Spotlight On: Carol Cole Photography

Carol Cole customizes her wedding packages to suit the needs of her customers.

I was already running late for my interview with Carol Cole when I realized that I didn't have directions to her studio in Woodstock. So, I pulled up her Web site at http://carolcole.net/new and found directions published on her Contact Us page. Perfect! So far, so good...

Directions in hand, I set out on this rainy Friday to find out all about Carol Cole - what was she like? why should a bride choose her over other photographers? what was her style?

When I arrived at Carol's studio, which is conveniently located about 1 mile off of HWY 575 in Woodstock, Carol was meeting with an engaged couple. Since I was a few minutes early I decided to wait in her lobby and look at all of her work that was on display. I looked through her sample album and proof book and I also took note of all of the portraits she had on the walls. Her work is beautiful...exactly what you want for your wedding.

As Carol finished up with the engaged couple, I took note of their demeanor. They seemed very happy and excited about everything that Carol had to offer. After they left Carol told me that they had just booked her for their wedding at Château Élan. No wonder the couple seemed so happy, they had just booked one of their most important wedding vendors!

Wonderful CD or DVD Slide Show

After the couple left, Carol gave me a quick tour of her studio and showed me her sample CD Slide Show. The slide show includes every single picture that Carol takes at the wedding and it is set to music. It is a great way to share your wedding memories with friends and family. I wish that my photographer would have offered something like this when I got married a few years ago!

When we sat down to talk, I tried to ask Carol questions that brides may ask. Following is a summary of our interview.

Wedding Photography Experience

Carol got her start in wedding photography in 1978 in Nevada where she lived prior to moving to Woodstock. Carol owned a photography studio in Nevada for 15 years. Since moving to the Atlanta area, Carol has been photographing weddings for 3 years and recently opened a new studio in Woodstock.

Carol believes in personal service and attention to detail. For this reason, Carol gets "completely involved in the wedding day". Carol photographs most of the weddings herself. However, she has found another female photographer to participate in weddings, with her same vision and experience. This enables Carol to provide the same level of expertise, service and quality to more brides.

"I become part of the family," Carol says, "when I share the most important day of their lives. I do whatever it takes to put everyone at ease. In order to keep on a time schedule, I often pin on corsages and boutonnieres. I serve the cake if no one was assigned or is willing to do it..."

"...I work closely with the wedding coordinator if the bride has one. If not, I often coordinate the flow of the wedding and reception due to my exposure with many different situations at weddings. The family often gives me a hug when I am preparing to leave the reception and I feel I have made many new acquaintances each time I finish the day..."

"...I make sure everyone has everything they need...I think that's different. Some photographers arrive with their camera and they are there to take pictures...they're not there to be part of the day...I will do anything that it takes...I've sewn the bride right into a dress when her zipper ripped out right before the wedding..."

Although Carol doesn't generally work with an assistant photographer, she does have an assistant that helps her transport all of her equipment. Carol likes to be prepared for emergencies so she brings a full set of back up equipment to every wedding.

"I dress for the formality of the wedding..."

I recently attended a wedding where both the photographer and her assistant were wearing jeans - which I felt was inappropriate. So, I asked Carol what she typically wears to a wedding.

"I dress for the formality of the wedding. I don't wear a tuxedo because I am a woman, but I do wear nice slacks, a blouse and a blazer...I don't wear skirts because I need to be able to move around freely to get the best shots."

Makes sense! I never really thought about it but the photographer does have to move around a lot, kneel down, etc.

Flexible Shooting Schedule

Carol likes to take a lot of photographs of the wedding, to catch every special moment. She may take between 200 and 300 exposures. And, while she generally tries to keep a flexible shooting schedule, she does have a preferred photo sequence for the formal posed shots that are usually taken before and after the ceremony.

If a couple has a list of special people with whom they want photos, Carol is happy to take the photos. However, she prefers for the bride and groom to assign a friend or relative to help her identify the people in the list.

Wedding Packages

As for pricing packages, Carol has plans to fit any size wedding and/or budget. Most of her packages are priced as "base" packages to which couples can add à la carte items such as parents' albums.

How Long For Proofs? Albums?

According to Carol, it generally takes 2 to 3 weeks after the wedding for the proofs to be ready and anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months after the photos have been selected for the albums to be completed. The time span really depends on the size of the order.

What About Negatives?

Carol's wedding photography packages do not include the negatives which is the standard practice for professional photographers. However, she will sell the negatives for a small fee 1 year after the wedding date.

Web Site Features

Carol built her Web site herself and I found that it has some very nice features and it is very easy to use. The site has everything you need: photo galleries, complete contact information, wedding planning articles, directions to her studio, music - and my favorite feature...her availability form. This feature is great, you just enter your wedding date and it tells you whether Carol is available or not!

What Clients Are Saying...

I was very impressed with Carol but I wanted to know what her customers thought about her work. Following are some quotes from actual customers.

"...I am very pleased with my wedding pictures. Before we chose Carol, I contacted several photographers and compared packages (costs, quantities, sizes of photos) and personalities, etc and we liked Carol's options the best. She uses the top of the line camera equipment and offers black and white photography which also appealed to me.

I, too, got a reference from Carol and she gave her glowing reviews. We also got engagement photos and I was very pleased with her work. She took a variety of pictures at the wedding & reception - candid, poses, black & white and if there are particular poses you want, let her know in advance and she'll do them for you (you may need to guide her at the wedding with this part).

Carol is very personable and professional. She took charge at the wedding and guided everyone efficiently thru the many different poses after the wedding. She'll take an extra shot for blinks, which, with large groups, is necessary. Overall we had a wonderful experience, enjoyed our wedding and in the end we have beautiful photographs to enjoy for a lifetime and that was really important to me. Carol shot some unique photographs and she can get imaginative with the surroundings and that is how her talent coupled with her experience really shows. She was also good with our flower girl (age 4) and ring bearer (age 6) (they are brother and sister) and took some really good photographs of them & their family.

Carol will do a great job. She is organized, on-time and she was actually a better coordinator than the one our church provided!"

- Shalini Ruhl, Recent Bride

"...I found her to be totally reliable...She did her job well. She neither added, nor distracted. She was a great organizer... And my photos are beautiful...Carol was personable before the wedding, and she has been personable since. But during the wedding, she was all business. MANY bystanders complimented my choice of photographer, because she DID handle things. Nicely, but firmly. I appreciated it. I had too much on my mind and too many distractions and I HAD to trust her. We'd worked together, planned together, and I was paying her to do what we'd planned. She did it. Beautifully...I know the photographer is a big expense, but my view of that particular expense is that it is one of the most important, if not THE most important...The pictures are your long-lasting memories. And I like the "storybook" style Carol does..."

- Angela Eanes, Mother of the Bride

Contact Carol Cole

In summary, I thought Carol was great and her work is excellent. Based on everything I learned today I would definitely recommend her to any of my friends or brides that I work with. If you are interested in learning more about Carol Cole Photography, click here for contact information.