10 Questions with Glenai Gilbert

Glenai Gilbert Photography

Photographer - Glenai Gilbert

10 Questions with Glenai Gilbert

1. Introduction: What's your story?

My name is Glenai Gilbert and I am a wedding photographer in Nashville, TN and beyond!

Creating intentional, long lasting memories is my passion. I want all the images I create to have a moment where my clients think, “I can’t wait to show this to my kids,” or help them relive the moment as if they could still taste the cake. My art is focused on individuals and the transitions of emotions they experience through their wedding days. It’s such a unique experience to be on the outskirts looking in on someone’s lives’; I get to meet their closest friends and family, see how they do under pressure, how they dance, hear words they speak to their loved ones, and see a day they created so detailed to celebrate something so special. My passion is driven by loss, and knowing how important it is to cherish every moment- and that is where my purpose and energy for the long days comes from. I’m so grateful that my job connects me with so many amazing people, and that I can do something that not only gives me joy and purpose but others as well.

People have always been my passion. I love being able to tell a story through my photographs and I work hard at creating REAL moments that are authentic to who my subject is.

I have always loved photography, and began experimenting in High School with self portraits, but really began my pursuit of photography my second year of college. My career started by taking portraits of friends, families, and musicians- and then moved towards more of the fashion side of photography. A friend asked me to shoot one their family members weddings, which I was reluctant to at first. I was a nervous wreck thinking about taking someone else’s forever photos (you can’t recreate a whole wedding day). But by the end of the day, I fell in love with it. Getting to capture true love (not just an interpretation of it) sparked my passion. I loved being a part of the special moments.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

I have actively been shooting weddings since 2015, and have shot 100+ weddings in my career.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

I would describe my photography style as slightly moody with bold coloring. I love the richness of color in my work, and enjoy deep contrasts in my darker tones.

I choose to shoot in a documentary style, meaning I like to capture the day like a story from start to finish. I am always looking at reactions of those around me during a wedding day to capture intentional candids, so that emotion can be preserved through my photography.

We have become skilled in helping create intentional moments without imposing- we do this through intentionality and taking time to ensure moments are not rushed.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

I recommend booking your wedding photographer as soon as possible!
Once you know your wedding date/venue, reach out immediately to your photographer.

Our peak booking months of the year are between July-January. We get a lot of summer and holiday engagements reach out to start their booking process.

We get booked about a year in advance in most cases, especially for popular dates in the Fall Season, May has also become a high in demand month. Sometimes couples even reach out before they are engaged to book us.
Off season months, January-March are easier to book!

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

My husband and I are a videography+photography team that gives deals to those who book us both.

Our most popular package is our Classic Wedding Package ($4,000) for both photo+video. We try our best to be flexible with our clients budget and create customized packages based on wants/needs.

Relationship/candidness is very important to us, so not only do couples invest in us, but we will also invest in our couples.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

We are a small family business, so we are able to give deals to couples who book us both.

Main Photographer: Myself! (Glenai Gilbert)
Main Videographer: My husband (Jonathan LaDage)

Associate Photographer/Stylist: varies depending on date. (Ashley Burns, most occasions).
-We have 2-3 other photographers who assist us on wedding days who are skilled in both photography/videography/styling.

We will always be the main photographer/videographer.

Number of cameras used on wedding day:
Photography: 4
Videography: 4


(Couples may add as many additional shooters as they want in their package, but we determine our team count based on number of guests/locations).

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

We charge traveling fees for anyone over 2 hours away.

Travel Expenses vary on location:
Out of state:
-Hotel
-Flight
-Rental Car (if necessary)

Drivable Distance:
-Gas

This varies, depending on distance/location.

We are always open to travel!

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

No, but we offer those as add-ons to any package.

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

We deliver all galleries as an online downloadable link.

Engagement Sessions: Average 2 Week turnaround.
Weddings: 2-4 Months (depending on the season)

We edit all weddings by ourselves and do not outsource our weddings.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

Cancellation policies depend on the circumstance.

Gallery

Awards

WeddingRule Editor’s Choice 2020