Favorite Midwest Wedding Photographers

Yes, I am serious!! Today, I am sharing and promoting my favorite photographers in the Midwest. You might be wondering why as I am also running my own business. So.... I am sharing these talented businesses because these photographers are TALENTED and deserve to be seen by people.

Below, I will be linking their name, their Instagram, and their website. I hope you love them just as much as I do!!!

Paige Louise Media - https://paigelouisemedia.com/

@paigelouisemedia

Chuck and Shiloh - https://www.chuckandshiloh.com/

@chuckandshiloh

Michaela Lee Photos - https://michaelaleephotos.com/

@michaelaleephotos

Celiena Captures - https://www.celienascaptures.com/

@celienascaptures

Allison Nicole Photo - https://www.anicolephoto.com/

@allisonnicolephoto

Kanyon Photos - https://kanyonphotographyllc.net/

@kanyonphotos

Kay Collective - https://kaycollective.co/

@kaycollective.co

Corey Christian - https://www.coreychristian.com/

@coreychristianphoto

Simple Escape Photo - https://www.simpleescapephoto.com/

@simpleescapephoto

The Loui Photography - https://louiphotography.com/

@thelouiphotography

Stephanie Marie (Wolf) Photo - For some reason, her website won't pop up...

@stephaniemariephoto.mn

Carly Kay - https://carlyhauschild.wixsite.com

@carly_hauschild

All of these photographers have such incredible talent and I hope you find that their work truly tell your sweetest love story. I tried including photographers of all different styled in case you prefer bright and airy over dark and moody.

I know this is kind of a shorter one today, but I want to start sharing vendors that I love, whether that is me simply following their work or working with them personally and loving their personality. I know I created a semi big list, but I just wanted to say, this doesn't even cover all of the photographers that I have come to love and admire over the years. I truly am so thankful to have been able to meet so many amazing vendors sine beginning this sweet job.

I cannot wait to share more vendors that I LOVE. If there is a category you'd like to see from me, comment below.

Have the best week. With Love, Cassidy Kabus

4 wedding day timeline ideas

today, I wanted to share with you my different timeline layouts on wedding days. Obviously not everyone wants or needs me there for 10 hours, therefore, I have a few different ones that I will be sharing today.

BUT FIRST! on a wedding day, I have a few MUSTS and I wanted to share those with you before we dive into timelines.

• if my drive is further than 1 hour, which it usually is, you bet I am in sweats and change into my cute wedding day fit when I arrive at the venue

• I always try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the contractual agreement says I starts to scope out the venue, make sure my batteries are all good and charged and that my SD cards have the necessary space.

• I always look for coffee shops between my starting point and destination for a little pick me up because COFFEE

• I typically leave an hour earlier than I need in order to make 3-4 stops along the way to make my destination so that my drive doesn't feel so long. Silly, I know.

Alright, Alright! I hope you enjoyed those little fun facts on my morning of weddings.

I will be sharing my timeline layouts for 8 hours and 10 hours with a first look and without a first look. I hope you find this layout helpful. <3

