More Than Just a Wedding with Jennifer Starr

Episode #35: Capturing Legacy, Not Just Images (Featuring Tony George, Photographer)

• Jennifer Starr

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What makes a great wedding photographer?

Spoiler alert: it's about far more than beautiful Instagram photos.

In this episode of More Than Just a Wedding with Jennifer Starr, Jennifer sits down with Arizona wedding photographer Tony George to discuss what couples should really be looking for when choosing the person who will preserve one of the most meaningful days of their lives.

Tony shares his unexpected journey from restaurant management to photographing more than 400 weddings, how becoming a husband and father transformed the way he approaches wedding days, and why authentic moments will always matter more than perfectly posed portraits.

Together, Jennifer and Tony explore the importance of personality fit, the value of engagement sessions, the role of legacy photography, and why your wedding day should never feel like a production set.

If you're currently searching for your wedding photographer, this episode may completely change the questions you ask and the things you prioritize.

In This Episode We Discuss:

  •  Tony's journey from restaurant management to full-time wedding photographer 
  •  How hospitality experience shaped his calm approach on wedding days 
  •  Why your photographer's personality matters just as much as their portfolio 
  •  The importance of reviewing full wedding galleries—not just Instagram highlights 
  •  Documentary photography versus editorial photography 
  •  Why wedding photos become family heirlooms and legacy pieces 
  •  How becoming parents changed the way both Jennifer and Tony view wedding moments 
  •  Why engagement sessions are one of the most valuable investments couples can make 
  •  Common misconceptions couples have when hiring photographers 
  •  Why higher price does not automatically mean better fit 
  •  How couples can feel more comfortable in front of the camera 
  •  The growing popularity of film photography and what makes it so special 
  •  Tony's passion for mentoring the next generation of wedding photographers 
  •  Why your wedding day is about presence, connection, and memories—not perfection 

Memorable Quotes From This Episode

"Your wedding day is not a photo shoot. It's one of the most important days of your life."

"The more present you are on your wedding day, the better your memories—and your photos—will be."

"Photography isn't just about beautiful portraits. It's about preserving your family's legacy."

"When the cake is eaten, the flowers are gone, and the dress is put away, your photos and video are what remain."

"It's more than just a wedding. It's the memories you're creating with the people you love most."

About Today's Guest

Tony George is an Arizona-based wedding photographer who has documented more than 400 weddings throughout his career. Known for his calm presence and documentary approach, Tony focuses on preserving authentic moments, meaningful relationships, and family legacy through photography.

When he isn't photographing weddings, Tony is a husband, father of three (including twins!), educator, and mentor to aspiring photographers entering the wedding industry.

You can connect with Tony here:

Jennifer's Closing Takeaway

Your photographer isn't simply documenting your wedding day.

They're preserving the hugs you'll someday miss, the laughter you'll someday forget, and the people who made your story possible.

Choose someone whose work you love—but equally important—choose someone whose presence you trust.

Because your wedding deserves more than beautiful photos.

It deserves beautiful memories preserved well.

SPEAKER_01

I'm your host, Jennifer Starr, and this is More Than Just a Wedding, the podcast where we celebrate real people, real moments, and respected budgets. Let's make wedding planning feel a little more human.

SPEAKER_02

All right, hello everyone, and welcome back to the More Than Just a Wedding podcast. Today I have a very special guest. Tony George is with us. And I have some fun insights about Tony that I can't wait to share. But I'm also excited to get to know him a little bit better and for all of our listeners and viewers to get to know him a little bit better. So welcome, Tony.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it. I'm excited to chat and um yeah, spill some of my secrets and all that. Yeah, do it.

SPEAKER_02

All right.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Well, Tony, if we could start, um if you would be so kind as to share just what your journey's been like into wedding photography and really what led you into this as your career.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. So the the whole story is kind of crazy. Weddings kind of like just happen out of nowhere for me. Um originally I was a like corporately trained restaurant manager for a company called Cafe Zupas. I'm sure people have eaten there and stuff.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

But I would train all the other managers how to be managers and travel over the country and open all the new stores and all that stuff. And I was like, this is what I want to do. I want to own my own restaurant, you know. Um, but I was still doing photography on the side, doing families and engagement sessions and senior portraits and all that, which I loved. Photography has always been like a huge part of my life, even since I was like a little kid. I had like a little flip phone. I would take pictures and put them in black and white and thought I was a pro and all this stuff. So um it's always kind of been part of my journey, which was really cool. Um, and I knew that I wanted to do photos even as like a side gig or incorporate it into something that I'm doing, like within the restaurant field, um, doing photos for Cafe Zupas. I was like, I want to be the person that takes all the menu photos and all that stuff, you know. Um, and then the location that I was at, my boss at the time was getting married, and her photographer wasn't doing any getting ready photos. They were just doing from like ceremony on. And she was like, Can you come do getting ready photos? And I was like, sure, I don't know what I'm doing, but I'll give it a shot. Like, no promises, you know what I mean? I was like, all I've done is people like senior photos and families and a few events here and there. But um, yeah, so did that and like instantly just like fell in love. It it just like hit me like this is where I need to be and this is what I need to do. So I asked the photographers on the day of, I was like, can I just shadow you guys? Like, I'll give you guys all the images I take. Um, I just want to be a part of this and see how it is. And so yeah, like throughout the day, I was like, it just felt so comfortable and so natural. Um yeah, and that just kind of like fell in line there. And I took those photos and just marketed and marketed and booked like eight of my own weddings just off of those like getting ready and ceremony photos that I took. Uh yeah, and it just grew and doubled and doubled and doubled. And um, yeah, and then now we're just a little over 400 weddings captured. So yeah, it's just unbelievable. Quit my day job. You know, the the you know, the wedding industry was was booming, you know, coming out of like COVID and all that stuff too. So um that's when I during 2020, like the job that I was at, they were like, hey, we're opening up again. Like, what do you want your hours to be? And I was like, nothing. I'm I'm going in full time. So yeah. So I just kind of jumped ship and was like, I'm just gonna pursue what I want to do and I'm gonna do anything I can to make it work, and it worked. So um, yeah, just been pushing myself since it's been it's been a cool journey for sure.

SPEAKER_02

So okay. Two two thoughts. Yeah. Um, number one, the hospitality world. I mean, restaurant management.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_02

I um I was a server through college.

SPEAKER_03

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

I wasn't a great server.

SPEAKER_03

Um well, you're great at what you do now, so that's good. You're good at serving clients in a different way now. So thank you.

