The Day of Your Wedding

The day of your wedding is full of excitement! You’ve most likely been planning for months, and it’s finally time where everything comes together! It’s truly a day for you and your significant other to celebrate your love amongst friends and family, with little to NO stress (that’s the goal). To help prepare you for the photo portion of your wedding, we’ve created a small list of tips to make sure the photo process is fun and organized, and that you get everything you want out of it! (Yes, I just used the words “fun” and “organized” in the same sentence.)

DECIDE ON COVERAGE TIME FRAME

When you book with us, you will choose the amount of hourly coverage for your wedding day, and what time frame you’d like your photo coverage to take place. For example, if you choose 8 hours of coverage, you can have us shoot from 7am-3pm, 12pm-8pm etc, you get the picture (no pun intended). This is also when you decide if you’d like to incorporate the traditional getting ready photos. If so, you would begin your coverage during this process. If you aren’t interested in the getting ready photos, you’d start your coverage AFTER you’re dressed to impress! 

Keep in mind, if you are choosing to have your getting ready process photographed, that it’s ideal to have us arrive when the final touches to hair and makeup are happening! Hair and makeup can sometimes take a couple of hours, and if you have a full day worth of moments you want captured, it’s best to keep the morning photo session short and sweet, with only the important details being highlighted! However, this is only OUR opinion, and it is YOUR day, so we will always start photo coverage when YOU want us to start. 

DECIDE ON A FIRST LOOK

A big decision that many couples make is whether or not they will be doing a first look on their wedding day. Some couples opt for a first look BEFORE the ceremony, others wait until the ceremony, and a handful of couples find it easier to skip it all together. No matter your choice, it’s always important to fill us in before your big day, as the decision to do a first look, and when it will take place in relation to your ceremony, will determine when wedding party, family, and couple photos can take place. For example, if you’re having the first look AT the ceremony, couple portraits, and any other photos that involve the bride AND groom won’t be possible until after the ceremony. 

Some couples prefer to have all formal photos done before the ceremony, while others don’t mind doing them during cocktail hour.

DECIDE WHAT PHOTOS YOU WANT PRIORITIZED

During your wedding day, there are MANY different moments and portrait opportunities to capture. As your wedding approaches, you may have an idea of what photos are MOST important to you. Some couples prefer to have more time spent on their couple portraits, while others would rather spend more time on their wedding party photos. Before your wedding day, we will send you a final survey where you’ll have the opportunity to let us know what photos are MOST important to you! As wedding days tend to be fast-paced, the amount of time the couple has to get their formal photos completed is precious! So we want to make sure that we spend enough time on the photos that are most important to you, without having to steal you away from your own wedding for too long! 

SHARE YOUR WEDDING DAY SCHEDULE WITH US

It’s so important for us to have a copy of your wedding schedule! If you don’t have a wedding schedule, we recommend creating one to keep all guests and vendors on track! Try to keep in mind all of the important moments you wish to have photographed, and be sure to schedule those moments within your photo coverage time frame. We understand that life happens, and weddings don’t always run on schedule, so please, don’t stress about your coverage time! If we are scheduled to end at 8:30pm, but you have an important event that got pushed back to 8:45, we will be more than happy to stick around and make sure we capture that moment!

By having a copy of your wedding day schedule, we’ll have a better understanding of where we need to be and when we need to be there, to ensure that we capture all of the important moments! 

DELEGATE JOBS

As mentioned above, before your wedding day, we will send you a final survey where you will also have the opportunity to let us know what group photos you wish to have, and WHO will be in those photos. Whether you want one or two large family photos, or multiple specific family photos, it ALWAYS helps to have a designated person who can round up the crew. People will be mingling and wandering, and although we may know that you want a photo with all of your cousins, we don’t know who your cousins are, or where they’re located, so it’s key that the bride and groom designate a person who is acquainted with your family and friends to gather the various members needed for the photo. This process will keep the group photo session running quick and smooth, and limit the amount of time the couple and family members have to be whisked away from the wedding festivities! 

All in all, it is our FIRST priority to make sure that your day goes the way YOU want it to go, and that you get the photos that are MOST important to you! Never hesitate to ask us questions, and never hesitate to voice your opinion. 

