Frequently Asked Questions: Photography

view FAQs for Digitization, Image Restoration, and Printing here.

How do I book a session?

I'm easy to get a hold of. Phone, text or email all work if you have questions or inquiries about booking a shoot. But in the end, a good old phone call is the best. You'll have questions which are more easily answered live on the phone, and I'll have questions for you to help me determine how I can best serve you and meet your photo session goals. If I get an email or a text from you and I feel like I might have to compose a short story in order to answer your questions, LOL, you'll probably be getting a call from me instead.

Do I get all the pictures you shoot and how do I get them?

Yes, you get all your photos from your session in a high quality medium resolution format, which are more than adequate for websites and social media. These are posted as downloadable files in a private gallery accessed through my website for between two to four weeks. Don't worry, if they get taken down, I still have them.

All my portrait and headshot packages include a preset number of final retouched files. These files are delivered to you in full resolution if that is your desire. These are big files and typically larger than what most folks need, so I can send you smaller (but still high resolution) files if you prefer. I'm happy to talk to you about your options, and you can always come back to me and request the highest resolution file if you change your mind at no additional cost.

How long until I get my photos?

After your session I do a ballpark edit on your photos: color, contrast, brightness, clarity and then post them in your private web gallery on my website. Allow up to a week for this, depending on my workload, though it is often sooner.

If you haven't already, I ask you to make your selection for your retouched photo(s) within a week of posting. If you need more time, no problem. Once selected I generally turn those around within a week. If you have specific deadlines, let me know and I'll do everything possible to meet them.

What kind of rights do I have with my photos?

You have the rights to publish your images on your website, social media, yearbooks, print and online advertising, and you have reproductions rights, which means the right to make prints from your images on your own. As the photographer, I maintain copyright over all images. For all intents and purposes, this basically means that I reserve the right to use client images to promote my business (like on this website). But don't worry, if you are uncomfortable with that, just let me know, and we can even put it in writing if that makes you more comfortable.

How are retouched photos different from the unretouched ones?

I believe there is often a misunderstanding of what retouching is, that is changing the way someone looks, making them look fake. The goal in retouching is to make a portrait more flattering, but while still preserving the essential you. You may have noticed in pictures of yourselves and others taken by friends and family, some photos are more flattering than others, and it has nothing to do with you. It's often the light, or the lens of the device that took the photo. Retouching is the final ingredient in the recipe of a great portrait. I like to think I have a light hand when it comes to retouching. I don't want to erase the things that give your face character and make you you. Softening wrinkles but not getting rid of them, eliminating blemishes, whitening teeth as needed, lightening bags or shadows under the eyes are all included aspects of my retouching service. This may also include fine tuning color correction, smoothing out skin tones, as well as selectively lightening and darkening areas of the photo.

Everyone, in my opinion, no matter how photogenic, benefits from some retouching. Some studios charge extra for higher levels of retouching. I don't force you to make that choice. With rare exceptions, all retouching is full service. If you have any special concerns or requests regarding retouching don't hesitate to share those with me when you come in for your photo.

Can I wear glasses to my photoshoot?

The short answer is yes. The full answer is a bit more complicated. First, strong lenses can sometimes create weird refractions of the edge of your face. The big problem with glasses of course is glare/light reflections on the lens. While sometimes this can be avoided, by the position of the lights and the camera, and the angle of the face to the camera, the truth is, it can be limiting, and some glasses are more reflective than others. Sometimes it is very difficult to keep glare or reflections off the lens, and to be honest, retouching glare, though while possible, can be extremely difficult. Now I know that for many, wearing glasses is a part of their personal identity and they feel like they are not themselves if they don't have them on. Here are my recommendations regarding wearing glasses.

1. If it's not a big deal to you, don't wear them. I don't recommend taking some shots with and some without, because you'll end up liking the pose with the glare and wish you'd had that pose with the glasses off, or vice versa. It tends to be a lose lose situation.

2. Wear them, but remove the lenses. This really works, though it is a minor hassle. If you have a spare or older set you never wear because you got a new prescription, sometimes those are a good option for removing the lenses.

3. Wear them with lenses in, and we'll do the best we can. I know some people's eyes literally change because of trying to focus without their glasses, and they don't feel it is flattering. Most of the photos with glasses on this site were taken with the lenses in.

What's a look?

“Look” is photographer talk for for either a wardrobe choice, or, if a studio session, a backdrop. A wardrobe change and a backdrop change at the same would count as one look. The reason for limits on looks, is because the time required to make these changes cuts in on the session time. Keeping that in mind, an extra look might be workable, just know it is taking away from your studio/session time.

Should I have my photo taken in the studio or outdoors somewhere?

All Mini Sessions are taken in the studio, with the exception of team mini sessions where the client wants an outdoor setting, or when there is a good outdoor option at their workplace. With the Classic Session you have a choice of studio or on location outdoors somewhere. Both are great options, and come down to your personal goals and vision for your portrait/headshot. I charge more for outdoor sessions because of the extra time involved for me: Traveling to and from the chosen location, and set up. Also editing sessions taken in the outdoors just take longer because of the variances in lighting and exposure between shots.

Do you take half or full length shots in your headshot sessions?

In the studio, we can get a mix of tight head and shoulder shots, up to 3⁄4 length poses, though I prefer to stay in tighter for headshot sessions. Outdoor sessions are more conducive to including some full length shots.

What's the difference between the Classic Session and the On Location Deluxe?

The On Location Deluxe is a true full blown portrait session with a mix of tight in to full length shots, where we take the time to explore the setting as a more significant component of your portrait. While the Classic Session can work totally fine for things like senior portraits, if you are looking for something more comprehensive in the way of coverage, the On Location Deluxe is a good choice.

Do you print photos too?

Absolutely! I take a lot of pride in my printing, and my traditional paper prints are of the highest quality anywhere. I can also provide you with all the other standard options from prints on canvas to prints on metal.

How many team members can you photograph in The Group Special?

The Group Special Session is one hour of photography for a minimum of four individual mini sessions. More can definitely be fit into that time. It all depends on your organization and how much time each individual wants to spend on their photo. This is something I am happy to discuss with you before you book a session. It’s also possible to book an extra hour ($100) should you have a large team.