No set formula, no curated shot list, and no stuffy posing.
Through a documentary perspective, no two weddings are the same. By default, we avoid the repetition and sterility too often seen in traditional wedding photography. At the end of the day, you’ll receive a gallery that represents you and your partner, the people you love and how it all felt.
What to expect for your documentary wedding.
Open ended support from the moment you book.
I typically respond to all initial inquiries within 48 hours. From there, I like to schedule a call or virtual meeting so we can chat, talk through more wedding details and generally give you the run down on what you can expect from me as your photographer. From the moment you book until your wedding day, I’m available to talk, answer questions or give advice where needed. Then I’ll reach out for a final meeting a week or two out from your date just to be sure we’re all on the same page.
The gift of presence on your wedding day.
Large or small, your wedding is undoubtedly one of the most important events of your lifetime. I want you to feel safe in the knowledge that every last detail will be lovingly preserved while you and your partner spend real time with your loved ones and feel present for every moment.
Posed portraits are totally optional.
I live by a “less is more” philosophy here. You can opt to go full documentary with no portraits and no staging at all, but I understand the need for flexibility and nuance. (That, and your family members may not let you get away with it.) So, unless we discuss otherwise, time is typically set aside right after the ceremony for group photos with family and friends and then we’ll steal away for some private portraits of just the two of you. That’s it!
Creativity, guidance and flexibility.
I may be a documentarian by trade, but I am a hopeless creative at heart. I’ll never say no to a fun idea and there’s nothing I love more than trying new things. I’m rarely seen without my bag of creative filters and you can often catch me squished up in the bushes or down in the dirt just to add a unique spin to my images. Though I value discretion and know when to be the fly on the wall, I’m not shy about getting the shot, I’ll be there to offer guidance and direction where needed and I’ll be right there in the middle of the dance floor at the end of the night.
An engagement session is included in every package.
We’re here to celebrate you. That includes who you are as a couple outside of the hustle and bustle of the wedding day. I consider the engagement session to be a great opportunity for us to break the ice and get to know each other, but it’s also going to be the best time to slow down and get creative. Think about what you enjoy doing together, places that are sentimental to you, or simply what you do on a day off at home. The engagement session truly can be whatever you want it to be: creative, true documentary or a mix of both.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Currently I will only travel within the United States and fees are calculated on a case by case basis, depending on distance and what is required to make it happen. But here are some basics to start with:
For local weddings and engagement sessions, 80 miles round trip is included. After that, additional mileage is charged at $0.70 per mile. If your venue is 3+ hours away and additional acommodations are needed, we’ll discuss the particulars during our initial meeting and a custom quote will be provided to you prior to signing your contract.
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Yes! Typically, I offer either a 3, 6 or 9 month payment plan with a signed contract and a 30% down payment to secure your date. Though plans can be made flexible depending on timing and budget.
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No problem! I understand this can be a lot to think about. If you’re unsure about booking at first, I will put a soft hold on your date for one week. After that, I’ll reach back out to see if we’re good to go.
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Okay, so data loss is a HUGE source of anxiety for me. So, believe me when I say I take every step imaginable to prevent it from happening: First, I have two cameras going at once for the majority of the day, both of which write to two cards - so, there’s automatically a back-up of your images right off the bat. Once I return from your wedding, your images are immediately loaded up onto my computer and memory cards are not cleared until your finished album is delivered.
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Nope! I’m photography-only. But I know plenty of incredible videographers that I would be happy to refer you to!
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The quick answer is: it depends! I don’t like to limit galleries to a specific number because every wedding is different and every couple will have their own unique needs. But you can trust that the gallery will be well-rounded with a generous number of images that will represent every detail of your day.