working with leah rife photo

Ok, bottom line I keep always in the front of my mind is that it's not about me, it's about you. Your story is the one that matters here, no matter who you love, where you're getting married, or what your style is. My goal is to foster an environment where you feel like you can be your full self, and that's where the magic happens. Friends describe me as laid back, genuine, fun, and kind, and I try to keep those parts of me woven into every part of my job. If you're stressed, I'll help you relax. If you're feeling awkward in front of the camera, I'll be there to remind you of your own amazingness and give you tips on how to show up authentically in photos. Are you going to dance your heart out at your reception? I'll be right in the thick of it, dancing into the crowd to snag the shots of the best party moments between you and your guests. I'm there for your whole story, from the moment we decide to work together, until I send off your gallery, and every part in between. Your story matters, and I'll be there to help document it.

What's it like to work with you?

As many as turn out and aren't duplicates! I don't like to put an exact number on the amount of images you'll receive since every wedding and shoot is different, but I select all the images that turn out and make sure you aren't getting a bunch of the exact same shot, and I include some black and white copies. It usually ends up being around 100 images per hour of shooting give or take.

How many photos will I get in my gallery?

I use a gallery website called Pixieset to send and store your images. They will come to you in a pretty little email within 6-8 weeks after your wedding, where you can access, download and print your images all in one spot! I will answer any questions you have about printing and downloading, but I use Pixieset because it's so dang simple and user-friendly.

How will you send me my images?

After living in Indianapolis for 11 years, my family moved near the South Bend area to be closer to loved ones in
June of 2021. I consider myself a traveling photographer and serve multiple markets, including Indianapolis, South Bend/Michiana, Southwest Michigan, Southern Indiana, and beyond! My heaviest markets are the Indianapolis and South Bend areas and I love everything about them! Travel is applied for overnight stays if needed and travel fees do not typically apply to engagement sessions.

For destination weddings and elopements, please inquire and we can create a custom option just for you that includes travel expenses and an all-inclusive package to keep things simple.

Where Are YOu Located and Do You Charge tRavel FEes?

YES! I love bringing a second shooter so that I can make sure your day is being covered with all the angles and plus it's a great backup in case anything happens to one set of gear. Currently my second shooter is my amazing husband, Landon! He's the cutest red head you ever saw, and we work so well together on wedding days. We love it!

Do you bring a second shooter to weddings, and why do you do that?

Yep! When you receive your gallery, you'll also get a print release that gives you permission to print and share images! I know what it's like to want to show off photos of my family to friends, and all I ask is that when you post you don't throw a gross filter on the already edited images before posting to Instagram or Facebook and that you tag me too! You wouldn't paint over a painting you buy from a store, and it's sort of the same thing with photos. I work really hard to edit your photos beautifully and just right so you don't have to worry about adding anything more!

Do I have permission to post and print my photos?

Alright! If you like what you're hearing and you want to book, then fill out the inquiry form or email me so I can make sure your date is open, and then I'll get a brochure sent to you with my package pricing and details! If you want to meet over drinks or coffee, I *love* meeting couples in person to go over all the deets, but if not, a phone call or FaceTime is fine with me! After that you can reserve your date with a retainer payment that will go towards the balance of the package price, and I'll have us sign a contract to make it official.

How do I book you?

While I can't control the weather on your wedding day, I can be super prepared! Thanks to living in the Midwest, I've shot in every weather condition you can think of, sometimes all on one day, and I come to weddings prepared for poor weather. I always keep tabs on the weather as the wedding week approaches, and if it looks like things could be iffy, I offer some backup plans for photos if we were planning some outdoor spots for your portraits. A lot of venues have really amazing indoor options too, so I always take that into consideration when making a weather plan. I've got backup, weather-friendly photos spots in my back pocket, I always bring clear umbrellas, and I'm also really creative at finding indoor spots to use if we just can't shoot outdoors. I work to communicate quickly if we need to consider a backup option, and I make sure you'll still love your photos and they'll be beautiful, even if we need to shift plans. Sometimes the weather has made for some pretty awesome photos and memories, and when embraced can still make for an amazing experience!

What about bad weather?