Lacey Barber Photography: Blog

Melissa And Dave's Back Yard Hand Fasting Ceremony Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 19:36:42 GMT

Melissa and Dave married at one of the most beautiful properties I've had the pleasure of working at, and it was their friend's back yard! The path was cleared through the forest and guests were taken on horse drawn carriages to the ceremony site. Yes, horse drawn carriages! To say this was a fairytale wedding is an understatement.

There's my arm! haha

Rich and Matt's Black Tie New Years Eve Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:28:49 GMT

My theory is that if you're going to do a NYE wedding, you'd better go big or go home and these two went BIG. I'm talking a drag queen presented the cake, charcuterie board the size of a kitchen table, balloon drop at midnight, and feathermen instead of flower girls big!

These shots in front of the marquee were the most important and HELLO! I live for a low light moment. NYE in Northern Pennsylvania means that almost this entire wedding was shot in the dark!
The venue: A gorgeous old movie theater! In case you thought I was kidding about the feather men..

It's fitting that this moment is in front of a theater, because it was something straight from a movie. It was dry all day until we walked outside and then the snow started falling right on cue.

Logan and Janilly - Staten Island Grand Oaks Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 21:37:25 GMT

The first time I met Logan and Janilly, their families surprised them with an engagement session in Logan’s hometown of Ellicottville, New York. If you’ve never been to Elicottville, it’s the cutest little ski town in upstate New York near Buffalo. We took a walk around the business district while they stopped to cuddle in front of the shops and the flower beds, then we walked around the arboretum, and lastly stopped at Holiday Valley Ski Lodge. All while something magical was happening. It was raining. If you follow any of my social media you know how much I love working in the rain almost as much as I love working with couples who are willing to embrace that rain.

I have to admit I was nervous and excited to shoot their wedding in New York City. I was not familiar with Staten Island, but when I learned that the wedding and reception would be in the same location I took it without hesitation. Mostly what I was nervous about was navigating New York in between events with my equipment, but with that out of the equation I was more than confident I could handle it.

Brides by Sette and Beauty by Samantha Carly were kind of the dream team as far as hair and makeup goes. They were so fun and they, along with Janilly’s sweet family, made the getting ready part of the day fun and totally no stress. Not to mention the girls looked gorgeous for the big day.

Logan and Janilly opted for a first look, which I always think is so special. It’s such an honor to be a part of coordination the first time a couple sees each other on their wedding day. First looks are a personal decision, but I always recommend them. It’s a great opportunity to really soak each other in before the guests arrive and the day get too crazy. It also means you can get family portraits out the the way before the ceremony. That means you can get to the party faster afterwards! When my couples opt for a first look and family photos before the ceremony, I still love to get a few portraits of just the two of them after the ceremony. It’s just a different and special vibe. It was COLD that day.. SO cold. SO windy. But Logan, Janilly, and the wedding party were all champions. The venue had such beautiful grounds I couldn’t help but ask them to take a walk around for some portraits. The cold is just an excuse to cuddle a little closer.

This crowd could dance! I don’t know if I’ve shot a wedding reception with this many excellent dancers. The energy all night was ridiculously fun!

Kristen and Travis | Touchstone Center For Craft Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 16:09:23 GMT

Hair: Michael Turcic of The Shop

Makeup: Katie Caserta of Beauty Counter

Venue: Touchstone Center for Crafts

Caterer: Meryl Elliott

Dress(es): BHLDN

Tuxes: Custom suit from Men's Warehouse

Flowers: Miller's Greenhouse

Planner: The bride!

DJ or Band: Pandora Playlist

Cake/Desserts: Maywood Grill

There are few things that make me prouder than working with previous couples' siblings. A few summers, ago I shot Kristen's sister's wedding in their backyard Lakewood, New York. Kristen's wedding wasn't in an actual backyard, but it had that same fun laid-back atmosphere! They got married at Touchstone Center for Crafts near Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Almost to the West Virginia border! (I have a thing for West Virginia. I can't even describe it but I love that state.) Even more than I love West Virginia, I love when couples throw out the rules on how a wedding should look. Kristen and Travis opted to skip the traditional ceremony and have their guests give speeches if they so chose. They also played rock paper scissors to see who said their vows first!

