Today I’m answering one of my most asked questions by brides:

Have you worked at my venue before?

After working in the wedding industry for the last few years, there are lots of questions that I can answer like its second nature.  The same questions, usually listed by Martha or the Knot, pop up at initial meetings, and this one is no exception.

While this question is a great one to ask of most vendors, it’s actually a little less important for photographers… and here’s why:

• While it’s nice to know the lay of the land and what locations have ideal lighting, the problem with visiting a venue ahead of time is that lighting conditions change from day to day!  If it’s cloudy, I’ll want to photograph in much different locations than on a sunny day where we’ll be looking for shade (to avoid those pesky squinty eyes!).
• When I get the chance to explore a new location, I’m looking at it with fresh eyes.  A new space makes it difficult to go into “default” mode as an artist and that means better spots for your photographs!
• As far as scouting out said locations, I always make it an effort to arrive a tiny bit early on your wedding day to scout locations for bridal party portraits, family portraits, and your bride and groom shots!  Because of that, I’m getting the lighting conditions in real time, with no need for an extra visit!

So no, its not necessary to hire a photographer who has worked at your venue previously, but there are also a few extra perks for seasoned shooters:

• Chances are, they won’t get lost trying to find your venue ;)  If they’re already familiar with the space they’ll know where to go, where to park, and all of those types of logistics!
• They’ll also be more likely to have a good rain plan because they’ll already be familiar with the property and won’t have to scramble to find an extra location.  For example, because Vinh & Caroline’s venue had very limited space for large group photos in the rain, we just went ahead and found a nearby location that would.  This was such an important part of their wedding day, so we could easily make that happen!
• And last but not least, one of the biggest perks of a photographer that has experience at your venue – they know the team!  So much of a wedding day is a team effort, especially with the venue team and planners.  Having a previous working relationship always helps to make things run smoother for your day!

So there you have it: You Don’t Need to Hire a Photographer Who has worked at your venue before…

But it’s also not a bad idea if you do!

The reality is, that it all depends on your personality! If you find yourself to be more laid back, then don’t worry about it.  If the little details tend to stress you out, it might be a better idea to have a photographer who is familiar with your venue!