F.A.Q.S
Who likes traditional FAQS business pages…not me! I’ll mix this up and make it a little about wedding photography with a few interesting personal questions mixed in…..enjoy.
How many photographers will be at our wedding?
I’m a one woman show. After sixteen years, I’ve got this. If you want a photographer present at more than one location at a time, I currently do not have the power to clone myself, but you can add on a qualified second shooter to your package to make sure you have both locations covered. I have a large network of photographer friends and will select the one I feel suits you best, but I do still edit all images they have shot as well. I do bring along an assistant to large or longer weddings. But they are there to be mostly a helping hand, for both myself and you!
Do you have a replacement?
I will start off by saying I have never missed a wedding yet. Not even when I got out of the ICU two days before (which by the way, is not a common thing either). But should something extraordinary happen that prevents me from being present, I will find a suitable replacement to be there with a similar shooting style as myself that I guarantee will capture your wedding day beautifully.
How would you describe your style of capture?
I’m a photo ninja. Seriously, that is what a lot of priests and brides over the years have called me! They can’t quite figure out where I am to get the shots that I do. I’m definitely someone who prefers to lurk in the background to capture natural candids over cheesy grins, and I only take charge and come to the forefront during formals or if needed otherwise. Otherwise, think of me as a fly on the wall. My photos are a blend of styles - documentary, editorial, contemporary, classic….I offer a good mix of all. I come with a storytelling approach, and adapt as needed to capture your wedding the way I feel is best suited to your personalities.
What is your most embarassing memory?
I think I was in third or fourth grade. At the age of five, I was diagnosed with Type One diabetes. I must have had a low sugar that morning and when I got to school, I finally realized I put my clothes on over top of my pajamas…flannel, pink and baby blue, two piece set. I didn’t even notice until a “friend” not so kindly, pointed it out. At the age of ten(ish), it felt like the end of the world. Nowadays, I look back and ask where was my Mother when I walked out the door?!?! And thank goodness for updated technology…I have a sensor to alert me to lows now so that things like this don’t happen. There was also the time when I was about twenty….. I thought I was super cool strutting down the Wal-Mart aisle in my 5 inch see-through acrylic heels and wiped out on the newly waxed floor. I proceeded to sit and laugh for probably ten minutes, unable to hardly breathe or speak, with nearly every employee rushing in to ask if I was okay. But that wasn’t embarassing. I had lived too many embarrassing moments at that point to do anything but find the whole situation absolutely hilarious instead of humiliating.
Do you have experience with different lighting situations?
Boy do I ever! I’ve shot in just about everything from a dark prison (Ohio Reformatory) to a high end private country club. While I prefer natural light, I always bring along studio strobes, speedlights, and a fancy litter critter called a Stella Pro that is a mix of the two. From rain to shine, I seek out the best light available and know how to make it work!
What kind of equipment do you use?
For the tech geeks out there, I’m a Sony Mirrorless shooter. I’ve used everything over the years, but have settled on Sony for about seven years now. I fully made the switch to mirrorless only this past year. My lenses are a mix of Sony and Sigma Art. And yes, I do bring backup equipment as well.
Do you have any good nicknames?
Thank my brother for this one….I’ve always been known as “Scrub” to my family. I never was popular or unpopular enough to receive nicknames in school. But Scrub came about during a game of PIG. I, for the life of me, have never been good at basketball, or sports in general really. I guess the same sort of thing also earned me the name “Last Pick” because that was what I was in gym class as well. I respond to “hey you” a lot as well since a lot of people I work with never remember my name!
Do we need to meet in person before the wedding?
I work with a lot of out of state and non-local couples. But even if you’re local, the answer is no, you still don’t have to meet me in person. Engagement sessions are a great way to spend time and get to know each other a little better. But in-person communication is not required unless you prefer it. Between email, phone calls, or Facetime we can still accomplish the same things!
Do you require breaks?
When you eat, I eat. Nobody wants photos of people eating. It also feels really nice to sit for a couple minutes. Other than that, you won’t see me sitting on the job!
Do you have a useless talent?
Up until a couple years ago, I could shoot water through my front teeth. Not just a little bit, I mean like FAR. I was bascially a human water fountain. But then my new dentist encouraged me to get braces and give up the gap that allowed for some pretty priceless childhood moments.
What happens if we lose our images in the future?
I keep all images stored on hard drives, but your online gallery also does not expire. You will always have access to your images, even if you misplace your USB. But I STRONGLY encourage to save backup copies of your images. You can read a blog post just about that here:
Will our photos be posted online?
Yes. No way around it. If you have me shoot your wedding, your photos will most likely appear on social media, my blog, or website at some point.
