I’ve had the travel bug for as long as I can remember. I love visiting new places and experiencing different cultures. Even if it’s just experiencing the way the culture differs in various states in the U.S. When I was little, my dad would drive my siblings and I across the country so that we could see the sights and visit my grandparents ranch house in North Dakota and some family friends in Seattle, Washington. We did that trip three times stopping in every state we passed along the way. I don’t know how he enjoyed it with the three of us kids (who didn’t always get along mind you), but those are some of my favorite memories that I have with my dad. He came to the U.S. from Germany in his twenties and was always up for an adventure. We never really went on the “normal” relaxing type of family vacations, but instead visited places to see new sights including places in Europe and Africa. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way as a kid! I think my dad really wanted us to experience the world and to have an open mind about the fact that there are always new places to go, interesting people to meet, and that excitement lies around every corner if you just look for it…Back in February I got to go to United, which is a photography conference out in California and one of the best investments I’ve made for my business thus far. At that conference I got to hear the incredible Kenny Kim speak on the topic of his destination photography business. He is so talented and travels all over the world photographing weddings! I definitely don’t have a desire to travel every weekend and am so blessed to live in a state that has so many gorgeous places to shoot and such variety…Virginia has mountains, big cities, the beach, and so much charm…but I love that I have a job that let’s me visit new places and meet people from other parts of the country and world from time to time!One of the things that stood out to me about Kenny’s talk was that he structures his wedding pricing in such a way that it can include travel. Since I’m always trying to make things as simple as possible for my couples, I decided this would be a great option for me and for the couples that I work with. Even in-state travel fees can add up quickly and it can be confusing to plan your wedding photography budget if you’re not quite sure what the total will be once you add up all of the costs. I wanted to do a post to share that I have just restructured my pricing guide for 2015 to include east coast travel in the middle collection I offer and intercontinental travel in the top collection I offer…I also offer a separate destination weddings collection for weddings outside of the country. I love seeing how this has made an impact already! Even for weddings that are just a couple of hours away, a package that includes travel becomes the best value! And I’m so excited about the opportunities and doors that this is opening for my business and the new people that it is allowing me to meet.

Pricing guide designed by Ali Williamson.

Of course hiring the right photographer isn’t all about cost. Obviously you should love the pictures, but I really believe deep down in my heart that it’s so incredibly important to make sure you find a photographer that you truly mesh with! We end up spending most of your wedding day with you, so you want to make sure you like having us around…I wear so many hats on a wedding day…I’ve bustled a few of my brides dresses, calmed their nerves before they saw their groom for the first time, and I’ve even cut and served a cake before in the few moments I have between taking pictures. The point is that when I show up on a wedding day, I want to be a friend and supporter and I want to serve you as best as I can on one of the biggest days of your life! Whether you are local to Virginia or live on the coast of Georgia (my new favorite place!), California, Maine, etc. Or you’re planning a destination wedding, and you think we would be a good fit to work together, I would love to talk more with you! Getting to work with the couples that I do is the biggest blessing and I’m so thankful for each of them! I love that they trust me to capture their priceless memories and I’m always striving to serve them as best as I can.

If you have any questions for me feel free to get in touch! Happy weekending, friends!! Hope you all have a relaxing one…and don’t forget to hug your momma if you’re able to for mother’s day!