Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ!)

PRICING QUESTIONS:


  • Fees cover: scheduling, consultation, our time together, and the editing, posting, and delivery of your private gallery.
  • Yes, I give you full access to your digital files in two sizes - for sharing on social and for printing.
  • Prints of all kinds are an additional investment. You can order them from my on-line store, directly accessible via a link in your gallery. There are all kinds of prints, cards, or fabulous wall art (metal - my favorite! - canvas, and wood) available for you to choose from. I'm happy to walk you through this process, do it on your behalf, and/or make recommendations. In other words, I'm happy to be hands-on or hands-off, whichever you prefer!

WHAT SHOULD I/WE WEAR?


Be intentional: You'll love your photos more if you are intentional about what you're wearing. Think feel your best, look your best! So, read on for more tips!


Movement and Flow: Try to choose fabrics that move easily and don't require being perfectly ironed. Look for dresses, skirts, and tops that move with your body. Throw in a scarf, chunky necklace, hat, or bring along your family's favorite blanket.


Comfort trumps everything else. No itching, too tight, too short, pulling or scrunching outfits. You might sit on the ground, throw your kid in the air, play tag, or walk along a wall. Wear clothes that allow you to do all these things. And, this goes for the kids too. Everyone is more likely to cooperate when they feel at home in the clothes they're wearing.


Choose a limited number of neutral colors and add small pops of color. There's a few color palettes below for you to consider. Looking for more ideas? Search Pinterest for family photos or color palettes. You want a sense of cohesion without looking too matchy-matchy. Also, outdoor settings in Oregon are often filled with greens, a handful of fall colors (reds and oranges), or have a neutral off-white (fields of dry grass or the beach), so consider wear the shoot will take place as you choose your color palette. Try to avoid everyone wearing dark clothes or too much white.


Throw in some patterns, but not too many. Use stripes, plaids or florals for a touch of bling, but don't blind us with them! You can also add jewelry, scarves, jackets or hats to add texture to your images.


Be prepared for the elements! This is Oregon, so bring layers and wear sensible shoes, especially for outdoor sessions.


Still struggling with what to wear? Let's talk. Text or call me. We'll get this sorted. And, I have a small clothes closet, so maybe we'll find the perfect loaner for you there!

I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT A MINI-SESSION OR A FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION?


First, I offer a limited number of mini-sessions per year, so I can't promise they will be available to you. Mini-sessions are ideal for families who only need a small number of photos for a specific purpose, like a holiday or new home card. Our time together is limited, so we don't move around much and shots typically include 2-4 poses of the entire family, 2-4 just the kids, and 1-2 of the parents. In contrast, a family portrait session unfolds more slowly. We walk to handful of spots within a location and I take posed and candid shots throughout. The "must haves" shot list is longer ( i.e. mom with all kids and each kid and dad with all kids and each kid).

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE & SESSIONS?


I'm a lover of bright and bold colors, the outdoors, and capturing life as it unfolds. I think everyone is perfect just the way they are. My aim is to capture moments that reflect the diversity and fullness of being human. Our lives rarely look like a perfectly staged shot and that's not what I am aiming to give you, so keep that in mind if you decide to pick me. The best way to get a sense of my style is to look through my portfolios - families, seniors, and kids. I'm totally committed to making every session FUN and I want you to relax into our time together. I expect your kids will run around and sometime refuse to pose. They're being kids! I'm not a fan of yelling or giving orders and kindly request that moms and dads don't do this either.

WHERE WILL OUR SESSION TAKE PLACE?


Locations are carefully selected based on my clients' needs (convenience matters when you have small children or busy schedules!) and their vision for the session. I have a handful of parks and outdoor areas that I love. Most are located with in the Portland Metro Area. Your suggestions and requests are welcome. Some locations require special permissions or permits, so we'll talk about the location at least a week in advance. I will travel up to 30 miles for no additional cost, after that there is a mileage fee.



What About the weather?


Ah, if only I had a crystal ball. Generally speaking, I'll make any weather work (except pouring rain!). That said, I generally shoot early in the morning or in the evening to take full advantage of the soft light. If we have to cancel our session due to weather, we'll simply reschedule for another time. There are no fees involved.


WHY WOULD I CHOOSE TO PURCHASE PRINTS THROUGH YOU AND NOT DO IT MYSELF?


Because it's easy peasy lemon squeezy! All you have to do is select the images you like, the size and the format (paper, metal, canvas, etc.), and I take care of the rest. It's like I'm your print fairy godmother. The prints will either be shipped directly to you, or I'll hand deliver them to your front door. I also work with top-notch vendors that are my partners in making sure you get exceptional prints that you can treasure for years to come. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes adjustments that are essential when transferring a digital image to print and me and the vendors I work with take great care to get it all right.

HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO SPEND ON PRINTS?


It really varies. My clients spend anywhere between $30-$1,000 on printed materials (prints, canvas, metal and albums). When clients receive their private gallery they also have access to my online store where all individual pricing is available as well as print packages.