Frequently Asked Questions

For portrait, engagement, and family sessions, I recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance. For weddings and events, it's best to book 6-12 months ahead as my calendar fills quickly, especially during peak seasons (April-June and September-November). However, I occasionally have last-minute openings, so don't hesitate to reach out even if you're planning on a shorter timeline!

For portrait sessions, a 30% deposit is required to reserve your date, with the remaining balance due on the next business day after the session. For weddings, a 30% non-refundable retainer is due at contract signing and the final 70% is due two weeks before the wedding. I accept all major credit/debit cards, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal for your convenience.

Yes! I offer seasonal mini sessions a few times throughout the year, including spring cherry blossom sessions and fall foliage sessions. These are shorter (30-minute) sessions at a reduced rate, perfect for quick family photos or couples portraits. I announce these special sessions on my Instagram and through my email newsletter, so be sure to follow me to stay updated!

Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident! I generally recommend solid colors or subtle patterns that won't distract from your faces. For family sessions, coordinate your outfits without matching exactly. For all sessions, avoid large logos and text on clothing. After booking, I'll send a detailed style guide with specific recommendations based on your session type and location.

For outdoor sessions, we'll keep an eye on the weather forecast as your date approaches. If poor weather is predicted, we can either reschedule at no additional cost or, depending on the circumstances, find a covered outdoor location or move to an indoor setting. I always have backup plans for every session and will communicate with you throughout the process.

Session length varies by package: mini sessions are 30 minutes, standard portrait sessions are 1-1.5 hours, engagement sessions are 1.5-2 hours, and family sessions typically run 1-2 hours depending on the number of people and locations. Wedding coverage is customizable from 4-10 hours. I always allow extra buffer time in my schedule to ensure we're never rushed.

My wedding packages all have a second shooter as an additional add-on. This allows us to capture multiple angles of key moments, such as your ceremony and first dance, as well as ensure that both partners' getting-ready photos can be captured simultaneously. For smaller, more intimate weddings, a single photographer is often sufficient, but I'm happy to discuss your specific needs.

Absolutely! I work closely with all my wedding clients to create a custom photography timeline that ensures we capture all the important moments while keeping your day flowing smoothly. About 1-2 months before your wedding, we'll have a detailed planning meeting to discuss your shot list, family formal groupings, and timeline. I also collaborate with your other vendors, particularly your wedding planner if you have one, to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Yes, I love photographing intimate weddings and elopements! I can provide coverage for as little as 1-2 hours, which is often ideal for elopements. These smaller events allow for a lot of creativity and personal attention, making them some of my favorite occasions to photograph.

Most couples typically need between 8-10 hours of coverage for a full wedding day. This allows me to capture getting ready moments, ceremony, portraits, and reception through the key events like first dances and cake cutting. For smaller weddings, 6 hours may be sufficient, while larger events with multiple locations might benefit from 12 hours. During our consultation, I'll help you determine the ideal timeline based on your specific plans, locations, and must-have moments to ensure nothing important is missed while avoiding unnecessary coverage.

Engagement sessions are typically scheduled 3-6 months before your wedding, though this is flexible based on your preference. Many couples choose seasons complementary to their wedding (summer engagements for fall weddings, etc.) for variety in their images. Weekday evenings about 1-2 hours before sunset offer the best light, though weekend sessions can be arranged with advance booking. I recommend selecting a location meaningful to your relationshipwhere you met, favorite date spots, or places that showcase your personalities and shared interests.

Yes, I offer beautiful heirloom-quality wedding albums designed to last generations. After your wedding, I'll help you select the best images that tell your complete wedding story. Once you've made your selections, I'll design a custom layout and send you a digital proof for review. You can request unlimited revisions until you're completely satisfied with the design. Albums are handcrafted with premium materials including genuine leather, linen, or velvet covers, lay-flat pages, and archival-quality printing. I also offer parent albums at a discounted rate when ordered with your main album.

I take my commitment to your wedding day extremely seriously and have never missed a booked wedding. However, I maintain a network of professional photographers with similar styles and experience levels who can step in if I were to face a true emergency. Your contract includes a clause detailing this contingency plan. I also carry backup equipment for all critical gear (cameras, lenses, lighting) to handle any technical issues. Rest assured that I take every precaution to ensure your wedding is beautifully documented regardless of unexpected circumstances.

