Est. 2011
Does our approach align with your needs?
• We work best with laid back down to earth couples who are fun!
• Dreamy photography - We let the natural light on the day of your wedding be the guide to making beautiful images (If needed we pull out the flash once the sun goes down)
• We focus on pre planning using detailed organization of wedding timelines and family shot-lists so the day of - you can enjoy your wedding uninterrupted.
• Long standing rapport with other local vendors, communicative and team centered.
• Photo journalism and candid focused so the wedding day doesn’t turn into a photo-shoot. When it’s time to do a few posed photos of the wedding couple or family we keep it simple.
• One photographer provides a minimal presence at your event - this approach is important to couples who value keeping the focus on their union, family, community and fun.
• Mama-T will dress as a guest - the idea is to blend in and become a part of the day avoiding the corporate feeling that photography teams often present.
• We do not photograph weddings to win awards, or enter blogs - Our offerings are an act of service.
“Mama-T was a fantastic photographer for our wedding! She captured all the right moments of us, and our friends and family. She was pleasant, fun, and professional - and really listened to our needs and wants. Our photos came out exactly how we wanted them to - sun-streaked and dreamy with natural colors to capture our northern California wedding!” Sally & Jimmy
“We are so grateful to have had Mama-T shoot our wedding and welcome event! She got exceptional shots, was friendly and fun with our guests, and knew how to get us to be ourselves in candids.”
Photography offerings
Weddings & Elopements
Family
natural light Lifestyle headshots
Baby bump & newborns
Festivals, Events and fundraisers
Pricing & booking
How to book a photo session in 3 steps: You reach out to connect about what type of photo session you are interested in. I will send you a .pdf of my current pricing. (I happily include free phone consultations for any couples interested in Wedding Photography.)
1. We both sign a contract. It’s e-sign so you can do it from your phone in minutes. Once signed I post a copy of the completed document in our email thread for our records.
2. I email you an invoice for the retainer, it goes over our shoot date, time, location and other details. Retainers are 50% of the total cost, and can be paid via venmo or Zelle. Once the payment is received I post a copy of it in our email thread for our records. The retainer holds the photography date and time, it is non refundable. We can reschedule at no charge for force majeure situations (weather, road closures etc.)
3. We are all set for our shoot, I provide PDF’s about what to expect, and lots of other valuable information. After the shoot I invoice you for the remainder of the fee, you pay via venmo or Zelle and I send the photo collection via beautiful online gallery.
Weddings & Elopments (Proposals, engagements)
Lifestyle natural light headshots and branding
Family photography
Event photography
We look forward to connecting!
Please check your inbox and spam folder for my response ✅
Q: Where do you photograph weddings?
A: I am based in Monterey, California. I am happy to travel to any California location for Wedding Photography.
Q: Are you a preferred vendor at any local wedding venues?
Roaring Camp, Aveline, Camp Campbell, Hollins House, Allied Arts Guild
Q: What type of wedding photographer are you?
A: I am a natural light lifestyle Wedding Photographer. I use a photo journalistic style to help tell the story of your day, this style is mainly candid however I am great at directing posed photos as well. I am happy to accommodate your needs, whether you want all candid images, posed, or a mix. I like to think about working with couples as a team effort. We both want the same result; beautiful images that help you remember your day. Share your ideas with me, let's collaborate!
Q: What words would you use to describe your style?
A: Organic, dreamy, down to earth, casual, charming, and fun!
Q: How do you interact with couples?
A: I am easy to communicate with, and offer excellent customer service. I send my couples a guide about how to schedule photography into their wedding day, and I offer unlimited correspondence leading up to their event via email. I am available for my couples if they have any questions, thoughts, or ideas. I like being fully informed about the timeline and day of schedule so there are no surprises. The day of your event I am mellow, friendly and fun!
Q: Do you instruct for posing? I’m kind of awkward/unphotogenic.
A: I use a mix of instructions, directions and prompts.
Instructions are used for posed photos, directions guide you without telling you what to do and prompts elicit natural reactions. This combination creates a beautifully balanced photo collection.
My goal is to photograph people when they are at ease. That is when they are most themselves, and what looks best in photos! For family or engagement sessions I always allow for an extra 15 minutes at the start of our time together so we can chat in person before the photos start. We can talk about dogs, rainbows or your favorite burrito joint.
Engagement sessions: Because we have an hour, these sessions are slower paced and we will have time to use the environment around us in a more abstract way. I use prompts that elicit natural responses. My prompts are fun and silly. Your smiles will be authentic and you will leave feeling like it was easy breezy to be in front of a camera.
