Should I Send My Photographer My Wedding Pinterest Board?

Chances are, if you’re a bride (let’s be honest, even if you’re NOT a bride) you’ve created some sort of wedding Pinterest board to store all of your floral and decor wedding fantasies – am I right?! ;) The Knot reported that over 40 million people use Pinterest to plan their wedding every single year, pinning nearly 900 million pins as a collective wedding community. Can you believe that?!

Because of these high statistics, it’s safe to assume that wedding planning will never be the same ever again. We have access to more and more ideas than EVER before in every style, variety, and color scheme imaginable, enabling our generation to DIY some of the most beautiful, elegant, unique weddings in all of history.

In addition to affecting so many other industries within the wedding industry – florists, caterers, planners, makeup artists, venues, and the like – Pinterest has also affected the wedding photography industry. It’s safe to assume that more brides than ever are pinning their “must have” shot list with perfectly posed, lit, and framed imagery full of emotion.

But the question is – is this doing us more harm than good? Is this good for brides? For photographers? For the relationship between brides and photographers?!

My answer is: all of the above. There’s no straightforward answer, no magical formula to conquering the “should I send my photographer my Pinterest board?” question, but there are several pros and cons to consider when debating it. A few months ago, I asked my followers on Instagram about their experience with using Pinterest when planning their wedding photos. Simply put, in hindsight: was there anything they wish they would’ve done differently in relation to their wedding photography?

Kim responded that she wishes she had “a list of poses that [she] wanted! [She] made a Pinterest board for it but then all the ideas [she] thought were cute and unique totally went out the window.”

It’s true, having a Pinterest board with specific ideas that you REALLY want can help guide and remind you on your wedding day, and sending that board to your photographer beforehand can relieve the bride from the pressure of having to remember those few specific shots they really want!

But the question is – can there be such as thing as too many photos on your “wedding photo inspiration” board?

Brianna wishes she had “someone to tell [her] to NOT be such a planner with photos and poses and let the photographer just guide and direct [her] as the moment unfolded. [She] got so caught up in specific photos [she] wanted that [they] probably missed some more authentic moments… [She] was the bride with the list of must have shots and they didn’t look the way [she] envisioned in the end. Still pretty photos, but just not as [she] had expected them to look based on the Pinterest photo. [She] think[s] attempting Pinterest photos is such a failed attempt most of the time because there are so many elements to perfectly recreating a photo!”

So – now that we’ve looked at two differing perspectives, what is the best way to move forward with sending your wedding photographer your Pinterest board and/or wedding photography ideas? As a former bride and current wedding photographer, here are my suggestions:

1. If there are one or two photos you REALLY want, definitely send them to your wedding photographer.

Of course your wedding photographer wants you to be ecstatic about the final product of your wedding album and get the photos you REALLY want, so if there are a couple of shots you have to have, send them along! Be sure to tell your photographer specifically what you like about each photo you send. Is it the light? The posing? The emotion? The background? Communicating to your photographer why you like the photo will give them an idea of how they can incorporate that pose, light, or backdrop into your wedding photos in a way that is unique to your wedding and your relationship!

2. Trust your photographer!

You hired them for their expertise and because you love their work in the first place, right?! Then trust their judgment and expertise to photograph your story in a way that truly represents your wedding day – not someone else’s version of it.

One of the BEST feelings in the world on my own wedding day was knowing that I had hired a kick-butt photographer who I could fully trust. I didn’t send her one single photo as inspiration because I had done my homework beforehand and KNEW without a shadow of a doubt that she would apply all of her wonderful skills and expertise to MY wedding to create something unique for me and my husband. And let me tell you, she totally delivered!

3. Don’t use Pinterest as your standard for your wedding photos.

This, my friends, is a tough one. Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram, looking at other people’s grams and suddenly feel discontent with what you have? No matter how amazing your house is, someone else’s will always look better. No matter how cute your hair is, someone’s will always be cuter. That is the lie of comparison. Comparing ourselves to others makes us discontent with what we have, making us unable to ever be content. So I encourage you – if you’re having some serious wedding envy (trust me, I feel ya!), close your Pinterest browser. Shut down your app for a few weeks, days, or even until after your wedding is over. Let your day unfold in the unique way that only YOUR wedding can, because you are unique. Your husband is unique. Your photographer is unique. And your photos deserve to be unique!

