is something I really really really emphasize to all of my clients. I include at least a mini engagement in ALL of my packages because I truly believe that they are a VITAL part of the entire process. To a lot of people it’s just another part of the wedding. More photos, more time to put into the whole ordeal, etc. After the session you do walk away with a ton of great photos, perfect for save the dates, wedding decor, home decor, photos for your wedding website, whatever you want to do with them. But to me those photos are so much more.

First off, your engagement session is a warm up for the real deal. You get to hop in front of the camera and get a little practice before your wedding. During your engagement session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting. This session will make a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to photograph you in a genuine way! What I will learn about you during your engagement session is invaluable! A lot of people don’t realize the craziness of being photographed for hours on end on a very emotion packed day.

Also during that time you get to see how I am when I’m actually shooting. It’s a little wild, I move fast and usually I do this funny bit where I show you how to pose and I look just ridiculous. But that part is important. Both you and I get to look at those images and say “Wow that pose is perfect!” or maybe “Hey I look best when I smile instead of being serious,” or even “Oh jeeze never pose me that way again.” It’s a learning process since every couple is different, and it helps me be 100% prepared when I walk into your wedding.

The second reason I am a big fan of engagement sessions isn’t something that most people think of.

To me, these are your last “nice” photos together before you’re married. They are a chance to celebrate who you are and relish that time before you take the next big step in your lives together. It’s why I try to make the sessions so personal. Being engaged is an important part of this whole process, why not have fun photos to look back on a brief yet meaningful time in your relationship together? Also, you will feel like such a pro on your big day because of the great practice you had during your engagement session, and that’s how it should be!

Your engagement session can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I normally suggest booking it at least 3-6 months in advance to avoid stress. Because my weekends are filled with weddings, I shoot engagements on weekday evenings, normally from 5-7pm depending on the light and the time of the year. In the winter months, 3-5pm is a normal time frame for an e-shoot! Also, it really is a blast and an excuse to do something that might not be possible for wedding portraits.

As you start to plan for your engagement shoot, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I LOVE it when couples pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location. As long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look awesome! I shoot at farms, campuses, downtown alleys and even dive bars! I’m serious!

Do not shy away from crazy ideas! The more creative, the better! Be sure to keep reading to find out more about outfit ideas and inspiration!! I’ve seen paint fights and mopeds, ice cream shops and art galleries. I’ve photographed couples sharing fries then riding all the rides during a day at Kennywood. There are no limits on my end, as long as you have fun.

ENGAGEMENT PREP

I hate having my picture taken. I feel your pain. But, it’s that uncomfortable laugh, that silly moment where you brush the hair out of your paretner’s eyes, the little giggle when you see that cute dog walking by during your shoot that create the moments that make for magical photos. So let’s embrace that authenticity while also doing the best prep possible to make your shoot go smoothly! I realize that preparing for your engagement session can be a little overwhelming, so pay special attention since I’ll be providing tips for outfits, handling nerves and recommendations that will make your shoot the best it can possibly be!

the basics + what to bring

POCKETS | Empty your pockets! Literally. You don’t want to have key chains or phones showing through your pockets.

TIMING | The sun sets quickly especially if your shoot is not in the summer months. The later you arrive, the less time we have to shoot! Once the sun is set, the shoot will be over.

RING CLEANING | Clean the ring! I love to shoot a few rings shots.

CHANGING CLOTHES | As much as I would like to say that we always have rest rooms for outfit changes, more often than not, our clients do quick outfit changes in their car if there are no other options!

DEEP BREATHS | I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together, and make a date out of it! Plan dinner afterwards and celebrate!!

PARKING FEE | This may not apply to your shoot, but you always want to plan in advance for a cash-only parking fee that we may encounter or any tolls. We’ve had instances where this has caused some stress and stress is what we want to avoid!

CLOTHING | I’ll explain this more in-depth in the next few pages but generally, couples like to bring one casual outfit and one dressier outfit! If you’re unsure about a few pieces, feel free to bring all options and I can help you decide.

LIP COLOR & HAIRSPRAY | You may need to apply more lip color after one outfit change and a few kisses. (If you have a bold lip color, try to have a matte finish so it won’t transfer as intensely!). Hairspray and a brush will be helpful if your hair struggles in the humidity!

FLIP FLOPS | If you’re wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in but look awesome, bring some comfy shoes to change to while we walk to each shooting location!

Selecting Outfits

and styling your shoot.

Not to intimidate you, but your outfits have a HUGE role in how your photos turn out! While outfit selection can be stressful, I’m here to help.Let’s start your outfit selection process by going over some myths, finding your style, and some outfit no-nos.

OUTFIT MYTHS

1. MYTH ONE : AVOID NEUTRALS, THEY WASH YOU OUT! Whoever started this myth couldn’t have been further from the truth. Sure, there are some colors that don’t work for some people, but I spent a large majority of my life believing that I could never wear neutrals and I was missing out! The truth is, neutrals are a really photogenic option.

2. MYTH TWO : ALWAYS WEAR BLACK TO LOOK THIN!

Sure, black is sliming, but it’s always very heavy in portraits. There is nothing wrong with black but if you’re only wearing it to look thinner and deep down you’re hoping for light and airy portraits, it may not be the best choice. On an even more important note- you are fabulous and will look it in photos, at any size or shape. Screw this outdated nonsense.

3. MYTH THREE : YOU TWO NEED TO MATCH!

Matching is bad. Remember those old mall photo studios where people are all in white t-shirts and jeans? Let’s not be them, Instead, try to coordinate! Coordinating is a completely different concept from “matching”. Coordination means you are usually choosing different colors that look good together but are not close to being the same.

4. MYTH FOUR : DRESS FOR YOUR LOCATION!

False! Your outfit has way more impact than your location. Your location is just a setting in the background but you two will still be the main focus of the images. Plus, I’m a sucker for black tie in a park or bar, let’s get wild!

5. MYTH FIVE : YOU HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING NEW!

The outfit you feel best in is probably already living in your closet. If you know you look awesome in an outfit that you already have and it fits the style you want for your engagement session, that would be the a great choice!

BOLD or NEUTRAL, CLASSIC or TRENDY, DRESSY or CASUAL

what style do you prefer?

These choices represent the three main decisions you will have to make in regards to your outfit choices. There are no right or wrong answers! Maybe you want one outfit to be dressy and the other to be casual. Maybe you want one outfit to be very light and neutral but you want to wear more color in the next outfit. These categories will hopefully help you determine your style, or at least the feeling you’d like for each location at your session. If you’re feeling stuck and can’t seem to determine what you prefer, that’s very normal!

Here are some general “rules” when it comes to styling during an engagement session. Once you read through these, you may have a better understanding of what you prefer and you can start planning your outfits. They aren’t concrete rules that can’t be broken. However, if you have questions about one of them in regards to what you want to wear, just e-mail me and we can talk about what would be best! Heck, some clients text me photos of outfits, and that’s fine too!

THINGS TO AVOID

(but rules are made to be broken)

1. Colors to avoid : neons, bright oranges (they reflect color onto skin and can be difficult to edit!)

2. Avoid patterns smaller than a quarter: Tiny patterns cause something called “Chromatic Aberration” in digital images. Men’s checkered shirts are fine if the “checks” are on the larger side.

3. Too Monochromatic: While it’s a LOOK, usually avoiding all black on boths of you or all one similar color is the way to go. BUT If one of you is wearing very dark jeans, the other may want to wear lighter pants. If one of you is wearing a navy top, the other shouldn’t wear a dark/heavy colored top. To a certain degree, alternating the “heaviness” of your outfits can make your images look more balanced.

4. Avoid one of you being casual while the other is more dressy: This can look a bit awkward in photos. If one of you is dressed up and the other is casual, it can look a little odd in your images.

5. Other things to avoid: Bulks pants (think cargo pants/shorts), Baseball hats, Location-inappropriate clothing (bring sneakers if we’re hiking, even if you change into heels later!)

Style Tips

SOFT AND ROMANTIC

- Neutral Colors: Blushes, tans, light pinks, faint blues and light minty teals, creams, grays and whites will always result in more of a light and airy look in your images. These colors photograph softer and more romantically!

- Long, Flowy Skirts/Dresses: Dresses and skirts with feminine ruffles, multiple layers of fabric and the ability to blow and move in the wind will always photograph beautifully! You would be amazed at how impactful moving fabric softens an image.

- Khakis vs. Jeans: If you really want your images to be as bright as possible, consider wearing lighter pants instead of dark dress pants or dark jeans.

- Golden Hour: Images taken at golden hour will have warm, bright light that looks soft an ethereal in your images

- Location, location, location: While we can totally get great light and soft colors in a dark alley, it won’t have that bright, light, airy quality. Parks, along the river, wide open spaces or fields, areas with light colored architecture tend to be best for that bright feel!

CHIC AND DRESSY

EDGY, BRIGHT AND BOLD

- Only one wears a pattern: If one of you has a bold pattern, it’s very important that the other doesn’t. The more bold the pattern, the more important this rule is!

- Bold Backgrounds: A lot of time, if my couples are going for a bold and bright look, I will use colorful, fun backdrops to use for part of their engagement session! It’s a double win if the background coordinates with their outfits!

- Only one bold color: If you really want a bold and bright look but you want to do it well and tastefully, I would suggest that only one of you have a bright and bold colored outfit and the other stay in a solid neutral to avoid over-doing it!

- Large Patterns are Preferred: If you really want to wear a pattern, my only request is that your pattern is on the larger side. Patterns that are smaller than a quarter can be difficult to photograph. This isn’t true of all patterns but it’s a good general rule to go by!

- Dark Pops: Adding in a dark jacket, dark jeans, or other piece of dark clothing to create some contrast and a bold POP

- Suit and Tie: Rock a well fitting suit, tux, even a structured blazer to glam up an outfit. Pair it with a t shirt and dark jeans for a more rock and roll look, or a leather jacket over a gown can add a little unexpected edge to a glam outfit

- Longer Lengths: For women, if you’re going for a black tie, chic vibe, the longer the dress the better. Or a funky wide leg jumpsuit, something with a little flow, but also a little structure. Perfect for strutting down the city sidewalk at night, looking like you’re straight out of a movie.

-Have fun with it!: When you’ve both got a chic, high end looking outfit, you can play with color or pattern to take it from classic to fun. A velvet jacket, bold floral pattern, or bright color can take your look to a new unexpected level.