8 hours with a first look

12:00 PM detail photos

12:30 PM getting ready photos for gals

1:00 PM getting ready photos for guys

1:30 PM bride gets into her dress

2:00 PM bride has first look with groom, some portraits after first look

2:30 PM wedding party photos

3:00 PM bridesmaid photos

3:30 PM groomsmen photos

4:00 PM ceremony

4:30 PM receiving line

5:00 PM family photos

5:45 PM grand entrance

6:00 PM dinner

6:30 PM speeches

7:00 PM cake cutting

7:30 PM first dances

8:00 PM photographer concludes

8 hours without a first look

12:00 PM detail photos

12:30 PM getting ready photos for gal/getting ready photos for guys

1:00 PM bride gets into her dress

1:30 PM rest, prayer with wedding party

2:00 PM ceremony

2:30 PM receiving line

3:00 PM family photos

3:30 PM bridesmaid photos

4:00 PM groomsmen photos

4:30 PM wedding party photos

5:00 PM portraits of bride and groom

5:15 PM grand entrance

5:30 PM dinner

6:00 PM speeches

6:30 PM cake cutting

7:00 PM first dances

8:00 PM photographer concludes

10 hours with a first look

11:00 PM detail photos

11:30 PM getting ready photos for gals

12:00 PM getting ready photos for guys

12:30 PM bride gets into her dress

1:00 PM first look with the groom

1:30 PM portraits of the bride and groom

2:00 PM wedding party photos

2:30 PM bridesmaid photos

3:00 PM groomsmen photos

3:30 PM relax/prayer with wedding party

4:00 PM ceremony

4:30 PM family photos

5:00 PM grand entrance and prayer

5:05 PM dinner is served

5:30 PM speeches

6:00 PM cake cutting

7:00 PM first dances

8:30 PM sunset photos

9:00 PM photographer leaves

10 hours without a first look

11:00 PM detail photos

11:30 PM getting ready photos for gals

12:00 PM getting ready photos for guys

12:30 PM bride gets into her dress

1:00 PM bridesmaid photos

1:30 PM groomsmen photos

2:00 PM relax/prayer with wedding party

2:30 PM ceremony start

3:00 PM receiving line

3:30 PM family photos

4:00 PM full wedding party photos

4:30 PM bride and groom portraits/individuals

5:00 PM grand entrance and prayer

5:05 PM dinner is served

5:30 PM speeches

6:00 PM cake cutting

7:00 PM first dances

8:30 PM sunset photos

9:00 PM photographer(s) leave(s)

NOTE: Now, I know I gave 30 minute increments for nearly all of these, and you may not need that much time/you might need more time, but that is just a flexibility time frame. For example, if getting ready takes longer than expected, a first look might not take the full 30 minutes. It is an important buffer and safety net to have, in my opinion.

NOTE: Another point I should make is that you might want your photographer around for an exit and maybe you aren't doing that until 10 PM...My timeline above isn't stuck strictly at 11:00-9:00. There is definitely flexibility there. I am using these time frames listed above simply as a reference to how you want to structure your wedding day.

NOTE: With a second shooter, there is also a HUGE amount of flexibility above!! How so? Say you want an earlier ceremony time, say, 1 PM, you (the main shooter) can capture some getting ready photos of the gals while your second shooter can capture the getting ready photos of the guy to utilize the time you have wisely.

I know this was a lot and maybe even overwhelming. However, I would love to answer any questions that you might have and hope you can use this as a tool when planning your wedding.

Have an amazing day. You are loved by the One clothed in majesty and splendor. He is good and the giver of all good things.

With Love, Cassidy Kabus Photography

9 things i want to improve on this year as a photographer!

Let's face it, I AM NOT PERFECT. and I never will be and that is OKAY. buttttttt i sure do want to try my best to create the best client experience possible for couples that I have the opportunity to work with and serve in my day to day.

SOOOO, I created "9 things i want to improve on this year as a photographer!" and share it with you. Whether you are a soon to be bride or groom, or a fellow wedding photographer, I am so happy that you are here. THANK YOU.

Enjoy!

1. cull and back up photos RIGHT when I get home - Typically, I like to go in and cull when it is up next for the queue. WHICH IS GREAT because it allows me to stay well organized BUT culling is half of the process in itself. I am making this a goal to A.) better protect the images by immediately backing them up and B,) to complete the culling right away so that I get to hop right into the editing process when it is up in the queue.

2. share sneak peeks within 24 hours - EVERYONE LOOOOVES SNEAK PEEKS, RIGHT? With that being said, I want to make it my goal to be efficient and leave clients satisfied, but excited for more.

3. sit back and let the photo opportunities happen = I KNOW, I KNOW, this might sound bad by the way that i am wording this but by sitting back and letting the authentic photo moments happen. Not posing can sometimes be the best. The raw real moments are so so important and if I am so busy trying to pose for the "perfect photo" I might miss what really could have come from a moment. BUT ALSO! That doesn't mean I won't direct you in certain situations.

4. be bold/take risks - this includes trying new angles! this includes trying new detail photos! this includes incorporating new people! this includes having so much fun!

5. don't be afraid to walk up to random people for photos - not at weddings, but rather, when I am traveling or at the beach... I want to simply walk up to people and see if they would be interested in taking some photos that I could share with them at a later time. I just want to connect with people.

6. find new photo locations - i tend to stick to my safe places, WHICH IS GREAT...I love knowing where those are, but also...I tried somewhere new yesterday and IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. I want to seek those out more.

7. be in communication with other vendors, make those connections!! - Vendors are amazing, I love them, I am one of them. Regardless if you're a cake decorator, a florist, the event planner, or even the venue as a whole, you deserve to see and use the images that I take because YOU DID THAT. and I want to share that with you!! That is a new goal of mine. To share and be in communication with vendors.

8. continue my Pinterest journey - I have been loving my Pinterest journey with Cassidy Kabus Photography and truthfully, one I only want to grow and improve on. Whether that be positing my most recent and favorite works or going in and pinning some favorites from other photographers that I love.

9. remain consistent on Instagram - Instagram is one of my biggest baskets. I love it. I like it and I just really really enjoy it. I like that I get to engage with so many people and easily communicate with them, too. I just want to be a familiar face on there, but also, find that healthy balance when needed.

Well, that's all from me. I am so excited to incorporate/continue a lot of these goals that I have set for myself and in a year or so, reflect and see the results of that. Thank you for following along. Thank you for being here. I am so happy you are.

With Love,

Cassidy Kabus