Your packages include “complete wedding day coverage”. What does that mean?

I believe in telling your complete wedding day story so that means, yes, I will be there all day! I want my couples to build their wedding day timelines around what feels natural and right for their big day and never want them to feel rushed because of a limitation on hours in their photography package. I typically arrive 2-3 hours before the bride gets dressed so that we have ample time to capture sweet details and candid getting ready moments. I’ll be there to capture your wedding day story through until the last dance.

Why do you include a complimentary engagement session with all of your collections?

It’s because I feel so strongly about building a relationship with my couples! Engagement sessions are a chance for us to really connect and get to know one another. It’s a great time to get comfortable with my posing and candid prompts. The session serves as a foundation for the natural, authentic images I love delivering to my clients. It’s great practice for the wedding day and I’ll even ask for your feedback on your favorite photos so that on the wedding day, we’re spending our time doing the poses and sweet moments you LOVED from your engagement session!

Do you include digital negatives with your wedding collections?

All of my wedding collections include edited high-resolution images for printing, sending and sharing. You will hear my shutter click thousands of times on the wedding day. With those thousands of images, I will select the sharpest images where eyes are open and facial expressions are best. Part of trusting me as your professional photographer is knowing that I will deliver a complete story-telling, curated and edited gallery that captures your legacy. The images are delivered via direct download or on a USB drive from my legacy products offerings. I do not give unedited raw files.I believe in sharing the edited high-resolution images because that’s how I like to enjoy my memories!

I see that you photograph weddings all over the world. How does travel work?

I love documenting my clients wherever their love story takes them. There is no travel fee for weddings within a 100 mile radius of Raleigh, N.C. Travel inside the Carolinas is discounted and determined on a case by case basis. Outside of that radius, my travel fee is added to the cost of your package. Travel on the east coast is typically between $500-$1,200 depending on the location. The travel fee includes airfare, checked baggage (I always carry on my gear and keep it close), two hotel nights, a rental car, gas and tolls. Your travel quote will be included in your contract and the actual exact travel cost is adjusted in the final payment. I always arrive at minimum one day before the wedding to create a buffer for potential travel delays. I offer special smaller package offerings for couples looking to elope or host a small destination ceremony. Contact me for a specific travel quote. If you’re planning an international wedding, I’d love to hear from you and create a custom package that meets your needs.

How would you describe your photography style?

I believe in timeless imagery and using the best tools available to me to deliver the best experience possible. For this reason, I capture both and deliver a mix of digital and film images. I love using film to capture naturally lit timeless portraits of my couples, their wedding day storytelling details and their wedding parties. For lower lit situations like the dance floor, I use my digital camera. The end result is a cohesive, storytelling and beautiful photography collection complete with both timeless true film images and film-style digital images.

I love being both interactive and discrete throughout the wedding day. There will be parts of the wedding day when I will need to give direction in order to accomplish everything that needs to be done while staying on schedule. There will also be moments when you shouldn’t even know that I’m there. (The ceremony, during dances and toasts, etc.) I guide my couples on posing and candid interaction during their engagement session so they are naturals on the wedding day and don’t need quite as much instruction from me!

Have you photographed at ______ [insert venue name]?

If it’s in the Triangle area, most likely! However, I travel across the US to document my couples and pride myself on being able to virtually scout locations and see new venues from a fresh, new and creative perspective. I always reach out to fellow vendors prior to your wedding day and will acquaint myself with the venue, it’s policies and picturesque locations. I’m dedicated to the preparation work it takes to deliver the best possible images to you of your wedding day.

Do you recommend doing a “First Look?”

I recommend planning your wedding day with two priorities in mind: a relaxed, well-flowing wedding day timeline and the light. I’ll work closely with your planner to make sure that your wedding day timeline is photo friendly. That doesn’t mean we’ll be stopping to take posed photos all day but rather your wedding day timeline will be relaxed, well-planned and spaced in a way that honors the natural candid moments of a wedding day. Ideally, we’ll take family and wedding party photos prior to the ceremony. In addition to first look images, we will spend 15-20 minutes together one hour before sunset taking those gorgeous and dreamy sun soaked bride and groom portraits that will fill the walls of your home for years to come. Meaning, if the sun set is at 7:30pm, we’d ideally be taking the last of our bride and groom portraits from 6:30-6:45pm.

Are all the images I receive “photoshopped?”

All of the images I provide in your final wedding day collected are adjusted for exposure and color balance when necessary. I do not do heavy Photoshop work because I believe in honest storytelling images. Now, if a blemish decides to rear it’s little head the week of your wedding, I’ve got you! But let mom know that her “laugh lines” are a sign of wisdom, a life of laughter and represent exactly who you all were on your wedding day!

How many images are typically in a final wedding day gallery?

I typically deliver between 400-800 wedding day images. Factors like wedding party size, family size, special details planned, etc. influence the number of photos that are delivered.

How do we order prints and products?

You will receive a link to an online gallery that you may share with friends and family members. The gallery ordering options links to my professional lab. There is no mark up on the prints as you’ve already invested in access to the high-resolution digital images. Outside of the online gallery, I recommend using a professional company or a site like www.mpix.com for printing. The company provides prints that are professional quality and are competitive in pricing with local stores. Prints from places like Target, Walgreens, RiteAid, etc. are really stinky quality and I think you'll absolutely notice the difference in quality and professionalism at MPix! I do ask that albums are ordered through me instead of a third party to ensure you’re receiving quality legacy products.

How do I choose a location for our engagement session?

My couples typically select outdoor locations for their engagement session. Some couples have a personal and meaningful location in mind and others select from a list of locations I have in the triangle. I typically start with the question “what vibe are you looking for?” Are you looking for a natural setting or a cityscape? I love helping my couples select their engagement session location.

Do you have a list of preferred vendors?

In fact, I do! Years of working in the wedding industry has taught me the magic of having a professional well-flowing vendor team. I would be thrilled to provide you with a list of vendors I highly recommend.

How do I book your services?

Once I have answered any questions you may have and you have decided that my Wedding Experience is exactly what you’re looking for on your wedding day, the next step is the online booking process. I will send a contract and upon review you can save your date by signing your and paying your non-refundable retainer.