Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
You are planning your gorgeous New England wedding day I want you to know all about what you are signing up for if you book me to capture it, and uncover questions that you may not have even thought to ask!
If you still have questions, send me an email. Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the biggest planning decisions you will make, and I want to you feel 100% confident in your choice.
What are you like on a wedding day?
I am described as a bubbly, happy, friendly person. I get excited during portraits, though I’m quite soft spoken, so I likely come across as somewhat quiet. I am low-key and not intimidating. I have both introverted and extroverted qualities. I get along with everyone and appreciate direct personalities. I excel in organization and focus, yet equipped to handle chaos and the unexpected. I love lists and checking things off of them. I am flexible and easy-going, and roll with the changes of the day.
What is your approach to capturing a wedding day?
I capture a wedding day with both a documentary approach and an eye for timeless portraits. Moments of the day that are directed would be your portraits as a couple, portraits (for the most part with wedding party), and family. I step in a bit during getting ready moments to create polished shots in addition to candids. But when those moments are happening on their own: your mom is zipping your dress, or your best man is helping you straighten your tie, we are going to favor the authentic moment over staging anything. I am quite hands-off during every other portion of the day. I want your images to reflect your wedding day as it truly occurred.
What is your editing style?
In one phrase: Documentary mixed with timeless portraits. Images are brilliant, light-inspired and cheerful. I edit images to be true to life tones (skin and nature) and the environment, where the moment occurred. I lean into brighter compositions and aim to portray the joy of a love celebration. Any image that I provide in black and white, you will also receive a color version. I love color.
A mix of documentary and timeless portraits; Light-Inspired and Cheerful.
Do you use PhotoShop to manipulate images?
My goal is to get as much “right” in the camera as possible. Sometimes I miss a water bottle, an orange construction cone, or there’s something very distracting in the image that I need to clone out, and I will. This is the same if there’s a spot on a shirt (makeup stain), an undergarment or tape, or something non-permanent that is physical.
Do you shoot film?
I can bring a couple of 35mm and medium format film cameras if you are interested in a mix of film portraits and candids. At this moment, these images are not guaranteed.
Do you shoot video?
On occasion I will capture a linear version of your wedding ceremony, but I like to leave filmmaking to those who specialize in this medium and will provide recommendations.
What happens if you unexpectedly can’t shoot our wedding?
If you’ve opted for a second photographer. That person may step in as lead, or I would hire an associate to capture your wedding day, though I edit your wedding. I have my own presets which could be used in the event someone else needs to edit your wedding. Others have access to your wedding timeline, info, and schedule, and would step in to secure a photographer if I can’t do so. If I can’t cover your wedding AT ALL, which is highly unlikely, you will receive a full refund.
Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes! Love is love. I will capture all couples as they are with no judgement or hesitation.
Can I trust you to capture our wedding at a venue you are unfamiliar with?
Of course! Your site coordinator or planner will take me under their wing and share information with me. This happens often and when I can make a site visit with you or on my own to become familiar I will! I love getting to know new venues and locations.
Can we see a full wedding gallery before we book you?
Yes! I do have one caveat; I ask that we have a consultation first before sharing full galleries with you. I want to protect the privacy and images of my past clients, and avoid sending links to private images to just anyone! Sadly, there are some bad actors out there and I want to protect my couples’ cherished memories and privacy.
What if we don’t want an engagement session?
You can ask about a credit toward an album or rehearsal dinner coverage, OR! You are welcome to parlay that engagement session toward a bonus or future anniversary session. Some couples are opting for a second portrait session in their wedding clothes at a more-epic location after the wedding day. You have options!
How much do your wedding packages cost?
This varies by season and length of coverage. Rates are subject to change and may rise a modest amount as we get closer to the year of your wedding based on my availability. Your contracted rate is locked-in, of course. The current wedding investment is listed here. There are no additional costs for New England travel for your wedding and engagement/bonus session. Digital files are included, and there is no obligation to order prints from your gallery.
