Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I book my session?
- What happens during our consultation?
- What should we wear?
- How do I prepare my child for a session?
- What can I expect during our session?
- You took a lot of pictures at our session. Why do we get to see only a fraction of them?
- What happens after my session?
- Can I have my digital negatives?
- Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?
When should I book my session?
I limit the number of sessions I book so that your own session can be my primary focus during that time. Contact me early, so that you have plenty of choices for dates and times.
Maternity sessions normally take place during your third trimester.
The first 2 weeks after birth are the absolute best times to photograph newborns, because they still love to sleep and to be curled up as if they were still in the womb. It is best to book your session while you are still pregnant. I will reserve a general time period around your due date. Then, as soon as your baby is born, tell me right away, and I will make room in my calendar for you and your new baby!
What happens during our consultation?
During our consultation, I try to get to know your child’s or family’s particular personality and unique outlook on the world. The more you can tell me about yourselves, the better. I will invite myself to be shown around your home so that we can find the rooms with the best light, and I will ask you to tell me about the interesting objects that I might spot. We can talk about and incorporate the things that are meaningful to you. I will ask you to show me your closets, so that we discuss potential outfits. I will also ask you about your goals and what kind of story you want to convey in your images, and we will plan our locations together based on your input.
Choose outfits that reflect a put-together version of you. Don’t be afraid to make bold, memorable statements with your clothes and accessories. Be as funky, fun, whimsical, edgy, posh, hip, preppy, or you as you want to be. Allow your personality to shine through! Suit-and-tie and dress-and-stockings outfits are discouraged. They are too fussy and constrictive. They may make you feel and look uncomfortable. Although dressing too much up is discouraged, please don’t dress down (unless this is part of our master plan! 
). If you show up with a stained shirt and sweatpants, I will send you home and reschedule your session!
The old ways of wearing white shirts over khakis or black turtlenecks over jeans, and matching everyone to a T, are over. If you are planning outfits for the whole family, coordinate but do not match. Keep the same tone in all your clothes. For example, if one of you wears light clothing, then all of you should wear light clothing. If one of you wears dark clothing, then all of you should wear dark clothing. However, mix up the colors and textures, so that the overall look of your family isn’t monotonous and boring.
Still unsure about what to wear? Don’t worry. We’ll be raiding your closets and planning outfits during your pre-session consultation!
How do I prepare my child for a session?
Make sure that your child is well-rested, fed, and not sick. Also, stay stress-free and positive about the upcoming session. Avoid giving your child instructions on how you want him to behave before and during the session. Please don’t tell him that he has to smile, because he really doesn’t have to!
Sometimes, a child will do better and be less anxious when his parents are not right there. I might ask you to go relax and have some coffee in another room.
What can I expect during our session?
Expect your session to be relaxed and easy-going. Your child is free to act like a child, and that will be just fine! My style is mixed, with a sprinkling of posing here and a dash of candid photography there. I may position family members in certain spots and then give a little prompting in the form of questions or actions that I want you to take. I then see and capture what naturally unfolds. I may ask you to do things that are a little silly. Parents are required to have fun, too. Just play along and have fun!
If we are shooting a Newborn Session, you will have plenty of time to feed, change, and comfort your baby. There is no rush! Your baby will poop, pee, and spit up. We will just change out the blanket or clothing, clean up, and move along. Don’t worry about the mess—it’s part of the job!
You took a lot of pictures at our session. Why do we get to see only a fraction of them?
I select and edit images so that you are not burdened with that task! Before they make the cut into your proof gallery, images must create a cohesive story, show an emotional moment or a beautiful expression, and meet very high technical and aesthetic standards.
What happens after my session?
After backing up your files, I give your images basic editing to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance. This is just the beginning. I typically add extras to the presentation of your images to maximize your enjoyment and help you pre-visualize your order. You can expect your proofs to be ready after 2 weeks.
Once I notify you that your proofs are ready, we can then schedule the debut of your images and slideshow at your home. Plan on spending approximately 1-1.5 hours with my assistance to choose and design your dream portrait products. Please don’t think of this process as a chore. It will be celebratory, and I will provide help every step of the way.
When your order your portrait products, I give all your ordered images full artistic retouching. I remove blemishes, dirt, and “owies” to my standards. I clean up backgrounds. I may also add my own artistic touch to enhance the feeling of the image.
The portrait creation process, from beginning to end, is very labor- and time-intensive, so your patience is appreciated!
Can I have my digital negatives?
Digital negatives are truly special and valuable things. They are the result of artistry, vision, and hours of hard work all combined together. I also do understand that they are important to your family as keepsakes. I want you to be able to take them home to enjoy for years to come. Therefore, they are available for purchase as part of select packages or a la carte. Please contact me for more information.
Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?
I could ramble on about taxes and business costs until your eyes glaze over. Good news! I won’t. If you are curious, you can read about it in this Guide to Custom Photography for Consumers. The bottom line is that your time is valuable. That’s right.
Your time is valuable.
You want a hassle-free experience in creating your Family Story heirlooms. You want to hand all the technical and logistical details over to a professional who is attentive to your concerns. You want to spend more time doing the things that are really important to you or that you enjoy the most. You understand the value of being able to just relax and enjoy the ride.
So, relax. You will be in good hands!
