Photo credit: Amy Brown

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

I used to think all wedding magazine people were complete phonies! Until I was introduced to Jennifer Stein by Carolyn Gerin (author of the bestselling Anti Bride series). After our first conversation, I remember feeling like this is the type of woman that can relate to the couples I collaborate with (couples who enjoy traveling and adventure). Jen offers an awareness that is at once inviting, humble and thought-provoking. As the Editor in Chief, Publisher and Co-Owner of Destination I Do Magazine, she manages a publication that is available at newsstands and book retailers throughout all 50 states and 14 countries worldwide.

What do you tell your friends when they ask you about selecting a wedding photographer?

Make sure you understand the photographer’s style and personality. Hiring a photographer is one of the most important decisions a couple can make. If a couple meets the photographer in person and feels a connection, appreciates their artistic eye and the communication is easy and everyone is on the same page – hire them. Also, make sure you learn a little bit about them. Don’t just look at their web site and hire them based on that – meet them in person if possible and ask them questions about the way the work (are they behind the scenes, or are they planning to be front and center during the ceremony).

What is something you believe most couples overlook when meeting with a wedding photographer?

The importance of the album. So many brides think “I’ll get the CD of images and make my own album for less.” Chances are, she’ll get the CD of images and might print off a few shots for her desk at work or for family members, but the album, seldom ever gets completed. Years later she’ll wished she just paid a little extra to have something to look back on that’s professional and will stand the test of time.

Looking back at your own wedding, what’s something you know now that you wish you knew then?

The only thing I wish I had thought through was doing our bride/groom pictures before the ceremony. We were traditional and did them afterwards and missed out on a good hour of fun with friends and family because we were off taking pictures. I think it would have actually calmed our nerves if my husband and I had seen each other before the ceremony and had done some “first look” shots together, not to mention give us extra time with our guests.