Pricing & Frequently Asked Questions

      Elopement and intimate wedding coverage anywhere in Central Oregon begins  at $3,000.

      Weekday coverage begins at $1,600.

      Includes complimentary consultation, help planning your dream day, one photographer, online gallery of all artfully curated images to share, print, and download as you wish.

      Most couples spend between $3,500 – $4,200 for intentional, detailed coverage of their day. Elopement collections are for intimate celebrations with 20 or fewer people.

      Please reach out to inquire for your DESTINATION ELOPEMENT.

      Most wedding clients spend between $4,500-$5,600 for wedding day coverage.

      Planning a destination wedding or elopement? 

      I’m a storyteller and image maker based in Bend, Oregon. I tell stories and artfully create images for intimate and genuine celebrations around Oregon and the world.

      I know from my own wedding that your day is going to be filled with perfect moments, maybe some imperfections, and it will definitely all be over in a blink of an eye.  I want to capture the day for you, so years down the road you can remember how incredible the day was.  Telling your story is a job that I don’t take lightly and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

      We will collaborate to create beautiful moments in nature; creating images you will hold onto for years.   I LOVE clients who don’t mind getting dirty during a session, who will run across a hillside to catch that last minute of golden light, who will walk juuuuust a little further to explore the view around the corner.

      I LOVE clients who aren’t afraid to make their day all about them instead of mimicking the latest trends on social media.  I love REAL people, REAL weddings and working with genuine people who have a laid-back approach to life.  Your wedding day should be a celebration of the love you share, honoring the lifelong adventure you are beginning together.

       

      I would love to hear about your elopement or intimate wedding plans.   Howdy@gwenshoemakerphotography.com

       

       

      FAQ

      Your Questions - Answered.

      What Makes You Different from Every Other Photographer?

      That is a great question! How do you choose the perfect photographer when the market is inundated with image overload? You can scroll for hours on Instagram and find hundreds of photographer's work you love.

      I've been shooting weddings since 2010 and am prepared for just about everything. When you are hiring a professional photographer not only do you want someone who can capture and create pretty images - you are hiring someone who helps with the flow of the day, stays calm and positive (even if things aren't going as smooth as planned), is patient and also who can work under stressful situations.

      My attention to detail is utilized throughout your wedding day and continues through the editing process. Connecting with my clients is important to me. Capturing the love and connection between my couples is what makes the images come to life. My photographic approach is journalistic. I strive to capture the feeling of your day, capturing real, un-posed moments, emotions and all that amazing LOVE.

      Being a wedding photographer is more than a job to me. It fuels my soul and I am so grateful I've been able to follow my dreams.

      What Kind of Gear Do You Shoot With?

      Canon.

      I've been shooting Canon since my mom gave me her old AE-1 film camera in 1999.

      Currently R6 bodies and a range of lenses.

      Are you Insured?

      Yes.
      Please don't hire a photographer who isn't insured.

      Our Wedding is Not Local in Bend, Oregon, Are You Available to Travel?

      Ding Dang, you bet! I love traveling.

      My travel fees are basic and included in out of state/ international collections, so there isn't any other costs to factor in.

      I've photographed weddings and elopements in Shanghai, Iceland, Alaska, around the Western states and Hawaii. Colorado is my home state and I have lots of experience shooting there.

      Please inquire for special rates for my bucket list locations.

      We Aren't Planning a Traditional Wedding, Do You Photograph Elopements?

      I certainly do! Eloping is a great option for those overwhelmed by the thought of planning a large wedding or for those who desire a more laid-back day.

      I LOVE intimate, genuine, weddings and elopements. Whether you are saying your vows in the mist of a waterfall, on a bluff overlooking the ocean or in your backyard I want to be there to capture your love.

      My home base of Bend, Oregon is full of locations to choose from. I am happy to offer advice and do some exploring to find the PERFECT one of a kind spot in nature for your vows as well as offer Leave No Trace tips for your outdoor celebration.

      Will We Get to Keep Our Photos?

      Yes! My wedding packages are priced to include YOUR final, EDITED images. Depending on the packages these will be available for digital download from your gallery or on a thumb drive. All images received will be artfully curated, giving you the very best of the best and individually edited. Receiving your gallery should not be overwhelming or underwhelming by image overload. For each hour I shoot, you can expect approximately 50 final images delivered per hour. I spend many hours after your wedding day carefully and artistically editing your images. It isn't a final photograph until it has been edited.

      We Dig Your Work. How Do We Reserve Our Date?

      A signed work agreement and $1,500 retainer. Remaining balance is due 14 days before your date. Heck yea!!

      Planning a destination wedding or elopement? I am an experienced traveler (I've lived and worked in Antarctica for 22 --nonconsecutive-- months. Shooting and meeting new people in fresh locations is one of my biggest inspirations.

      I'm a storyteller and image maker based out of Bend, Oregon telling stories and artfully curating images for intimate and genuine weddings around the PNW and the world.

      I know from my own wedding that your day is going to be filled with perfect moments, maybe some imperfections, and it will definitely all be over in a blink of an eye.  I want to capture the day for you, so years down the road you can remember how incredible the day was. Telling your story is a job that I don't take lightly and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

      More recently, I have been contacted by past clients, sharing the news that a loved one has passed and thanking me for the images I created on their wedding day or family portrait session. Photographs are treasures and documenting these moments for others gives me purpose.

      Creating images is a collaboration between you (my clients) and me (your photographer). Trusting my vision and expertise is the first step in creating beautiful imagery, as I capture those fleeting moments and give gentle guidance to make genuine images that you and your loved ones will hold on to for generations.

      I LOVE clients who don't mind getting dirty during a session, who will walk juuuuust a little further to explore the view around the corner and who are willing to run carefree across a hillside to catch that last minute of golden light.

      I LOVE clients who aren't afraid to make their session or elopement day all about THEM instead of mimicking the latest trends on social media. 

      I love REAL people, REAL celebrations and love working with genuine people who have a laid-back approach to life.  Your day should be a joyous celebration of the love you share, honoring the lifelong adventure you are beginning together.

      I would love to hear about you and your mate.