Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Meet The Wedding Pro - Lacie with Holland House Photography
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lacie Holland, the creative force behind Holland House Photography, as she unveils her secrets to capturing timeless wedding and engagement photos. Lacie's mastery of a lighter, brighter, and true-to-color aesthetic brings out the best in every special moment. Not only does she focus on photography, but she also eliminates wedding day stress by offering support beyond her camera lens. Our chat takes a delightful turn with a playful debate on pronouncing "boudoir" and "croissant," while Lacey emphasizes the importance of comfort and natural interaction to capture life's most genuine moments.
Ever wondered how to minimize distractions during wedding ceremonies while still capturing every intimate moment? Lacie shares her approach, using tools like zoom lenses to unobtrusively capture the magic from a distance. We also touch on the crucial role of communication between photographers, couples, and officiants, and the added value of having a second shooter. Whether you're planning your big day or simply love photography, you'll discover key insights into comprehensive wedding photography packages, including engagement sessions, and how to choose the perfect photographer who resonates with your vision. Don’t miss out on this engaging discussion and make sure to stay connected with Metropolitan Weddings for more wedding planning wisdom and updates.
Welcome to Metropolitan Weddings. I'm Meg, I'm Dawn, and we are here to educate couples with information from wedding professionals in the industry.
Speaker 2:Our goal is to make the wedding planning process as seamless as possible by providing you with insight from industry professionals.
Speaker 1:Okay, couples, let's get this party started. Hello listeners, we are here today with a photographer, Lacey.
Speaker 3:Please introduce yourself and your business. Okay, my name is Lacey Holland. I own Holland House Photography. I'm based in Buffalo, Missouri, which is just outside of Springfield, so not very far, and I specialize in studio photography, weddings and engagements.
Speaker 1:Perfect, and I also learned you are a very good boudoir photographer.
Speaker 3:Yes, I do really enjoy doing boudoir photography a lot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was fun. We had an article in the magazine.
Speaker 4:She sent me some pics. Is boudoir a hard R? I mean Do you say boudoir or do you say, boudoir, you're?
Speaker 3:supposed to say? I say boudoir. Yeah, I say it more with the R.
Speaker 1:I've always wondered, I don't know, I mean, we're Americans so we mispronounce it, but it's a French word and it's. You're not supposed to do that. I'm the only person that ever didn't do it. So then I felt like I was being all weird when you were going boudoir. Yeah. It's just like I just thought I just started pronouncing it like the rest of the Ozarks, Do you also say croissant? I really don't do that but I might start just for fun. I do love a croissant.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 4:Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Speaker 1:Lacey's boudoir photography is amazing. So anyway, lacey, let's talk about your wedding photography, because most of our listeners are here to think about their wedding photographer and how to choose one and which one's right for them. So, as specifically about wedding photography, what kind of is your niche and what makes you different and special?
Speaker 3:So I like a more of a lighter, brighter kind of true to color classic style, a more of a lighter, brighter kind of true to color classic style. Um, I don't do like dark and moody a whole lot or anything like that. I like everything to to look like it looked on that day, um, so that when you look back at your pictures 50 years from now, um, they look like just as classic and, you know, timeless and beautiful. Um. Um, as far as what makes me special is, I really try to, um, I rely heavily on, like, professionalism and experience. I want to make sure that, um, you know I'm always available if you have questions. I always try to be very helpful. I'm on wedding day. I want to be the least stressful part of your day. So, yeah, I try to always be available to my clients and, you know, assist with anything they need, even if it's not necessarily photography related.
Speaker 2:Look at you. That's super nice.
Speaker 1:I know I was like that's quite the statement. People are going to be like I need help with my I don't know dry cleaning.
Speaker 3:Well, I mean, I can give great recommendations.
Speaker 1:What my dry cleaning? I don't know. She left it pretty open-ended. I was just saying I don't know she left it pretty open ended.
Speaker 3:I was just saying, yeah, I mean, I've cut wedding cakes on wedding day before. I've been boutonnieres a thousand times. You know, like there's all those little things, that there's always something that's like well, we've never done this before, but you've been, you know, you've been to a million weddings.
