how does a photo session work?

typically, i meet my photo subjects at a place of their choosing. i prefer outdoor settings where the natural light is best. during the session, i generally take between 100-300 high-quality digital images. after the session, i sort through the images and toss any i don’t like (you know, the ones with closed eyes, ridiculous expressions, etc!). then i use digital editing software to crop and correct exposure, and do minor touch-ups for pimples, etc. all of these color images are then edited a second time to save them as black and white images. in the end you will receive a computer disk with 50-75 color photographs and the same images in black and white. you own the ‘negatives’, so this way you can print the ones you like or email them to family and friends.

how long does a session take?

The session times range from 30-60 minutes, depending on the subjects.

when and how do I receive my photographs?

your disks will be mailed to you within two weeks of the photo shoot. my fee is payable on the day of the shoot.

what forms of payment are accepted?

i accept cash or personal checks.  i can accept credit cards, but there is a 2.9% processing charge in addition to my regular fee.

what kind of locations are best?

i prefer to shoot in outdoor settings that are going to be comfortable for my subjects, especially when they are babies and small children. so for instance, a neighborhood park, the beach, or your backyard make really good locations. i prefer locations that have some “open shade” as this is the perfect light, i believe. if you don’t any have special place you’d like to do the photo session, i’ll be happy to recommend some of my favorites.

what kind of clothing should be worn for the session?

patterns are not recommended because they tend to distract from your face, and your face is the whole point!!! generally, solids work the best, whether light or dark depends on your coloring and preference (and wardrobe!!)

do you offer a choice between film and digital photography?

i used to shoot exclusively with black and white film. i loved it. but now i shoot only digitally and the reason i switched is that now i can shoot in color, yet still convert all of the images into black and white. this way, you get to choose what you want to print. also, the quality of the digital images taken with my professional canon equipment are every bit as good as film. these high resolution images can be enlarged up to the size of your choice!

can you fix blemishes or scratches?

the simple answer is yes. i can often remove small scratches and unsightly blemishes from the images. i do this with photo editing software. please keep in mind this is not airbrushing. there’s only so much i can do. this type of work is also very time consuming, as the corrections have to be made on each and every image. that’s why i generally only fix those images that i think are the best. if you have a few other images you would like me to try and correct, i’ll do my best to fix those as well.

what if my child gets sick on the day of the shoot?

don’t kids always get sick at the most inopportune moments? if your baby or child happens to get sick just before a scheduled session, we’ll reschedule it. don’t feel bad, i completely understand. all i ask is that you try to let me know as soon as possible.

what does a photo session typically cost?

obviously the price of my photo sessions vary, depending on whether i’m taking family pictures, shooting a party, or doing engagement pictures. please contact me and i’ll be happy to provide you with a quote for your particular need.

what if I want to have my child photographed every few months? is there a discount for multiple sessions?

yes, i do offer discounted rates for anyone who is interested in booking multiple sessions. this will require advance payment for the first two photo sessions. these sessions can not be booked longer than six months apart.

do you offer gift certificates?

absolutely. personalized gift certificates for any occasion are available. all gift certificates must be paid in advance and be used within 6 months from the date they are issued. refunds are not available for unused gift certificates.

where should I go to get prints made?

if you have a good printer, you can print them at home. costco also offers inexpensive printing as well as several online printing companies that do a fantastic job with prints and are very reasonably priced. if you are blowing up pictures larger than 8×10 you might want to consider a higher-end print shop for a better quality print. feel free to give me a call if you need some specific advice or suggestions on where you can go for good prints.