THIS IS YOUR DAY!

Which brings me to my NEXT point. Your wedding day is YOUR wedding day! As your photographers, we are at your service, and our duty is to make your vision a reality! If you have any ideas or special requests, do not hesitate to ask! Whether these ideas are planned in advance, or spur of the moment, if we can make it happen, we will! For instance, we’ve photographed lightsaber wars in a vineyard, and we have even taken a boat ride to a secluded island where the bride climbed rocks in her wedding dress (upon her request) to get the perfect photo (SO worth it btw).  

Maybe you’re not into posing, and don’t care much for staged formal photos, in that case, we will keep the day feeling EXTRA candid. Or maybe you and your significant other want a photo album worth of super vogue / posed photos together, in which case, THAT will be our mission!

We can’t stress enough that the DAY IS YOURS, so please don’t be afraid to speak up and ask us to take multiple photos of your cat wearing a flower crown, if of course you brought your cat to the wedding and she is indeed wearing a flower crown (this is my dream photo). 

Who Are We!?

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, picking a photographer is only a small part of the equation. Of course, you want to pick your photographer based on their portfolio, but wouldn’t you like to know a little about them as people before diving in!? After all, you are trusting them with documenting your big day, and you want to make sure you vibe with them. So, we wanted to take the time to introduce who WE are, not only as photographers, but as people. 

As a couple, we have been working within the Finger Lakes creatively in an assortment of ways. Tom has done photo and video work for local musicians, breweries, venues and wineries, the list goes on and on! His passion for photography and video work came from the desire to be able to shoot his own promotional material for his band, (incase you didn’t already know, he’s an extremely talented musician who plays acoustic shows across the Finger Lakes with his brother; The Ende Brothers) he is completely self-taught, and a day doesn’t pass where he isn’t teaching himself new techniques, or listening to podcasts of his favorite photographers. Side note: at this point, I’m sure you’re aware that I, Sierra, am writing this blog post…the shameless boasting of my boyfriend’s talents was sure to give it away. What can I say? He’s pretty great. 

I graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Design, in May of 2016. I received my bachelors degree in fine art and graphic design and have since designed for many local businesses, breweries, and wineries. With Tom’s passion for photography, and my passion for design, it only made sense that I myself would pick up the camera shortly afterwards. 

We spent a few years working respectfully in our creative fields within the Finger Lakes, but we had always dreamed of opening a businesses together. We LOVE craft beer, so we considered that route. A brewery maybe? No, we don’t know how to brew beer, that would have been bad. We even considered a pizza shop, because pizza = life. At one point a restaurant sounded like a good plan as well. You see where I’m going with this, just a couple of confused creatives wanting to live the entrepreneur life. Eventually we gave up brainstorming, and told ourselves that it would come to us.  

Fast-forward a few years, and we were asked to shoot a wedding. That seemed like a pretty solid gig. We did some research on wedding photography, devised a game plan, and went for it. During the reception of that very wedding, we both looked at each other and it clicked. Let’s get into the wedding business! It only made too much sense. With our collective design and photography abilities, we were able to create the one-stop-shop for wedding invites, save-the-dates, engagement photos, and wedding photography. BOOM. 

TIME FOR SOME FUN

Now that you have the long winded story about how we got ourselves into the wedding business, let me tell you about US as a couple! Tom and I were high school sweethearts, cue all the “awwwww”-ing. However, there was a small incident in middle school where he pushed me down and stole my basketball. I have since forgiven him. 

I decided to create a little question and answer so that you guys can get a better idea of who we are on a personal level, because although the professional resume talk is cool and everything, we want to have a little fun! Some of these questions are important. Most of these questions are pointless, but we answered these questions separately, and added both of our answers! Enjoy! 

DO YOU HAVE ANY CHILDREN?

Sierra: Yes, two children in the form of cats. Bamboo the Bengal, and Lemon the domestic short-haired queen.

Tom: No, but there are two very needy cats that depend on me for food, shelter and basic necessities 🤷🏻‍♂️ They feel like children 💁🏻‍♂️ 

---

ARE YOU MARRIED?

Sierra: No, not yet. Who is going to photograph our wedding?