Do you travel beyond New England?
I would absolutely consider it and could provide a custom quote. Typically, I photograph weddings in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts. I don’t usually stay the night unless the wedding is an excess of 3 hours away. Podcast recommendations for long drives are totally welcome 🙂
How many hours will the second photographer be present?
I recommend a second photographer for 6-8 hours. This way he/she can at least capture getting ready through cocktail hour moments.
How will I receive the second photographer’s images?
They will be seamlessly integrated into your gallery and edited along with mine.
How do you coordinate and share with vendors?
I will be in touch with your site coordinator/planner a month or more ahead of your wedding day. Typically this person will provide me a lot of the timeline info, saving you work. They can even fill out the digital questionnaire if you prefer! I work closely with videographers, DJs/bands, your officiant, florist, HMUA crew, etc… and provide them with access to images after the wedding. You will see this subset of images in a tab called “Highlights” and “Settings & Details” in your gallery. These are shared with your vendors, potentially posted on social media and websites.
Can you help me craft a timeline and find vendors?
Yes! If you have a designated planner or site coordinator, I’ll be in sync with them, and build out the moment for photographer in line with their plan. If you don’t have this person in place, then yes, I often wear a bit of a planner hat. I send a digital questionnaire three months before your wedding day at your 90 Day Milestone, and will provide example timelines if that’s helpful. I have a page of recommended vendors for your to browse, and will happily post on groups and networks to help with your research.
What is your process for wrangling families during picture time?
On your digital questionnaire, you will make a list of the family photos you’d like me to capture during the 30-minute block of time for family photos which may happen pre- or post-ceremony. If you have a large family, I recommend you designate a wrangler form both family sides, for you and your partner. Their job will be do to hunt down family during cocktail hour if that’s needed. I organize the shots on a list, and we roll through them quickly, one by one. That said, often spontaneous groups or work and college friends, cousins, etc… happen ad-hoc.
Do we have to have a First Look?
Of course not? It is nice to not take the pressure off from other parts of the day in doing so, but it’s your wedding your way. Also, don’t feel like you need to keep with the traditional tapping on the shoulder theme. You also don’t have to hide from each other at the start of the day. You can opt to get ready together which can provide some really sweet moments. And even still have a first look reveal.
Will you send us a shot list?
I am open to collaborate on specific images you’ve seen online. I come with my own inspiration drawn from what you say is most important to you about the wedding day. There’s a part on the questionnaire where you can list any of your inspiration or desired shots outside of groups and key moments. 90% of the time I can capture all of them, but can’t make a full guarantee as weddings are unpredictable in nature.
When will we receive our image gallery?
You will receive a sneak peek of images within 48 hours of your wedding, and your full gallery within three weeks. This turnaround promise will be printed on your contract. The gallery is live for 6 months, and extensions are granted when needed.
Can I control who sees my images in my gallery?
If you’d like to keep your wedding images completely private, let’s discuss a non-disclosure agreement. Images that I will share with vendors are in designated sections of your gallery. There is an option to “hide” any image that you do not wish to ever appear online or for family and friends with whom you will share the gallery with to view. I often share full galleries with potential couples. I ask them not to download and distribute images, and only share these full galleries with serious clients. Please let me know if you wish to opt out of this practice.
How do you safeguard the images while shooting and after the wedding?
Me second photographer and I shoot on two SD cards while photographing your wedding day which creates a redundancy in the very off chance that one card fails. These cards are backed up onto a hard drive when I get home, even if that’s 1 am! I keep one copy of the images on the SD cards until the images are successfully backed up, edited, and posted to the gallery. I never delete the selected, edited, RAW files. Even when your gallery “archives” it’s still available for me to switch on, however, I don’t guarantee access to your final jpgs past a year or so from your wedding, though I do have the edited RAW files on hand.
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes! I’m a registered LLC with general liability insurance and can provide proof if/when needed.