In keeping with the casual theme of the day, Kristen didn't wait until she walked down the aisle to see Travis. We met him for a beer before the ceremony!

I told you there was a game of rock paper scissors!

These women held Kristen's bachelorette weekend in Asheville! (Another one of my very favorite towns!) They all got these moon tattoos on their trip.

Elle and Leo | Olean New York Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 23:05:05 GMT

I started college as a sociology major and found myself a few years later with a fine art degree. Being a wedding photographer, I am fortunate enough to tell the stories of human beings in love. Lasting love means embracing change, and very few couples represent that better than this one. Elle and Leo have had other photographers document their love story, but I had the honor of being the first one to photograph their love since Leo started living their truest life as a gender nonbinary person. These two are business owners, and run one of the most inclusive salons in the industry. (Not to mention that nobody is touching my hair except Elle ever again.) Their business, WT HAIR, is open to all, and so is mine. Forever and ever and ever.

Leo told me that this tattoo was a little bit crooked, and the doctor who performed their top surgery straightened it out and subsequently restored my faith in humanity.

The photo in the front is the first photo Elle and Leo ever took together. It now serves as a reminder of the past and lives in the salon they built together.

We ended our session with some branding photos! I LOVE getting an opportunity to shoot something a little different.

Mike and Aimee - Pittsburgh PA Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 22:03:09 GMT

Kalyn - Port Allegany High School Class of 2020

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 22:26:21 GMT

I currently don't do too many senior photos, but I would love to start! There's something so fun about showing off the personality of someone about to really embark on life. Kalyn had some great ideas for senior photos and totally ran with all of my crazy ones!

More Dancing Please.

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:46:36 GMT

"Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy - your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself." Annie Leibovitz

More dancing in old air strips at Seven Springs Resorts, Please. I have the best job in the world, so I just wanted to write a quick blog post out of appreciation.

Erin and Sarah - Marquette Michigan Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 14:52:07 GMT

These two. My heart was bursting for them the whole day. First of all, they are some of my best friends. Second of all, the LOVE between the two of them is unreal. When I tell you we are friends, I mean the kind of friends who drive to Kentucky together and camp out to see our favorite band (The Devil Makes Three) and the kind of friends you ask to officiate your wedding. (If you were at my wedding, you'll recognize Erin as the woman who asked us to promise to love the shit out of each other.)

My husband, our dog, and I drove from Pennsylvania to Marquette Michigan in February for this one. When I say I love to drive I really mean it! Erin is from Marquette and made some recommendations on the wedding website and Cody and I followed it like it was an instruction guide. Hello, Baby Cakes and Jean Kay's Pasties!

I hope you love the photos as much as Erin and Sarah love each other.

Look how cute my husband and I are in gnome form!

Photography Talk | Trust Means Everything and Shooting in the Snow is a Challenge

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 00:35:19 GMT

Kayla wanted snow. She got it.

This session was scheduled last minute, when Kayla saw the weather forecast she reached out to me and asked if we could do some photos in the snow. My answer: Hell yes.

Kayla and Matt were dream clients. Sometimes when I'm giving direction, I tell people to do things that I KNOW make me sound crazy, but I'm hoping for a genuine reaction. These two are as genuine as they come and had full trust in me to make images. This is huge. This was a bigger deal with this session than most because I really had to trust myself. I had to trust that the images were coming out clearly and as I wanted because I absolutely could not see. The camera was too snowy to see the screen and the snow was falling too hard as I was looking into the lens. So if you're reading this for photography tips, here's a big one. Understand your settings so you know what you're getting is technically correct, but trust your eyes over your lens. Look out from behind the camera and see what's in front of you with your own eyes. Trust yourself.

Let's talk about light for a second. This day was dark to begin with, and it was almost sundown so it was even darker. I do not consider myself a natural light photographer because I will use a flash or light if I need to, but for this image I did not want to light the whole scene with a flash and I did not want to highlight those snowflakes. Enter the streetlight. This was just enough light to light up their faces without lighting the background behind them. (Light falls off to the square of it's power. Physics!)

