Hey there everyone! I don’t know about you, but I am VERY much a fan of First Looks. Well, so is ELV photographer Elaine Palladino, and today she’s sharing a bit of her own insight on First Looks with us! But you don’t just have to take her word for it, because she’s also sharing insights from some of her past couples that did First Looks…

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Maybe I’m spoiled. The first time that I ever took part in a First Look as a photographer was during the wedding of one of my best friends. There, under the tall North Carolina trees blowing in the soft breeze I witnessed Scott see his bride Laura for the first time. It was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced as a photographer. I cried to the point that I couldn’t see through the viewfinder. As a friend, it was an absolute honor to be able to witness something so beautifully intimate. As a photographer, it was pure gold. You can’t orchestrate moments like that; it would be disingenuous of me if I even tired. So when I get asked by clients whether I think a First Look is a good idea, it’s all I can do to not pounce with an emphatic and resounding “YES!”

I could list all the practical reasons why a First Look is the way to go: there is more time for portraits, you’ll be relaxed, your photographer won’t have to cram family, wedding party and couple portraits into 40 minutes. That’s all well and good; these are very valid reasons that the professional photographer me wants you to do a First Look. The hopeless romantic and artistic photographer me wants you to do a First Look because of just how wonderful they are. It is intimate in a way that most of your wedding won’t be. It’s a moment between the two of you completely separate from the rest of hoopla that accompanies any wedding, big or small.

But what do I know? I’m just the girl wielding the camera. I’ll let the pictures speak and my past brides and grooms speak for themselves.

 Scott: Looking back, I am really happy we decided to do the first look. It gave us a very intimate moment together; a “calm before the storm”. We were able to really enjoy the moment as we began the journey of becoming husband and wife.

 Laura: The First Look was without a doubt one of the best decisions we made during this journey. I didn’t want to do one initially, but thought about two things, the first obviously being how amazing it would be to see my sweetheart for a few minutes before the ceremony started. The second reason I wanted to do one, was because Scott and I had the good fortune to have photographers who are equal parts amazing photographers and amazing friends. I felt completely comfortable with them being there, and honestly didn’t really notice their presence at all I was so focused on Scott. Also, I knew that I would get some amazing photographs from the session, which was very important to me, because I knew that the picture-taking time post ceremony would be a fast moving hectic time. The First Look was a perfect way to get some beautiful photographs and spend a few moments together

Lisa: Lamar and I decided to do a first look at the hotel where I was staying and the moments that Elaine and her husband captured right before the ceremony were priceless. Getting a chance to look at him and feel like we were the only people on the planet reassured me in that moment — this is the perfect thing to do. Elaine and Mike were great and managed to capture every detail of our emotions during that time from the intensity of our love for each other to the goofball sense of humor that we share. Furthermore, they were super flexible, photographing us at multiple sites and ultimately letting me pile into the back of their car when the limo company didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. By the time the ceremony came around, I was relaxed and happy knowing that we already had hundreds of great shots and we could now focus on being captured with the 150 family and friends that came from all over the country to share our day with us. After seeing the photographs, I can truly say that Elaine and Mike did amazing work that I’ll treasure forever.

So how about you? What are YOUR thoughts on First Looks? Will you be having one?