SPEAKER_02

Yes. I I yes, I learned a lot and was humbled in the experience and had a blast. And but I I left that knowing that the restaurant world is, I think, one of the hardest um hospitality positions any anyone could be in. I mean, the volume and the the turnover of the tables and the staff and the timing and the intensity of the kitchen, back of the house, front of the house. It makes sense. Knowing what I know about you and how I witness you so calm.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

That that makes sense that that was your background.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I don't, I don't really like people are always like, aren't you nervous going into a wedding day? Or don't you feel pressure? I was like, no, I'm I mean, I'm just I'm a I'm a guy with a camera taking pictures and and enjoying someone's like best day of their life. So it's like the greatest privilege ever. And so I don't feel all those stresses that you know some others, you know, might. And that's something that I'm like, we'll go into it more a little bit, but that's something kind of moving in towards is like the educational side of it. So um, but yes, in in in the the restaurant industry, I was both hospitality and culinary manager combined. So I was in charge of both the front of house and back of house. And I was also every month I was rotating to new locations, like training all the managers and fixing all the issues. So I think like working 70 hours a week doing that and going into you know doing photos full time, like this doesn't even amount to any of the pressure and stress that you know we've we we experienced there. So and you get it, you understand it's a totally different type of of stress.

SPEAKER_02

So that is very, very real. Yeah, yeah. Um, yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Um, well, I know planners have a lot more stress on their shoulders. I'm not saying that, but no, no, no, no.

SPEAKER_02

But I think being able to perform well under like a situation that that does carry a lot of responsibility. And I always tell our couples and my team would share the same thought that the photographers okay, yes, of course, their skill set and the the artistry and and and their talent is huge. But the other side of it that I don't think couples realize, and and how would they, but is the personality of the photographer and how they carry themselves and how the energy that they put out on a wedding day is crucial.

SPEAKER_03

So important. So important. That's like when I do when when I have people come to me, they're like, Do you do consultations with your couples? Like, I just do a phone call. It's like, no, you got to get on a video with them and feel their energy out and see how they react to your energy too. Because like on the wedding day, the photographer is like the number one person that's side by side with a couple the whole day. And if you don't mesh well, it's gonna be awkward for everyone. So I'm like, it's so important to like know your couples and get to know them and know their backgrounds and know where they came from. Um, that way you can go into wedding day as like a friend rather than just like a hired person that's just you know doing a job. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02

But also that calmness that you continue to carry, I think, because as planners, we've seen all different types of photography personalities, and we have some that quite frankly make it more stressful, more rushed and necessary. And I think it's because they're thinking about their job, which mad respect. Yeah, we get that. But at the same time, someone's actually in real time trying to live authentic moments and enjoy the experience.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it's so true. It's so true.

SPEAKER_02

It's one of the most special days of someone's lives.

SPEAKER_03

I'm glad you said that. That's like anytime I do a consultation with a couple, that's the first thing that I tell them is like your wedding day is not supposed to be a giant production. It's supposed to be your wedding day. And the more authentic it is and the more present you are and the less focused you are on the timeline, the better the photos are gonna come out, the better your memories are gonna turn out too. So that's like exactly what I tell my couples. Every single time I meet with someone, I'm like, your wedding day is not a photo shoot, it's not a production. As much as I love pretty pictures and a nice portfolio, like that's not what it's about. So yeah, I'm glad you glad you touched on it. That's super important.

SPEAKER_02

Yes. And then the pandemic. It's yes, I think it's really interesting because when everything happened, I remember someone close to me said, Jennifer, you you may want to be thinking your future. Like, who knows if weddings will return in the same way that they existed before. And I thought, and who would have guessed following the pandemic, this gigantic boom? We call it the wedding boom. Yeah, exploded. My company, um I'm 15 years in, but it was very slow growth for the first several, several years, where it was me, and then slowly we brought on a team, and very and I was, you know, raising babies and all the things. So it was the perfect path for me. But post-pandemic, my business exploded. And it it sounds like you had a similar experience, like right time, right place.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, exactly. It just felt right. I mean, 2020 was crazy with all the cancellations and everything like that. But because of all that, um, I think couples value their memories with their loved ones and everything more than they did anything else. I think that was a huge part of it. They wanted to be around people, they wanted to be around their family and friends. So I think that like the wedding boom, I mean, not that COVID was a good thing or anything, but for the wedding industry, I think, you know, it really made people realize what was most important. Um, and that's the people, you know. So that's yeah, I agree. 2021, I had 64 weddings because of the COVID pushbacks and all that stuff. And then all of a sudden, like after the pandemic was over, it was like inquiry after inquiry over and over and over. And then I was booking like triple wedding weekends, quadruple wedding weekends. It was wild, so but it w it was great. So yeah, there is a lot of good to come out of the bad, which is kind of crazy to say, but I mean, yeah, I mean for everybody. So I know I know a lot of the couples felt pressure during that, and um, I think that it they really realized that the people are the most important things, so yeah, it really highlighted the importance of celebration.

SPEAKER_02

Something that our virtual world can never take over that.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Next question, Tony. How has your perspective on preserving a couple's legacy um how is I know you have a uh on your website, there's a big importance that you place on the legacy through photography.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Can you kind of talk us through your perspective on that?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. So um when I was first starting photo, you know, doing photography and starting weddings and stuff, I was all about like the the pretty details, the perfect portraits, you know, all of that stuff. And then after a couple years started going by, as like morbid as it is to say, I've had couples come to me like, I'm so glad you got a photo of my uncle John. He passed away this year. We printed this photo for his funeral and all this stuff. So it's it's morbid to think of it like that. But I was like, wow, it's like my photos really have a huge impact on people's lives because you know, people pass away or you know, families grow and they like to reminisce on, you know, oh my gosh, I can't believe look at us, just us without our five kids or whatever it was. Um, so yeah, I think preserving those memories, my my focus shifted away from like only getting the details and the perfect portrait and and all of that, and like really encompassing all of the guests, you know, in the wedding, because all of the guests are there for a reason. They're your VIPs, and I want them to be a part of your story when you're looking back through your gallery and it not just being pretty portraits the whole time. So I think like that was a huge shift in my mindset um on what it is to like create like the legacy heirloom photos, you know, that everybody cherishes. And that's something that looking through my galleries and stuff, they'll see tons and tons of photos of their guests throughout every single portion of the day. Um, again, because you never know where life is gonna take you or your family or their family. Um, and so like having those small hug photos or like Uncle John laughing in the background or something, is is some of the photos that the couples post, and I'm like, I never thought they were gonna post that one, but like they love.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it spoke to them.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it spoke to them. So that's why it's so important for me. That's that's another thing that I push during you know consultations and stuff is like look through this gallery with me and like what do you notice? They're like, wow, there's so many guest photos. I'm like, yeah, they're there for a reason. I don't want them to look through the gallery also and be like, I wasn't in any pictures, you know what I mean? So yeah, the the people and and realizing that their most people, most important people need to be like my most important people on the wedding day too, if that makes sense. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And that's a different mindset than someone that's going in to create um a magazine editorial versus someone's documented memories and keeps.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Well, something fun that you and I have in common is we both have three kiddos.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_02

But we have we both have one single ten and a set of twins.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, I know, it's crazy.