On a side note, I did not enhance that blue, but I did bring down the saturation of the oranges so the color on the faces matched the background a little better. I'm not an over-processor, but I will do what is needed for a good image.

Stats:

ISO: 800

F/Stop: 3.5 - I could have opened this up all the way, but I wanted to underexpose a bit to show the snow in that light.

Shutter Speed: 1/100 - This is fast enough to freeze the motion of the couple but left a little blur in the snowflakes.

This image was shot at 27mm using an L-Series Canon 24-70 f2.8 on a Canon 5D Mark III.

Ellicottville New York Wedding Photographer | Lacey Barber Photography | Ellen and Brian

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 22:06:50 GMT

I travel a lot for weddings, so it's getting more and more rare for me to photograph weddings for friends from my little town of Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. When I do it's a real treat. I've known Ellen for basically my whole life, from Girl Scouts to Junior Olympic Volleyball. I don't know her husband, Brian, as well but they have been dating since high school! Let's just say there were a lot of "about time" jokes at this wedding. Aside from my connection to the couple, this wedding was special to me because it was my first time working at Holimont! I work in Ellicottville often, and have photographed several weddings at Holiday Valley, but I love a new venue to explore. I love Ellicottville, and will jump on any chance I can to work there. (Hello, Ellicottville Brewing Company and Dina's!)

Flowers Off the Farm knocked it out of the park! Nicole is as sweet as she is talented.

Secret Mickey Mouse hidden on the cake!

Venue: Holimont, Ellicottville New York

Makeup : Chantelle Nicole Artistry, Buffalo New Yorkhttps://www.holimont.com/

Catering: Dina's, Ellicottville New York

Flowers and Decor: Flowers Off the Farm, Ellicottville New York

Band: Big City Horns

Dress: Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld, New York City

Shelby and Rick - Roulette, PA Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 23:25:41 GMT

The bride was barefoot and the couple poured whiskey instead of lighting a unity candle. What more is there to say?

Hair: New You in Roulette

Venue: Family Property

Caterer: The Hotel Crittenden - food, Potter County Beverage - beverages

Dress(es): Bridal Gown - Diamonds & Lace in State College, Bridesmaid's Dresses - David’s

Flowers: The Scarlett Lily, Portville, NY

Planner: Kim Bowser

Photography Talk - Pure Joy and Composition

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 02:13:07 GMT

Hi! I'm going to try something new where I break down a little bit of information on why I photograph the way I do. I'm hoping to do this at least semi-regularly. I can't promise anything, but I'll try!

The first image I'd likes to start with is this one. I love this shot!

Wedding photography is about joy above everything else. Being a photographer, I am looking for a lot of things at once. Without the presence of emotion, composition and light don't mean much at all. (To me..Other photographers would probably have heart attacks if they heard me say that.)

Now for the technical stuff...I chose this spot because of the reflection, but also because of the lines and the light. I could have just as easily achieved a similar shot from the other side of the water, but I chose this spot for a reason. The sun is behind them. This makes it easier for me to control the light entering my camera and creates a nice even look to the whole photo. The second reason is the lines. Notice that each major line is either pointing to or framing the couple. The edges of the water lead your eye right to the couple and that tree branch frames them like a diamond. Swoon.

Camera Settings - There are really only two things a camera cares about; how much light is let into the lens and for how long.

ISO: 640 - ISO (or ASA on older film cameras) controls the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. It's the same thing that used to be on rolls of film. "Outdoor Film" is generally ISO 200 and "Indoor Film" is generally ISO 800 or higher. That's because the higher the ISO, the more sensitive the film or sensor is to light. When you get into high ISO's digital cameras tend to make up for what they can't process, creative "noise." Noise is the digital equivalent to film grain. This particular image was shot outdoors with plenty of light, so I was able to keep the ISO relatively low at 640. (This could easily be a whole blog post, and maybe it will be someday, but right now I'll leave it at this.)

Shutter Speed: 1/125 - This is where I tend to leave my shutter alone. When people are in motion, this is a fast enough speed to freeze the motion without a flash.

