Complete Wedding Photography for Couples Getting Married
This wedding planning podcast is meant to help couples, just like you, have NO REGRETS about their choice of wedding photographer or the resulting wedding images. It will walk you through every single phase from getting engaged to the anniversary session as it mostly relates to photography—though there may be some general planning tips from time to time. The publishing schedule is every Tuesday at 6 a.m. CST and periodic bonus episodes on Thursdays at 6 a.m. CST. In each episode, I’ll try to tackle a common problem or obstacle that I have personally experienced over the years of s...
[S4/Ep119] Legacy Over Likes
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🎙️ Episode 119/Season 4: Legacy Over Likes
Are your wedding photos being created for social media — or for the future?
In this episode, Tammy Blalock explores the difference between performance-driven photography and legacy-driven storytelling. Learn how trends, algorithms, and viral moments influence modern weddings — and why emotionally grounded, documentary images age far better than attention-based content.
For guidance on choosing a photographer who prioritizes lasting meaning, visit CompleteWeddingPhotography.com or email tammy@atagirlphoto.com
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[S4/Ep118] The Invisible Work of a Wedding Photographer
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🎙️ Episode 118/Season 4: The Invisible Work of a Wedding Photographer
The most important work a wedding photographer does is rarely visible.
In this episode, Tammy Blalock explains the constant awareness, emotional intelligence, anticipation, and technical decisions happening behind the scenes on a wedding day. Learn why documentary photography is active, not passive — and how invisible decision-making shapes the images that become your legacy.
For more guidance on choosing the right photographer and protecting meaningful moments, visit CompleteWeddingPhotography.com or reach out at tammy@atagirlphoto.com
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[S4/Ep117] The Timeline Lie — Why Packed Schedules Kill Great Photos
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🎙️ Episode 117/Season 4: The Timeline Lie — Why Packed Schedules Kill Great Photos
A tightly packed wedding timeline might look efficient on paper—but it can quietly undermine the emotion and authenticity couples want most.
In this episode, Tammy Blalock explains why breathing room is essential for meaningful wedding photography. Learn how over-scheduling creates tension, why buffer time deepens emotional storytelling, and how to build a timeline that protects connection instead of rushing it.
If you want guidance on structuring your wedding day for both logistics and legacy, visit Complet...
[S4/Ep116] You Don’t Actually Want Pinterest Photos
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🎙️ Episode 116/Season 4: You Don’t Actually Want Pinterest Photos
Pinterest and Instagram can be helpful tools for inspiration—but replicating someone else’s wedding rarely produces meaningful, lasting images.
In this episode, Tammy Blalock explains why copying viral poses can shift the focus from authentic storytelling to performance, and how couples can communicate their preferences without forcing moments. Learn how to balance inspiration with trust, and why documentary wedding photography prioritizes energy, connection, and real emotion over staged recreations.
If you have questions about this episode or want to bet...
[S4/Ep115] Do Wedding Photographers Really Edit Every Photo?
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🎙️ Episode 115/Season 4: Do Wedding Photographers Really Edit Every Photo?
Couples often wonder what happens to their photos after the wedding day and what “editing” actually means. In this episode, Tammy explains how photographers curate and edit wedding galleries, why RAW files aren’t delivered, and how editing decisions shape the final story.
This episode also connects editing philosophy to coverage time and delivery structure, explaining how dedicated post-wedding focus—not rushing—allows for faster delivery without sacrificing quality. If you’ve ever questioned what you’re paying for after the weddi...
[S4/Ep114] How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Really Need?
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🎙️ Episode 114/Season 4: How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Really Need?
Choosing how many hours of wedding photography to book is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—decisions couples make while planning. In this episode, Tammy explains why couples often underestimate coverage needs, when six hours can work, and why eight to ten hours is considered the industry norm.
This episode also explores longer coverage from a photojournalistic perspective, showing how time builds trust, comfort, and more honest storytelling. If you’re deciding between coverage op...
[S4/Ep113] Is Wedding Photography Really Worth the Cost?
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🎙️ Episode 113/Season 4: Is Wedding Photography Really Worth the Cost?
