In short, I’m here to help! I approach weddings as more than just a photographer. I'm here to guide you to the wedding photos of your dreams. Ideally, you are only going to plan a wedding once, and I have done this a bunch, so I can help you plan a wedding day timeline. This doesn't mean that you won't need a wedding planner or someone to help with all other details of your wedding day. I want to make getting beautiful wedding photos as easy as possible for you. I’m going to bring all of my knowledge and creative energy to your wedding day, but I promise not to treat your wedding day as a photoshoot. Weddings aren’t photoshoots. THEY ARE YOUR WEDDING DAY.

I could write a novel about why photos are important and priceless! In short, your memory fades really fast. Capturing these important moments in time help preserve those memories. Looking back on photos is an easy way to remember how you felt when your partner looked at you while you were walking down the aisle, or what your kids' toes looked like when they were six months old. Photos immortalize all the important details about your love and your story.

I primarily photograph traditional weddings and engagements, but I also photograph adventure sessions, elopements, micro-weddings, small weddings, families, senior graduations, newborns, maternity, and headshots. I also do architectural photography (commercial architectural interiors and exteriors).

This may come as a surprise, but EVERYONE is awkward in front of the camera. My goal during the session is to use guided poses and prompts to get you and your partner to loosen up and feel like yourselves, and most importantly to have fun. You might even forget I'm there for a second! Stiff images don't show real emotion, so candid photos are my end goal from every session. Even if you feel awkward the whole time while my camera is in your face, I promise the images won't reflect that. Browse through the galleries to see proof of other awkward people in front of my camera.

For weddings, I strive to deliver your final gallery within 4-6 weeks of the wedding day. For all other session types, I will try to have your photos ready within 3 weeks of the session date. I know you are super excited to see your beautiful images, and I am excited to get them to you, but a lot of work goes into choosing the best photos from your day and editing each photo so that they all look cohesive and stunning. Trust me, it's worth the wait.

I deliver your photos in a password protected online digital gallery where you have the ability to download all of the professionally-edited high-resolution photos. I highly recommend that you download all of the high-resolution files from your gallery at your earliest convenience before the gallery expires. I also recommend that you back up the digital files in a secondary location, such as on a flash drive, external hard drive, or on the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, and icloud are good options) for permanent safe keeping.

For weddings, the number of photos in your final gallery depends on how many hours I spend photographing your wedding. An average number of photos that I deliver for weddings is about 85 photos per hour, so for an 8-hour wedding you would receive around 680 photos. For engagement or family sessions, the average number of photos that you can expect for a 1-hour session will range from 75-150 photos. The final number of photos varies based on circumstances of the session, such as weather, the schedule, and the number of people involved.

For weddings, you will have guaranteed access to your private digital gallery for 1 year after your wedding date. For all other sessions, you will have guaranteed access to your gallery for 6 months after your session date. When the gallery expires you will no longer have access to your photos online. I recommend downloading the high-resolution files and backing them up for long term storage.

Yes!!! I would love it if you would tag me in any photos you share on Instagram or Facebook. Also, please do not alter, crop, or edit the photos in any way (such as using filters). I work hard to color grade your photos so that they are perfect and adding filters significantly alters my original work.

Yes! You can order prints (at an additional cost) directly from your digital gallery. I highly recommend using the print service connected to your gallery to ensure the highest quality of prints from my tried and tested print lab. Don't leave your beautiful photos trapped on your computer, order prints to display in your home or give as gifts!

I highly recommend ordering prints from your gallery before it expires to ensure the highest quality of prints from my tried and tested print lab. However, if your gallery has expired and you want to order prints using your downloaded high-resolution digital files, I recommend online services such as Shutterfly or White House Custom Color for good quality prints. Matte finish is my favorite! Don't leave your beautiful photos trapped on your computer, order prints to display in your home or give as gifts!