Engagement Session

SUGGESTED START TIMES

I schedule most of my sessions for the early morning or sunset. I know it’s not the easiest time to make work for some people, but I’ve got a good reason. When I shoot outdoors I use natural light. When shooting at high noon, the sun is harsh, creating squinting, shadows, and is generally unflattering. PLUS it can be hot af if it’s the midddle of the summer. I shoot at times when the light is more flattering, it softens the look of your skin, creates halos of light around you or a golden haze. No squinting, just warm, pretty, soft light. We live in Pittsburgh, so there’s another kind of light to keep in mind: the light created on a cloudy day. Nothing makes me roll my eyes like people begging for a sunny day. Remember wht I said about harsh light? Luckily, cloudy days make for perfect photography light. All the stuff I aim for (soft light, nothing harsh, etc) happens all day long when it’s cloudy. Basically, we’ve got perfect photo conditions here because of our cloudy weather! So unless you want to cross your fingers and hope for clouds, my goal is to grab that early morning light or golden hour, which is why I schedule my sessions at specific times!

I like to use these sessions to peek into your lives together and do something fun we can’t do on a wedding day. Have a coffee date, go kayaking, get some beautiful city shots, walk an apple orchard, the options are endless. The goal is to have a bit of a test run, seeing how comfortable you are in front of the camera and giving you the chance to see how I work. It’s another reason I like to do something fun, since it makes it easier to relax in front of the camera AND I get to know the two of you a little bit better! Consider the locations and activities when we chat about the time of the session. Driving a long distance between locations eats time and light. Going mini golfing, apple picking, or canoeing could require more time whereas grabbing some city shots is a lot faster. Pairing a time consuming location with something quicker is always a fun way to get two looks. I love having an activity portrion to the day, it’s a great way to ease into photos and break the ice a little. Plus sometimes you get to eat something or have a drink which always makes for a fun time. Think of activities and places you love as a couple, that mean something to the two of you and will be fun to do together.

Preparing for your shoot

PHOTOS SHOULD BE FUN

If you’re a little anxious about how you both are going to get comfortable for photos, you aren’t alone. I receive so many emails from couples who are worried that they or their partner won’t be into it and I have great news for you.... you both are more photogenic than you think! I am constantly surprising couples by discovering their hidden modeling skills and our most common response from my couples is, “That wasn’t as bad as I thought! It was actually fun”. Boom! Mission accomplished! When my client says that taking pictures was FUN, I have done my job well! Your engagement session is supposed to be fun and relaxed, not forced or awkward. As you prepare for your shoot, there are a few things that you can do to help you both be prepared. First of all, I highly recommend sitting down before your session and picking 2-3 of your favorite engagement sessions or even individual photos that I have photographed. Spend some time together scrolling through

a few galleries, this will allow you to gauge what your expectations should be. I also recommend that you allow for plenty of time to get ready and get to your shoot! There is nothing worse than when a couple shows up late, and they have been arguing in the car. Talk about adding extra stress. To be honest, it happened to my husband and I and definitely put a damper on his mood during our shoot! And THAT is definitely going to put you both in a bad mood! Last but not least, remember to have patience with each other, and don’t assume that you’re not going to have a good time... I think you’ll be surprised how much you will both enjoy your session! And tbh, a beer or glass of wine before a session never hurt anyone, haha.

PLANNING YOUR DAY Wedding

Your Timeline

Wedding days fly by. On my end, timing is everything. If a ceremony runs long, that’s lost photos. Doing a first look? Definitely pad the timeline since hair and makeup tend to run longer than expected. Don’t forget that travel time between locations! I’m a big believer in padding your timeline, since no matter how well you plan, weddings are a time suck and nothing goes according to schedule.

That being said, on my end my goal is not only to keep things going as smoothly as possible, but also to stick to whatever timeline you give me. I drive to all of my locations before the wedding to see the actual distance and so I’m not wasting your precious photo time staring out my window trying to figure out where I want to force a giant party bus to pull off the road.

Since I try to be respectful of your timeline, I like to keep expectations as realistic as possible. If you give me ten minutes to take photos in a little field next to your church, your wedding photos will not look like the ones you loved where I had an hour in the woods. Sometimes photo time is the last thing factored into the planning process and if you value that time, it’s important to make it more of a priority.

If needed I can kill it in ten minutes in the field next to the church. With over 500 weddings under my belt, I can make ten minutes, a 10x10 patch of woods and a 18 person wedding party look awesome. I just don’t want to have to work that kind of magic, I want to give you the best photos I am able to on your wedding day and timing is the biggest key to mind blowing images.

PLANNING YOUR DAY

Sample Timeline

DETAILS

45 minutes

After the details have been photographed, it’s time to get ready! These look best if you’re a little bit into getting ready. No matter how AMAZING you look to start with, if you’re having hair and make up done, the photos look best when you’re starting to get make up done. During this time my second shooter will cover your partner getting ready, so you have both sides of the process covered! Once hair and makeup is done, it’s time to actually get dressed! This is a big moment! I usually ask that all wedding party members and family be dressed before the couple. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images.

CEREMONY

45 minutes

Why bother with details?

Why not use that time elsewhere? Details are an often overlooked, important part of the story. These are the things you’ve spent time and money cultivating as part of your wedding wardrobe, and are often the items lost and forgotten as time goes by. And I love having some time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. These shots allow me to get warmed up for the rest of the big day. I normally like to allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day. Want to save some time? Let me know what flowers you’re using and send me an invite before the wedding, I’ll photograph it at home!

60 minutes

GETTING READY

It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30-45 minutes long. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly! Having a short and sweet ceremony? Woohoo, that means more portrait time!

Here’s the page that can be somewhat intimidating! The TIMELINE! I know this isn’t the most exciting aspect of the wedding day, but this is the one thing that can make or break your photography! These next two pages will outline an ideal wedding day. Remember that all wedding days are different, and your timeline may differ due to travel times and unique situations. In the following pages I’ve included some sample timelines. They aren’t required, just some stepping stones to help you visualize your day. In addition to the helpful timeline breakdowns I have some tips.

PARTY

Family formals normally take place immediately following the ceremony. It’s best to save all of the family formals until after the ceremony because ALL family members will be present at that time. I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out the shots that you want. Oddly enough this is the hard part of the day. Informing family members ahead of time if they are going to be a part of photos is a great way to make this less stressful. I recommend not exceeding 15 different family groupings, since each can take 2-5 minutes to eat up depending on location and how many people are in the group. Also consider taking them at a different location (outdoors or at the reception venue) if your ceremony site has strict guidelines when it comes to timing.

Now it’s time for wedding party shots! Typically, my second shooter and I split the sides of the wedding party and photograph them, then create 2-3 different full wedding party images depending on time and locations. Keep in mind, the larger your wedding party the more time the photos take. I also make a point of taking photos of the couple with their individual sides of the wedding party during this time!

After the wedding party photos, I will begin taking a few romantic portraits while the initial “just married” excitement is still present! Depending on your location(s), and hour-ish is preferable for images of the two of you. It allows for some relaxation during the shots, not having to rush the two of you around and letting you get comfortable with the poses, snagging shots from a variety of angles while also getting multiple locations for your photos.

55 minutes

PLANNING YOUR DAY

The Timeline Continued

RECEPTION

DETAILS

30 minutes

Golden hour is the BEST time of day for portraits! This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having a few extra minutes with the couple to take a few “Just Married” portraits right before or during the reception.

RECEPTION

2.5 hours

If possible I will use this time to shoot the reception decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats! Worst case scenario, if I have to photograph the space AFTER guests have come in, I’ll attempt to shoot a wedding party or vendor table, or even clean up a table with less people who have sat down.

GOLDEN HOUR

20 minutes

This is when the wedding party lines up for introductions and the party begins!! By this part of the day, my timeline isn’t as strict. This is perfect amount for dancing, drinking, toasts and maybe even sneaking out for sunset! If you’re having a longer sit down dinner, adding an hour or pulling time from other parts of the day may be beneficial, but for the most part this is the perfect time for getting all of the important moments but letting you enjoy a large chunk of the night where you can let loose without all of your antics being documented!

Timeline Tips

I can create some impressive photo-magic in a small window of time, but it’s better to not have that challenge. Remember to pad your timeline, nothing ever goes according to plan.

Wedding parties need to make unscheduled beer stops, brides have had to be sewn into dresses, and hair and make up always seems to run over. Want to knock out some of the bridal party photo time? Do photos with each of your people BEFORE the ceremony to save 10 minutes!

It’s the worst when you schedule an hour of portrait time only to have the ceremony run over and the drive between locations leave five minutes for actual photos.

Having a flexible timeline and accounting for these outside time wasters will insure that you make the most of not only your photo time, but your entire wedding day!

20 minutes

Sneak out for a few “last shots of the night” before my coverage ends. This is a quickie photo, a perfect “woohoo!” to end your night! These shots are epic and fun (since they usually happen after a lot of dancing and drinks!).

NIGHT SHOTS

20

Thinking of adding in a first look? This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! I will find the perfect location for my couple’s First Look prior to the getting ready portion of the day! Don’t stress about that one bit! I will make sure the location is private and as secluded as possible. This is a moment alone. There are different ways to stage the big moment and we will chat about that beforehand. I take the full fifteen minutes, let you two have a moment alone as I shoot from a distance to grab that authentic, intimate moment.

My most popular wedding collection includes 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are several options for this! You can either add additional cover- age or plan a faux exit with just your wedding party! I have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops! Let’s chat about this if you’re interested in learning more!

Okay, but how many hours do WE need?

WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

So, I offer three options- Eight, Ten or Unlimited hours. But what do YOU need? Every day is different and so much rides on what is important to the two of you to have captured! While I am happy to chat about this in person, here’s the rundown.

EIGHT- Perfect if you want a little bit of everything. My sample timeline is about eight hours, it’s what 90% of my clients choose. It means I capture all the big deal things, from details, the moments right before you get dressed, a short and sweet ceremony, to speeches and dances, it works really, really well for most weddings, except......

TEN- If you want that sparkler exit, BIG last dance, etc. Then ten works best! It’s also great for larger family groups/photo lists, longer ceremonies, or big wedding parties that require a little extra cushion. Another thing that influences the leap to ten hours? Travel time! Having a reception 45 minutes from your ceremony, or wanting to drive downtown and park for some photos might mean you need extra time to factor in travel! Thinking 10 STILL isn’t enough?

