10 Questions with Katy Weaver

Katy Weaver Photography

Photographer - Katy Weaver

10 Questions with Katy Weaver
  • Business: Katy Weaver Photography
  • Location: Portland, Oregon OR
  • Experience: 12 Years
  • Photography Types: Portraits and Seniors, Engagements, Weddings
  • Profile: Katy Weaver Photography
  • Website: www.katyweaver.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hey, I'm Katy, the founder and owner of Katy Weaver Photography, based out of Portland, Oregon.

I've been photographing weddings for over 11 years, reveling in the happy tears, the group-hugs, the dance-moves and the heart-wrenching vows. I'm extremely passionate about the people I work with, and my favorite part of this job is the friendships I form with my clients. I also love empowering my couples to pursue the weddings of their dreams - big or small - that truly align with their values as people. I firmly believe in the importance of relationships, whether it's the quiet intimacy between a couple alone, or a rowdy group of friends who know you better than you know yourself. These relationships are what give weddings SO much meaning. And these relationships drive me to get to know the whole story behind a wedding day. I love to create a space of openness, empathy, and acceptance for my couples to feel truly seen. I strive to document their stories honestly, playfully, and artistically, depending on their unique vibe and personal vision. I'm a friendly, outgoing, extroverted person myself, but I live for deep talks, one-on-one connection, and understanding the complex nature of human gatherings. I think weddings are fascinating and incredibly fun, and I feel honored every day that I get to spend pursuing this career.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

I've been photographing weddings since 2009 and have done over 219 total since then. I typically do 15-25 weddings per year so I can give my couples the best possible experience and attention they deserve.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style is candid, artistic, bold, and a little bit playful. I love capturing a variety of images for my clients, but my style leans toward rich, bold, true-to-life colors overall. I give a lot of direction behind the camera to achieve the natural look in many of my photos. At weddings, I try to seamlessly slip into the party and tell the story as honestly as possible. I do have a strong preference for natural light, and I love to "play" with whatever available light I have on a wedding day to create artistic photos, as well as truly capture the way the day feels.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

The ideal time to book is roughly one year before your wedding date, give or take. You may even want to book 18 months in advance for first dibs on your ideal wedding date, especially if you want a prime holiday weekend, a special number date, or any Saturday in the summer.

The most popular wedding months in Oregon are July-October. My summer schedule is usually completely booked by February, sometimes much earlier. I do have more openings for smaller weddings, elopements, and portrait sessions mid-week.

Winter and spring are the least busy seasons. Summer and fall book out the most.

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

I have 5 wedding collections, ranging from $2000-$8000 in price.

My wedding pricing starts at $2000 for a 2 hour intimate wedding or elopement on a weekday, and $3500 for a 5 hour wedding/elopement on a weekend.
My a la carte hourly rate is $500/hour
My most popular package is my $4500 Meadowlark collection, which includes 8 continuous hours of photography coverage and an $800 credit toward a wedding album.
I offer engagement photos starting at $550 and I also have wedding collections that include them.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

I currently photograph all my weddings by myself, although I do offer wedding packages with a second photographer if you want one. I love photographing weddings alone because it allows me to be fully present as an individual, and more seamlessly slip into the day to tell the story more authentically. I only really need a second photographer for weddings with over 150 or 200 guests.

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

For weddings in the Pacific Northwest further than 90 minutes from Portland, I charge a 50 cents per mile travel feel, and $100 per night for a hotel (or ask you to provide a place for me to stay if you have one!)

For destination weddings that require plane tickets, I bundle my travel fees into my pricing so you don't have to worry about a thing!

I've photographed weddings in England, South Africa, Cuba, St Lucia, Mexico, and New Zealand. I LOVE traveling!

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

My entry-level wedding and elopement collections only include high res edited files, but every other collection I offer includes an album credit to create a beautiful, leather-bound archival book from your wedding day.

Prints are always a la carte through my online galleries and can be ordered at any time!

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

I typically deliver weddings in 4-6 weeks. The maximum time on any contract is 10 weeks.

I provide 5-10 edited sneak peeks within 72 hours of the wedding, and then deliver 500-1500 edited wedding photos in an online gallery when I'm done. The photos are high res and you can download them directly from the gallery to share with friends or family. You can also order prints directly through the gallery if you want!

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

If you flat-out cancel your wedding, the deposit is non-refundable.

If you move your wedding to a new date, and I am available, we can transfer the deposit to the new date, no problem.

If you move your wedding to a new date, and I am NOT available, you can either forfeit the deposit, OR I can hire an associate photographer to photograph the wedding in my place, and I will continue to edit the images myself in my same style. So you still get a Katy Weaver Photography experience, just with a different photographer on the day of.

Gallery

Awards

WeddingRule Editor’s Choice 2020