Speaker 1:Can you help? And I'm like sure, why not? Like sure, why not? Honestly, that is kind of a thing even at just like the, the styled shoots, you find out how often guys don't wear ties or bow ties, or what to do with this pocket square or how to. Yeah, there are a lot of things that are wedding related details that aren't in your daily life, so it's not unimaginable that it's the first time. So, yeah, right, yeah, it's nice to have a professional there.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and now a total side note. It is alarming how many men can't tie ties now it is.
Speaker 3:We have to youtube it pretty much every other wedding or we're watching a youtube video.
Speaker 1:So see whatever. All right, um, I yeah. So I think that what I like watching about you interact with models and couples is they're just so comfortable, um, you're never like intense or overbearing or bossy, you're just like along for the. You know what I mean. You're just like, well, let's go out here and do it this way, we'll give me a little of this, a little of that, and so every I think you know everybody just sort of becomes your new best friend so quickly and it's, it's really nice. I like watching couples just have that spark in front of you and feel totally comfortable.
Speaker 3:So yeah, I like that too. I want everybody to be relaxed, because that's how you're going to get the most natural pictures is if you're relaxed.
Speaker 1:So I'm pretty pretty laid back and easygoing you are you really are, and your details are very on point too, like with the color, like you were talking about. Everything's just crisp and pretty, just like your voice. Yeah, just crisp and pretty, just like your voice.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so do you do engagement sessions with all of your couples prior. I do, yes, unless they just don't want it. Or you know some couples every once in a while they'll say well, my best friend's a photographer and she is going to do our engagement session, but she's going to be in the wedding. So we obviously don't. You know she can't shoot the wedding and be in the wedding, but she wants to do something so that you know. In that case, of course, you know they can have their engagement session done with whoever, but I do include it as part of their wedding package. So, and it gives us time to get to know each other and work together and learn how I guide through posing and all that. So it really is a good thing to do.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I recommend it. If you are having your friend, do one just to get to know you.
Speaker 3:Yes, yeah, Even if we do a quick, you know 20 minutes, just you know, kind of learning how I'm going to pose you on your wedding day, because it's going to be very similar.
Speaker 1:So if you had, if you had the next 30 seconds to educate couples on something that they don't know about wedding photography that would make their lives easier. What would you tell them?
Speaker 3:A hard one. That's a tough question. I think I would say make sure you really research the style of photography that you want, ask for full galleries so that you can look at a full wedding day, because a lot of photographers do 20 styled shoots a year and that's all they post on their social media, but you need to see what an actual wedding is going to look like, yes, ma'am. So I feel like that's important because you know somebody's detail shots could be beautiful or their portraits could be beautiful, but maybe their reception photos aren't as beautiful Like. You want to see what a full day is going to look like, and I think that's important, you know, when you pick the style of photography that you want. So I would say, really look at the style you want and ask to see a full gallery wedding day.
Speaker 2:Dawn, do you agree with that? I 100% agree with that, because I see so many photographers who are just they do style shoots all the time and that's not a realistic um view of what a wedding day is actually like. So seeing what they actually do on a wedding day is, I think, one of the most important things, and in all, the different lighting. So, yeah, I'm with you, lacey.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and another thing I always stress with couples is ask about backup procedures, because it never fails.
Speaker 3:There's always somebody in a photography group that is freaking out because they've missed. They can't find the whole, the whole groom section where they did all the groom portraits, or they their hard drive has failed, or you know. Ask your photographer what they do for their backup procedures. How, how do they, you know, what do they do to ensure that there's going to be no issue with you getting your photos later, if that makes sense, because I'm very, very picky about about that. You know, I have a whole process that I go through to make sure, which is, you know, photography is digital now and when you deal with technology, things happen and you know, but we try to make it to where like 20 different things would have to happen to make you lose your photos, rather than you know it's happening, like it would have to be really, really hard for that to happen, makes sense, it's a really great point yeah, so that's important to really ask photographers about, so that's really great that she does that.