Tom: Soon 😌 

---

WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVORITE HOBBIES BESIDES PHOTOGRAPHY? 

Sierra: Painting, working out, and napping.

Tom: These three things feel more like pieces of me. “Hobby” is an understatement! 

-Music (I sing and play guitar professionally!😎) 

-Skateboarding (I will never be Tony Hawk but I started at 10yrs old and haven’t been able to stop😅) 

-Ironically the last choice is a tie between Fitness and Call of Duty 🤦🏻‍♂️

---

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? 

Sierra: Piece of Cake, but apparently it’s only available at select ice cream stands and not in the store, so strawberry is a hard second. If you know where to find Piece of Cake ice cream, hook a girl up. 

Tom: Vanilla. Im very basic when it comes to food. 😁

---

IF YOU COULD EAT ONLY 3 FOODS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Sierra: Boneless chicken wings, spaghetti and Italian bread, and pizza

Tom: Assuming my health isn’t a factor; Pizza, BBQ Boneless Wings and Breadsticks. (I think that’s just your basic take-out pizza combo, but still!!!)

---

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? 

Sierra: I would like to say Jennifer Aniston because I’m addicted to Friends, but she’s much older than me, so the time-line just wouldn’t work. Am I thinking too far into this question? 

Tom: TOM CRUISE 😂😂😂

---

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WEEKEND ACTIVITY?

Sierra: Exploring the Finger Lakes, drinking craft beverages, and attending The Ende Brother’s acoustic shows. Duh.

Tom: A total lack of planned activities. 😎

---

HOW MANY SLICES OF PIZZA ARE YOU CAPABLE OF EATING IN ONE SITTING?

Sierra: This depends on how big the slices are, it could range from 2-4 maybe 5 on a good day.

Tom: Too many. Every time, I eat one too many.

---

DO YOU BELIEVE IN BIGFOOT?

Sierra: I don’t not believe in Bigfoot.

Tom: I’m skeptical.

---

IF YOU COULD MASTER ONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Sierra: I feel like my first instinct would be to say guitar because Tom plays guitar, but if I think really hard about it, I would say the piano. 

Tom: Piano would be epic!

---

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU POSSES THAT COULD HELP YOU SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE?

Sierra: I am a very organized, cautious person. I feel like I would have a game plan at all times, and if something goes wrong, I’m a really fast runner.

Tom: Leadership and decisiveness.👊🏼 BAM 👊🏼

---

WHAT MOVIE CAN YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER WITHOUT EVER GETTING TIRED OF?

Sierra: I’m having a hard time just choosing one. I feel like I could watch Daddy’s Home over and over again, but I know for a fact I’ve watched movies like Overboard, Home and The Vow multiple times. 

Tom: ZOOLANDER is a movie I’ll never stop loving.

---

ARE YOU A WINE OR BEER PERSON?

Sierra: I have more wine in my house than beer, but I’m much more of a craft beer person.

Tom: Craft beer 🍺

---

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAVORITE TV SHOWS?  

Sierra: FRIENDS, Greys Anatomy, Dexter

Tom: LOST/DEXTER/The Walking Dead has strung me along for 7 years now so I feel like that deserves a mention 😑

---

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO BECOME FAMOUS FOR?

Sierra: Being the funny guy.

Tom: For my unparalleled commitment to the “Toyota Camry”. It’s sleek, reliable and affordable.

---

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE ANIMAL TO HELP YOU WIN A FIGHT, WHICH ANIMAL WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Sierra: Bamboo, our bengal kitten. He’s aggressive. 

Tom: ….

---

IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR PET 3 QUESTIONS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Sierra: What’s the most annoying thing I do to you? Are you just manipulating me at all times? What do you do when I’m not home? 

Tom: Are you ignoring me? Or do you not know your name? Also; they tuck my guitar picks under the carpets. I’d like an explanation...

---

IF YOU HAD TO LIVE IN A DIFFERENT STATE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Sierra: My first instinct would be to say Florida. 

Tom: Is it too cliche to say “somewhere warm”?!

---

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY?

Sierra: If I have the day off, then I LOVE the mornings. 

