Choosing the Right Photographer for You | The Heart of the Matter
Do these things resonate with your soul, too?
Having your memories captured is a big deal.
There are a lot of amazing photographers out there, but it's so important that you choose someone that inspires you and that you feel connected with. I also think it’s important for you to know what you can expect from me before we start planning an adventure.
The Power of Connection
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.
Building Trust from the Beginning
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 am here for you, with you. I want to listen to your vision, answer your questions, & provide guidance every step of the way.
Honesty in Every Moment
Some photos look beautiful-but they don’t tell the truth. You can freeze a moment while hiding the heart of it. I’ve witnessed beautiful scenes where kindness was missing, where the light was golden, but the connection wasn’t. And it taught me that photos can lie - if we let them. That’s not the kind of art I want to make. So, I’ve chosen - I’m choosing - a different way. I’m learning to hold direction with a softer hand. To make space for what’s natural to rise to the surface, while still guiding you intentionally. I want this to be a space where you lead. Where your loud or quiet is welcomed. Where you are known & not just documented. Where the moment belongs to you, not the camera. Where imperfections aren’t hidden and real life is something to be celebrated. I don’t want to make photos that look lovely but feel empty. Not everyone wants that kind of honesty, and I’m still learning how to hold it well. But let me be clear - honesty doesn’t mean heavy. It doesn’t mean serious all the time. There will be laughter, movement, playfulness too. There is still so much joy here. So much fun. So much comfort and patience. For those who long for something honest, this is what I’m reaching for.
Photography with Intentionality
The “client experience” should be more than just getting good photos. It’s about making your time in front of my camera more personalized & meaningful, aligning it with your unique story & personalities. We will work together to curate the details - the who, what, when, where, how, & why. And if you aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to help with that too.
Capturing Big Feelings
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, more than an editing style - 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. Every little detail tells a bigger story.
A Day Without Limits
You get to build your day from scratch. No matter what you do, where you go, what you wear, or what milestone is happening in your life - do what will bring you the most joy & create space for the memories you want to make. Photos aren’t about following a checklist, but about choosing to do what makes you feel alive while having it documented.
Investing in Memories That Last a Lifetime
As you are planning your day, I know there are a lot of moving pieces to navigate & details to set. Of those things, photography will be the one that lives through the years. When the flowers have faded, when the dress is packed away, when the littles have grown - you’ll still have the photos. There are a lot of couples out there that have shared stories of regret that they invested money in other things instead of photography, or that they wished they would have invested more in photography because they weren’t pleased with their experience or photos. I don’t want that to be your story, even if I’m not the photographer you decide to hire. When you hire a good, professional photographer, you are investing in so much more than a person to just show up with a camera and snap a few photos. Your choice goes beyond a price tag. It’s worth carefully considering the person who documents your day.
The Art of Being Present
Life brings us a full range of dynamics, seasons, experiences, relationships, personalities, & emotions. Photos should reflect our humanity. We are complex, life is complex. While photos can’t always showcase every part of that, they can encapsulated some of it. 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. There are moments to be lived & people to love. Soak it all in. Set no expectations. Make the time you have together count.
It’s easy to get caught up in making sure every photos looks “perfect” but the truth is, the best moments happen when you’re enjoying each other, not even thinking about the camera. That doesn’t mean that photographers can’t or shouldn’t offer guidance, direction, or interact with their clients. As a matter of fact, there’s actually a lot that photographers can do better at, to cultivate a space that feels like you can just let go of the pressure to “get it right”. What I want you to hear is that at the center of every milestone you celebrate should be the connection you have & not the photos. When you can be yourselves, the “right” photos will follow. Promise. Just let go of posing - I’ll handle the rest.
More Than Just Your Photographer
If there is one thing I want you to walk away from this page knowing, it’s that I value you. I love what I do & being with you during one of the most important days of your life is an honor. My clients are more than clients - they are familiar faces & friends. That’s what makes this job worthwhile.
