FAQ
Booking + Process
How do we book you?
Start by filling out the contact form. If you don’t hear back from me within a day or two, please check your spam folder.
From there, we’ll set up a time to chat, ideally with your beloved as well, either virtually or in person. After we meet, you can decide if you’d like to move forward.
To reserve your date, I require a signed contract and a $1,000 retainer. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the wedding.
Payments are typically made digitally (Zelle or Venmo). Checks are also accepted.
Do you meet with couples before booking?
Without exception. Meeting virtually or in person is an important part of making sure we’re a good fit.
I want to know the humans I’m serving, and I want you to feel the same confidence in me. These conversations are a chance to connect, talk through your day, and make sure you feel supported before moving forward.
How far in advance should we reach out?
Most couples book 9 to 18 months in advance, but outliers always exist.
If you’re planning something sooner, still reach out. I frequently take on last-minute weddings depending on availability.
What if we’re not sure how many hours we need?
No problem. Most couples aren’t sure at first, and a lot of people base it on weddings they’ve attended, which doesn’t always translate to your day.
During our consult, I’ll help you figure out your priorities, build a timeline that fits what matters most, and give you a clear recommendation for the amount of coverage you’ll want.
This is a normal part of the process, and it’s easy for me to help you with.
Coverage + Deliverables
What’s included in your wedding collections?
All wedding collections include:
35mm film plus digital coverage
Film stock, processing, and scanning included
High-resolution edited images for personal use
A private online gallery for viewing, downloading, and sharing
Planning support and timeline guidance
I take on a limited number of weddings each year so I can give each couple my full attention.
How many photos will we receive?
I don’t promise a specific number of photos because I prioritize quality over quantity.
Over the years, many couples have told me they’d rather receive a tighter set of images they truly love than sift through hundreds of near-duplicates.
That said, most couples receive roughly 50 to 75 finished images per hour of coverage, depending on the pace and content of the day. Weddings with lots of guests, a large wedding party, and more continuous activity tend to produce more images. Days with multiple locations, driving time, or a smaller guest count may produce fewer.
Do you deliver RAW files?
In general, I don’t recommend RAW files. Part of what you’re hiring me for is my eye, my editing, and the work of delivering the best of what was captured.
That said, RAW files can be provided by request with an additional fee.
If you ever feel like something important is missing from your gallery, just ask. I’m always happy to take another look and see if there’s anything I can pull forward.
Can we request specific photos (people, moments, groupings)?
Of course. I’m there to serve you. If there are people, moments, or details that matter most to you, I want to know.
At the same time, I encourage couples not to turn the day into a scavenger hunt for Pinterest shots. The goal isn’t to recreate someone else’s wedding. The goal is to document yours in a way that feels honest and alive.
I’m happy to take requests, and I’ll also help you keep the focus on what matters so your gallery feels like a true reflection of your day.
Film + Digital
Are you shooting film at our wedding?
Yes. I would love nothing more.
Film has an aliveness to it that digital can’t fully match. Where modern digital workflows often chase clinical perfection, I’m drawn to the limitations and imperfections of film. It feels like a kind of medicine in a world saturated with digital photography and AI-generated imagery.
That said, digital has safeguards that serve wedding photography well. For now, I photograph weddings with a hybrid approach using 35mm film alongside digital.
If you’d like film-only or digital-only coverage, I’m open to that too, and we can talk through the details during a consult.
Direction + Comfort
We’re awkward. Is that a problem?
No. It’s refreshing.
Some of my favorite couples are the people cut from the fringes. If you don’t feel like you fit in a perfect box, you’re in the right place.
I can be outgoing when the moment calls for it, but at heart I’m an introvert, and I’m genuinely sensitive to people who are wired the same way. I’ll guide you when you want direction, give you space when you don’t, and help you relax into something real.
Also, I have four cats. So yes, I get it.
Do you pose people or keep it candid?
Both, and it depends on you.
Most couples want at least some direction, and I’m happy to guide you when it’s needed. Direction usually shows up most during family photos, wedding party photos, and couple portraits. The rest of the day is photographed more candidly, in a storytelling way.
Some couples want me fully in control of body positioning, tone, and feel. That makes perfect sense. It’s not your job to come up with photo ideas or know what to do with your hands. I’m comfortable leading.
Other couples want very minimal direction and prefer a more documentary approach. Either way, I’ll find the right balance between guidance and space so the photos still feel natural and like you.
Everybody is different, and some bodies need a little more direction to look effortless than others. My job is to make it feel easy.
Family Photos
How do family photos work?
With patience and a sense of humor.
Family photos are one of the easier parts of the day for me, even if your family tree has multiple branches and a few extra additions along the way. I start with you two and build outward step by step, making sure we get the essential combinations while tailoring the flow to the dynamics of each family.
Over the years I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about how efficient and fun this part feels. It doesn’t turn into a slog.
I’ll also help choose the right time and location so family isn’t standing around waiting, and so things feel comfortable and accessible for everyone, especially if there are health or mobility considerations.
And yes, I’ll probably crack a few jokes. It tends to help.
Do we need to make a family photo list?
Not necessarily.
A lot of couples end up copying long lists they find online, and many of those lists come from a different era of wedding photography when different things were prioritized. Extensive family shot lists often become redundant, and a surprising number of those images never get printed or used.
I’ll make sure we get the essential combinations, and if you have specific requests outside the usual groupings, we can add those at the end.
Timeline + Support
Do you help with timelines?