SPEAKER_02

But we're we're opposite because I have twin girls that are now 13, and I have a little boy who just turned 10, and you have a little girl who's how old?

SPEAKER_03

She's three, she'll be four in August.

SPEAKER_02

Oh my goodness. And then the twin boys.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, one and a half years old now. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Tony.

SPEAKER_03

It's a wild time, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Those eight so my kiddos are three and a half years apart. How about yours?

SPEAKER_03

They're what is that, like two-ish, two and a half, something like that? Year and a half, three, yeah, year and a half to two, somewhere in that range. Yeah, 18 months, I think my wife said, I'm pretty sure. Something like that.

SPEAKER_02

So my yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we were shocked for sure. Yeah, we still are. We'll be on the couch, just like we're like, wow, this is this is our life. Oh my gosh, we have three kids. So yeah, it's it's a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_02

It's so, and I think it's there's something about being a twin parent and then having another child too. People are like, you're crazy. But it's it's so much fun.

SPEAKER_03

It is, it's a lot of fun. Yeah, it's a lot of fun. And although my kids do not enjoy me taking pictures of them, so they're not worried. But I have to get used to it though. Yeah, they're anytime I try to take a picture, my daughter, especially, is like, no, and like turns away. I'm like, oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_02

But then those will be those will be good photos one day, though.

SPEAKER_03

And she has a little play phone that has a camera on it, and she takes pictures all day long. So I looked through it the other day and there's like 400 selfies of her doing different faces. So it's hilarious.

SPEAKER_02

So maybe she prefers behind the little the lens.

SPEAKER_03

Maybe she's a yeah, maybe documentar. Yeah, I've got some training to do for sure.

SPEAKER_02

So well, Tony, how has becoming a husband and a father shaped the way that you view your wedding days and the moments that you capture?

SPEAKER_03

I again, I think it's it's totally different. Like I I feel now that, you know, first of all, first off, getting married um while I was like getting into the wedding industry, because I started in 2016. That was the one that I spoke about. That was the first ever like wedding experience. And we got married the end of 2018. So I was like still fresh into doing weddings. Um, but I think like getting married, first of all, seeing the the other side of it, being a groom and seeing how the day flows and seeing the chaotic moments shaped kind of how I um enter wedding day. And then now becoming a father, first just my daughter alone. I cry at every father-daughter moment on the wedding day behind my camera, I'm shedding tears, and then I just like act like I'm looking at my camera and I'm like wiping my eye or something. So um, yeah, so those moments are so important now, like even more than they were before. I knew that they were big moments and stuff, but seeing the impact that children have on their parents like on the wedding day, and seeing the dads like I put myself into their shoes now. I'm like, oh my gosh, that was like they were in my shoes at one point, and they're they had a three-year-old girl that was running around the house playing dress up, and now they're playing dress up in a different way, you know what I mean? So I think it kind of shaped how I view those moments differently than someone that maybe you know may not be married or may not have kids. Obviously, they're big moments, and everybody knows that like the first look with the you know, the bride and her father, everybody knows it's special. Um, but when you can like put yourself into like you're you're envisioning yourself in the future crying at your own daughter's wedding day. So um I think capturing those moments of like the parents with their children is big. Something I started doing now too um is incorporating a first look with the groom and his mom instead of like just the bride and her dad. So a lot of the wedding days now we we we do that to have the groom have a special moment with you know his mom and stuff too. Yeah, so it's a cool, cool thing I've been doing at almost every wedding now. Um, and couples love it. They're like, I never even thought of doing that, you know, because the bride gets all the attention on the wedding day. Um, you know, the groom's family can kind of not get pushed to the side or anything necessarily, but um, they don't have as many special moments besides like, you know, the mother-son dance. So again, it's just like about putting yourself into the couple's shoes on how they would want to feel on the wedding day, and then also putting yourself into the family's shoes, being a parent or being a husband, like you have to have like the empathy, you know, and and feel their and what they would feel too. So um, yeah, documenting those special moments is is a big deal for me now. I'm a big baby on the wedding day when it comes to those special moments. So don't mind me if I'm like sniffling behind my camera. It's it's definitely not allergies, like people say, it's definitely me crying. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02

I know. I think it's been um just for me, it's a sense of awareness with the delicacy of the relationship sometimes. Yeah. Um, I will never forget this one very special mom. She and I grew close through the planning process, and she told me once, she goes, I think my daughter is upset with me about a conversation we've never even had. Like one that the daughter had in her head, probably wedding related, about something she wanted to do and thought, oh, mom won't like that. But that conversation never even happened. Just that mother-daughter dynamic, yeah, you know, is so special and so um delicate. And it's just it's it's good for me when I'm chatting with these families to always take, you know, just just both. Both of the the relationships and the bride wanting something some way and the mom wanting something for other, you know, that you have to kind of balance all of that.

SPEAKER_03

And yeah, it's a big balancing act for sure.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and just being mindful of it and and respecting it and trying to make everybody happy is yeah, a skill set, right?

