How long should I book you for? is 6 hours enough? 8? whats the norm?
All that really depends on your day and what is most important to you. Do you want me there for your exit? Are you doing a first look?  Often I arrive a couple hours before the ceremony to grab getting ready, candids, details, and group photos. If you are doing a first look then I’ll end up starting a bit earlier. Every wedding is different. I’ve done intimate ceremonies lasting 10 minutes with under 50 guests followed by a portrait session, lasting a total of 2 hours and I’ve done wedding extravaganzas that take place over a couple days. Give me a call and let me know what you have planned for your day and I can help you figure it all out.

Wait, first look? Whats that all about? 
The first look is great and 75% of the weddings I photograph involve setting up a private moment for the two of you to share [pre ceremony] where you see each other for the first time. I’ll capture the emotion of the first look and thren take it and roll into an epic portrait session with just the two of you. This takes away the pressure of a cocktail hour photo session which usually includes family photos, bridal party, and portraits. The first look really makes the day flow nicely for you and your guests. Sure, its less traditional but I can’t tell you how many times I am told after just how thankful our brides and grooms are to have had that moment. The day goes by fast and there are a number of standout moments that will stick with you. This is one of them.

How long till we get our photos back? 
During busy months in summer and fall it takes between 4-6 weeks to get you your photos back. Does that seem like a long time? When you are anxiously waiting it does… but trust me, it’ll be worth the wait. I go through and edit each photo to insure that you are going to LOVE what you get back. Like I said, I know you are anxious to see them so a week or so after your wedding [right as you return from your honeymoon] I usually will toss you out a sneak peak to hold you over :)

You do this every weekend… what suggestions do you have for us?  should we hire a wedding coordinator?
I’ve been doing this a long time. I have a ton of suggestions for you that will insure your day goes smoothly and we can talk about all that at the meeting. I have seen my share of disasters and avoided disasters!! So while the initial thought of a coordinator might turn you off, a PHENOMENAL coordinator is worth every single dollar. If you are trying to stick to a budget then this is the person that will help you stay under it. Aside from that stay focused on what is important to you and spend on those areas to insure you get what you want.

Are you a foodie? Then cake and dinner may be important to you? OR perhaps you want to have and awesome party with all the guests talking about what a raging good time they had?? Then focus on entertainment and booze ;) or perhaps rent a photobooth in Asheville!!

In the end I know every single one of your vendors plays a huge part in shaping your day… but I am most concerned about telling the story of your day and know that after the cake is all gone and flowers get tossed out, the only thing you are going to be looking forward to are your photos!!

How soon should we take engagement photos?
Sooner the better if you want to use them for save the dates or anything else! I have done them a long as a year before and for destination weddings we have done them as close as the day before. The engagement shoot is our chance to all hang out and have a good time before the wedding. Get to know one another so that you know what to expect from me and I can get a feel for the two of you. I like to break down the walls and get you comfy with me, style and approach. I want to know who is more outgoing, wild crazy, or timid in front of the camera. What does it take to get the laughs out?… by the end of our shoot you will be completely at ease and having fun.  Then on your big day I”ll roll in, give you a high five and pick up right where we left off. I’ve written a whole guide to taking kick ass engagement pics <— here, take a look

Where will our engagement session take place?
Anywhere you want! Seriously. Some people ask where our favorite place is… to which I ask, whats yours? I want it to mean something to you. If you have a special spot you like to hang or activity that you like to do then lets talk about it. I’ve done engagement sessions all over the place from beaches to the mountains, downtown wherever,  or a cool abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. I’ve have done themed sessions with dune buggies, baseball fields, Bonnie & Clyde, and even a zombie apocalypse. So really its up to you what you want to do.

What is your favorite venue?
There have been so many great places… its impossible to pick one.  I really love the outdoor/ rustic venues and ceremonies taking place in the warm sunlight outdoors. The best part of what I do is getting to travel and see new places!! Although, it doesn’t hurt to have photographed a place before and have a handle on things… Walking into a venue I have never been before is one of my favorite things. Like a blank canvas or a story that is new, I live for “first times”.

What kind of gear do you use? Do you have back-up? 
I shoot with 2x Canon 5D4’s and just picked up the Canon R6. Yes, I also have back-up cams [5d3 & 5d2]. I like to photograph with a pair regardless so depending on what Im shooting I will pick from the lineup. I have a ton of lenses and if you wanna talk techy I can totally fill you in on what the current fav’s are, just ask.

So you shoot digital… Just how many photos will I receive? Are they edited? 
Yeah I rock digital and there is no limit to the number of photos I’ll take [have lots of memory cards]. I will narrow the final number down to approximately 50 images per hour that I’m booked. I find this as a good number in telling the story of your day…  The number varies a little, and yes, I edit every single one of those you get back.

Do you share copyright? We want to have our disk of images to print ourselves. 
Absolutely! When Jess n I got married that was one the main things we were after… a set of our photos, edited, with printing rights :) Therefore we offer the same back and they are all yours to do with as you wish!

Is there a deposit required? How much?
There is. Typically I take $500 down to reserve your date. Remaining balance is due by the day of your wedding. Payment plans are available and you can always pay it off earlier if you wish.

Do you accept credit cards?
Absolutely. For convenience I use an online booking system that is set up to take them all! Venmo, Apple pay, Zelle are also easy methods of payment.  Although old school, cash is king and I offer cash discounts.

Why do you charge sales tax?
Ooooof! this one sucks but photographers are required to charge sales tax whenever a tangible good is produced… and unfortunately in the past couple years Uncle Sam extended his reach into digital items. So tax is charged on the total amount of the service provided as it yields digital goods/ images.  It used to be that you cold get away with it being out of state but even those laws have changed and our money hungry Uncle is enforcing local sales tax to be paid in the city/state you reside these days. So local sales tax is 7% and will be added on