What is my style?

When you look at your photos on your 25th anniversary, I want you to feel like you are peeking in on an intimate moment with your partner from a time machine. You don’t get that feeling from a stiff prom pose where you’re both staring down the lens. Our time together will be active and dynamic: I’ll give you a prompt or a game designed to create a photogenic candid moment for me to snap. Color-wise, you can expect a bright but balanced exposure that is stylized and timeless.

Will I get sneak peeks after the wedding?

Hey, I wanna see your beautiful photos just as bad as you do!

I usually get a small number of previews sent to you the day after the wedding, depending on travel and other circumstances - so you don't only have phone pictures to post and send to loved ones. The full gallery will arrive in the weeks to come.

Does traveling cost extra?

I charge the same session and product fees for travel photography as local photography; the expense of the travel itself is added. I do my best to keep this expense as low as possible, which means it varies depending on the plan for our adventure. If you’re interested in bringing me along, reach out and I’ll do my homework before letting you know the final cost. Driving-distance travel expenses apply at $0.50 per mile for distance beyond 100 miles outside of my home base in Des Moines, IA.

How long does it take to receive the final products?

Couples’ sessions are usually edited and returned no later than two weeks after the shoot date. Wedding galleries are delivered no later than five weeks after the wedding (though I usually can’t resist diving in and pulling out a few of my favorites the next day!). I also offer expedited delivery options of 1 week for wedding galleries or 1 day for couple’s sessions.

Can I see ALL of the photos or unedited photos?

Fair question, but unfortunately not. When you hire me, you are putting trust in my eye from start to finish. The way I shoot is unique and intended for a certain editing style, meaning the images straight-out-of-camera are a half-finished product and as a result might not look right. I do shoot a huge number of photos at each shoot and usually only 8-10% end up in the final gallery. With that said, I’m always open to a message like “my hair looks a little weird in photo CC-02154, are there any others like it?”

How many photos will I receive?

I don’t guarantee a minimum or maximum of photos - I deliver as many photos as turn out from your session! On average, you can expect around 75 final products per shooting hour.

How do I order prints of my photos?

Great question! It’s up to you: I provide print releases upon request so you can take your digital files to a lab of your choice to print. If you want to skip a few steps, you can order prints directly through my website - just add the photo to your cart directly from the gallery. I don’t upcharge on these prints at all - it’s all lab costs - because I think it’s SUPER DUPER important to print your photos. Those are the family heirlooms that you will pass down for generations! [And please, please, don’t print them at a place like Walgreens or Costco if you want the color to be accurate and the print to last more than a year.]

Will I get digital files to use on social media?

Absolutely! After our session, you’ll receive a link to an online gallery that will function for at least two years. The gallery will allow you to download full-resolution individual files or the full gallery from any device. You can also share this link with loved ones so they can pick out their favorites. I encourage you to share your photos on social media, so long as you tag my Instagram or website.

How are you handling COVID-19?

For my protection and my family’s, I will only be taking on clients who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and weddings where a majority of guests are vaccinated. Additionally, while I may drop it when we’re shooting outdoors, I will remain masked throughout a wedding day.

How do I pay for the work?

You’ll have a chance to view the contract before signing. A retainer of 50% is required at signing to lock in your shoot/wedding date, with the remaining balance to be paid on any payment schedule up to a month before the shoot/wedding date. I accept payment by Venmo, credit card, and old-fashioned paper check.