How do I book you for our wedding?
It's easy peasy!
Simply fill out any of the appropriate contact forms found on my website to get the conversation started!
From there, we'll set a time and date for a pre-booking consultation to make sure we're the right fit for each other. I'll ask you about yourselves and your relationship, we'll discuss your vision for your wedding day, and we can go over the package you are interested in and discuss any changes that may need to be made.
Once we've had our consultation and you've decided to book with me, I'll send out a package proposal for you to review and accept, followed up by a contract, invoice, and series of questionnaires to help me get to know more about the two of you and your wants, needs, and expectations for the day. (but don't worry, those can be filled out later!).
Once your contract is signed, a 25% retainer is due to officially book your date. This can be paid online using Stripe. The remaining 75% can be paid all at once or in up to 5 additional installments, with your remaining balance due 1 month before your wedding day.
Where are you located? Do I have to travel to you?
I'm located in Fairmont, West Virginia, but I absolutely love to get out for a nice adventure, so I'm happy to offer my services anywhere in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, or anywhere else you/life take me, really. My passport loves to get stamped... it already has stamps from London, Italy, and New Zealand, but it will HAPPILY accept duplicates, haha.
Do you pose us for photos?
I like to capture a hearty mix of candids and traditional posed shots on wedding days, especially for couples' portraits.
I try my best to capture the special moments authentically - with all the smiles, tears and laughs that your wedding day will hold.
I might have you pose or face a certain way or I may ask you to act out a certain prompt together. Either method can create gorgeous images, but one tends to feel more natural and relaxed than the other, resulting in much more genuine emotions being captured.
Your family and friend portraits will mostly be posed, but with a few opportunities for candid reactions.
How do you choose the images delivered in our gallery?
I cull through all of the images and and select only the "best" ones to edit.
I choose the images based on how they represent my style and your personality. If a picture doesn't tell a story or serve a purpose, it's not going to be in your gallery.
No specific image taken during the session is guaranteed to be delivered - images are delivered at my full discretion.
RAW images will NEVER be provided to a client, as they do not accurately represent my work or brand image. I mean it, NEVER. Please don't even ask.
What is a Social Media Content Creator?
This member of my team will be there to capture candid behind-the-scenes footage and pictures of special moments and highlights of your wedding day. The content they capture will focus on the two of you, your bridal party, loved ones, and the celebration itself, as well as some behind-the-scenes looks at what it's like working with me on wedding days.
They capture all of this content from their smartphone and can take over your social media account for the day/weekend to post content for you while you focus on the main event - getting married and celebrating your love for each other!
You'll receive:
- a 24/48 hour social media takeover
- short clips/reels/videos of special moments or highlights of your day (think trending tiktok/IG reels)
- behind the scene photos and blooper reels
- content to share with your loved ones or enjoy yourselves
We can discuss whether you'd like the content they capture to be "raw" or edited in my style before uploading when possible.
Why is our final balance due a month before the wedding and not after?
Ultimately, it comes down to minimizing stress for both you and me on your wedding day.
I know how busy wedding planning can get, especially when you're in the home stretch of things. Your wedding day goes by so fast and already comes with an inherent amount of stress, so it can be easy to forget to make final payments to vendors on the day of. Plus, you definitely don't want to have to worry about paying your vendors while on your honeymoon or being on a budget because you still have to pay them when you get back.
It also helps me feel more confident while doing my job because I know I am being paid for my time and talent and am not left wondering if/when I will get paid for my services.
Do you charge travel/destination fees of any kind?
I am willing to travel within 100 miles of Fairmont, WV (roundtrip) for no additional charge.
If your wedding will be taking place further than 50 miles from Fairmont, WV, I charge the federal standard mileage rate for 2023 of $0.66/mile for every mile after 100.
Some locations may require a permit in order to be able to have pictures taken there. If this is the case, you will be responsible for the cost of obtaining the necessary permits. Failure to purchase the appropriate permits may result in us being kicked out of the location, or even fined.
If your wedding is taking place more than 3 hours away from Fairmont, WV, with coverage lasting until or after 8 pm, my team and I may need a hotel room for the night - be sure to let me know if your wedding guests are receiving a discount at your venue or any local hotels.
If you are interested in booking me for an international destination wedding, the cost of your custom package will include my and my team's travel expenses. (Flights, hotel, rental car, etc.)
How long will it take to get our photos back?
I try to deliver galleries ASAP, but it honestly depends on my schedule and workload at the time.
Please remember that LIFE HAPPENS. Believe it or not, photographers don't spend EVERY moment of their free time doing photography related things...
Weddings and elopements take a bit longer to edit than other sessions due to the number of images being delivered and the amount of editing required. These can take a month or three to deliver depending on how much coverage you book for and the volume of sessions I am handling at the time.
