Meet Megan Doyle, Owner of La Bella Imagery
Photo by J. Layne Photography
Megan is a great friend of mine and a true talent when it comes to photography (and totally gorgeous!). I recently asked her to write a post for the blog about what it takes to be a great photographer and what brides should look out for when selecting for the big day (it is TOUGH with so many options out there!!)! Before we get into all that, let's get to know her a little bit better!
Where did you go to school? I went to the University of Central Florida and have a Bachelors Degree in Photography.
How long have you been in the business? I started my business in August 2008 and shot my first of now 25 weddings in February 2010.
Why did you choose to be a photographer? I chose to be a photographer because it's my one true passion in life. It's wonderful to wake up every morning knowing I'm using my talent to glorify God, make others happy and take care of myself all at the same time. There's no better way to make a living than that.
What is your favorite part of shooting a wedding? My favorite part of shooting a wedding is actually the "in-between" moments. These are the times when you aren't aware of the camera and the bride and groom are full engaged with each other and all of their loved ones. They make the best photographs.
So now that we know she is a total sweetheart, let's find out what she considers the MUSTS of a phenomenal photog:
Think about your wedding. Consider the dress, the venue, and all of your little details. Now consider the honeymoon, and future years as husband and wife. How will you tell your story after it’s over?
In my humble opinion, of the biggest decisions about your big day, is choosing your photographer. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t because I’m a photographer. I’m a BIG romantic. I can’t wait for my own wedding day, and the reason I feel this way is because when all is said and done, your pictures are what last forever. They are the gift you show your family, your children, your grandchildren. With that being said, choosing a photographer can be a tough choice. So, here is a list of MUSTs to consider.
Your photographer MUST be professional. He/she must be able to handle the pressure of more than one voice having an opinion about this wedding. They must have good quality equipment, with a lot of knowledge on how to use it. Now, you may not know a lot about photography, but it doesn’t hurt to ask a few general questions. Maybe ask them about where they went to school, how long they’ve been working in the field, if they have references or testimonials. A few questions about photography should tell you whether or not they are in tune with the current professional photography world. Being professional also includes knowing how to understand the financial needs of a client, and reaching out to meet them. Now don’t get me wrong, as a photographer only a year and a half into my business, I understand financial responsibility of paying my bills, and needing to make a living. But a photographer who can understand your needs, and who is able to compromise with you, only speaks about true character. Here you know your photographer cares about YOU, not your money. A professional photographer knows how to properly mix professional with personal.
On to my second point: Your photographer MUST be personable. One of the number one reasons for choosing your photographer SHOULD BE that you are comfortable with them. There’s nothing worse than a “photog” (as we like to call ourselves) you can’t kiss your iancé’/spouse in front of. I’m eternally grateful for being young in this business, because it puts me in touch with the people I’m photographing. You need to be able to be vulnerable whether or not you’re paying attention to the camera. Megan and I talk about this constantly. Understanding how your client ticks, works, and feels are HUGE in weddings. And if your photographer is not in tune, laid-back, and comfortable with letting YOU be YOU, well I’m sorry to say but… it’s time to choose a new photog. 99% of the time the people I’ve photographed become my friend. I like to build relationships. That’s what it’s all about… relationships and going the extra mile for your clients. Stay a little longer, grab coffee to catch up with wedding planning even if you don’t need to. Your photog should be INTERESTED in your wedding, the details, the photos you want. The better this relationship becomes, the more you feel at ease on your wedding day, and your family will see how in LOVE you are, not how awkward you feel with all the attention on you.
My third point is pretty simple. Your photographer MUST be passionate. I LOVE MY JOB. I love my clients and meeting new people. I love editing. I’m a total romantic, a lover. And honestly, I just love to photograph. If your photographer isn’t passionate about their job, they’re not going to give you spectacular. The best thing about being passionate about photography is the ability to be creative, and try new things. Photographers who aren’t passionate will just take the same pictures over and over for every client and not care about anything but their paycheck. Find a photog that knows your style and can give you exactly what you want in a new and creative way.
Which leads to my last point… Your photographer MUST be perfect for you. One of my favorite selling points is that I want to cater to your specific wedding style. I don’t want you to hire me because you like my ONE style of editing. I want you to hire me because I’m smart about what I do, I’m in tune with what you want, and I can deliver exactly how you imagine your wedding day to look in photographs. If you like vintage, your picture should look vintage. If you like colorful, your pictures should be bright and colorful. Of course I want you to hire me because you like the way I shoot, but I want you to feel like every little last detail was accounted for in the proper way.
All of your hard work, planning, and execution should be exactly how you see it in your mind, and photography is a big part of that. When you look back on your wedding day down the road, you want to cherish the moments, the details, the little things. It’s all about the in-betweens. The moments you never thought would have been captured. It should all be there. Let your photographer give you your dream day on paper…
So I’ll ask once more, how will you tell your story?
Great advice, huh?! I hope you enjoyed hearing from Megan with La Bella Imagery!
Check out her amazing work at
Thanks for stopping by and happy planning!
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