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely, absolutely.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. Um Tony, what a couple what should couples be looking for when they're choosing their photographer beyond the Instagram feed.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Yeah. Um, I think the first thing that they should really look at is obviously a full gallery. Um thing. You never want to.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and the reason for the full gallery, all of our listeners, please understand that um a photographer can photograph a styled shoot um where they have full control over the lighting, the timing, the details, the staging. Yeah, and it should look really good.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. It should look magazine ready.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, that is not the same thing of a living, breathing wedding day. Yes. So I'm sorry. I'm just I love that. Thank you. Always ask for the full gallery.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, always, always. And not just one. I always say ask for multiple because you want to see different lighting scenarios, you want to see different times of the year. Um, and I like when I send my galleries out, my sample galleries to couples, they're from different venues, different times of the year. Even if the date doesn't specifically match up to their date, I still want them to see that I'm capable of shooting every type of you know, lighting, every type of sunset, every type of reception, indoor, outdoor, big ballroom, tiny, you know, close quarters. Um, so I think that's super important for new couples going into their wedding day and choosing their vendors, especially photography, is ask for multiple galleries, not just one, because they'll just show you their only they're only gonna show you their number one best gallery they've ever done. Um, and not every gallery is that way. Not every wedding is gonna be, you know, editorial and magazine, you know, ready and you know, you know, all of that. There's there's so many different dynamics and details and Lighting scenarios. So I think number one, always ask for full galleries. If you're doing an engagement session, I always say ask for engagement session galleries too. So you can see how posing goes, what the lighting looks like, where they like to shoot. It gives you like a really good gauge of who the photographer is as a whole because some galleries, you know, some photographers, again, everybody has different values and what they value on the wedding day. Like for me, I love all the intimate moments, all of the people, all of the interactions and the candidates. Obviously, I always try and make sure we get amazing portraits and amazing detail photos and stuff too. But like looking through my galleries, they'll see a lot of candids of their guests. They'll see a lot of candles of them hugging their guests and crying with their guests, also. Um, so I think it gives you like a really good gauge on who they are as a photographer and what they focus on on the wedding day. And what they value. Yes, what they value. So if you really value, like I only really care about the portraits. I really want editorial, vogue, you know, you know, submission ready portraits. You know, that might not be another photographer that's very documentary style might not be the fit for you. Even though they only show like their prettiest work on their Instagram, their gallery might not match up with that. So that's that's super, super important. And then also I just I think it's very important to get on some kind of consultation with them. I I mean, emailing and texting is great, but you can never really you can never really like feel their vibe or their tone through messages. Um, so that's why I'm always like hop on a phone call or hop on a Zoom meeting. Um, or if you're more of an in-person, go grab coffee if you really want to get to know them. I think that's kind of gone away a little bit, like the in-person meetings a lot, but um, you really have to get to know the photographer because that's who you're gonna be working side by side with the most on the wedding day. Photo and video. So if you're doing video too, same same thing. So ask for multiple videos, ask for what a full film looks like versus a highlight reel. Same, same concept, you know, with photo. But um, and then I I mean I always say like have some questions ready. That way you don't just jump into it and then it's just the photographer spewing everything out because the retention isn't gonna be there as as much. So try and think of some questions or even chat GPT some questions, you know what I mean? Um, have some questions ready to start that conversation so you don't just jump into it staring at a photographer's face and then we're just spewing information, you know.

SPEAKER_02

So and just to extend on that, because that was a great point. Let's say, I mean, most of our couples are utilizing, you know, Chat GPT or Claude or whatever their preferred AI system is. But um take the time when you're setting up the question to further explain what you're looking for in your photographer. Yeah. You know, I'm looking for someone that is uh highly skilled in capturing moment-driven moments as well as you know, beautiful landscape. Yeah. Whatever speaks to you, and then they can cater the questions accordingly, as opposed to just saying, like, what should I ask my photographer? Well, they're gonna just tell you the basics.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Make it work for you.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, exactly. Yeah. The more the more questions you ask and the more details you have up front is gonna be huge. So um, I know in my inquiry form, there's a section that says like tell me about your vision or something along, I can't remember the exact wording, but take time to to put some details in. If you just say I'm looking for pricing, I I don't know if I'm right for you. I don't know if you know what you're looking for. So um I always say, like, take a moment, because I don't want to like toot my own horn or anything, but like photography is one of the most important vendors that you can book because at the end of the day, the cake's eaten, the dress is put away, the flowers are preserved, um, everything else is kind of gone away. Your family's fly back home. The photos are like the photo and video are like the only things you have to really relive your wedding day. So really take time and do some research, do your homework, ask the right questions, and and get the idea of what you want from your photographer ahead of time. So you're not having to go through 50 meetings and then you're like, well, I don't know what to do now because I've talked to 50 photographers with all different styles, and I don't know what to, I don't know what I like anymore. So, like, really do your research beforehand. Um, look through people's websites, look at people's Instagrams, and get like your top five. Um, and then again, like you mentioned with the questions and even typing into you know chat GPT or something, this is the photographer I'm looking for. I love this style. What are some questions I should ask? Instead of just asking, what do I ask a photographer? That's gonna give you like the most random list of questions that's not gonna apply to you. So if you do create a questionnaire for your photographer, your vendors, try and cater it specifically to what your needs are and what your values are. If you're like, I really love people and I really love the documentary style photos, um, but I don't want them to be too bright and airy, I don't want it to be too dark and moody. Like, put those details into it, and the more information you put out there, the the better results are gonna be for you. And even when you inquire with your photographer too, it's the same concept. Like the more info we have about your needs and what you want, the better we can, you know, serve you. So if we just go into it with no info, we're like, hey, I'm Tony. Here's my photos. Do you like them or not? So um, yeah, the more info we have up front is is better for sure.

SPEAKER_02

So and I think too, something I always tell our couples is because there is a bit of struggle with the overwhelm. And I think I I think sometimes couples feel like they should know more about the wedding world than they do. I'm always like, how would you know all of this? Like, of course, this is we do this all day, every day. Of course we know this. Like, don't feel bad about that. So, what I always tell them too is sometimes it's helpful if you tell us what you know you don't want.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's a good point too. Yeah, that's very true. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, yeah, that's stuff that I asked during consultations too, is like, what's most important to you and what are some things you lean away from? So some couples are like, I don't like editorial posing, I don't want stiff, serious stuff. I'm like, that's good to know because then we can just shift focus and get more candid, fun photos instead. And vice versa, some couples are like, I want full editorial, I want it to look vogue. I've had that a bunch too, where we keep the posing very serious and stiff and editorial, and you know, so um, yeah, that's that's a great point.

SPEAKER_02

Um, Tony, from in your opinion, what are some common mistakes or misconceptions couples have when they are planning for their wedding photography?

SPEAKER_03

Um, hmm. That's so tough. I think so it's kind of like a controversial topic, I guess, when it comes to like pricing. Um, I think we hear a lot of like, I want a photographer that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. And I'm like, well, I want someone that's uh what's the word? It's um they want someone that's not not too expensive. And I'm like, well, we don't know what that is for you. We don't know what the budget is. Um, I think a misconception is like the higher the priced photographer, the better everything is gonna be overall, which I feel like just isn't the case. Sure, you have a major work.

SPEAKER_02

Agree, agree, agree. And for a team.

SPEAKER_03

It might be a very stiff, uncomfortable, you know, monotone personality.

SPEAKER_02

Um even the personality, Tony, I'm gonna get a little, a little a little dicey. My goodness. Just because someone has a very expensive price tag, um, I've also worked with them and been so let down with how they conduct themselves, yeah, how they are to work with from a planning standpoint. How um a lack of care that they're giving their couples, and I just stand there like the world.

SPEAKER_03

Like many, many stories.

SPEAKER_02

Sure. Yeah, sure. So keep going. I like where you're gonna be.