Wedding photography pricing is one of the most common—and most confusing—topics couples encounter during engagement season. In this episode, Tammy answers real questions couples are asking online about why wedding photography costs what it does and what that investment truly includes.
This episode breaks down the difference between cost and value, explains why weddings are priced differently than other photography sessions, and helps couples understand what they’re paying for beyond wedding-day coverage. It’s designed to bring clar...
[S4/Ep112] How Documentary Wedding Photography Actually Works
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🎙️ Episode 112/Season 4: How Documentary Wedding Photography Actually Works
Documentary wedding photography isn’t passive—and it isn’t luck.
In this episode, Tammy Blalock explains what documentary photography actually looks like on a real wedding day, from constant anticipation and decision-making to subtle guidance, movement, and trust.
This episode helps couples understand how documentary photographers capture fleeting moments, why trust and awareness matter more than posing, and what to look for when choosing a photographer whose approach aligns with authentic storytelling.
If you have questi...
[S4/Ep111] The Return of True-to-Color Editing
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🎙️ Episode 111/Season 4: The Return of True-to-Color Editing
Wedding photography trends come and go—but honest color endures.
In this episode, Tammy Blalock breaks down why true-to-color editing is making a comeback and why it matters more than couples often realize. From heavy filters and stylized presets to skin tones, florals, and venue details, Tammy explains how editing choices directly impact how your wedding day will be remembered years from now.
This conversation helps couples understand the difference between trendy edits and timeless imagery, why documentary photogr...
[S4/Ep110] What Changed When I Let Go (Part 2)
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🎙️ Episode 110/Season 4: What Changed When I Let Go (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this two-episode story, Tammy Blalock shares how trust—earned long before the wedding day—creates space for real emotion and meaningful storytelling.
She explains how trust spreads from the couple to their families and friends, why relaxed people create better photographs, and how letting go of control allowed her to document weddings with clarity, intuition, and honesty.
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Author PageComplete...[S4/Ep109] The Day I Stopped Chasing Perfect (Part 1)
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🎙️ Episode 109/Season 4: The Day I Stopped Chasing Perfect (Part 1)
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock shares a deeply personal reflection on perfection, control, and her early misconceptions about photojournalistic wedding photography.
Tammy opens up about her creative evolution, the moment she realized that true storytelling can’t be forced, and why learning to recognize moments—not manufacture them—changed everything about her work.
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Author PageComplete Guide to Wedding...[S4/Ep108] AI Can’t See Emotion — Why Photojournalists Still Matter
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🎙️ Episode 108/Season 4: AI Can’t See Emotion — Why Photojournalists Still Matter
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock explains why AI — no matter how advanced — will never replace the eye, intuition, or emotional intelligence of a real wedding storyteller.
Tammy breaks down exactly what AI can do ethically, where it helps streamline workflows, and where photographers must draw the line to protect the truth of a couple’s wedding day.
This episode is a must-listen for couples who value authenticity, and for anyone curious...
[S4/Ep107] What Wedding Photographers Wish Couples Knew
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🎙️ Episode 107/Season 4: What Wedding Photographers Wish Couples Knew
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock opens up about the things photographers wish couples knew — the honest, practical insights that can completely transform both your experience and your final wedding gallery.
Tammy shares why presence matters more than perfection, why Pinterest shouldn’t become a shot list, and how trust between couples and photographers is the secret ingredient to magical wedding photos.
Whether you’re just starting the planning process or finalizing details, this episod...
[S4/Ep106] Motion Blur — Emotion in Motion
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🎙️ Episode 106/Season 4: Motion Blur — Emotion in Motion
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock breaks down one of her most used creative techniques—motion blur.
Tammy explains how she uses it intentionally to show energy, movement, and emotion within still images. Rather than striving for technical perfection, she embraces blur as a storytelling tool that brings her photos to life.
Whether it’s the sweep of a veil, a spinning dance floor, or a bride walking toward her partner, motion blur create...
[S4/Ep105] Finally—The World Gets It: Real Over Posed
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🎙️ Episode 105/Season 4: Finally—The World Gets It: Real Over Posed
After years of championing authenticity, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock shares her excitement that the wedding industry is finally embracing real, candid moments over staged perfection.
