When couples start planning their elopement, one of the biggest decisions they face is whether to hire separate photographers and videographers or find a photography and videography team that works together. As a Michigan elopement photographer who works alongside my husband Stephen (our in-house videographer), I get this question a lot: “Does it really make that much difference?”.
The short answer? Absolutely! And I’m not just saying that because we happen to be a husband-and-wife photo and video team. After years of working both separately and together, we’ve learned that elopement photo and video teams just work better. Everything about your elopement day flows more smoothly when your vendors are actually coordinated.
Let me break down exactly why choosing a coordinated photo and video team package makes sense, especially for Michigan elopement photography where you’re often dealing with remote locations, changing weather, and adventure-style celebrations. This is exactly why elopement photo and video teams work better than separate vendors trying to coordinate on the fly.
The Coordination Factor (It’s Bigger Than You Think)
Here’s what most couples don’t realize: Photography and videography require completely different approaches to capturing the same moments. I’m looking for still compositions, perfect lighting, and those split-second expressions. Stephen is thinking about movement, audio, and cinematic story-telling. When we’re separate vendors who just me that morning, we’re basically trying to do two different jobs in the same space without stepping on each other’s toes.
But when we’re an established photography and videography team? We’ve spent years figuring out how to work together seamlessly. I know exactly when Stephen needs to be close for audio during your vows (we do have a separate mic we can put on one of you though), and he knows when I need a clear sightline for the perfect kiss shot. We move around each other like dancers who’ve rehearsed this routine hundreds of times.
Timeline Magic: One Schedule, Zero Conflicts
When you hire separate photography and videography vendors, you’re essentially asking two different businesses to coordinate their schedules, travel times, and working styles. Sounds simple, but here’s where it gets complicated:
Different arrival times: Your photographer wants to arrive early to scout lighting. Your videographer needs time to set up audio equipment. Suddenly you’re managing two different prep schedules. Also just the logistics of the two vendors traveling to your location separately and at different times, etc.
Equipment Conflicts: Both need the best positions during key moments. Without established teamwork, someone’s getting a less-than-ideal angle. We’ve already worked out how to give each other the opportunity to get that perfect shot.
Timeline Disagreements: Your photographer thinks golden hour portraits should happen at 7 pm. Your videographer prefers 6:30 for better video lighting. Guess who gets to make that decision? (Hint: it’s you, and it’s stressful, especially when you, as a non-photographer/videographer, aren’t sure how to determine this).
With a photography and videography team: We create one timeline that works for both photo and video. We know exactly how long each part of your day needs, we arrive and leave together, and you never have to play referee between vendors. This seamless coordination is exactly why elopement photo video teams just work better.
Communication is Everything (Especially in Remote Michigan Locations)
Michigan elopements often happen in remote locations. Think Pictured Rocks, Porcupine Mountains, or secluded beaches along Lake Superior. Cell service can be spotty, weather can change quickly, and backup plans need to happen fast.
The separate vendor challenge: If conditions change, you’re now coordinating between multiple people who may not have each other’s contact information, aren’t familiar with each other’s backup equipment, and have different ideas about alternative locations.
Our photography and videography team approach: When the weather app shows rain moving in during a Marquette elopement, Stephen and I are making decisions together in real-time. We know each other’s gear, we have the same backup locations scouted, and we’re communicating as one unit instead of two separate vendors trying to figure things out.
The Budget Reality: One Price, Two Vendors
Let’s talk money, because I know that’s a big part of your decision. When you hire a photography and videography team from the same company, you’re often getting a better value than booking separately.
Why photo and video packages have a higher value:
- We only need to travel to your location once (versus two separate travel fees)
- Shared equipment and setup time
- Streamlined editing process
- No coordination fees between vendors
- One contract, one invoice, one point of contact
Michigan elopement photographer perspective: When couples book our combined photo and video packages, they’re typically saving 20-30% compared to hiring us separately or booking two different vendors. Plus, they get the peace of mind that comes with working with an established team. Another reason why elopement photo and video teams work better from a budget standpoint.
Your Photos and Video Actually Look Like They Belong Together
This might be the most important point, and it’s something couples don’t always think about upfront. When you hire separate photographers and videographers, you’re getting two completely different artistic visions of your day.
What this looks like in practice:
- Different color grading and editing styles
- Inconsistent lighting approaches
- Photos that feel bright and airy while video feels moody and dark
- Completely different “feel” to your final deliverables
With a coordinated photography and videography team: Stephen and i have developed our styles together over the years of working as partners. Our color palettes complement each other, we approach lighting the same way, and your final photo gallery and wedding film feel like cohesive parts of the same story.
Vendor Management (or Lack Thereof)
When you’re planning an elopement, especially in Michigan where you might be dealing with remote locations and outdoor adventures, the last thing you want is to manage multiple vendors who don’t know each other.
What couples tell us they worry about with separate vendors:
- “What if they don’t get along?”
- “What if one shows up late and throws off the our schedule?”
- “What if they have different ideas about how the day should go?”
- “What if there’s a problem and they can’t figure it out together?”
With an established photography and videography team: You get one point of contact (me), one coordinated plan from both of us at the same time, and two people who genuinely enjoy working together. We handle all the coordination behind the scenes, so you can focus on being present for your own elopement.
