The inquiry form below is the first step in sharing a few details and confirming availability. Every message is read personally and responded to with care.
I reply within two business days, often sooner. If I’m not immediately available, it’s because my attention is fully with the work or people in front of me.
Start the conversation.
o
This is where everything we’ve talked through comes together. I arrive prepared, aware of the timeline, and tuned into the pace of the day. Sometimes that means stepping in with direction; other times it means giving space and letting things happen as they are.
You don’t have to manage anything or perform. The work is simply to be present while I take care of the rest.
Step 3: Wedding Day
Once availability and scope are confirmed, booking is finalized through a signed contract and initial payment. This secures your date and allows planning to move forward with clarity.
From there, I stay connected as details take shape, offering guidance around timing, locations, and practical considerations so everything is aligned well before the day arrives. By the time coverage begins, expectations are clear and the process feels settled.
Step 2: Book
Complete the inquiry form below with a few details about what you’re planning and the services you’re interested in. I’ll follow up personally by email and text to confirm availability and next steps.
This typically includes a consultation call to talk through your plans, priorities, and what working together would look like. The goal is simple: to make sure the approach, expectations, and timing align before moving forward.
Step 1: Inquire
The Process
Some questions you might have:
Yes. I’m based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and regularly photograph weddings throughout Michigan and Chicago. Travel beyond those areas is welcomed and arranged as needed, both domestically and internationally. If your plans involve travel, you’re welcome to share details in your inquiry and I’ll outline what that looks like clearly.
I’ve been working in photography for over a decade, with dedicated wedding experience since 2017. I photographed my first wedding that year and have been fully booked for wedding seasons since 2019. That timeline reflects not just time spent, but consistency — years of navigating full wedding days, varied timelines, and different scales of celebration with intention and reliability.
Not necessarily. I’m confident photographing full wedding days solo and do so for the majority of my weddings.
That said, a second photographer can be valuable depending on the scale and flow of your day. When included, they allow for broader coverage — more guest moments, additional perspectives during key events, and increased attention to details happening simultaneously.
Whether a second photographer makes sense is something we’ll talk through together, based on your timeline, priorities, and the experience you want preserved.
Galleries are curated rather than capped. I deliver every image that meets my artistic and technical standards, which typically averages around 100 images per hour of coverage. The final number varies based on the flow of the day, the timeline, and how events unfold. Images are delivered in a secure, online gallery where you can view, download, and share your photographs easily. Gallery access and storage length depend on the service booked and are outlined clearly in advance.
Image security is taken seriously at every stage of the process. I photograph using dual-slot cameras, which record each image to two separate memory cards simultaneously. This creates immediate redundancy while shooting. After the event, files are backed up to multiple external drives, and original cards are retained securely until final delivery is complete. This layered system is designed to minimize risk and ensure images are protected from capture through archiving.
Final galleries are delivered within 8 weeks of the event. This timeframe allows for careful curation and consistent color and tonal treatment across the full gallery. Preview images may be shared earlier at my discretion, but full delivery timelines are outlined clearly at booking so expectations are set from the start.
Yes. While I’m not a planner, I offer guidance around timing as it relates to photography, including ceremony timing, portrait flow, and how different parts of the day impact coverage. When a planner is involved, I work collaboratively within the established timeline. When there isn’t, I’m happy to help think through pacing so the day moves smoothly and without unnecessary pressure.
Family portraits are approached with structure and efficiency. Prior to the wedding, I gather any relevant details and work with you (and your planner, if applicable) to identify groupings that matter most. On the day itself, portraits are guided clearly and completed with intention, so this portion of the timeline stays organized and respectful of everyone’s time.
Yes. I regularly work alongside planners, coordinators, and creative teams and understand how photography fits into a larger production. My role is to support the timeline and creative vision while remaining unobtrusive, communicative, and adaptable. Clear collaboration helps the day unfold smoothly for everyone involved.
Yes. Albums and prints are available and can be added during booking, after gallery delivery, or both, depending on your preference. Options and pricing are shared separately so they can be considered thoughtfully, without rushing decisions before the day itself.
Rachel & Collin
We wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, reliable, inclusive, and genuinely wonderful photographer.
We truly cannot say enough good things about our experience with Phern! From the very beginning, she was professional, kind, and incredibly thoughtful in how she communicated, planned, and captured our day when it came. She struck the perfect balance between capturing natural, in-the-moment shots and gently guiding us when we weren’t sure how to pose. Her direction was just enough to help us feel confident while still allowing real emotions to shine through.
She was also incredibly responsive—always prompt and kind when answering messages and questions, which helped everything feel smooth and stress-free. We’re so grateful to have had her as part of our wedding!
