THE WEDDING GUIDE

THE EXPERIENCE

WHAT CAN’T BE SEEN IN PHOTOGRAPHS

After the cake is eaten, the flowers have died, and friends and family have returned home, all that remains will be memories and the photos that hold them. For this reason, it is deeply important that you can hire a photographer whose attention and dedication you can trust.

Your photographer and her team will also spend more time with you on their wedding day than any other vendor. For this reason, it is important to hire a photographer who’s company you can enjoy.

How can you know whom to trust, and with whom you’d like to spend your wedding day?

Your complimentary consultation call will be an excellent opportunity to get to know your vendors, but it is hard to make such an important decision after a 15-minute call. In this guide, you will read answers to the most important questions and learn more about the experience working with our team.

In addition to this, it might be helpful to know that you don’t need to make this decision alone. Click here to access true reviews from real clients, as found on Google. These reviews are unprompted and unedited-- truly a note from past clients to you.

THE APPROACH

THE MENTALITY BEHIND THE ARTISTRY

Candid, editorial documentary- style. You see it written all over the website, the blog, the newsletters. But what does it mean?

Candid. The majority of your wedding photos will be of your laughing and embracing your loved ones. Your portrait session will mostly consist of holding hands, slow dancings, long hugs, and sweet kisses. The experience will always be valued over the photograph. Your happiness is my top priority.

Editorial. Although the majority of your photos will be candid, you will also receive photographic direction as needed and have the opportunity to take creative portraits upon request. Your detail photos will be taken with an artistic eye, and you will receive enough direction such that you will feel that the photos are complimentary to you. The composition, color work, and artistry will remind you of the day, but will also be emotive and aesthetic.

Documentary- style. In a world of artificial content, digitized bodies, and false representations of reality, you can rest assured knowing that your wedding photos will reflect nothing but reality. Edits are true-toned and film inspired; photoshop is minimal. This is an art of capturing true fleeting moments, not an art of creating something that wasn’t.

THE TIMELINE

YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM BEGINNING TO FINISH

6-18 months prior

THE INQUIRY

You have found my website and submitted your inquiry. You have scheduled a time to meet and you have received a few of my most recent galleries. Now you are reading this wedding guide.

THE CONSULTATION

Soon, you will meet with me. This guide will answer most of your questions and help you to have an idea of who you are meeting with. During your complimentary consultation, we will get to know each other and you might ask any miscellaneous questions that you have. You may also tell me about your wedding vision and we might get excited about the little details.

THE CONTRACT

After we’ve met, I will send you a sample contract, with the services that we’ve discussed during our call. You will have time to peruse the document and sign it at your leisure. At this time, a minimum retainer fee will be made to secure your wedding date.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Upon booking, I will send you a questionnaire that will tailor your experience to you as individuals and as a couple. It will have questions regarding your relationship and your ideal wedding experience so that I may customize your service to suit you perfectly. You may fill this out at any time throughout the engagement process.

THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION

At anytime during your engagement season, you may schedule your complimentary engagement session. Many couples prefer to do these at locations that are unique to them and fitting for their relationship; some prefer to travel to new and exciting destinations. Upon request, clients receive a complimentary planning consultation call where we will discuss outfits, locations, times, and dates that will suit them best.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

In addition to your engagement session, you may add services for your proposal, engagement party, bachelor and bachelorette parties, bridal shower, formal couple’s session, etc.

THE TIMELINE

Whenever is convenient for you and your planner, we will connect to build your custom timeline. My photography timelines are tailored to each client’s wants and needs and are notorious for plenty of wiggle room and quality time with loved ones.

2-4 weeks prior

THE FINALIZATION

Within 2-4 weeks of your wedding, your planner and I will connect to finalize details and send out a finalized timeline. This is the time for last-minute changes (if any) and for you to enjoy the last few weeks of your engagement.

The week of

THE WEDDING WEEK

The time has come! Wedding services may include but are not limited to a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, a formal couple’s session, Sunday brunch, and/or a honeymoon session, in addition to your wedding day coverage. Our team will arrive early and prepared, with big camera bags and even bigger smiles.

2 weeks later

THE DELIVERY

You will received your full wedding gallery within 2 weeks of the last date of coverage. It includes an estimated amount of 75 photos per hour of coverage and includes film, black and white, and digital, true-to-color images of the highest quality for your download and personal use.

