Finch Photography

All prices are recommended starting rates, but I know that every project is unique and am happy to work with a customer if they have special needs or are under a budget. Memories are priceless, and everyone should have access to them. My cancellation policy is: Within 48 hours of the shoot - free rescheduling or refund minus deposit. Less than 48 hours of the shoot - $100 rescheduling fee or refund minus deposit.

Once a client has reached me, I like to ask a few questions: Do you have a location in mind? Do you want me to help pick one? What's your budget? When do you need your photos by, and how many would you like (roughly) in your album? Do you have a concept or theme in mind? Is our shoot for a special occasion? Once we have these details ironed out, I touch base with ideas for the shoot and location as soon as possible, and then check in again the day before to confirm. If you need to reschedule for any reason, doing so 2 days before our shoot is free.

I've been taking photographs for almost 15 years, and have been doing so professionally since early 2015. I studied Film and Digital Media at UC Santa Cruz, taking multiple photography and videography courses and practicing my art outside of the classroom consistently, whether in the beautiful nature of the California coastline or in the live music scene. I'm constantly expanding my photography expertise with mentorships, seminars and courses from other notable photographers like Michael Shainblum and Jordan Correces. I've collaborated with brands like TEDx, IAOM and Elemental Accelerator as well as working with Portland-area clients from all walks of life. I view my photographic journey as the destination itself - a learning process that will never truly end - and I strive to improve myself with every client I meet.

My dad is a music teacher, and while I thought I would follow in his steps when I was younger, I found that expressing myself through visual art spoke to me much more clearly. I attended UC Santa Cruz for Film and Digital Media and have never set my camera down since. Photographing concerts and music festivals was my way in, but over the last decade I have found that I love nothing more than pushing the boundaries of my work with new subjects and experiences, always hungry for the next lesson and next connection.

I have been hired by: - Brides and grooms - New mothers - Large families getting together for the first time in a long time - Proud parents of soon-to-be graduates - Couples who are freshly engaged OR years down the road together - Professionals looking to brand themselves and their work - Bands and musicians looking to express their music visually - TEDx - Models looking to expand their portfolio - Music festivals - International conventions - Local businesses and entrepreneurs - Possibly you!

When Sara and Ben hired me as their engagement photographer in November of 2022, they told me they were interested in working with me on their wedding day the following September. What I didn't know was that I was going to be immersed in the sweetest multi-cultural extravaganza wedding I'd shot to date. With over 300 guests from Nigeria and all over the US, I had my work cut out for me. Capturing the bridal prep, first look, bridal party and family group photos took about 2 hours, and then the wedding began in earnest. The beautiful ceremony overlooked the lake at Horning's Hideout, and I made sure to capture the full scope of the scene in addition to intimate close-ups of the vows and first kiss. The reception lasted over 5 hours, with delicious homecooked Nigerian food, tear-jerking toasts, dancing, traditional Nigerian wedding garb and a bouquet and garter toss. Sara and Ben ended the night with a stylish sendoff in Ben's father's vintage VW bug. Sara and Ben booked the Sequoia Package, giving them 8 hours of photography and a wedding album of 250 edited photos within 6 weeks.

Make sure you love their portfolio before you reach out, and then have a conversation with them about their working style - personally, I feel very awkward in front of the lens, so I bring that empathy to every shoot, whether my client is a seasoned model or someone line me who isn't sure what to do with their hands. Trusting your photographer to lighten the mood and keep you feeling comfortable and calm during a session may be the most important aspect of a working photographic relationship.

What is my budget? Is it flexible at all? When do I need my images by, and in what format? Do I want the option to purchase prints later? Do I have a specific time and/or place in mind for the shoot? Do I have inspiration or a look already in mind?