For the most spectacular wedding memories, you need a great photographer

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

I'm Tammy Klepac of Tammy Klepac Photography. I'm one half, of a husband and wife team, that offers portrait and wedding photography in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We have photographed stills for movie productions, landscapes, events, and portraits, but weddings are our absolute favorite! We really enjoy being part of a couple's big day. In fact, we joke that weddings are our “date nights!” When someone hires us to photograph their wedding we are truly honored. They are trusting us to capture their intimate moments and preserve them for years to come. We don't take that trust lightly. We bring our "A-game" to each wedding we photograph.

Just this month we were honored to have been interviewed by and featured in Voyage Dallas Magazine in their Thought-Provokers Series: Celebrating Artists & Creatives. We won several awards but our most recent came from Two Bright Lights, which is a hub for publishers, for the quality of the work in the engagement and wedding albums we get published in magazines. Some of these magazines include Wedding Wire, Zola, Big Day Made, Tacari Weddings and How He Asked by the Knot.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe our style as light, airy, clear and crisp with true to life color.

What are the most common questions that couples ask you at the first introductory appointment?

There are several common questions that I'm asked on a regular basis. Some of those are... “How do you handle poor lighting at the ceremony and reception?”, “Will you give us directions on posing?”, and “Do you require a deposit and contact?”

Which parameters are the most important to couples?

The biggest parameters for most couples is probably the budget. They want to stay within their budget but still get the photography that they desire.

Why is wedding photography important?

Long after the invitations have been placed in the trash, the cake has been eaten, the flowers have wilted, your dress placed back in its box and the whirlwind of your big day has subsided, photos of your wedding will still be a tangible item that you can hold in your hand. These photos will tell a story of your special day – a beautiful story you can share with your family, friends, and children.

What should a wedding photography package include?

A wedding photography package should include options. Options that will meet your photography needs but also help you stay within your budget. Like many photographers, our packages are organized by hours. We have some items that are included with each package and a few optional items that can be added on. When couples contact us I make sure they understand that if one of our packages doesn't fit their needs that we can design a custom package just for them.

How much does a wedding photographer cost?

I think most couples in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will spend between $1200 - $3000 for their wedding photography. I've read that the DFW area is about 9% lower on average than the rest of the nation. I also read that 12% of your wedding budget should go to photography.

Why do wedding photographers charge so much?

This question reminds me of that saying, “You get what you pay for.” What you're paying for in wedding photography should be professionalism. I was a guest at a wedding recently where the photographer wore an old sweater, leggings and tennis shoes. During the middle of the ceremony, she stood in the aisle, right next to the mother of the groom, and clicked away. That's not professional! You should barely be able to notice the photographer at your wedding if they are professional, have the right equipment, and know how to use it.

What was the most memorable wedding you photographed?

One of the most memorable weddings I photographed took place just a few days before Christmas. I found out from the wedding planner that the bride didn't really want to have a wedding, it was more for the groom, and all of the formality was making her nervous. Well, after the ceremony and before the cake cutting the bride disappeared and I feared for the worse. Then, to everyone's surprise, including my own, she comes out in a sequined dress and began singing, “All I Want For Christmas” to her groom! Right before the chorus started her brother jumps up and joins her. They had choreographed a dance routine to the song and performed it right there in front of the groom and all their family and friends. I got goosebumps thinking, “Wow, she loves this man so much that she's fighting back her nerves to give him a surprise he'll remember a lifetime!” It was awesome!

Was there ever a time you had to improvise?

A good photographer is improvising all the time! There's just no way to control every element of every situation so you really have to think on your feet. Sometimes the lighting is bad and you're quickly deciding what you can do about it. Sometimes the child you're photographing has a breakdown and you have to console the child to continue the shoot. You do whatever it takes to get the best shot!