faqs

Q: Where do you call home? Do you travel?
A: I specialize primarily in the Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur area, hence why I know this area inside and out! Having grown up in the Bay Area, I do take on a very limited number of Santa Cruz and Bay Area weddings every year. For couple sessions and proposals, I currently only offer local sessions.

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 40-60 images per hour of coverage.

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 - but that would never happen, right? 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: I love your style! But can I get the photos edited in a different way?
A: Every photographer has their own unique style - it's one of the most important factors that differentiates one from another! While my style tends to lean toward warm, earthy tones, you'll also see a slight shift in colors depending on the location and time of day. Daytime photos tend to highlight more blues and greens, whereas sunset photos tend to highlight more oranges and yellows. I highly recommend looking through the blog to see examples in different settings and lighting situations. If you prefer a different editing style, I might not be the photographer for you, and that's ok!

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 2 days before the wedding because the 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: We're not big on hiking. Do we have to hike long distances to get good photos?
A: Trust me, I'm not the biggest fan of difficult hikes either! Each of the locations I recommend will include a description of the hiking difficulty, and almost all of them are 10-20 minute walks. Some locations are more difficult to get to in terms of steepness of trail, so those are recommended for couples who are comfortable with heights.

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: 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!