The Art of Wedding Photography: Capturing your always and creating legacies

For many photographers, the journey into wedding photography begins with inspiration from other talented professionals in the field. For Amanda Parker, Ivory House’s seasoned Wedding Photographer, that inspiration was "…found Jasmine Star and the late Jessica Claire's blog. I was enamored with their work. I thought if they can do this, I can do this." This initial spark of inspiration lead to a deep desire to learn and master the craft of wedding photography.

The Power of Anticipation and Calmness

Amanda's approach to wedding photography is rooted in a strong foundation of experience and knowledge. She spent two years second shooting with various photographers, learning the ins and outs of wedding day logistics, posing techniques, and problem-solving. Her dedication to understanding every aspect of the wedding day ensures that she is prepared for any situation that may arise.

One of the key qualities that sets Amanda apart as a wedding photographer is her ability to navigate the chaos of a wedding day with grace and calm. She thrives on the challenges and sees them as opportunities to showcase her expertise.

I love having the little things that come up that are like, okay, how do we work through this? How do we push past it? What do we need to do?—Amanda Parker

Amanda understands that her role as a photographer goes beyond capturing beautiful images. She sets the tone for the day and helps to create an atmosphere of calmness and reassurance. Whether it's dealing with a bridesmaid's meltdown or adjusting to unexpected weather conditions, Amanda's presence and professionalism ensures that the couple can relax and enjoy their special day without worry.

The Heart and Soul of Wedding Photography

Weddings are not just about capturing pretty pictures; they are about preserving family history and creating a lasting legacy. Amanda's passion for preserving legacies shines through in her work. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every detail is captured, from pinning boutonnieres to a couple's grand entrance. Her experience and knowledge allow her to handle any situation with ease, making her the least stressful part of the wedding day.

The Ivory House Approach: Holistic and Professional

As an Ivory House standard, our work is grounded in holistic representations, understanding that weddings are not just about the couple but also about their families and the relationships they hold dear. Our goal is always to create an environment where love, support, and kindness are tangible from beginning to end.

This starts from the beginning of our process. From the initial contact to the final delivery of photos, Ivory House prides itself on our attention to detail, clear communication, and promptness. We believe in being a trusted partner to couples who value hiring professionals for both their skills and values.

The Ideal Client: Relationships and Practicality

Ivory House clients are those who value relationships, practicality, and quality over superficiality. Our photographers thrive in environments where families are fully invested in the couple's union and where love and support are palpable. Our clients are not focused on the show or the production; they are focused on the meaningful moments and the legacy they are creating.

Looking To The Future Together

The art of wedding photography is ever-evolving, and photographers like Amanda are at the forefront of this dynamic field. The ability to navigate the chaos, anticipate challenges, and create a legacy through images will remain the cornerstone of successful wedding photography.

By embracing both the technical and emotional aspects of the craft, Ivory Houses creates a truly immersive and meaningful experience for all of our clients. The key to success lies in finding the perfect balance between professionalism, creativity, and a deep understanding of the sentimental value of weddings.

As we move forward, let us celebrate the incredible photographers who dedicate their lives to capturing love, preserving legacies, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Amanda Parker

While technical skills and professionalism are essential, what truly sets Amanda apart is her deep understanding of the sentimental and legacy aspects of weddings. For her, weddings are not just about capturing pretty pictures: they are about preserving family history and creating a lasting legacy. As she reflects on her own family's wedding photos, she understands the importance images have in telling a family's story.

Amanda's passion for preserving legacies shines through in her work. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every detail is captured, from pinning boutonnieres to a couple's grand entrance. Her experience and knowledge allows her to handle any situation with ease, ensuring that your photos will be the least stressful part of your day.

Travel Wedding Tips

Click above to watch Wednesdays with Whitney: Travel Weddings!

I have shot weddings all over the place: La Jolla, Austin, Charleston, Sonoma, the Hamptons, Los Angeles, St. Thomas, and the Finger Lakes. I’ve shot engagement sessions in New York City and Washington, D.C., and I am about to shoot a wedding in San Francisco. For anyone who might be planning a travel wedding (or a destination wedding, the difference being that the bride and/or groom actually live in the place we're traveling to), here are some important things I’ve learned.

