Frequently Asked Questions

Are you the primary photographer on our wedding day?

Yes, I am. I shoot all weddings with or without a second shooter - depending on your package.

How would you define your style?

I capture intimate connections and moments while telling the story of your wedding day. Much of your wedding is covered in a non-obtrusive photojournalistic style combined with relaxed, lightly posed portraits. I use imagery to represent the nouns, verbs, and adjectives needed to tell your story and feel the most important image I can capture is the emotional connection and love between a bride and groom. I am open and genuine with my couples and in return they share a glimpse of their love with me. I take a clean and classic approach and produce a consistent collection of rich toned images and avoid over-the-top special effects that often detract from captured moments. My style can be summed up as intimate, genuine, and unscripted.

Will you photograph all types of people and weddings?

Most definately! I love diversity in all forms and enjoy new experiences and challenges. If you are in love and getting married, I'd love to capture it!

Are you a member of any photography associations?

I am a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, Modern Photographers, Photographik, Senior Portrait Artists, the Seattle Professional Photographers Association, and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. Most require a portfolio review to be accepted and provide continued education.

What are your pricing/packages and what do they include?

Visit our wedding pricing page for pricing information or contact me for a detailed rate brochure.

Do you provide the digital negatives?

All wedding collections include print-ready full resolution digital images of your wedding day along with permission to make as many reprints as you desire.

Do the collections include prints?

All of our collections include either prints or an album. You may also purchase wall portraits and canvases separately. Prints include basic retouching, are printed on professional grade paper, and sprayed with a lasting protective finish.

I love black and white photographs, do you shoot in black and white?

Yes, I love black and white photographs too. Generally about 30% of your wedding images are in black and white. I use my artistic judgment to decide what imagery is best suited to black and white or color.

Do you have a second photographer?

I have a wonderful second shooter/photojournalist who comes along with me for a small additional fee. My second shooter captures your wedding day from different angles and view points in mostly a documentary approach, as well as helps organize group photos and attends to other details.

How long have you been shooting weddings?

This is my sixth year shooting weddings and during that time I have experienced a great variety of weddings and shooting conditions.

Do you have insurance?

Yes, I have comprehensive equipment and business insurance often required by venues in the Puget Sound region.

Do you use film or digital equipment?

My equipment includes a variety of digital cameras, lenses, flashes, additional lighting, reflectors, memory cards, batteries, and backup gear sufficient to deal with the possibility of equipment failure. I find that digital equipment lends me the creativity and flexibility to better serve my clients. All images on this website and those I show you were captured digitally.

What are the differences between proofing systems?

Proofing is mechanism that allows you to select which images you would like to purchase prints of and/or include in your album. Online proofing is included in all collections and allows you the ability to preview, select, and order prints online. You can also order a complete set of 4x6 print proofs or a preview book which is a spiral bound book containing thumbnail versions of each of your images along with the image number for easy reference.

Will you shoot our engagement portraits?

Yes, all full day coverage includes an engagement session. These are not only great photos for the both of you, but a great time to get to know me and start planning your vision for your wedding day. Schedule your session well in advance of your wedding date.

What is a boudoir session?

Boudoir, also known as a glamour or pinup, are intimate portraits of the bride. These boudoir style photographs are a rising trend among brides and are often used as a gift for the groom and may also be used as a keepsake for the bride. I have one of the only boudoir-specfic studios in Seattle and invite you to visit my boudoir website.

Will you be able to attend our rehearsal dinner?

Yes, however, I can't guarentee I will be there if your rehearsal dinner falls on the same day I am covering a wedding. You can also have me cover your rehearsal dinner too!

Do you travel to my wedding location?

I love to travel anywhere and can provide special pricing for destination weddings. I primarily cover weddings in Washington, Montana, Oregon, and Arizona. Weddings located within 100 miles of Seattle area are not subject to an additional travel fee. Please ask for a custom travel quote if your wedding is outside of the Seattle area.

Can we upgrade our package later?

Yes. My coverage plans are designed around the style of your wedding day and can easily be customized or allow add-ons.

My ceremony and reception are at two different locations, is there a travel fee?