F Stop: 3.5 - With the shutter speed set 1/125 or faster, I tend to make adjustments between the ISO and the F/Stop. For this shot, I was using a 24-70mm 2.8 lens. That 2.8 means that is the widest the lens will go, meaning that when I was shooting at 3.5, I was shooting pretty wide open for the ability of this lens. The lower the f/stop, the wider open the shutter is when taking the photo, therefore letting in more light. Shooting at low f-stops will blur out the background. This is because the camera does not have time to focus on the background. (Think bokeh.)

There you have it! I know this got a little techy; in the future I think I'll break down some of this stuff a lot more. This is the first time I've done this, so please send me a message though the website if you found this helpful or would like to see anything else on the blog! I'm totally open to suggestions. For my next few posts, I think I'm going to really break down camera settings. I could talk all day about ISO, F/Stop, and Shutter Speeds.

Wills and Megan - Mattress Factory Pittsburgh Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 17:31:48 GMT

As most of you know, I lived in Pittsburgh for 4 years and the city has a big piece of my heart. Years before I moved there, one of the first times I felt truly at home in the city was at The Mattress Factory. Beyond even the Yayoi Kusama and the James Turrells, the space is incredible on it's own. (I have a real thing for old industrial buildings.) From the moment I walked into that space, I've wanted to shoot a wedding there.

Megan and Wills were one of those dream couples. Relaxed, friendly, and planning a unique artful wedding... They made my job incredibly fun.

Hair: Studio Raw

Makeup: Sugar Spa and Beauty Bar

Venue: Mattress Factory Museum

Caterer: All in Good Taste Productions

Dress(es): Exquisite Bride

Tuxes: Groom is wearing a Nordstrom Custom suit. Groomsmen are renting suits from Men's Wearhouse.

Flowers: All in Good Taste Productions

Planner: All in Good Taste Productions

Rentals: Party Savvy and Lendable Linens

DJ: 2nd II None Productions Cake/Desserts: All in Good Taste Productions

Quartet - Names listed below.

Patrick Forsyth, violin;

Tobias Chisnall, violin;

Stephen Weiss, viola;

Robert Kaufman, cello

Erin and Sarah - Pittsburgh Engagement and Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 01:10:37 GMT

Erin and Sarah are two of my favorite humans on the whole planet. Sarah and I have the same favorite band (The Devil Makes Three) and Erin officiated my wedding. So yeah. I was pretty pumped when they asked me to photograph their wedding in Marquette Michigan this winter.

One of my favorite things about Pittsburgh is that there are a million little spots to take photos around every corner. A totally in love couple and a photogenic city...what more could I even ask for? An adorable Pit Bull named Winnie? Mr. Rogers? Icing on the cake.

Jess and Matt - Backyard Wedding - Jamestown NY Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 20:16:42 GMT

Jess and Matt got married in their backyard with one of the most personal and fun parties I've ever seen. First of all, that back yard..amazing. Second of all, the love and friendship displayed throughout the day was something so incredibly special. I'm not even just talking about the love between Matt and Jess, but their family and friends. So so good.

Look at this backyard! Jess took DIY to a whole new level by growing her own flowers. My heart.

See what I'm saying about the love between family and friends?

Hair: Panache Salon of Jamestown
Caterer: Studio D Catering
Rentals: Jamestown Awning and Party Tents
Cake/Desserts: Eklof's Bakery for cupcakes

Alyssa and Justin's Happily Ever After - Bradford Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 22:53:36 GMT

Here's a confession. I don't know anything about Star Wars. It's entirely possible that if I were to watch the movies I would fall in love with them. Maybe someday I will. However, there are two things I love more than just about anything else in this world; when couples show their personality on their wedding day and interesting light. What better way to combine those two things than with a light saber?!? Sometimes my couples give me the best gifts without even realizing it. Alyssa and Justin's wedding was full full full of personal touches. (Alyssa's mom is a wedding planner!)

