my approach
What inspires your work as a Photographer?
As a wedding photographer, I really love what I do because of 'people.' Yes, all the wonderful hopeless romanticism, and the beautiful details, make for really gorgeous portraits. But when it comes to why I'm still in love with this job after 11 years, it's because every wedding I get to shoot– I get to meet so many new faces, all of people who were hand-picked, or who inherently belong, in spending your most important day with you.
It is a privilege, to be brought into such an authentic, human ceremony, and to have the honor of gathering all these beautiful moments, meeting all these loved ones; then taking everything I've collected and spending hours pouring over it, magnifying the atmosphere, the connection, and giving it back to you as a neatly crafted story. All i've ever wanted to do in life is gather beautiful things, and give them back to people. And to this day, I am blessed to have a job that does just that.
What is your process after booking?
- Once you (hopefully!) book, there really isn't a ton of over-the-top preparation that's necessary, beyond just just an open conversation that will exist between us to exchange ideas, visions, to get excited, and to narrow down timelines and locations. When couples book with me, they pay a 50% retainer at the time of booking, then there is usually anywhere from 3-18 months between booking and the wedding day! Between that time, I am always an email away, to answer any questions, give any recommendations, receive pinterest boards or just talk over the day with you. About a month-out, I send out a questionnaire to really iron out final addresses, day-of timing, family shot-lists, important moments you want captured, and small details like the colors of your wedding, how big your bridal party is, and the best way to contact you closer-to!
How hands-on are you with communication?
- I tailor my approach to your energy. Some people are very laid back, and some are very hands-on, so I really approach my clients and their needs on a case-by-case basis; responding to emails within 2 business days, or up to a week in busy times!
What’s your approach on the wedding day?
- When it comes to my approach with photographing a wedding, I operate mainly off the knowledge I have built over the last decade– relying on my natural eye and inherent style, to work through my mental "shot list" to capture all the events of the day as they happen: all the meticulous design decisions and special touches, all the candid guest moments as they jump out at me, and most importantly - you two! As a natural extrovert, I jump in and out of my customer service energy all day, fielding requests while being grabbed by family and friends for photo requests, then getting right back to the wedding day without missing a beat. I've always done well in chaos, and it has served me well these 12 years, to be able to juggle the stress, joy, and unpredictability of a wedding day, all with a smile on my face.
the editing process
How would you describe your editing style?
- My style covers everything from beautiful posed portraits, to candid, authentic moments. I pride myself in having the wherewithal and energy to properly capture both. For editing - I prioritize skin tones over everything, to make sure the pictures not only look timeless, but actually like you, and like the day you shared together! My favorite color is green, and I am often drawn to green details to bring in my own style, but I first and foremost edit to honor what you guys actually look like, with adding a beautiful, delicate contrast that brings out the subject and emphasizes and enriches the colors of your day!
What is your editing process like?
After the wedding day, I immediately upload (and back up twice!) all your images, then store my memory cards and hard drives in a weather proof container, while working off a main hard drive. I work on a desktop computer, so while I don't have the ability to edit while on-the-move, I much prefer the security and cleanliness that always having your files stationary and protected, provides. Once everything is uploaded, I work on a small preview - I usually aim for about 30 photos from the most important moments of the day, but am always open to specific requests of what you'd love to see in your preview!
After your preview, I work off an "Editing Queue," working chronologically through my weddings as they were shot. Every wedding takes me about 1-2 weeks to complete, once I get to it in the queue! The delivery times with an editing queue can vary greatly, since I usually have anywwhere from 8-12 weddings in my queue at any given time. For this reason, I say 8-12 weeks for full delivery after your preview, but to please allow up to 16 weeks in busy season! My busiest season is May/June, then August to October. In these months, you can expect closer to that 12-16 week mark. Outside of those months, it will be closer to 8!
Do you retouch or use Photoshop?
- As a skilled photoshopper, I take the time to bring a handful of photos from each wedding that need eye-sores removed like signs, cords, or any functional thing I can’t move in-person, that takes away from the quality of the photo! While I don’t do any over-the-top face retouching on you two, if there’s red noses from cold weather, or wedding-day blemishes, I of course will help you out :) Beyond that, I can take any more specific requests– from removing people, combining group shots, and combining elements from multiple photos– and those get put into the queue as well! I usually do requests between every wedding I finish.
How many images will we receive?
- Typically, I deliver around 100 images per hour of coverage. Galleries are organized into thoughtfully curated sections like Getting Ready, First Look, Ceremony, Reception, etc., each with 150–250 images for easy viewing. At the top of the gallery, I include a highlight section of a smaller, narrative-driven overview of your day. Curating this "Highlights" section is one of the best ways to share the overall feel of your day, so I would recommend scrolling over the entire section first, before going through each photo. It's my favorite part!
How are the images delivered?
I have an online gallery service called Pixieset, of which I have unlimited storage. While I contractually only promise one year of storage and gallery access, I keep every single one of my galleries, forever! It’s my body of work, and I can’t tell you how many times people have come to me seven years later, frantic that they deleted their photos, and I have them still just a link click away! That has always mattered to me. I of course still recommend you download, back up, and have your own system to keep them, but its nice to know I always do too.
Your online gallery has an attached print store, that ships directly to you should you order through it! The digital files have unlimited downloads, and can be sent to share with anyone. You can download web size photos, or high resolution ones for larger print projects! If you’d like more privacy, I can also add passwords to make sure you guys get exactly what you need! Once you have your full gallery, the photos are yours to print, canvas, send and post wherever you please! I love to be tagged so people can find me and my work, so when that is applicable it is always appreciated! Beyond that, the sky is your limit!
deciding on coverage
How do we decide what we need?
- Start with your wedding day timeline—when you’re getting ready, your ceremony start time, whether you’re doing a first look, and when the party ends. A typical wedding for me runs 10am–8pm, which is a great base. From there, we can determine which package or number of hours suits your needs best.
Should we get an engagement session?
- Absolutely. Shooting with the two of you before your wedding allows us to build trust, get to know each other, and get comfortable shooting together. It helps me learn your chemistry and explore creative options. It’s also a beautiful way to preserve memories of this special chapter—perfect for save-the-dates and rounding out the full wedding experience.
What about a second shooter?
- While I am completely confident and capable shooting on my own, I really do love the dynamic and variety a second shooter adds to wedding day. Second shooters are included starting with Package 2, and they are hired for at least 6 hours, depending on the needs of your schedule. I typically require another shooter for every 150 guests! If we're pressed for time (no first look, lots of family for family photos) then I would also recommend one, so that we can be in two places at once! I am given all the images from the second shooter and edit them myself, consistent with my editing style.
What if I want to add something on that's not included in the package?
- I have an à la carte menu where you can add extra hours, print credits, engagement sessions, heirloom albums, and hand-crafted print delivery boxes. Just reach out and I’ll walk you through pricing and options!
How do we book you for our wedding?
- It's easy! Just fill out the contact form, give me all the details of your big day & we'll go from there! If i'm available, you sign a contract and pay a 50% retainer and then we're good to go!