If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would it be?
I’m a Ronda Rousey fan. I feel like we’re kindred spirits and I love that she can seriously kick some butt and is a strong independent, animal loving woman. I would probably have to pick Ronda.
Do you edit our photos?
I feel like a lot of photographers these days get by with the bare minimum or by just applying a purchased preset. I don’t do that. I soften complexions in every photo so your skin is always creamy perfection. No need to worry about a little blemish or scratch, I’ve got your back. This includes your legs and your arms, too, not just your face. So ladies with short bridesmaids dresses, those leg bruises will vanish like magic as well. Each image is opened in Photoshop for full editing, one by one. I don’t do batch adjustments, filter applications, etc. So when it comes to editing, I pride myself for going above and beyond the average photographer.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
Probably a criminal profiler. I’ve always been intrigued by criminal minds and what makes people think and react how they do. I took a lot of psych course in college. I listen to true crime podcasts while I edit. But storm chaser would be a strong second contender.
If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
WARNING: Brings home all abandoned animals she finds on the side of the road. Randomly breaks (hard) for fields filled with cute cows and rolls down the window to talk to them.
Where should we purchase prints?
Every gallery is linked to a professional print lab and I highly recommend ordering at least a couple prints from there to see the difference in quality from the usual lab you may use, like Shutterfly or Walmart. The paper is thicker, the color reproduction richer, and longevity much longer. After that, you’ll probably want to use them to print them all. But if you’re set on finding your own source, check out www.mpix.com or www.nationsphotolab.com for a higher end consumer print lab experience.
Do we get every image from our wedding?
No. I go through and weed out duplicate images, ones with blinks, odd expressions, etc. In total, expect about 80-100 images per hour of coverage. It isn’t uncommon for me to shoot 1500-2000 images at a wedding, and believe me, you don’t want or need them all. During formals, you’ll see I shoot at least 3 images of every pose, to ensure focus and no blinking. I pick out the best images that tell your wedding day story.
If your pet could talk, what would they say to you?
Depends on which pet!
Let’s go with my cat, Onyx, when I first get up in the morning. “Seriously lady, stop picking me up. Stop kissing me . Stop cuddling me. Just stop. I only need you to feed me. Just feed me and let me be.” Two minutes later after I leave him in a room alone…”WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?! I thought you abandoned me forever. Love me, scratch me….forever. Why did you stop?!?!? Are you going to leave me again” as he continues to “pet” himself on my hand or rub my legs and try to trip me.
What if you haven’t been to our venue before?
No problem! I feel like I work my best when being thrown into new situations since I can see all the new possibilities freshly over having reminders of taking a beautiful shot here or there and getting stuck in trying to replicate it. I don’t have to see a venue before I shoot at it to get great shots. I am, however, directional challenged. So if your venue is tough to find, let me know and be very specific about where to go!
What are your pet peeves?
People who run stop signs.
People who leave the toilet seat up.
Lying.
So my friend likes to dabble in photography…..?
I get asked this one a lot….”can they just take some candids alongside you throughout the day? I promise they won’t be in the way!” I’ve been stupid over the years and agreed, but I’ve learned from that stupidity. It will turn out one of two ways…neither of which are good. Do yourself (and me) a favor and just tell them you prefer for them to sit back and enjoy the day.
Why are you more expensive than some other photographers we have looked at?
Well, I can guarantee you I’m cheaper than quite a few , too! Experience and guaranteed results are the short answer to that question. But I also came across this quote from John Ruskin that I think is a great idea to ponder deeply when considering who you should book.
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business practice prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can’t be done.”
How do you feel about “challenging” wedding venues?
Look, not everyone can have a million dollar wedding. But I feel everyone should get to feel like they did. Just because you get married in a church gymnasium, doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful photos. It may just require some more creativity. When I first started out, I wouldn’t have felt the same. I probably would have showed up and felt like I drew the short straw, but I’ve learned that feeling didn’t have anything to actually do with the venue, it was because of my skills and mindset. Over the years, I’ve accepted the challenge of some less than traditionally beautiful spaces, and created images that I could feel proud of. Just because you don’t have a $50k flower budget, doesn’t mean what you do have isn’t something spectacular. It is all about how you look at it. I may suggest stepping outside or going to a separate location for formals, but if you can’t, don’t sweat it. Let me do what I do best and make it work!
What one thing instantly makes your day better?
Coffee.
So, how do we book you?
Glad you asked! Fill out the contact form HERE to reach out. Once I learn a little more about you and what you have planned for your wedding, I can tell you a bit more about how I can serve you best! I’ll send you a booking packet, which includes a contract that I truly encourage you to read through.