Hair & Makeup: Kristine Skinner, L’mage Salon, Allegany, NY and Megan Kaziska
Venue & Caterer: The Pennhills Club, 146 Pennhills Drive, Bradford, PA 16701
Planner: Mother-of-the-bride: Kim Bowser
DJ & Photo Booth:
DJ AVM Music Services
1077 Smithson Avenue
Erie, PA 16511
(814) 440-5789
[email protected]
Cake: Julie’s Cake Creations, Julie Barrett, Bradford

Sabrina and Cory - Seven Springs Pittsburgh Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 17:58:49 GMT

Y'all. I am the absolute worst at blogging. I knooowww this wedding was a year ago. However, I couldn't let it go another day without being on the website. It's too perfect. It was too much fun. Sabrina and Cory were those dream clients who let me take their engagement photos in a parking garage. Photographers talk about how much we love a trusting relationship with our clients. THAT is what we are talking about.

Did I mention that they took me to an old airplane runway at sunset just because Sabrina thought I would be excited about it? I've received very few gifts in my life that have been better than that.
This was the first face I saw upon walking into the cabin at Seven Springs. Love.

Kari and Alex - Roulette, Pennsylvania Maternity Photographs

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 30 May 2018 17:15:36 GMT

I am honest with my clients, so when Kari asked me to shoot her maternity photos, I told her upfront that I had never done maternity before. Fast forward a few emails and Kari and Alex met me at my store, Canoe Place Creative, in Port Allegany to discuss the shoot. When Alex asked if I'd shot family portraits, the answer was yes, so he decided to rename the maternity session to a "Pre-Family Session." Genius! I tried to capture these two just as I would a newly engaged couple, emphasizing the love between the two of them. The only difference being that two of them will soon be three!

Kari and Alex, thank you so much for allowing me to photograph this moment in your lives!

This is Kari's parents' property. Isn't it amazing! And that fog in the background...

Gene and Megan - St. Mary's Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Thu, 17 May 2018 20:59:35 GMT

Megan and Gene: 4.21.18

St. Mary's Pennsylvania Wedding Photography

Wedding Location: Shilo Presbyterian Church, St. Mary's PA

Reception Location: Gunner's, St. Mary's PA

Tanner - Port Allegany Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:47:39 GMT

Velazquez Family

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 00:23:35 GMT

Brett & Melissa - Pittsburgh Engagement Session

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:11:18 GMT

Alex and Scott - Smethport, Pennsylvania Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 00:34:09 GMT

Sabrina and Cory - Pittsburgh Engagement Session

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:02:37 GMT

Chelsea and Rob - Austin, PA Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 00:09:52 GMT

Jason & Pam - Engagement Photos at Letchworth State Park

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 01:46:01 GMT

When Pam asked me to travel to Letchworth State Park (NY) from Pittsburgh for her engagement session I was thrilled. For a girl who loves to drive, photograph, and be outdoors this was the perfect location.

To top it all all off, Pam and Jason were so much fun to work with! I could have hiked around that park with them all day.

Y'all this was the first photo I took all day. Let's talk about a good start!

Sometimes I'm low-key obsessed with a photo from the second it's captured. This is one of those photos.

Pam and Jason, I'm so looking forward to your wedding!

Questions!

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 02:37:56 GMT

Recently, I came across an article about questions brides and grooms should ask their wedding photographer. So I answered them! Here goes...

What best describes your photography style?

My style is a combination of photojournalism and classic portraiture. For a good part of the day, I love to be a fly on the wall and watch for the little moments that make a wedding day special. My portrait style is slightly more formal, but I still like couples to be relaxed and comfortable. Often I’ll tell a bride and groom to stand how they feel comfortable and adjust from there. I want to capture the day as it happens, not as it’s posed.

Will the photos be retouched and color balanced?

Yes! Every last one of your photos will be adjusted and color balanced. If you’re interested in the technical stuff, I white balance my camera several times throughout the event and make adjustments in Adobe Lightroom if necessary. When I do creative edits, such as black and white images, I’ll always give my clients the color copy as well.

What's your favorite part of a wedding day to photograph?

My very favorite part of the wedding day is when I get to spend a few minutes with the bride and groom alone to photograph them. This is usually right after the family and bridal party photos. Often times, this is as close to alone time as the couple will get throughout the whole day. It’s a great moment for me to express my creativity and for the couple to take a breath between the wedding and the reception.

