Many reasons, here are just a few!

1. I’m proud to be independently and privately owned by one member, myself. Photography is a full time job for me and it is my passion in life!
2. Affordability! One of the most important aspects of my business is being able to offer a professional high quality service at an affordable price! I am married myself, I know what it is like trying to find a quality photographer that does’t cost an arm and a leg. I am fortunate enough to be able to do what I love for a living and offer my services at a reasonable price!
3. When you view the wedding images on my website, you are seeing my work from real weddings! With a recent trend towards national chains and large studios, many sites show you the best work from dozens of photographers, but maybe none from the photographer who will actually be shooting your wedding. Also, some photographers display images on their website that they have taken at classes and workshops. Those type of images do not accurately represent the photographers true talent since the subjects are typically models and everything is choreographed.
4. I am a one stop shop! I take my own images, do all of my own edits and retouching, and custom design my own keepsakes like photo cards and albums! I take a personal approach to your wedding day, handling all of the preparation and correspondence with the happy couple myself, to make sure your images stay true to your day. This allows you the ability to contribute in my creative process if you so choose to. And since I handle everything myself, turn around time is quicker (you receive your wedding package a lot quicker than most photographers can offer)! I give each client the respect and attention they deserve!

To view testimonials by past clients, click here.

I offer a unique blend of contemporary and traditional styles. Incorporating a candid and documentary coverage, I am able to capture the natural beauty of your special day in an unobtrusive manner. Every wedding has it’s own mix of traditional and modern, formal and casual, the spontaneous and rehearsed. Capturing these once in a lifetime moments is what excites me to pick up a camera!

With all of the checks you’ve been writing recently, it may be tempting to use your aunt or friend that dabbles in photography as your wedding photographer. I do encourage and strongly recommend that you hire a professional wedding photographer, whether it’s me or another professional. When you choose a professional photographer, you are investing in your wedding memories. After your wedding day, what are you left with to remember it...the top layer of your wedding cake and a now used wedding dress? You deserve a professional that’s ready for anything and whose sole job is to capture the emotions, the reactions, and all the little moments of your day!

I believe that you should get to know your photographer and feel more than comfortable with whomever you choose! The first step is finding out if I am available for your wedding date and scheduling a consultation. Depending on your location and schedule (planning a wedding can take up a lot of your time) we can meet up or do the consultation via phone and email! A face to face consultation is not required, but I do encourage it! In the end, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the process!

I am able to shoot weddings with a week or two’s notice, but typically I am booked anywhere from six months to a year and a half in advance. The earlier you plan, the more likely that I will be available for your date. If you are planning a wedding during the ‘hot months’ of April- September please take notice, as these dates tend to book very quickly. I’d love to capture your wedding, however, due to a high volume of same-date requests, all wedding dates are reserved on a first-book (contract + deposit) basis.

Call Beth at 651-747-6346, email at beth@bethwphoto.com, or fill out the contact form for availability and any questions!

A signed contract and deposit are required to reserve your date. The non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total amount owed is due upon signing a contract. The remaining balance must be paid in full two weeks prior to your wedding date. You may make partial payments up to your final payment.

I prefer payment by check, but I do accept credit card through PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to make a credit card payment. Please make check payments out to: Beth W Photography

I have experience photographing a variety of non-traditional wedding ceremonies; boats, parks, bed and breakfast, and candle-lit ceremonies. I have even photographed a wedding ceremony that was held in a cave that was once used for storing wine barrels. You name it, I am up for it!

Yes, I do travel! Each wedding package includes a total of 120 miles(this includes travel time) to and from and main locations. Once I arrive at your first location and the photograph coverage time starts, I will travel to almost any location prior to your coverage time ending. I am willing to travel to northern or southern Minnesota and the western Wisconsin area. For distances 3 hours away (one way) and longer I may require overnight accommodations. If you are planning a wedding outside of the twin cities, please contact me and we can discuss reasonable travel rates.

I offer 4 different wedding packages which include different wedding keepsakes. All of the wedding packages do include a disk of wedding images with a release certificate and a website gallery. In additional to the different keepsake items available, the packages are available in different amounts of coverage time, ranging from 4-8 hours (I am available for more or less time). I do not charge a flat day rate for my services because I understand that not every ones needs a full day of photography coverage and not everyone has the budge for it! Once you have chosen a wedding package, with your specific amount of coverage time, you are able to add more time if needed. This can be done a month before the wedding, 2 weeks prior, or even on the night of if things run behind and you want me to stay later.

