Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Have You Been in Business?

How Long Have You Been in Business?

I started Amanda Matilda Photography in 2012! Before that I second shot under some pros to get a better understanding of what went into documenting weddings. I fell in love with it immediately!

Will We Get the Digitals?

Will We Get the Digitals?

Yes! I cull through all the images and retouch them to my style (I like to call it vibrant and timeless!) and deliver the final images in an online gallery.

Are You LGBTQ+ Friendly?

ARE YOU LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY?

YES!! Friendly and Affirming. I love, support, and celebrate all love. No matter who you love or what you look like, you are welcome here. 

Where are you based?

Where are you based?

I am lucky to live in Grand Junction, Colorado! We're blessed with incredible locations to photograph right in our backyard, but also just a short trip into the Rocky Mountains or over to the desert of Moab!

What if we're not adventurous?

WHAT IF WE'RE NOT ADVENTUROUS?

I am such a couch potato - so I get it! While I love to hike from time-to-time, I am honestly not into the crazy adrenaline-seeking activities most elopement photographers seem to be. I work with ordinary couples and your elopement day should be tailored to the two of you! 

How far in advance should I book you?

How far in advance should I book you?

Wedding couples usually book me 9-18 months in advance. If you're wanting to work with me, I suggest booking as soon as you have a venue and date secured!

Elopements are typically booked anywhere from 1 week before to a year or more in advance! There is no right or wrong here, but weekdays are much more likely to be open than a Saturday.

Do you require a retainer fee?

DO YOU REQUIRE A RETAINER FEE?

I do require a retainer fee to save your date. The wedding retainer is $1,000 down, and reserves your big day in my calendar! Elopements and portraits require a 50% retainer and again saves your date on the books.

Do you travel?

DO YOU TRAVEL?

YES! I travel for many of my elopements and weddings each year. I have learned in order to best serve my couples, I do not travel outside of the Grand Junction and Moab areas from December-April so there's no chances of highways keeping me from getting to you. I frequently spend summers traveling to Ouray, Crested Butte, and Aspen!

Do couples ever travel to you?

DO COUPLES EVER TRAVEL TO YOU?

Another big YES here! Grand Junction is such an under-appreciated area, but is quickly becoming a destination for couples eloping in Colorado. I love showing you around the best spots of my backyard!

Wedding-Related Q's

What if I don’t need an engagement session?

What if I don’t need an engagement session?

Engagement sessions are a great chance for us to get comfortable together and for you to get used to being in front of the camera! That way you’re not awkward or unsure on your wedding day; you know exactly what to expect and all that prep work comes flooding back. Plus they’re just pretty fun! We could go to a coffee shop, hike your favorite trail, or build a bonfire and roast marshmallows. The possibilities are endless!

But yes, to answer your question, engagement sessions can totally be removed for a discount. I have lots of couples every year from states away who can’t do an engagement session, and that’s completely fine!

Why do you include an album?

Why do you include an album?

I include an album with every full wedding collection because I believe in providing tangible products and creating imagery that will last a lifetime. Helping you create and keep your first family heirloom that you will pass down to your kids is something so awesome about my job, and I love to see my couples relive their wedding day as they flip through its pages weeks after the event!

When should we do our engagement session?

When should we do our engagement session?

It’s ultimately totally up to you! Save the dates typically go out 6-10 months ahead of the big day, so if you want engagement pictures to be part of those announcements, you should consider that in timing the engagement session. Other than that, if you have a favorite season you could do them at that time of year. Similarly if you are having a fall wedding and wanted a change of scenery for your engagement photos you could do spring blossoms for that session! It all depends on what you want for your images.

Do you have a second shooter?

Do you have a second shooter?

While I shoot almost all of my weddings alone, I do have a few photographer friends who will second shoot if that is something you want to add-on!

Can we give you a shot list?

Can we give you a shot list?

I will work with you through the wedding planning process to get a list of family members you want in your family formals. From there I will help by creating the perfect workflow list of groupings, and get your final approval and edits on that list! This really helps take the stress off you - I don’t want to give you one more thing for your to-do list when I could easily create the list based on my hundreds of weddings worth of experience! For portraits, if there are specific poses you want I’m happy to see your inspiration, but I don’t work off of a set shot list for that part of the day since I want you to be focused on the experience of the day and will guide you through prompts to help you look your best!

Elopement Q's

Can you help us pick a location?

Can you help us pick a location?

Absolutely! I love spending my free time checking out new hikes and areas, and have quite a few ideas stockpiled for elopements and sessions. You don't have to know your exact location(s) before booking! Many couples will book me for my expertise, style, and weird fun personality, then we'll hop on a Zoom call to go over your options based on what you're looking for!

What if the weather sucks?

What if the weather sucks?

I always encourage embracing the weather, as it's a unique thing about your day, and as much as I wish I could, I can't control the weather! Plus the wind blowing in your hair or dress or veil, looks pretty dang cool in pictures! If the weather is terrible enough that it would super ruin things, we can usually reschedule or readjust though, so don't sweat it.

What should we do during our elopement?

What should we do during our elopement?

First of all, there is no should with elopements (or weddings, if you ask me!) You can literally do whatever you want! Feel like exploring a ghost town and ending the day at your favorite brewery? Sweet, let's do it. Hate hiking but love taco trucks? Why don't we get dinner at your favorite spot? Always wanted to share your first dance and a champagne toast on the side of a cliff in the desert? I got you.

Do you help with planning?

Do you help with planning?

Sure thing! I help with location ideas specific to what you're looking for, permit requirements for those spaces, how to get and sign a Colorado marriage license, tips for bringing your dog along, to fun activity options and vendor recommendations. You're not in this alone!

Delivery & Post-Wedding

How long do we have to wait to see our photos?

How long do we have to wait to see our photos?

I put up a blog highlighting your wedding or elopement the week after your big day, so you only have to wait a few days! Your full gallery is completed within a month of the wedding as well. I’m an impatient person so I totally get not wanting to wait months and months to get your photos back!

What's the album process like?

What's the album process like?

For designing your wedding album, I'll start by creating a first draft for us to work off of. I've found this is a much less overwhelming start than asking you to choose a number of images or design it yourself from a program. Who has time for that? From the first draft I'll get your feedback in an easy proofing system and make the edits for you. You'll have your finished album no more than 3 months after you receive your online gallery if you're quick to proof your album!

How many images will we receive?

How many images will we receive?

Every wedding and elopement is totally unique, so I don't guarantee a set number of images. I work hard to document every candid moment and decor detail of the day to tell the full story of your day! On average, though, I deliver around 50 images per hour of coverage for events.

Can we have the raw unedited images?

Can we have the raw unedited images?

No. The editing process is like putting together the ingredients of a cake and baking it til it's cooked! I would never give you raw ingredients when you ordered a full cake from me.