Wedding Days: There is usually less time allotted for couples portraits so I come prepared with noted locations at the venue I want to use as a backdrop and some quick and friendly instructions and direction that will yield flattering and beautiful portraits. Then I will send you back to your reception. You will feel light and carefree.
Family sessions: If kiddo’s are involved; I spend the first 5-10 minutes taking classic photos of everyone looking at the camera. After we captured those must haves, I turn everything into a game so it’s fun and engaging. We will play red light green light, there will be shoulder rides, jumping, skipping and fart jokes.
Q: How will you interact with guests at our wedding?
A: I am accommodating, super friendly and warm.
Q: What will you wear when you photograph our wedding?
A: I wear stylish vintage dresses and pantsuits. I usually wear a wide brimmed black hat to protect from the sun.
Q: Can I read testimonials from your past clients?
A: Yes, absolutely each of my photo gallery pages include quotes from clients and I have a google business page 5 star reviews!
Q: WHAT TYPES OF COUPLES DO YOU WORK WITH?
A: My couples are laid back, down to earth and fun!
Q: Are you LGBTQ friendly?
My services are open to everyone. I am LGBTQIA friendly. My Wedding Photography proposals and contracts (paperwork) are all gender neutral. I ask my couples what their pronouns are, and I am comfortable using they/them.
WHAT TYPES OF WEDDINGS DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH?
A: Most of my couples have outdoor ceremonies and receptions in beautiful natural environments. However, I am happy to photograph all types of weddings: Traditional, alternative, religious, backyard, city hall, and DIY. I am happy to accommodate church guidelines, and capture alternative ceremonies. I have even photographed an all candid wedding (No posed photos! Not one!)
Q: HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED AT OUR VENUE?
A: Just ask! If I have not photographed at your venue before, I am happy to scout it ahead of time - and ask venue staff all the right questions to make sure I know every nook and cranny of the space so there are no surprises.
Q: DO YOU CARRY BACKUP EQUIPMENT?
A: Yes. I bring 5 camera bodies, 6+ lenses, extra batteries, chargers, extra memory cards etc.
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY PHOTOS?
A: Full collection in 1 week to 3 months. Return time depends on my work schedule. As a full time Photographer I am often shooting and editing multiple weddings and family sessions in any given week. I hand edit every photo in your collection. This process takes time. My goal is to deliver a beautiful photo collection to you in a timely matter without loss of quality.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SICK OR INJURED AND CAN’T PHOTOGRAPH MY WEDDING?
I will refer a professional Photographer replacement (If not a colleague then a list of professional photographers available for your date. I have access to extensive networks) We void our contract together and I refund your retainer payment within 1 - 90 days.
Q: DO I GET THE RIGHTS TO MY PHOTOS?
A: Yes. Your collection includes gently edited high resolution .jpg images. You own rights to every photo in your collection, and can do whatever you like with them including, print, share on social media, create albums etc.
Q: WHAT IF I NEED TO RESCHEDULE?
If you need to postpone your wedding due to my force majeure clauses you may postpone to a new date without penalty, or loss of retainer. If I am available for your new date, we can transfer the retainer. If I am not available (because I have another wedding booked that day) you may use your retainer for family photography sessions in the future. If you need to cancel your wedding for personal reasons, retainers are non refundable.
Q: HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL I GET?
A: Weddings: Approximately 100 photos per hour. Family photo shoots vary, please contact me for details.
Q: HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
A: Please contact me for current pricing, I’d be happy to email you my .pdf!
Q: ARE WE A GOOD MATCH FOR EACH OTHER?
A: If you like my photography style please reach out! The best way for us to get to know each other is to have a chat! I am happy to give you a call when convenient which we can schedule via email.
Q: HOW CAN WE CONTACT YOU?
#1 Please fill out a simple submission form. Click the button below.
#2 I will respond promptly if I am available for your date.
#3 If I am available on your date, we will set up a phone chat so I can hear about the details of your day, and so we can get to know each other! I will send you my official .pdf wedding photography proposal. They are straight forward and easy to read.
#4 If you decide I am the right photographer for you, you would sign my contract and pay the retainer to secure your date.
#5 Once your retainer is paid, your date is reserved on my books, and we can be in communication as much as you need leading up to your event.
“She worked tirelessly through our wedding (she also came early and stayed late!) and not only captured beautiful photos of my husband and I, but somehow managed to also get beautiful photos of each of our guests! My family and friends all loved the photos and keep talking about how perfectly she captured the mood, lighting, and feelings of that magical day. She was calm and organized and reassuring throughout the day which helped make me feel at ease. She gave us so many photos to choose from! We couldn't be happier, thank you Mama T! “ - Roma & Tim