In this episode, Tammy opens up about her early misconceptions—how she once believed photojournalistic photographers simply didn’t know how to pose—and how her own experience changed everything.
She explains why documenting moments, not orchestrating them, creates far more powerful and emotional wedding images.
This episode i...
[S4/Ep104] Finally—The World Gets It: Real Over Posed
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🎙️ Episode 104/Season 4: Finally—The World Gets It: Real Over Posed
After years of championing authenticity, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock shares her excitement that the wedding industry is finally embracing real, candid moments over staged perfection.
Tammy reflects on her early misconceptions about photojournalism, how her perspective evolved, and why she believes documenting is far more powerful than directing. If you’ve ever felt torn between posed and candid photography, this heartfelt episode will remind you why emotion always wins.
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[S4/Ep103] The Role of AI in Modern Photography — Pros and Cons
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🎙️ Episode 103/Season 4: The Role of AI in Modern Photography — Pros and Cons
Artificial intelligence is transforming the photography industry — from how photographers edit and cull to how they market their work. In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock explores how AI is reshaping modern photography, especially in the wedding world.
Tammy breaks down the biggest pros and cons — from faster workflows and smarter editing tools to ethical questions about authenticity, privacy, and creative integrity. Whether you’re a couple curious about what AI means for...
[S4/Ep102] Do You Really Need a Second Photographer?
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🎙️ Episode 102/Season 4: Do You Really Need a Second Photographer?
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock breaks down one of the most common questions couples ask: Do you really need a second photographer?
Tammy shares five reasons a second shooter can make a meaningful difference—especially for coverage, creativity, guest candids, and peace of mind.
She also explains when you can confidently skip it.
With 15 years of experience (including two real ceremony-time camera failures), Tammy lays out how to match your coverage to your v...
[S4/Ep101] The Most Underrated Moment of Every Wedding Day
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🎙️ Episode 101/Season 4: The Most Underrated Moment of Every Wedding Day — and Why You’ll Treasure It Forever
In this episode, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock reveals one of the most overlooked yet emotionally powerful parts of every wedding day — the getting ready moments.
Before the ceremony, before the vows, before the celebration, there’s an intimate stretch of time filled with nerves, laughter, and love. Tammy explains why this portion of the day matters more than couples realize, what makes it so photographically rich, and how to plan y...
[S4/Ep100] Welcome to Season 4: The New Rules of Modern Wedding Photography
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[S4/EP100] 🎙️ Episode 100: Welcome to Season 4 — A New Era of Wedding Photography
In this special Season 4 kickoff, award-winning wedding photojournalist Tammy Blalock welcomes you back to The Complete Guide to Wedding Photography for Couples Getting Married.
This episode sets the stage for a brand-new season focused on the modern evolution of wedding photography — where authenticity, artistry, and emotion matter more than ever. Tammy shares what’s ahead this season, how the industry is changing, and why your wedding photos should tell the story o...
[S3/EP99] The Secret to the Best Photojournalistic Wedding Images
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The best photojournalistic images from your wedding day won’t happen if you don’t set your photographer up for success! This episode contains THE SECRET to getting those natural, unposed, unscripted, authentic wedding images with the best composition, framing, and creativity. You WANT a trained and practiced photojournalistic photographer to cover your wedding day rather than a photographer who is NOT SKILLED in documentary photography coming in to stage or hi-jack all of YOUR MEMORIES!!
Referenced in this episode: Episodes #43 & #98
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpl...
[S3/EP98] Bridal Session Litmus Test
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Don’t know if you want a bridal portrait session? Don’t even know what a bridal session is? Then this episode is definitely for you. Tune in because we take a bridal session litmus test asking these nine important questions to see if a bridal session is something you need to do!