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Destinations are amazing for those of you really, really desiring an intimate wedding. They are great for people who travel and want to experience new things, but lets not kid ourselves:  Planning a travel or destination wedding does not mean less work. You have to rely 100% on internet referrals and the opinions of people you've never met. Oftentimes, once you’ve picked your venue, the venue will provide vendors and you just have to trust that those are the best people to handle your big day.

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My advice when planning a travel or destination wedding is to think about who you're inviting and whether they can get there. Cost is prohibitive, and so is location. For example, the Zika virus has taken out half of the places we normally have destination weddings, and there would be many people who couldn’t attend an event in these areas. That being said, some of those locations are the most beautiful, magical, romantic places on Earth to get married. Just know going in that there will be unexpected factors to consider if this is the route you choose to take.

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One of the biggest benefits of a destination wedding is that you don’t have to pay for any decorations. The location itself is the best decoration you'd ever need! When people are in a new place, everyone will be more relaxed if they don't have to think about planning their local transportation. I highly recommend keeping your wedding all in one location by picking a place that would accommodate the ceremony, reception, and where guests can stay overnight.

When considering what you need to bring, keep it simple. You have to rely on the site for food, decoration, venue, and DJ. This leaves your personal items, wedding attire, and of course, your photographer to fly with you.

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Reasons to Bring Your Own Photographer

• Frequently, resorts will have  a designated photographer. These preassigned photographers are rarely going to match your stylistic tastes. If you go with a local or venue-preferred photographer, make sure you vet them and their work just like you would any other.

• You're not going to know this person before the day of your wedding, so you will not have an existing rapport with them. Taking a trusted photographer with you guarantees that you will already have a relationship with the person capturing this day, in a location you and your guests have invested in.

• Best of all, your relationship doesn't end when you get back on a plane to fly home. You get to continue working with that person in your hometown after your wedding. There is an added element of accountability when you're designing an album or viewing your files back home. Whoever you chose should not be the default choice. You are already investing in an incredible location, and the photographer you choose should be up to your standards and able to capture your day in unforgettable images.

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A Word about Beaches at Sunset

While a beach at sunset sounds ultra romantic (and it is!), you're dealing with serious backlighting and unpredictable weather. You need a photographer who is technically adept to pull that off. This is not the time or place for a friend or uncle with a nice camera to take over. My travel weddings have been some of the most technically challenging shoots I've ever done. Not only are we all dealing with heat, bugs, water, and waves, but the lighting itself can be a real issues if you haven't had education and experience shooting in these kinds of areas.

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I think having a destination or travel is one of the best decisions you can make if your priorities are a small wedding, adventure, and travel. Just go into it prepared and know that this kind of event doesn’t equate to any less planning or investment.

Retzlaff Wedding

A couple of weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the wedding of John Retzlaff and Mackenzie Hawk at the Rollins Mansion in Des Moines.

Click to watch their epic wedding slideshow

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg

The weather forecast was grim but the spirits were high. Everyone was constantly checking WHO’s weather map all morning to see when the rain would start. Despite our nervousness, there was one immutable fact that hung in the air with the Iowa humidity: Today was going to be a magical day.

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg

My first interaction with Mackenzie was a phone call during which we discussed her wedding details, including a rain backup plan. She said confidently that the ceremony was going to be outside, no matter what. “We’re getting married, and we’re willing to get wet doing it.” That’s when I understood this bride’s wonderful attitude, and that nothing could seriously go wrong with this wedding.

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg

And as fairy tales go, not a raindrop fell from the sky until all the festivities were over. This day was truly magical because of the people who gathered and the pure, joyful, overflowing emotion. Oh, and the dancing.

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg

John and Mackenzie are two of the kindest most loyal dedicated people I have ever met. It has been my pleasure to become good friends with them and capture the most magical day of their lives. Thank you for choosing me to photograph your wedding, and for the dance party I’ll never forget!
 

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg

Vendors:
Hair - Alexis Hawk and Kelly Fitch
Makeup - Alexis Hawk and Kelly Fitch
Wedding Dress – Modern Dress in Boone
Groomswear - The Good Fancy
Florist – Originals by Beck
DJ - Tony Bonekamp (ceremony), The Flashdance (reception)
Catering - Delmonico Catering
Chocolate Bar - Beaverdale Confections
Wedding Coordinator - Defining the Details
Venue - Rollins Mansion

Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg
Retzlaff Wedding Ivory House Photography.jpg