Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the questions couples and families ask most often before they book. If yours is not here, the contact page is the fastest way to ask, and the investment page covers pricing in detail.

Will you bring a second photographer to my wedding?

It depends on the wedding. For larger celebrations, or when the two of you are getting ready in different places, a second photographer is included so nothing is missed. For smaller gatherings I usually work alone; a second camera at an intimate wedding tends to be a distraction, and it doubles the images without doubling the moments. We decide together once I know your day.

How long until I can see my photos?

Portrait galleries are usually ready within two to three weeks. Wedding galleries take four to eight weeks depending on the season. October is the busiest month in East Tennessee and I am often shooting several days a week, so autumn weddings sit at the longer end of that range, while a March wedding may be back in three. You will always get a small preview within a few days.

Who will photograph my session or wedding?

Me. I do not hand bookings to associate photographers. When a second photographer is part of your collection, it is someone from the Knoxville area whose work I know well and have shot alongside before, and I am still the lead all day and the one editing every image.

What is a print release, and why don't I get the copyright?

Every gallery comes with a print release, which means you can print, share and enlarge your images wherever you like for personal use, without limits and without asking me. Copyright stays with me, as it does with almost every photographer, because it is what lets me show the work in my portfolio and stops third parties from using it commercially. In practice the release gives you everything a family or couple needs.

Can I share my images on social media?

Yes, please do. Post them, send them to family, use them as your profile photo. The only things I ask are that you share the edited images rather than screenshots, and that you skip filters, which tend to undo the color work. A credit is always appreciated but never required.

How can I book you?

Start with a message through the contact page with your date and venue. If I am available, I send a proposal and an agreement; once the agreement is signed and the retainer is paid, the date is yours. Most couples like to meet first, either over coffee in Knoxville or on a video call, and I am always glad to.

When are payments due, and do you take credit cards?

A thirty percent retainer holds your date, and the balance is due thirty days before the wedding. If it helps, the balance can be split into monthly payments at no extra charge. Portrait sessions are paid in full at booking. I accept cards, bank transfers and checks.

Can I have a custom package for my wedding?

Yes. The collections on the investment page fit most weddings, but if you need something different, such as a short elopement, coverage across two days, or an album without the extra hours, tell me what matters most and I will put together a custom quote.

What about mini-sessions for portraits?

I do not offer mini-sessions. Fifteen minutes is enough for one good photograph, not for a family to relax into a session, and I would rather give you the full two hours and a full gallery. Families who want something quick and seasonal usually find a full session in the autumn foothills gives them a year's worth of images anyway.

You're out of my budget, but I really want to hire you. Can I have a discount?

I keep my pricing consistent so that every couple pays the same for the same work, which means I do not discount on request. What I can do is help you get the most from what you have: fewer hours, a weekday or off-season date, an album added later, or the intimate wedding collection if your guest list is small. Ask, and we will find the version that fits.

Do you shoot elopements?

Gladly. Elopements and intimate weddings in the Smoky Mountains are some of my favorite days of the year: a handful of people, a short ceremony on an overlook or in a small chapel near Gatlinburg, and the rest of the afternoon to wander. Coverage starts at four hours and details are on the investment page.

How soon do we need to book you?

For weddings, nine to fourteen months ahead is typical, and Saturdays in October and May often go a year or more in advance. That said, I do have last-minute openings now and then, so it never hurts to ask. Portrait sessions can usually be scheduled within a few weeks, except in autumn, when the calendar fills by late summer.

What if it rains?

We photograph in it, work around it, or move it. Overcast skies are actually the best light there is, and a little rain under a covered porch makes for memorable images. For heavier weather at a portrait or engagement session we simply reschedule at no cost. For weddings we build the timeline with a backup plan, and I bring clear umbrellas just in case.

Do you travel outside East Tennessee?

Yes. Everything within East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, the Tri-Cities and the mountains, is covered without travel fees. For weddings further away I quote travel at cost, and I am always happy to talk about destinations.

Ready to look at the work again? Head back to the portfolio, or read about how a wedding day runs on the weddings page.