Local in-demand wedding photographer Sabrina Hall said prospective couples can take certain steps to ensure that their special day will be captured the way they want by a skilled professional.
Sabrina Hall has shot more than 200 weddings since opening her own photography business, Sabrina Hall Photography, in 2015.
A native of North Canton, Hall is a graduate of the University of Akron, where she majored in photography and graphic design. In 2011 and 2012, she returned to the university for continuing education courses in “Wedding Photography” and “Advance Lighting I & II.”
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Her first job in wedding photography was with Today’s Bride Magazine.
“I also started working as a second shooter for weddings in 2007,” she said. “In 2015, I decided to strike out alone.”
Hall offers prospective brides and grooms some tips to find a good photographer.
“You need to plan ahead,” she said. “Most photographers are booked a year out. I would suggest looking for someone who has experience in the style you prefer. For instance, if you like dark and moody, or light and airy. Definitely set up a meeting to chat more in person. Ask them to see a full recent wedding they’ve done, possibly at the same venue you’ve booked. I would also suggest that you find a photographer who’s accommodating to your needs.”
In 2020, the pandemic forced most weddings scheduled that year to be moved to 2021. Hall is booked solid until 2023.
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“This year (2021) was extra busy,” Hall said. “I had a lot of ‘double’ weekends, which is weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I was trying to catch up on everyone who had booked previously.”
Hall, who employs a second shooter for larger weddings, noted that some of her favorite wedding venues to shoot include Gervasi Vineyard and the former Onesto Hotel, both in Canton.
“I really work hard to specialize in Canton, Ohio,” she said.
Hall strongly advises couples to get a written contract with any photographer they hire.
“You definitely want a written contract,” she said. “For the couple and the photographer, it’s really important to have that contract and everything written down because it’s the understanding of what you’re getting.”
Hall said the average wedding takes about eight hours to shoot.
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“I always send a sneak-peek gallery,” she said. “The full gallery takes about four weeks.”
Photos are produced in the form of digital galleries, and supply prints, framed prints, photo albums and reproductions on canvas are optional additions.
So, what makes a good wedding photo?
“An excited couple and a little creativity with the composition,” Hall said. “I think I attract like-minded people. I tend to attract outdoor weddings.”
In addition to local weddings, Hall also works in Naples, Florida, about four times a year.
Hall said some new wedding trends have emerged.
“This year, you’re seeing larger cakes,” she said. “For a short time, they were very small. I’m finding that the garter toss is kind of going away. Couples are definitely personalizing their weddings as much as possible and making it completely theirs.”
In addition to weddings, Hall also shoots engagement and family photos.
“A lot of brides and grooms come back for family photos when they have children,” she said.
Hall said one of the perks of being a wedding photographer is working with couples and their families.
“Just to see family dynamics on a wedding day,” she said. “Just to see families come together on a wedding day is so joyful, especially after 2020, and the quarantine and we couldn’t get together. Having that back and just seeing families get together is awesome.”
For more information, visit SabrinaHall.com.