1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER?
almost a decade! but i've been full-time for six years.
3. HOW MANY WEDDINGS DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH EACH YEAR?
i photograph between 12-15 weddings each year so i can give my couples the best experience and the best of me. if i'm overbooked, i'm physically, emotionally, and creatively exhausted. most of my couples hire me for more than just wedding days — engagements, rehearsal dinners, anniversary sessions, etc. so i think it's important to keep my schedule open for these opportunities and keep my turnaround time quick.
2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK?
my work is emotional and honest — with added editorial and cinematic touches. i am a people-first photographer... inspired by human connection and the soft and subtle moments that occur between the subjects i'm photographing. conceptually, i focus on composition, tonality, texture and more importantly... the language of light — how it creates patterns, dances in-and-out of frame, how it can influence a scene, or even spark a feeling of emotion or nostalgia.
4. DO YOU HELP WITH THE PLANNING PROCESS?
yes absolutely! not only have i been photographing weddings for three years, but i'm also a recent newlywed so i know the industry as both a vendor and a bride. i know how stressful it can be and how many questions you have to answer and decisions you have to make. i am available to help you in any way i can — building a wedding timeline, recommending my favorite industry folks, answering questions about light and location, or even just meeting over a glass of wine.
6. WHERE ARE YOU BASED? DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS AND ARE THERE FEES?
i am a bi-coastal business and split my time between southern california and new england. although i'm based in los angeles, i will happily jump in a car/bus/plane to photograph you. if you're getting married outside the state of california, travel fees will be included in your wedding collection.
of course — you're always welcome to plan your session or elopement here in southern california and create a trip around having your photos taken. california is a pretty incredible place with tons of landscapes and national parks that i recommend considering as your backdrop.
7. SO WHY SHOULD WE FLY YOU OUT OVER HIRING A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER?
you shouldn't feel limited to hire someone local just because it's simpler. i love traveling for weddings — it's one of the perks of the job (aside from wedding cake) and i've developed the ability to shoot in unfamiliar places by sourcing the best light and getting inspired by the beauty of the area. it's all about fresh perspective and what sets me apart from other photographers. by seeing your location or wedding venue in a new light, i can document your day from a truly authentic perspective that will completely reflect your own experience.
8. WHO HANDLES THE TRAVEL EXPENSES AND BOOKINGS?
all travel expenses are included in the quote i send you, so everything is good to go. i book my own flights, hotels, and rental cars a couple of months before your wedding and always make sure to fly in two days before your date to make sure there isn't anything that could impact your coverage.
9. WHAT'S THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
i require 30% retainer to secure your spot. once that's received, your date is officially on my calendar. the remaining payments can be split up between one or two more installments, with the final one due a month in advance for weddings. engagement and family clients can pay their remainder on the day of the session.
12. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION WORKS?
engagement sessions are such an important aspect of your wedding process. it's a time for you to share who you are as a couple and document your essence, your quirks and your intimacy. i believe this process is a collaborative one, and together we can plan something amazing — trek along a sandy beach, tag along to a porch hangout, hang at a cabin, skinny dip, hike, surf, explore a new area! let it make sense for you.
i focus on what poses or moments speak to you as a couple, and no cheesy crap, so together we can bring out the foundation of your relationship. i want you guys to be fully yourselves, whether that means settling into quiet moments or goofing off and slapping each other's butts. just enjoy some much needed time with your fiancé! i'm here to help be a guide, scout for the best light, highlight your emotions, but mostly to observe and find amusement in who you two are.
and if you're wondering what to wear to an engagement session, i have a style guide i'd be happy to share with you!
10. DURING WEDDINGS, DO YOU SHOOT WITH A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
i can if you'd like! about half my clients request a second photographer to help document their day. it's great to have two sets of hands on location to document each moment from every angle. it'll most likely be another local photographer or my husband if you're not adding videography services to your wedding collection.
11. WHAT IS A FIRST LOOK? WHAT'S THE BENEFIT?
a first look is an opportunity for you as a couple to see each other after being apart most of the morning. it’s a time to enjoy those emotional, just you moments before the main event. first looks are typically emotional, so i encourage you both to scout a spot at your venue property or nearby that is quiet, beautiful, and open — where you can really take it all in and look at their partner in their wedding attire and just be in awe of them.
by having a first look, you can allocate some alone time as a couple, enjoy an intimate, peaceful moment, and get a head start on your bridal portraits, wedding party photos, and sometimes even family portraits, before the ceremony ever begins — allowing you to actually hug and high five your loved ones that have come to celebrate with you and actually enjoy that signature cocktail.
a first look also makes your wedding timeline more adaptable and allows for flexibility. lastly, you’ll receive more photos of you and your love.
13. WHAT IF WE NEED TO RESCHEDULE OUR SESSION DUE TO BAD WEATHER?
i always encourage embracing whatever the weather decides to do during a session — it'll be a unique experience no matter what mother nature throws at us. because i am a seasoned photographer, i can shoot in any type of light — however, if there's a chance i could damage my gear or it's just not safe, we can absolutely reschedule your session without an additional fee.