1. Is your dress incredibly unique or important to you?
2. Do you want to take every opportunity you can to wear your dress and feel like a princess?
3. Are you shy or uncomfortable in front of the camera...
[S3/EP97] Real-Life Wedding Reflection #1
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This episode reflects on one of my real-life weddings. I recount all of the tiny little landmines wherein the couple (or the planner) set me up for failure and made me take pause, problem-solve, or work around something that caused a delay or remission in my workflow. More specifically, these challenges were:
Not having the opportunity to build a rapport with the couple and wedding party;Bride not being familiar with my documentation style;An extremely short ceremony time with no warning;Starting the bouquet toss without me; andMy contracted time to...[S3/EP96] In What Other Worlds Would Wedding Photography Be Acceptable?
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I don’t know why more professional photographers don’t take a stand and speak out for photojournalistic wedding photography. It’s sad that more and more couples’ wedding days are being treated like a movie set, a Broadway play, or a styled shoot. Couples are not being permitted to just remember actual, organic memories that happened on their wedding days because THERE ARE NONE. Basically, every image captured during the day was just set up by the photographer to ensure that “they got the shot.”
In this episode, I make crazy, unreal...
[S3/EP95] STOP Shopping ONLY on Price (2/2)
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What other high-ticket priced item do you buy based only on price and appearance—Car? House? Clothing? Lawnmower? Daycare? None of these. Can you name an expensive product or service you would purchase based only on price and appearance? I can’t, yet that is what millions of couples do each day when they choose their wedding photographer. This episode continues to fill in the gaps on what you should be looking for IN ADDITION to price and portfolio. In my opinion, these 14 key markers indicate someone is running a good photography business:
[S3/EP94] STOP Shopping ONLY on Price (1/2)
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What other high-ticket priced item do you buy based only on price and appearance—Car? House? Clothing? Lawnmower? Daycare? None of these. Can you name an expensive product or service you would purchase based only on price and appearance? I can’t, yet that is what millions of couples do each day when they choose their wedding photographer. These next two episodes are going to fill you in on what you should be looking for IN ADDITION to price and portfolio. I’m going to give you a short rundown on:
Good exposu...[S3/EP93] Answers to Reddit Questions
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I sifted through wedding photography questions on Reddit.com and provide my answers to you here. The questions I answer are:
· Is it feasible to ask your photographer to avoid taking pictures of a certain person at your wedding?
· Wedding photographer payment timing? Is it common to pay in full before the actual wedding even occurs?
· And finally, one Redditor has narrowed it down to two photographers but can’t make up her mind as there is a tiny detail about each photographer she’d like to change. Is it accep...
[S3/EP92] Definition of a Wedding Planner
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Straight out of my book, I give you MY definition of a wedding planner and explain why you should never get married without one.
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find more info at:
Completeweddinged.com, atagirlphoto.com
Join the Complete Wedding Photography Community:
Facebook.com/groups/completeweddingphotography
Connect with Tammy:
Instagram(book), Instagram (wedding photos), Tiktok, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter
This podcast is meant to he...
[S3/EP91] Examples of Obstacles You Put in Front of Your Photographer
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A wedding photographer’s job shouldn’t be pinning on your groom’s boutonniere, lining up your wedding party for the procession, cueing the music for your grand entrance, showing you how to cut the cake, or rushing your hair and makeup artist so you get married on time. A wedding photographer’s job is to document these things as they happen either in order or in chaos. However, these are some of the positions we are put in on wedding days. WHAT HAPPENS when you solve these problems ahead of your wed...
[S3/EP90] A Wedding Photographer’s Fitness Level: Does it Matter?
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Have you ever wondered how the fitness level of your potential wedding photographer might either impede or enhance their ability to adequately cover your wedding day? Listen in as I explain in detail how a photographer’s physical fitness has a direct connection to their ability to perform on your wedding day.
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find more info at:
Completeweddinged.com, atagirlphoto.com
Join the Complete Wedding Photography Community:
Facebook.com...
[S3/EP89] The Truth About Wedding Day Detail Shots
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Wedding day detail shots. Who are they really for? Do you need them? Do you even want to pay your photographer to take them? I think not, here’s why.
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find more info at:
Completeweddinged.com, atagirlphoto.com
Join the Complete Wedding Photography Community:
Facebook.com/groups/completeweddingphotography
Connect with Tammy:
Instagram(book), Instagram (wedding photos), Tiktok, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter
An...