Absolutely! I love photographing destination weddings and have experience shooting in a variety of locations both domestically and internationally. For destination weddings, I typically arrive at least two days before your event to scout locations, check lighting conditions, and ensure I'm well-prepared. My destination wedding packages include my travel and accommodation costs for transparency in pricing. I'm also happy to photograph welcome dinners or farewell brunches as add-ons to provide complete coverage of your destination wedding experience.

Wedding venues often present challenging lighting conditions, from dimly lit churches to dark reception venues or harsh midday sun. I come prepared with professional lighting equipment including off-camera flashes, light modifiers, and video lights to ensure beautiful images regardless of conditions. My experience shooting in various environments has prepared me to quickly adapt to changing light. I'm also skilled at finding and creating pockets of beautiful light even in challenging spaces. During our venue walkthrough, I'll identify potential lighting challenges and develop a strategy to ensure gorgeous, well-lit images throughout your day.

For family formal portraits, I absolutely request a specific shot list to ensure we capture all the important groupings efficiently. For the rest of the day, I generally recommend against extensive shot lists as they can inhibit the documentary, authentic coverage that most couples hire me for. Instead, I recommend sharing your top 3-5 must-have shots along with your overall photography priorities. This approach allows me to focus on capturing genuine moments while still ensuring your key shots are covered. My experience across hundreds of weddings has trained me to anticipate and document all the important moments naturally as they unfold.

I believe strong vendor collaboration creates the best wedding experience. Before your wedding, I'll request contact information for your key vendors (planner, venue coordinator, videographer, DJ/band) and reach out to introduce myself. I work particularly closely with videographers to ensure we don't interfere with each other's work while both getting amazing coverage. On your wedding day, I coordinate with your planner/coordinator on timeline execution and communicate with catering staff about key moments like cake cutting. My goal is seamless integration with your vendor team, supporting each other to create an exceptional experience for you.

My approach blends documentary-style coverage (capturing genuine moments as they unfold) with artistically directed portraits. For most of your dayceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and candid momentsI work unobtrusively, anticipating moments before they happen. During portrait sessions, I provide gentle direction to create natural, flattering images that still feel authentic to you. I believe the best wedding photos capture both how your day looked and how it felt. My goal is creating a comprehensive visual story of your wedding that brings back all the emotions and details each time you revisit your images.

Absolutely! About 6-8 weeks before your wedding, we'll have a detailed planning meeting where I'll help craft a photography-optimized timeline. I'll advise on ideal timing for portraits based on your venue's lighting conditions, suggest buffer time to keep your day stress-free, and ensure adequate coverage for each important element. This timeline coordinates with your broader wedding schedule and vendor needs. My approach prioritizes efficiency during formal photos to maximize your time enjoying your celebration while still ensuring we capture all essential moments and creative portraits in the best possible light.

The number of final edited images depends on your package and session length. For portrait sessions, you can typically expect 30-50 edited images per hour of shooting. For weddings, my packages provide between 50-80 edited images per hour of coverage. I focus on quality over quantity, carefully selecting the best images that tell your story rather than providing hundreds of similar shots.

For portrait, engagement, and family sessions, your full gallery will be delivered within 2-3 weeks. For weddings, you can expect your complete gallery within 4-6 weeks. During busy seasons, delivery times might extend slightly, but I'll always keep you updated. I typically share a few preview images within 48-72 hours after your session so you have something to share right away!

Yes! I deliver a mix of color and black & white images in every gallery. Some moments simply look timeless in black & white, while others shine in full color. I make artistic decisions during editing about which treatment best suits each image, but I'm always happy to provide an alternate version of a specific photo upon request after delivery.

All my packages include personal printing rights, so you're welcome to print your images wherever you like. However, I strongly recommend ordering prints through your online gallery, which is connected to a professional lab that ensures the highest quality and color accuracy. Consumer labs often produce prints with incorrect colors and lower quality that don't reflect the true beauty of your images. I offer a variety of print products including canvas, metal prints, and heirloom albums.