Keepsake items such as wedding albums, canvas wraps, signature mat guestbooks, and photo cards can be purchased at anytime. Any of these keepsakes can be included in your initial wedding package but they can be purchased even after your wedding date! Since the 'Save the Date' photo cards and guestbook mats would be used prior to, guestbook mat is actually used at your wedding, they would be purchased beforehand.

Yes, I handle every aspect of your images which includes creative editing, touching-up, and album designs. In this regard, I am a ‘boutique’ operation, I actually personally handle everything from start to finish!

I do a variety of blemish, spot, and color correction. Every image is inspected by myself to ensure that it meets Beth W Photography standards. All wedding packages includes a mix of color and black and white images. I also offer editing effects such as ‘touch of color’ (black and white with a color accent), ‘antique’ (type of faded sepia), 'white vignette' (white shading around border), 'sepia' (brown colored tint), and 'midnight' (high contrast and color saturation) at no additional cost! I can include specific effects based on your preferred taste! See examples below of these effects.

The amount of images you receive with your wedding package varies with the amount of coverage time, see table below. Since I shoot digital, I tend to be heavy with the trigger finger. However, I do feel that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to your wedding images. And in the end, I strive for both!


I have photographed an 8 hour wedding and delivered over 1,200 images to the client.

YES!! Of course!! The disk of images, included with all of my wedding packages that I offer, is intended for you to print and share! The image files on the disk are very large files; this allows you to not only print them in a standard size but also enlarge them! Once you receive your wedding package, I do recommend that you copy the image files to your computer so that you have a backup of them.

When printing from your disk please know that I am unable to guarantee the final print results due to variabilities between photo labs. I highly recommend a quality lab such as National Camera Exchange. (I am not affiliated with this business in any way, they do not pay me to recommend them, I wish!)My display is calibrated with their printers so this assures you will receive a high quality result. So please, do not trust your prints to the kid at the discount department store. You won't be happy and unfortunately, I makes me look bad!

Each wedding package varies in completion time so your package could be ready anywhere in between 2-8 weeks. Regardless of package type, all images are viewable on your private gallery within 1-2 weeks of your wedding. Since the Basic Wedding Package does not include an album, it is ready within 2-3 weeks. If your wedding package includes a Coffee Table Album, it will be ready within 5-7 weeks after your wedding. If you wedding package includes the Metallic or Leather Album it will take around 6-8 weeks to be ready.

Prior to your wedding, I provide you with a ‘Group Portrait’ template. The list helps me keep everyone organized, saves time, and ensures that you get the group portraits that you want! This list does not need to be returned to me till about 1-2 weeks before your wedding day. At that time we will finalize your photography timeline.

If your wedding ceremony is held at a church, I typically take the group portraits in the sanctuary. If the weather is nice and there are garden areas outside of the church, it is always fun to take the wedding party outside for a few shots! I am also open to stopping by a park or garden with the whole wedding party or just the bride and groom! This can be done after the wedding ceremony and on our way to the reception site. Once I start, there are no extra travel fees to go to an additional location!

For more information, and to view the 'Group Portrait' template, click here!

I understand that some brides and bridesmaids may be shy about having a photographer in the room at certain moments while they are ‘getting ready’. I remain professional at all times, but if there is a concern about this, I can happily wait outside until everyone is ready to a point where they feel comfortable. When possible, I do like to capture the wedding dress being laced or zipped up and the final touches like putting jewelry and garter on!

The website gallery is your own personal webpage for viewing your images. You will notice that I do not refer to it as a 'Proofing' Gallery. Proofing implies that the images are unedited and untouched. That is not the case with my gallery; all images have been assessed, edited, and retouched!

The website gallery allows you to see your images AS SOON as they are ready but it also allows you to start making image selections for keepsakes like a wedding album. The website gallery is private and not directly linked from my main website. A web address for the gallery will be provided prior to your wedding, giving you the opportunity to include it on Save the Date cards, programs or Thank You cards. The images are posted within 1-2 weeks and are viewable for 90 days after your wedding date unless otherwise requested!

