Frequently Asked Questions
HOW SOON SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY PORTRAIT SESSION?
The studio is currently booking sessions through the end of the year, so the sooner the better! It means more time to plan & prepare!
Maternity clients should book at the beginning of the second trimester, as sessions take place between 28-34 weeks.
Newborns are best photographed at 7-10 days old, so booking 3-4 months prior to the due date is best, like with your maternity session (wink wink). You don’t need to book a specific date, just the month your baby is due. I take only a handful of projects a month, so I can be flexible when baby arrives.
Milestones sessions for baby are typically newborn, smiling, sitting, crawling, walking, or birthdays. Be sure to book these spots 2+ months in advance, to allow for availability – or join our Portrait Membership for VIP calendar booking (& other amazing perks!)
For all other photoshoot sessions, it is recommended booking take place 3-6 weeks prior to session date, to allow for proper session planning I am happy to squeeze in last minute sessions if time permits.
A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY THEY “SPECIALIZE” IN NEWBORNS; SHOULD I JUST LOOK FOR THE ONE WITH THE CHEAPEST PRICE?
Price is always at the forefront of a consumers mind. However, you have to remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”
Going with the least expensive photographer is probably not a good way to determine who will take your baby’s portraits. Most often the least expensive photographer is also the least experienced photographer. One who will be handling, posing, and documenting your brand new baby.
There are no do-overs or retakes in newborn photography – as they are only that tiny, curly, & sleepy for about two weeks after birth – so if you miss it, you miss it.
It’s not just about taking the pictures, it’s making sure you are working with someone who:
- considers the safety of your baby first in all they do
- provides a clean & sanitary environment for your photoshoot
- knows how to appropriately handle & pose newborns
- provides you with a beautiful final product to celebrate the legacy of this new life
I’ve been trained & have extensive experience as a mother & newborn photographer of 14+ years. You can be sure your baby is in good CLEAN hands.
IS YOUR PORTRAIT BUSINESS LEGAL?
Absolutely!
(You might be surprised at how many are not!)
I have my current city, county, state, federal business tax, licenses & insurance. I have over 14 years professional portrait experience, & I am up to date on immunizations, to keep your family safe.
BUT I’M NOT PHOTOGENIC &/OR I NEED TO LOSE A FEW MORE POUNDS.
Over 99% of my clients are NOT models, but they sure do look like it!
It is MY job to make you look amazing in photographs, not yours. So relax! I’ve practiced & studied portraiture for decades, completing a variety of courses & workshops to perfect my craft.
I will light, pose, & guide you in flattering ways (this literally can take off 10+ pounds in camera if that is something you worry about, or hide issues you wish to diminish), so you can be confident that you look AMAZING just as you are, right now. Let me show you the fabulous person we witness when we see you!
We even offer access to professional makeup & hairstyling, so you can feel great (without the hassle of doing it yourself.) Plus, I can use my advanced photoshop editing skills for requested enhancements (retouching, body contouring, etc), so you don’t have to worry about a thing! I’ve got you!
Check out the Before & After gallery to see our client transformations!
WHO WOULD WANT A PHOTO OF ME, I’M TOO OLD...
Are you serious?
The people around you, your loved ones, they WANT a portrait of you! When you pass, the 1st thing loved ones look for are photographs. How do you want to be remembered?
Everyone deserves portraits of themselves they can be proud of. Feel free to share this amazing experience with someone close like your sister, mother, daughter, best friend, significant other, or family for a generational portrait sure to be cherished for decades to come.
WILL MY PORTRAITS BE EDITED OR RETOUCHED?
Most of what I do is done in-camera during your portrait session with flattering posing & expert lighting.
Our RAW sessions currently offer a combination of our basic edits (exposure & toning) but no retouching. Our SIGNATURE sessions include basic edit plus standard edits (hand-edits like retouching skin, blemishes, stray hairs, imperfections in fabrics/ backgrounds, & body contouring by request) to create beautiful portrait images.
If there is anything specific you would like me to edit, remove, or adjust such as body contouring, please let me know during your ordering appointment.
We also currently offer fine art edits (for when you want an art piece with something unique & creative.)
Find out more about our hand-edit options, here.
HOW MUCH DOES A PORTRAIT SESSION COST?
