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SUSTAINABILITY

Best of Zola 2023

from intimate weddings to larger CELEBRATIONS

You deserve to feel freaking awesome about your wedding day.

You're committing to taking care of each other for life. Let me take care of you on your wedding day!



AS YOUR WEDDING DAY SHADOW...

I take seriously the responsibility to make sure you are well-prepared for your day, leaving us only to have an awesome time and celebrate the two of you!

Because when you have intention and experience in your corner, you're sure to have a freaking BALL!

My promises to you:

  1. Whatever your love and celebration look like, I am here to support and share joy in your marriage!
  2. Wherever you are on your path to sustainability, I will meet, learn, and grow with you.
  3. You will be able to enjoy your day with your partner and loved ones, and I will immortalize that joy in timeless images!

allow me to share

planet-centered

LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING

WOMAN OWNED AND OPERATED

Certified Officiant

Best of Zola 2023

THE PERSON YOU HAVE BESIDE YOU ON YOUR WEDDING DAY MATTERS

If you jive, if you share values, if you feel free to be yourselves, you're going to have
an amazing day!

And there's no better feeling than finding that perfect match!

01

connect

Head over to that contact form and let’s meet over coffee or video! 

I’ll learn all about you and your wedding vision so I know how I can best serve you on your wedding journey!

If we are a great fit for each other, a 30% non-refundable retainer and signed contract will secure your date!

02

PREPARE

This is an awesome time to have your engagement session and to get to know each other!

I’ll send you a questionnaire a month before your wedding to get all the details: your timeline, family photo lineups, and more! 

We’ll have a phone call the week of your wedding to go over this info and make sure we are all set to go!

I’m so excited!! Are you??

03

SAVOR

Grab those tissues! A couple days after your wedding, you will have a sneak peek of your gallery to delight in as I prepare your final gallery!

4-6 weeks after your wedding, you’ll have all of your watermark-free images to download, print, and share as you wish - for a lifetime!

so, how does this all work?

Here's how we do it!

overheard:

"She will work with you and deliver a product that reflects your authenticity."

I contacted Jessica three days before I proposed to my girlfriend on Valentine's Day 2021.

Jessica took the opportunity without hesitation. She took incredible proposal pictures in the freezing cold of February.

My fiancé and I decided that we wanted her to do our engagement and wedding photos. She was very proactive in her communication.

She told us what to expect from her and she delivered on her promises.

Our families were very appreciative of her quality pictures and how she included so many beautiful details about our wedding day.

My wife and I recommend Jessica without reservation. Book Jessica, you won't regret it.

She will work with you and deliver a product that reflects your authenticity.

— HUBERT & KATHRYN

YOUR WEDDING IS PERSONAL

And you deserve a personalized experience!

Dozens of weddings in, and I can guarantee not a single one was like yours will be. You don't get married every day, so I'm here to guide you to the best day you can imagine!

WEDDINGS

During Your Engagement

  • Unlimited support via email, text, and phone
  • Help planning timelines, family photo lineups, and details
  • Help creating a more sustainable wedding day

On Your Wedding Day

  • Me, with everything I need to capture your day
  • A calming presence/hype girl/cat herder by your side all day, whichever you need!
  • An AWESOME FREAKING DAY!

After the Wedding

  • Sneak peeks within a couple days
  • Digital gallery with alllll the photos
  • Print rights
  • Lifetime memories and family heirlooms

HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED!

I only take 25 weddings each year to make sure that my couples receive the absolute best service possible. Hey, sustainability is more than being eco-friendly!

Full day packages start at $3700

overheard:

"To anybody considering hiring Jess, if you've read this far, stop considering and do it."

I can't possibly thank or recommend Jessica Knighton Photography enough. Jess was WONDERFUL. From the start, we really clicked with her personally and we could tell she understood not just the kind of photos we wanted, but the kind of values we were trying to infuse into every aspect of our wedding day. There are lots of talented photographers out there, but Jess's easy-going personality and her commitments to sustainability, community, and celebrating diversity set her apart and made her a natural fit for us.

Planning a big wedding means you'll basically be in one of two moods for several months: 1) freaked out and drowning in details or 2) thrilled and grateful you get to do something so special with the one you love. Jess ALWAYS kept us grounded in Mood #2. She clearly loves what she does, and her enthusiasm for celebrating all the weird, wonderful diversity of love in the world is infectious.

And the PHOTOS! What can I say about them? Looking at my wedding photos makes me feel like there's a big warm bubble of sunlight rising up inside my chest. Your wedding day goes by really quickly. Everybody knows that, but it's still surprising. At the end of the night you're exhausted and sweaty and your face hurts from laughing and crying and you're still like, "wait, did that really happen?". That's where the photos come in. It did. It did really happen. And when you've got a photographer like Jess, you don't just get evidence that it happened, you get a story that preserves that day in every little and big and spontaneous and planned and funny and poignant detail. We're gonna look at these photos for years to come, and our kids are gonna laugh at our ridiculous clothes, and we're gonna tell great stories about that bright, beautiful day. THANK YOU, Jess-- and to anybody considering hiring her, if you've read this far, stop considering and do it. You're gonna love working with her.