Do you shoot both digital and film?

Digital. I carry at least three professional camera bodies to every wedding. Depending on the situation, I carry one or two on me and keep the other as a backup.

What is the deposit?

I charge a 15% deposit due when the initial contract is returned. This is what ensures your wedding date on my calendar! I have to be strict with this one as I’ve unfortunately been burned in the past.

Will you be my actual photographer?

I will always be the main photographer. Second photographers are available by request but I will be there and I am the one who does all the editing after, so all the photos have uniform look.

Do you have backup photographers who will shoot the wedding if you're sick?

Yes. First of all, I would have to be damn near dead to miss an event. In the case that I break both my arms and legs or my fingers simultaneously fall off, I have a list of photographers that I know and trust that can step in to cover your wedding. If this happens, I will still edit all the photos myself.

How long after the wedding do we get to see the photos?

I always tell people 90 days. If you need them sooner, please let me know and I’ll do my best to get them to you as quickly as possible. I try my best to get some teasers on Facebook as quickly as possible as well!

How many weddings do you do a weekend?

Generally one. On a rare occasion I will do a Friday night wedding then turn around and shoot a Saturday wedding. However, if there’s travel involved I’ll only do one per weekend. I’ll never ever schedule two weddings in the same day!

What will you wear?

I keep it professional. The day is 100% not about me and I don't want to be noticed, so I go with head to toe black. I’m running around all day, so I do rock a pair of clean black sneakers.

Family Photos at Weddings - Hopefully Helpful Tips!

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 19:22:17 GMT

Let's be honest. Gathering your whole family in one location can be a real challenge. Weddings are often an opportunity for family members who haven't seen each other in years to catch up. They are also an opportunity for family photos.

One of the most common questions people ask me is how to make the family photo process go smoother. After all, once this is over you can get to the party! I have a few tips that I hope y'all will find helpful.

1. Get as many photos done before the ceremony as possible. Brides, if you don't want your fiancé to see you in your dress, you can take photos with just your side of the family or with just or bridesmaids. He can do the same. (Usually the guys photos get finished first because it takes them less time to get ready.) Keep in mind that if you are getting photos taken at the ceremony location, you will want to be out of sight about a half an hour before the ceremony to avoid running into any earlybird guests.

If you don't care about him seeing you before the ceremony, you can do a "first look" where I'll get a shot of the first time he sees you in your dress. I cant recommend this enough. First look photos are SO cute! This is also great because you can get all the formal photos out of the way before the ceremony and you can relax after. I still like to take a few romantic shots of the bride and groom right after the ceremony. Those are almost always my favorite photos. :)

2. Make an announcement at the rehearsal dinner that everyone in your family has to stick around for photos after the ceremony. (Or make sure they know what time to be there beforehand.) Sometimes the thing that takes the longest is wrangling up family members to get photos.

3. Make a list of family members to be photographed (or groups like cousins, grooms sisters, etc…) and give one to your photographer (preferably before the wedding day), one to a member of your family, and one to member of the groom's family. Choose someone who knows everyone's names and can help round up family members. This is a big one. Not only is it a huge time saver, a list also ensures that we get all the photos you want. It's easy to get swept up in the wedding day and forget!

4. Most importantly, if you would like advice or just to chat about ideas. Ask me! I'm always willing to help out in any way I can.

Danielle and Matt - Limestone, NY Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 22:31:06 GMT

Addie & Steven - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 00:07:07 GMT

Jeff & Amy - Pittsburgh Wedding

(Lacey Barber Photography) — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:51:28 GMT

I love all my clients, but there's nothing more gratifying than working with the same family multiple times. (This is the third wedding I've done for a sibling of a previous client!) Four years ago, I photographed Jeff's older brother Matt's wedding to his wife Melissa. Amy caught the bouquet!

The rain. Of course it's not something anyone wants on their wedding day, but with the right outlook the rain can create some beautiful opportunities for photos. Jeff and Amy were champs! I don't think I heard either one of them stress about the weather all day!