Got Questions?
We’ve Got Answers!
We know that planning your wedding, elopement, or photography session comes with a lot of questions—and we’re here to help! Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions our couples and clients ask. From booking and travel to what to expect on the big day, we’ve covered it all.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to chat!
General Questions
How far in advance should we book with you?
We typically book weddings 12 to 18 months in advance, though some clients book up to two years ahead. For photography sessions, we recommend booking at least one month in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
What are your busiest months?
Our busiest months are May, June, September and October. If you’re considering a wedding, elopement, or photography session during these months, it’s best to book as early as possible since our calendar fills up quickly.
Do you travel for weddings, elopements, and photography sessions?
Yes! We travel all over Northern California, Central California, and into Nevada for weddings, elopements, and photography sessions. Travel is included up to 150 miles round-trip from Pollock Pines, CA. Travel fees may apply beyond that.
How do we check your availability?
You can easily check our availability by visiting our Book Now page. Simply select the wedding collection or session you’re considering, and you’ll be able to view our calendar right there.
Can we book a consultation?
Yes! We love connecting with our clients. Whether you’re planning a wedding, elopement, or a photography session, you can book a consultation to chat about your vision and go over any questions you have. Visit our Book Now page and choose the Consultation option to schedule a time that works for you.
How do we reserve our date?
For weddings and elopements, a $1,000 retainer is required to secure your date, with the remaining balance due 30 days before your wedding or elopement. For photography sessions, the session fee must be paid in full upon booking. Everything is subject to 7.25% sales tax.
Can we adjust our start time?
Yes! You can choose any start time when you book, and we can always adjust it as your timeline comes together. We want to make sure we use the best light available and ensure your wedding, elopement, or session flows smoothly.
Do you only book one shoot per day?
Yes! We only book one wedding, elopement, or session per day so you have our full attention and care.
What is your turnaround time for photos and videos?
For photography sessions, our typical turnaround time is 4 to 6 weeks. For weddings and elopements, it’s 6 to 8 weeks, but we always aim to deliver a sneak peek of your wedding photos within 2 to 5 business days so you can relive some of your special moments soon after the big day!
Can we see full galleries and view your wedding films?
Absolutely! You can view our full galleries and wedding films right from the menu on our website. Here are the direct links for easy access:
• Full Galleries – These feature a few recent weddings to keep things fresh and streamlined.
• Wedding Films on Vimeo – This is where you’ll find all of our wedding films, so you can explore the full scope of our video work.
Feel free to browse through and get inspired! If you’d like to see specific venues, styles, or sessions, just let me know during our consultation.
Photography & Video
Do you shoot both photo and video at the same time?
Yes! For our photo + video collections, we use a hybrid photo and video approach during bride and groom getting ready as well as cocktail hour—we both capture photo and video during those times. For the ceremony and reception, Rachel leads photography while Mark focuses entirely on videography, ensuring full coverage from both perspectives.
Will you help us with posing?
Of course! Our style is candid and lifestyle-focused, but we’ll definitely guide you when needed to make sure you look and feel amazing.
Can we choose the music for our highlight video?
Yes! We love when our couples choose the music for their highlight films. If you’d like us to choose, just let us know—but you always have the option to pick the songs that feel most meaningful to you.
Do you deliver raw footage or just edited films?
We include raw footage, delivered via Google Drive. Edited highlight films, full films and teaser videos are delivered through your online gallery.
How do you record audio for video?
We use a professional multi-source audio setup to capture crisp and clear sound throughout your wedding day:
• Ceremony & First Looks:
• Zoom F2 lavalier mic for the groom, which picks up audio from the groom, officiant, and bride.
• Zoom F3 external recorder with two inputs—one connected directly to the DJ soundboard and another positioned in front of the DJ speaker.
• Deity Pro mics attached to each of the four cameras for additional backup.
• Speeches:
• The same Zoom F3 external recorder setup as the ceremony.
• A Sony recorder mic is placed on the couple’s table as a backup.
• Deity Pro mics are attached to two of the four cameras for additional backup coverage.
