I got into wedding & elopement photography because of true love, in all senses of the word. If you're looking for a photographer whose goal is to capture love stories in motion, then you might love my goal: to create a visual narrative that is uniquely yours – one that is real, raw, and beautiful. These photos are timeless – they'll be your link back to your big day. All I ask if you come ready to be 100% you.
Capturing love means all love. As an LGBTQ+ woman of color, I got into photography wanting to capture all kinds of stories – including those that reflected mine. I know what it's like to feel alienated for what you look like, who you love, and who you are, or to feel awkward in front of a camera. I work with couples from all walks of life – as long as you share my value for inclusivity, we'll get along great.
I've worked with couples all over the world to immortalize their big day. Because of this, I'm familiar with what it takes to plan an elopement or wedding. I always utilize my previous experience to ensure that we're in sync about anything that may be important for your big day. From preferred vendors to shot lists to any snags on the day of, rest assured that I'll be ready to take care of anything.
I take on a limited amount of weddings and elopements a year, because I want to put everything into the work that I create. When you work with me, you know that I'm creating this story not just for you, but with you – ensuring that your day isn't just captured, but woven into a visual narrative for a lifetime. I approach every project with passion, purpose, and a constant exploration of possibility.
I want the camera to be something that excites you on your special day, not terrifies you. I want to make sure that we feel comfortable with each other before we even meet in-person for the first time. When I say we work together, I mean it – I want this to be a fully collaborative process where we're co-creating. This means working together for timelines, expectations, making sure you're comfortable, and more.
Every story is unique – the way it's captured ought to be too. I never want to take a one-size-fits-all approach to photography, so when we work together, I put my whole heart into capturing images that aren't just authentic, but also visually stunning. I stick by my core style of cinematic, romantic, and film-inspired, whilst also approaching every story with the intention of creating something gorgeous.
When you first reach out, the first thing is to make sure we'd be a good fit. While sending your inquiry, try to provide as much information as you can, and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you want. This makes it easier for us to get to know each other and visualize the work we could create together. I'll email you back with any answers to your questions, as well as more details about typical experiences, pricing, and more.
Happy with what you're seeing over email? If you're planning to have me shoot your elopement or wedding, I'll ask us to jump on a quick Zoom call. Here, we'll get to know each other, iron out any other details or questions, and generally make sure we're a good fit for each other – I want to provide an exceptional experience for every couple I work with, and that starts off by making sure we're a good fit for each other.
We've both decided that we really vibe with each other and want to work together – that's great! I'll send over your final custom quote detailing all the services we've chatted about. Just look over and sign the contract detailing basic information like dates, services, usage rights, etc. I also ask for a non-refundable retainer that goes towards your final balance in order to secure your date on my calendar. From there, it's official.
The in-between stage is the easiest part – all there's left to do is wait. During this time, we'll keep in touch regarding planning, location scouting, and more. If I'm working with you for your wedding or elopement, this is also the time we'll have your engagement shoot. I'll send you a questionnaire asking for more specifics about your special day as we get closer to the date, and we may even have a final call to iron out any last details.
The day has finally come! Whether this is a couples session or your elopement, throughout our time together, I'll make sure that we stick to my candid style that makes sure you're comfortable while still shooting creative and cinematic photos. I'll be there to make sure we get authentic reactions and genuine emotions, without worrying about things like unnatural posing or feeling totally out of your depth. Let's do this!
You'll get your first sneak peeks within 48 hours of our time together – about 5-10 edited shots that you can share with your loved ones right away. Turnaround times for the full final edited gallery range from 4-6 weeks for regular sessions, and 8-10 weeks for weddings and elopements. Once you receive your final gallery, make sure to post them (make sure to tag @riyakphoto!), and feel free to get them printed for any personal use!
Are you a fan of my candid and cinematic photo style that shoots for romantic and authentic? Looking forward to the adventures and the photos to prove it? If you're down to capture a visual story unique to your love, then I'm down.
Lots of laughs. Unforgettable moments. Forever memories. Let's do this.