Speaker 4:Uh, since since owning a venue, we've been able to really observe a lot of photographers in action, especially during the ceremony, how would you kind of classify your approach during the ceremony? Are you more someone that wants to get in closer, to capture the action up close? Do you stand back more and zoom in? What are you like in a ceremony?
Speaker 3:I am definitely a stand back and zoom in. I want to be as little of a distraction as possible. I would prefer that no one knew I was there. Honestly, I don't want to take away from the sacredness of the ceremony or anything that's happening by standing in front of the officiant or standing in front of the couple or standing in front of the mom and dad who are trying to watch their daughter walk down the aisle. So I do everything I can not to be a distraction.
Speaker 1:Good job not to be a distraction.
Speaker 3:Good job. Yeah, it's everybody.
Speaker 4:Yeah, everyone's approach is different and that's why I think it's just important and I'm glad you're able to share that, because some people don't care, like some guests, some couples. They don't care, you know. But, if it is important for them, for their photographer, to just kind of be there documenting from afar almost and still having that same emotion captured and everything. It's a great.
Speaker 3:They make really good zoom lenses for a reason, yeah and I, I'm, I'm clumsy, I'm kind of a bull in a china closet and I'm not about to fall down in the front, in front of everybody so yeah. I try to be, I try to stay out of the way for sure, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4:It's really cool that that's your approach, because when you're so obsessed with getting up close, you don't see what's going on behind you as a photographer. And it's the, it's the unmentioned, unsaid things that have a lasting impact sometimes and whenever guests we can see guests leaning all the time, or basically making signals to each other like hey, can she move out of the way? I can't even see what's going on.
Speaker 4:Um so while it's important for you to get those photos as a photographer, like think about the impact you're having on all the guests. It's a it's a big deal, like you know. It's a really big deal. So if you're someone like Lacey who she gets it. They make great zoom lenses. Step back, zoom in. You can still get just as tight and have that same effect. Um, but if you're a documentary style that you do anything and everything to get the shot, maybe have, maybe have your couples let their guests know like hey, somebody's gonna be standing up there the whole time yeah, and that's kind of the advantage of having a second shooter as well.
Speaker 3:You know they can kind of also get from a different angle and kind of get those candid shots as well. So you're both kind of hitting from two different directions and I feel like it's less. You know, it's less important that I'm right there smack dab in the middle in front of everyone, because we're both shooting and we're both getting different angles of everything. So it's all going to be covered.
Speaker 4:I'll tell you what it is. It's experience. That's what this is. Lacey's been doing weddings for a long time and she gets it, so yeah. Yeah, that's my observational two cents of seeing photographers at weddings. And that's why I'm just curious, you know, because we see photographers coming in that we don't know and they're all up in the mix and that may be something that they cleared with their couple beforehand and they're cool with that. You know, so I'm glad.
Speaker 1:Or maybe something that couples don't think about until it's too late.
Speaker 4:You're obviously not going to stand there in the middle of your vows.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Right, it's an important thing to ask your officiant as well. Some officiants don't want the photographer right up there in the middle. I've had ceremonies where I wasn't allowed to photograph anything but then walking down the aisle in the first kiss, and I knew that because I talked to the officiant beforehand and I talked to the couple beforehand about that, and so they knew to expect that I wasn't going to be photographing during those times. You know, some officiants are like whatever, get right up here, you know, get everything you need, but some kind of really want the ceremony to be quiet and intimate and sacred and they don't want you up in their face clicking a camera. So that's important to you know, talk to your officiant. And policies like Catholic churches especially, some have policies where they don't want you in the center aisle Um, so those are all things that need to be addressed beforehand.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I love it. I would love to see this a new line of of questioning, Like when you're, when you're interviewing a photographer, basically like, what are you like during the ceremony? We've seen so much now from standing back from afar. Perspective we can see everybody behind the photographer getting frustrated. It's a really great question to bring up and good education.
Speaker 3:Nice, for sure.
Speaker 4:Just our little FYI to you as well, lacey, she's so good.
Speaker 2:From what we see, you know she already knows yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she's got the experience. Well, lacey, what else? What are like what you had mentioned, that with your packages they'll. How many packages do you have? I don't know what levels there are and you don't need to go into details about all of them, but as far as like, in your biggest package, like what kinds of things are all offered?