SPEAKER_03

No, yeah. No, I think I'm not saying like go with the cheapest photographer you can possibly find because they'll have the best personality. That's not what I'm saying. Right. But I think that I think that just because you see a super high price tag doesn't mean that they're gonna be the best fit for you. Just because you see like a super low price tag doesn't mean they're the most inexperienced, unprofessional photographer either. Hey, great. Yeah, I think that's something that a lot of people get confused with. There was like, well, I've heard it from other people too, and um planners I talked to and stuff that are like, well, the couple see I send, I send these four photographers, these three are at, you know, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, and then I send another photographer that's at 6,000 or whatever, they're gonna automatically assume that that's like the most unexperial inexperienced, um, least professional or whatever, but it just doesn't, it doesn't really equate to anything. I feel like that's just a you know, I don't know, it's just I don't know what what it is. I don't know why that's something that goes around, but um yeah, I think that's again like why doing your research and getting on consultations is like the most important thing. Um, getting full galleries and and looking at reviews and all of that stuff too. So um yeah, I think that's like a huge misconception is that the higher the price, the better the photographer. But it doesn't I mean, it might they might be a great photographer and they might have amazing work and they might have been featured everywhere. Um, but they might be a nightmare to work with. So you never know what you that's why it's in it's important to do your research for sure.

SPEAKER_02

So yeah, and really, really know what you value in um what you're looking for, yeah, and go the extra mile to, like you said, to to have the consultation to see what what is their energy like, what is their tone like? Are they being responsive communicators? Um what are the reviews say too? I think reviews from past clients, that's that's everything right there. Yeah, someone that went through a full journey, a full year of their life trusting you with this responsibility and to be on the other side of that, you want to read those words.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, I agree. I agree. That's why um in my like pricing, you know, documents I send out, there's reviews throughout too. So even when they're reviewing what I offer, they can see what other couples have said, you know, around like what the package that they're looking at. Um and what I have reviews in there too that you know, bridal party have left. So seeing even just outside the scope of the bride and groom. So if there if there is reviews from other people besides just the bride and groom, that's even better because that means that even beyond the bride and groom, the people loved that person too. So if you can find reviews like that from vendors you're looking at, I think that's that's a huge win for sure.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And I think also asking your fellow, I always say, even for people inquiring us, like ask around, ask, ask your venue, ask other vendors if they've worked with us and what their opinion is and if they think we'd be a good fit, because we're gonna know right away.

SPEAKER_03

They do weddings, especially, yeah, especially planners, especially venues, like they do weddings. Sometimes venues do like weddings six days a week or seven days a week, you know. So they're gonna see all the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, I mean, if if your venue has someone's in charge of events and um they might know who you're looking to inquire with, and they can kind of give you direction too. So, yeah, again, I I can't stress enough, like the more research you do, the more questions you ask, the better everything's gonna be for you. So um, that's how you find your dream vendor team is is by doing that, not just like, I love their Instagram, let's book them, and then you know, and then and then you book them, and then the whole vendor team's like, oh no, they booked this person.

SPEAKER_02

So yeah, yeah, that's and we have to carry the weight of that worry and that responsibility and and day of if you have one weak vendor on a team with a bunch of soldiers. Um wow, the discrepancy is it's it's hard.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And we're never gonna tell you that unless we unless we really feel wholeheartedly that we need to tell you because they're not doing what they should be doing, you know, leading up to the wedding and so forth.

SPEAKER_03

But yeah, I'll let I'll let the planners take care of those planners are there for to take care of it. That's true. That's true. I'm like, as a photographer, I'm never gonna go up to a DJ and be like, hey man, it's not really working. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

So Can you uh turn your personality down a little bit?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's I I won't do that. So uh yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Agreed.

SPEAKER_03

Great, great point though. That's so true.

SPEAKER_02

Um, let's see. This is a big one. Um, Tony, how do couples, how can couples feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera? And let me make this like a two-part question. Um I have noticed that engagement sessions tend to be more potentially uncomfortable than a wedding day. Um, and I've also experienced situations where couples will skip an engagement session because of the time and life and all the things and not do it. And that's always a like a I that's a red flag for me. I I always say please, please be sure that you're are comfortable with this because the engagement is such a warm-up to so many things.

SPEAKER_00

Yep.

SPEAKER_02

So can you speak to both of those kind of those points questions?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. So I think first the engagement session is huge, getting to know your photographer. And um, I think that's where you really break all of the awkwardness. Every I was I would say like 99.9 or 100% of couples that come to me are like, we're awkward in front of the camera. I'm like, well, you don't have a professional camera in front of your face every day. I mean, unless you're on reality TV. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You guys you guys aren't touching foreheads as often as you think you are, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

Going through the grocery store and so forth.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I mean like these these kind of like intimate fun poses aren't things you're you're comfortable doing, just like skydiving for the first time or trying a new hobby or going on a first date or whatever it is, like it's always uncomfortable because it's unfamiliar. Um, and I think that to break that is especially as a photographer, you have to get out of the mindset of like, I'm here to just take pretty pictures. Like, I always try to engage with the couple, ask about their life, joke around with them, um, tell them about my life so like they know that I'm a real person and not like a robot taking photos, you know, because I think when people are looking online and stuff, they're like, you can't connect the like that it's a real person behind the website taking these photos until you're like in front of them. Um, but I mean I've heard horror stories too where it's like we went to go do our engagement photos, we love the photos, but we felt so uncomfortable the entire time because it was dead silent, or it was, you know, they they didn't talk, or they just posed us. I've heard tons of stories. Um, so like my shift in that is just to be a normal person, just be yourself, just have conversations and joke around and talk about your life. And you know, I always share like funny stories that happened at wedding days or engagement sessions, whatever and stuff too, so they feel more comfortable, breaks the ice really well. Um, and all that awkward tension is gone because now they're just kind of like out at a location with a friend and we're just getting photos. Um, so I think like breaking that wall down is is really just done by getting to know your couples, and that's why again, like consultations are huge, because I'll ask a lot of those questions um about their life and about all of that during the consultation. So then when we get to the engagement session, I'm like, oh yeah, so use you went to this college or whatever, or your family's from Chicago, my family's from Chicago, and then we start talking and talking and talking. Um, and then it really breaks people out of their shells. So I think going into the second part of that question is like the engagement part of it is is so crucial. I think I know a lot of couples skip it um just because like, oh, we're we can just send out save the dates, but then wedding day comes and like I don't know how to pose you, I don't know what looks best on you. Certain angles don't look, you know, perfect on everybody. Not every pose works for every couple. Um everybody's different heights and weights and has different sides they like and stuff. So I think the engagement session is like a really good trial run, just like you do a trial run with hair and makeup for your wedding day. It's the same thing as engagement photos. It's it's really like a trial run with your photographer. And what if it doesn't work out? You know what I mean? What if you get to the engagement session and you're like, wow, I really don't blend with this photographer, like I really don't mesh, like it was really uncomfortable. I'm not a fan of the photos. That's kind of like a way to get into obviously nobody wants to cancel contract and stuff, but I mean, doing the engagement session will really tell you like if this is the perfect fit for your wedding day or not. Um yeah, I think it's crucial. I mean, I know there's a lot of people that don't offer engagement sessions, or they're like, well, it's I don't I don't market it or whatever. Um, I think they should. I really I really do. As it might make you busier, obviously, like it is what it is, but also you prayed for this busyness. So I mean, that's something you wanted, and being a full-time photographer, like some some days are gonna be busier than others, it just is what it is, just like as if you had a normal job or a career. Some days are gonna be more hectic than others, and schedules are not gonna align perfectly. Um, but I think doing the engagement session is is huge. You're gonna go into the wedding day more confident as the couple, more confident in your pose in the posing, and you're gonna kind of know what to do right off the bat. You know, a lot of my couples that I do engagement sessions with, we start the portrait session and they're just like they're just like flow right into the poses.

