Q & A

Seeking  More  Information?

Where are you based out of?

I’m located in the Monterey Bay Area/Central Coast of California, after moving from New Jersey in March 2019. I primarily photograph couples in Big Sur, but I still love to travel—especially for elopements & weddings!

How are you different from other photographers?

I am proud to say I do not outsource and do all the hard work myself. From the first point of contact, to me photographing your session, to editing all the images one by one and delivering your gallery, I am there every step of the way. Your day deserves to be personalized and hand crafted by your actual photographer and not some large scale wedding company.
I am also a Leave No Trace Certified Photographer!

Of course, this should go without saying for any professional photographer, but I am fully insured and always equipped with backup gear to ensure everything runs smoothly.
I will also make sure to obtain any photography permits that might be needed for our session.

How would you describe your photographic style?

Many photographers describe their style as either 'light & airy' or 'dark & moody'. I don't place myself into either category. Style is a lot more than the 'look' of a photo--For me, my style my approach combines a relaxed journalistic style with hands-on direction.

I'm there to not only document, but also offer guidance when necessary in order to let the moment unfold. As I edit through the day, I keep your photographs true-to-life in terms of color and proper exposure. Take a look at my work and decide for yourself if you like my style! 

How many images do you deliver?

Each elopement varies depending on how many hours you book, but I am proud to say the images you receive are unlimited. I really don't think it's fair to put a cap on the day's memories by having a selected amount of images in a package like many other photographers provide. You will receive so many amazing photos that it will challenge you to choose a single favorite.
Feel free to ask me to view sample galleries!

When will we receive our finished images?

My contract states that I'll have up to 6 weeks to deliver your gallery, but it will most likely be delivered a lot sooner because if it were me, I wouldn't want to wait that long either! I always deliver sneak peaks before your final gallery arrival as well.

What happens if there is bad weather? 

Aww nature! Sometimes it's not 'perfect.' So what if it's drizzling? Let's embrace it! However, if the weather gets so severe that I believe our lives are in danger or my gear can get destroyed, we will move to our Plan B that we will have previously agreed upon during our planning sessions.

If we reschedule our date, will we be able to use our retainer towards a future date?

I understand that things come up and life is weird, so I'm very easy going and will do all I can to accommodate a date change. As long as I am available for your new date, I credit all payments. A new contract will be required and will reflect any changes in pricing at the time. If I am not available for your new date, I won’t be able to refund the retainer you’ve already paid and have to treat it as a cancellation. When I reserve your original date, I have to reject other couples’ inquires for that day.

What rights do I have to the images?

You have the right to reprint & share the images on social media for personal use. However, you may not sell your images for profit or publish your images without approval from me first.

What are your travel fees for my destination wedding? 

My travel costs are already factored into pricing & I book all my own travel, so it's one less thing for you to worry about. You will not get any surprise bills from me after your elopement!

What if we consider ourselves awkward & camera shy?

Hakuna Matata! (It means no worries! 🦁) I know you aren't professional models and would never expect you to perform like one. Remember, this is your elopement day and 'stress-free & fun' is the name of the game. I don't want to be considered as just your photographer- I want to feel as if we have known each other for years and you are just hanging out with another friend! There are no rules, except being yourself. As someone who says the same things while getting my own picture taken, I totally understand, and I got you ❤️

How does the payment schedule work?

I require a 25% non-refundable retainer based on the package you select to reserve your date, due upon signing the contract. The remaining balance will be divided into three equal payments, with the final payment due 2 weeks prior to your session. 

Do we have to go hiking for our elopement?

Not at all! Your elopement should be whatever you want it to be. I consider myself an adventure photographer, but your adventure can be literally anything. It is not a requirement to hike miles on a trail for your wedding day. Often times we can always find easily accessible spots right off the road that do not require that much effort to get to so you can still enjoy some killer scenery!

What is the process of hiring you?

Firstly, please fill out my contact form so I can send you a more detailed pricing guide with several package options. Continue speaking to me via email or schedule a no pressure phone call. Once you pay a 25% retainer + sign an agreement I can start customizing your day and the fun begins!

How will you protect our images?

Your images are incredibly important to me, and I take every precaution to ensure they’re safe. While taking photos, I use a camera with dual memory card slots, so each image is saved to two separate cards simultaneously. As soon as I return home, I upload the images to two separate hard drives and an online cloud backup for added security. Additionally, I take one of the memory cards and store it in a fire-proof safe. Once your gallery is delivered, I keep it available online for at least one year, but rest assured, your photos are backed up in the cloud indefinitely because I am awesome like that! 😄

I still have more questions?!

No problem, feel free to contact me! I love questions and believe knowledge is power! 🙌

Contact me below to get started on your dream day!

Hey, it's me!

Hi I'm Heather, your friendly guide for an exciting elopement day! It's truly an honor to be a photographer for these moments. I would like to give the opportunity for couples to create their own day without feeling confined by what is considered to be 'the norm' when it comes to planning a wedding.

I want couples to feel right about the choice they made to have a smaller wedding day. As someone who started out photographing the more traditional side of weddings, once I decided to make my move to California I wanted my business to reflect more of my true personality. California offers so many landscapes varieties, and I want couples to feel inspired by nature.

Every couple is unique, which is why I take the time to get to know you, ensuring that your photos authentically reflect who you are. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and how you feel matters deeply to me. At the end of the day, of course I want us to get nice photos, but more importantley I want you to also feel good about your decisions. Let me be your photographer, your guide, your editor, and your friendly adventure buddy as we embark on this unforgettable journey together! 

I am a follower of Leave No Trace and proud to help educate couples on the importance of honoring these guidelines.

READ MORE ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Central Coast California
Big Sur - Monterey Bay
Photographer & Guide