Wedding Investment Guide
Hey there!
If you’ve gotten this far, you’ve already know my name. But just in case.... Hi! I'm Heather, your friendly neighborhood photographer hailing from the vibrant Greater Sacramento Region. While I reside in Foresthill, CA I love taking this one woman show on the road and travel makes me the happiest. When I'm not busy chasing after my mischievous Great Dane, Fritz, I'm on a mission to freeze moments of joy and love. As a professional wedding and family photographer, I've developed a knack for capturing the spontaneous magic of life's most beautiful moments. While I'm a pro at orchestrating those timeless formal shots, my absolute favorite part of any event is the candid moments. There's just something about those genuine smiles, belly laughs, and unexpected glances that make my shutter finger twitch with excitement
I'm not just a photographer; I'm also a master of making people feel camera-comfortable No more Ricky Bobby "I'm not sure what to do with my hands" moments on my watch. I've come to love the term 'plan-dids,' where we plan to be candid. It's the perfect recipe for relaxed and natural shots.
And speaking of fun, the highlight of any wedding for me? The dance floor at the end of the night! You might just catch me breaking it down to 'Blow The Whistle' I've got some moves that can give even the most enthusiastic guests a run for their money.
So, if you're looking for a photographer who's as passionate about laughter as they are about lens apertures, and who can keep the dance floor grooving, you've found your match. Let's create some picture-perfect memories together!
Love Note
BOOK HEATHER. Do it. She and her assistant will put you at ease on the day. I (bride) am not comfortable in front of the camera and Heather made me feel so confident. She treats you like a homie, but also you won't notice that she's there when you're doing your scheduled events. We just got our sneak preview pictures yesterday and I am in love with them - she captured a wonderful variety of moments. Thank you for everything you did for us on our wedding day, Heather. We'll be back for more photos from you!
-Niki & Jason
s a m p l e t i m e l i n e .
EVERY COUPLE'S TIMELINE IS DIFFERENT. AFTER WE CHAT, I WILL SEND YOU YOUR OWN CUSTOMIZED TIMELINE. BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA...
11:00 HAIR AND MAKEUP BEGINS
1:30 FLATLAY & DETAIL PHOTOS
2:15 HAIR & MAKEUP DONE
GETTING READY PHOTOS
3:00 BRIDE GETS INTO DRESS
3:00 GROOM BEGINS GETTING READY
3:30 FIRST LOOK + PORTRAITS
4:00 WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
4:30 HIDE WHILE GUESTS ARRIVE
5:00 CEREMONY
5:30 FAMILY PHOTOS
COCKTAIL HOUR BEGINS
5:30 BRIDE & GROOM 20 MIN BREAK
6:50 ENTRANCE INTO RECEPTION
7:00 DINNER BEGINS
7:40 SUNSET PHOTOS (SUNSET AT 8)
8:00 TOASTS
8:20 CAKE CUTTING
8:30 BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
8:45 FORMAL DANCES
9:00 DANCE FLOOR OPENS
11:00 GRAND EXIT
Investment
THIS AND SO MUCH MORE
PRE-WEDDING PLANNING
Unlimited consultations to nail down all the details and curate the perfect photo timeline to fit your big day. Whether it's zoom, face time, phone calls, or in person meets I am here for you!
WEDDING DAY COVERAGE
The average wedding typically needs 6-10 hours coverage So depending on your day, I am here to capture every single moment that is important to you.
HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES
Edited and perfectly sized, ready for you to print, share, and just down right drool over.
USB DRIVE
While everything is online these days, having a tangible backup of all your beautiful moments is essential. I will also encourage all my clients to download all photos from their online gallery for a second and third backup!
ONLINE GALLERY
For sharing, downloading, and ordering prints. After you have received your gallery, my goal is to invoke all the feelings - cry, laugh, and jump with joy as you scroll through and relive your day because I absolutely was doing the same while editing.
2ND SHOOTER & COMPLIMENTARY ENGAGEMENT SESSION
As mentioned in the upcoming pages, I consider these two things to be vital to the success of your wedding day!
On Your Wedding Day
01
I'll be rolling in bright and early, ready to dive into the excitement of your big day. But before I even touch the camera, I want to do something essential – say hi to everyone. I'm all about making sure that each and every person, especially you, is not just comfortable but pumped up for the incredible day ahead. It's all about setting the perfect vibe from the get-go!
02
As your day unfolds, I'll be like a photo ninja, diving in and out to capture every precious moment. Including those little gems that often go unnoticed. Whether it's a fleeting kiss before introductions or strand of hair being tenderly tucked behind your ear, I'm on it. I'm here to freeze those heart-fluttering moments in time.
03
Think of me as the chameleon of photographers. I'm as flexible as they come. I’ll be the ringmaster, rounding up the crew for those classic shots. Then the next second I’ll be a stealthy background ghost, capturing all the genuine, unscripted moments. No awkward poses here, I promise! It's all about keeping it natural and real.