The website gallery a great way for friends and family to view your wedding images as well! Print purchasing, at a discounted price, is available so your friends and family can order professional prints through the website and have them mailed directly to their home (see next question for more information about print purchasing)!

Professional print purchasing is available for your friends and family through your online viewing site. I personally handle and inspect the prints prior to delivery. I have special print prices for wedding images, they are a discounted price compared to my portrait print pricing. Prices range from $1.50 for a 4x6 to $8.00 for a 8x10, and $16.00 for a 11x14. Shipping is handled through USPS Priority Mail. Print prices are very reasonable and competitive when compared to other photographers print purchasing methods. I have seen other wedding photographers charge anywhere from $10.00 for a 4x6 to $30.00 for an 8x10 (prices verified 12/08).

Since your wedding package includes a disk of your images, you do not have to order prints thru the website gallery. If it is more convenient for you, feel free to place a print order with me though! I do use a professional local lab for all print orders.

Engagement sessions are done "on location", as I feel that studio sessions do not allow for as much freedom and creativity for this type of portrait. With that being said, engagements sessions can be at almost any location. If you have a favorite spot, just let me know! An engagement session does not include a set amount of poses but it does typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. The engagement session, just like my wedding packages, include a disk with all of your retouched high-resolution images which is ready one-two weeks after your shoot. You also receive rights to print the images, share them with friends or family, display them for internet personal use, publish them in a newspaper for an engagement announcement. Once you have booked my services, we can schedule your engagement session date and time. I like to get it on the calendar about a month in advance. I am available weekdays, most Sundays, and very limited Saturdays during the summer.

Looking for location suggestions? Click here!
In need of engagement attire suggestions? Click here!

The Coffee Table Album is hard covered with smooth printed pages. It measures 11x8 1/2 inches and includes a protective printed dust cover. It contains 20 pages (10 pages double sided), and can include 50-60 of your favorite images. The Coffee Table Album is created in the USA. Click here for to view options and examples.

The Metallic Album has a metal-plate front cover and leatherette spine and back cover. It measures 12x8 inches and the pages are printed on professional photographic or metallic paper. It contains 30 pages (15 pages double sided), and can include 60-75 of your favorite images. The metallic album is handcrafted in Italy. Click here for to view options and examples.

The Leather Album is a timeless piece made from Italian leather. It measures 12x8 inches and the pages are printed on professional photographic or metallic paper. It contains 30 pages (15 pages double sided), and can include 60-75 of your favorite images. The Leather Album is handcrafted in Italy. Click here for to view options and examples.

The Wedding Pocket Album is available in addition to the Metallic and Leather Albums. Available in packs of 8, they measure 5x4 inches. The Pocket Wedding Album is a copy of your Metallic or Leather Album, just in a smaller size! It includes the same layout and all of the same images as your wedding album. The only differences are that the Pocket Wedding Album has a standard soft cover and the pages are printed on smooth paper. It is also handcrafted in Italy. Click here for to view options and examples.

You do have the option of choosing the images for the album yourself, having me choose them for you, or choosing them together! An album is the perfect memory keepsake of your special day! Duplicate albums can be ordered at a discounted rate, they also make great parent and grandparent gifts!

Click here to download a breakdown sheet of the albums!

The DVD slide show is a DVD disk that you can watch in any regular DVD player. It is a slideshow set to your music of your choice or something from my collection. The photographs are arranged to reflect your day, using elegant transitions from photograph to photograph. It consists of around 60 images and last around 4-5 minutes long. A DVD slideshow is a great way to show off your wedding day and makes a great gift for friends and family members. The DVD slideshow is $80.00 and additional copies cost $10.00 per.

A Photo Card is a greeting card, featuring your images, printed on photographic paper. For weddings, I specialize in custom designed Save the Date and Thank You Cards. They are available in 2 sizes, I personally prefer the look of a 5x7 card best, but 4x8 is also available. The cards come in boxed sets of 20 with white envelopes. There are many design examples to choose from and I can even create something new and special for you! Card designs range in a variety of styles; modern, classic, vintage, french country, and just plain fun and funky! Most designs can hold more than one image and all of the designs have a spot for your personal message!