SPEAKER_02

And I'm like, okay, like we've done this before.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I'm like, turn towards each other, they automatically put the hands around, or they automatically, you know, they know what to do. So it's it's a really good trial. Um, and it breaks a lot of that uncomfortability on the wedding day too. There's a lot of pressure and stress, and the last thing you want is even more pressure and stress, feeling uncomfortable during photos, obviously. Um, you don't need that. So that's why I think, yeah, that that's why I offer engaged sessions in all my packages because okay, good. Yeah, I mean, it's it's not like I'm non-negotiable. I'm not gonna be like you have to do this session, but um I think you highly encourage it. Highly encourage it, yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

The trust build, the customization.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

We've ever come across.

SPEAKER_00

Yep.

SPEAKER_02

And um intense personality just was carried from a friend to this bustle situation. Yeah. She's still in the game. And I don't it was our new best friend. I love it. You know, us in that moment.

SPEAKER_03

So I love that. Yeah, I do I do the bustle at every wedding. So um usually when we're done with portraits, I just bustle the dress up really quick so they can just go into cocktail without having to worry about it. So just one of those, one of those things, professional bustler on the resume. So yes, you are.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, you are. Well, and when in high heels, yeah, he's exhausted. I can feel it.

SPEAKER_03

Attention in the room for sure.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you you really can. I love it.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you. Thank you, thank you. It was a it was a good one. They were a great couple. I mean they really were. And like we I feel like we had like the best team. It was so smooth, at least on my end. I don't know how it was on the planner's end, but yeah, I feel like everything was just like just flawless. It just seamless. Everything flowed so well. Um, yeah, it was that's the importance of having a good vendor team, I'm telling you. Yes, yes, yes, yes, and you boys.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, and you when you away home.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. I think it was like late night in and out or something. Yeah. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02

And we thought, what a guy. We need to work with Tony more often.

SPEAKER_03

I love it. Whatever I can do. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Photography.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Is that correct?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. I do both. Yeah. Um, film is like really blown up over the last couple years. Um, I feel like people really want authenticity all the way from like, you know, again, like back to personalities, all the way through their final gallery. They want authenticity. And I think that's something that film gives you that digital doesn't. You can edit digital photos to look like film, and people do that a lot and match stuff, or they'll add grain or whatever. Um, but film photos is it's a totally different aspect that people don't realize. When you take a photo of film, it's literally what the camera sees is burned onto a physical strip of film. Like that moment is burned into a strip of film that will be there forever. Um, so it's like a physical, tangible thing, which is kind of a cool thing to think about, like a moment literally etched into something. Um, and then the the look of it, the feel of it, the lighting, everything, it just feels like more vintage, more authentic, more real, more in the moment. Because you know, digital photos can be like very sharp and crisp and like picture perfect straight out of camera. So I think it's like the imperfections and stuff, too, is what adds to that authenticity of the wedding day. Um, because obviously nothing's perfect on every wedding day. So I think like blending those two is is a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun for me artistically. Um, and it's like it's cool too because it's a surprise. I can't look at the back of the camera and see how it turned out.

SPEAKER_02

So yeah, you gotta know what you're doing.

SPEAKER_03

You gotta know what you're doing for sure. Yeah, because you can you can mess up a film role super easily if your one setting is off at all. So um and is that too like or yeah, usually we'll we'll do that for like key moments throughout the day. So I usually try and get you know, some of getting ready moments, a couple of the flat lay, um, a you know, some during ceremony. Um, and then again, kind of like every key point of the of the day is is gathering some film with it as well. I try not to do too many like perfectly back to back of the exact same thing because I feel like it's almost pointless at that point. I feel like I want I feel like I want the film camera to be more like documenting like super authentic moments versus just being like a different style of the exact same photo, if that makes sense. So so the film photos will be a little bit different from the rest of the gallery. They might not, you know, they might not be the exact digital copy of that that film one. Um because it's just different moments. Obviously, like when I'm shooting The the you know digital, it's all the key moments, it's all the key details, everything. And then the film camera is kind of there to fill in all the other little gaps. Um, so to say, I guess you could say. So, but there is there is times where I'm like, I have to get this on film too, you know what I mean? So we're doing a portrait and it's perfect. I'm like, this would look amazing, and I'm like, pause, don't move. We're doing it on film too. Um, but yeah, I think throughout the day it's kind of more focused on like more candid, more, more detail-oriented, more artistic looks versus like being an exact copy of photos they already have on digital.

SPEAKER_02

So okay, that makes sense. Yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

I hope you're okay with it.

SPEAKER_03

But you throw me for a loop here. I didn't do my um my ideal couple.

SPEAKER_02

I me what are they like what are they valued? What questions would they ask you?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, no, I think my ideal couple, I think, is less about the looks and more about the personality and my approach at least. Um, like I don't need every single couple of mine to be a Vogue model. Like, I I want them to be like authentic, real people. Um, when I go into a consultation or even an email and they're like, we love your work, we love that you captured this detail, or like when they described certain things they've looked at, like I can tell they really like you know dove deep into the website or or the portfolio and like really valued like my work. Um, and they really value me as a person too. So they're like, oh my gosh, we saw you have three kids, like that's amazing. You know, when they start talking about that, like I feel like that's my ideal couple is when they really value me, not as like a photographer, but as a person, and like they know that I have you know strong values and and all that too. I think that's my my ideal couple, if that makes sense. Less about like we just want pretty photos, but more about like we want to be your friend type of thing. So I've made a lot of really good friends through through couples too. I have so many couples that I actually like still hang out with, and um like we go out to sons games together and stuff too. So um yeah, just I I really value like just real authentic conversations and moments, um, especially when you know with my couples too. I'm like, I I'm a real person. I'm like I'm done, I'm a normal guy that, you know, I love I love, you know, the sons and I love, you know, whatever music and and all this stuff. So I think that when couples can approach it um in that way too, I'm like, oh my gosh, I have to work with this couple, they sound amazing. We talked about the sons on the on the on the consultation or whatever it is. Um yeah, yeah, it's it's less about being like picture perfect people and more about like we really want to enjoy our wedding day and we want you to be a part of it. Like that's like the ideal. If I get a message like that, I'm like, oh my gosh, sold. Like let's contract. Yeah. So yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

You know, you know, that's important.

