Updated Information on COVID-19 for J Hodges Photography Couples
5.24.20 UPDATE
Island County has now been cleared for Stage II, which means we are now able to resume couples’ sessions and elopement photography for gatherings of under 5 people. (Read more about the phases here.) Weddings with larger guests lists are still currently restricted. To book a date, please contact us here. We are so excited to get out in the beautiful PNW weather and start shooting again.
5.17.2020 UPDATE:
Here is information from Governor Inslee’s office on resuming professional photography. The State Parks are now open, and we are anticipating being able to resume services June 1st.
Due to circumstances surrounding Covid-19, all wedding clients through September 31st, 2020 include the special contract modifications below:
If at any point leading up to the wedding the client decides to reschedule their event, they may do so at no additional cost as long as the new date is set before September 1st, 2022. The retainer initially paid to secure their date will be kept by the photographer, and applied to holding the client's new chosen date. If J Hodges Photography is unavailable on the new date of the event, the retainer will then be refunded.
At any time leading up until the event, clients may elect to modify their "full-day wedding package" to an "elopement package" of their choosing, if the event meets the elopement qualifications (<25 guests). Package inclusions and total pricing will be updated to reflect new choice.
Final payment is now due 2 weeks before the event, rather than 1 month.
If the State Of Washington still has a "Stay at Home" order 6 weeks from the event, client has the option to reschedule or is eligible to get their full retainer back, their choice.
3.24.2020 UPDATE:
As of yesterday, Governor Inslee has put a “Stay at Home” order into effect. Additionally, all WA State Parks will be closed to both overnight and day usage beginning March 25th. Obviously, we are following these guidelines and will be working with couples affected for alternative solutions.
3.17.2020
Hi Friends - I know this has been an incredibly stressful and uncertain time for due to how COVID-19 has changed not only our State of Washington, but the United States, and world. As a business owner who is centered on weddings, (and wife of an airline pilot), I understand how this health crisis has been not only affecting our day to day lives, and well-being, but also our careers and economy. For 11 years, I have committed myself to providing excellent service to my clients, and making sure that they’re taken care of, not just on their big day, but in the months leading up to the event and far after their wedding day has come and gone. A wedding day is one of the most exciting celebrations in a couple’s life, and I want nothing more than your experience to be positive and joy filled. That’s why I am doing everything I can to make sure you feel comfortable and taken care of during this challenging time. I’ve laid out a few announcements and changes we’ll be implementing below, but please rest assured that if you have any other questions on how this will affect you, I am only a phone call or email away. Your health, and the health of those that you love are top priority. We will figure out the rest together.
Currently, all Washington State Parks are open - which is where most of our Elopements and Engagement sessions takes place. The Governor has announced a statewide ban on events of 50 or greater, with the Whitehouse urging groups not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Because these types of sessions are very intimate in size, (typically <5), and are typically shot outside, engagement and elopement sessions will still be taking place if the client is comfortable in doing so.
All consults and meetings with clients will be taken on the phone, instead of in person until further notice.
If you’re a bride or groom needing to reschedule your wedding out of necessity or just preemptive preference: If requested, all retainers paid for weddings taking place through September 1st, 2020 will be applied to your new chosen wedding date through September 1st 2022, no questions asked. If J Hodges Photography is not available on your new chosen date, you will be fully refunded. Currently as of March 17th, the only dates affected are through May, but we want to make sure our Summer weddings have the same option available due to the unknown duration of this crisis. (Please know that we are set to attend ALL summer weddings that are scheduled, and have taken those commitments very seriously.)
If you had a larger wedding that has been affected in this 8 week event ban, (or beyond due to the unknown timeline of this crisis,) and would like to transfer your package to an intimate elopement, we’d be happy to modify your package and apply your retainer to the new event. There are some breathtaking areas of Whidbey, and we’d love to suggest some beautiful locations. We will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines, and update this page as updated.
Again, I want to make sure you are all feeling well taken care of during this event. If there is anything I can do for you at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re all in this together.
Warmest wishes,
Jenny