Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Q: What can I expect at the session? | |
| A: Well, number one on my priority list is keeping your kiddos happy! No one wants pictures of their kids when they are upset. So, on the day of the session, your kids are the boss, and your job is to give them a little leeway to keep them happy. Once the tears start flowing, it’s hard to get back to smiles, and even if we do, often times their eyes can get red or puffy. So, let’s try to avoid that altogether! | |
| Q: How long do sessions last? | |
| A: It depends on the type of session. Classic Lifestyle Sessions and Timeless Studio Sessions last up to 1 1/2 hours. Either option usually allows plenty of time for feeding your newborn, or taking a short break for playing with your toddler, etc., and it ensures you won’t feel rushed. Bebe Collection sessions last up to thirty minutes. | |
| Q: What is the best time for the session? | |
| A: It depends. Babies and little ones usually do best in the mid-morning, typically between 9 and 11, when they are fed and happy. If you have older kids or if you can’t come in the morning, afternoons, evenings and weekends are available. But due to my wedding schedule, weekends are a little tougher, so please schedule several weeks in advance. | |
| Q: How far in advance should I schedule? | |
| A: Typically you’ll want to schedule at least 3 weeks in advance. (Sometimes longer in the fall before the holidays, and maybe less in other times of the year).If you are pregnant and need a maternity session, or if you recently had your baby and need a newborn session (2 weeks old or less) please let me know and I will try to fit you in sooner. |
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| Q: Where is your studio? | |
| A: I work on-location, so I come to you! Just let me know if you see something in a gallery that you would like for me to bring. Occasionally an item shown was owned by the family being photographed, but I can bring some items. | |
| Q: What happens when you arrive at my home for a Lifestyle Session? | |
| A: I usually like to come in and check the light with my meter by all of your windows. During that time, please feel free to do whatever you need to do to finish getting ready. If you need assistance picking out the right outfit, just let me know. Once I find a great spot, I may re-arrange some furniture, etc. Then, we’re all set to start the session. Just keep in mind that I choose locations mostly based on lighting, not on the “background”. So, there is a chance you might not think the spot is ideal. But, keep in mind that I use my camera settings to ensure a great shot! | |
| Q: Should I have someone there to help me? | |
| A: Typically, I recommend against additional people in the room during the session, as it can be distracting (to me and to the person being photographed). However, if you feel you need help, by all means, please have someone there. If you have multiple children, sometimes it can help for someone to take one or more of the children to another room to play so we can concentrate on individual portraits. | |
| Q: Can I have my camera and/or video camera out during the session to capture the event? | |
| A: I understand your enthusiasm for capturing a special event, and I don’t mind a few short video clips, as long as it does not become distracting to me or the person being photographed. However, I do not allow cameras, because not only is it distracting (the person being photographed doesn’t know where to look). Besides, you are paying me to capture the moment, so sit back and relax and let me do my job. | |
| Q: Can I order black and white as well as color? | |
| A: Yes! In addition to black and white and color, you can also choose from sepia (an old-fashioned brown tone), colorwash (a soft “wash” of color), or selective color (when one part of the image is in color and the rest is in black and white.) There is no additional charge for any of these options, so choose the one that suits you and your home best. You will have the option to see your images in the black and white, color or sepia during the ordering session. | |
| Q: What should we wear? | |
| A: Solid colored, simple clothing is the best for a classic portrait. Prints, plaids, stripes, and logos are too busy, and detract the viewer’s eye from the faces. I typically like to keep things casual and fun, so I tend to prefer casual clothing over formal attire. For group shots, consider coordinating clothing by keeping in similar tones. Bare feet are a must (for babies and adults), so be prepared in case you need a pedicure! If you think you will prefer black and white, keep colors in similar tones that will convert to similar grays. For instance, a light pink and a light blue will both become a light gray in black and white, so they would be perfectly fine together. I recommend against black bottoms and white blouses, or vice versa, as there is too much contrast between the two colors. | |
In any case, be sure to dress like YOU. If you know you want the images in color, and you know where you want to display the final portrait, you might consider coordinating the clothing to match a particular room in your home. 
For outdoor portraits, bright colors in coordinating colors look great against green grass (pink, turquoise, yellow, orange). Or consider white shirts, but in various styles, so you match but it’s not too matchy-matchy. |
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For babies, consider bare shots, or just a diaper
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For maternity portraits, you can choose whether you prefer to wear your favorite outfit, |
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a fabric wrap, or nude.
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| Q: How many clothing changes are included? | |
| A: We can fit in as much as possible during the time frame of the session, so I don’t put a set number on the changes. However, most babies and children will not want to do this more than once, so keep that in mind. Remember, it is much easier to keep little ones happy than to try to make them happy after they have gotten mad. If you choose to do one of the Bebe Collections, keep in mind that the timeframe of the session only really allows one clothing option. | |
| Q: What if my prints need re-touching? | |
| A: Standard re-touching (small blemishes, scars, runny noses, etc.) can be retouched complimentary for a la cart prints and most packages. Just be sure to let me know what you want re-touched. Some moms want to remember the flaky newborn skin on their baby, and others want to see perfectly smooth skin, etc., so I do not do anything unless specifically told to do so. Additional re-touching may require additional fees, so inquire about your specific image. | |
| Q: When will I view my images and place the order? | |
| A: Approximately one to two weeks after your session, you will be able to view your images in the privacy of your own home via an online image gallery and shopping cart. You can share the link to the gallery with friends and family if they want to view and/or order the images. Your gallery will remain online for about one week. | |
| Q: How long will my images be archived? | |
| A: I do NOT guarantee archival of images. Why? Well, digital media can be corrupted in a relatively short amount of time. That said, in general, I do archive sessions. But, there is a chance that the archive could be corrupt even just a few weeks after it is created. Please order any images you really want during the time your gallery is online. If you are concerned about your budget, please order the must-have images and talk to me about a payment plan. | |
| Q: What forms of payment are accepted? | |
| A: Cash, check, Visa and Mastercard. Please make checks payable to Holly Anne Photography LLC. | |
| Q: Do you have a payment plan? | |
| A: Just let me know and we can split your order into 2 or 3 payments. However, the no part of the order will be placed or delivered until the order is paid in full. Any changes after the order has been placed will result in loss of the print credit. | |
| Q: Is sales tax charged for my session and/or prints? | |
| A: Yes. Sales tax will be charged. (8.25% in most cases) | |
| Q: How much is shipping? | |
| A: A standard $15 shipping charge will be charged on all orders with prints smaller than 11″x14″. Larger prints may incur slightly larger shipping charges. | |
| Q: How long does it take to receive my order? | |
| A: Please allow approximately 6 weeks for your order to be completed. Some orders may be done sooner, and some may take longer. Your prints are an important investment for your family, and should not be rushed. | |
| Q: I need my prints sooner since they are a gift. Can you rush them? | |
| A: Yes, if you need your prints by a particular date, please let me know. Rush fees will apply. | |
| Q: Can I scan or copy my prints or print my proofs? | |
| A: No. All images are protected by Federal Copyright Laws. Please review your contract for specific fines. Images can not be reproduced in any way, unless you have purchased a digital image with a print release. If you want to share the images you purchased on facebook, just add me as a facebook friend and I will upload the watermarked images and tag you so they show up in your gallery, at no charge! | |
. . . Holly Anne Photography . . . {artistic lifestyle photography} » artistic lifestyle photography
by Holly
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