This multi-layered approach ensures that every important word and moment is captured beautifully.
Do you record audio during the first look?
Yes, if you are doing a first look, we also mic up the groom with the Zoom F2 lav mic to capture those special first moments, including any sweet whispers, reactions, or personal vows.
Do you bring lighting for key moments?
Yes, we bring a complete lighting setup to make sure everything is beautifully captured, even in low-light settings.
• Video Lighting: We use four lights in total—two lights are dedicated for speeches and two lights are dedicated for first dances. This way, we never have to move lights between those moments, keeping everything smooth and uninterrupted.
• Photography Lighting: For photography, we use on-camera EXRT Speedlights with MagMod diffusers and grids. Typically, we use fill or bounce light for a brighter, natural look. However, if you love that vintage aesthetic, just let us know, and we’re happy to switch to direct flash for your photos.
Do you offer photography-only or videography-only for weddings?
Yes! While our most popular collections include seamless photo and video coverage, we do offer photography-only or videography-only options. This way, you can get exactly what you want for your wedding day.
Photography Sessions
Is an engagement session included in our wedding collection?
Yes! We include a complimentary adventure engagement session with Rachel for up to two hours.
What if we don’t want or need an engagement session?
The engagement session is included as a complimentary part of your collection, so removing it does not reduce the package price. However, if you prefer, we are happy to swap it for something else, like an upgraded highlight film, welcome party / rehearsal dinner coverage, or a different session, such as a boudoir, day-after, bride-and-groom, or "trash-the-dress" session.
That said, we highly recommend doing an engagement session with Rachel before your wedding day—even if you’ve already had one with another photographer. It’s such an important opportunity for us to meet, work together, and get comfortable before one of the most important days of your life! We want you to feel completely at ease, and that starts with spending time behind the camera together.
How far in advance should we book our photography session?
For engagement sessions, we recommend booking 8 months to a year before your wedding date. This gives you the best chance to secure your ideal weekend date and your favorite season. Since we are often fully booked during peak months like spring and fall, it’s best to schedule the actual session a few months in advance to make sure you don’t miss out. For other photography sessions, booking at least one month in advance is recommended to secure your preferred date and time.
What happens if it rains on the day of our session?
We’re always watching the weather! If it looks like rain, we’ll touch base and decide whether to reschedule or embrace the weather for some epic rainy-day shots.
Can we bring our pets?
Absolutely! We love including furry friends in your session. Just let us know ahead of time, and we can plan for it.
Can we send you inspiration boards or ideas?
Yes! We absolutely love it when clients send us inspiration boards, especially through Pinterest. It helps us understand your vision and make your photos and videos feel even more personal. Feel free to send us any ideas you have!
Just a little note: the more inspiration photos you bring, the more time we may spend recreating those shots, which can sometimes limit the time for candid, natural moments. We recommend keeping your Pinterest boards focused on your top favorites to help us capture those beautiful, real moments you love.
Contracts & Add-Ons
Do you use a contract for bookings?
Yes, we use a detailed contract for all weddings, elopements, and sessions. This ensures that everything is clear and protected for both you and us.
Can we customize our package?
Absolutely! You can add film upgrades, additional coverage, and more. You can customize your package all the way up to 30 days before your wedding or elopement date.
Can we create a completely custom collection?
Yes! If our standard collections don’t quite fit your vision, we’re happy to help you create a completely custom collection that includes exactly what you need. Reach out to us, and we can chat through your ideas to design something perfect for your day.
Additional Information
Will you eat during the wedding?
Yes, we do eat during weddings, and we make sure to do so at the same time as the couple to ensure no coverage is missed.
Do you have backup equipment?
Yes! We bring multiple cameras, lenses, lighting, and plenty of memory cards to ensure every moment is captured safely.
What if something comes up and you can’t shoot our wedding?
While highly unlikely, we do have a trusted network of professional photographers and videographers who can step in if needed. Your day will always be fully covered.
Are you insured?
Yes, we are fully insured. If your venue needs proof of insurance, just let us know!