04
I'm not just your photographer; I'm your go-to gal for anything and everything. Consider me your wedding day Swiss Army knife, a true jack of all trades. Can't quite figure out how to bustle that gorgeous dress? Well, after seeing hundreds of wedding dresses, you can basically call me a professional dress bustler. There's no type of bustle that has yet to stump me. Craving a sip of champagne or a shot of tequila to calm those jitters? I've got that covered too. Think of me as a world-class bartender, ready to mix up whatever libation tickles your fancy
05
And here's a little extra something to look forward to – sneak peeks within 48 hours. Because let's be honest, I'm just as thrilled as you are to dive into your photos. So get ready for a taste of the magic in no time!
YOUR WEDDING DAY IS ALL ABOUT YOU, AND I’M HERE TO AKE IT UNFORGETTABLE THROUGH MY LENS. LET’S CAPTURE THE MOMENTS THAT’LL MAKE YOUR HEART SING!
The Low Down
OF WHAT MY PACKAGES INCLUDE
01. SECOND SHOOTER
One thing that tends to surprise my potential couples is that most of my wedding packages includes a second shooter It’s not an a la carte item, there are no additional fees. I believe that having a second shooter is necessary at a lot of traditional weddings. Why?
1.
It saves time. If my bride and groom have a shorter dayof timeline, my second shooter becomes absolutely essential. For example, they can be photographing the groomsmen while I finish up getting ready photographs for the ladies.
2.
Different Angles. I only have one body…surprise! I simply cannot be at two places at once. I love having my second shooter capture the groom’s tears as his bride walks down the aisle, while I photograph the bride and her father. By having two of us, we can be capturing the exact same moment, at two different angles
3
Even more backups. I take every precaution and step to ensure that nothing happens to your images throughout the day. I use multiple cards and multiple cameras, but I can rest easy knowing that my second shooter also has multiple cards and gear backups.
Simply put, my second shooter is there to save time in your timeline, capture moments from different angles, and lastly, to ensure that you have every single memory captured.
02. COMPLIMENTARY ENGAGEMENT SESSION
While some photographers have this as an additional service, I truly believe having an engagement session is a game changer! Having an engagement session prior to the big day makes your wedding day flow easier and here’s why:
1.
Allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera. After your engagement session, the wedding day feels so much more relaxed because you’ve done a lot of the posing before, you know what it’s like working with me, which then allows you be more calm, and feel more confident when it comes time to taking your photos.
3.
Heightens your excitement for your big day! After the proposal, the excitement over your wedding day tends to die down a bit because let’s face it, there is a lot of information and exciting new things happening all the time. When you have a formal engagement session, you are able to then share the excitement all over again!
2. Beautiful photos to use for things like announcements, invitations, bridal shower, and in decor on your wedding!
Some couples who may not want to have one, for various reasons, but the benefits in my experience are vital. Wedding days flow way more smoothly and my couples go into their wedding day very confident.
FAQ - Can this service be taken off of the package price? This is truly a complimentary service! It is a session that is so important and I would love for all of my couple’s to take advantage of!
a la carte
ADD ONS AND EXTRAS
BRIDAL SESSION
$550
Put on your dress one more time and get some photos with your love, away from the hustle and bustle of the wedding day.
ANNIVERSARY SESSION
$475
Let's celebrate your relationship right, and capture all the feels!
HEIRLOOM PHOTO ALBUM
$525
12x12 high quality photo album with thick flush pages with all your most favorite photos professionally designed by me. Leather or linen cover.
PRINTS
$$
Prints can be purchased right from your gallery after it’s delivered - please feel free to ask me for a full list of options and prices if you’re interested in more info!
Love Note
Heather has done our engagement photos, son’s first birthday shots, and our wedding. She’s not only professional she’s brilliant! She’s super fun and really makes everything extremely fun and easy. We absolutely adore her and her work speaks for itself!
-Kayla & Chaz
Engagement Sessions (revisited).
Sorry for being redundant but I believe engagement sessions are so important that I've included a complementary session in every package I offer! They’re a little (a lot) less busy and less stressful than the wedding day, so it’ll give us time to get to know each other - no pressure, and no timeline to stick to.
If you're like me, you haven't gotten professional photos taken since you were a senior in high school, and if you're like me, you feel horribly uncomfortable with a giant camera pointed at you That’s okay - most people do
Engagement sessions are an amazing way to overcome a little of that anxiety, and a great way for me to learn about both of your personalities and how best to capture them. You'll get a feel for what it's like to be told what to do with your hands and asked to spin in a circle, and I'll learn about your little quirks and all your best angles. Whether you're serious and artsy, or laid back and playful, learning about your unique personality will help me tell your story on your wedding day, the way it needs to be told. I’ll already know which side is your good side, and you'll have one less thing to stress about. Plus, you'll get some photos for the save-the-dates!