Absolutely. It’s an important part of the planning process.
I take your priorities, logistics, and the natural flow of the day into account and create a timeline that supports great photos and a wedding day that feels good to live through.
I’ve done this for so many weddings that it’s easy for me to do quickly. As plans evolve, adjusting the timeline usually isn’t a problem.
I also build in buffer time, because real life happens, and the best days have room to breathe.
Are you basically a wedding planner?
No. I’m not a wedding planner.
I’m not here to spend hours grinding the minutiae like table runner colors or debating cake flavors. Getting lost in the weeds is where wedding planning becomes draining and starts to miss what actually matters.
That said, as your photographer I’ll spend more time near you than almost any other vendor on the wedding day. Supporting you through it is a rewarding part of what I do. Many couples I work with do not have a planner, and the breadth of my experience tends to be a huge help.
And if you do have a planner, even better. It usually means I can focus fully on making great images while the day runs smoothly around us.
What if family dynamics are complicated?
Often, complicated family dynamics feel heavier simply because you’re close to them. As someone outside of the history, I have the privilege of distance, which makes it easier for me to navigate situations calmly and without getting pulled into the emotion of it.
A lot of the solution is listening, which is a big part of what I do. If there are dynamics you’re concerned about, I’m always open to talking through them ahead of time.
And in the moment, I’m comfortable deflecting, redirecting, and keeping things moving in a way that helps you feel safe and supported.
Travel
Do you photograph weddings outside the Twin Cities?
Of course. Over half of my weddings take place outside the Twin Cities.
Do you travel out of state?
Yes. I photograph weddings throughout the Upper Midwest and neighboring states, and I’m open to traveling farther when it’s a great fit.
Do you charge travel fees?
Most Minnesota weddings don’t require a travel fee.
If your wedding requires extensive driving, overnight accommodations, or flights, I’ll confirm a simple travel quote in advance so there are no surprises.
Privacy
Can we keep our wedding photos private?
Yes.
More and more couples are wanting a privacy-first approach, and I get it. Wedding photos are for you, and they don’t need to be for the world.
I’ll always ask before sharing anything publicly, and I’m happy to photograph weddings with no social media or online presence at all.
Add-ons
Do you offer a second photographer?
Yes. A second photographer is available, but most couples choose not to add one.
A second photographer can be useful for large guest counts, large wedding parties, multiple locations, and days that are packed full. When I’m photographing with a second shooter, I almost always hear the word paparazzi.
When I shoot solo, I can blend in more like a guest and become part of the rhythm of the day, which often leads to images that feel more intimate and natural.
If I feel a second photographer is a must-have, nice-to-have, or not necessary for your wedding, I’ll tell you honestly.
And for what it’s worth, all the work you see on my site is photographed by me.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes.
Some photographers describe engagement sessions as a test run, but after 20 years of doing this, I don’t need an engagement session in order to photograph you well. I’m comfortable jumping in and making great work together right away.
That said, engagement sessions are still a really nice option. They give you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, learn how I direct, and walk away with photos that feel like you without the pace and pressure of a wedding day.
They’re also a great excuse to slow down, spend time together, and make something beautiful before everything gets busy.
Logistics
Do you have backup gear (and a backup plan if something fails)?
Yes. I even have backup gear for my backup gear.
I typically shoot with two cameras throughout the day for redundancy, so if something fails you probably won’t even know it happened.
After the wedding, I manually back up files at home with no automation so the process stays intentional and secure.
Are you insured / can you provide a certificate of insurance if our venue requires it?
Yes. I’m fully insured, and I can provide a certificate of insurance if your venue requests one.
Do you photograph LGBTQ+ weddings?
Yes. Love is love.
I’m honored to photograph weddings of all kinds, and I welcome couples of every orientation, background, and belief. If you feel a connection to the work, you’re in the right place.
What if we need to change our date or cancel?
If you need to reschedule and I’m available on the new date, moving your coverage is no problem.
If you need to cancel, cancellation terms depend on how close we are to the wedding date and the likelihood of rebooking the date. All details are clearly outlined in the contract so there are no surprises.
Do you accept tips?
Yes. Tips are always appreciated, but never expected.
Your photos won’t come any faster or look any better if you pad my pocket, but I’ll accept a tip graciously. And if it doesn’t happen, I’ll never think twice about it.
Weather
What if it rains?
I don’t look at the forecast until the night before a wedding. Weather predictions are often inconsistent until you’re close, and even then, bad weather rarely affects the entire day.
Most weather can be worked around, and timelines are meant to be flexible. If we need to adjust, we adjust, and we’ll still make something beautiful.
A little weather can add extra character to the day. For couples who want to lean into it, rain and wind can bring an adventurous element that you can’t plan.
In the rare case that the weather truly affects the entire day in a way that keeps you from getting the photos you were hoping for, I’m happy to schedule a short couple’s session within a reasonable timeframe after the wedding at no additional charge.
Hair, makeup, and attire would be your responsibility for that session.
What if our venue is dark (or lighting is tricky)?
With my experience, it’s not really a problem.
Dark venues can be incredible. They often have a moody atmosphere, and if you chose a space like that, you probably love that vibe too. My goal is to capture it honestly, not correct it into something it isn’t.
The equipment I bring is absolutely up to the task, and if lighting is tricky, I have my own lighting I can use when needed. Most of the time I’ll either lean into the natural mood of the space, or use flash and external lighting in a way that complements the venue rather than changing the look of it.
Still have questions?
If you feel a connection to the work, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.