The Experience
Please take the time to read through my approach and what to expect when booking me. I look at every client connection as a partnership and collaboration and I want this to feel like the best fit for both of us.
I want to provide the absolute best experience for you, so it’s important that we align on these important things.
Inquire now
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My style of work is documentation with a mix of editorial. Meaning, I will not create fake moments during your wedding day, but you will still get those epic portrait shots. My work is heavily focused around real honest moments with a sprinkle of posing. I will help guide you in the best light, but I usually leave the rest up to you. If you are nervous in front of the camera, thats okay! I will help you every step of the way and make sure you still get those effortless moments documented. When you look back at your gallery, I want it to be true to you and who you are, not forced.
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I create my best work for my clients when they feel like friends. That is why connection is so important to me. I want you to be as comfortable as possible, thats why I take so much time to get to know you before our time together. I typically try to schedule coffee or phone meetings multiple times before your wedding day. Trust me, we will take the time during our session to have fun.
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I’m not just saying this because photographing weddings is my job, but your photographer is the single most important “vendor” you will have at your wedding. Your gallery is the only tangible thing that truly lasts after your wedding day. Yes, budget is something to consider, but if you are looking for the “cheapest deal,” I wont be it and thats okay. You deserve to find a photographer that is the best fit for you in every way. Take me to your pricing
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I tend not to stick to one specific style. My work will always flow cohesively, but my editing style shifts based on my subject and the environment. The artistic choices I make are only to benefit you. Not every preset or style will fit every human in front of my camera.
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This is very important to me— I’m passionate about documenting couples that value me as a person first and trust in my ability to create. I want us both to be screaming on top of a mountain excited to be working together. Having full trust in each other will almost guarantee a fun and easy experience.
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The majority of my couples are getting married for the first time so most of this will be new. I am here to assist you with anything you need or questions you might have. After booking I will provide you with a wedding guide that I created with vendor recommendations, tips and tricks and things you might not know about planning a wedding. I want this process to be as easy and stress free as possible.
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Inclusivity is extremely important to me. I aim to hold space for EVERYONE, all are welcome here.
What i offer
& a brief description of what will be included in your investment.
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WEDDINGS STARTING AT $6200
ELOPEMENTS STARTING AT $2800— Fridays-Sundays excluded
Digital images — Printing rights to all images delivered. Easy to access online gallery delivery that can be shared.
Film — All wedding packages include at least one roll of film + polaroids, but you have the option to add more!
Prints — Your online gallery is connected to a valued third party printing service to making printing your photos easy!
Wedding guide — Planning your itinerary can be stressful, but not to worry! I will send you a wedding guide after booking to help you plan your special day.
Questionnaires — After booking, I will send you questionnaires applicable to your wedding. This will help me get to know you better.
More — I love connecting with my clients prior to the wedding day. I will schedule multiple meetings to chat about details leading up to your wedding.
This is only a snippet of what will be included in your wedding package. For a more in depth explanation of what you can expect in your package please fill out my submission form!
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LOCAL SESSIONS STARTING AT $950
Digital images — Printing rights to all images delivered. Easy to access online gallery delivery that can be shared.
Prints — Your online gallery is connected to a valued third party printing service to making printing your photos easy!
Questionnaires — After booking, I will send you questionnaires applicable to your session. This will help me get to know you better.
More — I love connecting with my clients prior to our time together. I typically schedule a couple meetings to chat about details leading up to your session.
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LOCAL SESSIONS STARTING AT $950
Digital images — Printing rights to all images delivered. Easy to access online gallery delivery that can be shared.
Prints — Your online gallery is connected to a valued third party printing service to making printing your photos easy!
Questionnaires — After booking, I will send you questionnaires applicable to your session. This will help me get to know you better.
More — I love connecting with my clients prior to our time together. I typically schedule a couple meetings to chat about details leading up to your session.
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LOCAL SESSIONS STARTING AT $950
Digital images — Printing rights to all images delivered. Easy to access online gallery delivery that can be shared.
Prints — Your online gallery is connected to a valued third party printing service to making printing your photos easy!
Questionnaires — After booking, I will send you questionnaires applicable to your session. This will help me get to know you better.
More — I love connecting with my clients prior to our time together. I typically schedule a couple meetings to chat about details leading up to your session.
Upcoming 2024 Travel dates:
If you see a month that I am in your area, please reach out. Discounted travel will be applied if I am already in your area.
JANUARY
Fresno, CA
Bellingham, WA
MARCH
Santa Barbara, CA
Southern New Jersey
JUNE
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sisters, Oregon
august
Lisbon, Portugal
October
Dallas, Texas
NOVEMBER
Big Bend NP, Texas
Inquire now
Haley + Josh — Portland, OR — May 2023
“Sam is a profoundly skilled and brilliant photographer. During our engagement photos and our wedding ceremony she was able to see and capture the most beautiful and complex moments. It is amazing to see her slinging three cameras while simultaneously taking a formal portrait with one and capturing a breezy, candid moment with the other (It is truly something to behold). She is a master at noticing everything from the smallest, delicate details to how the light will hit the entire room in 30 min. Not only is she skilled, she is personable, prompt, and was able to get us (a camera shy couple) to relax. We were AMAZED at what she was able to see and create. When we need a photographer again, Sam will be our first call without hesitation.”
