Photographer - Aireal Robbins
- Business: Sunflower & Sage Photography
- Location: Fairmont, West Virginia
- Experience: 5 Years
- Photography Types: Seniors, Couples, Engagements, Family, Weddings
- Profile: Sunflower & Sage Photography
- Website: www.sunflowerandsagephotog.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hey there, my name is Aireal Sage Robbins and I'm the creative behind Sunflower & Sage Photography of West Virginia. I’ve been a wedding photographer for about five years now. Why weddings? Because the love shared between the couple, their friends, and their family is truly so energizing and refreshing to me. I just love LOVE.
I began my photography journey after taking a spring break trip to Italy through WVU in 2017. I went out and bought my first "fancy" camera in preparation for documenting my first international trip. When I came back from the trip and uploaded all of the photos I had taken, I quickly realized I had spent more time documenting my tripmates and the experiences we all had than I had of the architecture and landscapes like I had intended. I shared a link to the images with the group and was blown away by everyones response to having so many candid photos of themselves enjoying their trip. After that, I decided to pursue photography as a hobby/side hustle while attending college. I decided to be a "jack of all trades" and test the waters in different types of photography, but ended up enjoying lifestyle and portrait photography the most.
However, everything changed after capturing my first engagement session in January of 2019. I didn’t personally know Luke + Summer, but they found me on Facebook and hired me to capture their engagement session. We met up and everything just kind of clicked right away. They ended up loving their engagement photos (and me) so much that they proceeded to spend the following weeks begging me to be the photographer for their wedding in August. It took a lot of convincing on their end, but, well, the rest is history! Because of the trust they placed in me, I’m able to do what I love today - illustrating love stories all over West Virginia and the East Coast.
But if we want to dive a little deeper, my love for photography actually began as a young child, when my grandfather would give me his old 35mm, a roll of film, and send me out to capture the world around me. Though I mainly focused on my pets, pretty flowers, and cool bugs I'd find in the yard, I always got so much enjoyment from seeing the moments I had captured all printed out and put into my own personal photo album of abstract beauty.
2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?
I've photographed over 30 weddings since Luke + Summer's in 2019.
3. How would you describe your photography style?
I consider my style to be on the photojournalistic side, documenting moments as they naturally happen but also helping to set the scene for the moments that matter most. But I'm not just here to click a camera; I'm your visual storyteller, weaving the narrative of your love into each frame. You can think of me as your co-pilot to navigating the whirlwind of your wedding day. Together, we’ll craft a seamless timeline, embrace the unexpected moments, and handle anything the day throws our way. I’ll capture every smile shared, heartfelt tear shed, and dance move busted along the way so you can focus on enjoying the magic of your special day!
4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?
While you can never book your photographer "too early," not all photographers are willing to book out 2 or 3 years in advance. Generally, my couples tend to book me 8-12 months before their wedding day, but I've had a few book me with only 1-3 months notice. Most of the weddings I am hired to photograph are held on weekends in September, October, and November, and I tend to receive the most inquiries for coverage between December and March. (thank you, Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day!)
5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
I offer pre-built collections as well as customized packages. My pre-built collections are based on the most popular options my past couples have opted for. They include the option of 6, 8, or 10 hours of coverage, print credits, and the option between a complimentary engagement, anniversary, wedding attire, or boudoir session. My larger packages include photo keepsake boxes, wedding albums, and customized USBs.
My 8-hour collection, Firecracker, is the most popular at $3,899.
It includes:
Two photographers
Engagement, anniversary, wedding attire, or boudoir session (Choose 1)
Custom wedding day photography timeline
A custom smartphone app for you to easily find and share your favorite images
A blog dedicated to the two of you + your wedding day
11x14 gallery-framed print ($350 value)
$800 print credit to the store connected to your gallery
6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?
I am the lead photographer for my company and will be present to capture your wedding day. Some of my packages include a second photographer, who I hand-select to accompany me on your big day. I generally use two cameras with different lenses throughout the day. My second photographer may opt to use one or two cameras.
7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
I LOVE to travel & my passport loves getting new stamps! I mainly service WV, PA, MD, The DMV Area, NC, KY & OH.
I only charge travel fees when I have to get a hotel room, catch a flight, rent a car, and/or drive over 200 miles (round trip) from Fairmont, WV.
Additional miles are charged at the rate of $0.67/mile.
Generally, hotels are necessary when the wedding is 2+ hours away from Fairmont, WV, and ends after 10 pm.
For weddings in the US requiring me/my team to fly in, I do require a minimum 2-night stay in a hotel. For international weddings, I require a minimum 3-night stay. This ensures I/we can arrive the day before your wedding, have plenty of time to get situated, & be on standby in case you need us earlier or longer the day of.
I will personally handle booking the hotel room/flights/rental cars, but if you get a special rate for these, please let me know how I can take advantage.
8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?
Some of my packages include albums, but all of them include a print credit, which is essentially a gift card to the store connected to your gallery. You can use it to choose how to display your favorite images - from prints, canvases, calendars, and more!
9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?
While you're celebrating your new marriage and everything that comes with it, I'll be tediously working to perfect your wedding gallery. I try to send couples a few highlights of their gallery within a week of their wedding day. Your full gallery will be delivered to your email no later than 4 months after your wedding day.
I use Pixieset as my gallery hosting website, which allows you to conveniently view all of your images online. You can download the images as many times as you'd like and share them in whatever way you see fit.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
I understand that cancellations happen & that sometimes events are rescheduled for reasons beyond our control. In the event of a cancellation, your 25% retainer is nonrefundable. Depending on the amount of time until the event, there may be an additional 15% fee assessed if I am unable to rebook the date. The balance paid can be credited towards other types of sessions. Our contract will elaborate on these policies further.
Gallery
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