I don't provide RAW or unedited files as part of my packages. My editing style is an essential part of my artistic process and brand. The images you receive are carefully edited to my professional standards, ensuring consistent quality and style throughout your gallery. If you're concerned about having enough variety of images, I'm always happy to discuss including additional edited photos in your final collection.

Film photography captures images on light-sensitive film rather than a digital sensor. Film has a distinct look with natural grain, rich tones, and a certain depth that's difficult to replicate with digital. Each film stock has its own unique characteristics, and the physical, chemical process creates subtle variations that many find more organic and authentic than digital imagery. While I offer both digital and film services, film photography creates a timeless aesthetic that many clients specifically request for their special moments.

I shoot both 35mm and medium format (120) film. My main medium format camera is the Mamiya RB67 with 127mm f/3.5 portrait lens and 50mm f/4.5 wide angle lens. For 35mm photography, I primarily use my Olympus OM-4 with a versatile range of lenses including 24mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 135mm to accommodate various scenarios and creative visions. The larger negative size of medium format film provides exceptional detail and a distinct look that many clients love for portraits and fine art work.

Yes, I develop and scan all my own film in-house. This gives me complete creative control over the entire process from shooting to final delivery. I've developed specialized techniques for processing different film stocks to achieve my signature look. By handling the entire process myself, I can ensure consistent quality and faster turnaround times than labs that might prioritize volume over individual attention. This hands-on approach also allows me to rescue images that might otherwise be lost due to exposure challenges.

I offer a variety of film stocks including black & white, color negative, and color positive (slide) films. My B&W selections typically include Kodak Tri-X, Ilford HP5+, and Ilford Delta for different grain structures and contrast levels. For color negative, I frequently work with Kodak Portra (160, 400, 800), Fuji Pro 400H, and Kodak Gold. For special situations, I can also shoot slide films like Kodak Ektachrome E100, Fuji Velvia, or Provia (Fugi slide films are in much more limited supply). Each film stock has unique characteristics that we can discuss to match with your vision for the shoot.

Absolutely! I am fully equipped to shoot flash photography with my film cameras for studio portraits, outdoor portraits, and even on-camera flash for wedding receptions and events. My flash techniques with film have been refined over years of practice to ensure beautiful, well-exposed images regardless of lighting conditions. This means we're not limited to shooting only in ideal natural lightI can create beautiful images in any environment, from dimly lit wedding venues to studio settings.

Film photography requires additional processing time compared to digital. Typically, film images from portrait sessions are delivered within 3-4 weeks, while wedding film photos may take 6-8 weeks. This timeline includes film development, scanning, and careful post-processing. For urgent needs, I can provide a few select scans earlier. I believe the distinctive quality and timeless aesthetic of film images are well worth the extra wait.

Yes, I frequently offer hybrid sessions that include both film and digital photography. This approach gives you the best of both worldsthe timeless aesthetic of film combined with the versatility and immediate results of digital. Many wedding clients opt for film during portrait sessions and ceremonies for that classic look, while utilizing digital for reception coverage where lighting conditions change rapidly. For portrait sessions, I can shoot the same scene on both mediums, giving you a variety of looks to choose from.

Film photography does typically come at a premium compared to purely digital sessions. This reflects the additional costs of film stocks, chemicals, and the specialized equipment and expertise required throughout the process. Film photography is both an art form and a craft that requires significant investment in materials for each image created. For specific pricing details and film packages, please refer to my recent blog article: The Timeless Magic of Film Photography for more details. The unique qualities of film images make this investment worthwhile for clients seeking distinctive, timeless imagery.

While film failures are rare in professional hands, I always take precautions to ensure your memories are protected. For important events like weddings, I typically shoot with multiple cameras and may use a mix of film and digital as backup. I've developed reliable processes for handling film from exposure through development to minimize risks. In the extremely unlikely event of a catastrophic film failure, my contracts include provisions for appropriate remedies. Rest assured that with over years of experience developing my own film, technical issues are extremely uncommon.