I'll be able to answer this question a bit better at/after your wedding, as it really depends on how many images I capture while we are together.
Do I have to order prints through you?
While you do not HAVE to order through me... I do make it SUPER easy for you to order them directly from your gallery, and I definitely recommend them if you want the highest-quality artwork for your home.
Plus, a print credit is INCLUDED in your wedding package, so why not use it?!
While printing from places like Walgreens and CVS is the economical choice, you will risk a lot - color differences, clarity issues, cheaper material, and overall loss of quality.
Basically, I can't guarantee the quality of products you receive from 3rd party printing companies like I can when you order directly through your gallery - if you order something through me and it doesn't look like it should, I will replace it at no cost to you.
I won't offer this service if you print elsewhere, so do so at your own risk!
Where are you located? Do I have to travel to you?
I'm located in Fairmont, West Virginia, but I absolutely love to get out for a nice adventure, so I'm happy to offer my services anywhere in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, or anywhere else you need me, really.
I do have access to a few awesome studio spaces in Buckhannon/Clarksburg/Fairmont/Morgantown/Pittsburgh that can be utilized for an additional fee.
Do you pose us for photos?
I capture AUTHENTICALLY. Life isn't always full of smiles and laughter, so we're not gonna stress about the little things when it comes to our time together. Kids cry, dads gets grumpy, and pups can be rambunctious... Whatever the case may be for the day, we will embrace it with open arms.
I might have you cuddle up next to each other, and then direct you to move your leg in a bit one way and your arm another, but for the most part, I'm going to capture you in the moment, interacting normally and being yourself.
That said, I'll also probably ask you (or your S.O. or children) to do something like share the funniest joke you can think of or whisper your favorite breakfast cereal in the sexiest voice you can muster... just to make sure I capture a few GENUINE laughs too.
I want you to be yourselves for the session. It's part of my job to get to know you and make you feel comfortable!
How do I pay for a session?
I accept retainers, payments, and full payments online. All transactions are handled via Stripe, Paypal, or Facebook Pay.
**Cash and money orders are also accepted on a limited basis and must be approved first.
My booking policy is that I require a non-refundable retainer paid within 7 days of receiving your contract and invoice to hold your desired session time and date for you.
The remaining balance may be paid in installments or in full. Up to 6 installments may be made.
** If you wish to pay cash, a 25% retainer will be required to be made electronically or via check. The remaining 75% of the session fee may be paid the day of the session. Stripe and Paypal accept payments via prepaid card (greendot, visa, etc.), but money orders or direct bank deposits can also be accepted.
This non-refundable retainer serves many purposes, such as showing that you’re serious about wanting the session to take place, assurance that I can request off from my other job without a complete loss of income, and as a way to cover my losses in time/gas/planning should you fail to show up to your session.
How do you choose the images delivered in our gallery?
I cull through all of the images and and select only the "best" ones to edit and deliver to you.
I choose the images based on how they represent my style as a photographer and your personality as a family.
If the picture doesn't help to tell the story, it's probably not going to be in your gallery.
No specific image taken during the session is guaranteed to be delivered - images are delivered at my full discretion.
RAW images will NEVER be provided to a client, as they do not accurately represent my work or brand image. I seriously mean it, never!
Are children allowed to attend and be included in our session?
YES, of course! Although I do specialize in working with couples, I am happy to include your children in any session as well!
Just let me know if you wish to include them in your session and I'll be sure to plan the session with some poses that are kid-friendly!
How do I book a session?
Simply fill out any of the contact forms found on the site to get the conversation started! We'll work out a time and date for the session, I'll send out a contract, invoice, and questionnaire for you to fill out, and then the magic will happen!
We will stay connected throughout the planning process and make sure we get all the details squared away before the day of the session.
How long will it take to get our photos back?
I try to deliver galleries ASAP, but it honestly depends on my schedule and workload at the time.
Please remember that LIFE HAPPENS. Believe it or not, photographers don't spend EVERY moment of their free time doing photography related things...
Lifestyle sessions can typically expect to receive their gallery within 2-4 weeks.
I'll be able to answer this question a bit better at/after your session, as it really depends on how many images I capture while we are together.
Do I have to order prints through you?
While you do not HAVE to order through me... I do make it SUPER easy for you to order them directly from your gallery, and I definitely recommend it if you want the highest-quality artwork for your home.
While printing from places like Walgreens and CVS is the economical choice, you will risk a lot - color differences, clarity issues, cheaper material, and overall loss of quality.
Basically, I can't guarantee the quality of products you receive from 3rd party printing companies like I can when you order directly through your gallery, so print elsewere at your own risk!