UNLIMITED- You need all the things. You have LOTS of details, the big wedding party, the long ceremony, 60 shot family list, long multi course dinner, 5 speeches, tons of travel time, a big sparkler exit, and you don’t want to sweat the idea that I’ll miss a single moment. This is the option for you. I’ll be there as long as you need me, from before those finishing touches on your hair, through the moment you run out to the car to go crazy at the hotel after an amazing day of getting married!

Conquering the Timeline

LET’S MAKE SURE YOUR DAY RUNS SMOOTHLY

First- buffer time is your friend. No matter how Type A or how prepared you are, nothing ever goes according to plan. You will NOT be the exception to the rule, don’t assume you will be. Traffic happens, someone is late, getting ready takes longer than expected, hunting down family for photos puts you over on time, any number of things can shift how your day plays out and unfortunately portrait time is the first thing to get cut. At the time, it makes sense, but then in a few weeks you get your photos back and realize how cutting those 15 minutes (or more) effected the outcome of your day. You don’t have a moment alone together, you don’t have the time to get relaxed, you can’t do all of those beautiful locations or romantic poses. So pad your timeline, you’ll thank yourself for it later.

Second- accept help. From a wedding planner, a friend that wants something to do, an aunt who loves to boss people around. Have a point person to help you stay on track and to help wrangle the people you need at various points in the day. I’ll cover this more in the section about family photos, since that it one of the best times to have someone to help!

Wedding days fly by. On my end, timing is everything. If a ceremony runs long, that’s lost photos. Doing a first look? Definitely pad the timeline since hair and makeup tend to run longer than expected. Don’t forget that travel

time between locations! I’m a big believer in padding your timeline, since no matter how well you plan, weddings are a time suck and nothing goes according to schedule. That being said, on my end my goal is not only to keep things going as smoothly as possible, but also to stick to whatever timeline you give me. I drive to all of my locations before the wedding to see the actual distance and so I’m not wasting your precious photo time staring out my window trying to figure out where I want to force a giant party bus to pull off the road.

Since I try to be respectful of your timeline, I like to keep expectations as realistic as possible. If you give me ten minutes to take photos in a little field next to your church, your wedding photos will not look like the ones you loved where I had an hour in the woods. Sometimes photo time is the last thing factored into the planning process and if you value that time, it’s important to make it more of a priority.

WEDDINGS & Seasons

Portrait & Timing Tips for: WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER & FALL WINTER

Winter weddings are gorgeous! However, they do take some additional planning simply because of the sunset time. The hard part about a winter timeline is the fact that the sun sets around 4pm. This means that all of your portraits have to be done before then! This isn’t a problem if you’re having a late afternoon wedding. However, if you’re planning on having a late evening wedding, you may have a bit of down time from 4pm until the start of the ceremony. You will also need more coverage time as well.

SPRING

Spring weddings are wonderful because they are the perfect temperature! However, I recommend having plenty of Claritin and Zyrtec on hand just in case allergies start to flare up during portrait time. Spring weddings normally mean the potential for some blooms! If we happen to find any type of blooming tree or plant, it will be worth it to give us a few minutes for portraits with it! You’ll LOVE the result!

SUMMER

Summer weddings are amazing! I love that there is so much daylight! In some months, the light will last until 8:30pm! So, if you’re having a summer wedding, you’ll need to plan on having a few minutes to slip out of the reception for your sunset portraits! You will NOT regret this! This is the absolute best light of the day and you’re going to want to have portraits during this time period. Usually these portraits happen during dinner or open dancing so that no one even notices that you’re gone for a few minutes!

FALL

Fall weddings are my favorite! I love the temperature and the colors! Most of my fall couples worry about color, and I just want to encourage you that all I need is one tree with some color in order to make it look like fall! A little bit of color can go a long way!! Your portrait time will vary depending on your wedding date! We’ll be sure to discuss this when we approve your final timeline!

Getting Ready

LET THE DAY BEGIN!

This portion of The Wedding Experience really sets the stage for the entire wedding day. The next few pages will share tips and tricks that will ensure a seamless morning of preparation and beautiful photos!

Getting Ready

It’s the morning of your wedding! Hopefully all of the little details are taken care of and you’re relaxing with your best friends while your hair is being done. If certain items haven’t been checked off of the to-do list, it’s time to hand them over to someone else. Delegation is a key part of a stressfree wedding day. I know it’s hard to hand over the decorating duties and all of the last minute things that need to be done, but it really is important to relax the morning of your wedding. The rest of the day is going to be fast paced and filled with a lot of emotions! Take advantage of this down time! There are a few things to consider about the “getting ready” portion of the day. Do you want to share a “first look” with your dad or any other person who plays a huge role in your life? Will you and your partner be exchanging gifts during this time? If so, who would you like to deliver them? Are there certain people in your life who would appreciate seeing you get ready? Some people want very few people around for this moment. Others love having aunts, cousins, tons of friends and grandmas present! It’s totally up to you! A few other things to consider.... as you get ready to put your outfit on, refrain from putting any jewelry on. I love shooting all of those final steps once you’re in your wedding wardrobe! Keep reading along for more “getting ready” tips to help you prepare!

Want the best photos possible?

Nice light is key. Open the curtains, and turn down the lights. Near a big window is always a great spot to put on those last minute touches, surrounded by the people you choose to help you (who should all be dressed in their wedding outfits!)

Stumped on where to get ready? Hotels are nice but for the same price an Air BnB is way cooler! Often times you get more space for the same price. When getting dressed lots of natural light and space that is easy to keep separate and clean are essential. For some reason it always looks like all the suitcases exploded all over the room. No one wants dirty underwear in the background while they put on a beautiful wedding dress or are adjusting their tie.

Relax, take a deep breath and use some of that buffer time I talked about to take everything in, have a moment and check out your wedding look. These are the moments before something major, take mental notes, take everything in, so you can look back in 10, 20, 50 years and remember all of these feelings! Don’t let anyone rush you. Things can’t start without you!

Detail EVERY LITTLE

The whole day begins with the DETAILS! This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day, because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day! I photograph details in a way that matches and showcases the style of the entire wedding day. So, in some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding and I love having ample time to stylize, and shoot everything from the dress, to the jewelry, to grandma’s handkerchief! To the right, you’ll find a list of the most common details that I shoot. I ask couples to gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello, give you a big hug and then begin with all the goodies! (Please assure your entourage that I will take GREAT care of the little details, I promise!) Don’t forget special details like borrowed and blue, penny for the shoe, handwritten notes or cards, etc! Basically if you’re wearing it or it has sentimental value, I want to photograph it! There’s a lot of “traditional” things we know to get but if it’s something extra special, let me know!The best way to gather everything is to lay it all out somewhere safe, sometimes that’s on a dresser, in a shoebox lid or on the bed. I’ll return everything to that exact spot so you’ve got a “landing zone” for everything and know where to look when you start getting dressed! The best part is this can be done the night before or in advance so it’s one less thing to stress about on the day of! Let a member of the bridal party know where everything is, so when I walk in I can just grab everything and knock it out first. Then you can focus on all the other things going on over the course of the day! For styling, I have a fun kit I bring with, but if there’s something you love (like glitter, bold lines, or even a color you love) let me know and I’ll try to incorporate it into my shots!

WHAT TO BRING

JACKET

TIE OR BOWTIE

SUSPENDERS

SHOES

SOCKS

CUFFLINKS WATCH

BOUTONNIÈRE

BELT

POCKET SQUARE

OUTFIT/DRESS

HANDKERCHEIF

SHOES

INVITATION SUITE BOUQUET ALL OF YOUR RINGS

PERFUME

HEADPIECE

JEWELRY

(necklace, bracelet, earrings)

Day Of Reminders

GATHER the goods. EXTRA elements.

KEEP all three rings.

If possible, collect all of your details before I arrive so that I can begin quickly and have more time for getting ready shots. A great spot for them? Your shoe box!

Sometimes, depending on the theme and “look” of the wedding day, there may be some extra elements that you could include when you gather your details. For example, if you’re having a country themed wedding, you could include a piece of burlap or lace. If you’re having a rustic themed wedding that includes some wooden elements, maybe save a small piece of wood for me to use when I’m shooting your rings and jewelry. This REALLY makes for beautiful, consistent album spreads!

The most common detail missing when I arrive are the rings! Moms, officiants and planners will tell you to hand over your wedding band to the best man (if you have one) before the day begins. However, it’s actually better to hand it over before the ceremony so that I can shoot some great ring shots in the AM! If you forget, no worries, I can always shoot the ring shot at the reception if there is extra time!

BRING the bouquet.

Don’t forget the Bouquet! Have the bouquets and bouts delivered before the ceremony or first look so the flowers can be in portraits. No worries, if it’s hot, we’ll be sure to keep it in water as much as possible before the ceremony!

When you’re planning a wedding day timeline, the best advice I could give is to ADD CUSHION TIME! Sometimes the most simple things can take an extra 20 minutes and then all of a sudden, the whole morning is thrown off. I have seen “getting the bride in her dress” take almost 40 minutes because of a button malfunction. It’s a smart idea to add in an extra ten minutes here and there so that we have some wiggle room to work with! This way, if one part of the day gets thrown off by 20 minutes, I can help you compensate that time in other areas. There are so many different things to think about when you’re planning a wedding day, and so here are some tips for the preceremony timeline! I realize that every single wedding day is different and so not all of these tips will apply to every wedding day schedule. Something else to consider is that not EVERYTHING will go as planned, and I promise you, that is completely normal!!

Let’s be honest, a LOT of the time, your partner forgets the important little details. Sometimes they have rings, vow books, and heirlooms of their own. Let ME be the person to remember them, if you or your partner have any kind of unique or important write it in my paperwork! That way I’ll make sure it gets covered.

REALLY want the full Dawn Derbyshire magic for both sets of details? Get ready in the same hotel. It’s the best way to make sure I can get to both of you with enough time to craft cohesive, storytelling images of both of your wardrobe pieces. Scared of seeing each other? Ask for rooms on different floors, and enjoy the EASE that comes with coordinating everything from one location. Seriously, it is the best way to ensure your details are covered AND makes things go smoother in the morning.