Please click here for more information and to view design examples!

A Magnet Card is a greeting card, featuring your images, printed on paper with a magnet back. For weddings, I specialize in custom designed Save the Date and Thank You Cards. They measure 5 x 7 inches and come in boxed sets of 25 including white envelopes at no additional cost. Just like the Photo Cards, there are many design examples to choose from and I can even create something new and special for you! Card designs range in a variety of styles; modern, classic, vintage, french country, and just plain fun and funky! Most designs can hold more than one image and all of the designs have a spot for your personal message!

Please click here for more information and to view design examples!

A Canvas Gallery Wrap is a canvas printed with an image and stretched over 1 1/2 inch deep hardwood bars. It measures 16x20 inches. Your favorite image is printed on a cotton-blend canvas and covered with a matte laminate finish that enhanced color depth and protects from UV light. The image wraps around the edges for a three-dimensional look that will stop people in their tracks. The Canvas Gallery Wrap comes with a paper backing and hanging hardware already installed for you. It is ready to be hung as is!

The canvas is perfect for above the mantel or fireplace or even above the bed! Also makes a great parent or grandparent gift!

Click here for more information!!

The Signature White-Mat Guestbook is one of the most unique keepsakes to date! It is a white 11x14 inch mat that is cut to hold a 5x7 inch print of your favorite engagement session image! The mat border gives your guests an area to sign. And it can hold up to around 75+ signatures. Included is a acid-free archival pen. This pen is also fade-proof against sunlight and UV light. The Signature White-Mat Guestbook adds a modern twist to an age old wedding tradition. It does not include a frame so you may choose one of your liking.

The Engravable Signature Mat Guestbook is similar to the regular Signature Mat Guestbook but instead of writing on the mat with a pen, the signature is engraved into it. The mat is made from a high luster alloy so when your guest uses the special engraving scribe that is included, their signature and best wishes are engraved instantly into the mat. It is a 16x20 mat that holds an 8x10 inch print of your favorite engagement session image! The mat can hold up to around 175+ signatures. The Engravable Signature Mat Guestbook is complete with a frame.

To learn more about the Engravable Signature Mat Guestbook and to view the different frame styles available, click here!

I shoot with professional Canon equipment and only professional lenses.

YES! Camera or equipment problems can happen at anytime and to the best photographers. Every wedding I shoot, I come fully prepared with a backup camera, flash, batteries, etc! I even bring a packet of tissues for tears (yours and mine) and for blotting!

When picking a photographer for your wedding, a good question to ask would be, “Do you have redundant or backup equipment (ie: camera, flash, batteries, etc.).” If the photographer says, “no” you’re taking a big risk on the most important day of your life!

I arrive well dressed with black or gray pants, dress shoes, and a black or gray dress shirt. Upon request, I am able to wear attire that meets your specific wedding cultural needs.

I do prefer to work alone. It allows me to blend in with guests and cause as little disruption as possible. As an experienced professional, I can confidently cover most events alone. Unless your wedding is upwards of 500 guests, I do not feel it is necessary to have an assistant or second photographer. If having a second photographer for your wedding is something you had your heart set on, we can discuss the additional fees.

Honestly, short of being dead, I will do everything in my power to photograph your wedding. If something were to happen to me, I would first offer you a full refund and then provide you with a list a professional photographers that I trust. In all of my years of being a photographer, I have never missed a wedding or event!

If your wedding photography coverage continues into the reception and past dinner, I do need to take an opportunity to eat. I have found that most guests prefer to dine without cameras around so I usually take this time to grab a bite. In a buffet style dinner I always wait until almost everyone else has been served before I prepare a plate. In a formal sit down dinner, I do not expect the same food as guests (your caterer may offer a vendor meal) but it’s always appreciated if that is your choice!

I actually get this question a lot! Over the years I have worked with a lot a GREAT videographers and some not so great ones. Here are a few that I have personally worked with and would definitely recommend.

Lukas with Lens and Lantern http://www.lensandlantern.com/ (then click on wedding videography in bottom right corner)

Jason with Capture the Moments http://ctmoments.com

Jared with HD Push http://hdpush.com/

If you are looking for other wedding specific vendors, I have put together a list of websites that I have found to be useful, click here to view my wedding links page.