Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you'll make while planning your day — these are the images you'll look back on for the rest of your life. As a Hood River wedding photographer who's been doing this full-time since 2019, I get asked a lot of great questions from couples during our consultations. I wanted to pull together the most important ones here, explain why each one matters, and answer them myself so you can get a real feel for how I work before we ever hop on a call.
Whether you're planning a wedding in the Columbia River Gorge or bringing me along somewhere further afield, here's what I think every couple should ask their photographer.
How long have you been doing this?
Why it matters: Experience is everything on a wedding day. Timelines shift, light changes, and things happen that no one can predict. You want someone who's seen it all and knows how to adapt, stay calm, and continue with their creative directing.
My answer: I've been a wedding photographer full time since 2019. I actually shot my very first wedding for a friend back in 2010 for $150, but it took me almost a decade to fully commit to this as a career. I'm incredibly proud of what I do, and I love that I get to flex my creative muscles on a regular basis.
Do you shoot film, digital, or both?
Why it matters: Film and digital create very different looks, and the answer affects your final gallery, your turnaround time, and sometimes your package price. You should know exactly what you're getting before you sign a contract.
My answer: I shoot both. I've worked with film for many years and introduced it into my regular wedding-day routine about two years ago. After practicing at many weddings, this year is the first year I've officially included it in my packages. I have four film cameras and switch between them throughout the day depending on the lighting and the moment. On a typical wedding day, I'll have two digital cameras on my waist and two film cameras hanging around my shoulders. I look like a one-man-band!
What is your backup process?
Why it matters: Your wedding photos can't be recreated. A photographer without a real backup plan is putting your entire gallery at risk — this question tells you how seriously they take protecting your memories.
My answer: Every wedding, I shoot with two SD cards recording simultaneously in each camera, so if one card is ever corrupted or damaged, I have a second one with the exact same images already saved. Once I get home, I upload everything to an external hard drive and store both SD cards safely in a case — untouched until your gallery has been fully edited and delivered. After you've received your gallery, I migrate everything to a second external hard drive as an extra safeguard. Data storage is something I take very seriously, and this process is the result of years of trial and error.
What gear do you bring?
Why it matters: Quality gear isn't about brand names — it's about reliability and versatility. A photographer with backup equipment and the right lenses for different moments (portraits, details, low light) is set up to capture your whole day well.
My answer: I shoot with two Sony cameras and a 35mm, 85mm, and 24-70mm lens. I also carry three flashes, a Camp Snap Super8 for fun BTS clips, and four film cameras. It's a little ridiculous, but I use every single one of them for different reasons — I love them all like my own children.
What do you bring to our wedding day?
Why it matters: A great wedding photographer brings more than gear — they bring an energy and experience that shapes how comfortable you feel all day. This question gets at the "vibe" you can expect, not just the equipment list.
My answer: Physically, I show up with a lot: my cameras, creative props for flatlays, and an arsenal of little essentials I've collected over the years — deodorant, ibuprofen, tampons, needle and thread, you name it. Emotionally, I bring experience, productivity, creativity, and fun. I want to create lived-in, genuine moments, which means I do my best to insert myself into the day and really become part of it, while gently prompting and encouraging you through poses along the way.
What is it like to work with you?
Why it matters: You'll be spending one of the most important days of your life with this person, often up close during vulnerable or emotional moments. Their personality and energy matter just as much as their portfolio.
My answer: My clients tell me I'm fun, funny (humble brag), and easygoing. I know what it feels like to be uncomfortable in front of a camera, and I also know how to navigate a high-stress, fast-paced environment. As a mother of three and an artistically-minded photographer, I love coming up with unique angles and creative shots, but I'm also efficient and ready to get things done — so we can be creative, joyful, and romantic while still keeping your day on schedule.
What happens if you get sick?
Why it matters: Life happens, even to your photographer. You deserve to know there's a real contingency plan in place so your wedding day is never left uncovered.
My answer: If I wake up too ill to shoot, I have a roster of trusted wedding photographers I can call on to step in for the day — I would still personally edit and deliver your final gallery. In the very unlikely event that I'm unable to find coverage and can't shoot your wedding at all, I refund you in full, and I would be very, very sad about it.
What happens if it rains, or it's unusually hot, or incredibly windy?
Why it matters: In the Gorge, weather can turn on a dime — and how your photographer handles it directly affects your photos and your stress levels on the day. You want someone who has a plan, not someone who panics.
My answer: Weather! Uncontrollable, and the bane of every bride's existence. When it rains, I embrace it — rainy wedding days are good luck, they bring everyone closer together, and they create a really beautiful atmosphere. I know how to protect my gear, and I spend the day reassuring you that the photos are going to turn out beautifully, because they will. Heat is exhausting but predictable these days, so we focus on staying hydrated, cooling off when we can, and finding creative ways to work in the shade. And wind? I love the wind. I know it feels chaotic when your hair is flying everywhere, but I promise you it photographs incredibly.
We're anxious in front of the camera — what's your approach with posing?
Why it matters: Most couples aren't professional models, and camera anxiety is one of the biggest fears people have about their wedding day. Knowing your photographer's posing style ahead of time can put your mind at ease.
My answer: I have countless poses and prompts logged in my brain, plus plenty more saved on my phone. Before your wedding, I'll also ask for a Pinterest board and a shot list so I understand the mood and style you're drawn to. My approach is to prompt you rather than lock you into a rigid pose — I want you to feel casual, comfortable, and most importantly, SUPER hot, because you are going to look so good.
Can we see some full galleries?
Why it matters: Sample images on a website are curated highlights. Full galleries show you what a complete wedding day looks like from start to finish — the real range and consistency you can expect in your own gallery.
My answer: Absolutely! [Insert gallery link here] — here's a look at some of my favorite full weddings from the past few years.