Make sure if you have groomsmen/bridesmen/ your non binary bff wearing rental suits that they check their suits. Make sure at least 24 hours in advance that their suits fit and have all the pieces (shirt, socks, tie, shoes, pant, ALL THE THINGS). I’ve seen timelines get wrecked because of missing suit pieces

BOUQUETS AND BOUTS HAIR & MAKEUP TRAVEL TIME PARTY PREP

You will need your Bouquet & Bouts for your portraits! Have them delivered to the getting ready rooms to avoid missing them for photos

Be sure to think about the travel time and TRAFFIC to and from your getting ready location and your venue!

I encourage clients to have at least their makeup partially done before I start because who wants a ton of shots without their makeup on?! Nobody.

My second shooter will photograph one partner getting ready. Be sure to prep them on details that need to be photographed so they can hand them off to her!

YOUR MORNING

Timing

GETTING DRESSED CREATE A CUSHION

I’ll instruct you to get into your wedding wardrobe close to a window and it would be fabulous to have your bff dressed when you’re getting dressed so you both look your best!

A 10 minute cushion every now and then is a GREAT idea! It’s amazing how fast time slips away the day of!

Suit Style

At the beginning of the day, my second photographer will be coming to hangout with you and your people while you’re getting ready. I’ll explain more about what you can expect during that part of the day in a couple of pages! The first thing she will need to capture are your details. You may be thinking “Um, I don’t have any details.” but you do! This may seem pointless but let me explain what these details are for. When I design album spreads, the goal of each spread is to tell a visual story of each part of the day. And even if you don’t get an album, this is a great approach to make sure the full story of your day is told! I will use these details shots to break up some of your getting ready shots on your “pre-ceremony” spread. Take a look at the album spread below to have a visual as to how I use these images that my second will be taking!

Both of you MATTER

Weddings are portrayed as the Bride’s day, but that’s dumb. Not only do both of you matter, but not every wedding has a bride. And it’s sad that both partners aren’t honored equally in the eyes of our culture AND a lot of vendors. So I’m here to rememdey that. First of all, I realize that you have probably never done this before and that you may have preconceived ideas about how the photography part of your wedding experience is going to feel. That’s very normal. Having your photos taken isn’t always natural and can sometimes be more stressful than fun. The good news is, I’m committed to making your time with me not only natural and a genuine but also enjoyable! Photography is a huge part of the wedding process and I want my couples to think back to their time with us and say “That was so much easier than I thought it would be.... in fact, it was actually fun!”. My second photographer will be hanging out with one of while you’re getting ready. Now, the thought of a photographer hanging out in the room with you and your best friends on your wedding day probably sounds less than ideal, but here’s the good news....my second photographers are badasses who know how to hang, laugh, have fun AND they’re a PRO at capturing this part of your day without making it weird! They’ll get to know your friends in an easygoing, natural way that will allow them to feel comfortable with them throughout the rest of the day. They will take a few pictures of your VIPS hanging out but and then they will prompt you to do a few staged “Getting Ready” shots (see right) and a couple of classic portraits. I’ve found that staging a few “getting ready” shots is the most efficient way to get the shots I need while not interfering with too much of your hangout time! These stages shots will take about 20-30 minutes and you’ll get clear and concise instructions every step of the way.

THE FORGOTTEN DETAIL :

The Boutineer

Over the past decade in business, I have noticed a trend. Boutineers are the number one detail that gets overlooked. I can’t tell you how many times I’m getting ready to do a first look or start wedding party portraits, and they don’t have their bouts on! This detail is actually the most time consuming details, especially if you have over 4 or 5 people because you can’t put your boutineer on by yourself. You have to have help. If you have a planner, they will be in charge of remembering the boutineers and putting them on. Sometimes, it’s a nice photo op to have a parent, best man, etc help with this! That leads me to the next page....

INCLUDING PARENTS

During Getting Ready

Now, I realize that this topic may not apply to every family. Each and every wedding day that I photograph is full of different family dynamics. It’s more than okay to not follow these suggestions if it’s not a great fit for your family. In many wedding day situations, I have found that there is very little direction for the parents of thecouple. It’s easy for them to feel lost and not included in the day. They often want to be included but don’t want to overstep in any way. One very sweet and thoughtful way to include the parents is to invite them into the getting ready space and allow them to take a few pictures straightening a tie, putting on a boutineer, buttoning dresses, and helping put on a veil or some jewelry. Want something really special? Do a parent first look!

Trendy or Traditional?

SO many new trends are popping up (thanks TikTok) but are they right for YOU? I’m going to outline a few of my favorites and maybe they’ll inspire you to incorporate some new traditions into your day!

PRIVATE

vows.

BURY the bourbon.

Perfect if you’re introverted, stuck with traditional vows from the church, or already doing a first look. This is a moment after the first look where you two sneak off and read heartfelt, handwritten vows with a smidge of privacy and TONS of emotions!

A Southern tradition to ward off the rain, this is getting a new life up north. A month before your ceremony, we trek out and bury a bottle of bourbon, upside down for good luck and good weather. After the ceremony, the two of you along with the wedding party dig it up, and then drink to celebrate the glorious weather! It sounds silly but is super fun, and not to be superstitious but none of my couples who have done this had a DROP of rain for their outdoor weddings! Save the bottle to enjoy on your anniversary

FIRST reception look.

You’ve spent months planning, only to arrive to your reception and have everyone pulling you in different directions. You don’t get to take it all in. SO save a moment, right before the room is opened for the guests, and come sneak a peek at the work you’ve been doing. Seeing your wedding vision come together is beautiful, and it gives you a chance to take a deep breath and soak it all in!

LAST dance.

Now this can add a LOT of coverage time to your day, so consider it carefully. End your night with a private first dance! It’s just you two and your photo/video crew, soaking up those last moments of your day. A perfect cherry on top of a wedding day!

A First Look

Your first look is an amazing part of your wedding day! If you aren’t sure about this tradition, the next few pages will explain why it would be a romantic addition to your wedding day celebration that not only adds to the experience but also reduces stress. Please know that I would never want any of my couples to feel pressured to go with this option. However, I do want to make sure that I share all of the benefits of a first look, because there is a reason a LOT of my couples do this and LOVE it!

First Look EXPLAINED THE

I have confessed my deep love for “First Looks” numerous times. There is a reason for this. They’re AWESOME! However, not everyone is aware of how awesome they are, because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is and they immediately write it off. Some couples love “traditions”.... but what a couple REALLY wants when it comes to seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day,is a REACTION. Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found (this is starting to sound like a research paper!) is so ironic! Everyone knows that wedding days are a bit stressful for the couple. The whole day is focused on them, they need to look their best, they need to be on time, and little by little... the tension grows.

It’s before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in and the calm, collected partner is now starting to feel a little anxious. So what happens next? One of you waits in a little room somewhere for their que from the coordinator. It seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans her head in and hurries them to get ready. With clammy hands, they enter the ceremony and what do they find? .... anywhere from 80-300 people and they’re all looking where? Right at their face... because everyone has expectations and anticipation about that first reaction. This is the farthest thing from a private, intimate moment. Sure, it’s SO powerful and SO wonderful. ...

But after a first look? That moment is joy filled vs anxiety filled. The nerves are gone and when the nerves are gone... true emotions are free to be expressed. And OH are they expressed! (Seriously, my couples who do a first look are often MORE emotional!).

For a lot of couples, the nerves kick in before they see each other, then when they DO see each other, everything becomes VERY real! So when the nerves start creeping up, instead of keeping both of you

apart in a secluded space until it’s time to enter the ceremony, what if you went to a private place... no people, no on-lookers, no distractions.... and you let that moment be private. And to be able to ENJOY that moment with together for as LONG as they wanted. While the nerves start to diminish.

And, because they aren’t on a time crunch... they casually move into their portraits. No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing “15 minutes left”, and there is no pressure. It’s just the two of them and their photographer..... capturing the excitement and the joy of their wedding day. This is their time to be TOGETHER...and to be ALONE. When does that happen on a wedding day? Without a First Look.... it doesn’t. After their portraits are done, they meet up with their best friends. Their weddingparty joins them and because they still have plenty of time to spare... and allows for touching up a little makeup, straighting out ties, maybe even a drink and a snack. After a few minutes the wedding party portraits begin and they’re FUN. They’re FUN, because there is time to make them FUN. There aren’t any guests waiting impatiently at the cocktail hour and there isn’t a DJ coming to find the photographer to get a time check. It’s wonderful!

After portraits are done the wedding party separates and prepares for the ceremony. The guests begin to arrive and pretty soon it’s time for the processional music to begin. Nerves are a thing of the past.

Now let me put a disclaimer on here before we continue...my clients are not required to do a First Look by any means! I used to feel bad for sharing this option with couples who were against it, because I didn’t want to push anything on them. However, I’ve seen the benefits of a first look over and over again, and so I only share this because I want the BEST for my couples!! It’s totally ok if couples choose not to share a first look! It’s just my preference to do one for many reasons.... Keep reading to find out more of the benefits of sharing your first look privately!

While I am a huge fan of a first look, it isn’t right for everyone. This is a subject that has a lot of debate surrounding it. Doing a first look is a personal choice, some couples choose to save that special moment for the aisle, others opt to get it out of the way long before the ceremony. I love all the options for different reasons, but if you’re on the fence, it’s a discussion worth having.

That being said, a first look is a must for winter weddings or late ceremonies. They allow for photos to happen while the light is still amazing so you can get beautiful photos instead of settling for shots taken at night indoors. Whatever choice you make, that moment when you first see each other is always one of my absolute favorite parts of the day!

Thinking this isn’t your jam but you’ll still be nervous? Consider a first touch! No peeking, all the emotions. Hold hands, take a deep breath, and feel a moment of calm together pre-ceremony.

First Look | WHY IT’S WORTH IT

MORE PORTRAITS

You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive WAY MORE portraits of the two of you... and those are the images you will decorate your home with! (Believe me, my house is PACKED full of my portraits!) With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money.

ENJOY THE SURPRISE FREELY

You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your partner. Most couples don’t realize that when one of you comes down the aisle and totally SHOCK the other with your gorgeous-ness... it’s such an intense moment to process. You can’t touch, embrace or even SPEAK to each other, it’s ceremony time ASAP. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.

EXTEND YOUR TIME TOGETHER BY HOURS

First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your wedding party portraits... you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. The WHOLE first half of my client’s wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony.

