Springfield MO Wedding Photography: Kristi and Jay: A small, intimate wedding

If you're planning a smaller, less traditional wedding ceremony and reception, you're not alone.  They are very popular these days, and the reason may surprise you. 

Less Cost, Less Stress

As a professional wedding photographer serving two of America's most popular destination wedding locations (Branson/Springfield, MO and Tampa, FL) I speak to clients on a near-daily basis who are planning smaller ceremonies.

While the cost benefits of a smaller wedding are obvious, many couples choose to downsize their wedding simply because they want something more intimate.  The stress of planning and holding a much larger affair is replaced by a more casual and relaxed atmosphere, giving them a chance to celebrate their love for each other in a very personal way.  

Kristi and Jay

When Kristi first contacted me about photographing her wedding, she told me that she and Jay were planning a simple, intimate wedding on Apollo Beach in Tampa.

"We just want to get married in front of our close family and friends", she said.  "We'll have a big reception for everyone when we get back home to Minnesota."

The Wedding Pictures

A small ceremony was the perfect choice for this fun, laid-back couple. Here are some sample pictures from their special day on the beach behind the Sunset Grill at Little Harbor in Tampa. 

We started taking pictures in Kristi's hotel room, just as she was making her final preparations...

I thought the sun peeking out from behind the clouds just after Kristi and Jay were officially married was a great metaphor for their new life together.  Please join me in congratulating this wonderful couple!

Whether you're planning a small wedding or a larger affair In Branson, Springfield, or Tampa Bay, Cool Change Photography has a perfect wedding photography package for you.  Please feel free to contact us anytime.  I'd love to hear about your plans!

Nick

Branson and Springfield, MO Wedding Photography Prices

 

 

Shopping For a Wedding Photographer?

If you're currently shopping for a wedding photographer in Branson or Springfield, MO, one thing you've probably realized is that the prices are all over the road, ranging from over $3500 to well under $1000.

In part, this is due to the wide variety of packages, add-ons, and options offered by local wedding photographers.

But it's also because the wedding industry has become extremely competitive, due to the massive influx of part-time wedding photographers, planners, florists, and officiates in recent years.

 

A Buyer's Market

As a bride-to-be, this is generally very good news, as many wedding vendors (including photographers) have cut their prices in order to stay competitive.  In most cases, you can hire a quality photographer, florist, or officiate at a significantly lower rate than you could just a couple of years ago.

However, it is a buyer-beware environment, and the old adage really applies:

 

If It Looks Too Good To Be True...

While saving money is always good, be careful not to shop by price alone.  Because Branson and Springfield, MO wedding photographers are not licensed, anyone can buy a digital camera and declare themselves a "professional wedding photographer".

 

Warning Signs

Look for these warning signs when shopping for a wedding photographer in Branson or Springfield, MO:

• Low, low, low prices.  While everyone wants to be competitive, the truth is that it's impossible to run a profitable wedding photography business by only charging a few hundred dollars for unlimited photography or "full day coverage".  Trust me, the cost of doing business is just too high.  As an example, the 50% off prices we are presently charging for wedding photography in Branson and Springfield, MO are among the lowest in the market... but only because we're new to town and running an introductory special.  In a city where we are already established, our Tampa wedding photography prices are significantly higher. 
• A limited portfolio of wedding pictures.  An experienced professional's online portfolio should show a variety of different couples in different types of settings, as to opposed to a lot of pictures from just one or two weddings.
• Confusion or uncertainty on the part of the photographer with regard to his or her style, packages, or plan for photographing your wedding.  Speak to them on the phone and listen for confidence, professionalism, and a personality that you won't mind having around for several hours.  Remember, you'll probably spend more time with your photographer than anyone else on your wedding day.  Other than your fiance, of course!
• A photographer's inability or unwillingness to detail the terms of your agreement in a written contract.  Be sure to get everything in writing!
• A cash or checks-only policy.  The vast majority of professional photographers in Branson and Springfield, MO accept major credit cards for payment, as well as cash and checks.  Accepting only the latter could be a sign of inexperience.

 

What's A Fair Price?

As with many other products and services, it's all about what you are getting for your money.  If you like the pictures in a wedding photographer's online gallery, contact them and ask some questions about the points I raised above.

If you're satisifed with their answers and the price is within your budget, then congratulations!  You may have found your wedding photographer. 

 

Comments and Questions?

As a local wedding photographer competing for your business in Branson and Springfield, MO, I recognize the fact that there are many talented professionals to choose from, and urge you to find the one who suits your specific needs, style, personality, and budget.

If I can help you in your search, please visit our contact page online, or leave a comment in the box below. 