Well – that’s all folks! A big thanks to Kim Huwe and Brianna Jones for sharing their thoughts on Pinterest and wedding photography.

It’s an honor to serve you! Until next time – happy planning!

The Problem with Wedding Photographers...

A few weeks ago, I had an eye opening conversation with a friend.

We were walking around the mall (that’s what we have to do in Pittsburgh when it’s 6 degrees outside ;) ), and we started talking about business. We moved on to weddings. Then we moved on to our couples and to photographing them on their wedding days, one of the most significant days of their lives.

Then, we started talking about something that got my gears spinning. A question was brought up: am I shooting for my couples, or am I shooting for me?

The weight of this question hit me by surprise. Of COURSE I’m shooting for my couples, I mused. Why else would I be photographing all of these weddings if I wasn’t?

But then, the gears kept turning, and I thought back to a conversation I had with a former coworker. Recently married, I asked him what he would do differently about his wedding day, if he could. He answered “I’d insist that we take less pictures. I love how they turned out, but I missed out on a lot of my wedding day because we kept leaving to take photos. Before the ceremony, after the ceremony, during cocktail hour, and during our reception, we were pulled out multiple times for more photos. They insisted that we keep leaving our friends and family for more photos without taking our opinion into consideration.”

Whoa. As a wedding photographer, this hit me right in the gut. I began to wonder: am I putting too much pressure on my couples for the photos that I want? Or do they really want them, too?

Of course, there’s a balance, like with anything. Good photos take time.  It takes time to get a series of photos that represent who a couple is, to capture their friends and family, and to do it all in less time than an engagement session typically takes.

But, the question still remains: am I unnecessarily putting expectations on my couples to take photos that they don’t really want? Are we missing the boat as wedding photographers and camouflaging our desire to get photos that we love while sacrificing our the desires of our couples on one of the biggest days of their lives?

If wedding photography becomes about anything besides the couple, then we’re doing it wrong. We’ve missed the boat. We might say we’re in it for our couples, but in reality, we’re only in it for ourselves. That’s when wedding photography becomes selfish. And the temptation to make it about ME, the wedding photographer, is a great one. But if we can keep our eyes on what truly matters – on capturing this beautiful, sacred union and these two individuals on the first day of the rest of their lives, our focus will stay where it was always meant to be: on our couples.

How Can I Make Sure My Wedding Photos are Safe?!

My mom used to always say "if our house was burning down, the one thing I would make sure to grab (of course, after the kids!) would be my wedding album."

Lucky for those of us who tied the knot in the digital age, most of the time our photos are backed up on a cloud, or even to social media pages, allowing memories to live on even after disaster strikes. But I think there's something to be said about my mom's sentiment, and the importance of printed photos. Those photos in her wedding album tell the story of the beginning of her life with my dad, and of our lives as a family. They're precious, and priceless. They are the family legacy - an heirloom that, God willing, will be handed down generation after generation so everyone can see where, and how, it all started.

So, as a bride, what's the best way to go about making sure YOUR wedding images are safe? Below are a few tips for backing up your precious memories that will ensure - no matter what happens - that you will have them for years to come!

1. Invest in a professional wedding album.

I know what you're thinking: but they're so expensive! Trust me, I was a bride not too long ago and I can completely understand hesitancy based on price when it comes to professional wedding albums! Wedding albums are not only expensive for brides to invest in, but are also pricey for photographers to order, due to the high-quality materials used. A professional album will have thick, professional archival photo paper with the highest quality leather or linen, built to last for years to come. Some even go the extra mile to include a high quality storage box to keep it even safer! A wedding album is not only another great way to "back up" your wedding photos, but is a physical heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. That CD or USB drive you have might be great for making prints, but are you sure you'll be able to show your kids and grandkids your photos in 10, 20, or even 50 years? Technology will be much further then - you never know if those storage devices will even be around!

