This page is to help you plan and coordinate your wedding photography.

These are some guidelines that make your wedding photography more successful!  

       Engagement photos, when and where to shoot. Generally I like to shoot your engagements at least 2 weeks prior to the date you plan to send out your invitations OR if you are having your pictures printed ON your invitiation,  we need to shoot them 2 weeks before you order your invitations.   Most people send out their invitations 2-3 weeks prior to their wedding date.  I personally like them to be sent 3 weeks prior.  Your engagements can be shot at any location you decide.  I also have a long list of locations to choose from.  I prefer shooting outdoors.

       Bridal photos, when and where to shoot. Bridals must be shot 2 weeks prior to your wedding date. More time is recommended, but less time is possible if you have problems getting your wedding dress in time.  Unfortunately there may be rush fees from our lab if we are given less time.   Same as above for location,  I prefer outdoors and I have suggestions if you need them. There are some indoor locations you will really like also.

       Wedding day, how much time for photographs? If you have a temple wedding, PLEASE schedule enough time for me to shoot for AT LEAST an hour and a half, or more! I can do okay with less time, but your photos will turn out MUCH better if we aren't rushed. I do group shots first, and they take about 20 minutes unless we are waiting for the stairs! I then like to have a good hour OR MORE with the bride and groom alone.  It will be about an hour from the time your ceremony starts to the time you come out of the temple. For example, if you have a 10:00am ceremony, you will probably be out around 11:00, then we shoot for an hour and a half and done by 12:30 or 1:00, more time is good!  Schedule your luncheon or wedding breakfast accordingly!  You will also need time to change and travel to your luncheon or breakfast.

     These are just tips and suggestions from my experience to make your day run more smoothly. As for photographs at the reception, I generally like to start shooting 2 hours prior to your reception. An hour and a half is okay, but I like to start early so we arent still shooting when the line is supposed to begin. I like to finish up 15-20 minutes prior to the line starting so the bride and groom can take a small break to get something to eat or drink and sit before the LONG night on their feet!!

       Civil, outdoor, church and cathedral weddings are a little different. I generally show up about an hour prior to your ceremony to get pictures of the bride and groom getting ready and other candid photographs. You are more than welcome to schedule more picture time prior to your ceremony if the bride and groom are allowed to see each other! Please schedule enough time in between the ceremony and reception for about two hours of photographs.  We can shoot for an hour at the ceremony and an hour at the reception location, or however/wherever you want to shoot. You will be sort of "forced" into a line to meet and greet immediately following your ceremony for about 20 minutes, so dont forget to schedule accordingly. As soon as that is over, I shoot group shots and then work on pictures with the bride and groom alone. The more time the better!! You will need some time to rest and get a drink and or something to eat! If we need to break away during the reception, we can get a few shots here and there. Every wedding is different, and we can discuss your particular day when you come in for a wedding consultation. This is the main reason we schedule wedding consultations with the photographer.

Number one suggestion, keep smiling! You never know when a camera is pointed at you!!

I hope you find this page helpful, and if you have any questions or comments, please call or email.

Thank you!

Jon Henderson

A list of my favorite outdoor locations:

Some locations require a fee,  if so,  it is listed next to the site below.

Thanksgiving point for bridals- 75.00 - 100.00

Garden Park Ward for bridals and engagements- no charge

Memory Grove for bridals and engagements- no charge

Mueller Park Canyon for engagements- 5.00 per vehicle

Millcreek Canyon for engagements -2.25 per vehicle

Rose Sachs Gardens bridals and engagements- unsure on price

Antelope Island bridals and engagements -9.00 per vehicle

Saltaire Resort bridals and engagements- no charge

Black Rock, near Saltaire- no charge

Little Cottonwood Canyon Engagements- no charge

Layton Park engagements- no charge

Joseph Smith Memorial Building for bridals- no charge

Brigham Young Park for engagements- no charge

International Peace Gardens bridals and engagements- no charge

State Capital Building bridals- no charge (only open Thursday afternoons and an appointment must be made with them)

Red Butte Gardens for bridals and engagements- 7.00 per person & $50.00 for the shoot

Salt Lake Temple Grounds bridals and engagements- no charge

Downtown Salt Lake City for engagements- no charge

Tanner Flats,  Cottonwood Canyon  5.00 per vehicle