How much does a wedding photographer cost in California?

rocker in love 02 1 jpg

rocker in love tips for you How much does a wedding photographer cost in California? The Average Cost for Wedding Photography The Average Cost of Wedding Photography If you’re wondering how much you should spend on your wedding photography, this article is here to help.  Determining the average cost of a wedding photographer can be challenging due to the wide range of options available at a so different price points.  Different from a physical product like a computer, or a car, comparing prices and value of wedding photography is HARD and couples can easily get overwhelmed. “Where do I even start?” “How do I choose?” “What I should pay attention to?” “Why does it even matter?”  Well, starting with the importance of making a conscious decision: After all the planing, all the coordinating, the dream and expectations for this crazy special day – the day you will commit to each other – what you will get to keep forever are: each other + the photos. Starting this article by saying that without a question photography is THE MOST important contract from your wedding. Ask someone (like my mom) that has lost everything in a house on fire, what is the one thing they wish to have it back? Mom still talks about all my photos as a baby that burned with the house – 30 years later. Fortunately, she was able to rebuild everything back but our *photo albums*. Also, without going too deep and nerd in neuroscience, studies have shown how having family photography around the house brings confidence, reassurance and the sense of belonging on kids. So what could it be the effect of even a fast everyday glance at that frame in the wall showing the overflowing love in the eyes of a couple from the moment they committed to each other? Or maybe flipping, every now and then, through pages of an album that tells the story of the start of their family? Then, getting back to the question: How much should you invest in your wedding photography? Quick answer is: As much as you are willing to invest. You can probably find someone that would photograph your wedding for free (like your uncle that has a fancy camera) and you can find photographers that would charge $5k, $10k, $20k and more… You can try to compare getting prices of different wedding photographers packages and look at number of hours and albums BUT the RESULT will never be the same because it’s service + art combined. How do you compare and preachify art? How do you know the value of a service before using it? To solve this challenge, wedding blogs will tell you to spend a specific amount or a percentage but we believe this is should be an open ended answer because the most important thing is that you make a conscious decision that will make you happy is the end.  You are the one that is going to experience and get to keep the result of your choice. So no judging in here! The goal is to make sure you get the RIGHT photographer, not the AVERAGE. Since it is not a straightforward answer, instead of focusing on the average, the best or essential thing to do is finding a photographer who aligns with your specific vision and values. This approach will help you find photographers you LOVE and TRUST, rather than just comparing numbers of a service that you can’t measure before the wedding day.  **So, how much would the RIGHT wedding photographer *FOR ME* would cost in California?**  The cost of a wedding photographer in California in 5 distinct groups: Newcomer: $0-500 (Just starting out, may not have photographed a weddings before, not seen a professional yet.)    – How you might feel: Taking a leap of faith because they’re fresh to the wedding world.    – What to expect: Photos might be like a surprise cake – could be a hit, could crumble a bit. Enthusiast: $500-2000 (Have some wedding experience, not a full-time. Their style might not be intentional and in a consistence that commands a tier price tag)    – How you might feel: Like trying out a new ice cream flavor – curious, but not sure.    – What to expect: Pictures might be like a homemade sushi – tasty, but not quite gourmet. Progressing Pro: $2000-3000 ((Has higher demand for style, transitioning into the professional category)    – How you might feel: Like watching a superhero origin story – seeing them get stronger and cooler.    – What to expect: At this point, photographers usually start getting fancier gear, making sure they have a reliable backup system, and learning more to grow their business.            4. Experienced Pro: $3000-$6000       (Considered full-time experts, known for     their style and skills.)    – How you might feel: a cozy hammock – relaxed because they know the ropes.    – What to expect: Photos might be like a magical spell – capturing moments so well, it’s like wizardry. Prestige and Luxury: Starting from $6000-$9000, and beyond; initial rates could be $10k, $20k, or higher (Esteemed and well-established, these photographers offer a refined style, accompanied by an extensive array of services)    – How you might feel: Sipping a fancy unicorn latte – because they bring that extraordinary touch.    – What to expect: Can handle events and unpredictable situation with ease. Photos might be like walking the red carpet – elevated and intencional. **Breaking the Mold: Beyond the 10% Rule – Personalized Approaches to Wedding Photography Budgets** A while ago, “wedding specialists” started saying that you should spend around 10-15% of your budget on your wedding photographers. Not that is a bad advice but it’s a bit too simplified and might not suit everyone. We often photograph luxury elevated weddings followed by intentional elopements – Couples that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in their wedding and couples that the only wedding cost is us.  The problem with the 10% rule is that

10 tips to make the most of your wedding day timeline

wedding couple dancing on an outdoor dance floor with lights and their guests around

Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement Tips to make the most of your wedding day timeline Because we know each other and we care about every minute for you to make the most of your day Tips for getting the Most out of your Timeline Looking to create a stress-free wedding day timeline that allows for celebration and ensures you capture your desired photos? Establishing a well-structured timeline and being prepared are vital steps to achieve this. Here are our top tips based on our personal experience to help your wedding day run smoothly! Leave Plenty of Time for Getting Ready Too often, brides underestimate the time required for hair and makeup, leading to delays in the wedding day timeline, particularly when it’s time to put on the dress. It’s crucial to create buffer time to account for any unexpected delays. This ensures that even if you fall 10, 15, or 30 minutes behind schedule, you’ll still be on track.For instance, let’s say you have an event scheduled for 1:30pm, such as a first look or formal photographs, and it takes place on the same premises or within a 15-minute distance. In most cases, we recommend aiming to start getting into your dress by 12:15pm or even earlier. This allows you to give yourself plenty of time and even the opportunity to get ahead of schedule. It’s important to anticipate that there will be at least one person who is highly focused on adhering to the timeline. This person, sometimes known as a “timeline Nazi,” ensures that everyone stays on track and helps to avoid unnecessary delays. Their role is to keep the wedding day flowing smoothly and according to the planned schedule. Know That There Will Be at Least One Person Who Is a Timeline Nazi Absolutely, there’s often one person who becomes concerned about the wedding day timeline. It’s essential to identify this individual and have a conversation with them before the big day.  Go over the timeline together and explain where the buffer times are allocated. Assure them that regardless of any minor deviations, your wedding day will be filled with joy and celebration. By addressing this concern in advance, you can defuse any potential tension and ensure everyone is on the same page. This allows you to fully enjoy your comfortable and well-planned timeline without unnecessary stress. In addition to managing the timeline, make sure to have all your wedding details organized and ready. This includes items such as your vows, marriage license, rings, and any other essential documents or accessories.  Having everything together in advance will save time and prevent last-minute scrambling or delays on the day of your wedding. Have All Your Details Together Are you a fan of intricate details? Or perhaps the more important question is, do you possess significant details that you would cherish to have beautifully styled and photographed as a memento? That’s precisely why we specialize in flat-lay photography. Creating a captivating flat-lay arrangement requires a little time and effort, but the key to success lies in ensuring that all your items are organized and prepared for the photo shoot in a neat and orderly manner.  In our guide, “Meaningful Items to Include in Your Flatlay,” we recommend keeping your smaller details in a plastic Ziploc or a similar bag, while larger details, if any, can be stored in a bigger bag.  You can then gently place the Ziploc bag inside a small shoe box, which can be further placed in the larger bag. This way, you will be fully prepared to hand over your items directly to your photographer upon their arrival! Keep everyone and everything together as much as possible during the process. Get ready to unleash the power of action! If you want to supercharge your wedding photos, it’s time to keep things streamlined and concentrated in just a few locations. Trust me, every minute counts when it comes to capturing those precious moments that will make your heart skip a beat.   Imagine this: by minimizing the number of locations, you’re not only minimizing travel time but also unlocking a world of possibilities for your talented photographers and videographers. Instead of wasting precious minutes on packing, loading, unloading, and all the logistics in between, they’ll be fully immersed in their art, capturing the essence of your special day in all its glory.   Picture this: a seamless, efficient flow that keeps the energy high and the focus sharp. By choosing to centralize your wedding experience, you’re creating a dynamic atmosphere where every detail, every emotion, and every magical instant can be captured with passion and precision. Consider a First Look Now, I understand that you may have some reservations about the idea of a “first look.” And that’s perfectly alright!  We believe in embracing individual preferences. However, it’s hard to deny the fact that incorporating a first look can significantly enhance the flow of your wedding day timeline, which is why it has become so popular in modern times. If you’re still uncertain about when you should lay eyes on your beloved for the first time on your special day, we highly recommend reading our insightful article on the Pros and Cons of Having a First Look. Let me paint a picture of how a first look can work wonders for your timeline.  By opting for a first look, you have the opportunity to capture almost all, if not all, of your formal photographs before the ceremony even begins.  Just imagine the freedom and excitement of saying “I do” and then diving headfirst into a night of pure celebration!  Not to mention, you won’t have to worry about your guests anxiously waiting for dinner to start while you’re frantically wrapping up your photo session. Embrace the possibilities of a first look and give yourself the gift of a seamless wedding experience.  By taking care of the formalities ahead of time, you’ll be able to savor every precious moment with your spouse, friends, and family without

