How far in advance should I schedule my appointment?
Depending on what type of photography, you should book 2 weeks to 3 months in advance. Call or email to find out my availability. For larger shoots, such as weddings, a small non-refundable deposit is required.
When does my time start?
Your time starts at the time you set for your appointment. If I am early (or late), it does not count against you.
Do you charge travel fees?
I do not charge travel fees within Prague, OK. For shoots outside Prague, I charge 50 cents per mile from Prague.
When will I be able to view my proofs?
Your proofs will be available within 7 business days of your photo shoot; usually sooner. I will upload your pictures to my website so that anyone with a computer and internet connection can view them from anywhere around the world. From my online proofing page, you (and your family & friends) can select photos you want to print, or order yourself online.
What does digital re-touching mean?
This is the process by which I am able to go in and fix problems with the images such as red eyes, blemishes, stray hairs, etc. I use Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Adobe Lightroom 3. I will generally faintly brighten the whites of your eyes and your teeth. The point of retouching is not to make you look “fake”, but to show you at your best.
How many poses or pictures will I get to pick from?
Usually you will have between 20 – 40 photos from a 90 minute session. It is not unusual for me to shoot 200 or more photographs during that time, but I will edit the photos to choose the best from each pose, location, outfit, etc. for you to choose from.
Can I get photos in black and white as well as color?
Yes! I will work with your photos and determine if any will work in black and white. If they will, I will show you that as an option. Upon request, I will provide any photo in your final set with a Black & White option for you to preview.
May I purchase the files on CD?
No. I do not sell my portraits on CD, but you may purchase prints at reasonable prices on a variety of surfaces (canvas, cards, clothing, and more) via my web site. As a portrait photographer, I charge a low session fee that just covers some costs of providing the photo shoot. I rely on print sales as my sole source of income. The digital images are the key to those print sales. In addition, if a client loves their photos online, and then takes them to an inferior place to have their prints made and hates them – this reflects badly on me, and I have no control of the final product. Although many part-time and hobbyist photographers sell CD’s because they don’t have a professional relationship with a quality lab and don’t want to have to deal with getting prints to the client, few full-time portrait photographers do this. However, this method of work is actually better for you because I have to do a good job for you, or I won’t get paid. If you don’t love your photos, you won’t order prints from me! This is a bigger incentive for me to create great images for you!
When you hire a portrait photographer, you are doing so because of their experience, artistry, and vision. You like their photographic style, and skill in posing, locations, and retouching the final images. So many people have good quality cameras, that if all you want is a fast, inexpensive CD with photos, then you will be able to find someone better suited to this via sites like Craigslist, or through friends. If you are looking for portraits that you will want to hang in your home, and share with your friends and family, and keep in the family for generations, then it is worth hiring a professional with a portfolio you admire, and a relationship with quality printers who will create your portrait images on quality paper that will last a lifetime and beyond.
All that said . . . I do provide my clients with a CD with their final image in 72 dpi small format for use on the web in Social Media (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.) and to share with friends and family in that way. These images are not appropriate for, or permitted to be, printed, but they are a great way to share your photos.
I’m interested in maternity portraits. When is the best time to have these done?
I find that most women feel that 35-37 weeks is the optimum period. Bring form-fitting tops that will show off your baby bump. I really like to photograph women in the clothing item they wear the most and feel best in. If you want to do “bare” photos, bring a choice of scarves to cover your breasts while leaving your beautiful belly exposed. Black “under the belly” pants work well, as do unbuttoned jeans. If you will pose with your partner, you should both remember that a manicure is a good idea, as your hands will likely be in some or all of the photos.
Do you work with babies?
I love photographing babies, but it does take some patience for both me, and mom! Each stage of your child’s life has it’s own character. There is a natural curl to a baby’s back for the first couple of weeks of it’s life; and I love to catch this moment. Plan for a couple of hours, as the baby will need to be changed, soothed, fed, or repositioned for the light and it takes a bit more time.
Do you work with pets?
If you can keep your pet under control (e.g. the dog will sit or lay down, mostly on command), I will happily work with them! I love pets!
Do you do photo announcements and cards?
I am happy to create custom announcements for you to have printed for graduations, Christmas Cards, etc. I will give you a custom quote once I understand what you want, or you can choose from the templates on my order site.
What should I wear?
See the separate “What to Wear” page for a detailed answer.