I'd also like to encourage other wedding vendors in the Branson and Springfield, MO area to chime in with their thoughts and tips, too.

As usual, thanks for reading... and happy holidays!

<a href="http://www.coolchangephotography.com/?pageID=310328" rel="author">About Me</a>

Springfield MO Engagement Portrait Photography: Gina and Patrick

Gina and Patrick said they wanted to do their engagement portrait shoot on the downtown Tampa waterfront.  I suggested that we try Harbor Island... which worked out well! 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon downtown, and we found all kinds of cool settings, ranging from a pier, to a park bench, to a dark corner in the parking lot, to... well, see for yourself.

These are of course just a small sample of the pictures we shot on Gina and Patrick's engagement portrait shoot.  Congratulations to this awesome couple, who are planning a New Year's Eve wedding!

Cool Change Photography offers affordably priced wedding and engagement portrait photography packages in Springfield, MO, Branson, MO, Tampa, FL, and various other destinations.  View our prices, portfolio, and more online at CoolChangePhotography.com. 

Springfield MO Engagement Portrait Photography: Rebecca and Frank

Like many couples, Rebecca and Frank wanted to return to the spot of their very first date for their engagement portrait photography session. So, I met them (and their two black labs) at the dog park!

As a big-time animal lover myself, I really enjoyed shooting these pictures for them. Here are a few sample images:

These are of course just a small sample of the images I captured for this terrific couple, who are planning a wedding in 2011.  Please join me in congratulating them!

Cool Change Photography is available for wedding and engagement portrait photography in Springfield, MO, Branson, MO, and the entire Ozarks region... as well as Tampa, FL and other destination locations.  For more information please visit our website.

Cool Change Photography Announces Our Expansion

For those who haven't noticed the changes on our website yet, I'm pleased to announce our expansion, and the new services we'll be offering in Springfield, Branson, and the Ozarks region of Missouri.

Tampa Bay Clients

I want to emphasize to all of our current and future Tampa Bay clients that this an expansion. I'll be commuting often, and spending a lot of time in Tampa Bay for both family, business (and weather!) reasons. I have close relatives in both Oldsmar and Sarasota, and a whole bunch of weddings and engagement portraits to shoot in the next several months.

Our Tampa website is presently in re-development and will be up soon. So rest assured, Tampa clients, your photographer will be still be here:-)

Springfield, MO Clients

At the same time, I'm very pleased to announce the expansion of my wedding and engagement portrait photography business into Springfield, Branson, and the Ozarks region of Missouri. It gives me a chance to photograph weddings in not just one, but two of the most popular destination wedding locations in America.

I visited Springfield for the first time ever over Thanksgiving weekend, shot a few pictures, and can't wait to shoot more!





Downtown is a dream setting for engagement portraits. The Ozarks lakes and hillsides are beautiful, as are so many of the local churches for wedding ceremonies.



I'll be spending at least half of my time in Springfield as of early January. If you're in the area and getting married soon, I'd love to add you to my long list of very satisfied clients from Tampa Bay.

You can contact me directly through our website. And be sure to check out the 50% Off special we're running on all Springfield, MO wedding photography packages!

Why?

I'll officially be based in Springfield, Missouri due to an employment transfer that my wife accepted. She's a beautiful, talented woman who I've been married to for over 11 years, and I'm not about to let her get away that easy:-)

Thank You Tampa Bay

I do consider this to be more of an expansion than a relocation, and look forward to shooting weddings and engagement portraits in both Tampa Bay and the Ozarks in the months and years to come.

But... Tampa is where I photographed my first wedding, started my business, and met a ton of wonderful couples, families, and friends on the most important days of their lives.



As I switch my home base to the midwest, and become another one of those wacky part-time residents who won't go away, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every client and vendor I've worked with in the local wedding business. Thank you all for playing such an important part in "chapter one", and I'll see you soon!

Nick

Tampa wedding photography: Doubletree Resort

Chantel and Kai picked a great date for their beach wedding at the Doubletree Resort on Reddington Shores: 10/10/10. I was honored to be on hand to capture lots of memories from their special day.

We began with pictures of their preparations. While they were each in separate rooms, they shared a lot of the same emotions and excitement...







The ceremony took place on the beautiful white sand beach behind the Doubletree Hotel...







After every ceremony we shoot, I always ask the bride and groom to take a walk together alone. It gives them some time to really appreciate the moment... and it always results in some great pictures, too.





Chantel's choice of orange for her colors worked equally well on the beach, and inside at the reception.





There were quite a few fun and special moments...







These are of course just a small sample of the wedding pictures we captured for Chantel and Kai. To see more images from their wedding and countless others, visit our tampa wedding photography website, and please join us in congratulating this wonderful couple on their new life together!