4 weeks later

THE FEEDBACK

After you have received your full wedding gallery and had plenty of time to relive precious wedding moments, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your experience with my team and to provide feedback. I am personally and deeply committed to the improvement of my service and to a spirit of constant renewal, innovation, and creativity.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT TO ASK

HOW ARE YOUR SERVICES PRICED, AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Your collection will be just as unique and personal as you and your relationship! You may opt for a custom collection or for the all-inclusive collection. The custom collection starts at 6k and includes up to 8 hours of coverage, black and white images, digital downloads, print release, and the option to add additional services! The all-inclusive collection starts at 10k for a full wedding day and up to 12 hours of coverage; it also includes your engagement session, second shooter, 35 mm film, black and white images, digital downloads, print release, and even content creation. Additional days and services are available upon request!

Everything about your experience is and will be simple, smooth, and effortless. Every client receives the highest level of treatment and service.

*Certain restrictions apply and pricing is subject to change. Clients who are working within restrictive budgets are encouraged to reach out and inquire respecting the custom collections.

DO YOU OUTSOURCE?

This is a boutique business-- every word on the website is hand-written, every photo edited by me. Every product is hand-checked for highest quality before it is delivered to you. Artistry and integrity are this company’s core values and the quality of your service and product will never be compromised.

Associate photographers will not be considered except in the case of emergencies or client request.

HOW DO YOU BACKUP, STORE, AND PROTECT OUR WEDDING PHOTOS?

Every photo taken at your wedding is dual-saved onto two separate SD cards. This means that from the moment that your photos are taken, there are already two copies for safe keeping. Within 24 hours, these images are backed up onto two hard drives and the original SD cards are stored in a fire-safe storage kit. Upon delivery, the photos are uploaded to a cloud and kept on the hard drives as well. After delivery, the storage and safe-keeping of the images is the clients’ legal responsibility; however, as a courtesy to you, your online gallery will kept online for easy access for at least a year, with no set expiration date.

WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN?

When it comes to wedding photography, I take the approach of the thespians: the show must go on.

Every precaution is taken to ensure that your wedding day goes smoothly and without complication. For destination weddings, I arrive 24-48 hours before the wedding. For local weddings, I arrive 1-2 hours early. All gear is prepared and charged; every team member is fed and well-rested. In spite of this, however, there is always the possibility of an extreme emergency.

In the case of such, my team would arrive without me and my second shooter would take over as the lead photographer. My second shooters are seasoned wedding photographers and prepared to photograph any wedding. If I am available, those photos would be delivered to me and I would edit and deliver them to you. If I am unavailable, the photos would be sent to a professional photo editor and then delivered to you. Such a circumstance has never occurred to me and is not expected to happen anytime in the foreseeable future.

HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE PREPARED YOU FOR THIS ROLE?

I have always been an artist. In high school, I was a thespian, an actor, and a director. Above all, I loved directing. It was fulfilling to help young actors to connect and find comfort on the stage. At this time, I also learned important skills about color theory, lighting, and composition. These skills stayed with me and have translated into creative director and photographer: now, I help clients feel comfortable in front of the camera and I use what I have learned about color theory, lighting, and composition daily. I have now been in the industry for years and my work has taken me to historic museums, vintage churches, national parks, oceanside landmarks, remote islands, and mediterranean cities.

Although experience is so important— particularly in the wedding industry— I do believe that what matters most in this aspect is creativity and critical thinking. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to work with them is absolutely paramount. My personal and professional experience in the wedding industry is ever changing and growing, but one thing remains the same: I thrive in challenging situations and new environments.

WE LOVE YOUR AESTHETIC. DO YOU OFFER DESIGN?

Design, aesthetic, and wedding trends happen to be three of my favorite things! I would be more than happy to sit down with you and to help you build your own custom design boards, with details from florals and tablescapes to bridal design and your signature look.

WHY MIRANDA TATE PHOTOGRAPHY?

A FINAL WORD ON VISION AND VALUES

In the end, who you hire to photograph your wedding is an important and personal decision. I do believe that the most important qualities to share with your wedding photographer are shared vision and values.

It is my hope and prayer that you might rest in trust, knowing that you have chosen a photographer who will effortlessly document the most precious day of your life, with photographs to hold memories, and memories to last a lifetime.

Thank You

Thank you again for your consideration. I enthusiastically await the opportunity to celebrate with you.

xoxo Miranda