Serving Austin, Houston, Dallas

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storytelling wedding photography + filmmaking

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We’re Cayla + David, stars of our own pop-punk love story and artists committed to capturing yours. We’re a husband and wife production team based in Austin, TX devoted to telling love stories through photos and film that will last forever.

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Your love story is filmworthy.

Why We Recommend a First Look To Each of Our Couples

Wedding Planning

As an Austin photographer and videographer team, part of our job is helping couples create the perfect timeline for their wedding day. Before we can create this, you and your partner need to answer one important question: do you want to have a first look? First looks have risen in popularity over the past few years, and we are here for it! If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to have a first look, keep reading! We’ll explain all the pros and cons, and even give you some timeline examples!

A first look between a bride and groom before their wedding cermony

Why We Recommend A First Look

There are so many reasons to consider adding a first look to your wedding itinerary! One of the main reasons our couples choose to do one is so that they can join their guests during cocktail hour. Logistically, first looks allow us to take many of your pictures before the ceremony, which lets you enjoy more time with your guests or even sneak away for a private meal during cocktail hour!

Another great benefit of a first look is eliminating nerves. Many marriers feel nervous before their wedding ceremony – it’s completely normal! First looks give you a chance to see your partner and spend more of your morning with them, which helps you feel more relaxed. Plus, if you opt for a private first look, you can take this opportunity to read your vows without an audience.

The main reason couples choose not to do a first look is that they’re worried it will take away from their partner’s emotional reaction. However, after working with multiple hundreds of couples, we actually find the opposite to be true. Many times, partners react more strongly during a first look because they don’t feel the need to perform for an audience. In private, they are able to be more vulnerable. However, we completely understand if you have been dreaming of your aisle moment! This is your wedding, and we support whatever your vision is.

The only time we will strongly encourage a first look is during the months of December to February. Because the sun sets so early, we want to ensure we have plenty of time for your couple’s portraits! If you choose not to have a first look during your winter wedding, we recommend a ceremony as early as 3 pm so we have optimal light throughout the evening.

A bride in a white gown stands behind the groom before their first look A bride poses with her bridesmaids on The Driskill porch A groom reacts to seeing his bride in her wedding gown on the porch of The Driskill A black and white photo of a bride and groom after their first look

How To Plan a First Look With Your Photographer & Videographer

If you do choose to add a first look to your wedding day timeline, you’re in good hands! We work closely with your planner to find the best time, usually following this order: We start with portraits of you and your partner, then add your wedding party, and then finally invite your immediate family to join. But don’t worry! We give our couples plenty of space during their first look and private vows. We use long lenses to capture the intimate moment while staying far enough away to give you privacy. For couples who choose videography packages, we will place a hidden mic on one partner (likely in a boutonniere or collar) so we can capture the audio, but the moment will be private and personal in real time! Once you feel ready to move on after your first look, just signal us over and we’ll move into portraiture!

A bride and groom prepare for an intimate first look at Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas A bride and groom hold hands as they enjoy their first look at Laguna Gloria A bride and groom enjoy an intimate moment beneath an overhanging tree at Laguna Gloria A bride and groom walk along Laguna Gloria's walking paths with their wedding party members

Example Timelines With and Without a First Look

Your first look will determine the rest of your wedding day timeline. One of the major benefits of a first look is how much time it frees up after your ceremony. Typically, we will go to your first look right after you get dressed so you have plenty of time for photos with your partner, wedding party, and immediate family. This also means that your hair and makeup are fresh for all of your portraits since this is before there’s been any impact from the weather (wind, sweat, etc.) or those inevitable tears of joy (your best friend may appreciate those photos being done before they start shedding tears).

So take a look at these timeline examples! These will give you a pretty accurate representation of a timeline with or without a first look.

First Look

2:00pm Detail photos

2:30pm Getting into dress

3:00 First Look and couples’ photos

3:30 Wedding party photos

4:00 Immediate family photos

4:30 Prepare for the ceremony

5:00 Ceremony begins

5:30 Any extended family photos

Head to cocktail hour or private meal

A first look between a bride in a white square neck gown with a cathedral veil and a groom in a black tuxedo with a bow tie Bride and groom portraits in downtown Austin

No First Look

2:00 Detail Photos

2:30 Groomsmen photos

3:00 Getting into dress (photographer 1)

3:00 Groom’s immediate family (photographer 2)

3:30 Bridesmaids photos

4:00 Bride’s immediate family photos

4:30 Prepare for the ceremony

5:00 Ceremony begins

5:30 All combined family photos

5:50 Full wedding party photos

6:00 Couples’ photos

6:20 Prepare for the grand entrance

A bride and groom have an emotional first look in an open park in Austin, Texas A black and white portrait of a bride and groom in Austin, Texas

Your Austin Photographer and Videographer Team

Whether or not you choose to do a first look, you should work with a photographer and videography team that supports your vision for your day. After years of capturing love stories, we know when to direct our couples, and when to disappear and record moments as they unfold. We would love to be part of your wedding day and help record this momentous occasion in your lives. Explore our wedding photography and videography packages, or contact us to get started! A black and white photo of a bride and groom directly before their first look A bride and groom exchange private vows before their wedding ceremony in Austin, Texas A groom cries seeing the bride in her wedding clothes