When should I schedule my lifestyle session?
I would be delighted to visit with you about an upcoming portrait session!
Lifestyle sessions include expecting, newborn, families, and children.
As I am typically booked several months in advance, lifestyle sessions are best scheduled 6 - 8 weeks ahead of your objectives. Newborns are best photographed between 7 - 14 days new; maternity between 30 – 34 weeks. Baby’s First Year and The Wonder Years plans are designed to capture the tenderness of childhood and rapidly changing magical moments as your little one grows. These plans offer bundled sessions and affordable pricing to journey through baby’s first year, as well as for children
2YRS through 5YRS.
What happens next?
A pre-session consultation is scheduled so we can discuss your dreams and ideas for your session. We will visit about who will be included in your portrait session, location, clothing, activities and other details, and I will answer any questions you may have about my process. You will get to see my work, receive complete product and pricing information, and we will work closely to establish goals
of what you want to accomplish during your session.
Your session fee covers an in-person consultation, professional wardrobe suggestions + inspiration boards, customized location and prop planning, 1 – 2 hour portrait session,
and an in-person portrait ordering appointment.
Your non-refundable session fee is payable at your initial consultation and does not include products or digital files. Once your session is paid, your portrait session date is secured on my calendar.
Where will we shoot?
I have canvased a wide area over the past 20 years of shooting! Just like Waldo, I am hard to spot and hopefully not easily tracked. Your location is just as individual as you are, and my intent is always to create portraits that are for you and about you, and ONLY you!
You may already have a location in mind . . . family land, suggestions from friends, towns, rivers, valleys, mountains, or anything in between . . . or I can happily suggest a location for you.
Either way, the world is my studio ( I love to travel as my schedule allows! ).
What do I need to bring to my session?
I have been carefully selecting one-of-a-kind props and finds over what seems like a lifetime
( don’t ask my family about this! ). I have many items that will complement your session and you are welcome to use whatever I have. I love when clients have a special piece of furniture or handmade quilt or vintage truck that tells their story in a way that my props cannot. Often, an entire session is designed around a fabulous piece, so beg . . . borrow . . . or steal
( no, really, don’t steal! ) . . . and we will create something amazing!
For children, pack 2 – 3 outfits to use as time allows.
The summer heat can be a challenge, so do bring hydration with you for everyone in your party,
as well as some non-messy snacks for the littles.
It is super helpful to be organized and on time to your session to take full advantage of our shooting time together. That means, setting out each complete outfit as you plan to wear it, and allowing enough time to have it all packed and ready. The minutes you are late will be deducted from your shooting time.
Bring any clothing we discussed during your consultation, along with shoes, accessories, jewelry, hats, and other special items you plan to use during your session.
Layers open the door for a variety of shooting possibilities!
How long will my session last?
Sessions typically last anywhere from 1 – 2 hours, depending on which session you choose.
When will I view my images?
Your ordering appointment will be scheduled within 7 - 10 days following your session. We will view your images, select favorites, and place your order at this appointment. Full payment will place your order in production; payment options are also available.
An online gallery can be activated for three days for final image review with your initial deposit of $300.
Are digital files included?
With easy access and so many new cameras on the market, many people quickly set up shop as a “professional photographer”, and the growing trend to shoot and sell only digital files is very common.
This shoot and burn approach certainly offers quick turn-around
and is much less complicated for the photographer!
Believe it or not, my job goes far beyond just snapping the shutter. Photography is an art; one that requires years of experience and dedication to achieve desired results. While it is ultimately up to you to choose your photographer, hiring a true professional is the ideal way to get the results you desire. And while at times there are very specific needs for digitals, I am all too familiar with ( sad ) stories of how session images are rarely printed or utilized beyond social applications. I truly believe in the value of printed art for you to cherish for many generations! As a creative portrait artist, I specialize in creating memorable wall portraits and signature albums to enjoy throughout your lifetime.
With every portrait order, your images are professionally edited and retouched by me
or someone on my team as my guarantee to provide you with
the highest archival printing qualities known to industry standards.
After your portrait order has been placed and paid in full, you will receive a small, watermarked digital copy of each image in your order ( gift prints, portraits, or wall art ) for personal or social use.
This file is not sized for printing.
Once a minimum product investment is met, digital files may be purchased individually or as a collection of favorites. Minimum investments vary depending on which type of session you choose.
Information about Digitals-Only Collections can be found under ‘investments’.
Are there deadlines I need to be aware of?
Yes! You will definitely want to schedule your sessions early, as holidays and life events are attached to a timeline. Coordinating schedules with large groups is usually your greatest challenge. If you are gifting images from your sessions, or need custom greetings or announcements in time for holidays,
you will want to shoot your session by November 15.
Please let me know of any special requests you have. It is certainly possible I can
accommodate your session request, depending on availability.
Keep in mind, holiday greeting cards can be created from session images taken anytime within the current year . . . and you will be singing all the way to the post office when your order arrives early!
No more holiday stress!
When will I receive my ordered images?
On average, portrait orders are completed in 2 - 3 weeks. Custom products, such as albums, books, and wall collections, have a production time of 4 - 6 weeks, possibly longer during peak seasons. Card proofing for greetings and announcements require up to ten days, so please allow sufficient time for proofing, ordering, and mailing!
Do you travel?
Do I travel, you ask? Yes of course, I love to travel! Let me know your particular request and depending on availability, I will be happy to provide you a quote.