(What Most Couples Don’t Realize…)
When you're planning your wedding (whether in St. Louis or beyond), choosing the right wedding photographer and videographer is a big decision. You might be browsing different photo and video wedding packages or wondering if it’s better to have separate vendors versus a single, cohesive team. This blog explores whether hiring a dedicated team that offers both services together (in the unique way we do) meets your needs best or if another option, which may include outsourcing to unknown freelancers, is better for your circumstances.
Let’s explore the three main options so you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision.
Option 1: Hiring Separate Vendors for Photography and Videography
Many couples book a photographer and videographer separately, selecting each vendor based on their portfolios. This approach allows you to handpick your favorites!
It could come with a few challenges:
Lack of Coordination – If your photographer and videographer have different working styles, they may compete for the same moments instead of working in sync.
Mismatched Aesthetic – Since they come from different creative backgrounds, your photos and videos may have entirely different styles, making your wedding gallery feel less cohesive.
More Planning on Your Plate – You’ll be juggling different preferences and meetings with two separate vendors, which can add to your wedding planning.
So, How Do You Avoid These Issues?
If you already have a photographer you love or a videographer whose work speaks to you, that’s important! Here’s how you can ensure the best experience when hiring separate vendors:
✔ Look for a willingness to work as a team – Ask your vendors about their approach to working alongside others. You want professionals who respect each other’s space and prioritize your experience.
✔ Make sure their styles align – Choosing vendors with similar artistic approaches helps your final gallery feel cohesive. For instance, if one vendor focuses on rigid posing while the other prioritizes spontaneous interactions, their work methods or styles may clash.
Hiring These Forever Moments for Either Photo or Video
If you decide to hire me for photography or videography alone, know that I bring the same level of thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and care to the service you choose. Whether I'm behind the camera capturing photos or filming every movement, my goal remains the same: to document your day in a way that feels true to you. I also communicate with other vendors ahead of time to make sure we’re on the same page, collaborating to help everything run smoothly from my end. No matter who else is on your team, my priority is always you and ensuring your wedding day is captured beautifully and free from drama. You can learn more about my Photography and Videography packages here.
If you’re still weighing your options and love the idea of a wedding photographer and videographer team in St. Louis, there are two more options to consider.
Option 2: Hiring a From a Business That Offers Both Photo and Video (But Outsources the Work to Contractors)
At first glance, this option seems like the best of both worlds! After all, you’re quickly checking multiple items off your list and likely getting a bundled discount. But here’s the thing—quick and wedding aren’t necessarily two things that go well together. Some couples walk away from this type of service with a fantastic experience! Others… not so much. So how do you know which outcome you will get?
Some potential downsides include:
You Don’t Know Who You’re Getting – Many of these companies assign random associates to weddings, meaning the person capturing your day may not have the experience or expertise you were expecting. How does that company decide which caliber of professional is assigned to each wedding?
Inconsistent Quality – A company might showcase an impressive portfolio, but the freelancer they send may not match that same level of skill or experience, whether it’s in handling lighting conditions or interacting with guests.
Little to No Personal Connection – You don’t get to select or meet your photographer or videographer ahead of time, making it harder to build trust that they understand your vision. It's likely your main point of contact will be someone in an incentivized sales type of role.
A Non-Employee Who Isn’t Invested – Since freelancers are hired per wedding, their long-term success isn’t tied to the company’s reputation. Their priority might just be completing the job, collecting their paycheck, and moving on—not necessarily ensuring the highest level of service for you.
What to ask to Ensure This Type of Photo & Video Combo is a Good Option for You:
If you’re okay with some unknowns, this can be a cost-effective solution! Some companies do vet their freelancers carefully, so it’s important to ask the right questions before booking:
✔ Can I meet my actual photographer/videographer well ahead of time or at booking?
✔ How many years of wedding experience do they have?
✔ How many weddings have they documented as a lead shooter for your company?
✔ What happens if an assigned vendor (if applicable) isn’t available at the last minute or stops working with your company by the time it’s my wedding?
✔ Will the photographer or videographer that gets assigned to us match the style of the portfolio I was shown?
✔ Who will be editing my wedding? Is the work I’m seeing for that videographer or photographer done with the same editor that I’ll get?
Who does this option work for?
This approach can work well if you’re flexible with your expectations, okay with some added risk, and prioritizing a quick, affordable way to hire someone to capture your wedding. It’s a good choice if a discounted photo and video package (or possibly DJ, photo booth, lighting, and coordination) is your top priority!
🗷 However, if you’re seeking more than just bundled convenience, this could leave you feeling overlooked or disconnected, as the business likely handles hundreds of couples each year, making it trickier for them to focus on the unique vision and details of your special day.
Here’s the thing—there’s actually another similar option that’s also convenient but comes with additional perks.
Option 3: Hiring a Photo + Video Team Where You Know Your Photographer and Videographer from Day One (and They Also Know Each Other)
To ensure everything flows smoothly from start to finish, you can book an established, experienced, and trusted team that offers both photo and video.
What you get with an established photo/video team (including ours):
✔ A Seamless Experience – Your photographer and videographer work together as a unit, anticipating each other’s movements to capture every moment without stepping on each other’s toes.
✔ Cohesive Style & Approach – With consistent editing, storytelling, and workflow, your final gallery and video feel like they belong together.
✔ Less Stress, More Connection – You’ll work with the same small team throughout the entire process, making communication effortless and personal.
The Combo Photo + Video Service We Offer to our St. Louis couple’s at These Forever Moments:
✔ Transparent Pricing – We’re upfront about who is behind the camera and why our pricing reflects the experience we deliver. Rather than just offering a bundled deal, we have opted for an exclusive package designed for quality and care, not only convenience.
✔ Experience – Years of capturing weddings has taught us how to anticipate moments, adapt to any environment, and ensure every part of your day is documented beautifully.
✔ Reliability – You deserve a team that shows up fully prepared, communicates clearly, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
✔ Small Business, Big Heart – We keep things personal, ensuring every couple gets the attention and care they deserve. With 19+ years of combined experience, we strive to be the best and most trusted wedding photography and videography team in St. Louis.