Lauren + Jordan — Portland, Or — January 2023
“Wow! I'm still in awe of how incredible Sam has been! Let me keep this simple for all of you:
Sam was omnipresent at our wedding. We never needed to find her or encourage her to be somewhere to get a shot, she was always there. She found angles and moments that we never would have seen and captured their beauty. She worked a full 8 hours and still sent us over 50 amazing images THE NEXT DAY.
And then, 2 weeks later, we got the full gallery. Y'ALL. We have so many incredible pictures that we have spent the past 3 nights going through them and we're still not even finished. My wife has cried more reviewing these incredible photos than she did our entire wedding weekend.
Sam didn't just capture our day, she made it more special.”
Morgan + Nick — Portland, Or — august 2023
“My partner and I hired Sam as our wedding photographer last month, and we couldn’t be happier with that choice. My whole family was so impressed with how professional she was, and the photo gallery she presented to us exceeded our expectations. We’re overjoyed to have so many beautiful photos of our special day.”
Frequently asked questions
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A — I am based out of Portland, Oregon, but will travel anywhere. Plenty of clients travel to Oregon to work with me, so thats an option as well! Oregon has some of the most incredible locations to shoot at.
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A—Digital set up—Canon R6 + Canon Mark IV DSLR bodies, 35mm Canon lens and 50mm Canon lens.
Medium format set up— Pentax 645nii, 45mm lens, Holga
35mm— Canon EOS- 1
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A — A signed contract and retainer fee is required to reserve the date and time of the event. If the event is rescheduled, postponed, or cancelled; or if there is a breach of contract by the client, the retainer fee is non-refundable. Certain situations excluded- inquire further for special circumstances.
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A — This is a question I get often and one I don’t usually have the same answer for. I don’t like to put myself in a box when it comes to deliverables. I will never cap your gallery at a number and hold incredible photos hostage.
Every wedding and session is different, therefore every gallery will be unique. But not to worry, I am a chronic over shooter and tend to over deliver.
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A— Travel fees are no longer included in my wedding packages. Depending on the location; the fee will include airfare, stay for 2-4 nights and car rental/ transportation fees. Please know that I will always be mindful of your budget and will do my best to find the most affordable option when it comes to booking travel. However, please inquire for more details and options.
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A — Availability warranting, I am usually flexible. Unforeseeable circumstances like extreme weather on your session or wedding day can usually be rescheduled without a fee. If you are booking a session with me during rainy months in the PNW, sessions can only be rescheduled with a rescheduling fee. But not to worry, rain can enhance the experience making your images that much more special and unique!
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A — Payment via HoneyBook is preferred. Please inquire for details before sending any payment.
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A— During my editing process, I will do my best to remove any blemishes, spots, red marks, etc. I only remove imperfections that are not permanent on your body. I do not slim bodies or smooth faces. When you look back at your photos, its important to me that you look like you! Feel free to ask me more about my editing process.
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A — A contract will be sent prior to any Wedding or session stating that I hold the rights to share any images on social media platforms, including websites, portfolios and wedding directories for marketing purposes. Of course, if you do not feel comfortable with me sharing images of you or your children, please let me know and we can discuss other options.
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A — I have been taking photos of people and landscapes for 8 years.
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A— My turn around time is based off of how busy I am at the time. During slow season my turn around for weddings is typically 4-6 weeks & sessions are about 2-3 weeks. During busy season my turn around for weddings is typically 8-10 weeks & sessions are about 3-4 weeks. I deliver sneak peaks within 72 hours of our time together.
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A— The short answer is No. Part of my art is in the editing process and where some of the magic happens. If you feel like I left something out of your gallery, please let me know! I will never hold images hostage on purpose.
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A — For weddings I require a 30% deposit to secure your date, the remaining 70% is due a month before your wedding. For sessions, I require a 50% deposit to secure your date and the remaining is due the month before your session. After the deposit is made, if you need to split the remainder into payments, please let me know! All invoices must be paid in full by due date.
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A — I’ve created a style inspo pinterest guide that I will send over to you after booking!
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A — Luckily this has not happened yet, but heaven forbid it does, I will find a replacement photographer that I trust with similar style to capture your wedding. They will get detailed instructions from me with a shot list and timeline etc. All photos will then be turned over to me for editing. Your gallery will still be delivered by me.
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A — YES! I love helping my clients plan. Please let me know if you need recommendations and what else I can help you with.
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A — I do not offer discounts unless otherwise stated by me.
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A — I do not add any state tax to your packages. The only “tax” added will be a 3% charge for honeybooks standard CC fee.
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In the event that you have to reschedule and I am available, I charge a rescheduling fee of $350 for sessions and $1000 for weddings. Your initial deposit will be used towards your new date.
Bucket List Destinations
*A discounted rate will be applied to any wedding or session booked at these locations.