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A Note from Karen

First, let me congratulate you on your upcoming wedding! Being engaged is such a unique and fun time in your life. And planning a wedding can also be very fun. But it can also be overwhelming at times - you've probably never planned a wedding before and it's the only wedding you'll probably ever have so you want to make sure that it's all perfect. My goal is to put enough information here and on my website to help you in your journey. If you have any additional questions or when/if you would like to talk on the phone or in person about your wedding, contact me at any time. I look forward to talking with you!

About My Style

It's important for your photographer to have a style that matches your vision for your wedding images. I'm sure that after looking through several wedding portfolios, you've noticed that there's a distinct difference between each photographer's work. I classify my own work as a blend between elegance, creativity, and documentary-style. Most of the wedding day, I am very unobtrusive and give little direction, especially during the getting ready, ceremony and reception parts of the day. During group portraits and the wedding party/bride&groom portraits" part of the day, I tend to give more direction when appropriate. My overall goal is to tell a story of your wedding day that you will want to look at over and over again, even 50 years from now.

Am I the Right Photographer for You?

No photographer is perfect for everyone. If you're top priority is perfect formal family portraits on the wedding day, then another photographer would better suit your needs. If you want a very trendy or fashion-forward look to your photos, once again I'm probably not the one for you. But if you want a elegance & creative touch mixed with a candid perspective, then we may be a great match. Most of my couples are relaxed, fun and have classic tastes in their appearance, their lifestyle, and their photography.

We Aren't Getting Married in St Louis - Do You Travel for Weddings?

Yes, I can travel for weddings. In fact, since wedding photography is relatively less expensive in the midwest compared to the east and west coast, this may be a great option for certain couples. Contact me for a custom travel quote. Travel to Southern California, Seattle, Austin, and Dallas is especially reasonable since I have close friends and family in those areas.

Do You Photograph Group/Family Formals?

Absolutely! Family/Group portraits are usually taken right after the ceremony. I have a standard list that I typically use, but of course you're welcome to add a few in there as well. There are about 15 standard family shots and 10 standard wedding party shots. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending the size of the family and wedding party.

What Equipment Do You Use?

I use all Canon professional equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, 2 camera bodies, 6 canon L-series lenses, 3 flashes and lots of accessories and miscellaneous things. My second shooter usually has a comparable inventory.

What are the Benefits of a Second Shooter?

My first couple of years in business, I photographed weddings by myself for the most part. However, since then I've included a second shooter as part of my suggested wedding collection for many reasons. They can provide a fresh perspective if we're both in the same place at the same time. They can be in a different place than me (like when getting ready, I can be with the bride while he/she is with the groom). What I love the most is the fact that since the wedding party is usually so focused on me during the wedding party portraits, they forget about the second photographer which allows for a more candid perspective.

We Love Your Work - Do We Need to Meet with You in Order to Book You?

In-person consultations are not required. Most of my clients are referrals from past weddings, so we may already know each other and you have a good understanding of my style and personality. Others may not be local and can't meet in person. I think a phone consultation can be just as valuable as an in-person one and much more efficient. However, if you need an in-person consultation, that's great too! Simply call or email to schedule one.

How Do We Officially Reserve Our Wedding Date?

You need to consult with me to customize your wedding collection. I will then send you a link to an online client portal where you can electronically sign the contract and pay the retainer online using a credit card or mail in a check in you prefer. NO WEDDING DATES ARE RESERVED WITHOUT BOTH A CONTRACT AND A RETAINER. Even if we've talked extensively about your wedding, please know that I usually get multiple inquiries for each date. The first one to get their contract and retainer completed gets the date.

What if We Don't Know What We Need in Our Wedding Collection?

Not a problem - we can do a Save the Date retainer. Then we'll customize a collection for you about 3-6 months before your wedding.

What are Your Rates/Packages/Collections?

They can be found here -Wedding Pricing.

My Contact Information

Phone: 314.604.1078
Email: karen@fireflyimagesonline.com