SPEAKER_03

So you have to, yeah. I I want to know who my couples are and I want them to know who I am too. Again, that goes back to the last question that you asked about the engagement session and stuff. Like they know who I am before we even do a phone call. They know what my likes are, they know what my family's like. You know, I'm not going into specific details or anything, but like they know that I have three kids, they know what I love to do, they know that I wake up at 5 a.m. and go to the gym because it's literally in my about me page, like a fun fact or whatever. So like they know who I am and what I value before we even before they even send an inquiry. So um, yeah, so I feel like a lot of the couples that I get, we sh we share a lot of the same values because they're like they they see that on my site and they're like they connect with it. So I think I think it's important to spill a little bit of who you are as a person. Uh website or social media, do an about me post, but don't just make it like I've been doing photos for 10 years and this is the gear I shoot with, and this is how I pose. Like, talk about yourself and who you are because people want to connect, especially like the younger generation, the Gen Z couples coming into weddings. Like, they want someone that they can connect with and not just like a robot vendor. That's what I call them. Like robot vendors where it's like no personality, it's like I'm here to do a job and I'm leaving. You know what I mean? Uh couple of things. Well, and what's so women? Yeah, they don't care. They couldn't care less what camera you're using, unless they're like a photographer themselves.

SPEAKER_02

But exactly. Not the client.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

So you have to remember who you're who you're serving.

SPEAKER_03

You have to you have to spill the beans a little bit about who you are and what your interests are. I mean, I'm sorry, some people don't like doing it, like you said, but like you have you have to let people know who you are as a person and what you value up front, not until you get on a video consultation and then you're like finally like, okay, this is who I am. Like just be yourself from start to finish, you know, and be authentic from start to finish.

SPEAKER_00

And sounds scary.

SPEAKER_03

I want to book everyone. Yeah. I can make it work. I love it.

SPEAKER_02

And that's okay.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

They're part of my world. And yeah. How fun is that?

SPEAKER_03

So yeah, that's that's true. That's I think that's a big point of like why I show my family, you know, on my stories or you know, in my about me pages and stuff like that. Um, I want them to know that they're not just like supporting my business, like they're literally providing for my family also. So I think that's a big part of it too. Like, this is who you're booking. You're not just booking me, you're booking our little crew. You know what I mean? Like, I'm doing this for them. I'm not doing this because I like taking pretty pictures. Like, I'm doing this to create a life to support my family and give my kids a life that I didn't have growing up and stuff. So that's why that's why I'm so open about all of that. I'm like, I have nothing, I have nothing to hide. I, you know, I'm like, this is who I am, this is what I value. If you if it seems like a great fit, perfect. If not, like here's some other people that might be, you know. Um, yeah. And you know, if if you really don't like kids, I'm probably not the the person for you. So I'm I'm sure at some point I'll talk about my kids. So I'm sorry, but I mean that's that's what it is. So yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's what I think a misconception is too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Because of that, you know, it's then that's I have that a lot. That's that's another going back to the misconception question is um I have that a lot. They're like, well, I want to, I don't want to bother you. I know you have kids. I'm like, you're not bothering me. I'm like, this is I want you to text me. Text me at 10 p.m. I don't care.

SPEAKER_02

Um, this is fun for us. We love this. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

This is what I want. I don't want to.

SPEAKER_02

I'm really good at.

