Kenny + Eliza | Married

Hey, Soul Tribe! If you’ve been around for a while, you know I enjoy chatting it up with my brides about their big days. With a fresh New Year right around the corner, I decided to spice things up a little by providing a new perspective on what a wedding day is like with me at Ashley Dorton Photography!

Weddings can take on a literal life of their own. We’re talking BIG energy, BIG emotions, and BIG opportunities for error (if careful measures aren’t taken). Lucky for my couples, I’m the Queen of Careful. Yes, I figured out early-on that there needs to be some kind of rhyme, reason, and structure to the overall photography game-plan, because there are even things your planner won’t always know to account for. I like to keep myself one step ahead of the game by utilizing my most powerful asset on wedding days: knowledge built from experience.

With 10+ years in the wedding industry and over 300 weddings under my belt, I’ve earned the title of a well-seasoned Pro in the wedding industry, and I’ve also picked up several helpful tips along the way. So, for entertainment AND learning purposes, let’s take a look at a typical wedding day from my own perspective and the pro tips I’ve learned to help me navigate. Whether you’re a future ADP bride, you’re still planning your big day, or you’re a wedding professional yourself, this blog is a must-read. There’s so much to learn from each-other’s experiences, and today, I’m glad to be a resource for you. Let’s dive in!

First and foremost, my preparation process begins the moment a new couple inquires. Whether we’re communicating through email or time allows for us to meet in person, it’s important for me to get a solid understanding of what my clients need and expect from their wedding photography. I like to dive deep with my couples, so I can get a clear idea of how I can best support their vision and provide answers to any questions. Not sure what to ask? No worries! I can provide you with an in-detail questionnaire to fill out prior to your big day, if needed, to help us fill in the blanks. *Pro tip: fill out any questionnaires, contracts, and shot lists TOGETHER, so that everyone is on the same page before your big day.

While it’s true that most of my couples aren’t actually professional models, there’s still a reason they all totally LOOK like they’ve done this before. Whenever possible, I encourage my brides to schedule a portrait session with me prior to their wedding (like an engagement shoot, boudoir session, or bridal portraits) so we can work on posing and comfort in front of the camera. Sure, there are still slightly-awkward, unplanned, and silly moments, but sometimes, leaning into those feelings can create the best images. I’m careful to give clear and natural instruction throughout your time in front of the camera as well, and I always, ALWAYS come prepared to hype you up. *Pro tip: get you a photographer who loves to have fun- because the one emotion we can’t fake is happiness. Your photos are meant to leave you SMILING, so be sure to share any ideas you have on how we could make it special for everyone.

When it comes to creating my master photography plan for each wedding, I’ve certainly developed a method to the madness. I like to break down each day’s timeline by the hour, based on the amount of time I’ll be shooting, the main events taking place, and the MUST-HAVE photo ops requested by the Bride and Groom. Then, I look for pockets of time I can work in throughout the day for buffering, and I also request a shot-list with names of everyone needed for each family photo. *Pro tip: make sure several trusted people have a copy of this master photography plan ahead of time, and also, pre-designate someone who knows your guests and family to help ensure all are present during important family photos. Trust me, the last thing you want to be doing is calling out all the names yourself in a crunch for time.

Securing my second shooter is also an important part of the wedding photography process that many people don’t have the inside scoop on, and arranging to have the very best help out there is something I take very seriously. These helpers have the important job of supporting the photographer AND the success of the couple’s wedding photos; oftentimes being asked to do both at the same time. I work hard, year-round to maintain healthy and happy relationships with the special helpers I utilize frequently, and I often assist them for their own weddings as well. We invest time and energy into supporting each-other, so that our couples can have the security of knowing their event is fully covered, and backup plans are in place. What’s that saying? Teamwork makes the dream work? Yeah… we fully agree with that statement around here. *Pro tip: pick a photographer who works with the same second shooters frequently, rather than photographers who don’t have a relationship with each-other. Connection is truly key, here.

Packing my camera bag the night before a wedding has become more religious than my morning routine, at this point. To me, there’s no better feeling than that of being prepared, so I make sure all my boxes are checked an entire 24-hours before it’s showtime. In my bag, I pack two main cameras, an additional backup camera body, my camera harness, all of my different lenses, lens wipes, extra batteries, my flash system, a backup flash, triggers, tons of USB cards, special ring boxes, an emergency bride kit, Advil, a wooden hanger, copies of my master plan, and a pen/highlighter. Excessive? Maybe, but one thing about me is that I’ll always have everything I need. *Pro tip: Hire a Type-A photographer who’s on top of their game, so you don’t have to be.

Attitude is everything, so my most important focus for me on a wedding morning is self-care. We’re talking feel-good music turned up, positive affirmations in the mirror being said, triple-checking my bags, grabbing a yummy meal on the way, and visualizing a successful day from the jump. The idea behind this is that by filling my own cup first, I’m able to show up for my couples lighter and more prepared. This additional step is truly the game-changer I would recommend to everyone, no matter what your day or job consists of. *Pro tip: I’m a firm believer in Annie’s theory that we’re never fully-dressed without a smile, so I’m always sure to locate mine before I leave the house.

Arriving to a wedding always feels like every version of excitement and anticipation you can imagine, all at once. I would bet it’s similar to how Santa Clause feels on Christmas Eve – ready to spread cheer but also in charge of pulling the whole thing off. Good thing I thrive off pressure, right? lol When I arrive, I’m quick to beeline towards the bride, greet her with a hug, and get my hands on her bag of detail items and dress to ensure they get their moment in the spotlight before they’re needed. I like to take this time to center myself within the burst of creativity that usually hits me as soon as I walk in the door. *Pro tip: put all of your detail items and an invitation suite together in a bag, so it’s easier to hand off when the time comes.

