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?
How do you take payments?
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 relaxed, helpful presence.
- I am constantly documenting moments 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 with what to do.
- I'm a candid-style photographer first, so a lot of my couples 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, just witness, document, and help it flow.
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 with me 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 on-camera flashes for dim lighting and the reception.
How many images are included in a wedding package?
- Wedding galleries include 500-800 photos. Engagement sessions typically have around 50-100 images, including black and white copies.
What should we wear to our engagement session?
- I have a Pinterest 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 both of you 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 4-8 weeks. Occasionally a wedding may take up to 10 weeks. You get somewhere around 80 preview images the Monday after your wedding day, to hold you over. I know how hard it is to wait. I try to get them back to you as soon as possible while making sure I give the time and attention to each and every image. June, September and October 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. The rate is $50 for couples sessions and weddings. For farther travels, aka destination weddings, the cost of my lodging and travel will be included in your wedding package.
How do payment schedules work?
- For weddings, I require a 50% retainer to save your date with me; The rest is due 4 weeks before your date. Smaller payments in between are okay!
How do you take payments?
- Venmo works best for me because there are zero fees, or in some cases a small insurance fee that you can choose to add. Other acceptable payment methods are Zelle and credit card.
Do you help in the wedding planning process?
- Yes! I have 9 years in the wedding industry! If you need help, I am here for you! Email, text, or call anytime. I'll get back to you asap.
Do you make a wedding timeline or shot list?
- It's important 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 meeting.
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 ($400)!
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 not fun time at our shoot and I have room to 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.
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 I will edit and deliver your gallery.
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. If I can, I'll let you know if someone has inquired on a date you are considering booking with me. May, June, September and October fill up the fastest every year. Clients most often 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 & couples
FAMILIES & KIDS
Beginning in 2025, I will no longer be offering regular family sessions, kids portrait sessions, headshots, or other types of photography services. I adore weddings and feel that's where I do my best work, so I'm choosing to focus on that.
In the future, I plan to take a selective number of family sessions that are even more documentary in style. These sessions will be "a day in the life" where I spend a longer amount of time with your family, capturing you as you truly are. No posing, no bribing the kids to smile.
If this is something you want to chat about, please reach out on my contact page.
In the future, I plan to take a selective number of family sessions that are even more documentary in style. These sessions will be "a day in the life" where I spend a longer amount of time with your family, capturing you as you truly are. No posing, no bribing the kids to smile.
If this is something you want to chat about, please reach out on my contact page.
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?
- Weddings, couples and editorial projects.
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 do not store your photos long term. Please download and backup your files for safekeeping.
Do you edit all of our photos?
- Yes, I do! Every individual photo you see has been edited by me. Not batched - individually edited.
Do you also provide video services?
- I offer super 8mm vintage film videography, and you can see my work here. I do not offer digital 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 or something similar derailing your event, I highly suggest obtaining wedding day insurance coverage.
