Northern VA Wedding Photography | Anne Lord PhotographyAnne Lord Photography

The Differences Between A Non-Professional Photographer and A Professional Wedding Photographer Are Important When Planning Your Wedding

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It sometimes seems like there is at least one family member in every family that owns a digital single-lens reflex camera. This camera separates the user from the point and shoot digital camera you can buy at any shopping center.  Thus, the term “photographer” gets thrown around rather loosely. This by no means is meant to discredit anyone who does photography as a hobby – and does it well– or is pursuing dreams of having their own photography business one day. Rather, it ultimately boils down to who you are going to trust to capture the best images on your big day.  Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer, Anne Lord, has years of experience capturing beautiful engagement and wedding photographs. With this experience she shares a few points to help differentiate the everyday photographer from a wedding photographer.

1.  Varying Skill Set

With many types of photography, from portraits to product photographers, typically most photographers specialize in one area. However, a wedding photographer needs to be able to understand a variety of forms of photography and perform them all in one day. For example, a wedding photographer must understand how to shoot the bride in any type of light or room while she is getting her hair and makeup ready while also photographing the finer details of the wedding day like the dress, the flowers, shoes, jewelry. One minute it’s a portrait of people and the next a shot of still life.

A wedding photographer must also be savvy about timelines to keep up with the schedule (or lack of) and roll with the higher stress levels of the day. At the same time, a good wedding photographer goes along with the flow of the wedding to capture those special moments and play along with the fun of the day.

2.  Client Focused

You are unique, and every wedding client is different. Each wedding client requires a special type of relationship. You are not just hiring a wedding photographer for a portrait shoot, you want someone to document one of the most amazing days of your life, and there are no do-overs. You are not looking for just a few images, or to capture that “money shot”. Most brides are going to have a vision for their big day, a wedding story to be told, and as a Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer, Anne Lord can take your vision and give you realistic expectations for what you want!

3.  Industry Knowledge

Anyone can pick up a camera and figure out how to point and shoot, but wedding photographers know how to collaborate and communicate with other industry professionals. With 19 years as an experienced Leesburg, Virginia photographer and wedding photographer, Anne Lord has been involved in many weddings and knows the surrounding area’s wedding industry. With this knowledge, she can point you in the right directions to other wedding vendors who fit your style (DJ’s, cake decorators, florists, etc.).

When it comes to entrusting someone to photograph your wedding, make sure you are choosing someone who also knows weddings. It is a lot more than portraits, details, or photojournalism. It means being able to handle all different facets of photography and creating a cohesive story using images to communicate who the bride and groom are and what makes this day so special to them.

Capture once-in-a-lifetime-moments with Anne Lord

Your wedding day is going to fly by quickly. With years of experience as a wedding photographer, Anne Lord goes above and beyond to prepare for the big day and to capture the unique story of every wedding. Browse her wedding portfolio to get a better idea of her work. Are you ready to discuss your big day? Contact Anne at 703-435-5292 or anne@annelordphotography.com and let’s talk about it.

summer weddings with your Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer

Time To Celebrate! 7 Tips For One-Of-A-Kind Summer Wedding Photos

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It is a new season in your life, you are engaged, and planning your big day with your best friend. As the bride all eyes are on your on your wedding day. After the celebration of love amidst your closest friends and family, all that remains are the special memories, emotions, and moments captured in photos and videos that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Choosing the right Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer to help you capture these memories is of the utmost importance. Here are 7 tips to capturing each beautiful photo opportunity at your summer wedding.

1) Start bright and early

For an outdoor reception, build in some time for your photographer to take pictures of the tables earlier on in the day when everything is still perfectly fresh.

2) Have your “first look” outdoors

Take advantage of summer’s natural beauty and have your “first look” outside before a lush backdrop.

3) Step into the shade

If you are planning on doing your portrait shots outdoors, escape the summer’s harsh afternoon light by stepping into the shade to achieve a softer look. Your photographer will be able to guide you to capture the poses with most flattering lighting.

4) Work around the weather

Keep the changing weather of summer in mind when planning your pictures. Have a backup plan in case of a little shower or a summer storm.

5) Get the big picture

Leave time for your photographer to capture the beautiful outdoor space you have created for your big day. As well as any detailed close-up photographs of the seasonal flowers that bloom in summertime.

6) Steal away at sunset

Make a note of when the sun will set on your wedding day. Plan with your photographer to allow time for you and your now husband to escape the celebration and capture photographs in the golden end-of-day light.

7) Make a memorable exit

Show off your newlywed joy by running through sparklers to cap off the night and have a memorable image to remember the fun and excitement as you leave to start your new journey as husband and wife.

Anne Lord: Your Wedding Photographer

As an experienced Leesburg Virginia wedding photographer, Anne Lord loves to capture the passion, joy, and hope that every wedding exudes. You can browse her wedding portfolio to get a better idea of her work. Are you ready to discuss your big day? Contact her at 703-435-5292 or anne@annelordphotography.com and let us talk about your ideas.

Anne Lord Wedding Photography 2021Anne Lord Photography

A Wedding Photographer’s Advice On Early Scheduling of Your Photographer

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The holidays have come and gone, and with them, a host of new engagements, family members, pets, and special memories. We are now looking ahead in 2021. With a new year comes new hope and new celebrations.

Have you recently become engaged? If so, congratulations! But where do you go from there? According to multiple wedding sources including the Knot, Zola, and brides.com, the range for booking your wedding photographer is anywhere from 6 to 13 months.

By this time, you may already have picked your venue, a theme/color scheme, an idea of a guest list, and a basic timeline for your wedding day. All this is immensely helpful to your photographer, and here are a few reasons why:

The Venue

Choosing your wedding venue is like choosing your dress—you want it to be perfect! Once you have chosen your wedding venue, your wedding photographer can help tell the story with images of why you chose that place. You may have chosen your venue based on personal reasons – it may be a special place to you and your fiancé. You will know whether you want the wedding shots inside or outside, or if you are doing photos at more than one location. All this information can help your wedding photographer plan and bring to life the once-in-a-lifetime photographs of your special day. Leesburg, Virginia photographer Anne Lord has vast experience in helping couples choose the best locations in the surrounding areas to produce the most fantastic images. Images that will also reflect the love and connection between the happy couple.

The Guest List

Having a draft of your guest list ready when choosing and working with your wedding photographer is particularly important. You will probably have an idea at this point of who you really want photos taken such as out of town family or friends. Perhaps you have a clear  idea of who will be on your ‘must photograph’ list. This will help your wedding photographer coordinate photos to take with whom and where at the venue.

As a Leesburg Virginia wedding photographer, Anne Lord has photographed hundreds of weddings over the years and has great tips and advice for how to plan your wedding day photos.

The Timeline

While taking candid, spur of the moment photos, having posed shots add great substance to your final wedding album. Identifying the photo arrangements you really want to include can reduce disappointment and conflict later. It will also make it easier to coordinate everybody during the shoot. Thus, it is a great idea to finalize your shot list in advance so that you can make the most of the limited time during your wedding.

This way your wedding photographer is also able to capture all the many “firsts” that happen in a wedding. The first look, the first dance, the first kiss are just a few moments that you will want to remember for a lifetime. Sharing the tentative schedule of your wedding with your wedding photographer ensure that they will be in the right place at the right time.  With Anne Lord’s vast experience as a Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer, she has the skill and creative eye to bring to life the once in a lifetime photos.

Capture once-in-a-lifetime-moments with Anne Lord

Your wedding day is going to fly by quickly. You will be preoccupied and distracted by so many things that day. Planning in advance and being organized will make a big difference.

With years of experience as a wedding photographer, Anne Lord goes above and beyond to prepare for the big day and to capture the unique story of every wedding. Browse her wedding portfolio to get a better idea of her work. Are you ready to discuss your big day? Contact Anne at 703-435-5292 or anne@annelordphotography.com and let’s talk about it.