01. Location
I’m sure by now if you know one thing about me, you know that nature is my jam. I love beautiful scenery - mountains, oceans, trees, it’s all photogenic and wonderful. So of course, my recommendation is always to choose a beautiful outdoor location. BUT I don’t want you to think you can’t get good photos if your backdrop isn’t so scenic. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable So if the outdoors isn’t for you or if you don’t want to drive too far, or it’s cold outside, choose somewhere that’s special to the two of youmaybe it’s your home, or the diner where you had your first date. Whatever location you choose, just make sure it reflects your personalities.
the secret sauce for getting those gorgeous engagement photos
02. Outfits
This is possibly the most important part - choosing what to wear. It’s important because the colors, patterns, and textures of your clothes should compliment your location. That might sound overwhelming, but I have a full style guide that I will send you that goes over all of this. But I will give you one tip here - dress like yourself. Wear what makes you feel good, and what you feel comfortable and confident in And of course, if you need outfit tips, just ask me! I’ll be able to tell you which specific colors will look good in the location you chose, and if you send me photos of your outfit options I’ll give you my honest opinions.
03. Timing
The time of day that we take your photos is so important - because while I could take photos in harsh sunlight and they would look good, you would inevitably have a lot of shadows on your faces and the photos wouldn’t be amazing The best times of day are sunrise and sunset - I recommend starting either half an hour before sunrise, or an hour before sunset for the best lighting That way, there won’t be any shadows, and we’ll get that gorgeous glow that makes everything look soft and pretty. I like sunrise because there tends to be less crowds, especially if you choose a popular location. But I can’t blame you if you’re not into waking up before the sun does.
04. Have fun!
I know I said outfits were the most important part, but I take it back. This one is just as important. I know wedding planning gets hectic, and you might be worried about how you look or how your engagement photos will turn out But leave that to me - I’ll do the heavy lifting to make sure you look your best and I’ll make sure you have a good time. So just relax, enjoy the moment, think about how you’ll be married soon, and have fun! Photos are best when you’re genuinely enjoying yourself - and a lot of my job is to help you do that and make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. So come to me with a positive attitude and come exactly as you are, and leave the rest to me.
Travel
I'm based in Northern California, in the greater Sacramento area and yes I love to travel! I will go anywhere to tell your story! If you want me to photograph your story outside of this general region, it will require a travel fee, depending on where it takes place. But no worries, I always try to find the cheapest way to come to you... well, because, did I mention I love to travel??
Booking
If you decide that we’re a good fit, I’ll send you a contract and an invoice, which can both be completed electronically, so no need to worry about printing and scanning anything. Once that’s done, you’re good to go! Deposits are 25% of the total package cost, your next payment is due midway to your wedding date, and your last payment is due one month before the wedding!
Photo Delivery
Engagement sessions will be delivered in an online gallery within two weeks of your shoot, and weddings will be delivered on a custom usb drive and an online gallery. You can expect to receive your online gallery within 8-10 weeks of your wedding day! USB will follow shortly after online gallery delivery
my shot list
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
Each wedding is unique - and these are definitely not the only shots I will get - but these are the ones that are included in most weddings I will ask you to create your own shot list if you have specific photos that you just gotta have!
GETTING READY
dress suit shoes jewelry bouquet boutonnieres rings getting makeup done putting on wedding attire candids of bridal party putting on shoes
THE COUPLE
shot of rings details individual photos couple together
I don’t have a specific list of poses that I follow - it depends on the couple, the dress, etc. So if you have a specific pose that you’ve seen & love, let me know!
BRIDAL PARTY
both sides separately individual photos couple with each person entire party
CEREMONY
ceremony site & details everyone walking down aisle both partners' reactions exchanging of rings first kiss details of guests
FAMILY
I don’t like creating my own list of family photos - because every family situation is different, so I appreciate when the bride and groom make a list of every family combination they want photographed! Don't worry, I will give you detailed advice on this!
RECEPTION
cake decorations
bridal party entrance
guests arriving guest interactions toasts & speeches first dance parent dances guests dancing cake cutting bouquet toss garter toss grand exit
Love Note
Heather took photos for my wedding day and maternity shoot. She is a true professional and takes her work seriously. My spouse and I are not ones for pictures or to pose for a dramatic shot and we wanted a genuine feel to the wedding. Something that represented us but was still creative and classy. Heather provided that. Very down to earth and creative. If you are considering her.. just commit. You won’t regret it!
-Lindsey & Eric
what now?
Does this sound like what you’re looking for? If so - shoot me an email and let’s get this thing rolling! The next step is an in-person or virtual meetingI’ll tell you more about me, and you can ask any questions that you have. We’ll also make sure that we get along - before you commit to spend your wedding day with me :-)
Thank you for being here, and I’ll talk to ya soon!
- Heather