faqs

to save you a bit of time 'cause planning a wedding is like a second job

Q: Where do you call home? Do you travel?
A: I'm based in Monterey, California and travel all over for photography - from California to Hawaii to Australia! My husband and I are avid adventurers and love documenting our personal travel stories here. We've met so many wonderful couples on the road and would be thrilled to adventure with you, so if you're looking to elope somewhere epic, don't hesitate to reach out! Check out our travel schedule for no additional travel fees.

Q: We're not comfortable in front of the camera. What if we look awkward?
A: I make it a point to photograph real life, real love stories, not models. Why? Because the very magic of photography lies in capturing those candid, genuine, beautiful moments that you never thought could be captured. Instead of posing and worrying about every angle, I'll give you prompts and direct so that you forget you're even being photographed. If you can come away from your session saying, "That was so much fun, I would totally do it again!" then I've done my job.

Q: I heard that shutter click. How many photos will I receive?
​A: I'm a storyteller - so I care about the chapter that seems a bit out of place but really gives a lot of background for the character and the details that give life to the world you're stepping into. But I also am the editor, which means catching the spelling errors and trimming the chapter that doesn't make sense. When you read a story, you don't want to fixate on the first chapter which didn't peak your interest and put down the book to gather dust, but instead be fully engaged and completely satisfied in the investment you made in the characters. That is why I typically deliver 40+ photos for a session and 500+ photos for a full day wedding.

Q: I love your editing! But can I also get the raw/unedited photos?
A: Suppose you saw someone go to a restaurant and ask the chef for the raw ingredients used to make a dish - you probably would be genuinely surprised to see such an interaction. All jokes aside, while I understand wanting to see the unedited photos (I had the same thought before I became a professional photographer!), I'm here to provide you a professional service and only want to deliver the best, finished photos to you as my client.

Q: Eeek I can't wait to see the photos! When will I get them so I can share them with all my friends and family?
A: I know, I'm just as excited to see them! As soon as a session is over, I absolutely can't wait to download them and start editing - my husband knows this very well because he always sees me pulling out my laptop on the drive home. So you'll often see sneak peeks quickly after, typically before the night is over for proposals and by the next day for weddings. For all sessions, I guarantee delivery of your gallery within 2 weeks, so I don't typically send sneak peeks for other sessions since you'll get them all so soon anyway! Final wedding galleries are guaranteed to be delivered within 60 days. 

Q: I found you through your planning guides! What aspects of planning do you help with?
A: For elopements, I do provide planning help! This includes providing a detailed map of location recommendations, recommending venues that fit what you're looking for and your guest count, creating a customized timeline that focuses on what matters to you, referring local vendors who specialize in elopements, and helping you navigate the permit process. (And to get the legal part squared away, my husband can also officiate your ceremony if you don't have someone in mind!) As someone who loves to plan, I'm constantly reaching out to venues and vendors to keep up to date on what's available and what options work best with your vision and budget, and when I'm not photographing couples, I'm scouting out new locations to find hidden gems away from the crowds! If plans need to change, I'll be there to walk you through alternative plans, even if that means entirely changing the venue and location 3 weeks beforehand because the original venue shut down, or ending up with a chain of 75 emails sent back and forth by the time the elopement day finally arrives (all true stories). I got you.

For weddings, you may already have a planner or a day-of coordinator, so my role is to work with you on your timeline to focus on the moments that matter to you. And if you need recommendations on vendors, or a location nearby to chase the sunset with just the two of you, or even whether it's worth it to splurge on chairs, I'm always just a quick email away.

Q: I like to plan for worst-case scenarios. Do you have insurance?
​A: Absolutely. Your wedding is an important day after all! If your venue needs proof of liability insurance, just let me know and we'll get that all squared away. As far as backups, I always carry 2 cameras with me with dual memory slots for wedding days and backup your photos to multiple places as soon as I get home.

Q: How early do I need to book?
A: For elopements/intimate weddings, couples book anytime between 1-12 months in advance, and most couples book 4 months in advance. For weddings, couples typically book between 9-18 months in advance. Popular dates (like 4/3/21) and the fall season (September-October) tend to book up quicker.

Availability for couple, portrait, and proposal sessions is dependent on the season, with most availability between November and April. Sessions are typically booked on Monday through Thursday dates (with the added bonus of avoiding the crowds!), but can be booked on weekend dates if less than a month away depending on availability.

Q: Alright, I'm interested. What's the booking process like?​
A: Go ahead and send your inquiry through my contact form, and we'll chat more about what you're looking for and whether we're a good fit! From there, then booking is as easy as saving the date with a 50% retainer fee and signed contract!