Joshua Tree Wedding Photographer

Joshua Tree Wedding

Joshua Thee Love Session KATIE & GaRRET Tracy & Bryan A Love Story from Joshua Tree Garrett and I are actors who met as tour guides at Universal. We had a rough start aka I was having a nice conversation and then he turned around and asked this other girl for her number. Long story short after some road bumps at the beginning, it was meant to be and it turns out he thought I was out of his league after our first chat ha. So ya know, 2nd chances. We been together for over 5 years and have a morkie named Whiskey who is hilarious and will be in our wedding. Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here Share with your friends and family LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING

Elopement VS Big Weddings – The Pros and Cons

Elopement VS Big Weddings The Pros and Cons

Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement Elopement VS Big WeddingsThe Pros and Cons Congratulations on taking the next step to spend forever with your partner!  Elopement VS Big WeddingsThe Pros and Cons Congratulations on taking the next step to spend forever with your partner!  Now that you’ve decided on one of the most important decisions of your life, I’m sure you must be racking your brain thinking about how exactly you want to celebrate it.  You may be caught between having a big wedding party or eloping for a more intimate wedding experience.  So which exactly should you go for?  How should you celebrate your wedding?  While we would not want to push you to make a decision because after all your wedding is all about you… We will however outline the pros and cons of each wedding so you can decide for yourself which fits best into your and your partner’s personality and vibe.  What is an Elopement?  Eloping means foregoing a traditional wedding in favor of a more intimate ceremony.  It doesn’t necessarily imply that you and your partner went on a secret getaway without telling anyone. You need to see elopements as an intentionally small, intimate, and authentic wedding experience that truly reflects your relationship and the focus of the day is on no one else but you two. The old-fashioned meaning of the word “elopement” is running away to get married without the knowledge of the parents. This already makes an elopement wedding look bad even today. But the modern-day definition has changed it to something more meaningful for couples. “Eloping is simply getting married with a smaller number of guests (or none), in a beautiful, meaningful location, where the whole day is all about the two of you.” Pros of Having an Elopement It doesn’t matter whether it’s just the two of you or you plan to invite a few people along.  An elopement is an intimate thing that involves spending your best moments with your favorite people.  So what are the pros of elopement? Let’s find out below! Minimal drama In an elopement, the focus is primarily on you and your partner.  Sometimes big weddings can get into a cycle of pressure and overwhelm but with an elopement, it is calmer and less demanding. When choosing to Elope the drama is naturally minimized just by the fact that you are not bent on making sure everyone else is happy and sometimes at the expense of your happiness.  You might end up fatigued at the end of the day without really having the fun you dreamed of.  Fewer location limits In an elopement, it’s easier to get married anywhere! On the beach, the mountains, parks, National Parks, and your backyard.  You just name it. You can be spontaneous.  There are almost no limits! What guest list? Another major source of stress when planning a traditional wedding is the choice of who to invite and who not too. Then there’s also where to seat people at the reception. But with an elopement, you only need to plan for two!  Or a bit more depending on the people you want to witness your elopement.   Most couples do not have more than 20 guests at their elopement. It’s usually just the closest people to them.  Your elopement could include just your immediate family and a few close friends too!   In many US States, you only need two witnesses to be legally married. And they could be your photographer, videographer, or stylist.   A big wedding has a lot more people attending. Anywhere from 50 to hundreds of people. And as a couple, you may not know every single person at your wedding.  You may know of them, but you really may not know them. At a big wedding, people tend to bring a +1 like a partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend.  So chances are, you will be introduced to people on your wedding day and not all couples can deal with that. Cons of an Elopement With an elopement,    You’ll have very few guests if any You might face an awkward situation with some friends & family afterward as some might feel excluded.   You might not get to experience some of the classic big wedding traditions like bouquet throw, speeches, dance, and all. Now let’s talk about big weddings! Sounds like we are “pro-elopement” but stay with us here: We LOVE photographing big weddings too!    Big weddings come with a lot of fun and excitement and involve the opportunity to host as many guests as possible.    Pros of Having a Big Wedding An opportunity for both families to bond A wedding is a great place to strengthen bonds. It’s a union of two families where you meet, interact and build bonds.  It’s widely believed that when you marry someone, you also marry their family. Yes, the marriage is between you and your partner, but in a big wedding, you allow others to share in your joy.  Whether you are the type that wants all the classic wedding traditions, or an alternative, layback couple that loves the idea of being surrounded by all your favorite people, then this is perfect! Big Weddings can be very fun! There is something special about being surrounded by all of your friends and family on your big day. For many people, having all their family and friends around for the big day can translate into a lot of fun for them.  Your guests will likely talk about your wedding for years to come.  With a big wedding, you can show your loved ones how much you appreciate them. Cons of Having a Big Wedding Planning In planning a big wedding, most of the time, you need to do more tasks compared to an elopement. Cos you’re taking care of a larger number of guests. Say you’re planning a wedding for 200 guests. This means you need to first get a venue that can accommodate that number, then, food