I offer custom wedding photo album design that tells the story of your wedding day! Please email me directly at briannakraftphotography@gmail.com to inquire about pricing for custom wedding albums. The wedding album design process includes a custom wedding photo album designed by me, the ability to choose your favorite photos for the album, two (2) rounds of proofing and edits, and final photo and design approval. Don't let your digital photos die on your computer. Let's design your stunning wedding photo album to tell your love story! Wedding albums make the perfect coffee table display.

I recommend that you back up your downloaded high-resolution digital files in at least two locations, such as on your computer, flash drive, external hard drive, or on the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, and icloud are good options) for permanent safe keeping.

I shoot on the Nikon camera system and I always bring three camera bodies and multiple lenses to each shoot, so I always have a backup if something were to fail.

Yes, a non-refundable retainer that is 35% of your total booking fee is required when the contract is signed to lock in your date.

I ask that you pay a deposit when you sign the contract to lock in your date. The deposit is non-refundable and is 35% of your total booking fee. The deposit will be put toward your final balance, which will be due in full 30 days before your wedding day. I am happy to accept payment via cash, check, credit card, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Paypal.

HECK YES!! I am based in Madison, WI but am available worldwide. A travel fee will be charged for travel distances further than 20 miles from Madison. The travel fee will vary based on the location in question. ​

HECK YES. Love is love. End of story. Brianna Kraft Photography proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community and same sex couples and does not discriminate against race, religion, age, or body type.

A lot of work goes into your wedding photos, not just the day of shooting. These things include but are not limited to: post production (culling and editing), travel time, consultations, meetings, timeline review, emails, questionnaire responses, and equipment (I always make sure I have backup equipment on hand the day of your wedding. If anything breaks, I can continue to photograph the day). Beautiful photos of you and your family are an important investment. These photos will be timeless and can capture the memories of your special day or simply a precious moment in time.

Yes, please! If you had an awesome experience working with me (which I hope you did) I would really appreciate if you could take the time to write a review of your experience on my Facebook Page on Google or on Wedding Wire.

Contact Brianna

Yes! I have worked with a bunch of talented wedding vendors. Please reach out and I am happy to point you in the direction of awesome wedding vendors such as florists, hair and makeup, videographers, photo booths, bakeries, wedding venues, officiants, and more.

YES! However, this doesn't mean that you don't need a wedding planner or someone to help coordinate all other details of your wedding.

For most traditional 8-hour weddings, the easy answer is NO you do not need a second shooter. I shoot the majority of weddings by myself and I am able to get all the angles and shots you could ever need. I shoot using two camera bodies, which allows me a lot of flexibility to cover all the festivities. Here are some examples of when a second shooter might be a good idea: 1. If you have an exceptionally large guest list (300+ guests) 2. If you have a large bridal party (8+ on either side) 3. If you have a really tight wedding schedule with events happening simultaneously where photos need to be taken [unfortunately, I cannot be in two places at once]. Still not sure? Let's discuss it!

Unfortunately, no you cannot trade the engagement session for a reduced package price or extra hours of shooting on the wedding day. I offer complimentary engagement sessions as part of my wedding packages as a way for us to get to know each other and so you can get comfortable in front of the camera. In my experience, a long wedding day goes much more smoothly and is less stressful for all parties if we have worked together before the wedding day. I highly encourage you to take advantage of the session, because there are a number of benefits to having the engagement photos. At the very least, they will be a fun memory for the two of you! Of course, if you book a wedding package you are not required to do the engagement session if you do not want to, but choosing to opt out will not alter the other details of the package.

I eat when you eat. Nobody likes having a camera shoved in their face while they are eating (your guests especially).

It is really hard being in front of the camera! Do you really want to learn how to be comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day? Absolutely not. Engagement sessions are a time for us to get to know each other and for me to help you forget that the camera is even there. My goal is to capture your authentic selves as a couple, and having a little practice before for your wedding day goes a long way. Plus, it never hurts to have stunning photos of you and your partner in non-wedding attire. I promise that you will cherish these photos forever because they tell your story of a particular point in time before you were married.