SPEAKER_03

I'm like, I just changed three diapers. Yeah, I just changed three diapers. Please text me about your wedding. Yeah. Oh, you into my diaper.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I know. That's that's another misconception. Is like, well, I don't want to bother you. You're so busy. You're I didn't want to send the text this late. I'm like, just send it. Like, I want to talk to you about your wedding. I'm like, you know, every single client that I book is is so meaningful to me, like that they chose me out of a thousand other wedding photographers out there. I'm like, it's a big deal. So I take it really serious and I always set time aside. And I, you know, if I don't answer the text at exactly the moment that I got it, like I'm probably in the middle of calming down three children or something. And like I'll always, you know, I always try and respond as as quick as I possibly can. But um, yeah, another misconception you you you talked about is is being busy because you have a family. Like, yes, we're busy, but um, you know, I can separate the two, you know, easily to make sure that my family's taken care of and you're taken care of as a client. So yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Tony, thank you so much.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Oh man. Um let's see. So I would honestly say first lean into your vendors. That's like the most important thing. You hired a team of professionals for a reason, like let them take on all of the stresses on your wedding day. And I would say, you know, if if people have questions or stuff, tell them like, talk to my photographer, talk to my planner, like try and mitig, you know, try and mitigate that stuff and and push that to other people so you can focus on being a bride and being a groom on your wedding day. Um, and that's like one of the most important pieces of advice is lean in as much as you can. Even if you're like a super type A bride or tip type A groom and you have to have you know control of the details and what's going on in the timeline and stuff. Um, like I know it might sound like mean or harsh, but when when couples on the wedding day are like, what time is it? I'm like, time for I'm like, it doesn't matter. I'm like, oh yep, it's time for you guys to look at each other and go in for a kiss. Okay. Like, I'm like, I'm not gonna tell you the time. You know, when we're done with what we're doing, like, oh, it's 5 30, whatever. Whatever it is, but um, like what time it is and what the timeline is is flowing like isn't what's important. It's you and your partner and your friends and your family. All the other details, like they're gonna come together at some point, you know. Even if the napkins aren't folded the exact way you wanted the napkins folded, I promise not a single person is gonna know that they were folded wrong. So I mean, yeah, the small details matter, you know, from a design standpoint and and all of that. But when it comes to like preserving your wedding day and your memories, um, what what's most important is focusing fully on the moment that you're in and not like what's next, what's next, what's next. So um, yeah, that's why that's why you hired that's why you hire good vendors, you know. Let us let us take that stress from you. Let us take the timelines and the the lighting. That's what I have a lot of couples too, is like, well, what do you think about the lighting? I'm like, don't worry about the lighting. I'm like, worry about being a bride. I promise. I'm like, I can work with anyone. We got you. We got you. Yeah. I'm like, don't worry about that. I'm like, even if it's really bright right now, like if you want it to look not as bright, I can make it look not as bright, you know, in post, you know. So like don't worry about you know the shadows or the lighting and and things like that. Like, just focus on each other, and I promise that is what's gonna give the most authentic memories and the most authentic photo and video is just being present. I mean, I'll say it again and again and again. Being present is like the most number one important thing as a bride and groom that you can do. Yes. And take selfies with each other too. That's one of my regrets for my wedding day. I didn't take any we didn't take any selfies on our phone. So that was like I really wish we would have taken at least one of us, just like, you know what I mean? So the little thing, yeah. That's fun. Yeah. It remembered for the hero. Yeah, that is. Um, I've done a couple, well, I've done actually I've done multiple like shadowing sessions where I've offered newer photographers wanting to get into weddings to actually come and shadow me on a wedding day. Um, they can take photos alongside me, they can edit them, all that stuff. They can't like post them and and tag the venues and all that stuff like they were the photographer, you know, like all of those other small details, but um, they get to come and like see a wedding and not be in charge of it so they can see like how it flows, how it operates, how I operate as a photographer, um and and how you know, because that's the hardest part about shooting weddings is actually like getting into weddings and like getting your first booking. That's that's what I struggled with, you know, was like great, I had that third, that third shooter, you know, I was like doing getting ready for us and stuff. I was like, I don't know how to get more weddings, like I'm just gonna try and market this and hopefully it worked out. It did, um, because I pushed and did ads and all this stuff like crazy because I wanted it to work. But um I see in like you know, Instagram on Instagram or like on Facebook groups and stuff, photographers all the time like, I want to get into weddings so bad, but I don't know where to start, and like no one will book me. And I just kind of like again, like the empathy side of me is like putting myself in their shoes and like how hard it was to like get your first booking. The first booking I ever had was $500 for an eight-hour wedding package when I first started because I wanted it that bad. I'm like, I'm just gonna I almost did it for free, you know what I mean? So um, but yeah, so the education side of it is is big for me. Like, I have all this knowledge in my head, all of the things that I've done wrong, all the things that I've done right, all of the ins and outs of the wedding industry, how timelines flow, all of this stuff. I'm like, what use am I if I just have this knowledge and I don't share it with other people that are willing to learn? And I've actually found some of my favorite people, some of my best second shooters I've ever worked with and are still working with to this day, came from them shadowing me on the wedding day and our personalities like just mending so well together. And then, you know, them bouncing ideas off of me and all this stuff. Um, that's actually like my team of second shooters. A few of them started as like shadowing me on a wedding day. And it's like now I have this team of people that you know they've worked with me so much, you know, hundred weddings or whatever now. Um, yeah, so that the education side of it's huge. So doing more of those shadowing um, you know, mentorship stuff where they can actually come to the wedding day and shadow me and ask questions and shoot alongside me, and they can see what my settings are, they can see how I compose photos, they can see how I work with couples. Um yeah, that and then also more like one-on-one mentoring sessions is in the future too. I just did my first mentoring sessions with one of my good friends. He lives on the East Coast now. Um, but he was like, hey man, can I just like pick your brain? Can we hop on Zoom for an hour and just like run through my whole business and like tell me what you think? And it was awesome. It was so cool to be able to like pick his brain on ideas and like make you know, help him realize certain things that could be changed and flow better. Um, because I've had so many people throughout the years that have helped me do that, where I'm like, can you look at this? Please just tell me what you think. Tell me what you know. I've sent my pricing guides to planners and photographers and all this stuff of like, what do you think? What's good, what's not. Um, and it's been like the most valuable part of my business is creating those circles of friendships and those educational kind of circles, I guess you could say. Um, so that's something that I'm gonna be stepping into a lot going into this next season and this next year is is like the one-on-one mentorships, the shadowing. I love teaching. It's probably like the managerial side of me, of doing all the restaurant openings, of teaching people how to do things, you know, not the correct way, but a better way to do things or a more efficient way. So um, yeah, that's something I want to do uh is really dive into and and create like a an actual legit mentorship program that cup, you know, that that photographers can can join. And um, it's a lot of stuff in the works. Right now I'm kind of like in the trial phases of of seeing what works and what doesn't, but hopefully, you know, soon enough I'll have like an actual platform that um you know people can come and and join and bounce ideas off of each other and we can do you know one-on-one mentorships or um shadowing opportunities and stuff too. So yeah, I'm excited. It's it's gonna be good.

SPEAKER_02

I can tell that lights you up. That's exciting.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I love teaching and and helping other people, like that's one of my biggest things. So yeah, okay.

SPEAKER_02

And there's no right or wrong answer.

SPEAKER_03

Um more than just a wedding. I feel I feel like we kind of touched on it with the the memories and how they're preserved. Um, it's more than just a production, it's more than just a photo shoot. Like this is a once in a lifetime day that cannot be recreated in any way. Like we can't reschedule, like we can't be like, oh wait, let's stop halfway through and we'll re we'll regroup next week and try this again. Like it's a once yeah, it's a once in a lifetime. Sometimes we wish we could do that, but um it's a once-in-a-lifetime day. So I think the podcast name is amazing because it's not just all the stuff you paid for and all the pretty details you set up and planned. Like it's literally the memories you're creating with your family, with children to come, with you know, grandparents who who get to witness you, you know, your their granddaughter or great granddaughter getting married and they can put themselves back into their wedding day. Um, I think it's like a lot of the uh the empathy side of things of like your family putting them themselves in your shoes and getting to experience an event that's that's more than just like pretty flowers and and pretty details and pretty portraits. Um yeah, I think it's I I love, I don't know, I love weddings. I love being a part of it. I love all the memories and all the intimate moments. And um, yeah, I think it's that we kind of touched on it throughout the whole the whole podcast of like it's not a production, it's not a photo shoot, it's it's your memories with the person that you love most in the world and all of the people around you that love you the most in the world, also. So um, yeah, hopefully.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, very much so.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, um, I try to make it simple. It's just Tony George Photo. That's my website, that's my Instagram. Um again, like if you're an aspiring photographer or someone wanting to get into weddings, like always reach out. I'm an open book about everything, like educational-wise, of you know, how to work your cameras or you know, shooting or editing or whatever it is, I'm an open book. So um, yeah, anybody can find me at Tony George Photo.com, Tony George Photo on Instagram. Uh TikTok's the same, Pinterest is the same. Um, yeah, if anybody ever has a question about anything wedding related, planning, whatever, I mean an open book. So yeah, thanks for having me. I appreciate it so much. Thanks.

SPEAKER_01

You've been listening to more than just a wedding with Jennifer Starr. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to follow and share it with a friend. Until next time, real people, real moments, respected budgets.