The Experience You Deserve | Photos Etched in Your Heart
AS AN ALABAMA WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER, I AIM TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE FEEL LIKE SITTING DOWN WITH A TRUSTED FRIEND.
Pricing & investment for Alabama Elopements, Weddings, & Sessions
These memories are forever.
If you’ve found yourself here, it’s because something in my work spoke to you - something familiar, something relatable. That connection matters when you hire someone to document some of the most sacred & intimate moments of your life. These are your forever memories, and they deserve to be held with intention & love. This is an investment not just in photographs, but in the way your story will be remembered.
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Choosing the Right Photographer for You
There are a lot of amazing photographers out there, but it's so important that you choose someone that inspires you, that you feel connected with, & whose work resonates with your soul.
Why Connection Matters in Your Photography Experience
Connection is about feeling like you align with another person beyond appearances, personalities, or similar interests. Connection is about depth. It means feeling comfortable around each other. It means being yourself around each other. You click. It just makes sense. And that’s how your photography experience should feel too. Connection cultivates trust and that’s where the magic happens. Trust makes room for vulnerability, comfort, collaboration, & photos that showcase who you really are and what matters to you the most. I want to listen to your vision, answer your questions, & provide guidance every step of the way.
Photos That Feel Like You
What if you felt comfortable in front of the camera? What if you felt seen? Heard? Loved? And your photos showed exactly that? If you are looking for a photographer that can capture emotion without over-orchestrating every moment, give thoughtful guidance and direction through meaningful conversation/movement/posing/prompts, gives you space to be yourselves, cares about listening, & who who makes the process feel less like a shoot and more like a genuine moment shared between friends. My versatile approach blends hands-off & hands-on styles to make you feel right at home.
Why Emotion Is a Big Part of Being Documented
When you are old & gray, flipping through albums of photos, I want your soul to be flooded with what you felt in those moments. More than coordinated outfits, more than epic locations, more than the best poses - I want you to remember joy, closeness, intimacy, & conversations. I want you to remember the touching of your hands, the laughter that made your belly hurt, the warmth of an embrace, the kindness in each other’s words. Photos are vessels for your emotions.
Being Present Makes a Difference When It Comes to Your Memories
Photos should reflect our humanity. The most freeing thing you can do for yourself when you hire a photographer is to show up, be present, & live your life like you would if the camera wasn’t even there. It’s easy to get caught up in making sure every photo looks “perfect” but the truth is, the best moments happen when you’re enjoying each other, not even thinking about the camera. At the center of every milestone you celebrate should be the connection you have. When you can be yourselves, the “right” photos will follow.
What You Can Expect from your Alabama Photographer
01 - Connect
Browse through my website & check out my work. Then head over to my contact page, fill out the inquiry form, & tell me all about your beautiful vision for whatever you want documented. Make sure you give me as much information as possible so that I know how I can serve you, friend.
02 - Get the Details
After I’ve received your inquiry, I’ll send over pricing & booking info + any other details that you might need. If you feel like you’d like to chat more before booking with me, just know this is not required, nor is it something I pressure clients to do - but it definitely helps set the stage for an amazing experience.
03 - Book Me
We make it official! I’ll email over a contract + a retainer invoice so that we can secure your date and get the ball rolling with planning.
04 - Planning
We get to map out vision for the day, build your timeline, discuss vendor recommendations, navigate locations/permits, & everything between. It allows us to get to know each other better, ask questions, prioritize the things you care the most about, to serve you better, & to build a trusting relationship.
05 - Celebrate
The day is finally here! You get to soak it in, make unforgettable memories, and have it all professionally documented.
06 - Relive It
A few weeks later, you get to remember it all over again through a stunning gallery of photos, GIFS, & double exposures. You’ll be able to view, share, download, & treasure these memories for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions. I’ve got answers.
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I was 14 the first time I picked up a digital camera, but I didn't pick up my first DSLR camera until 2012 & haven't been able to put it down since then.
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While you might see emphasis here on elopements & weddings, I offer a wide range of services for my clients. 13+ years in the industry has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with my clients and document other milestones in their lives. I photograph elopements, micro-weddings, backyard weddings, intimate weddings, mid-range weddings, luxury weddings, destination elopements, destination weddings, vow renewals, engagement sessions, couple sessions, anniversary sessions, individual portrait sessions, senior sessions (high school or college), proposals, maternity sessions, family sessions, births, and more.