YOUR ONLY ALONE TIME

First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode.... especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other, and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!

DIMINISHES NERVES

You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, one person was not a fan of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. I have so many couples who initially weren’t a fan of the first look... but afterwards they admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!

First Look EXPECTATIONS

If you have never seen your partner cry or get emotional, you can’t expect them to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Sometimes people just embrace and never cry.... and that’s OK. Some show very little emotion when their partner is coming down the aisle and that’s ok too. Just enjoy this amazing day, and try not to put any expectations on your partner. If you take this advice to heart, I could potentially be saving you a lot of disappointment on your day. One thing I have noticed after shooting hundreds of weddings is that the stress and nerves that come with a wedding day can sometimes make it hard for some people to truly express their emotions. It’s just a lot to take in all at once. This is a great reason to share a first look and also a great reason to give some grace to your partner! Sure, you deserve to feel AWESOME, but my encouragement to you is to enjoy this time together, no matter what their reaction is like!

The Ceremony

Here it is! The moment everyone has been waiting for! The music is playing and the guests have been seated. If you’re in a church, the coordinator is probably lining up the wedding party while giving the musicians a 5 minute warning. Walking down the aisle is next on the agenda. Vows will be shared and promises will be made... this is what it’s all about!! In a world full of wedding blogs, Pinterest and wedding magazines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by the “prettiness” of the event. While details do matter and planning is necessary, it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day! And that is to get hitched to the love of your life!

I love pretty portraits and beautiful details. BUT THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE DAY. No doubt about it.

So if you’re getting married outside, think of a rain plan. Getting married in a church? Know the rules before they spring them on you at the last minute. I’ve had many rained out days and many times where it turns out the rules make it so you have almost no ceremony photos. While good lighting and a nice backdrop are important, the MOST important part of ceremony planning when it comes to photography is dealing with the parts that effect our ability to capture the event.

Once those details are thought of is when lighting comes into play. Getting married after sunset in a place that heavily relies on natural light is going to make a difference in how the ceremony is photographed.

Packing 200 people into a ceremony space meant for 125 is going to limit angles. That cool shot of the kiss from behind the pastor you saw on Pinterest? Staged because most churches would never allow that angle during an actual ceremony. Consider the limitations presented by the space, lighting and rules of conduct for the venue and you’ll be way more likely to get great shots of the ceremony!

An Unplugged Ceremony

Imagine this with me.... you’re in my shoes.... the most important moment of the day is about to happen. You’ve checked your camera settings, you’ve taken test shots and you’re ready to capture that all important “down the aise” moment.. You want to capture reactions, variety of angles and every moment of joy and emotion in those few seconds. However, just as everyone stands and the music plays, not one, but three different family members and friends get so excited that they take just one step out into the aisle with their iPhones in hand trying to capture the moment. I’m scrambling. My couple is trusting me not to miss this!!! But now I’m dodging guests who are trying desperately to have a good Insta-story to share and they have no idea that the back of their heads, their arms and their phones are blocking me from capturing everyone walking down the aisle. It’s honestly one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a photographer during a ceremony .... and the hard part is, it can always be avoided. This issue is a growing one. Every wedding season I experience more and more of these issues. However, there is a solution! I highly recommend having an “Unplugged Ceremony”. This is just another way of saying that you want only your photographers to be capturing photos and you would like everyone else to enjoy the ceremony instead of trying to capture it themselves.

Options for notifying guests the your ceremony is

Unplugged

1. Signage : Have a simple sign that guests see as they are entering the ceremony

2. Spoken : Have your officiant politely mention that you prefer no cell phones

3. Program : Include your Unplugged Ceremony request in your program design

LIGHTING THE SERVICE

Ceremony lighting is really important. If you get married outdoors at 12pm, the lighting will be extremely harsh and not only will there be harsh lines of light on your faces, you will also be squinting. I suggest planning an outdoor ceremony 2 hours before sunset if you are having a FIRST LOOK. If you are not interested in sharing a first look, then I would suggest having your ceremony 3 hours before sunset to ensure that you will have plenty of time for all of your portraits afterwards. The lower the sun, the more romantic the lighting. If you are having an indoor ceremony, it is always best to have EVEN lighting at the altar. If there are two spotlights on the couple, I will not be able to expose the rest of the wedding party. It is better to have soft, even light across the whole altar.

I have seen so many couples do so many AMAZING things during their ceremony. I’ve photographed couples doing handfasting ceremonies, peanut butter and jelly unity ceremonies, all kinds of things. I’ve seen sand ceremonies, paint ceremonies and the signing of the ketubah. The options are limitless!! As you plan your ceremony, make sure you design it to be exactly what the two of you envision it to be. This is your day!! If you have the freedom to be creative, then by all means, be creative!! And don’t forget, little details like programs can help guests follow along with your ceremony if you’re incorporating non-traditional services, and reading from vow books ALWAYS looks better than reading off your phone!

PROGRAMS & DETAILS COORDINATION

The BEST advice I have for the programmaking process is to remember that not EVERY guest needs a program! Also, before ordering your programs, have SEVERAL people check it for spelling and grammatical errors. Programs and the ceremony decor are things that the couple can plan in advance but then delegate the actual job of setting it up to a friend or coordinator. The last thing a couple needs to be doing the morning of their wedding is running around setting up floral arrangements! This leads me into my next column!

Hiring either a full event planner or just a day-of coordinator is SO important! Couples realize very quickly that if they do not have someone in charge of the coordination of the day, that responsibility will automatically fall on the family, friends, the photographer or the COUPLE! When a photographer is in charge of the timeline and the coordination of the day, the images will suffer. All of my stressful wedding situations were caused by a lack of organization and coordination. It’s so important to make this a priority. If you need any recommendations on wedding coordination services I would love to share some of my favorite vendors with you!

Family Formals

Family portraits are IMPORTANT. But every family is different. I like to check in and chat about family dynamics like divorces, deaths, and remarriages. I like to make sure I avoid anything awkward, and make these photos go quickly and smoothly. On your end, let any extended family know if they need to be in photos before hand, with a card in their invite, a quick text, a mention from someone at the rehersal dinner or even a quick announcement at the end of the ceremony. I try to do around 15 shots maximum, taking 2-5 minutes per shot. Stumped on what you want? I’ve dropped a sample list below, which may not work for every family dynamic but can give you a jump start!

Couple together

Entire wedding party

Partner one with attendants

Partner two with attendants

Couple with parents of partner one

Couple with immediate family of partner one

Couple with immediate family and grandparents of partner one

Couple with full extended family of partner one

Partner one with parents

Partner one with siblings

Couple with parents of partner two

Couple with immediate family of partner two

Couple with immediate family and grandparents of partner two

Couple with full extended family of partner two

Partner two with parents

Partner two with siblings

Certain shots can also be done ahead of portrait time if members of the family are present for getting ready or after the first look, which is a great way to maximize portrait time or if you want more time to attend cocktail hour.

Obviously, I want to take amazing photos of your day but I also know that the wedding day is not about photos, it’s about a lifelong commitment, being with family and friends and celebrating your new marriage! The party is a very important part! We realize that most wedding party members are not pumped about picture time and we get it. That’s why our goal, throughout the entire portrait process, is to have fun and get you to your party!! Rowdy wedding parties are a part of every wedding day and I actually find them to be hilarious and fun to work with! However, you can actually help me get you to your party faster by doing a few things!

1. Encourage your party to pay attention.

2. If you trust me, they will too.

3. Reassure them that the more they listen, the quicker they’ll be done. (and the quicker they’ll have a drink in hand!)

My goal is to take your photos quickly and efficiently so that you can spend as much time as possible with your friends and family! I love hanging out with your friends but I make it a top priority to make their experience with me fun, fast and enjoyable!!

Your Wedding Party

Lets chat about your wedding party! This is when the fun REALLY begins! I know from experience that all couples want their closest friends to have an AMAZING time during their big day, and I will make sure that happens!

Wedding party portraits should be a ton of FUN! Depending on the locations and the timing of the day, either right after the first look or right after family photos your wedding party will join us for portraits! I try to keep things fun, quick and fast to keep your wedding party happy during these photos, releasing them the second we are done so I can focus on some alone time with the two of you!

Posing and Pinterest

As a photographer, I constantly get asked about Pinterest. While some photographers rail against it, I understand it’s a hard thing to ignore those inspiration images. I am more than happy to try to snag some of those shots you fell in love with while browsing Pinterest boards. But I want you to realize it’s just inspiration. I won’t copy or recreate an entire image but I will be happy to try to channel that pose you loved or the scenery of a shot. But the best moments are when you look at each other and laugh, or cry, or just FEEL. So when I put you in that pose you loved, I might ask you to talk instead of doing that stiff stare in the inspiration shot. I might ask you to sway, or dance, or just have fun with it. Make your own image Pinterest-worthy, make something unique that captures your love. Because that’s why you hired me, not the person who took that Pinterest shot. Understand some of those “candid” shot you found were posed or from styled shoots, where professional models manage to look like they’re in love with each other after only knowing each other an hour. Don’t get stuck comparing your wedding to what you find online.

As for posing, I’ve met very few couples who start out their sessions by telling me they love being in front of the camera. That’s why the images I showcase are shots where I did a little bit of posing but focused on my clients having a genuine moment together. In ten, twenty, fifty years, that’s what will matter, not some silly thing you found on the internet that a hundred thousand other couples copied. The laughter and tears will be the things you go back to and reflect on. So have fun with photos, feel all of the feelings and don’t be afraid to show them!

Portraits

If we’re being honest, all of the wedding day images are important, but the real favorites are almost always from my time with the couple! These romantic, fun, joyful portraits of just the two of you will be the images that you frame beside your bed or over your mantle, and they will also be the images that will fill your album for generations to enjoy. These images are always my favorite not only because of their beauty, but because this is such a sweet portion of the day. For this brief moment in time, you will be alone together on your wedding day. You will have a chance to love on each other and really connect before the craziness begins! The portrait part of your day always seems to be the first thing cut when the time line goes awry. Since you hired me, I tend to shoot a good amount of portraits, so that means you are going to lose out. My first recommendation is to PAD YOUR TIME LINE. I know, I’ve got a whole section on time lines but because the portrait time is usually the first casualty of running behind schedule, it requires repeating.

