WEDDING, EVENT AND PORTRAIT PRICING TIERS AND BOOKING PORTALS ARE HERE.
What’s the difference between the $3,000, $3,500 and $4,200 wedding packages?
Mostly time and coverage depth. Shorter packages are built around making sure we capture the most important moments of the day while longer coverage gives us room to breathe, which means better candids, less rushing during portraits and a more complete story of the day. With higher tiers, you can also get an additional photographer (better coverage), a lighting assistant (better low-light shots, like during a reception) or additional sessions (engagement, bridal portraits, family).
Do we really need two photographers?
Not always! But having two photographers can help a lot when timing is tight, or when you have a lot of guests (100 or more), or when special moments are happening in different places at the same time. For example, having two photographers means each partner gets their own photographer when getting ready in different locations. Or during the ceremony, one photographer can be focused on the couple while the other captures reactions from family and friends in the audience. The dance floor is another great example – one photographer can capture the Bride and Groom busting moves on one side of the dance floor while the other is photographing a father spinning his daughter around on the other side – or one photographer can be on the dance floor while the other circulates among the other guests.
For smaller or simpler weddings, one photographer is more than enough. For larger ones, a second photographer is recommended if you want a lot more coverage and flexibility.
Please note: removing a second photographer already included in a package doesn’t reduce package cost.
Why is wedding photography billed differently than hourly photography?
Because weddings aren’t straightforward like most hourly jobs. Even the smallest wedding package requires planning, timeline coordination and editing and because there’s no second chance if something goes wrong, you want the best of the best doing that work, which requires a more premium cost. Many people think of wedding photography as just “showing up and shooting photos on the wedding day”, but what you’re paying for isn’t just the time the photographer spends shooting on your wedding day, it’s everything that has to happen before, after and in-between, and it’s a lot of detailed work that requires significant experience and talent.
What does a lighting assistant actually do? Do they also take photos?
No, a lighting assistant isn’t an additional photographer. A lighting assistant helps carry and manage equipment, set things up/take things down, and hold off-camera lighting, all things that help your actual photographer create better images and focus on the things that matter instead of missing an important shot because he had to make multiple trips to carry equipment in or because he was setting up lighting in another room.
Why is additional time more expensive on the wedding day?
When extra time is booked in advance, it’s easy to plan for. Timelines can be adjusted, staffing can be set and everyone knows what the day looks like right from the start. When extra time is added day-of, it means changing plans that have often been locked in for weeks or months. I’m happy to offer day-of extensions when possible, but they can significantly impact us and our schedules, which is why they’re priced higher.
Can we mix and match elements from different packages?
No. The packages are intentionally structured as complete coverage options, not ala carte menus. Each one is designed to work as a whole.
That said, if something is close but not quite right, adjustments can usually be made through add-ons rather than breaking packages apart.
What exactly is included with an engagement session?
Engagement sessions are relaxed two to three hour portrait sessions with time built in to chat. It gives you plenty of time to warm up to being in front of the camera. We’ll talk ahead of time about the overall vibe, where we’ll shoot and what you’re thinking about wearing. On the shoot day, I’ll give you direction and pose you, and ideas from you are always welcome.
Engagement sessions are a great way to learn how I work before the wedding and to get more comfortable working together, which will make your wedding photos better, too!
You’ll receive 30 to 45 beautiful, edited images in an online gallery within 7 days of your session.
Why is it an engagement session OR bridal portraits in the top package?
This flexibility lets you choose what makes the most sense for you: an engagement session in regular clothing before the wedding, or bridal portraits in a gown and tux either before or after the wedding. Some couples already have recent couple portraits, and others simply prefer bridal portraits over engagement shots.
Do you offer discounts for shorter weddings or off-season dates?
Shorter weddings are already accounted for with a separate elopement/micro-wedding package, which is priced well below the standard wedding tiers at $1200.
For weekday weddings, I offer limited discounts! From April through October, Monday through Thursday weddings receive $300 off, and from November through March, Monday through Thursday weddings receive $500 off.
Friday through Sunday weddings are always full price.
Are travel and taxes included?
Local travel is included, which generally means Santa Barbara to Paso Robles and nearby areas. For weddings in the Los Angeles Basin or the SF Bay Area, I’m happy to travel for a $500 travel/hotel fee.
Services are not generally taxed in California, but any required taxes will be discussed in advance and handled according to local/state regulations when applicable.
Why aren’t wedding albums included in any package?
Keeping album ordering separate lets you decide – you can order in advance, or you can order after you’ve seen your photos, when you might have a better idea of what you’d like included in an album. Either way is fine and the pricing is the same regardless. Tax applies to the purchase of wedding albums.
What’s required to book?
All you need to do to make it official is to pay your initial 50% fee and sign your wedding agreement! You can find pricing and booking information here.
Please note: this FAQ page is an informational guideline and is not a legal document and should not be treated as such. Please consult your contract for specific legal details. I am not responsible for accidental errors or omissions on this page. Should any information on this page contradict or contravene anything in a legal agreement between Namu.Love and a client, the contracted agreement will take precedence.