2. Store your photos on a cloud server.

With so many options for cloud storage nowadays, it's easier than ever to make sure your photos are somewhere safe outside of your home, in the case of fire, flood, or damage. A few of my favorites for online storage are: Dropbox, Google Drive, and Carbonite.

3. Spread the love to parents, grandparents, and other family members!

What do I mean by this? Well, in addition to investing in an album for yourself, consider investing in an album for your parents, your spouse's parents, and even your grandparents! Not only do albums (or coffee table books!) make nice gifts, but in the case of a fire or flood (God forbid!) your wedding photos are safe somewhere else. Plus - albums and coffee table books make great (and easy!) Christmas and birthday gifts after your wedding day!

4. Check to see how long your photographer keeps your wedding photos.

Some photographers keep all of the photos from your wedding day long after the event (I fall into this camp!) and some toss them after the event is over. Check with your wedding photographer to see how long they hold onto your digital files, and even ask how they back them up. Personally, I back up every wedding to two external hard drives, an online gallery system, and a cloud storage backup - mainly because I would want someone to do the same for me!

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If you are interested in creating a wedding album, shoot me a message or send me an email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to learn more about the albums we offer!

My Embarrassing Confession as a Wedding Photographer

I have a confession: I disliked planning my own wedding. Granted, the year we got married I was finishing my last year of undergrad with a double major, working part-time, building a business, and holding down an internship (while I slowly drove myself insane). I thought planning would be all cookies and taste testings, but for someone who isn't the best decision-maker on the planet (raise your hand if you can relate 🙋) , wedding planning turned into a constant wearing down of my patience. One decision after another - flowers, seating charts, tuxes, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, hair, makeup - the list went on and on, and sometimes it felt completely endless. Maybe you're in the same boat.

I remember complaining about all of the decisions I had to someone, and then it struck me: the only decision that REALLY matters at all is the decision I've already made: to marry Nick. The toughest, most important one was already done. And somehow, that one realization brought so much peace into my life, not because it made any of the other decisions go away, but because it shrunk down the importance of any other decision I WOULD make from then on out when it came to anything wedding related.

So if you're a bride and you're in a similar season, remember: your choice of venue, direction of details, and even your appearance on the day of your wedding all pales in comparison to the man you've chosen to spend the rest of your life loving, serving, and respecting.

More Than a Wedding Vendor

One thing I hear most from people when talking about wedding photography is their fear of choosing vendors who care only about booking more jobs, not about the couple themselves. But I truly believe that couples deserve more than just a vendor - they deserve a friend and encourager who can come alongside them before, during, and after the wedding planning process - not just on the day of!

"Jenna is absolutely AMAZING. I can't imagine any aspect of my wedding without her. From the minute I found her, to meeting with her in person, to our engagement photos, to my endless emails and her very speedy, friendly, knowledgeable responses, to her meeting me at a local coffee shop and helping me create a wedding day timeline, to my wedding day itself. Also, can we just take a minute to go back to that day at the coffee shop when Jenna met with me? Yes, this wonderful, talented photographer took an hour and a half out of her extremely busy schedule to buy me coffee and help me create a detailed wedding day timeline. Jenna is the most genuine, thoughtful, positive person. Her passion for both photography and people is very apparent. It was a true joy working with her and her husband, Nick. My husband and I consider ourselves very lucky and blessed that they captured so many special moments for us. I would hire her again in a heartbeat. We're so grateful for everything, Jenna and Nick! We truly can't thank you enough." - Lyndsay, 2017 Bride

Brittany + Jason: Downtown Pittsburgh Elopement Photos

You know what's amazing? When people aren't afraid of a little cold weather on their wedding day! Brittany and Jason eloped OUTSIDE on the North Shore of Pittsburgh in the dead of winter, which pretty much makes them my heroes. And let me tell you, it was AMAZING! I always feel so honored photographing elopements where I am one of the only witnesses. Afterwards, we spent a couple of hours around the North Shore, Point State Park, and Market Square taking photos, taking a pit stop at The Foundry Table & Tap for a champagne toast! 

