THE EXPERIENCE
I approach photographing weddings like a photojournalist who’s been granted front-row access into a historic day in the lives of two people and their families.
As your photojournalist, I will make photographs that help you recall how the day looked and felt like without being obtrusive in the role or making the day feel like a photoshoot.
01. FROM INQUIRY TO BOOKING
Being invited into your lives is the greatest honor - I’ll treat it with the respect and heart it deserves.
The process starts with a call to learn more about you and what matters most to you about your wedding photographs. With a contract and retainer, I’m all yours for your date.
You’ve given me your trust, and I’m here to hold it well. You can expect prompt communication, over 300 weddings (and counting!) worth of experience and a stress free relationship with me.
02. HONEST IMAGERY, CAPTURED UNOBTRUSIVELY
It’s your wedding day, not my photoshoot.
Not my photoshoot, not “content.”
Weddings are one of the most recorded days of a person’s life, but they don’t exist merely for photographs. I know that you want to be present the whole day and maximize time with your guests, so my photo timeline starts very simply:
We’ll set aside about an hour to capture any requested formal portraits (family, wedding party, the two of you) sometime before the ceremony. I’ll guide the portrait process so that it’s relaxed and easy.
After that, I believe what makes a day truly memorable is the unpredictable energy and reality of a wedding day. You don’t need to perform for the camera. I’m here to pay attention to the moments that unfold when friends and family gather together for you. So when you get your photographs back, it’ll feel like filling in the gaps of your real, lived memories.
I’LL ANTICIPATE MOMENTS, NOT TRY TO CREATE THEM
03. SEEING IT ALL AGAIN - YOUR WEDDING GALLERY
How you relive those memories for the first time matters, too.
It’s not just dumping a link into your inbox one day with a thousand photos.
First, you’ll get a small preview within a week of your day - just something to give you a little taste of what’s to come. In about 5 weeks, you’ll receive a carefully curated gallery (and a special way to experience the story of your day). In your personal gallery you can download your photos, share with family and friends, and order prints, albums, and frames.
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“Captured the energy, the tears, the weirdness, and the intimate moments so dynamically that it is almost like watching a film of our day.”
Lauren and Nathan, Santa Cruz 2018
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"An incredible and kind documentary wedding photographer"
K and C, Santa Cruz 2021
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"She's extremely professional, understands the right questions to ask and delivered the highest quality work. The process was the most seamless relationship of all of our wedding vendors."
Defne and Cameron, San Francisco 2015
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"Best and easiest decision we made"
Zach and Josh, Palo Alto 2022
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"Thoughtful about making sure we were never rushed, and ensured we had time to decompress alone which was very important to us. On the day she was calming, unobtrusive, and put everyone at ease."
Alli and Bobby, Santa Cruz 2022
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"Annie has a kind and calming presence and a true gift for capturing the human experience in an image. "
Hallie and Atticus, San Francisco 2022
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"She felt like a friend who happened to be photographing and we never felt rushed. Everything felt very organic and personal and it shows in the photographs."
Christine and Paul, Marin 2019
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"My husband notoriously hates having his photo taken and even he had a good time with Annie at the helm. If you’re looking for authentic, sincere photos that capture your unique moments without the fuss, hiring Annie is an obvious choice!"
Sarah and Steve, Sonoma 2023
COMMON QUESTIONS
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Being a documentary wedding photographer doesn’t mean I won’t interact with anyone or not take ANY portraits or group photos. It means your experience won’t be interrupted for the sake of a photograph, that the images made for you come from organic moments that are not fabricated or manufactured by me.
Your wedding day is about love, community, and connection - not about photos. You deserve an experience where you can live into your wedding day fully present. I photograph with a sense of curiosity, empathy, and anticipation, knowing that these photographs are what will bring the moments back years later when your memories are a bit fuzzy.
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Of course! Family portraits are still important historical documentations, likely one of the rare times everyone is together and dressed to their best, and probably the photographs you’ll first turn to when sending someone a print.
I’ll photograph the list of family photos you give me quickly and efficiently so that they are easy and painless for everyone.
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Nearly all of my clients say this, you’re not alone :)
When it’s time for a few portraits, I’ll guide you to the best light, offer natural, simple directions, and keep it brief so you feel comfortable and at ease. No excessive PDA needed or spinning around in a field if that’s not your thing, and no need to spend hours away from your guests.
The wonderful thing about weddings is that it doesn’t need to revolve around photography. Live into your day and be present, and the photographs will simply reflect that.
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The full, complete gallery is typically delivered 4-6 weeks after the wedding.
Images are delivered as high-resolution JPG files available to download through your online gallery.
You have full personal usage rights, including printing and sharing.
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I photograph exclusively with digital cameras.
Because I’m always looking for that decisive moment while avoiding half-blinks and mid-expressions, my process works best with a digital workflow with the ability to write data in two separate cards for redundancy.
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I photograph nearly all weddings as a single shooter as a personal preference, and my clients appreciate the smaller media footprint this leaves at their event and allows me to blend in well to get those candids.
There are times when adding a second photographer is beneficial to your coverage, such as:
1. You’re getting ready in two different locations and want coverage of each side at the same time.
2. You’ve invested heavily into the details and design of your wedding and want to ensure those are captured comprehensively.
3. Your timeline has a lot going on, and you prefer not to see each other before the ceremony.
Talk to me about your vision and hopes for the wedding, and I will help you decide whether your coverage would genuinely benefit from a second photographer.
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In order to reserve your date, I need a signed contract and a 50% retainer. Everything is done easily online through a booking portal.
SERVICES AND PRICING
All packages include your hi-res digital images with full personal usage rights and an online gallery.
Most couples book full day coverage at $6400.
You can add extras like rehearsal dinner coverage, an engagement session, or my custom album design service. Books and prints are encouraged, and can be ordered directly through your online gallery.
If what matters most to you is spending quality time with your guests, letting the moments unfold organically, and being present over having things perfect — I think you’ll feel right at home with my style.
I’d love to hear from you.