What is your wedding photography philosophy and style?

Cinematic, natural, and photojournalistic. I fully believe that your wedding day will unfold however it needs to unfold - and my job is to be there and capture it in the most beautiful and true way. I direct when needed - but I also just let everything happen in front of my lens. Your wedding day is not a photoshoot. It’s not a film set. (well, it shouldn’t be treated that way.) Don’t get me wrong - I know my job is to make ridiculously amazing wedding photos - but to do it in a way that doesn’t take over your day.

What are you like as a wedding photographer?

Honestly? I make a lot of dumb, bad, wrong, and (I think) hilarious jokes. Quietly. But I also know when to shut up, be quiet, and make amazing photos. Along with all the fun, I’ve been doing this long enough that if you need help - with your schedule, how to tie a tie, fix a bouquet, or anything else - I can do that too. I’ll photograph things all along the way, but I’m there to make sure your wedding goes amazingly well. I’m on your team and after all these years - my ego is waaaaaayyyyyy down. SO it’s all good with me. Let’s do this. I’ll make sure the photos are bags full of awesome.

Can we see some actual photo galleries from real weddings you’ve shot?

YES. Of course. Fill out my contact form and I’m happy to send over a few real wedding and engagement session galleries for you to review.

How do we book you?

After we talk (either in person, over the phone or Skype/Facetime/Google Hangout), I need a signed contract and a non-refundable retainer fee to save the date. You will be automatically invoiced for the final portion of your wedding payment due two weeks before your wedding date. Portrait session payments are due on the date of your shoot or at contract signing. All contracts are completed and signed digitally. Invoices for payment will be emailed. Cash, checks, credit cards, Venmo and Zelle accepted.

How many hours of coverage will we need?

Coverage hours depend on the size and location of your wedding. Generally I recommend 8 hours of coverage for intimate weddings in one location with 80 guests or less. 10 hours is perfect for larger weddings (120 guests or more) or weddings with multiple locations. I suggest budgeting at least two hours before the ceremony to capture getting ready, do a first look and shoot posed wedding portraits. Doing posed group and couple portraits prior to the ceremony is a great way to give yourself more time to enjoy the day and mingle with your guests (because isn't that what you'd rather be doing anyways?) During our pre-wedding consultation, we'll go over your timeline of the day to figure out a pacing that is realistic and fun for you.

Will we need a second photographer?

Sometimes? But not always! I like photographing alone as it helps me be a ninja and connect with my couples. But also, some weddings would benefit from an additional photographer. Second shooters are good for weddings with 150+ guests and/or multiple locations. For example, if you wish to do all your formal group portraits after the ceremony, then I would send my second shooter to cover cocktail hour during that time. My second shooters are professional photographers who I've worked with before and shoot in a similar style to mine. Their photos make up about 20-30% of the final photos delivered. I'm happy to show you examples of real wedding galleries with a second shooter and without, just let me know.

What happens if we don’t know how to pose in front of a camera?

That’s perfectly fine! (Because honestly - it’s kind of really weird.) Unless you’re a professional model, I don’t expect you to know. But don’t worry, we will work together to embrace the awkwardness and make sure you are comfortable and at ease when it comes time for portraits. (This is also why I love engagement sessions!) I will do a bit of directing and check for stray hairs, but for the most part, I'll encourage you both to be yourselves and focus on each other and not me. As long you both like each other on your wedding day, I’ll take care of the photos.

We don’t feel comfortable having our photos and names published on social media/online. Is that a problem?

Nah that’s not a problem. It’s cool, don’t worry about it.

Do we need an engagement session?

Engagement sessions are not a requirement but I do recommend them as a way to practice for the big day. The sessions are a good way for us to spend time together and get to know one another. You'll definitely notice a sense of ease on your wedding day after doing an engagement session with me. Engagement sessions can be booked anytime between contract signing and two weeks before the wedding. Since weekends are reserved for weddings, engagement shoots must be scheduled on a weekday during wedding season (March-October).

Can our dog/cat be included in photos?

Hellz yes. Of course! All that I ask is that you do have a separate friend there with us to manage and care for your pet (or take them home) when they’ve done their part.

How soon will we get our pictures and how many will we get?

Four to six weeks is my average turnaround time for wedding photograph collections. For a 8 hour wedding, you will receive between 300-500 images. The image count depends on the length of coverage and amount of events during the day. A good rule of thumb is about 30-50 images per hour. Turnaround time for all other portrait sessions is two weeks and you will receive at least 71+ images from our session.

What’s your post-production process??

Each image you receive is individually chosen and edited to my specific standards. The first thing I do is backup your images on several hard drives. Then I will cull the images down by removing any closed eyes, awkward facial expressions and anything else that doesn’t look quite right or doesn't help tell the story of the day. I also color-correct the photos to the proper exposure and tone (AKA making my photos look "happy".) The digital negatives you receive are edited final images (JPGs, not the unprocessed RAW files).

What about Photoshop? Can we have something removed or digitally altered from the image?

I am happy to do some light edits to your final images within reason. Examples of this include: removing small blemishes, a spot on your outfit or power lines in the background, etc. I will not Photoshop your body into a different shape, change your facial expression or remove wrinkles that occur naturally on your skin. I want my final images to look as natural as possible and not SnapChat filtered to oblivion. But in general? Within reason? It’s all good.

Can we get the RAW files??

Unfortunately, no. The best analogy for why is when you a hire a florist, you aren't simply paying for the flowers, you are paying for the florist's artistic eye and floral arranging expertise. It's the same with photography. While I aim to capture everything perfectly within camera the moment I press the shutter, I have a very specific way I like to post-process my images. RAW files are like an unfinished painting. The way that I edit and color correct is specific to me and my personal style aesthetic. It's what you see on my website and with all my photos and hopefully, it's why you hired me in the first place.

Can we make our own prints??

Absolutely. The contract includes an exclusive rights print release. You'll be able to use the photos for any personal use (display, social media sharing, etc.) The digital files you will receive are edited, free of watermarks/logos, color-corrected and saved at a high enough resolution for any professional lab to make prints.

What else can we do to ensure a great photography experience?

It’s mostly about our communication and trust. If you have any questions, or ideas, or needs - let me know, and I’ll do my best to help, accomplish that, and make y’all happy.