Before the wedding

Engagement Portrait Sitting: As part of the diva package, Neil includes a basic portrait sitting for the purpose of getting to know you and to get a preview of your interaction together. If you would like to add an engagement portrait session to your Debutante package please contact us to set a time and view the pricing of this service .For you, this is a chance to get used to Neil being there, observing, watching and capturing you with a lens. Neil also wants you to gain a working knowledge of the online proofing experience so that the proofing, editing and ordering process with go more smoothly when your wedding photos are available. The proofing web site is a powerful tool that will allow you to get the most value from your photography and becoming familiar with it before you have a few hundred photos to sort through is important. If you need help getting into the saddle we'll walk you through it over the phone or in person to make sure you understand all of the potential.

Pre-wedding meeting: A week or two ahead of time, we'll take an opportunity to get together in our studio or a local coffee shop to finalize information from your wedding worksheet and to discuss any final details, such as the formal list and special requests you might have for your wedding. If you live out of town, we'll usually talk over the phone at your convenience. It is important for Neil to understand some of the history of your relationship, themes in your ceremony and any other meaningful parts of your wedding so that he has a solid understanding from which to begin to create the photo story of the events.

On the wedding day

Who will be there? Neil Cowley will be the primary photographer at your wedding. Neil shoots every wedding that he books and never "hires out" so you can rest assured that he will be the person behind the lens. If you have chosen a package with a second shooter or the double package, they will also be at your wedding. Neil's most popular package is his single package and he works very well alone, so you need not be concerned about hiring him as the sole shooter. Liesl often assists Neil at weddings (even the smaller packages) unless family ties keep her with the kids. She will do anything from grabbing a drink for the beloved photographer to helping family through the group pictures to snapping some shots with one of the extra cameras.

Getting ready: Depending on your preference this can be as early as the salon visit that morning or as late as the boutonnières being put on. You may not feel comfortable at first, but some of the most precious moments occur as you're with your family and close friends in the hours and minutes before the ceremony begins. If you are uncertain about being photographed at this point, Neil encourages you to trust his experience and discretion and open up to allowing him into your life. Neil operates in an unobtrusive manner and blends into the background quietly observing and recording what is happening around you.

Ceremony: Your preferences for documenting the ceremony will be carefully observed by Neil. He deeply respects the religious and social importance of the marriage ceremony and tailors his coverage to your taste from extreme stealth to quiet exploration.

Formals: Working from the formals list you provided us before your wedding, we'll work quickly and efficiently to involve your family and wedding party in "formal" portraits. This is usually done within 20-30 minutes (a little longer with large families) to get you to your reception as quickly as possible. Still, we all have fun! It's not just a series of forced-smile, hands-at-the-side photos. Expect a variety of relaxed portraits and come with a few ideas that reflect memories together and the nature of your wedding party.

Planned events: Because Neil shoots documentary-style, he doesn't direct any of the action. Time for the cake cutting or first dance? Go for it. He will never ask you to "re-create" the moment so he can record it, as he will have typically already photographed it. You will become familiar with looking over your shoulder to see a tall guy with a camera to his face snapping here and there. Only rarely will Neil ask you to do anything, and everything he asks will just come naturally, anyway.

Late-night party? Got to the reception and found that everyone was having such a great time you'd like to extend the reception's time by a couple of hours? No problem. Just let Neil know how long you'd like him to stay. If it's longer than the coverage provided in your contract, it will be billed later.