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Absolutely. Although I’m based in Birmingham, Alabama, I proudly serve clients throughout the South and Southeast - including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I’ve also worked in other locations across the United States, including California, Hawaii, Utah, & Mexico. Maybe you live in the Mid-West or you are planning a trip to the East Coast or West Coast. Maybe a National Park, Pacific Northwest, Montana, New York, Greece, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand. Wherever your life takes you, if I have the availability and travel dates, I’m yours.
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I think it’s important to give you full transparency that I am not a medium format film photographer, though much of my work is film-inspired or emulates film. I know a lot about film & I incorporate film via disposable cameras & polaroids with each elopement/wedding I do as an add-on, but incorporating medium format film would mean me hiring a second shooter who can hybrid shoot (digital + film) or even just shoot film for the day. If that aligns with your vision, let me know! In am in the process of learning how to use a medium format film camera, but until I’ve become skilled at it, I can’t offer it as a standalone service.
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If I have the spot open, it's totally yours!
I’ve had bookings as far out as two years and as close as a week.
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After being in the wedding industry for over a decade, I've learned so much about the ins & outs of planning elopements & weddings. That's one of the largest reasons that I offer help with planning in my elopement & wedding packages. Talking out details, bringing focus to the things that matter to you, picking out/scouting a location or venue + permits & requirements, finding ways to make this experience unique to you, connecting to or connecting you with other vendors, creating a timeline, making space for you to soak up your day, figuring out lighting & weather, knowing what to pack/prep for on your day, and SO much more! When I say that I'm on your team - I really mean that.
Another reason for that is because I've also been a bride. I know how much stress can accompany planning your day & what a joy it is to have vendors on your side that help you navigate through it all. I know the importance of hiring people you love & trust - so that you can truly live in the moment & make your memories.
You absolutely deserve that kind of experience. You deserve vendors who truly value you.
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It's totally normal, understandable, and valid to feel this way. You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common things I hear. And honestly, it makes perfect sense. Awkwardness if just a part of being human. It’s that brief moment when you’re not sure what to do, or when you’re just being real - and that’s beautiful. Most of us weren’t taught how to feel comfortable in front of a camera. We were taught to perform. To “smile right.” To “stand still.” To “look pretty.” But the truth is that you don’t need to know how to pose or change who you are. You just need a photographer who makes space for you to be yourself. It’s not your job to know what to do. It’s my job to help you feel safe enough to let your guard down and to guide you when needed - but leave plenty of room for you. If you’re afraid of looking “awkward”, let me tell you something. You look human. Connected. Alive. Loved. I don’t need you to be photogenic. I just need you to be you. When you stop worrying about being “good” in photos, that’s when the real magic happens.
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Your location might be a place that's familiar to you or it might be somewhere you've never been before. What is important is that it means something to you & you are excited to be there. We can work together to make that happen.
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I'll send you over a guide/tips on what to wear, friend! No worries.
https://dakotachasity.com/educational-blog/what-to-wear-to-your-session
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My cameras have dual card slots - which means that while one card is being written to as I shoot, the other one is set to do the same. When I get home from a session/event, I back them up to a SSD (solid state drive) & back them up to a cloud system. I also don’t clear my cards until delivery.
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Depending on the forecast, I usually suggest embracing it. Typically, the best time to check the forecast is about 48 hours before your session. Provided that the weather is not severe/harsh conditions/an absolute downpour, we can go with the flow & make the most of our adventure. Sometimes the unexpected makes for the most beautiful images. Plus I know that rescheduling may not always be an option. If you do have the flexibility to reschedule your session & feel like it would make your experience more special when the weather is better, we can do that too (at no cost).
For weddings & elopements, I know that embracing the weather is really the only option you have. Talk to your vendors about a backup plan & what that might look like for your day in the case that you need one.
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One of the most important things to me is capturing you guys the way that you are, honestly & authentically.
https://dakotachasity.com/educational-blog/how-i-retouch-your-photos -
1-2 weeks for mini sessions
4-6 weeks for 1 hr sessions
6-8 weeks for 2 hr sessions
8-10 weeks for elopements/weddings
Turn around times can be longer in busy season & I try to make sure that is communicated when that happens. What matters to me is making sure that I give myself the time & space to create something really beautiful for you.
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All of your edited, high-resolution digital images will be hosted in your personal online gallery, available for you to download & then print anywhere you'd like!
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Yes, I’m fully insured!
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ELOPEMENTS & WEDDINGS
30% is due when you book & the balance is due one month before the date of your event. You can make payments at anytime between as long as your balance is paid on your due date.
SESSIONS
50% is due when you book & the balance is due the day of your session. You can make payments at anytime between as long as your balance is paid on your due date.