We are awkward in front of the camera. Will you help us pose?

Oh, trust me, I get it! I’m also super awkward in front of the camera (which is probably why I prefer being behind it). Remember that episode of friends where Chandler can’t smile for the camera? Hi, that’s me. That’s why I don’t rely on stiff, traditional poses. Instead, I use fun, natural prompts that get you moving, laughing, and just being yourselves. Basically, I’ll have you do a bunch of ridiculous things, and before you know it, we’ll all be cracking up! (which makes for the best, most authentic photos anyways!)

But don’t worry- I’ve got you covered when it comes to posing for group and family shots. I’ll guide you every step of the way and make sure everyone looks their best! And if something feels or looks awkward, I will be there to help you!

Do we have to have a phone meeting prior to booking?

Nope, not at all! I love to chat, but I also know that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for phone calls or zoom meetings. No judgment here! Whether you prefer email, text, DMs, Zoom, or an actual phone call, I’m happy to meet you wherever you’re at in your wedding planning journey. No pressure, no awkward small talk, just whatever works best for you!

Full transparency- most of the questions listed here are exactly what we would cover in a phone meeting!

Can you hold my date?

If we’ve been chatting about your wedding, please know that your date isn’t officially reserved until the contract is signed. As a courtesy, I’ll always let you know if someone else inquires about your date, but I can only hold a date without payment for the one-week grace period after I send the contract and invoice. If the contract isn’t signed within that week, the date will be released.

That said, life happens! If something comes up and you need more time, just let me know. I’m pretty flexible and always happy to work something out.

What is your turnaround time?

Turnaround time varies depending on the time of year, which is why I provide a timeframe rather than an exact date. I always do my best to keep you updated and let you know what timeline we're looking at so there are no surprises. Just know that I’m working hard to deliver your photos as quickly as possible, without sacrificing quality!

Sessions: 2-4 weeks
Weddings: 4-6 weeks

Do we need an engagement session?

Not necessarily, but I highly recommend it! Think of it as a practice run! Getting comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day can make a huge difference. Plus, it gives us a chance to work together and build a rapport, so by the time your wedding rolls around, you'll feel totally at ease. And let’s be honest- having professional photos of you two in something other than wedding attire is pretty awesome! It’s a chance to capture your personalities in a more casual, everyday setting.

Can we trade the engagement session for something else?

Yes! The engagement session can be swapped out for additional day of coverage, welcome party or rehearsal dinner coverage (depending on availability), or we can knock a little bit off the price if you opt out. The engagement session is valid for one full year after your wedding date. This is your wedding, and the add-ons and coverage should make sense for you.

Do we really need a shot list?

YES! This is actually the most important thing I’ll ask from you. I want you to enjoy as much of your day as possible without pulling you aside for photos constantly. To do this efficiently, I need a list of the family and friend groupings you want photos of.

Once I have your list, I’ll review your timeline, note the best times to capture each grouping, and check them off as we go. It’s so rare to have all your favorite people in one place, and I don’t want any important photos to be missed! If you don’t provide a shot list, I can’t guarantee that every combination you want will be captured, so let’s make sure we have a plan! I’ll guide you through this process if it feels overwhelming!

What if something happens to you and you cannot be there on our wedding day?

Luckily/unluckily, while running a business through the Covid-19 pandemic, a system is in place if something happens to me on your wedding day.

My main priority is the safety and health of myself, you, and all of your wedding guests. For that reason, if I am exposed, feeling sick, or test positive for COVID-19 or any other illness, I will not put you at risk and shoot your wedding. I am lucky to have a wonderful network of photographers in the area, and I will find you an associate shooter! An associate shooter is another photographer that we can chose together out of a list of available photographers on your date. This photographer will shoot the wedding if I am unable. All communication and editing would still happen through me. In the rare chance that this happens, I will make sure you are completely taken care of.

The best possible way to make sure we have a back-up for your day is to book a second shooter. If something happens to me, they already have your wedding in their calendar. They will become the lead photographer for the day, and we would find another second shooter.

What happens if we need to reschedule our wedding?

In the circumstance that you need to reschedule your wedding, I will do my best to make that work for you free of charge (within reason*). Your non-refundable retainer will be transferred to your new date, and we will proceed from there. If I am already booked on your new date, someone on my team will cover it!