Scouting the venue for locations is one of my favorite parts of the day, when time allows for it. I look for a variety of spaces to fit each scenario we’ll encounter throughout the day, and then I make a mental note of my favorite spots I can’t leave without capturing. The spaces I look for are areas clear of distractions and large crowds, well-lit areas that showcase the landscape, historic areas or attractions that are close-by, spaces that wink at my couple’s special interests, sun-kissed areas that work well for golden hour, and an area big enough for family/group photos. Secondarily, I look for backup areas that would work in case of unexpected weather or a change in plans, because awareness is preparedness. *Pro tip: I photograph my overall landscape images of the grounds as I survey the area, so that I’m completing two important tasks at once.

Managing the schedule AND keeping everyone’s spirits up during a long day of picture-taking can be a job in and of itself, but I find it to be much easier when the whole team is working as a well-oiled machine. This is why I make a huge point to introduce myself and communicate with all the other on-site wedding vendors prior to the ceremony. You never know who may have a question about timing or preferences, so I make sure to make my rounds and personally chat with everyone long-before we enter crunch time. Meeting the other vendors and giving them all a little boost of encouragement has become something I look forward to, and it really sets the tone for a great day. *Pro tip: carry a copy of the master plan during these introductions, so it can be referenced in case anyone has time-specific questions.

Bride and Groom portraits are my absolute favorite part of the day. By this time, emotions and anticipation have run high all day, and my clients are ready to finally be back in each-other’s arms. This buildup creates a really special and close energy between my couples, and tends to produce some of the most intimate and emotional images of the entire day. For these reasons, I like to be in-the-moment during this block of time, and I like to select locations that promote intimacy and physical space away from the rest of the party. *Pro tip: instruct clients to focus on only each-other during these special moments alone- as the day goes so much more quickly than most people are aware. Savor these moments, dance in the golden sun, give forehead kisses… whatever it takes to make you feel alive with the one you’ve committed to forever with. Trust me, it’s worth it to get a little lost together on your big day.

My posing advice for newlywed couples is simple- lean into each other and kiss as often as you can. Whether only one of you or both of you don’t like being photographed, your wedding day is not the day to shy away from the camera. If you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera it’s a good idea not to stress too much about how the photo will come out. I have a highly-trained artistic eye that understands how to pose you and your new spouse in ways to complement both of you.  One of the best things you can do if you don’t like being photographed is to pretend like you aren’t. Just enjoy the quiet moments with your new spouse and focus on the excitement of the wedding day, rather than dwelling on your discomfort. The more relaxed you are, the better your photos will come out, even if you don’t feel like you are particularly photogenic. *Some other simple pro tips are to remember your posture, think happy thoughts, smile from your eyes, and practice makes perfect 🙂 Leave the rest up to me.

When it comes to the Ceremony, I’ve got this part down to a science. My second-shooter and I arrive to the site with plenty of time to capture the entire space set up before guests arrive. This allows us the opportunity to capture an image of each detail AND each guest, without needing to rush or worry. I designate one photographer to get close-up shots and move up and down the center isle, and the other to get overall shots, moving around the perimeter. This ensures that we are both achieving a different look for variety, and staying out of each-others shots in the meantime. We also designate who will get which angle of the first kiss, because that’s a moment we cant repeat. *Pro tip for bride and groom: look up while you’re walking, and kiss each-other longer than you’d think. This gives us the best chances of capturing all the shots you’re hoping to get.

Group photos and family photos are often described as the “hardest part” of the day, but it doesn’t have to feel like that at all, if you’re prepared. This is when my shot list comes in handy most, because literally no-one should be in charge of keeping the list of all those photos in their head. I ask my second shooter to put on her loudest leadership voice and call each grouping out by name, one by one. As we work our way down the list, we utilize a pre-selected friend or family member who knows everyone, as mentioned before, to help us wrangle everyone in. This system allows for a pretty seamless execution, especially when everyone knows to be alert and listen out for their name. *Pro tip: ask your food service team to bring over a sampling of drinks and appetizers during group shots, in order to limit the amount of people who go missing during this window. Also- try to photograph children and elderly family members first, so they can be dismissed quickly.

Finally, we’ve hit the reception, and by this point, everyone (including me) is hungry and ready to have a good time. After introductions have ended, my second-shooter and I will try to snag a spot in the buffet line with the rest of the wedding party, to ensure we finish eating around the same time they do. Once everyone’s bellies are full, we are able to shift our focus back towards capturing any fun, dancing, and hilarity that may ensue. If our couple has a special exit planned, I like to go practice this moment 30-minutes early with my assistant in order to make sure our cameras are all set up for the change of scenery. *Pro tip: if you’ve planned an elaborate exit, walk slowly and consider doing it twice to ensure we got “the shot”.

To My Future Couples,

Thank you so much for following along and believing in this little dream of mine. I’ve been entrusted with the photography of countless wedding days, and the newness and excitement just never gets old. I enjoy every moment I’m able to spend doing what I love, and I’m honored to be a part of each of your special days. I wish you all the best of luck during your planning process, and I hope the pro tips I’ve mentioned today save you all lots of hassle later.

A special ‘thank you’ to Eliza and Kenny Manning, the beautiful couple featured in this blog. Your VMFA event was an absolute dream, and reliving your wedding day while creating this blog was SO much fun.

And finally, a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the amazing vendors I work with, who play a special part in making each wedding such a success! It truly takes a well-oiled team of professionals to seamlessly pull off an event of such importance, and I’ve been blessed to work with the best.

Here’s to celebrating the most incredible day of your life with your soulmate (and a photographer who LOVES what they’re doing). May your wedding and wedding-day photos be everything you ever dreamt of and more.

Xo,
Ashley



(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)