Frequently asked questions
What is it like to work with me on your wedding day?
Can we request specific shots we’d like?
What type of equipment do you use? Do you have backup equipment?
How many images are included in a wedding package?
What should we wear to our engagement session?
Do we get a USB with our wedding gallery?
What is the turnaround time?
Do you travel and what are the travel fees?
How do payment schedules work?
Do you help in the wedding planning process?
Do you make a wedding timeline or shot list?
What if I don't need an engagement session with my wedding package?
What happens if there's bad weather?
What if we need to cancel/reschedule?
What about a backup plan if you are unable to shoot our wedding?
When do we need to book with you?
If we hire you, will we receive a written contract?
- I'm a laid back, stress-relieving presence.
- I am constantly documenting while going through our scheduled shot list.
- I know how hard it is to be the one in front of the lens and I will not leave you hanging when it feels awkward!
- I'm a candid-style photographer first, so a lot of my couples portraits directing is movement-based posing and setting up of natural environments for natural-looking photos. The directing part comes in with wedding party and family photos. The rest of the day I'm trying to blend in - I do not want to take over your day!
Can we request specific shots we’d like?
- Even better, let's make a Pinterest board together.
What type of equipment do you use? Do you have backup equipment?
- I shoot with a Canon EOS R6 and Canon/Sigma primary lenses. I have a backup Canon Mark IV and Mark II that I have it in my bag at all times. I trust all three cameras to deliver amazing images.
- I have several lenses with me and I carry tons of extra batteries + two attachable flashes for the reception.
How many images are included in a wedding package?
- Wedding galleries include 500-1000 photos. Engagement sessions typically have around 50-100 images, including black and whites.
What should we wear to our engagement session?
- I have a Pinterest board full of ideas here
- Natural earthy tones and neutrals photograph really beautifully in any setting. Choose to pair colors that work well together, rather than matching in the same colors. My Wedding Guidebook that comes with a traditional wedding package has more visual examples.
Do we get a USB with our wedding gallery?
- Yes! I send you a cute little wooden USB with all wedding day files, including Super 8 films.
What is the turnaround time?
- The turnaround depends on how much I am shooting, if I am in my busy season, my travel schedule, and the holidays. Typically, for engagement sessions it takes 1-2 weeks and weddings take 3-6 weeks. I try to get them back to you as soon as possible while making sure I give the time to each and every image. June and September-December tend to be the busiest.
Do you travel and what are the travel fees?
- Yes! I love to travel with you or to you. For anything over two hours driving distance from Iowa City (one way), a travel fee is applied. I add $50 per hour of drive time over two hours, and for farther travels the cost of lodging and airline tickets are included in the fee.
How do payment schedules work?
- For weddings, I require a 50% retainer to save your date with me; The rest is due 6 weeks before your date. Smaller payments in between are okay!
Do you help in the wedding planning process?
- Yes! I have 8 years in the wedding industry and have seen and assisted planning a lot. If you need help, I am here for you! Email, text, or call anytime.
Do you make a wedding timeline or shot list?
- It's important to me to have a timeline and to know what is most significant to you before arriving on your wedding day. We will make a timeline together and cover all the important things at your final
What if I don't need an engagement session with my wedding package?
- We'll take it off the package at the couples session rate! I am flexible and want your package to work for you.
What happens if there's bad weather?
- I always encourage embracing whatever weather comes our way, as it’s beautiful and unique in photos. If it is harsh enough that it would make for a shitty time at our shoot and I can reschedule, then we totally will!
What if we need to cancel/reschedule?
- Your wedding retainer is legally non- refundable, however I'm more than happy to reschedule with you! I'm a human with a family, too, so please communicate with me if an emergency comes up. I want whatever happens to work for us both.
- Sessions are easier to reschedule - let me know if you need to and we will work something out!
What about a backup plan if you are unable to shoot our wedding?
- I have a network of photographer friends I will call on if I am unable to shoot your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances. My replacement will shoot your wedding day and receive a full summary from me, but I will take the raw files and edit them.
When do we need to book with you?
- ASAP. I would never want to rush anyone into booking with me before they are ready, however once a date is booked, it's booked. May, June, September and October fill up the fastest every year. Clients on average book with me one year out from their wedding day.
If we hire you, will we receive a written contract?
- Yes. I will send you a contract through Honeybook.
weddings & engAGEMENTS
FAMILIES & KIDS
What should we wear to our family/portrait session?
What is the turnaround time?
Do you travel for family or portrait sessions?
How do payments work?
What happens if there's bad weather?
What if we need to cancel/reschedule?
- #1, wear something you feel amazing in, that you know you love, rather than putting on something new that you're not quite sure about.
- Neutral/earthy tones photograph best. Check out my Pinterest idea board here!
What is the turnaround time?
- The turnaround depends on how much I am shooting, if I am in my busy season, my travel schedule, and the holidays. Typically, for sessions it takes 1-2 weeks and mini sessions 1 week. I try to get them back to you as soon as possible while making sure I give the time to each and every image.
Do you travel for family or portrait sessions?
- Yes, I do and love to do! A travel fee is applied for any distance over two hours of driving time from Iowa City. The rate is $50 per hour over two hours.
How do payments work?
- Photo sessions require a 50% retainer to save the date, and the rest due 7 days before. Paying in full for sessions is okay too!
What happens if there's bad weather?
- I always encourage embracing whatever weather comes our way, as it’s beautiful and unique in photos. If it is harsh enough that it would make for a shitty time at our shoot and I can reschedule, then we totally will!
What if we need to cancel/reschedule?
- Your wedding retainer is legally non-refundable, however I'm more than happy to reschedule with you! I'm a human with a family, too, so please communicate with me if an emergency comes up.
- Sessions are easier to reschedule - let me know if you need to and we will work something out!
GENERAL
How long have you been a photographer?
What types of sessions do you offer?
I have the cutest dog/cat/chicken ever. Can I bring him/her?
Do I have full rights to all of the images?
Can you photoshop us?
How long do you store photos for?
Do you edit all of our photos?
Do you also provide video services?
What about COVID?
- I've been practicing photography professionally since 2016.
What types of sessions do you offer?
- Portrait sessions, headshots, family sessions, seniors, engagements, and weddings.
I have the cutest dog/cat/chicken ever. Can I bring him/her?
- Please do!!!
Do I have full rights to all of the images?
- Yes - everyone receives all images digitally and can be downloaded/printed on your own. For those who want to purchase professional albums designed by me, they are available.
Can you photoshop us?
- I will absolutely photoshop any blemishes! However I don't photoshop body shapes and sizes. (I know it's cheesy, but you're truly beautiful the way you are!) If you feel self-conscious, let me know so I can keep it in mind while I pose you - this is a judgement-free zone.
How long do you store photos for?
- I try to store the delivered files indefinitely but that is not a guarantee. Please download and backup your files for safekeeping. I do not keep all of the raw files.
Do you edit all of our photos?
- Yes, I do! Every photo you see has been hand-edited by me. No batch edits or mass-producing results.
Do you also provide video services?
- I offer super 8mm vintage film videography, and you can see my work on my YouTube channel. I do not do modern professional videography.
What about COVID?
- This has been an incredibly tough time for everyone and I am right there with you. Going forward, we are planning weddings and sessions with the pandemic in mind. All retainers and monies paid are non-refundable due to covid-related events. If you're worried about covid derailing your event, I highly suggest obtaining wedding day insurance coverage.