That being said, I also overestimate how long things are going to take. I’d rather have extra time to make sure you can relax and enjoy photos, maybe head back to the venue a little early to freshen up and not feel rushed. I know how to knock out the bridal party shots to make up for a messed up time line but I don’t want to resort to that, even though bridal parties love me when I release them to go find drinks!

When portrait time rolls around I have usually scouted locations, thought of a few poses, and come up with a plan for my shots. I probably even chatted with you about your vision/vibe for the day and if you had any locations in mind. Which is partly why staying on time is important. The trust part comes in here. What may look like a dump, a dirty alley, or a 5x5 patch of trees at an abandoned lot may be terrifying but I can promise you, it fits exactly what you described to me for your vision. Sometimes I point to a canoe. I promise, it is always worth it to get into the canoe. Did I ask if you could bring a pair of flats? Make sure you grab them, especially if I’m carrying some plastic sheeting because it means we are probably going somewhere really cool. Those Pinterest-worthy shots I mentioned on the other page, they require trust and a little imagination but in the end, they are so worth it.

Portrait Time, Continued

Remember that part with the engagement sessions where I talked about the sun and lighting? That applies ten fold on the wedding day. I don’t need to repeat it but I will, time your day so you have good light for portraits. High noon at an August wedding makes no one look good (unless you’re into looking like you’re melting). Consider the season when planning as well, 4:00 portraits in June result in something very different than 4:00 in December. I love portraits, I love natural light, and I have a very specific style and if you want your images to reflect that, I need portrait time during daylight hours.

Also, bring your bouquet if you have one. If you don’t have pockets, it gives you something to do with your hands and makes it easier to mix up posing. So does wearing those comfortable shoes I mentioned, along with being open to sitting (on wedding outfit protecting plastic), running through fields, and just having fun with your day.

When location scouting, I like to have your input. So when I talk about fields and woods, if you love the city let me know! Consider the limitations of your timeline, transportation and venue, but if you’ve got a car and a desire for an urban location despite a farm venue, I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I want your photos to speak to you, show off who you are as a couple, and to capture the feeling you want. Is your dream location not possible? Consider booking a sunset session, trash the dress or anniversary session. It’s fun, you can get beautiful photos without the constraints of wedding day duties, and it’s a great reason to rock those wedding outfits again!

Pittsburgh

THE CASE OF WEATHER

One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive during wedding season is “Soooo, what do you do if it RAINS?!”. I want to reassure you that even if it rains, you will still have beautiful portraits and BRIGHT colors in your images! Overcast skies mean vibrant colors! I know that rain isn’t ideal, and no couple would wish for rain on their big day, but if it happens, it happens..... and it’s going to be JUST fine!! Some of my best weddings have been on rainy wedding days! Here are a few things to remember:

1. All I need to create natural light portraits on a rainy wedding day is a porch! Just one porch!

2. Let me worry about the pictures. You have enough to think about. If there is a chance of rain, I’ll be sure to do some extra scouting to find a covered location or two, for us to use for your portraits and wedding party portraits.

3. Take it one step at a time. Don’t think about your entire day and what will happen if it rains. That will only overwhelm you! Definitely have a rain plan for your venue, but then let your vendors do the work of handling the rest of the day if rain is in the forecast.

Also, have a rain plan. Snow plan. Hurricane plan. Back up plan. Most of my weddings are in Pittsburgh and one thing that I know is true is that the weather is unpredictable. I often carry umbrellas and plastic sheeting, but if you’re afraid of the wind blowing your hair or a little sprinkle, refuse to bring a cute coat in the cold or a pair of flats for walking in the park, your photos won’t be the same as the stunning shots on my website. Embrace the crazy weather and have fun with it!

Don’t let the fear of rain steal your joy. You can’t control it, and I promise we will make the best of it!!!

Reception Details

The party is here!! Receptions can be a blast! However, it’s important to make sure that you have your event well thought out. If you are having a plated dinner, you will more than likely need escort cards, full place settings and space for all of your guests to be seated comfortably. Whatever the style of your event, make sure that you plan out all of the aspects of the evening. And make sure I have time to photograph all the hard work you and your vendors have put in!!! Giving me ten to fifteen minutes alone in your reception space BEFORE the guests have time to wreck the joint will ensure you have beautifully documented reception details, which is also an awesome time for you to sneak in and peek at your space as well!

Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception your own! It’s your party, it should be exactly how you want it to be! Here is a list of some key events that happen often at receptions:

- WEDDING PARTY INTRODUCTIONS

- FIRST DANCE

-PARENT DANCES

- ANNIVERSARY DANCE

- TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL OR FAMILY DANCES

-CAKE CUTTING

-TOASTS

Reception Tips

The fun has begun! It’s time to relax, dance and celebrate!! Your reception should be a BLAST! The last thing you need to be worrying about is your timeline. Your coordinator and DJ should take care of making sure that everything stays on schedule so that you can enjoy your night. Here are some helpful tips that will help your reception flow smoothly.

Everyone is excited when it’s time to start the party! But planning a reception is tricky. Waiting to cut the cake until after dinner? If you cut it beforehand they can serve it right after dinner service! And knocking out those formal dances (if you’re doing them) before dinner means you can focus on having that extra signature drink and just partying the night away after dinner is done. Don’t forget to dance with your spouse, laugh and have fun with your friends, enjoy your night in whatever way makes you happy.

Lighting again plays a significant part of receptions as well. Some string lights can completely transform a space. While in theory candle lit receptions are super pretty, it doesn’t quite translate in how I shoot receptions. I love string lights, up lighting, any sort of funky lights that add a real pop to the background in dancing shots. Talk to your DJ about the lights they use, an uplighting company or even see if your venue would let you add some cute bistro lights. Not only does it make for great lighting for dancing shots but they can add amazing ambiance and a little extra special something to the decor!

- GUEST CONSIDERATION : Take your guests into consideration when planning your timeline. If you have a lot of elderly guests that will not be staying until the very end, make sure you schedule the cake cutting at a relatively early time so that they can be a part of it. Grandma’s love seeing this sweet tradition!

- KEEP IT MOVING : Chat with your coordinator about how you can plan your reception in a way that will keep guests engaged and moving all night!

- MAKE IT YOUR OWN : If you want to have a special dance with your grandparents, do it! Make your reception a reflection of who you are and don’t feel tied to traditions. Also, make sure you give your DJ or Band a “Do Not Play” list if there are some songs you really don’t want to hear during your reception!

- DON’T GET CAUGHT UP in the formalities and the details. Sure, details are pretty and fun to photograph, but they can steal the joy of the day if you get too caught up in them. (Just speaking from experience here) Plan your centerpieces, welcome table, etc. well before the wedding date, and teach your coordinator or family friend how to set them up so that you aren’t even thinking about those things the day of !

- RECEPTION COVERAGE : If you haven’t purchased enough coverage time for your photography to last until the exit, that’s ok! I have several options! (See next page!) I recommend planning your timeline so that you can have at least one hour of dancing photographed. The guests who dance during the first hour will still be dancing in the third hour! One hour of dancing will be enough time to really capture the joy of your reception!

Golden Hour

Wedding portraits can’t always take place when the lighting is the best, especially in the summer when the sun sets pretty late. But I LOVE that light, so for a lot of my couples I push for one of two options. Duck out for 15 minutes of golden hour photos or set up a sunset session after the wedding! Either way, it’s a private moment for just the two of you to escape and relax while I take a few shots. On wedding days it can be a nice break from the craziness of reception events, a perfect way to take a quick breather and step back to soak the day in. During this part I like to really avoid stepping in to do a lot of posing, I like to give some general direction but really let you two take the reigns and have a little fun. It’s a perfect time to take a stroll, do a little slow dancing, or just chat about the amazing adventure you just started!

Also, want to add a sweater, hat, leather jacket, or other funky accessories? Take off that jacket, undo your tie? Change up your hair? Switch to some different duds for your reception? This is the time!

Didn’t plan some time to sneak out into your wedding day time line I offer sessions after the wedding too! It’s a great chance to throw your fancy wedding clothes back on and go re-live your wedding day. It’s a more relaxed environment and a great excuse to hang out with me again, get all dressed up and maybe grab a romantic dinner after.

RECEPTION

Controlled

EXITS

If your coverage ends before the very end of your reception and you are hoping to have an “Exit” shot captured, you have the option of planning to do a “Controlled Exit” with your wedding party! This is more common than you may think. Instead of saving your exit until the very end, you can plan a controlled exit with just the members of your wedding party and a few family members! This allows us to have more control over these shots and the party NEVER has to stop! In most cases, no one even notices that the couple are missing for a few minutes!

3 REASONS A CONTROLLED EXIT

IS BEST :

1. Multiple chances at an epic shot : When you do an exit shot at the very end of the wedding day, I only have one chance to capture the two of you as you run through sparklers or whatever type of exit you have planned. When you do a “controlled exit”, I have multiple chances to capture several awesome exit portraits for you!

2. You haven’t partied all night yet : This means that you’re still a little sober, no sweaty from dancing all night, and your hair and makeup are still in-tact for your exit shot! That’s a win right there!

3. Coordinated Colors : When you are surrounded by your wedding party instead of wedding guests that could be wearing distracting colors, you can expect to have beautiful exits shots surrounded by your wedding colors!

Wedding Albums

There is something magical about picking up your wedding album, flipping through the thick pages, feeling the cover, and looking over the carefully curated selection of images. Nothing compares to seeing your images in print. This is the album that will get passed down for generations, that your kids, grandkids, heck maybe even great grandkids will flip through to see your wedding. Scrolling through a gallery will never compare.

Size Options

8x8, 10x10, 12x12

SAY THANK YOU WITH A PARENT ALBUM

Pretty sure I used my wedding photos as gifts for a solid three years after my wedding. A BIG gift was some parent albums for my parents and my in laws. They gushed and loved them so much. Whether you’re wanting to surprise your parents with a parent album for Christmas or want to order one anytime after the wedding day, just let me know and I’ll create a heirloom album that they can cherish for a lifetime!

Your Online Gallery

Your online gallery will be a beautiful, accessible way to not only view your images but download them and share them as well. I want you to be able to save and share your images freely and without any hesitation and so there will not be any watermarks on your images and all of your images will be available to download in high-resolution. You will receive a separate online gallery for your engagement session and your wedding day! On the next page, I’ve listed out some important information that will help you understand your online gallery and all that it can do!

