You're knee deep into wedding planning, and the costs are piling up. You're looking to snip extra expenses here and there when a brilliant idea hits you: let's forego our complimentary engagement session and see if we can trim some of the cost off of our wedding photography package. 

Before drafting up your e-mail to me, let me explain why I insist on an engagement session as a wedding photographer and why you should really, really want to have one as well.

Why An Engagement Session?

My number one reason for requiring an engagement session is pretty simple: it allows us to get to know one another. I don't know about you, but if I were to meet my photographer-- the person I was trusting to capture THE most important day of my life-- the day of my wedding, it would make me pretty uncomfortable. And let's be honest, you are going to be spending a majority of your day not only with your soon-to-be-spouse, but also with whomever you hire to capture the day. In fact, you might be spending more time with your photographer than your almost husband or wife depending on the timeline of your day. For that reason alone I believe it is extremely important that you get along with and enjoy the company of the professional you hire.

Wedding days can get a little crazy and in the past I have gone so far as to sew a bride into her gown (from the inside, while she was wearing it). Situations like this are made a little less awkward if we have at least met once before your big day (and yes brides, I am armed and ready to do what it takes to make your wedding day go off without a hitch, including seamstress duties)! Here at Ashley Slater Photography, our clients become more than just clients. I honestly feel like I leave each event with a new set of friends and I believe that friendship and trust comes from getting to know one another away from the pressure of your big day.

Work Your Angles

Engagement sessions allows me to photograph and get feedback from you. Maybe I think you look like the bomb.com from a certain angle, but you prefer a different side? These times help me figure out what you love best, what your genuine smiles and reactions look like and how you photograph in general. This is just one more reason that will aide in ensuring your wedding day goes off without a hitch!

Document This Season of Life!

Back when I was an almost-bride and had just gotten engaged, life was a whirlwind! I still look back on that time as some of the sweetest in my life, and I love having photos that document my husband and I as we were planning and anticipating married life. I love getting to capture that time for you, and honestly... how  many other times will you splurge on professional photography? Enjoy this season of your life as you prepare to become a Mr. & Mrs!

Nothing brings a photography session or wedding full circle quite like holding tangible prints and products. I'm of the thought that when our kids' kids go to look back on their ancestors photos, chances are the USB's and CD's we use now will have long been a thing of the past. Photographs that you can hold in your hand however, will stand the test of time and can easily be passed through generations. I love that and believe that photos that sit somewhere on a disc are never fully enjoyed and appreciated. After spending good money on your session, it makes sense that you should proudly display and really enjoy your photos! 

One of my favorite products are the fine art albums I introduced into my product line last year. The linen covers are my favorite as they really fit into my aesthetic personally. For family sessions and in homes that have toddlers and children running around, I suggest the italian leather covers which can withstand some bangs, spills and hurdles across the room (I would know, I have a toddler who did some product testing)!

What Makes Your Albums/Prints Different than Something I Could Order?

There are so many options for ordering today, and it can seem like a great way to save money to order yourself. What makes the albums and prints I offer so different is the level of quality, color consistency and longevity that comes from a professional print lab. The professional print lab I use often comes out with upgrades and new technologies that make photographs not only last longer (think paper quality-- it's not going to easily tear), color quality (you won't worry about hanging your photo on a wall that gets sunlight, only to see your photo fade to practically unseeable), and consistency (I spend a lot of time editing and making your photos as beautiful as possible and when I order from a professional I know that the colors you will see are the exact colors that I see on my computer monitor). 

If you feel really unconvinced, just google "professional prints vs non-professional prints" and a slew of posts from other photographers will pop up showcasing the shocking difference in color, detail, highlights, contrast, etc. It's actually very drastic, and one of the reasons I get so sad when I see clients choosing to print at Costco or Walmart instead of ordering with me!  

Standard Albums vs. Signature Albums

Once you're wedding day or session has come and gone, you will get the option to order prints, albums and other products. For weddings, I absolutely suggest getting a coffee table style wedding album. Albums come in two options; standard or signature. Standard albums  (shown below in blue) have regular stock paper and thinner covers.  Signature albums (shown below in gray) are much thicker, sturdier and come with a wide variety of options from embossing, foil stamping, custom image covers, various paper choices and a wider variety of cover choices.  

I adore the linen covers as I think they carry through the romantic aesthetic that comes along with a wedding day. Leathers, and other options are available as well however. | e-mail info@ashleyslaterphotography.com for pricing information. Albums begin at $175.

Heirloom Boxes

Storing your prints has never been more beautiful! These linen covered heirloom boxes come in a variety of colors and are beyond gorgeous. Perfect to place around your home so you can flip through your favorite wedding day moments whenever you'd like! | E-mail info@ashleyslaterphotography.com for pricing information. 

Canvas Options

Canvas options are also available in standard (thin) and signature (thick). You can see the examples of each below. I prefer wrapping the image over the edges and including a dust cover on the back's to ensure your products last for years and years to come! These canvas' are sturdy and sit on well-made frames. I love the thick gallery wrap, but both are great options for displaying your photos in your home! | email info@ashleyslaterphotography.com for pricing information. Canvas' begin at $170.

Framed Collections

For years I have scoured the states trying to find the perfect company with the perfect frames for my client's photos. I always felt like I was settling until one day I found exactly what I had been looking for. With 6 frame options and a variety of collections that are already put together (you simply choose your photos and they will arrive at your door, ready to hang!) I couldn't be happier with these options! Now you have no excuses for not executing a gorgeous gallery wall in your very own home! No designing required! | email info@ashleyslaterphotography for pricing info. Collections begin at $350.

