The process of working with me
If you've ever found yourself wondering what actually happens after you hit "submit" on my inquiry form, I'm here to share the process. I want you to feel a sense of relief reading this. No hidden steps, no surprises, no secrets. Just a clear, honest look at what it's like to work with me from start to finish.
I'm here to share my process (openly and in a brief way) because I know what it's like to be on the other side of an inquiry form and have a lot of questions. So let's slow down, walk through the whole thing together, and hopefully by the end of this, booking a photographer feels a whole lot less overwhelming.
you reach out
It all starts simply. You head over to the 'contact' page on my website fill out the inquiry form. I ask questions about you and your significant other to learn a little bit about you two and what you're envisioning for your session. These details matter. Not just the logistics, but who you are, what you're dreaming up, what this moment means to you.
From there, I will respond within 48 hours. I'll thank you for reaching out (I genuinely mean it every time), share my current availability, answer any questions you may have, help find the package that suits your needs, and help you complete the booking process. For lifestyle sessions, this all happens over email. Easy, low pressure, no mandatory phone calls unless you want one!
making it official
Once we've landed on the right fit, I'll send over a contract and a retainer to secure your date. Straightforward, clean, no fine print surprises. This is also where things start to feel real in the best possible way — you're officially on my calendar, and I'm officially in your corner. If you have any inspiration that you want to share, I enjoy seeing what you've put together because it helps give me an idea of the feeling and energy you're going for.
session guide + Questionnaire
After you're booked, I send over a session guide and a questionnaire. Think of this as a more in-depth guide that offers you insight into what to expect: tips on outfits, location ideas, lighting examples, frequently asked questions, and honest advice for just showing up as yourselves. I always suggest couples fill out the questionnaire together (maybe do it over coffee, date, or snuggled up) because it can be sweet to connect over your shared answers. These questions help me build a foundation of understanding you two, what makes your relationship unique, and how that shows up.
It's also a quiet mindset reset. A reminder that this doesn't have to be stressful. You don't have to have the perfect outfits or know how to pose. You just have to show up.
the lead-up
Between booking and your session day, I'm here. Questions about what to wear? Send them my way. Not sure about a location? Let's talk through it. Feeling nervous? Also valid, let's talk about that too. I stay in communication with my clients leading up to their session because I want you to arrive feeling prepared, not panicked.
Outfit help is something I genuinely enjoy. I'll ask about the colors that complement you most, what you feel comfortable and confident in, and what the overall vibe of your session is. I can even help with color theory by understanding which tones will photograph well together (think complimentary) depending on your location and the season you're shooting in. The goal is always for you to look and feel like yourselves.
the session
Okay, I want to say something here and I want you to actually hear it: I know being in front of a camera can feel vulnerable. Even people who seem completely confident will tell me before a session that they feel awkward, that they never know what to do with their hands, that they're worried they won't be "photogenic enough." I hear this more than almost anything else and I get it. I get my own photos taken every year and still sometimes find myself thinking, what do I do with myself?
So here's what I want you to know about me: I'm laid-back. I'm goofy. I'm understanding. I don't take things too seriously, and I don't want you to either. There is no right or wrong way to do this. There's no perfect pose you're supposed to hit. A session with me is just you and the person you love, in a place that feels good, doing what feels natural. I'll give you gentle direction when I sense you need it, and give you space when you're leaning into the moment and existing together. I will follow your lead and be there to support you when you need it.
post-production + gallery delivery
After we wrap, I get to work. I go through all the photos I took during your session (this is called culling) and I will pick all the best images. I will start my editing and send you a few previews! I describe me editing style as warm, earthy, nostalgic, and organic. I'm not going for trends. I'm going for timeless, honest, and intuitive. Honoring the way it actually felt.
Turnaround is typically 3–4 weeks (timeline will be discussed with you prior to or at session), and your gallery will be delivered privately through Pixieset. It's yours to view, download, and share. But here's what I love most about the galleries I deliver: they tell a story. Beyond the portraits, I enjoy including what I think of as the supporting images: the environment, the light catching something just right, a small details I noticed, a moment between moments. The kind of photos that don't always get attention but pull the story together.
The number of images varies by session. My goal is to provide you with a curated and intentional storytelling gallery.
A final note
If you've made it to the end of this post, I hope you're breathing a little easier. That was the whole point. Working with me is meant to feel like relief, not pressure. Like exhaling. Like remembering that this (all of this) is supposed to be joyful.
When you're ready to reach out, I'd love to hear from you. Tell me your names. Tell me about your day. Tell me what you're dreaming of. I'll take it from there.