*Hi, I’m pretty reasonable and nice. Please don’t take advantage of that!

How many photos will we get?

Each package includes a set number of photos that are guaranteed, but my general philosophy is that you get all the best ones. You won’t have to sift through test shots, duplicates, or photos where someone is mid-blink (though I may keep a few funny faces for good measure). I don’t believe in gatekeeping your memories, so you’ll receive every meaningful, beautiful, and storytelling moment from your day!

Will every photo be edited?

Yes! Every photo will be edited in a style consistent with what you see on my website, social media, and any full galleries I send over. My goal is to make sure your photos look and feel just like your wedding day. If you get married under bright midday sun, your photos will be lighter and brighter. If it storms all day, they will have a moodier feel.

For the sake of authenticity, every photo is edited, but not every photo is heavily retouched. If something is permanent (like a birthmark or scar), I won’t edit it out. But if it is temporary (think a breakout, a bruise, or in my case, a burn from taking taquitos out of the oven the week before my own wedding), those things can absolutely be edited out. What I won’t do is erase the little details that make you you. Your smile lines are beautiful, and we want those joy-filled expressions in your photos!

I’m always willing to discuss your retouch requests. Depending on the depth and labor intensity of the request, it might be an additional fee.

Can we have the raw images?

Nope, and there’s really no need for that to ever happen. Unless you’re also a photographer, you probably don’t even have the software needed to open a RAW file. Think of it like going to a restaurant and asking for the ingredients instead of the finished meal. I carefully edit every photo to ensure it looks its best, so you can just enjoy the final images without any extra work!

Do you have business insurance?

I do! Just let me know if your venue requires a certificate of liability, and I’ll send that over to them.

Will we own the copyrights to our final images?

Technically, no-but that shouldn’t ever actually affect you. Copyright law states that whoever takes the photo owns the copyright. You will have full access to all of your photos indefinitely, and the print release allows you to print them wherever you’d like.

The only thing you can’t do is use them for your own profit, which is pretty standard. Think of it like paying for a painting and then selling prints of it as your own. As long as you don’t plan on selling someone else’s art, this won’t be an issue.

Me holding the copyright does technically mean I can use your photos in my marketing, but there is a clause about that in the contract. If you’re uncomfortable with your photos being shared, just let me know! I’m happy to remove that clause and keep them private.

What happens if we need to cancel our wedding?

If you need to cancel your wedding, your non-refundable retainer can be transferred to any service I offer. This includes family sessions, pet photos, couples sessions, elopements, branding sessions, product photography, headshots, or even prints from an existing gallery. You can also transfer your retainer to another couple who is looking for a photographer on your original date.

If we can’t figure out an alternative, the non-refundable retainer would, well, remain non-refundable. Once we have a plan in place, I’ll send over a cancellation contract, and we’ll go from there.

How do you back-up our photos?

Of course! When I’m photographing a wedding, I shoot with two cameras, and each camera writes your photos to two memory cards, so they are immediately backed up.

When I get home, I transfer your photos to two separate hard drives and upload them to the cloud for extra security. I also store the original memory cards in separate locations, just as an extra precaution.

I have never lost photos, and I don’t plan on starting now!

How far in advance should we book you for our wedding?

On average, couples book me about 9 months before their wedding date. Every year is different, and I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible about my availability!

Do you offer videography?

No, I prefer focusing on photography only, so you can get the best wedding pictures possible. I do have a list of incredible videographers that I have worked with in the past, and I would love to send you their way!

How do we know if we need a second shooter?

This completely depends on your wedding day! Here are some instances where I recommend adding a second shooter:

• You and your partner are getting ready in different locations.

• Multiple events are happening at the same time in different places.

• You want cocktail hour candids while we’re also doing posed family photos.

• You want multiple vantage points, like both of your reactions as you walk down the aisle.

The minimum amount of second shooter coverage is 4 hours, and the rate is $125 per hour. Their time cannot be staggered, meaning the second shooter works within the consecutive hours you book.

If you have a standard wedding day with a medium guest count, a smaller wedding, or an elopement, a second shooter isn’t usually necessary. I have photographed over 150 weddings solo and am fully confident in capturing everything on my own. The only limitation is that I cannot physically be in two places at once, so if that’s a concern, a second shooter might be a great option!