DOWNLOADING PHOTOS:

You will be able to download your edited images directly from your online gallery and they will be high resolution! This process is very simple! You can either click the “Download” option that you will find at the bottom of your gallery email or you can view your images in your gallery and download from there! Once your gallery opens, you will see a “Downwards

Arrow Icon” at the top right of your screen. Clicking this button will allow you to see BULK downloading options for your photos! Once you select which folder you would like to download or if you want to download ALL of your images, you will receive an email in your inbox when the download is ready. It can take a few minutes to package hundreds of images to be downloaded. You can also download your images individually!

ACCESSING YOUR PHOTOS ON YOUR PHONE:

The online gallery system that I use will work on mobile devices as well! It’s simple and easy to download individual photos on your smart phone. I love this feature because it means that you have immediate access to all of your images when you’re on the go! Also, just so you know, your images will be downloaded in high resolution!

ORDERING PRINTS:

You can actually order professional prints from within your online gallery and have them shipped directly to your house! Print sizes range from 4x6 to 24x36 and are printed in a professional lab to ensure color and contrast accuracy! You are more than welcome to print images on your own. However, I would warn you to avoid Walmart, Target, Costco, etc. I cannot promise that your colors will print true-to-life if you choose to print from non-professional labs. I did include your print release in the gallery so you can print elsewhere!

GALLERY EXPIRATION:

I have great news! Your gallery will be available for an entire year! I would still recommend downloading them and saving them in multiple places as soon as possible for safe keeping! The internet is amazing but it can also be unreliable. Please don’t use your online gallery as a way to permanently store your images. I recommend downloading and saving your images on a solid state, portable hard drive as a permanent backup while also using an online backup system like Backblaze.com for a secondary online backup. The gallery technically stays up for 10 years but the images are archived after a year, making them a little harder to download the high res versions

SHARING, WATERMARKING & EDITING:

You have the freedom to share your images in any way that you choose! These are your images and I want you to love them so much that you can’t help but share them! I don’t believe that it is necessary to watermark my images. All I ask for is some type of credit whenever you use an image on social media! I only have ONE rule when it comes to what you can and cannot do with my work. I always encourage our clients to refrain from re-editing their images. Let me do that hard work! However, if you have an image or two that you want to print at a very large size and you find an imperfection, I will gladly perfect it! Just let me know!

I want to surprise my Fiancé with boudoir photos the night before our wedding, and as soon as I saw Dawn’s boudoir photos, I knew I HAD to book with her. If you have ever thought you wanted to do a boudoir session with Dawn, DO IT! Not only does she make you feel so comfortable and confident while photographing, but her photos allowed me to see myself in a completely new light. These photos have given me more CONFIDENCE than I ever thought possible. As a body shy person, I was so nervous, but I am beyond thrilled with my beautiful photos and this new found confidence. Thank you, Dawn, I am forever grateful for your kindness, positivity, and acceptance.

Boudoir Sessions

Often a gift for wedding days, boudoir sessions are becoming increasingly popular. While always sexy, my personal style is more modest, about hyping YOU up and making you feel amazing in the skin you’re in while your partner gets to benefit from some steamy photos. I typically reccomend sessions be done at least 6-8 weeks before the wedding, and it’s a perfect time to do a make up trial if you didn’t use it for your engagement session! I offer a full client closet, vintage furniture, even a fun floral wall in my studio (plus lots of champagne and hard seltzer to make things a little less awkward!). While getting sexy photos is the goal, my BIGGEST goal is having my clients walk out of my studio feeling empowered, excited, and good about themselves. Want to feel pampered? Spring for a FULL session that includes my glam squad.

I found Dawn through Instagram. She was advertising for boudoir shoots and I always wanted to do this and it was the perfect timing since I will be getting married this fall. Dawn has excellent communication and ENERGY! I had several questions prior to my shoot and she was very responsive. Dawn put my nerves to ease the day of the shoot. Her studio is clean and super cute. Really liked the to chose items her prop closet (shoes, robes, etc). I had the best time and she never asked me to pose in something I was not comfortable and listened to some of my ideas. The pictures turned out amazing! -Kylee

My group chat with my friends is constantly hyping up Dawn (even months after the wedding), I like every photo she posts, and I want her to shoot ANY event I ever have in the future. I love her and want to be her BFF lol she is truly the greatest ray of sunshine in the Pittsburgh wedding industry. I did a boudoir with her after the wedding and it was SO. MUCH. FUN. I had a lot of anxiety leading up to the shoot by I arrived and she made is so easy and as always, I had nothing to be worried about because I was working with Dawn. :) -Kelly

Reviews

There are not enough positive adjectives to describe our exceptional experience with Dawn Derbyshire. From the initial consultation, engagement photos, wedding pictures, a COVID postponement in between – she made the process enjoyable and easy. She made taking pictures fun and not awkward, often cracking jokes between each shot. She took the time to know us as a couple and what was important for us on our special day. We had periodic check-ins to discuss the process for our wedding day and what to expect, one less stress we had to worry about on our wedding day. Let me just tell you the photos were all AMAZING! We cannot thank her enough for her talented work, we look forward to using her in future endeavors. We highly recommend Dawn; this is one decision you will not regret!

-Samantha

REAL CLIENTS, RAVE REVIEWS

Choosing Dawn was the best decision we could have made! We fell in love with her immediately and quickly realized how special she was after our engagement session. Dawn is professional, kind, hilarious, and has a way of making even the most camera shy person open up to get some AMAZING photos. She knows how to command the attention of family members that are just not that interested in taking photos, and the results are amazing. Her second photographer is equally as wonderful and made me feel like literal royalty as she was fanning me down to keep me cool underneath layers of lace. I feel so lucky to have had Dawn as our wedding and engagement photographer and look forward to staring at our photos for the rest of forever. Do yourself a favor and hire Dawn - you will NOT regret it!!

-Briana

I’m so happy we chose Dawn for our wedding photos! She is so easy work with, organized and incredibly talented.

We decided to have an intimate wedding due to COVID. Even though it was such a small wedding, Dawn made us feel so special throughout the whole process. She took the time to meet with us virtually before our wedding to get to know us as a couple and listened to what our dream vision was for our wedding photos.

I don’t usually like to have my picture taken, but I never felt so comfortable in front of a camera before. Dawn’s energy and outgoing personality helped calm my nerves. Our photos turned out beautifully and we couldn’t be happier! Dawn is incredibly talented and her work speaks for itself.

I definitely recommend choosing Dawn as your photographer. She is so easy to work with and your photos will turn out beautiful.

Thank you for making our wedding day so special Dawn!

-Kaitlin

Dawn is AMAZING! We knew from the moment we talked with her that she was the perfect fit to shoot our wedding. Dawn is SO organized, easy to work with, funny, collaborative, and one hell of a photographer. We did three sessions with Dawn - our engagement shoot at Raccoon Creek State Park, a night shoot in the city of Pittsburgh, and our wedding at Gardens of Stonebridge. I can’t say enough great things about our experiences with her! My husband hates having his picture taken but felt at ease with Dawn thanks to her ability to make it fun and give prescriptive direction. He even said “that was fun” after our engagement shoot ended -- words I never expected to hear!

Dawn has a knack for creating photo magic, whether your backdrop is ordinary or the coolest backdrop you’ve ever seen. We’re so thankful she captured so many awesome moments for us to look back on for years to come. Choosing our favorite photos is one of the hardest parts because they are ALL. SO. GOOD.

I would recommend Dawn to anyone, and we plan to work with her again in the future!

-Carrie

Dawn is incredible!!! She is truly one of a kind – I’ve never seen a vendor go above and beyond for clients like she does! Not only is she insanely talented, but she is incredibly meticulous, extremely responsive and cares about every detail just as much as you do! Weddings can be complicated, especially when it comes to family, but her detailed questionnaire about anything and everything she needs to know put me completely at ease. And if that wasn’t enough, she has an incredible guide that helps you shape your day, answer every question you could ever think of (and ones that you didn’t even know you had or should have!) – all just to make sure your day turns out beautifully. She captured the most incredible shots, worked so fast, and was so fun to hang out with throughout the day! I could never have imagined working with someone so wonderful for our big day – she truly is the best & if you have the chance to work with her, don’t even think twice. Book her immediately!!

-Christine

Miranda & Nate

I’ll start off the review with HIRE DAWN IMMEDIATELY. We don’t want anyone else to take photos of us ever! The quality of work that Dawn produces is work every penny and more. I always describe Dawn’s style as “real life but better” because all of the colors are true to life just enhanced ever so slightly. I can’t think of a better way to look back on a memory than to think of it as being real life but better! Can you?! When I finally met Dawn in 2017 after being a huge fan of hers for so long, I told her that she was without a doubt going to be my wedding photographer. I felt like I was meeting a celebrity to be honest. I wasn’t even engaged at the time (that came later in 2017) but it was abundantly clear that she was the one for the job. She was the first person we hired for our wedding as soon as we had a date and venue! I can’t thank Dawn enough for the memories she’s captured for Nate and I. We did a mini session, 2 engagement sessions, 1 postponed wedding date session, I did a boudoir shoot, and our amazing wedding photos. Dawn’s attention to detail, true love and passion for what she does, and general bright light of a personality truly shows through her work. She makes you feel supported through planning by always being ready to offer advice or just be a sounding board for ideas. She takes the time and effort to get to know you and your fiancé so she knows what is important to you on your wedding day. She’s real and relatable so you feel so comfortable around her. She really goes above and beyond in every aspect because she just cares so much! I am a wedding florist so I have worked with Dawn many times on many clients weddings and the photos are always absolutely amazing. Out of the dozens and dozens of photographers I know and have worked with, I will always recommend Dawn first and will always be so excited to hear when someone tells me they’re working with her! Dawn really is the absolute best person and photographer around and we are so thankful to have found her and call her a friend! Thank you so much Dawn! We love you!