— JAKE & TALIA

Look, I know wedding planning can be stressful.

But if you have a roadmap and awesome people to lead you through it and support you, then you can feel as though you have accomplished something amazing together as a couple - and you have!

I can’t wait to be there with you!

You're excited to grow closer as you plan your wedding.

You will plan as much as you can for your wedding day, but there is always some uncertainty - the weather may not cooperate or you may forget something at home.

But if you can acknowledge the bummer and tell yourself you’re STILL going to have the best day of your life, then it will be so!

Don’t worry, I’ll be there with you!

You're ready to go with the flow.

Very few items we will ever possess will bring us the joy that we feel when we are with those we love most, celebrating life and love.

Marie Kondo-ing your wedding will not only reduce your stress, but allow you to truly appreciate and enjoy your wedding day together!

Sounds refreshing, ya?

You value experiences over material things.

You might be a JKP couple if

NO PHOTOGRAPHER IS RIGHT FOR EVERYONE

overheard:

"Jess made a point to sit down with us and get to know us a little bit before having any sort of shoot, which made the day-of feel like meeting up with a friend instead of just a photographer."

Jessica was incredible during both our engagement shoot and the day of the wedding.

She made a point to sit down with us and get to know us a little bit before having any sort of shoot, which made the day-of feel like meeting up with a friend instead of just a photographer.

She was also willing to work with us on dates, since our original date got pushed back a bit due to COVID. She went above and beyond on our wedding day and was literally everywhere.

SO many people remarked afterward about how great the photographer was! She did an awesome job of capturing candid shots and shots that didn't feel super staged.

The shots all turned out awesome, and for both the engagement shoot and the wedding day, she got us a sneak peek (which ended up being a ton of the photos!) within a week.

Very happy with our time with Jess and with the finished product!

I also love that she is conscientious about where to get photos printed so that it is a local company that is environmentally friendly, and that she provided both high res and web sized images so that we could easily upload to social media for all the people who couldn't be at the wedding.

15/10 would recommend Jess to anyone looking for a great photographer!

— HAILEE & CORBIN

booking

How do I book?

Booking is super easy! 

After we meet, if we are a good fit for each other, I will send over a personalized quote with a digital contract and retainer invoice.

Once your contract is signed and 30% non-refundable retainer is paid, you are officially on the calendar! 

Every wedding is different, so I don’t promise an exact number of images, but you can expect 60-80 images per hour of coverage. I edit and deliver all images that are not duplicates, blurry, or otherwise unusable, so rest assured I won't be holding anything back from you!

I would not want my images watermarked as a client, so I do not watermark the final images that I deliver.

Instead, I kindly ask that JKP is tagged or credited if images I deliver are shared online. That way, I can find more amazing clients like you, and you can enjoy YOUR images, your way!

Ah yes! The most exciting part (besides the wedding, of course!) is the final gallery delivery!! Sneak peeks are available within a few days so you can enjoy some photographs right away while I perfect the rest of your images!

For engagement/couples sessions, you can expect your final gallery within 2 weeks of your session. For weddings, your final images will be delivered 4 to 6 weeks after your wedding day.

Images will be delivered in a digital gallery, from which you can download to mobile and desktop, print, and share images.

I do not watermark the images, so the only thing I ask is that you tag me in images you post on the internet/social media. This helps me find more amazing clients like you!

Totally valid question!

I have never missed a wedding to date, but if there is an emergency or I fall ill, I will have a comparable and capable colleague cover your wedding day.

Your images will still be edited and delivered by me. 

I 110% understand this concern — anything can happen to digital media at any time!

For starters, when I photograph your wedding, I'll be using two memory cards which will be copies of each other in case one gets corrupted.

When processing, I use the digital art rule: if it doesn’t exist in 3 places, it doesn’t exist. 

This means I have a Synology NAS system with two external hard drives that are identical copies, as well as a third external that lives in another physical location. Lastly, I use the cloud service, Backblaze, to store your images in the extremely unlikely event that something happens to all three hard drives. 

I also will not clear the original memory cards until your images have been delivered.

In short, I am taking no risks! 

I definitely edit your photos!

What I mean by “natural editing” is that, while I do make adjustments, the final product will look like something you remember, with small but significant enhancements.

I think the best way to describe this is with images! Check out the before and after below!

Before

After

Throughout the wedding day, I will be using a mix of photographing styles!

