Commonly Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a session?
I recommend booking anywhere from 1-2 months to a year in advance to guarantee a spot, although don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested in booking a last minute session, as I may just have an opening!
How do I order prints?
In order to achieve accurate colors, you can order professional grade prints directly though my online store. They will be sent to you.
What should I wear?
Aaaaah, I could talk about this all day. What you choose to wear has a huge impact on the final outcome of your images. Because of this, I have developed a comprehensive style guide with tips and tricks to help you coordinate your outfits, which I will send to you once you have confirmed your session date. Here is a quick summary when putting together looks for your family.
↣ Mix, don’t match!! You want your outfits to complement, not blend.
↣ Incorporate at least one pattern into your look, ie florals or stripes.
↣ Choose an earth toned palette! These colors work best with the natural environment. Things to avoid are bold primary/neon colors, thin, close together stripe/plaid, and logos/brand names on clothes.
↣ Don’t let your shoes be an afterthought! Pick a shoe/sandal/boot in a neutral color.
↣ Adding layers, textures and accessories helps finalize your look!
↣ Don’t wait until the last second to plan your styling. Plan ahead and have a backup option if necessary, and keep in mind shipping times for online ordering.
↣ Steam/iron clothes prior to your session.
Please reach out if you need any help or feedback when putting together your look!
When will we get our photos?
Expected turnaround for image delivery is 2-4 weeks, although I allow 6 weeks as breathing room. A signed contract and $50 retainer fee are required to secure your session date. The remaining balance is due within 24 hours after your session has taken place.
Do you offer a delayed payment schedule?
I understand that budgeting for professional photography can be a consideration, and I want to make the payment process as easy as possible for you.
To accommodate your needs, I'm happy to offer a payment plan option for your session fee. Instead of paying the entire amount upfront, you can split the payment into two equal installments over the course of two months. This way, you can enjoy the photography experience without any financial strain.
Here's how the payment plan will work:
- $50 retainer + travel fee (if outside of Red Deer) due upon booking to secure session date
- First Payment: [24 hours after session] - 50% of the session fee
- Second Payment: [1 month after session] - Remaining 50% of the session fee
Please note that the delivery of your photo gallery will be scheduled only after the full payment has been received. This ensures a smooth process and allows me to provide you with the best possible service. Please let me know if you need a delayed payment schedule upon booking.
Can I get the RAW files?
I do not provide RAW files for the client. I will be delivering the retouched images for your use, as these are the final product and properly reflect the quality of my work that you are familiar with.
What time of day do sessions take place?
The majority of my sessions begin roughly 1 hour before sunset so that I can achieve those beautiful golden backlit images. This can be tricky with little ones, so I recommend a long afternoon nap (if possible), and bringing mess-free snacks along to your session as incentives. Although if this doesn't work for my client, I occasionally will shoot at sunrise. For indoor sessions, I shoot in the mid-morning/early afternoon for the brightest natural light.
Do you travel outside of Red Deer for sessions?
Yes, please! I'm totally up for traveling outside of Red Deer, and to clients' homes/farms outside of town.
I am always up for a road trip to the mountains or badlands (Buffalo Jump or Drumheller) for those breathtaking backdrops.
A reasonable travel fee will be added to the cost of your photoshoot to cover travel expenses.
Can you fix/edit [.......] in Photoshop?
My general policy for retouching in Photoshop/Lightroom is that if something will not be there in two weeks (e.g. a bruise, pimple, etc.) I'll do a light erase, no problem. If there are larger things that the client requests be handled in Photoshop, I charge a per-image rate for extensive editing.
What's always included is skin-smoothing, done in a natural yet flattering way. I always aim to pose my clients in flattering positions to make them feel good about the way they look. I'm not about over-the-top magazine re-touching, because that does nothing for people's self-image!
Can I choose my images?
I do not generally ask my clients to choose their own images, reason being, I take between 600-2000 images each session. To cull this amount of images can be an overwhelming and daunting task, especially if you do not have the necessary software subscriptions. I can guarantee that I choose the most flattering and sharp images that also align with my brand.
Do you photograph engagements?
Yes! Shoot me an email and we can hash out all of the details!
Surprise engagements are the best!