Dawn is AMAZING!!! We booked Dawn after she photographed a wedding that I was in and it became clear that she was awesome on the day of and her photos speak for themselves. From the moment we first sat down to talk about our vision and what we were looking for Dawn listened and learned and was so committed to capturing our love exactly how we wanted her to. The amount of planning that Dawn puts in shows in how perfectly executed all of our photo sessions with her were. Our engagement photos were SO MUCH FUN! The weather wasn’t perfect but somehow Dawn made magic with our photos. She mastered the lighting, helped us to be so much less awkward and captured so many pure moments... it was almost impossible to pick a favorite. Getting married during a pandemic was far from easy but Dawn was there every step of the way and was so flexible and understanding. When we decided to keep our date for a small ceremony and postpone our large reception Dawn was immediately helpful and willing to do whatever we needed. The morning of our wedding day she did an amazing job coordinating detail shots (plus she brought props that were fantastic!), she also worked so well with our videographer to keep things moving leading up to the ceremony. From the beginning to end of the day she allowed us to enjoy every second of our day while also capturing beautiful photos and that we are so grateful for. She also does an amazing job of “posing” you without making the photos looked posed and has the best ideas of where and when to take photos. The results were magical. I could go on for hours about how much we loved working with Dawn but to summarize... hire her right now! You will not only have amazing photos to show for it but you will enjoy working with her every step of the way!

-Caylen

While there are amazing photographers in Pittsburgh, I’m going to have to argue that Dawn Derbyshire is the best. She was the first vendor I booked in July 2018 right after we booked our venue. And after seeing the INCREDIBLE 110 photos she produced within less than 24 hours after our wedding, I remember why that was. Honestly --- every photo looks as though it could be published in a magazine and captures how we were feeling on your special day. Dawn’s attention to detail is impeccable. She is also hilarious, charming, and so sweet to work with, she makes you feel so comfortable. INSANE GOOD PEOPLE! She also sent us over 1000+ more photos within 10 days of the wedding, and hand delivered the USB drive with the most adorable package including a few cute little gifts and a stack of prints that we weren’t even expecting! We also used her selfie booth at the wedding for the guests, and they were all obsessed and wanted to take it home lol. If you are lucky enough to have Dawn be available on your day, book her immediately! SERIOUSLY -- she will capture your day in a way that you can truly relive it for the rest of your lives.

- Christy

Kelly&Levi

Before we were even engaged, we knew we wanted Dawn’s style for our engagement and wedding. She made us feel so comfortable when we first met her and our engagement shoot was a blast! I am not one for pictures typically but she made the experience so easy us and we could not believe how gorgeous the photos were! Get yourself a vendor that cares for you as a friend would, get yourself Dawn! UPDATE: Dawn CRUSHED the wedding (of course!) She helped with timeline, corralled my crazy family, efficiently shot every photo I wanted (I wanted a lot) and squeezed in more! She had amazing instincts on where to go, how to pose, and captured a bunch of amazing unplanned photos too. She is awesome. My group chat with my friends is constantly hyping up Dawn (even months after the wedding), I like every photo she posts, and I want her to shoot ANY event I ever have in the future. I love her and want to be her BFF lol she is truly the greatest ray of sunshine in the Pittsburgh wedding industry. I did a boudoir with her after the wedding and it was SO. MUCH. FUN. I had a lot of anxiety leading up to the shoot by I arrived and she made is so easy and as always, I had nothing to be worried about because I was working with Dawn. :)

If you’re looking for your photographer- look no further! It is truly impossible to put into words how much we LOVED working with Dawn! I originally booked a photographer (without looking at vendors in Pittsburgh) from back home. With fate on our side, when our original photographer backed out due to covid-19, we got connected with Dawn! Now- we can’t imagine working with anyone else- so fun, easy going, great ideas, and funny! Dawn anticipated our questions and concerns before we even brought them up. The FAQ book she shows her clients is AMAZING! You can tell from that book alone, how much thought, care, skill, and knowledge she has about photography. I consider myself a very organized bride but Dawn had me beat! One of my favorite things about working with her is she made it a priority to capture moments you would find so critical after the whirlwind of a day- moments between parents, siblings, special details, and decorations. My now husband and I originally didn’t want an engagement session but when Dawn recommended it we went for it. It was a great opportunity to meet her and learn about photo-taking tips. She made it an easy and comfortable experience. On the day of our wedding, the bridal party and our families continuously brought up how easy she was to work with. She had us laughing throughout the day and she reminded us to have fun and enjoy each moment! Due to covid-19 we had multiple changes, including our venue, and she rolled with it all and somehow captured a front yard ceremony into such an elegant and special experience. The pictures captured her incredible skill, but also the love, relief, and fun that filled the day. The pictures turned out more beautiful than we could have imagined and she delivered our usb in a package of goodies- it was so thoughtful and creative! Dawn is the best!

-Emma

Dawn is so absolutely amazing! She was recommended to us by a friend, and we are SO glad we booked her! Dawn is very accommodating and understanding. We told her that my fiancé didn’t like getting his picture taken. She posed us and snapped the pics efficiently and quickly. The photographs from both our engagement session and wedding are absolutely stunning. Dawn is very quick to respond and willing to help you with anything she can. She gave me recommendations for other vendors, provided feedback, gave advice and was a listening ear when we needed to vent. We got married in September 2020. Many of our plans changed due to COVID-19. Dawn was so empathetic and helpful throughout. I got ready with just my mom and Dawn in the room. Dawn was a stand in friend and bridesmaid to me. I will never forget those special moments. We have received nothing but compliments on how beautiful our pictures are and how fantastic Dawn is. She has a super fun personality, kind heart, and exquisite photography skills. We cannot say enough about the wonderful Dawn Derbyshire!

- Mallory

Maya&Josh

Dawn was one of the first and easiest choices we made when it came to our wedding. I had been following her on Instagram for a while and had found that every time I saw a wedding photo that I liked, I would check and it turned out she had taken it. As soon as we had a date I sent her a message and when it turned out she had our date available, I jumped at the chance to meet her. It only took a few minutes of that initial meeting to know that we were going to go with Dawn as our photographer and there wasn’t one single day of that next year and a half when I wasn’t grateful for that. Dawn takes incredible photos. They’re beautiful, they don’t look too stiff or posed, the lighting is always gorgeous. Working with her is an absolute breeze – she knows exactly what to say to make you laugh or smile and she will literally coach you through every element of a pose if that’s what you want/need. She acknowledges the awkward feeling that is being in front of a camera in that way and uses it to bring out laughs and smiles that lighten up your photos and bring a beautiful joy to them. When you choose Dawn, you know without a doubt that you are getting stunning photos, that they’re going to be edited beautifully, and that you’ll have access to all of them – no weird limits on how many you can download or print. But on top of that, you’re getting someone who’s been in the wedding industry for 10+ years and has literally seen it all. There is not a single thing that could happen on your wedding day that she hasn’t seen already and isn’t currently prepared to deal with should it happen again. She is knowledgeable about probably any type of wedding vendor in the Pittsburgh area and can give you recommendations for anything. She can help you with your timeline, with planning questions, or even just with talking you down from your irrational wedding jitters. Am I gushing? Yup. Do I care? Nope. Dawn is amazing. If you get the chance, please work with her. I promise you you’ll end up gushing too.

I booked Dawn over two years in advance of my wedding because her work speaks for itself. She was incredibly accommodating from the start as we met in person (pre-Covid) an hour away from where she lives just to go over her approach and contract so that it was a shorter drive for me! From our initial meeting, I knew she was the perfect photographer as her organization skills and type-A style was unmatchable. Over the next two years, she was nothing short of responsive and accommodating. Due to Covid, we went from a 150 person wedding, down to 18, then back to 75 and she never batted an eye and offered an unwavering support. She never made me feel guilty for my decisions and reassured me that she wanted to do whatever she could to make our wedding special. The day of the wedding, she stopped by my venue first to meet with my other vendors and pick up flowers from my florist for detail shots and was still early. I accidentally gave her second shooter the wrong hotel address to get pictures of the guys getting ready and she LAUGHED AND AGAIN, DID NOT BAT AN EYE at my total mistake (I’m still so sorry)! The entire day she was a calm presence to be around and has such an eye for the “money shots” that you swear you could never pull off. My family and friends had an amazing time being around her and guests still continue to sing her praises of the gorgeous photos she takes. Both Dawn and her second shooter wore their masks the entire day which was a huge deal and comfort to my vulnerable grandparents. I know how much heart she puts into the safety of her clients and it does not go unnoticed. I am so thankful we had Dawn to capture our big day. We had over 100 pictures the NEXT MORNING and over 1,000 pictures in less than a month. Her talent is second to none and I never hesitate to recommend her by name to anyone looking for a true professional who makes absolute magic via camera. Do not hesitate for a second to book

- Cailey

Investing in Dawn to capture my wedding day was the best decision I made when planning my wedding. When I initially reached out to Dawn, my now husband and I were planning on getting married in Jamaica! Although we are from PA, we moved to SC shortly after hiring Dawn. Being the amazing person she is, she planned a trip to SC and captured our engagement photos. They turned out so so amazing and my ever so stubborn, picture taking hater husband absolutely loved her! That alone speaks volumes. 75 days prior to departure to Jamaica, COVID-19 shook all of our worlds and we had to cancel our dream destination wedding. Dawn was beyond accommodating, so positive, super helpful, and made the transition from Jamaica to a SC wedding a breeze! I can’t thank her enough for all her kind words and keeping this Covid Bride sane! Although we couldn’t get married in Jamaica, our photos looked like something out of a destination wedding magazine. We are in awe of our photos and can’t believe we get to share our album for years and years to come. All of our family and friends can’t get over how beautiful our photos are and everyone at the wedding thought she was the sweetest soul ever! Dawn’s work is truly unmatched. She is so talented and darn good at her job. We can’t thank her enough for capturing our day! If you’re looking for the most incredible photographer EVER, you must invest in her!

-Cierra

Thank You

Last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU for trusting me with your special day. I am so honored to be the one capturing your memories, and I cannot WAIT to celebrate alongside of you! Enjoy this season of planning but also remember that your MARRIAGE is more important than the wedding. The wedding will come and go in a matter of hours, but your marriage needs to stand the test of time. Continue to make time for one another even with all that needs to get done. As you continue to plan, please feel free to contact me with ANY questions you may have along the way! If you haven’t booked, do it NOW, I hold your date for one week after our meeting. Booked already? Depending on your date and package, your next step would be to finalize an engagement session! Also, about 8 weeks before the wedding, you’ll receive an online questionnaire that will provide me with everything I need to know for your big day!! I hope this guide has been helpful as you continue to plan and prepare for your wedding day! Love, Dawn