I have an easy answer for you - wear whatever the heck you want! Wear something that you are comfortable in, something that feels like YOU, something that makes you feel amazing. When considering what to wear, just be yourself. Consider wearing solid colors (bold or neutral colors [no super busy prints] work well for photos. You and your partner should wear clothing that matches in a similar vibe. A good rule of thumb is to both dress like you are going to the same event, whether that event is formal or casual. You are allowed 2 outfits during an engagement session, so consider choosing one casual outfit and one formal outfit to mix it up. Still not sure what to wear? Check out my blog about what to wear for engagement photos here: What to Wear for Engagement Photos

Here are 5 tips for how to choose an engagement session location: 1. Do you have a vision or a vibe in mind for your engagement photos? If you don’t have a location or a vibe in mind yet, think of some adjectives to describe the feel you are going for that you would like the photos to represent: woodsy, natural, urban, classic, contemporary, grungy, elegant, etc. 2. Consider if you want the photos to happen outside or inside or maybe both? Do you want a cool architectural space or a beautiful outdoor area? 3. Consider the seasons! One of my favorite things about the Midwest is the varying seasons, so keep in mind that seasonality will affect the appearance of each location. As you know, seasons around here change drastically from fall colors, to a winter wonderland, to spring blooms, to summer heat. The changing seasons give us endless options to capture your stunning engagement photos. The season might also dictate what outfits you can wear, such as cozy winter coats and hats or sun dresses. What do you envision yourself wearing in your photos? ​ 4. You should BE YOURSELVES during your engagement session. Consider doing something fun that you love to do together like going to get coffee or go record shopping or going for a bike ride. Having an activity to do during the session would be a great way to capture this special time in your life and to take the pressure off of being in front of the camera. 5. Each couple’s session is unique and tailored to your interests. Consider choosing locations that mean something to you as a couple. This will make the photos more meaningful. Once you have a vision, let me hear it and we can work together to find the perfect location! I'm happy to suggest location options ranging from natural to urban environments for sessions. Please keep in mind that some iconic Madison locations require a photography permit, and clients will be responsible for the permit fee. Check out some inspiration for my favorite engagement photo locations around Madison here: Top 10 Engagement Photo Locations in Madison, WI

YES!

Are big traditional weddings not your style? See my definition of elopements below. I also photograph elopements and adventure sessions! What would be the most epic day that you can imagine, from sunrise to sunset? Let’s make that happen for your wedding day!!

Elopements don't quite mean what they used to. Most people know exactly what a big traditional wedding looks like, but sometimes big traditional weddings aren't for everyone. Did you know that you can get married in Wisconsin with only FIVE people present (including you and your partner)? Legally to have a wedding ceremony, all you need is an officiant, you and your partner, and two witnesses. This type of small intimate wedding would be considered an elopement. ​ Elopements are all about intentionality and forgetting about tradition. You have the ability to do whatever you want on your wedding day, including having an unforgettable experience or special adventure to celebrate the start of your marriage. Small intimate weddings or elopements are less about the performance and more about slowing down and taking the time to focus on the importance of what it means to bind your life to someone else forever. ​ Consider how you want to feel on your wedding day and what you want to remember. Elopements are more like an awesome date night or date day, where the focus is solely on the couple. Every aspect of an elopement is chosen with intention to represent your love as a couple. If you value experiences over stuff, eloping might be for you. ​ Examples of elopements or small intimate weddings: A short hike to a scenic location where you can have a picnic, say your vows, and pop champagne. After saying your vows, consider planning a private dinner and a sunset cruise or having a bonfire and then going star gazing. Getting ready together in the morning, saying your vows in front of a lake while the sun rises with only your parents and an officiant present. After saying your vows, consider celebrating your new marriage with brunch and a relaxing afternoon reading in a park. ​ There are tons of reasons to elope or to have a small intimate wedding and there are so many beautiful outdoor areas in Wisconsin that could easily be the backdrop for your intimate wedding (aka elopement.) Do you have any questions about how elopements in Wisconsin could work? Don't hesitate to reach out and I would be happy to help you plan your intimate wedding or elopement!