Speaker 3:Um, so my my biggest package what I call like my just perfect package that I feel like kind of covers everything is eight hours of wedding day coverage, two photographers, your engagement session and your edited digital images with a print release. I feel like that kind of covers everything. You get two photographers. That works usually on a typical wedding day from getting ready through the most important parts of the reception. Most of the time you can get a grand exit in there. But if we need a little extra time we can add to that package. You can always add time. We can always do a video add on if you want video on that. But I feel like that just perfect kind of. You know that eight hours covers the basics and everything that you would need. Eight hours covers the basics and everything that you would need.
Speaker 1:Awesome. What's your process for?
Speaker 3:like you know, meeting a couple and finding out if you're a good fit. So most of the time they reach out via email or social media and then we either set up a time to talk on the phone If they're more comfortable texting or emailing, I'm fine with that as well. We can meet in person if they prefer. That. I'm easygoing, happy with whatever makes them comfortable. I want them to be comfortable getting to know me. So if that's meeting and sitting down in person and chatting, that's fine. If they're cool just talking on the phone, that's fine. I do Zoom calls so we can see each other if they prefer that. So really, whatever makes them comfortable works for me. And then, of course, I have a contract and a deposit and then we plan their engagement session and go from there.
Speaker 1:Nice. So if they're interested in seeing that larger body of work, the full weddings and all of that, is it best to go to your Instagram or your website.
Speaker 3:Most of my stuff is on Facebook. I do have a few things on Instagram and on my website, but they can always send me an email and I can send them a link to a full wedding day gallery that I have permission to share, gotcha.
Speaker 1:So share with us your website, your Facebook and those kinds of things.
Speaker 3:Okay, so my website is hollandhousephotocom and then my Facebook and Instagram are. I think my Instagram is just hollandhousephoto and then my Facebook is hollandhousephotography. It should come right up when you search it.
Speaker 1:So if you get Holland and House in there, you're probably going to pop up, yeah.
Speaker 2:I like it. I love your business name too. It's cute Holland house. I always thought it was super cute.
Speaker 3:Thanks, I was trying to think of something that wasn't just Lacey Holland photography, but also you know. But I will say, people are always like what's your first name? I can't remember Cause it's not in my name, right right, you start getting called Holland.
Speaker 2:I actually know of a girl named Holland.
Speaker 3:It's kind of a cool name.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is. It is a cool name.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it is a pretty little girl's name.
Speaker 1:I would go with Holland. I'd change my name right now.
Speaker 2:I assure you I would change Dawn. I mean, there's nothing that says 1970s like the name Dawn or everyone's middle name Dawn. Yeah, yeah, so Holland.
Speaker 1:Oh so much better. That is super cute. Do you want to be Holland or Kennedy? We'll go with last names as our first name. Well, it's been really fun talking to you today, lacey, and I feel like you did a great job of sort of just giving us the high points of everything, everything about your style and your process. I think it's important for people to talk to you and get to know you a little bit better so that they can see if you're a good fit. So I hope people reach out, but I've really enjoyed it.
Speaker 3:Good, I'm glad I enjoyed it as well. Yeah, well, I hope you have a good day.
Speaker 1:All right, you too.
Speaker 4:Stay, crispy.
Speaker 2:She's working on it, she's just got that beach glow, happiness going on.
Speaker 1:Crispy is what I would have done if I went to the beach.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I managed to not be crispy, good for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you looked nice and tan and just happy. I was like, oh, and your pictures were awesome on the beach too.
Speaker 3:Oh well, thank you. I have a good best friend that takes care of my picture needs. That's amazing.
Speaker 1:That's funny, yeah, so hire her now.
Speaker 2:She's nice and refreshed.
Speaker 3:Yes, it was good talking to you, lacey, you too.
Speaker 2:Bye, bye thank you for joining us for Metropolitan Weddings Engaged podcast be sure to click subscribe so you are notified when our new episodes drop for more information and to get connected with merchants for your wedding, be sure to click subscribe so you are notified when our new episodes drop.
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