How would you describe your style?
My photographs are usually light, sweet, and emotional with a focus on personalities and connection. I have degrees in Literature and Film Production, which influence how I look at things and shape both storytelling and composition in my photography. I’m also a documentary filmmaker and my love of documentaries leads to an emphasis on capturing candid and genuine moments and images. I love nature and small celebrations, and specialize in destination elopements and intimate weddings throughout Southern California and beyond.
Do you shoot with film or digital?
Both! My own wedding and engagement photos were on film and I love how they look, so my photography coverage can include film and digital. I shoot primarily with Canon professional digital cameras, but will shoot 1 or 2 rolls of black and white film per session or elopement. If you love film as much as I do, let me know ahead of time and I can plan to shoot more than usual for you.
Do you support marriage equality & photograph same-sex couples?
YES! 100% yes! At my own wedding in 2007, one of our readings was from the Goodridge vs. Massachusetts Supreme Court Decision and one of the charities for our registry was to support Lambda Legal. As a wedding photographer, I am listed on WhiteKnot.org and signed the equality-friendly “Sanity Pledge” at A Practical Wedding. You can see examples of my past LGBTQ weddings, engagements, and family sessions here!
Can you recommend a location or other vendors to us?
Of course! Last year I put together a blog post with several ideas for outdoor places to elope in Southern California and I’m always adding to my list of venues and scouting new locations to refer to people. Once you have hired me as your photographer, I will send you my curated list of vendor referrals that I’ve worked with before to help you find an officiant, planner, florist, hair and makeup artist, and several other wedding professionals to make your elopement or wedding complete!
Do we need to prepare a shot list for you?
A month before your elopement or wedding, I send out a detailed questionnaire about the timeline, as well as any significant items, traditions, people and group shots that you want photographed. Besides that information, I’ll be capturing the rest of the events, guests, and emotions as they naturally happen and don’t need a separate shot list.
How much photography time do we need for our elopement or wedding?
Elopement collections start with 2 hours and go up to 8 hours. For elopements with just the couple and a few guests, 2 hours is generally plenty of time to cover the ceremony and portraits, as well as a first look or family group photos if you are doing those. For elopements with multiple destinations, getting ready photographs, or intimate weddings with up to 75 guests, I recommend 4 to 8 hours to provide ample time for photographing all your events and locations. I’m happy to create a timeline (or work with your planner) for your elopement or wedding day to maximize photography coverage for the events, people, and places most important to you.
How many photos will we get and when will we get them?
Each wedding and elopement is different depending on the amount of time, guests, and events, but I usually deliver a minimum for 50 photos per hour of coverage. Engagement and portrait sessions receive a minimum of 25 images per hour. Wedding photos will be delivered within 8 weeks of your wedding, and portrait photos within 4 weeks of your session.
What do your packages include?
Each elopement, wedding, or portrait package includes the time of your shoot, an online gallery for ordering prints and sharing with others, and a digital download of the high resolution images with personal printing rights. In an effort to be more environmentally-friendly and because more and more of my elopement clients are from out of town or from other countries, I’ve switched from shipping USB drives to providing digital downloads and that gets you your images in a quicker, eco-conscious way. (Clients who live in areas with limited internet can request a USB drive.) Additional hours, engagement sessions, a 2nd shooter, and albums can all be added to customize your package as much as you’d like. Packages for California residents are subject to state sales tax.
Do you photograph families?
Yes! In addition to weddings and elopements, I’m a Los Angeles family photographer. Family sessions ideally take place in the comfort of your home, or at an outdoor location that has meaning to your family. My family photography is natural and relaxed with a documentary approach and “day in the life” feel.
Are the images we get edited? How much retouching do you do?
I edit all the photos I deliver for color and exposure correction, and to make selected images black and white. Everything you receive will be edited similarly to what you see in blog posts here. Advanced retouching requests can be done for an additional cost.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. I have a business license for Los Angeles County, a California Seller’s Permit**, and equipment and liability insurance. I also make sure to bring backup gear to any wedding or portrait session.
** Packages for California residents are subject to state sales tax.
We love your style and want to hire you! What’s next?
Once we’ve verified that I’m available for your date, I require a signed contract and a nonrefundable deposit of 50% of your total package amount to reserve the date for you and take it off my calendar for other clients. The remaining 50% balance will be due 30 days prior to the wedding. For one-hour elopements, elopements within 30 days of inquiry, and portrait and family sessions, the full amount is due to reserve the date. If you have opted for an engagement session, we can start planning that as soon as I have the contract and deposit!
More questions?
Please contact me with any other questions I haven’t covered here or to set up a time to chat more.