This varies greatly due to each client’s budget & portrait goals. I’ve had clients spend anywhere between $800-$5000+ on their portrait experience & artwork products, depending on what they specifically wanted. What you spend is up to you; only buy what you love!
I am not the most expensive nor the cheapest in the area, but our services offers a full service experience at every touchpoint from inquiry to finished product & beyond.
I AM AFRAID I CAN’T AFFORD IT…
You save for what you value:
a bigger TV, an iPhone, sports/ dance/ music activities & lessons, vehicles, those several hundred dollar blow up holiday yard decor characters…
These things will come & go within a matter of a few years or less.
A PORTRAIT however,
will last beyond GENERATIONS.
It will only become more valuable as the years & subjects in them pass, hence why it is called an ‘investment.’
I work with clients with various budgets. I accept cash or check, debit /credit cards, PLUS I offer payment plan options, so you can get EVERYTHING you want without the burden of disrupting a budget.
This is your legacy, how do you want to be remembered?
You are WORTH the investment!
I LOVE HAVING THE DIGITAL FILE IMAGES, DO YOU OFFER THOSE?
You want to share them on social media & celebrate your family?
You want to make extra prints of your gorgeous images for your friends & family?
Great! I get it & I’ve got you covered!
Every portrait you purchase includes a hi-res digital file copy (for printing) & a web-optimized digital file copy (for sharing online.)
I strongly recommend purchasing prints & products from me as the quality of our professional archival products is unbeatable!
Portraits should be enjoyed & passed down through generations. Sorry, but your grandkids aren’t going to cherish that ‘disc of pics’ or thumb drive in a drawer somewhere (if you can even find it) – they probably won’t even know what it is! (Floppy disc anyone?)
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET READY?
Don’t fret!
You get access to a plethora of planning resources, a questionnaire to get details about your portrait goals, & other informational guides to prepare for the photoshoot, etc, all within your very own online client site. I guide you from start to finish so that you can have a successful portrait experience. I’m only an email or phone call away!
It is that easy!
CAN I SCHEDULE MY SESSION ON A WEEKEND?
Here’s the thing; weekends are basically the only time to share with your family. (I don’t know if you are like us, but these days they usually filled with kids sports & activities.) Since there are only 4 of these a month, weekend availability is very limited & any free time together is precious to us.
That said, if planned in advance, a Saturday session can be booked with an additional $200 fee.
However, I suggest, that you take a little personal time off during the week, just like you would with any other appointment with your doctor or dentist, to enjoy this experience with us.
OR better yet, take a sneaky ‘just for me’ day, to enjoy some self love. Afterwards, go out with your friends for a coffee or lunch date, your family for dinner, or schedule a date night with that special someone!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
I’ve got What-To-Wear guides that handles it all!
Our brand aesthetics are organic & neutral, with the focus on textures rather than bold prints.
That said, I want you to choose what makes you feel most at ease & comfortable.
Are you looking to capture your sexy side? Loving & nurturing personality? Casual or glamorous charisma? Or maybe you are ready to step out of your comfort zone with a brand new look?!
Maybe you a corporate professional or own your own business? Get the most out of your session by bringing professional wear & we can create some Professional Headshot & Personal Branding portraits, while you are here!
Also, please don’t feel that you have to go out & purchase a whole new wardrobe! I include complimentary what to wear guides, Pinterest board ideas, plus a style & concept consultation (by request), which will help you select the perfect attire & accessories that will flatter your personality & body type.
I even have a growing studio wardrobe closet that you can borrow from during your session! It contains dresses, gowns, stuff for guys, children, toddlers, & babies!
Can I get a “what WHAT!?”
WHY DO I NEED A PORTRAIT OF MYSELF?
Think about it. You will never be younger than you are today.
As Meryl Streep said,
“You have to embrace getting older. Life is precious, & when you’ve lost a lot of people, you realize each day is a gift.”
You DESERVE to have a gorgeous photo of yourself, especially considering all you do to take care of others.
Think of it as self-love, because that is what gives us the capacity to continue to love others. Your family, friends, & children want you to exist in photos, because one day, they will become a priceless treasure to them.
Time flies by in a blink of an eye: you are never going to get any younger than today, & tomorrow is never promised.
So let’s celebrate YOUR life, YOUR story!