Absolutely! If you have a preference for a particular film stock or look, I'm happy to accommodate your request. Some clients have favorite film stocks based on the specific color rendering, grain structure, or overall aesthetic. During our consultation, we can discuss the characteristics of different film stocks and how they might suit your vision. If you've seen examples of my work that you particularly love, let me know, and I can tell you which film was used to create that look.

Instant film photography produces physical prints on the spot, immediately after taking the photo. Unlike traditional film or digital photography, instant film creates tangible, one-of-a-kind memories you can hold in your hand within minutes of capturing the moment. I use professional-grade instant cameras and films that deliver superior quality compared to consumer-level instant cameras, resulting in images with better color accuracy, detail, and longevity.

I use the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass camera, which features a high-quality glass lens and manual controls that most instant cameras lack. This professional-grade equipment allows me to achieve exceptional sharpness, exposure control, and creative effects that aren't possible with basic instant cameras. The Instax Wide format also provides a significantly larger image area (about twice the size of regular Instax Mini) for more impactful prints with better detail and composition options.

Instant film creates physical prints directly inside the camera through a self-contained chemical development process, without requiring external processing. Unlike regular film that needs separate development or digital photos that exist primarily as files, instant photographs are tangible, unique objects that develop before your eyes. Each print is truly one-of-a-kind with subtle variations that can't be duplicated. This immediacy creates a special experience as everyone gathers around to watch the image gradually appear, adding a magical, interactive element to your photography session.

Instant film can be incorporated in several ways: as a special add-on to your regular portrait session where we create a few instant keepsakes alongside your digital or traditional film images; as a photobooth-style setup for weddings and events where guests receive instant souvenirs; or as a complete instant film portrait session. Many clients enjoy the nostalgic feel and the immediate gratification of walking away with physical prints. For weddings, instant photos are perfect for guest books where attendees can paste their photo and write a message beside it.

Instant film has its own distinctive aesthetic that many people love for its character and charm. While it doesn't offer the same technical perfection as my digital or traditional film work, the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass camera I use produces significantly higher quality images than consumer instant cameras, with better sharpness, exposure control, and color accuracy. The unique look of instant filmwith its slightly dreamy quality, distinctive color palette, and physical presenceadds a special dimension to your photography collection that complements rather than replaces standard high-resolution images.

For portrait sessions, I typically include 5-10 instant photos as part of an instant film add-on package. For events and weddings with photobooth setups, we can create approximately 40-60 instant photos over a 2-hour period, depending on the package selected. The number may vary based on your specific needs and the package you choose. Since each print is a physical item with material costs, instant film photography is typically priced per photo or as a package with a set number of prints included.

Instant photos are inherently one-of-a-kind physical objects, which is part of their special appeal. However, I can digitize your instant prints by carefully scanning them to create high-quality digital copies that preserve their unique characteristics. These digital versions can then be reprinted or shared electronically. Some clients enjoy the combination of having the original instant print as a special keepsake while also having a digital copy for sharing on social media or including in albums alongside other images from their session.

Instant film creates an interactive, fun experience that engages your guests and provides immediate tangible keepsakes. As a photobooth alternative, guests receive their photos on the spot and often become more relaxed and playful in front of the camera. For weddings, instant photos can be incorporated into guest books where attendees paste their photo and write a message beside it, creating a uniquely personal memento. The nostalgic charm of instant photography also adds a distinctive touch to your event that guests will remember long after the celebration ends.

With proper care, modern Instax instant photos are quite durable and resistant to fading. To maximize their longevity, keep them away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and humidity. I provide acid-free sleeves for your instant prints to protect them from fingerprints and environmental factors. While properly stored instant photos can last for decades, I also offer digitization services to create permanent digital backups of your favorite instant images, ensuring these special memories are preserved regardless of what happens to the physical print.

The Lomo'Instant Wide Glass camera I use offers manual controls and can be paired with external flash, allowing me to create successful instant photos in a wide range of lighting conditions. While instant film generally performs best in good natural light, my professional setup enables quality results even in challenging environments like indoor venues or evening events. For weddings and events, I typically create a dedicated shooting area with optimal lighting to ensure consistent, high-quality instant photos regardless of the ambient conditions in the venue.