You've looked around my website and found that there are lots and lots of photos to enjoy. But now what? I created this section for you to answer some popular questions I get now and then. And if you scroll down even further, you will see links to view/download all my different price lists. And below that? My recommendations on wardrobe for family portraits. I'm pretty much an open book so let me know if you any other questions.
What is the best time of day to photograph?
Well this one is quite simple, it's either the first two or last two hours of daylight when the sun is lower in the sky and you get a more warm light. I am also able to backlight my subjects better to give that beautiful halo effect in their hair.
How far out do you book?
Well that depends upon if we are talking portraits or a wedding. For portraits, I would say a week or two out. For weddings, it depends on the season. I am only booking one wedding per month at this time so it would be safe to book about six months or more in advance.
Where is the best place to print my photographs?
I always tell folks that using a cheap, one hour lab is like buying a filet mignon steak and cooking it in the microwave. You've spent your money on a good photographer, now spend a few pennies more to have your portraits printed by a professional lab that uses archive quality materials and is as concerned about skin tones as I am. My favorite online lab is Printique, and they are one of the few that cater to the public. You can also use them to create announcements and albums. Please use the link provided when ordering so they know you are one of my clients. www.printique.com
Is this your full-time profession?
If you would have asked me that pre-Covid, I would have said "absolutely!" But unfortunately, 2020 cancelled all my weddings, events and portrait sessions for most of the year. I decided to get a full-time job and I have a great schedule where I get off work at 4pm and home by 4:15pm. That means I can still do sessions after work during Daylight Savings Hour and of course on the weekends. Will I ever go back to being a full-time photographer? Probably not, since I love having benefits and having this job allows me to keep my prices down.
Can I schedule a consultation?
I love meeting folks and answering any questions they might have. I most certainly do wedding consultations but most of the time, consultations for portrait sessions can be done over the phone. But if you still would like to come to my home studio, I am happy to meet with you.
Do you have a commercial location?
I offer family portraits year round, and those prices are located in this brochure. I do offer discounts around the holidays but those are short sessions at pre-determined locations. Follow me on Facebook to find out more about when and where they will take place each year.
We typically book sessions during the last two hours of daylight on weekdays. Weekend appointments available on a limited basis.
Weddings have always been a favorite of mine. Each one is so different, just like a snowflake. I have four packages in my listing, but I am always happy to create a custom package for any couple who needs something outside of my norm.
Getting the right colors and style for your family portrait wardrobe is essential for a beautiful photograph. I have listed three different style of clothing choices, the first obviously being that no one pre-planned what they would be wearing so the clothing is distracting with so many colors, and the socks with sandals? Um no. The middle image is alright but the "matchy-matchy" style of clothing is very outdated. Your best option is to use no more than three colors for the entire family, make sure that everyone is wearing solids - so no stripes or florals, etc. And keep your tones in the same color family There are 3 basic color families; pastels, earth tones and jewel tones. Pastels work best at the beach where you can find soft colors in the background. The beach is also the only place that I recommend wearing white. It's not a very complimentary color and can wash a lot of folks out. Plus, your eyes go to the lightest portion of the image, so a white shirt or dress can be distracting. Your best options for the park like settings is either earth or jewel tones. What is a jewel tone? It's a bright deep color such as Ruby Red, Garnet Green, Amethyst, etc. Earth tones would be Burgandy, Navy, Hunter Green, etc. And BTW, black goes with everything!