The Comfort Factor
Here’s something that might not be obvious but makes a huge difference: when your photography and videography team knows each other well, you feel more relaxed, which means better photos and video.
Why this matters: Stephen and I have an established dynamic and communication style. We’re not trying to figure each other out on your wedding day, we’re just focused on capturing your story. This calm, professional energy translates to you feeling more comfortable and natural, which always results in better content.
Michigan elopement photography insight: Some of our best work happens during those quiet moments between “official” shots, when couples are just talking to us or laughing at something Stephen said. These candid moments only happen when everyone feels comfortable and relaxed.
Weather and Plan B Scenarios
Michigan weather can be unpredictable, especially during outdoor elopements. having a photography and videography team that’s used to working together makes adapting to changes so much smoother.
With separate vendors: This kind of quick adaptation requires a lot more coordination, communication, and potential compromise between different creative visions and technical needs.
The Day-Of Experience
Let me paint you a picture of what your elopement day feels like with a coordinated photography and videography team versus separate vendors:
With separate vendors:
- Two different arrival times and setup processes
- Potentially competing for the best positions during key moments
- Different communication styles and direction approaches
- Two separate departure times and packing up processes
- You managing questions from two different people throughout the day
With our photo and video team:
- We arrive together and handle all setup coordination
- Seamless positioning that maximizes both photo and video opportunities
- One consistent communication style and approach to direction
- Coordinated departure and no lingering vendor management
- One point of contact throughout your entire day
Post-Wedding Coordination
The benefits of choosing a photography and videography team extend well beyond your wedding day:
Deliver timing: Your photos and video are edited on a coordinated timeline, so you’re not waiting months between deliverables
Consistent style: Everything feels like it belongs together because it was created by people who collaborate regularly
Shared moments: We can share footage and photos with each other to make sure we’re both capturing the complete story of your day.
Problem solving: If there are any technical issues, you have one point of contact who can coordinate solutions.
Why This Matters Specifically for Michigan Elopements
Michigan’s diverse landscapes and outdoor elopement locations create unique challenges that are best handled by an experienced photography and videography team. Here’s why elopement photo and video teams work better specifically for Michigan weddings:
Remote locations: Places like Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, or the Porcupine Mountains require careful coordination of equipment, timing, and backup plans.
Weather variability: Great Lakes weather can change very quickly, requiring fast adaptation that works better with an established team. Whether we need to find a new location or just wait out the rain.
Adventure elements: Many Michigan elopements involve hiking, kayaking, or other activities that require coordinated coverage. A dream of ours would be to do a kayaking elopement! We love to kayak ourselves.
Seasonal considerations: From ice caves in winter to fall colors that last only weeks (if that), timing and coordination are crucial for Michigan elopement photography and videography.
The Questions You Should Ask
Whether you’re considering our photography and videography team or someone else’s, here are the key questions to ask:
About their working relationship:
- “How long have you worked together as a team?”
- “Can you show me examples of complete weddings you’ve shot together?”
- “How do you coordinate during the day?”
About logistics:
- “Do you arrive and leave together?”
- “How do you handle timeline coordination?”
- “What happens if weather or other issues require quick changes?”
- “Do you travel together or separately?”
About deliverables:
- “Do your photo and video editing styles complement each other?”
- “Are delivery timelines coordinated?”
- “Can you share files between photo and video if needed?”
When Separate Vendors Might Make Sense
To be completely honest, there are times when hiring separate photography and videography vendors does make sense:
- If you have very different style preferences for photo versus video
- If budget constraints mean you need to prioritize one over the other
- If you’ve found individual vendors whose work you absolutely love and who have experience working together
- If your elopement is very simple and doesn’t require much coordination
Our Approach as a Michigan Photography and Videography Team
As a Michigan elopement photographer working with Stephen as our videographer, we’ve developed an approach that maximizes the benefits of being an established team:
Pre-wedding coordination: We plan your day together, considering both photo and video needs from the start.
Seamless day-of execution: We’ve worked together long enough that we move around each other naturally, communicate non-verbally, and handle problems as a unit.
Coordinated editing: Our editing styles complement each other, and we often share files to make sure we’re telling the complete story of your day.
Single point of contact: You work with me for all communication, contracts, and coordination, but you get the benefit of both our skills and perspectives.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a photography and videography team from the same company isn’t just about convenience (though that’s certainly a big benefit). It’s about creating a better experience for you on one of the most important days of your life.
When Stephen and I work together as your Michigan elopement photographer and videographer team, you get:
- Seamless coordination and communication
- Consistent artistic vision across all your deliverables
- Better value than hiring separate vendors
- Less stress and vendor management on your wedding day
- Two people who genuinely enjoy working together and want your day to be amazing
Ready to Experience the Difference?
If you’re planning a Michigan elopement and want to see what it’s like to work with an established photography and videography team, let’s talk. We’d love to show you examples of our coordinated work and explain how our approach could make your elopement day both beautifully documented and completely stress-free.
Because at the end of the day, your wedding should be about celebrating your love story, not managing vendors. With the right photography and videography team, you can focus on what matters most while we handle everything behind the camera.
We are Erika and Stephen and we would love to help plan your elopement day in Michigan together!
To learn more and get in contact with us visit our website!
Looking for that perfect location to elope in Michigan, we’ve got some great suggestions in this blog post!
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