Photographer - Ashley
- Business: Ashley Norton Photography
- Location: Fresno, California CA
- Experience: 3 Years
- Photography Types: Engagements, Family, Weddings
- Profile: Ashley Norton Photography
- Website: ashleynortonphotography.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi! My name is Ashley and I'm the photographer behind Ashley Norton Photography. I picked up my first camera at the age of 13 on a hike in the Sierra Nevadas. My best friend had been gifted a point-and-shoot camera, and we spent the day capturing leaves, bugs (aka wildlife), and goofy candids of us. I was in awe that with a camera, I could stop time and capture the beauty around me. Those photos are long gone, but my passion for freezing a moment in time never went away.
Many years, jobs, and a college degree later, I'm now a Central California wedding and portrait photographer. I've found a passion in serving couples and families by telling their story in a way that showcases their love, connection, and relationships with one another. I'm based in Fresno, but love exploring the beauty the state of California has to offer. Some of my favorite locations to shoot and travel are (in no particular order): the Central Coast, Yosemite National Park, and Northern California.
2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?
I've been a wedding photographer for over three years, and have photographed over 50 weddings during that time.
3. How would you describe your photography style?
My style can best be described as bright, true-to-color, and full of joy. My favorite moments to capture are the ones that remind you how joy can be found in the simplest of moments together. I love to keep my clients moving, laughing, and enjoying such a sacred time with one another. I find that the best galleries are the ones full of the beautiful balance between the intentionality of gentle posed portraits and the raw joy of candid moments.
4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?
My unpopular opinion: there is no *exact* right time to book your photographer!
Yes, researching and booking 9-12 months in advance will certainly help you secure your dream wedding vendor team. However, I've had couples reach out for their intimate wedding or elopement two days beforehand and we made it work!
In general, wedding season in the Central Valley of California is a little different than the rest of the county. For example, summer is an incredibly popular time for weddings in most of the United States, but summer isn't as common in Central California because the temperatures reach triple digits. I've found wedding season in the Central Valley to be between March - May and September - November. My availability during those months, especially on weekends tends to be a bit more limited. I only take a certain amount of weddings per season to ensure that I serve all of my clients in a way that is sustainable for my business and myself.
I encourage you to reach out anyway! Even if I'm booked, there's such a big network of wedding photographers throughout California that I trust that I would love to refer you to.
5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
I believe every couple and wedding is unique, so all of my wedding collections are fully customizable to your needs. I also know that it's easy to feel lost when you start wedding planning, so I'd love to list my three main collections and give you information and who each collection is generally directed to.
Collection One
Includes:
10 hours of coverage
800+ retouched digital images
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution images for printing
Additional photographer
Adventure engagement session
10x10 Heirloom album
Two 8x8 Parent albums
$4200
Collection One is my most extensive collection. Generally, 10 hours will be enough photo coverage to capture getting ready all the way through a grand exit. This collection also includes the Adventure Engagement Session, which allows up to 150 miles of travel from Fresno, CA for your engagement photos. Some incredible locations you can choose from are: Yosemite, Santa Cruz, Sonora, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, King's Canyon, Pismo Beach, Sequoia, and San Luis Obispo. This collection also includes an heirloom wedding album for yourselves, and two parent wedding albums that can be given as gifts.
Collection Two
Includes:
8 hours of coverage
600+ retouched digital images
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution images for printing
Additional photographer
Classic engagement session
$2750
Collection Two includes 8 hours of coverage, which can typically be enough for getting ready through the beginning of the open dance portion of the reception. Most of my couples choose to go with this collection, as it also includes a Classic Engagement Session.
Collection Three
Includes:
6 hours of coverage
400+ retouched digital images
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution images for printing
Classic engagement session
$1850
Collection Three offers 6 hours of coverage, which is typically used to cover the ceremony through the toasts at the reception. Like my other wedding collections, this collection also includes a Classic Engagement session.
6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?
Yes, I will be your lead photographer on your wedding day! I always keep two DSLR cameras on me and numerous types of lenses that I can change throughout the day depending on the timing, lighting, and spatial needs of your wedding day. I'm a natural light photographer, and love the clean, bright look that natural light creates in wedding photos.
I also understand that we can't be lucky enough to have full, natural sunlight through the entire day. I always carry on and off camera flash gear to create the most beautiful images in dark getting ready rooms or reception spaces.
I have a team of second photographers that I work with closely to ensure that your photos will be incredible if you choose to hire an additional photographer on your wedding day. I screen all of the second photographers I work with for professionalism, skillset, dependability. I've worked with these local photographers for several years, and have never had a complaint about anyone on my wedding day team.
7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
While I'm based out of Central California, I've shot weddings throughout Northern and Southern California as well. I'm based out of Fresno, California and charge a travel fee if your venue is 60 miles outside of the city. Each location is different, so I charge a flat travel fee that I can provide to you upon inquiry.
8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?
Collection One includes one heirloom wedding album, and two parent wedding albums. All of my collections can be customized, so you can choose to add a wedding album when you book your collection, or you can order one years down the line!
I provide my clients with an online gallery that can easily be shared with family and friends. The images do not have a a watermark, so you will be able to download and print anywhere you would like. My online gallery also hosts a print shop that works with some of the top printers in the nation, so you can order high quality printed directly through the online gallery as well.
9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?
Wedding clients can expect to receive all of their images within 8 weeks of their wedding day. I provide my clients with an online photo gallery, so they'll be able to download, print, and share with family and friends in one convenient location.
Engagement photos will be delivered within 3 weeks of the session date.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
A retainer payment of 20% the total collection cost is required for couples to secure their wedding date. If for any reason clients cancel more than 30 days before the wedding date, I will l keep the retainer and all other payments made by clients up to the date of cancellation as liquidated damages, but clients will not be responsible for any remainder due. Notification of cancellation must be made in writing by clients and sent via email. If clients fail to supply notice of cancellation as specified before the wedding date or cancels within 30 days of the wedding date, clients will be required to pay the full balance due.
If for any reason clients reschedule the wedding more than 30 days before the wedding date, and I am able to rebook the original wedding date, clients will be allowed to transfer the retainer and all other payments made by clients up to the date of rescheduling to another date. Notification of rescheduling must be made in writing by clients and sent via email. Confirmation of receipt of notification email must be obtained by me. Credit may be applied only to wedding coverage within 12 months of original date, provided I am available. In the event I am not able to rebook the original wedding date, clients forfeit the retainer and all other payments made. If clients fail to supply written rescheduling notification 30 days before the wedding date, clients forfeit the retainer and all other payments made and will be required to pay the full balance due.
Gallery
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