[S3/EP88] Pro Tips for a Secret Wedding Proposal (Paparazzi Proposal)
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If you plan on proposing this Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter, do it right! Here are my best professional tips for carrying out the best marriage proposal ever!
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find more info at:
Completeweddinged.com, atagirlphoto.com
Join the Complete Wedding Photography Community:
Facebook.com/groups/completeweddingphotography
Connect with Tammy:
Instagram(book), Instagram (wedding photos), Tiktok, Pinterest, YouTube, Twit...
[S3/EP87] When Wedding Vendors Don’t Call You Back
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It is MY opinion, that all correspondence to a wedding vendor should be returned within 24 hours—even when they’re a one-person show, even when they work on weekends, even when they’re working out-of-town, even when they’re on vacation, even when they’re sick, even even even!!! Listen in to hear why and what you should do when you’re being ghosted BEFORE or AFTER you’ve hired a wedding vendor!
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find more info at:
...
[S3/EP86] Is Your Mom the Best Companion for Your Bridal Session?
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The short answer is no! But listen in to hear WHY! You might have one expectation of how deep and meaningful it will be to ask your mom to accompany you on your bridal portrait session. However, if there is ANY SORT OF tension, resentment, bad parenting skills that show up from time to time, or if your mom is living her wedding dream through YOU, it spells disaster. DO NOT BRING YOUR MOM. Listen in and I’ll tell you what to do instead.
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[S2/EP85] How to Kiss on Camera
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Kissing for the camera is not the same as kissing in real life. There are tips and tricks to making it look soft, sensual, and romantic in an image. If you kiss for the camera just like you kiss in real life, you’re going to end up with duck lips, smashed noses, and images that look like you might be getting strangled. Your photographer is not going to know if they should be taking photos or calling 911. Listen in for all the tips on getting great kissing photos!
· Must Have Fresh Br...
[S2/EP84] Secrets for a Wedding Day First Look
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I’ve photographed so many first looks that were not planned properly, not taken full advantage of, or were infringed upon on by others. If you want ALL the tips to have the BEST first look, listen in. I’ve got the low down to having the best first look with your partner on your wedding day!· What is a first look?
· Who else can participate?
· What do you do during the first look?
· What do you do after the first look?
· How to get those mushy, emotive phot...
[S2/EP83] Documenting vs Controlling Your Wedding Day
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Your wedding day is not a movie set; it isn’t a styled shoot and should never be treated as such by your photographer. Why is this important? Because you want to be able to reflect back fondly on your wedding day and remember authentic memories. NOT fabricated moments the photographer created for you. You don’t want to be directed through each tender moment of your day. You want them to happen organically and flow freely and then captured by your photographer, NOT controlled by your photographer.
Fearless Photographers International Grou...
[S2/EP82] Interview with Stephen Lo
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Stephen Lo runs Light & Lo out of Columbus, OH, and is my guest on today’s episode. He was kind enough to share his professional insight and expertise in order that you might have the best experience with your wedding photographer. Listen in as he answers my five interview questions that will help you choose the perfect wedding photographer for your special day and sidestep commonly committed wedding day mistakes.
Light & Lo on the WWW: www.lightandlo.com
Light & Lo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightandlo/
Light & Lo on...
[S2/EP81] Mastering Family Formal Portrait Time
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The time you set aside for your wedding day family formal portraits—the grouped posed shots—matters!! A little critical, pre-planning can make all the difference in the world for a much more efficient, enjoyable, and, dare we say, FUN family formal portrait time. This episode has all my best tips for mastering your family formal portrait time AND a free download interactive PDF to share with your photographer.
Interactive PDF Worksheet:
Buy my Book: https://amzn.to/3m0fpld
You can find...
[S2/EP80] Overcoming the Fear of Hiring a Bad Wedding Photographer
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I’m sharing ten practical tips on how to overcome and all but eliminate the fear of hiring a bad wedding photographer! You DON’T want a photographer who’s going to back out on you at the last minute, one who’s just going to decide to not show up at all, one who’s going to take a year-and-half to deliver your image gallery, one whose camera will break two weeks before your wedding and then advise you they’re not going to be replacing it. You DON’T want to hire a wedding...
