Abby Jiu Photography
A few weeks ago I updated the District Favorites list and I could not be more excited about the new addition of Abby Jiu ! Not only is she an extremely talented photographer, she is super adorable and stylish – a total sweetheart!
Today, we are catching up with Abby to hear all about her take on being a local DC photographer — it is great insider advice for us all!
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What should a couple look for when meeting with (and eventually deciding on) a photographer?
I’ve found the most important things when it comes to choosing a photographer are style and personality. There are so many different styles, and initially couples are learning about what they want. For many of them, this is the first time that they begin learning about photography and end up figuring out what they want after research and help from their planners.
It’s important for not only the couple, but also the photographer, to feel that they are working with someone who is a good fit for them, and that both will enjoy working together. Although it is very important for the couple, photographers many times are selective as well, preferring to work with couples that share the same vision and appreciate the type of photography that they specialize in. And for personality, that is something that you can immediately tell on the first call or meeting. A photographer is with the couple for most of the wedding day, and couples are looking for someone they feel comfortable with and can enjoy being around.
For the photographer, it’s important they help to create a memorable and enjoyable experience throughout their day and finding a couple who you get along with is key. It’s a much more enjoyable experience for the couple and photographer if personalities mesh and work well together.
Are there a variety of packages from which a couple may chose? How should a couple decide what package is best for them?
Each photographer is unique in the way they structure packages. One of the factors may be the coverage (number of hours the photographer is present), and it is important to make sure the photographer is there the right amount of time to capture the story of their day. Having the rights to the photos are also important, since most couples want to have access to the high resolution photos. Other factors that may affect the price include the engagement session (some include this in their package while with other photographers it is separate) and an album.
How far in advance do you recommend a couple book a photographer?
The photographer is typically chosen 8-12 months in advance of the wedding. Carly Roney, the editor of The Knot, said that brides today are booking their venue first, with the planner and photographer being booked right after. Having the photographer chosen will be an immediate stress reliever, since it’s such an important piece of the wedding planning process, and it can be disappointing when the photographer a couple wants is no longer available. Given that photographers typically get booked far in advance, it’s important that the couple book them when they find someone they like.
How do you prepare prior to the event in order to be sure that you are capturing all of the key players involved?
This comes down to communication (going back to my earlier comment about choosing a photographer who is a good fit, both in terms of style and personality). In the months leading up to a wedding, I stay in close contact with them to get updates on how the planning process is going.
It’s not always necessary to provide a shot list (besides family photographs) to the photographer – if the photographer has done their job ahead of time, they already have a true understanding of what the couple wants, and who among the guests are important to them. If the couple has chosen a photographer that is the right fit for them, and by communicating in the months leading to it, the couple can sit back and trust the photographer knowing they are getting just the photos they are looking for.
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