I really can't even begin to say enough good things about these two. By the end of our session, they felt like old friends who we had known them for years (even though we just met them that day!). Congratulations, Brittany and Jason! You two are truly something special - thank you so much for the honor of capturing these memories for you!

Ceremony by: Integral Weddings

Shelter from the Cold: The Foundry Table & Tap

Best of Wedding Details, 2017 Edition

If you've worked with me (or have seen my work!) you can probably guess that I LOVE photographing bridal wedding details! And this year I photographed some absolutely STUNNING bridal details with a variety of different color palettes and themes! I love how styled detail photos can pull a whole wedding gallery together - so without further ado, here are a few of my favorite bridal details from 2017 weddings!

Katie + Nate: Westminster College Wedding Photos

A Pennsylvania late-November wedding can sometimes take a turn for the worst in regards to weather, but Katie and Nate's November day is what every couple prays and hopes for! Katie and Nate tied the knot at Westminster College (where they met!) in Wallace Memorial chapel on a beautifully sunny day. They incorporated SO MANY personal details into their wedding day, from the flowers to the cocktail hour food! Some of my personal favorite details include:

• Flowers by her uncle, who just so happens to be a florist!
• Photos in front of the residence hall (Shaw) where they first met (adorable)!
• Nate (the groom) wore his grandfather's cuff links and watch.
• Katie wrapped a piece of her childhood blanket around her floral bouquet.
• Each groomsman had his favorite sports team on his socks!
• The kielbasa at the reception was made by Nate’s family and the applesauce is Katie’s grandfather’s recipe.
• Nate knew from the first time he tasted the pepperoni rolls Katie made him while watching a Steeler game together, that he was in trouble - they were served during the cocktail hour!

All parts of their wedding day were absolutely beautiful and so heartfelt! Congratulations on your marriage, Katie and Nate! We were so honored to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Ceremony: Wallace Memorial Chapel (Westminster College)

Reception: Palermo Center

Getting Ready Location: The Jacqueline House

Bride's Dress: Morilee

Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee

Hair & Makeup: Rebecca's Salon

Tuxes/Suites: Joseph A. Bank

DJ: Andy Borts

Flowers: Mike Zimmerman (bride's uncle!)

Caterer: Monica's Catering

Cake: Jessica Kennedy

Desserts: Hermitage Bakery & Garder Pie Company

Videographer: Peter Chace

Honeymoon: Sunday Night Football - Steelers vs. Packers

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Amy + Mike: Cool Springs Banquet Hall Wedding Photos

You might remember Amy and Mike from their sweet summer engagement session at Phipp's Conservatory earlier this year, but if you don't, you can check it out here! Amy and Mike tied the knot on a rainy November day, but these two were so focused on the joy of the day that it seems they barely noticed! (Also - there were LOTS of great little nooks that hid us from the rain around Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian!)

These two had an intimate first look before their wedding ceremony between just the two of them, then a ceremony at the church and a reception at Cool Springs Banquet Hall! Every part of their day was infused with joy and love, not to mention tons of cookies and dancing! Congratulations on your marriage, Amy and Mike! It was an honor to be a part of your day!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: The Winner

Hair and Makeup for the Bride: (cousin of the bride) Alyssa Stipanovich

Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Ceremony: Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Reception: Cool Springs Banquet Hall

Band/DJ: Carroll DJ Services

Flowers: Donati Florist

Caterer: Ches Anthony

Cake/Desserts: Bethel Bakery

Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Photographer: Sara Dinwiddie

Best of Wedding Couple Photos, 2017 Edition

It's no secret that one of the best parts of the wedding day to any photographer is the bride & groom portrait section of the day! Often times, that's when the magic happens and when we get to connect with our clients, giving them images to cherish for a lifetime together. This year's "Best of Wedding Couple Photos" from JHP includes photos from 25 different weddings, featuring 25 very different and wonderful couples in 4 different states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan)! I have been blessed by each and every couple who has given me the honor of being a part of their wedding day. Thank you for the incredible blessing of photographing one of the most important days of your lives!

And without further ado - here are a few of my favorites from this year!