frequently asked questions

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY? 
I bought my first DSLR in college and worked as a second photographer at weddings for a few years before taking on my own. Over the last 20 years, I have probably photographed 350+ weddings, both as a head photographer and second shooter. I started my photography business in 2009 as a part-time gig while I simultaneously pursued a career in mental health counseling. In 2017, I made the leap to do photography full-time and have been loving it ever since!


HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE TO TRAVEL FOR A WEDDING OUTSIDE OF CLEVELAND? 
Travel fees vary depending on location and time of year, but I will work with you to come up with the best possible plan to keep costs reasonable. Here's a secret tip: if your wedding has 50 guests or less (aka a micro wedding), and if you're getting married somewhere remote and beautiful that I've never been, I just might offer to cover some of the travel costs myself.


HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL WE HAVE FOR OUR WEDDING? 
In most cases, two! Not only for your benefit (more photographers=more photos), but also for my sanity. All of my second photographers are completely equipped and prepared to take over shooting your wedding in the unlikely occurrence that I am unable because of an emergency. Consider it your built-in insurance policy. For smaller micro weddings and elopements, I typically recommend one photographer to keep the day simple and intimate.


WHAT IS YOUR SHOOTING STYLE? 
When I photograph a wedding, my style is mostly documentary and photojournalistic. I aim to capture the candid, natural moments as they unfold, while remaining semi-invisible. Of course, I also do formal family portraits and some posed shots of you & your partner and wedding party, but overall I want you to feel like we’re all just friends hanging out and celebrating your day! I will give you direction when it’s needed, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re posing for the camera. I’ll ask questions and give prompts to get you talking, laughing, and create natural interactions. My primary goal is to tell the story of your wedding day by capturing how you felt, the ambiance of the venue, the emotional reactions of friends and family, and everything in between. 


WHAT CAMERA EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? 
I shoot with a Canon EOS R5 and a 5D Mark IV as a backup camera. The lenses I use are ideal for wedding and portrait photography. For indoor receptions and low lit venues, I use external flashes to create more light when needed. I've also recently started shooting film on a Leica M6, and I'm LOVING the results. Ask me about adding film to your wedding package! 


HOW MANY PHOTOS CAN WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE? HOW DO WE GET THEM? 
For weddings, a standard 8 hour day typically yields around 600-750 edited photos. Portrait & engagement sessions yield approximately 40-50 edited photos per hour of shooting time. Your photos will be delivered in a private online gallery with full downloading, sharing and printing rights.


WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS? 
I aim for a turnaround time of 8-10 weeks for weddings, and 2-4 weeks for all other portrait and branding sessions. 


HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK? 
Most couples book me for their wedding about 12-18 months in advance. BUT I do receive plenty of last minute requests that I accommodate if my schedule allows! I book most portrait sessions 1-2 months in advance.


HOW DO PAYMENTS WORK?
The retainer amount for a wedding is 30% of the total collection amount. The remaining balance is split into 3-6 payments, with the final payment due two weeks before the wedding day. For all other portrait and branding sessions, I ask for 50% of the session fee as a down payment to hold the date, and the other half is due the day of your session. 


WE LIKE WHAT WE SEE, NOW WHAT? 
I want to meet you! Let’s do a coffee Zoom date and chat about your day! Your wedding photos will reflect how you felt on your wedding day. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible with me tagging along. And in my experience, that usually starts with a long, casual chat over a latte (or wine. I don’t discriminate).


WILL WE GET A SNEAK PEEK OF OUR PHOTOS WHILE WE WAIT FOR THEM? 
I can usually share a handful of my favorite photos on social media within a week or so. Feel free to share them too- I just ask a couple things: 1) please give me photo credit by tagging me in the photos you share, and 2) please do not alter my photos with filters or color changes. This helps to maintain the integrity of my work. My reputation as a photographer thanks you!


I LOVE THE PHOTO YOU TOOK OF [INSERT FAVORITE PHOTO HERE]! HOW CAN I GET A PRINT? 
I’m constantly working on updating my Cleveland Print Shop with new city shots and photos from walks around my new favorite Cleveland neighborhood. If you see an image I post that you love and can’t live without, please email me! If I don’t have it in my current inventory, I can usually order any print in any size you’d like and have it shipped straight to you!