FAQ

WHAT ARE YOUR PRICES?

DO YOU TRAVEL?

WHAT TYPE OF ADD-ONS DO YOU OFFER?

DO YOU HELP WITH OUR TIMELINE?

It all depends on your wedding day, but here are some places to start: full day weddings begin at $10,000 and elopements begin at $3000. I do offer different package options because I know everyone has a different budget, so please don't hesitate to ask! Engagements, family lifestyle, and portrait sessions begin at $1000!

You bet! I am local to Sonoma County, but love to travel and try to do it as often as possible. Travel costs fully depend on where you want me to go, but we can work together to figure out a great price for you and me!

I offer extra hours, custom (gorgeous) leather and linen albums, engagement sessions, adventure sessions, 2nd and 3rd photographers, and prints/canvases through your private online gallery.

Hell to the yes I do - this is a huge part of my process and we work closely to make sure you get everything you want out of your day and maximize your time with me.

MY FIANCE HATES HAVING THEIR PHOTO TAKEN!

It’s TOTALLY OK! I promise it’s not a big deal at all and we make it FUN. I bring music, sometimes we bring alcohol - whatever it may take to help you guys loosen up we’ll bring it!

WHAT IS THE PROCESS SHOULD WE DECIDE TO BOOK YOU?

WHAT DO WE WEAR FOR OUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION?

DO YOU SELL YOUR RAW FILES?

DO YOU MEET BEFORE BOOKING?

It’s pretty simple! We finalize the deliverable goods/time/price and then I send over a proposal + contract for you and your partner to sign. There’s a 50% non-refundable retainer and then we’re locked in for your date! HOORAY!

This is a great question! You can check out my "what to wear guide" over here. It answers all of the questions you may have (and some you probable haven't thought of. I've got you covered!

Nope! It's a hard and fast "no" for me. When you hire me, you hire me for my expertise in documenting as well as my artistic eye for editing.

In all honesty, I don’t really have the time to meet up in person, however, if that’s what you NEED then we will make it happen! I often find that a FaceTime or Google Hangout is more than enough to get to know one another and ask all the questions and to make sure we’ve got great chemistry ;) I don’t ever book anyone without making face-to-face contact, but FaceTime and Hangouts work GREAT!

CAN WE ADD ON TO OUR PACKAGE LATER AND START WITH THE BASICS?

You bet - we just alter the contract to reflect the new terms and settle remaining payments at the same time.

WHEN DO WE GET OUR PHOTOS?

I usually post a sneak peek on Facebook or Instagram within the first week after your wedding day and you'll receive all of the images within 6-8 weeks (but hopefully much sooner!). For engagement/portrait sessions, I deliver the final product within 2-3 weeks.

WHAT IF YOU'VE NEVER PHOTOGRAPHED AT OUR VENUE BEFORE?

If I haven’t shot at your venue before I 100% assure you it’ll be a good thing! I LOVE shooting in new places because it gives me the creativity to see a space with fresh eyes!

WE DON’T WANT OUR PHOTOS TO BE SHARED ON YOUR WEBSITE.

Bummer, but completely understandable. In this case we sign a contract with some different clauses and there’s an additional $4,000 fee on top of your wedding package. Using your wedding photos in my portfolio is vital to helping me bring in new clients so if I can’t do that I lose potential business. Hopefully you understand :)

WHAT IF YOU GET SICK AND CAN’T MAKE IT TO OUR WEDDING?

I pray this never ever happens, but LIFE happens and I’ve got back up plans in place - AKA I’ve got you taken care of. I have resources of extremely talented photographers at my fingertips and we’d make sure someone talented and caring is there to capture your day for you.

DO  YOU OFFER ASSOCIATES TO PHOTOGRAPH WEDDINGS?

I do have an associate who is incredibly talented and if I'm not available to document your day, and she is - you have the option to work with her! She'll document your day and you'll get the same Melissa Atle signature edits!

Let’s Make Magic Together

For more photography + life musings

email hello@melissaalte.com