FAQ

 

How long will it take before I see my pictures? 

Your gallery will be ready within 2 weeks of your session (3 weeks in the fall season or for underwater sessions).

 

What happens after my gallery is ready?

You have two options! You can browse your online gallery on your own time and choose the prints and digital images you love. Or, you can book an ordering appointment, where I come to you. I'll sit down with you in your home, help you narrow down your favorites, and figure out the best wall layouts and print sizes for your space. Once your order is placed, I hand-deliver everything myself if you're local (and ship it to you if you're just here on vacation!). For canvas or framed prints, I don't just drop them off — I hang them on your wall myself, so you get to see your portraits exactly where they belong from day one.
 

Do you sell digital files?

Yes! I offer fully-retouched, high-resolution digital files printable to any size. They are available to purchase individually, in small groupings, or as a complete collection. You also receive the digital image of any print you order that's sized 11x14 or larger and albums come with the digital images of those chosen for the album. Just remember, printed photographs are archival, digital files are not. 

 

Why does custom photography cost more?

There is definitely an investment here; for both of us. I spend an average of 10 hours with every client, from start to finish, on your custom photography experience. That's planning, shooting, editing, and curating your gallery with care. As a NAPCP Master Certified photographer in family, child, and maternity portraiture, and a member of PPA, I've put in the work to make sure that time is spent well. You're not just paying for a session — you're getting an experience, an expertise, and an heirloom you won't find at a high-volume studio.
 

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes! Gift certificates are perfect gifts for someone who wants portraits done by me. If you are expecting and having a baby shower, you can let your guests know they can purchase gift certificates towards your newborn session. 

 

How far in advance should I book?

It depends on your session type! A 50% deposit reserves your date, with the remaining balance due 7 days before your session. For underwater sessions, book at least 4-6 weeks out (earlier if you can!) since these are limited and tend to fill up fast. Maternity sessions should also be booked 4-6 weeks out, that gives us time to schedule your wardrobe appointment and pull together everything else you'll need. If you're expecting a newborn, book during your third trimester to guarantee your spot, since we all know baby might arrive early or fashionably late! For most other sessions, 2-4 weeks out is ideal, so we have plenty of time to plan and you're not scrambling to figure out what everyone's going to wear.

 

Where should we have our session?

One of the benefits to having custom photography is that you get to choose the location. I have several locations on the Space Coast that I know have good light that we will discuss at your planning appointment or you can suggest somewhere for me to check out. I will also send you my Location Guide if you aren't sure where you'd like to have your session.  Newborn sessions are done in your home so there’s no need to try to get out of the house with your new baby! A travel fee applies if over 30 miles from Rockledge, FL. 
 

Do I need my own pool for an underwater session?

I have a pool available for underwater sessions April through October. Outside of those months, if you have access to a heated pool, we can likely still make it happen! Ideally the pool is around 15'x30', but I can usually work with something a bit smaller, as long as it's at least 20' in length.
 

What should we wear?

This is something else that we will discuss at your planning appointment and you will receive my What to Wear Guide after booking your session. In the meantime, check out this post for an overview on choosing your clothing. 

 

What if it rains on my session day?

Florida weather has a mind of its own, especially in the warmer months! Because of that, we often wait until the day of your session to make the final call. I start watching the forecast closely about 5 days out and keep you in the loop the whole time, so there are never any surprises. If things are looking rough, I'll usually reach out the day before to talk about rescheduling, that way your day is clear and you're not left wondering. One little trick for beating those summer thunderstorms: booking a sunrise session during the wet season! And because I keep my client list small, I have the flexibility to get you rescheduled quickly if we do need to move things. For underwater sessions specifically, I always hold the whole weekend for you, so if Saturday doesn't cooperate, we simply shift to Sunday.
 

What if I want to keep my images private?

The model release is separate from the contract so if you want to keep your kiddos off the internet or just prefer to keep your session images private, you absolutely can!

 

What happens if my kids just run amuck the whole time and we don’t get anything good?

I haven’t had it happen yet! The beauty of capturing your story is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. I work with very young children often and we work around their personalities. They don’t need to sit still the entire session! In fact, we’ll be doing a lot of playing (and I do a lot of chasing!), so there are plenty of opportunities to capture the essence of who they are right now. We’ll still try for that coveted looking/smiling at the camera image we all love but that won’t be the bulk of the session. They’ll also have plenty of breaks where they can run amuck and get it out of their system. And if all else fails, I always have my little bag of tricks with me!
 

Can extended family join our session?

Grandparents are always welcome to join in on a few photos during a family or newborn session at no extra charge! If you'd like to include other extended family members, like aunts, uncles, or cousins, I offer an extended family session designed just for that.

 

Do you have a loyalty program?

For my loyal clients who stick with me and keep coming back year after year, I have a session fee for life program. Once you book a full session with me, you are locked in to that base session fee for every session you book with me in the future, even if my session fee increases. Milestone plan members also get their milestone plan discount on products and digitals for life. 

 

Do you offer mini sessions or specials?

The best experience for a family photo session is to utilize the full session time. If we had to limit our time to a mini, there’s more likely to be stress and worry about whether or not we’ll get enough good shots, will the kids cooperate in time, etc. The more laid back we can be with the session and not feel rushed, the better the kids will cooperate and we’ll have time to give them breaks when they need it! More on this here. I do occasionally have special events that are announced first to my email list, so be sure to sign up!

 

Do you offer wedding photography services?

I do not offer wedding or event photography. You can try the photographer search tool at PPA.com to find a professional photographer that offers weddings in the area. 

 

Do you offer a military discount?

I offer a 10% military discount on a la carte purchases only for Active Duty families. It is not applicable to the session fee or collections, which are already discounted vs a la carte. Make sure to mention this when you book with me. 

 

Have a question I didn't cover here? Head over to my contact page and ask away!