I married young, at the ripe age of 21 years old, and I was going to school for nursing. In other words, when I was planning my wedding, I wasn’t thinking about photography. I had a camera that I played around with but I mostly only took pictures of my dog, flowers, and every once in a while, my friends. Because I was busy in school, I let my mom handle most of the planning. So when it was time to hire a photographer for the wedding, she suggested using someone who I’ve known my whole life – a studio photographer that went to my home church. Remember, 7 years ago wedding photography wasn’t what it is today; we didn’t have many options at first glance. It wasn’t until after my wedding when I realized, not just any photographer should photograph a wedding. The pictures from my wedding don’t remind me of how that day felt. Portraiture photography just kind of found me but I sought out wedding photography and I really think my main motivation was, and still is, to provide my clients with pictures that will allow them to rediscover the emotions that came from the incredibly special, one-of-a-kind moments. And not just anyone can see those moments and capture them forever. Choosing a photographer is more like choosing the way you want to remember your wedding day.
It begins with an experience – it’s not something that can be attained in just one day, and the experience starts with a relationship. You’ll be spending more time with me on your wedding than with any other wedding vendor, after all!
It starts with an inquiry. If you like what you see and, from first glance, I seem like someone who could become a friend and I’m available on your wedding date, I’d love to chat with you! To find out if I’m available on your date you can view my up-to-date wedding calendar here. Contact me either through email (rachael.houser@gmail.com) or via the contact form on my website. Either through email or a face-to-face meeting, we’ll decide together if I’m the wedding photographer for you.
Next is the booking! A wedding photography contract will need to be filled out and signed before you’re considered booked. I also require a retainer fee of 25% of your collection price. That amount will be put toward your collection and the remaining 75% will be due no later than two weeks before the the wedding.
Included in my wedding collection is a complimentary portrait session. Most couples do an engagement session, but other options are bridal, boudoir, or day-after sessions. A day-after session is for any time after the wedding. ANY time. If you opt for a session that needs to take place before the wedding, we’ll schedule it for at least 1 month before the wedding, that way you can use images from the session for your wedding if you so choose.
I love it when couples include me in some way or another in planning their wedding! If I know your area, I’ll be able to suggest and recommend any vendor you can think of! Because of the close relationship I like to have with my couples, brides and I tend to email each other as often as once a week! By the time your wedding comes around, I won’t just be another wedding vendor 🙂
About two weeks before the wedding, we’ll get together for a meeting I like to call the pre-wedding consultation. Prepare to spend about two hours with me because this is when we’ll get to the meat of your wedding photography planning. I like to start the meeting off at the ceremony location. If possible, we’ll visit the location at which you’ll be getting ready as well as the locations you’d like for any and all portraits. Next up, we’ll go to the reception location. Visiting the locations that we will be using during your wedding day allows me to scout out locations and check out the natural lighting that’s available. Bonus points for scheduling the meeting to put us at the locations around the same time of day that we’ll be there for the wedding!
I honestly believe that your wedding day will only goes as smoothly as your timeline allows. I don’t presume that you know how much time each individual portion of the day might take, which is why I like to create the wedding day timeline together! Weddings are not cookie cutter and your timeline should allow for all things, traditional and unique!
So the wedding is over….what now? Before you receive the digital files from your wedding, I will post a preview image on my Facebook page. The sneak peek image will be posted the 1-2 days following the wedding. Approximately 3-4 weeks after your wedding, you’ll receive a detailed instructional email on how to view your online gallery…
I opt to provide my clients with all of the high-resolution images from both their engagement session and wedding through the use of an online gallery. Clients can download their images directly from that gallery. I provide a limited print release for the couple and their immediate family but anyone can order 4×6, 5×7, and 8×12-sized prints straight from the online gallery. You can still order prints and albums from me, where they are guaranteed to be of professional quality.
Does this wedding experience sound like something you would LOVE to be a part of? Let’s talk! We can start your RHP Wedding Experience today!