Collection A: Classic and clean, collection a frames one square and two vertical images in a simple showpiece arrangement.  Sizes include (2) 20x24 frames with a 16x20 mat opening and (1) 24x24 frame with a 20x20 mat opening.  Overall gallery size based on a 1.5" spacing between frames is 67"w x 24" h .  Available in all styles and finishes.  Shown in espresso.

Collection B:  Deck your walls with this 6 piece arrangement, which showcases four vertical images and includes two additional images for tabletop decor.  Sizes include (4) 20x24 frames with a 16x20 mat opening, (1) 8x10 frame with a 5x7 mat opening, (1) 5x7frame with a 4x6 mat opening.  Overall gallery size based on a 1.5} spacing between frames is 41.5|w x 49.5" high. Available in all styles and finishes.  Shown in Bella Silver. 

Collection C:  Make a bold statement with this 6 piece collection which alternates horizontal and square images to create a modern and flawless gallery wall!  Sizes include (3) 10x20 frames, no mats. (3) 20x20 frames (no mats).  Overall gallery size based on 1.5| spacing is 63"w x 31.5"h.  Available in all styles and finishes.  Shown in Bella Silver.

Collection D: This contemporary, dynamic display is perfect for large walls, staircases and more. Sizes include (2) 16X20 frames with 11x14 mat openings, (2) 11x14 frames with 8x10 mat openings and (4) 8x10 frames with 5x7 mat openings.  Overall gallery size based on 1.5" spacing between frames is 52.5w x 26.5"h.  Available in all styles and finishes. Shown in Classic White.

Collection E: Embrace symmetry! Arrange as a perfect square or arrange horizontally to line a hallway!   Sizes include (2) 20x24 frames with 16x20 mat openings, (2) 16x20 frames with 11x14 mat openings. Overall gallery size based on 1.5" spacing is 41.5"w x 41.5"h.  Available in all styles and finishes. Shown in Bella Gold.

Browse more photos of the ASP product line below! 

To inquire about purchasing prints, albums or canvas wraps please e-mail info@ashleyslaterphotography.com   Unique gifts such as mugs, ornaments, calendars, etc. are also available upon request! Scroll below to see more examples of albums, prints and canvas products! 

In the digital age we are in, it may be perplexing to hear about photographers who are returning to shooting film. You may be of an age when you remember when there was no other option for photographers but to shoot with film. The process of rolling, loading, taking upwards of 36 exposures and developing all before ever glimpsing an image was the norm. Today, advances in camera technology make it possible for us to see images as we capture them and even edit and upload photos over wifi from our cameras. The instant gratification of snapping away with immediate results has taken away some of the artistry of storytelling through photography. When you can take literally thousands of digital images, it isn't necessary to thoughtfully and creatively set up an image-- to pause and think about the smallest of details before clicking the shutter. Thankfully, a larger and larger number of photographers are returning to the craft of film photography. 

Why Film Photography?

As I dive deeper into the world of film photography, I have found more and more reasons to shoot with this medium over digital.  Shooting with film has made me a better artist because instead of snapping away, I am forced to be in the moment. I am more thoughtful about everything from the lighting, to the way I frame an image.  I pause to consider everything, and the smallest of details are important.  I know that taking these extra moments will yield a beautiful image that won't need much, if any, post production editing.  I simply am investing more of myself into the process initially instead of filtering through thousands of digital images, color correcting, photoshopping and tweaking things that could have been done to begin with to make the image even more beautiful.  

The second reason that I have fallen in love with film is because of its amazing capabilities in multiple lighting and weather conditions.  You may have heard that it is awful to shoot during mid-day with a digital camera, which is true.  Highlights get blown out, color and depth is lost and the image suffers.  Film's ability to translate the scene, react to light and capture the moment despite the time of day is unmatched. Film has a depth unlike anything that can be created digitally.  You feel like you can literally step into the photo because of the overwhelming sense of realness.  I love that, and I love that moments like weddings can be captured in a way that feels so timeless.  Film is as close as you can get to what you actually are seeing with your own eyes than anything else.  (You'll see this for yourself in the examples below)!

Third, the turnaround from time of session/event to delivery has literally been cut by more than half.  Instead of spending days tediously culling through hundreds of images, I simply package and send my rolls off to the lab.  They develop and scan them and send them back. Most of the time they are perfect as is, but sometimes may require slight tweaks that can be done in less than half an hour.  After that, off the images go to the client.  That means I get to spend more time on other areas of my business, which keeps me motivated, passionate and excited to work!

So, Is Digital Bad?

Not at all! As much as I love, and prefer film I also will never go bashing my digital gear.  There is a time and place for digital equipment, and because of it we can shoot and ensure every special moment is captured.  For those fast paced moments of weddings days--receptions, ceremony and entrances-- I will always have my digital camera out.  Why? Because this means that while a bride and groom are playfully smashing cake in one another's faces, I can shoot several images and choose the best ones for their gallery.  Or maybe someone at a session isn't very confident in how they look. With my digital camera, I can show them how their smile and pose is reading, and we can make tweaks during our time together to make sure we get the best of the best.  Just like film, digital definitely has a time and place!

Compare these film (right) verses digital (left) images below to see the difference in how the camera interprets light, skin tone and softness... The film photographs show detail, depth and light in an unmatchable way! 

To inquire about a film session or wedding, please contact Ashley!