Photographer - Leah Goetzel
- Business: Leah Goetzel Photography
- Location: Denver, Colorado CO
- Experience: 10 Years
- Photography Types: Engagements, Family, Weddings
- Profile: Leah Goetzel Photography
- Website: leahgoetzel.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi there! I'm Leah, founder and lead photographer at Leah Goetzel Photography.
I started taking photos over 15 years ago while on a family trip to Greece. While walking around, I saw a puddle with a Grecian temple in the reflection. I asked to borrow my dad's old point and shoot– and that was the first photo I ever took– I've been hooked since!
Photographing weddings fell into my lap after the sweetest couple saw my work on Instagram years ago. They trusted me to photograph their intimate wedding in San Antonio, Texas. It was such an honor and privilege to capture their special day. I loved being present on a couples most important day. I love everything about weddings, the intimacy, the laughter, the cake. I truly pinch myself daily that I get to do this full time.
My top priority is not just capturing gorgeous wedding imagery, but also ensuring I provide an incredible experience for all my couples. My style is very candid, but I do want to make sure I give enough direction and posing so all my couples feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
My favorite part about being a wedding photographer is the connections I have with my couples and their families. I have people tell me every wedding day that they felt like I was a guest at their wedding and how comfortable they felt being photographed by me.
I'm so lucky to be able to photograph weddings in the gorgeous state of Colorado!
2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?
I have been photographing weddings full time since 2018 and since then I've photographed over 120 weddings!
3. How would you describe your photography style?
My style is very candid. I love capturing moments, big and small. I want my couples to look back on their wedding photos in 20+ years and have their images look the way their day felt. I want to photograph all the little moments that they might have forgotten if it wasn't for my photos; the bridesmaid spilling her drink on the dancefloor, grandma emotionally seeing her granddaughter walk down the aisle, the hand squeezes of parents during the ceremony. Those tiny moments are what makes every wedding so special and unique.
4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?
I recommend couples booking at least a year in advance. Especially with a state as popular for weddings as Colorado, vendors can be booked up as far as 2 years in advance! Most of my couples book me in January or February and usually are about a year or a year and half from wedding day.
Saturdays are always the busiest date for me and get booked very quickly. But I've seen an increasing number of weddings on Fridays. For elopements, most couples get married on a weekday since outdoor locations are less busy on those days.
My busiest season is usually August to October. But Colorado is a destination for weddings all year round! I've had people want snowy winter weddings and decided to get married in December!
5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
All of my packages are customizable since every wedding and every couple is so different. But my most popular package is 8 hours of wedding coverage with a second photographer and engagement session, that package is $4090.
For all wedding packages you can add an engagement session, bridal session, boudoir session, second photographer and additional hourly coverage.
For traditional, big weddings I require a minimum of 6 hours. I've found that less than 6 hours of coverage can lead to a stressful and rushed wedding day, which is the last thing I want my couples to feel on their special day! If couples are having a smaller, intimate wedding or elopement, wedding coverage begins at $1550 for 2 hours.
6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?
As of now, if a couple books me for their wedding day it will be me photographing them! I do offer a second photographer for all my weddings if that's something my couples would like to add on. I love working with a second photographer on wedding day for two reasons. The first is it allows coverage to be happening at two places at once. I can focus on one partner getting ready and my Second can photograph the other. This leads to a much more relaxed, easy going day and full wedding gallery. The other reason is it allows a more cohesive story and multiple vantage points throughout the day. During ceremony, when emotions are high and lots of things are happening at once, a second photographer means all expressions, emotions, and events are captured.
7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
For Colorado weddings, travel up to 150 miles is included. This encompasses all of Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and the major mountain towns. Travel outside that radius is priced at $100/hr by car.
I have all inclusive pricing for stateside and international weddings, starting at $5200 and $6770, respectively. I do offer significant discounts for Dallas, Austin, Switzerland and Germany based weddings as well as certain "bucket list" travel destinations.
8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?
Albums and prints can be purchased separately after wedding day directly from couples online gallery. Family and friends also have access to that gallery and are welcomed and encouraged to purchase prints from there as well!
9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?
After wedding day, couples can expect to see a sneak peek on social media in 24-72 hours. Then in 2 weeks they will receive either a highlight blog post or gallery of 40-50 images. And then in 6-8 weeks they will receive their full, beautifully edited and curated online gallery.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
In the event of a cancellation, couples' retainer is non-refundable. I do so much planning and pre-wedding correspondence that is covered by that retainer. Before booking all couples will have had up to an hour consultation with me, then right after booking I will get to work on planning and aiding in their timeline, location scouting and more. All couples receive a wedding guide and welcome gift. Then leading up to the wedding day they'll receive tons of helpful resources for planning their wedding as well as a final wedding consultation call.
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