There is no restrictions on the number of locations or time. Typically weddings centralized to one location can be covered in 7-8 hours and weddings that take place over multiple locations may require 9-10 or more hours of coverage. I have been in the business long enough to know what amount of coverage is needed for particular events so please consult with me while developing your wedding timeline.

We absolutely love your photos, but what we want is not in our budget, are your prices flexible?

My previous clients have expressed that their wedding images are one of the most important parts of their wedding day. It is very important that you select the photographer and type of coverage that you really want. To help you, I offer payment plans that extend your final payment until after the wedding date. In addition, each wedding collection includes a personalized online gift registry for you to send out to friends and family if you desire. Many of our previous couples have paid over 50% of their collection this way and friends and family really enjoy giving these precious gifts.

How do I book the date?

You and your fiance must sign a contract and put down a $1000 non-refundable retainer to hold your wedding date. Your wedding date is not reserved until I have received both items. It is important that you send these items in a timely manner to ensure your date is secure. Many times there are multiple couples looking to book the same date and priority is give to the first contract and deposit received.

Will you hold our date or call us if someone else requests that date?

The date is not held until I receive a signed contract and deposit. As a courtesy, I will always make an effort to let you know when someone inquires about your date. However, sometimes dates are booked over the phone or on the spot and the only way to make sure you have the date is to send in a contract and deposit.

What is your payment schedule like?

The remaining balance (minus the initial deposit) is due 14 days prior to your wedding date. If your budget is a concern to you, I can also work out a payment plan that extends the final payment until after the wedding date. Typically the balance is divided in half, the first 50% due 14 days in advance and the remaining 50% due 30 days after the event. No images are delivered until payment has been made in full.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes! We take credit cards over the phone or securely via our online booking and proofing systems.

Should we meet before the wedding to discuss the details?

All collections include a detailed consultation to go over your wedding detail. This is often done over the phone or even through email, but in person is prefered. It is best to chat 2-3 weeks before your wedding as many of the details will have been finalized by this time. I can also help guide you in planning your timeline so we have sufficient time for pictures.

How long do formal portraits take?

It is generally best to do family group portraits all at once either before or after your ceremony. Each grouping takes about 1-5 minutes to arrange and capture, depending on size. It is very helpful to have someone designated from each side of the family who can assist me in preparing family members for the grouping.

Will you be able to take photos of our guests during the reception dinner?

In most instances I am able to take candid photos of guests enjoying themselves during dinner. Sometimes this is difficult at weddings with a large number of guests, buffet style dinners, and receptions that have many events occurring at the same time. My priority is to capture the story and events of your wedding day first. I suggest a second photographer or arranging to have the photo booth available at your reception which ensure you capture all of your guests presence and personality. It also makes a really awesome spread in your album!

The reception might run later than anticipated, will you stay longer if needed?

The additional fee for coverage is $350 per hour and $175 per half hour and will be billed after the event. I always let you know 30 minutes before I am scheduled to leave and ask if there are any remaining shots you would like so that we don't miss a thing.

Will you be able to check out the reception venue before the wedding?

I arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of my shooting time on the wedding day so I can survey the location and set up. In the past I have checked out reception and/or ceremony locations before the event date if there is a concern about lighting or other uncertain conditions. However, most locations are either places I have already worked at or similar and so I do not usually visit the location prior to the event.

What attire do you wear at a wedding day?

My attire is simple; comfortable black shoes, black slacks, and a blouse (often also black). I also wear a camera bag, of course.

How many photos will we end up with?

I do not limit the number of images captured. Coverage typically results in 75-100 images per hour.

Can I send you a list of images I want or samples of photos I like?

Of course! I will ask you for a list of family formal groupings - but that's not required as I am very experienced at organizing groups. I am always present at key moments so I will capture everything that happens! Feel free to suggest shots such as a four-generation shot that may not naturally occur or emphasize shots of things that are most important to you. It is my pleasure to accommodate exactly what you envision for wedding photos!

How quickly will we be able to see images from our wedding? And how long does it take to get our album?

Generally images are posted online and/or delivered on a disc within 4 weeks of your wedding. After receiving your images, you will be asked to provide me with your absolute "must have" favorite images and I will design it from there, adding images as needed. You can then view the design and make any changes you would like. After final approval of the design, the album will take just two weeks to create.