Traces is for

all people

We value you in your unique personhood and want you to come as you are. Every size, shape, color, gender and sexuality is welcome here.

View Portfolio

Services

Please inquire for details +

specific pricing.

Inquiry

The Experience

What to expect:

Traces is for all people. We want you to come as you are. We value you in your unique personhood and support all love, as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.


Over time we've learned that the images we truly love are authentic, and in real time. Genuinely, there is no way you can go wrong. We just want you to show up as yourself. That’s the magic. 


Your story, your personhood and your love story is unique to you. 


Our hope is to photograph you in a way that makes you feel at ease to be who you are. To uplift and encourage the things in you that make you feel the most alive.

Testimonials:

“Real life - I have always hated being in front of the camera. Pictures make me anxious and never turn out how I wish they would. At this point, Riley has shot my engagement, wedding, and professional headshot photos. She is fun-loving, disarming, and makes me feel beautiful in front of the lens in ways I never have before. If you didn’t guess, I recommend her for all of your photo needs. Ri, thank you for sharing your art with the world.” 


-Ren & Austin

 


“Since the engagement shoot, (I could cry thinking about this) I wanted to say thank you. So much for being there, and using your craft and not bringing any judgement to the space. I vividly keep remembering the way my brain kept jumping from excitement, awe and genuine love and terror and anxiety. But I felt that I was safe there with you. I am so wildly grateful to know and work with someone who is so kind and inhibits love. That I don’t have to perform, and I know the images will truly be reflective of me, of us. I am so grateful for your work.”


- Aziza Allen




"Riley is the bomb. She has a way about her to make you feel like you’re just hanging out with an old friend. A safe place. All while making magic behind the camera. She captured a late summer evening with myself and my twin girls who can be just about impossible to keep still. I was blown away by the beautifully edited gallery of time spent with them. Hire her, you won’t be disappointed"


 - Ramsey Baker


FAQs

Have some questions? We got all your answers here. Fingers crossed!

  • How long have you been taking photos?

    Since highschool! Around 6 years. Changed my major and didn’t tell anyone, went full time est. 2020. 

  • Do you travel?

    Please, actually. Would die to. 


    I am based in Austin, Texas + frequent Columbus, Ohio to visit family - 

    But wherever you want me, I’ll be there.


    Travel expenses will just be added to your package. If I am driving I’ll charge .67 cent per mile. If I am flying in - this would just be a round trip ticket, potentially a rental car, and accommodations. 


  • What is your turn-around time?

    For smaller albums turn around time is 2-4 weeks. 


    For wedding albums - I’ll send ya sneak previews within 48 hours - to keep the excitement alive + post to show all your peeps. 


    Full wedding album returns within 4-8 weeks (return is slower during busy season!) 

  • How many photos do we get back?

    Well I usually shoot around 800-5,000 photos. Yes, I’m serious. So, I pick out all the goodies, even blurry and out-of-focus images if they’re pretty. Basically you get a lot. Typically 40-100 images per hour shot. 

  • How do we get our photos?

    A stork will drop them off at your front door when they’re ready. 


    Ha, only joking. 


    I send them to your email as a digital album where you have access to download them at high-resolution, and you can order prints directly from the site. You can also use this link to share with your friends and family so they have access to the album! 

  • Do you do re-touching or photoshop?

    I can be very picky about myself in a photograph. So I understand this can be a vulnerable process. To begin with, I will make sure that in-camera, I am shooting at angles that are most flattering to you. 


    And listen, I’ve also struggled with acne for years and I know the feeling. If It’s a small blemish, I will retouch skin. I do not participate in photoshopping the body. But if you have spinach in your teeth or your fly is down, I’ll tell you + we will fix it. 

  • How do we book you?

    Usually we start off with an email, and then some sort of get-to-know you phone call or facetime. I can answer all your questions, understand better what you’re looking for + see if we are a good fit. From there, I’ll send over a contract + invoice where you put down a booking deposit! And you got me baby. The rest of the payment is not due until closer to the shooting date. 

  • How far out do you book?

    For smaller albums we could potentially book 2 weeks ahead of time! Depends on how busy the season is. 


    For weddings typically a year. But due to the current state of the world (hello - covid) I have also booked weddings just one month ahead of time. 


    So just talk to me! We can sort all the details out. 

  • Do you give back raw images?

    Nope. Part of you hiring a professional photographer is trusting that I’ll give you the best, and the best of how I see fit as an artist! 

  • How do payments work?

    Weddings: 

    When you book you’ll pay 30% towards the total cost as the booking fee, and the rest will be paid a month before you wedding date. 


    Everything else: 

    When you book you’ll pay 30% towards the total cost as the booking fee, and the rest will be paid 2 weeks before the session. 

  • But what do we wear!?? (Grinch meme)

    OHHH yeah let’s talk wardrobe baby. 


    Don’t worry— I have a guide I can send you with some different vibes, and what to avoid. 


    Also—  if we schedule a time I would be more than excited to style you! 


    I am a big fan of doing an outfit change —  that we shoot something more casual/ true to you + have a more whimsical out of the ordinary fit. 

  • What do we do if we need to cancel or reschedule?

    Within a cancellation, your deposit when booked is legally non-refundable. 

    For a reschedule, your deposit when booking is valid for your rescheduled date.