Tom:  I love sunrise and how it feels to be outside during it. Too bad I never wake up that early! 

---

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?

Sierra: Summer of course, but I absolutely hate Spring. 

Tom: Spring is always very motivational and exciting!

---

WHAT IS THE STUPIDEST WAY YOU’VE EVER HURT YOURSELF?

Sierra: I recently tried moving a bookshelf without taking anything off of it and a mason jar fell off the top and hit me in the head. 

Tom: When I was 6 or 7 I got my second pocket knife (it was much sharper than my first) I immediately opened it, pressed it into my thumb and sliced myself with ease. 😅 Like I said, it was sharper than my first 🤷🏻‍♂️

---

IF SOMEONE MADE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE WOULD IT BE A DRAMA, A COMEDY, A ROMANTIC-COMEDY, ACTION FILM, OR SCIENCE FICTION?

Sierra: A comedic drama. Is there a name for that? Was it not an option? 

Tom: It would a biographical documentary, wouldn’t it!? 💁🏻‍♂️

---

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS AND WOULD YOU EVER GO GHOST HUNTING?

Sierra: I totally believe in ghosts! I would like to believe that I would go ghost hunting, but let’s be real, I would be too scared. 

Tom: No and No. 👻

---

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WISH TO BECOME WHEN YOU GREW UP?

Sierra: I wanted to be a famous actress. It did not happen my friends. 

Tom: I think in kindergarten I said I wanted to race dirt bikes. That never even got close to happening 😂 But by 12yrs old my answer was that I wanted to run my own business 😎

---

The Engagement Shoot

Congratulations, you’re engaged! It’s time to pick a venue, a date, a dress, your wedding party, save the dates, invitations…the list goes on and on. But first thing first, engagement photos! Engagement photos are the first official look of the soon to be newly weds. They’re the photos that you’ll send to your family, post on your social media, and add to your save the dates. It’s YOUR time to shine as a couple! Going into an engagement session, everyone has a vision of what their photos will look like, and we’re here to make that vision a reality! We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to ensure that your engagement photos are unique, exciting, and catered to YOU as a couple.

1. Your best friend, Pinterest 

It’s an obvious fact that Pinterest is a couples best friend when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams, but don’t underestimate it’s ability to help you with your engagement photos as well! We always tell our clients to make a Pinterest board to share with us. We want to see the style that you’re attracted to, the colors that you love, and the mood that you’re going for! Every couple has a different vision of what their photos will look like, so Pinterest is the perfect way to get a sneak peak into your minds before the day of the shoot.

2. Don’t be afraid to bring props! 

We’ve all seen the engagement photos of couples holding signs and banners, pets wearing signs, and much more. Whatever idea you have, do not be afraid to bring props! Even if your props include four dogs and two cats. As photographers, we’ve considered having a stockpile of props for couples to choose from, but what’s the fun in that!? We don’t want our couples to be reduced to the props that we carry around with us, that every couple before them has also used in their photos. We want each couple to have their own unique touch. So please, if you have an idea to stage a picnic in a field, then by all means, bring everything you need for that picture perfect picnic, and we will make it happen! 

3. What do you love doing as a couple? 

Sometimes an engagement shoot can feel a little generic. So we encourage you to let us know what it is you enjoy doing as a couple. Is one of your favorite weekend activities to visit local wineries? Then lets do an engagement shoot in a vineyard. Do you love hiking? Lets go for a hike! Do you cherish football Sundays together? Then bring your jerseys! You get the picture…no pun intended. We want as much of your personality as a couple to shine through your engagement photos.

4. Be yourself! 

Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera, especially when you’re being told where to stand and how to position yourself, so sometimes this word of advice is easier said than done. During a shoot, we like to remind our couples to act natural! Just have fun with one another! Make each other laugh, forget about the camera, and remind yourself periodically that you’re standing next to the love of your life! What could be better than that!? 

5. Be vocal 

Yes, we are the photographers and we will have moments where we direct you, but we LOVE when couples are vocal with us about their vision. After all, this photoshoot is all about YOU as a couple. If you have a good side, or a bad side (lets face it, we are all convinced that we do) then let us know! If you two have a secret handshake that you want captured, let us know! We want your ideas to shine through.