For couples, I love to have you mostly interact with each other so your natural smile, laughs, and …other faces… are what you see in your images! This style, called “prompto-graphy” really does a great job of pulling true emotions and I LOVE IT!

Sometimes, I’ll be milling about taking candids, and at other times, we’ll have more posed group photos, like for your family photos. I still want all of those to look as natural as possible, so I’ll make sure everyone is having a great time and not there longer than they need to be :D

Beyond those, there are also details, like your accessories, shoes and stationary, as well as your table decorations and venue. All of this is part of your story too!

If you’re asking me, all of it!

I think there are some amazing, magical moments that happen from the time you are getting ready all the way through the first dance!

At the end of the day though, it's totally up to you! If you’re not into "getting ready" photos and would rather start at your "first look," that’s ok!

I do have a minimum of 4 hours of coverage for any wedding day. This is based on my experience with past couples and what they wished they had when they went shorter than that. 

I will always tell you the exact amount you will be paying in your quote — no extra travel fees, taxes, or other hidden expenses with me!

If you do have questions, or would like to request a payment plan, I am always happy to work with you!

After we meet, and if we decide we are a good fit, I will send you a personalized quote! It will include your package and a digital contract. Once the contract is signed, and a 30% non-refundable retainer is paid, you will officially be on the calendar! 

From there, we get to plan your engagement session, talk everything wedding, and get ready for the big day! Wooooo!!

I totally get it! Weddings are expensive and photography can feel like just another thing you have to pay for. I'm here to tell you that finding a photographer that you really click with, both in personality and style, will pay off ENORMOUSLY!

Aside from that, photographs and your marriage are really the only things you get to keep after the actual day of your wedding, and those memories are truly priceless! I've been married for over 14 years, and I still look at my wedding photos regularly ;)

All that said, I do not offer discounts. This is so that you never have to wonder if you could have gotten a better price if you had booked at another time, and so that I can make sure I have the ability to have a sustainable business!

What makes photography (and wedding photography in particular) come with the price tag it does? First is time. While I may only be with you for your 1 hour session or 8 hour wedding day, a lot of time goes into both prepping for your session and work post session.

Next is equipment and education. I have gear not only to capture your day, but backup gear to make sure that your most precious moments can be remembered, shared, and cherished, including lots of digital storage space. I invest regularly in my education to make sure that I can provide a better and better experience to you, from formal photography classes to business education. On top of all that, photographers and artists deserve to earn a fair and livable wage for their hard work!

If you really love my work and price is a barrier, I am more than happy to come up with a payment plan that works for you!

I sure can!

I’d love to help you find a unique place that is meaningful to you where you can commit your lives to each other, including support with permitting, timelines, and I can even officiate for you if you’re looking for an ultra-intimate elopement!

And remember, an elopement doesn't mean you are having a runaway marriage! You can absolutely include your closest friends and family, if you wish. 

Check out Kat & Liz's Cuyuna Cove Elopement here!

Absolutely! Intimate weddings have been some of my favorite weddings to be a part of! I am 1000% here to help you plan, execute, and capture an intimate wedding day with your closest family and friends — whatever that looks like for you!
 
Check out a couple intimate weddings I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of:
 

Yes!

I love helping couples build a comfortable and comprehensive timeline to make sure that you get all the photos you need of your big day!

For those with wedding planners, I will work together with your planner to make sure we are all on the same page!

I’m here to help you plan everything from getting ready to dancing away at the end of the night!

I’ve got your back!

I will send you a style guide with some suggestions and tips once you’re all booked up!

For now, you can check out my blog, Helpful Tips to Get Ready for Your Engagement Session!

You've got questions, and I've got answers!

faq

Every wedding is different, so I don’t promise an exact number of images, but you can expect 60-80 images per hour of coverage.

I edit and deliver all images that are not duplicates, blurry, or otherwise unusable, so rest assured I won't be holding anything back from you!

I would not want my images watermarked as a client, so I do not watermark the final images that I deliver.

Instead, I kindly ask that JKP is tagged or credited if images I deliver are shared online. That way, I can find more amazing clients like you, and you can enjoy your images in their most perfect form!

Ah yes! The most exciting part (besides the wedding, of course!) is the final gallery delivery!! Sneak peeks are available within a few days so you can enjoy some photographs right away while I perfect the rest of your images!

For engagement/couple's sessions, you can expect your final gallery within 2 weeks of your session. For weddings, your final images will be delivered 4 to 6 weeks after your wedding day.

Images will be delivered in a digital gallery, from which you can download to mobile and desktop, print, and share images.

I do not watermark the images, so the only thing I ask is that you tag me in images you post on the internet/social media. This helps me find more amazing clients like you!

Totally valid question!

I have never missed a wedding to date, but if there is an emergency or I fall ill, I will have a comparable and capable colleague cover your wedding day.

Your images will still be edited and delivered by me. 

I 110% understand this concern — anything can happen to digital media at any time!

For starters, when I photograph your wedding, I'll be using two memory cards which will be copies of each other in case one gets corrupted.

When processing, I use the digital art rule: if it doesn’t exist in 3 places, it doesn’t exist. 

This means I have a Synology NAS system with two external hard drives that are identical copies, as well as a third external that lives in another physical location. Lastly, I use the cloud service, Backblaze, to store your images in the extremely unlikely event that something happens to all three hard drives. 

I also will not clear the original memory cards until your images have been delivered.

In short, I am taking no risks! 

I definitely edit your photos!

What I mean by “natural editing” is that, while I do make adjustments, the final product will look like something you remember, with small but significant enhancements.

I think the best way to describe this is with images! Check out the before and after below!

Before

After

Throughout the wedding day, I will be using a mix of photographing styles!

For couples, I love to have you mostly interact with each other so your natural smile, laughs, and …other faces… are what you see in your images! This style, called “prompto-graphy” really does a great job of pulling true emotions and I LOVE IT!

Sometimes, I’ll be milling about taking candids, and at other times, we’ll have more posed group photos, like for your family photos. I still want all of those to look as natural as possible, so I’ll make sure everyone is having a great time and not there longer than they need to be :D

Beyond those, there are also details, like your accessories, shoes and stationary, as well as your table decorations and venue. All of this is part of your story too!

If you’re asking me, all of it!

I think there are some amazing, magical moments that happen from the time you are getting ready all the way through the first dance!

At the end of the day though, it's totally up to you! If you’re not into getting ready photos and would rather start at your first look, that’s ok!

I do have a minimum of 4 hours of coverage for any wedding day. This is based on my experience with past couples and what they wished they had when they went shorter than that. 

I will always tell you the exact amount you will be paying in your quote — no extra travel fees, taxes, or other hidden expenses with me!

If you do have questions, or would like to request a payment plan, I am always happy to work with you!

After we meet, and if we decide we are a good fit, I will send you a personalized quote!

It will include your package and a digital contract. Once the contract is signed, and a 30% non-refundable retainer is paid, you will officially be on the calendar! 

From there, we get to plan your engagement session, talk everything wedding, and get ready for the big day! Wooooo!!

I totally get it! Weddings are expensive and photography can feel like just another thing you have to pay for. I'm here to tell you that finding a photographer that you really click with, both in personality and style, will pay off ENORMOUSLY!

Aside from that, photographs and your marriage are really the only things you get to keep after the actual day of your wedding, and those memories are truly priceless! I've been married for over 14 years, and I still look at my wedding photos regularly ;)

All that said, I do not offer discounts. This is so that you never have to wonder if you could have gotten a better price if you had booked at another time, and so that I can make sure I have the ability to have a sustainable business!

What makes photography (and wedding photography in particular) come with the price tag it does? First is time. While I may only be with you for your 1 hour session or 8 hour wedding day, a lot of time goes into both prepping for your session and work post session.

Next is equipment and education. I have gear not only to capture your day, but backup gear to make sure that your most precious moments can be remembered, shared, and cherished, including lots of digital storage space. I invest regularly in my education to make sure that I can provide a better and better experience to you, from formal photography classes to business education. On top of all that, photographers and artists deserve to earn a fair and livable wage for their hard work!

If you really love my work and price is a barrier, I am more than happy to come up with a payment plan that works for you!

I sure can!

I’d love to help you find a unique place that is meaningful to you where you can commit your lives to each other, including support with permitting, timelines, and I can even officiate for you if you’re looking for an ultra-intimate elopement!

And remember, an elopement doesn't mean you are having a runaway marriage! You can absolutely include your closest friends and family, if you wish. 

Check out Kat & Liz's Cuyuna Cove Elopement here!

Absolutely! Intimate weddings have been some of my favorite weddings to be a part of! I am 1000% here to help you plan, execute, and capture an intimate wedding day with your closest family and friends - whatever that looks like for you!
 
Check out a couple intimate weddings I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of:
 

Yes!

I love helping couples build a comfortable and comprehensive timeline to make sure that you get all the photos you need of your big day!

For those with wedding planners, I will work together with your planner to make sure we are all on the same page!

I’m here to help you plan everything from getting ready to dancing away at the end of the night!

I’ve got your back!

I will send you a style guide with some suggestions and tips once you’re all booked up!

For now, you can check out my blog, Helpful Tips to Get Ready for Your Engagement Session!

PHOTOS!

Portfolio

Check out some of my very favorite moments from past weddings and engagement sessions!

GET IN TOUCH!

Contact

Whether you're in the baby stages of wedding planning or well into it, I'm excited to hear from you!

learn more!

About

What's the deal with Jess, JKP, and the maple leaves? Find out here!

WHERE TO NEXT?