Please review my package details carefully and take the time to look over my portfolio and about page to make sure my personality + values + offers is aligned with what you’re looking for.

This step is crucial so you actually choose a photographer that’ll make YOUR vision come to life.

Inquire through contact form or email (hello@aokierika.com).

Please share as much details as possible so I can get a good understanding of what you’re looking for and if it’s something I can deliver on.

If I’m not available on the day you’re looking to hire me for or if I think another photographer will be a better fit, I’m more than happy to share my recommendations!

If I’m available for the date(s) you need, we’ll schedule a call to get to know each other more. This is the time to share more details of your story as a couple, your vision with the photos, and if we all feel comfortable we’ll move forward with the contract + deposit (25% for retainer fee).

This is where we see if our personalities and communication styles match. No hard feelings if we realize it won’t work out! It’s just like many first dates, it happens all the time, and the most important thing is for you to find your perfect photographer.

I would just really appreciate if we can communicate that instead of ghosting (:

Once we’re comfortable with each other and the overall vision, we’ll switch to email or schedule a coffee meet up to finalize details + logistics. I prefer in-person coffee meet ups because we get to connect better and feel more comfortable before the shoot, but it’s not mandatory.

I do want to mention that the more comfortable we are with each other before we take photos, the easier it is to work together! I’ll do my best to make sure you both feel at ease in a short amount of time, but through personal experience, building rapport before we meet for the shoot works best.

I also offer free consultation so If you need feedback/research for looks, props, activities, potential 2nd location, etc. I’m more than happy to. This is a special moment where I think it’s worth splurging if you have the budget for it. The more intentional + meaningful you are with the planning, the photos and experience will be that much better because there’s more opportunities to grab candid photos of you two being in the moment.

The day before the shoot I will text you to check in to make sure we’re all good to go!

I usually arrive about 30 min - 1 hour before to scope out the location and get any landscape shots that will enhance the overall gallery. This allows me to mentally simulate how we’re going to flow from one scene to the next. That doesn’t mean we must do it this way though; I just like to have some direction so we don’t get lost, but I’m all for being spontaneous too. I’ll direct + guide as needed, and make sure to encourage + hype you two up so you feel comfortable and safe to be yourselves! You can be as serious or goofy as you want and I’ll match that energy with you (:

I want to reassure that there will always be open communication and consideration of YOUR experience. If something doesn’t feel right, please tell me. If you have an idea you want try out but not sure if it’ll work, please tell me so we can at least experiment with it. I will always try to honor your wishes and desires to the best of my ability! Collaboration is key to creating photos that actually feel like you, so this is something I take very seriously.

I’ve gotten much more efficient with my editing process, so it only takes me about a week to share the full gallery for portrait sessions. I will let you know if I need more time for whatever reason, but it will never take more than 2 weeks.

Side note: I’ve heard tons of stories how often wedding photographers forget to communicate in a timely manner during this part of the process… That is absolutely unacceptable and I would never leave you hanging and wondering if/when you’ll actually receive your photos back. You can reach me anytime on my cell number or business email and I will respond to you within 24 hours, no excuses.

After requesting any re-edits and finalizing all the photos you love, I’ll send you a rough draft of the design for your photo book if it’s included or you decide to add it to your package. Once you approve, I’ll send it to production and you should receive it in about 4 weeks.

Please download your gallery within 1 year of final delivery and ask for any additional photos or re-edits within 6 months of receiving them. After that I can’t guarantee that I’ll have all the RAW photos.

I would love a short and sweet review from you after everything is delivered! I’m always looking to improve my service and work, so I would love to hear some honest feedback about your experience and the final gallery of the photos and/or photo book.

Please feel free to either text it or email it to me. No worries if you don’t have the time or capacity to, any recommendations to your loved ones is also greatly appreciated!

Here are some of my hopes and wishes with how they’ll be part of your home:

• A dedicated memory book - A private place to revisit your favorite core memories that are filled with joy, growth, and a great reminder of how far you’ve come together.

• A gift for parents or grandparents- Surprise them with a heartfelt addition to their family photo collection—something that’ll warm their heart every time they see it.

• Framed art for your home - Turn your favorite photo into a custom piece of artwork. Hang it where you’ll see it daily as a reminder of your love.

Anything wedding-related:

• Wedding invitations & website - Engagement photos are perfect for adding a personal touch.

• Guest book for your wedding- Display your photos in a custom guest book where loved ones can leave messages beside images that truly reflect your relationship. Couples have shared that you’re more likely to actually go through it to reminiscence than a regular guest book!

• Decor for the welcome table or events - Use framed prints or mini albums to add warmth and personality to your wedding, engagement party, or other celebrations.

I hope it sparks countless moments of joy, appreciation, and honest story-telling with loved ones (‘: