When researching vendors, my husband and I spent most of our time looking at photographers. We had a specific style in mind, really high standards, and a lower budget. It was tough to find a photographer that fit all our criteria. Brett Alison was initially our favorite - she had the best editing & the best photos and her work includes great candids, which is something we wanted. From a quick look, we sadly thought she was out of our price range; however, I reached out to her via email and Brett was flexible with mixing and matching her photography packages to fit our budget. Once we signed a contract with her, we quickly received a package in the mail with homemade cookies and a nice book of quotes. The personal touch of that gift assured us that we made the right choice. We planned our wedding from out-of-town, so communication with Brett took place primarily via email or telephone. Brett was extremely responsive to emails and phone calls, and as wedding service professionals go, she is very organized. If ever we were late getting her paperwork, she sent a friendly email reminder after we had incurred a respectful amount of delay :) Also, when my husband and I were in town briefly to meet with our vendors, Brett drove ~1 hour to meet us. At the reception, Brett was perfect. Whenever we got off our schedule, Brett got us back on track in an extremely calm way, just as we had asked her to do. Whenever we needed family members present for a photo, Brett called them over, just as we had asked her to do. She captured all of the details we said we wanted and didn't waste time photographing things we told her we didn't care about. When we told her we wanted some posed photos--but not too many--she found the perfect balance. When we told her we had twice as many bridesmaids as groomsmen, she found great ways to arrange the formal photos. Otherwise, she faded to the background & captured all of the moments that we wanted without us noticing that she was there. She asked for our input and preferences during the planning process & then used that information to be the perfect photographer for us, meeting every single need and request that we had. After the ceremony & before the reception, my husband & I decided to make a stop at a local park to take more photos. Brett was flexible & took great photos on the spot without ever having been there. At the end of the reception, Brett even offered to stay a little longer to photograph our exit. After the wedding, Brett posted a Facebook album of some of the photos within 4 days of the wedding. She posted our full gallery less than 30 days after the wedding and sent a package with a USB of digital prints just a few weeks after the wedding. We can't make a stronger recommendation for a photographer. Brett's professionalism and level of service is the best you can find--at every step, she helped lower our stress levels. Wedding planning is tough because of all the things a bride and groom DON'T realize can happen. Having a photographer who knows how to prepare for and handle the unexpected goes a really long way. Finding someone like Brett, who does all of that at an incredibly affordable price, helped make it a perfect night for us. NOTE: We came across some photography companies with long contracts that included absurd stipulations. Be wary! Brett's contract was straightforward and succinct, another nod to her personal and inviting style. read more