The first step of the process is to fill out the contact form: tell me a bit about yourself, your story and include any inspiration, Pinterest boards and/or questions that you might have for me. Although my website has a lot of good information, each experience is uniquely tailored to each client, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions. From there, you can expect a response (within 48 hours during normal business hours) with availability and more info from me!

After inquiring, we will have our initial conversation (via email, phone call, etc.) to discuss details, availability and more. From there, I will send over an online client portal that will include a contract, invoice, and a questionnaire. To officially book the date, the contract must be signed with the deposit paid. The remainder of your balance can be paid in payments or in full - it is all just due the day before your session and/or wedding.

For weddings: my 2027 books opened in Spring of 2026. My 2028 books will open at the end of 2027. I typically book once the venue is booked! 

For all other sessions: my 2026 books opened on January 1st, 2026!

The amount of edited images you will receive very much depends on your timeline and session type. I always guarantee a minimum of 50 edited images / hour. 

For weddings: If there is a lot of travel between locations, outfit changes, or a packed timeline, you may expect to be on the lower end for deliverables. For days with a lot of fluidity and moments happening, you can expect to be on the higher end. On average, my clients can expect 500 - 900 edited images from their day when booking “The Highlight” package.

For weddings: my turnaround time is on the 2 month anniversary. 

For sessions, my turnaround time is 3 weeks.

Yes! All video add-ons can be found in the packages above : )

Yes! I love traveling for weddings! My couples have taken me all over the world: from Iceland, to California, to Seattle, to Mexico. I accept 2 - 3 destinations each year.

I approach each session and wedding as a collaboration between this chapter in your life and my artistic approach. I love seeing photo inspo, color palettes, general vibes, aesthetics, etc. and most of all, I love knowing what feelings and memories are attached to your session and/or day. 

As for shot lists: there is a questionnaire included in the client portal that will allow you to let me know anything that is significant for me to focus on, favorite spots around the venue, and to also provide a shot list for family combinations. However, I do not accept shot lists for the entire wedding day. The reason for this is because although I want to know what matters most to you - the more I refer to a checklist, the less I am able to do what I do best - which is document authentic moments as they are happening. I want your photos to feel exactly how that day felt - not because we manufactured a moment that didn’t happen - taking away from a moment that did. 

Of course, not every image happens organically - but that is where trust comes in. I like to describe my approach as hybrid: hands-on with a bit of direction. I want the moments to unfold, with me capturing the in-betweens but at the same time - if I see a space in the venue, the light falling in a romantic way, the flowers blowing in the wind - I want to direct you to those moments that are entirely unique to your wedding. 

This is where a mood or Pinterest board comes in. If you send over a board full of images with deep greens, motion blur, a couple running together, close ups, under the veil shots, etc. - I know to document your day with more whimsy and romance and will be running alongside you; knowing that you trust me to capture it as it happens, how I see it. 

I want you and your partner to be the most present that you can on your wedding day, without worrying about any expectations.

That’s okay! Almost everybody is! The first photo is the “hardest” part. I will guide you throughout the entire process. From vision and outfit planning, posing, direction, etc. - I have you covered!

I always tell new inquiries to choose a photographer who:

1. You love their style, their editing, their portfolio. 

2. You are comfortable with them and you connect with their personality. You spend your wedding day alongside your photographer, almost more than anybody else that day. It’s important to build a friendship alongside being a vendor! 

Most of my clients become a friend in some form. It is very common for my couples to book me for their engagements and weddings - only to then become one of the first people that knows that they are expecting a new home, a new baby, a new career. I get the privilege of documenting so many milestones with my clients and also growing up alongside them :’)

athornsphoto, LLC is a licensed, insured small business in the state of Michigan. 

As for emergencies - I have, thankfully, never had to find a replacement in my entire time as a photographer but if there is an emergency - my second photographer (if applicable) would step in, in my place. I also have a community of photographers that could step in. I would do everything in my power to find a suitable replacement in time - and still handle all editing and correspondents. In the absolute worst case scenario, a refund would be issued.

Yes! Fill out the inquiry form and I will send over full galleries - you can also check out the portfolio pages or journal to see more : )

Each wedding is recorded to dual memory cards that are also backed up onto two external SSDs. Each SSD and memory card has a mirror - and no memory card is formatted until the final gallery is delivered.

So many! I have been a full-time wedding photographer for 10 years and referring to other vendors is such a joy to me, especially if that means we all get to work as a team together on a wedding day. I have referrals for every style of venue, location, vendor and more. Please reach out if you need a specific recommendation!