FAQs
- What Kind of Equipment do You Use?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II and a Canon 40D as backup. I have a variety of lenses, flashes, memory cards and other accessories that I bring to every session.
- How Do I Book You for My Portraits?
Contact me and I'll be in touch so that we can chat about why you're interested in portraits at this time in your life, what you're
looking for and any other questions you might have. I usually recommend a complimentary consultation, either in-person or on the phone, so that we have the chance to get to know each other and see if my work would be a good fit for your photography needs.
- What Happens After the Consultation?
I'll put together a contract for you to review. If everything looks good to you, you'll sign and send in a deposit to confirm your booking. After that, I'm officially yours!
There aren't any hard-and-fast rules for what to wear, but I do tell my clients to keep it simple, keep it classic and keep the intent of the image in mind when selecting portrait outfits. The images are about you, not what you're wearing; however, whenever possible your clothing should provide some context for the image. Think about what you want to do with your portraits. Will you be using the images for a casual holiday card?
Do you want a formal portrait to hang above your formal-living room mantel? If you know you want a selection of photos to hang in your casual family room, I recommend opting for fun, relaxed clothing in colors and tones that will complement the décor of the room and not your Sunday's best.
Here are some good guidelines for choosing your outfit:
- Cover Up– Sleeves and long pants photograph best. Exposed skin tends to draw the eye away from the face, and we want the focus to stay on your beautiful eyes and amazing smile – three-quarter length sleeves, longer skirts, pants, etc. are always more flattering and photograph better than sleeveless tops and shorts.
- Keep it Simple – Patterns, logos and graphic design will be distracting, so keep your selection simple and timeless, but modern.
- Pick Solid Muted Colors – Solid, dark, warm, pastel and earthy colors look best in portraits. The everyone in a white shirt' portrait is popular, but it doesn't photograph as nicely as less-bright colors.
- Kids Are Fun – Children are the exception to most of the guidelines above. Feel free to have fun with their outfit selections, especially if I'm photographing your child alone. There are so many fun clothing choices for kids, so find something that matches their personality and will give the image the 'feel' you're after. Bright and spunky? Calm and quiet? Go for it! Kids have big personalities and your clothing selection can help show that off.
- Look to TV – If you're unsure of where to begin in your outfit selections for your family or group portraits, do a Google search for TV cast members and see what those group photos look like. You'll quickly be able to see how a group of people dressed differently can work nicely.
- What Should We Expect During the Shoot?
My Kids are Rambunctious and I Hate Having My Photo Taken...
My goal is always to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. For family portraits, I recommend starting out at a location where your kiddos can run around a little and get comfortable with the idea of being photographed. After a bit, everyone will feel a little more at ease in front of the camera and I'll shoot away at whatever location you choose, from Fayetteville to Little Rock. Photographers can sometimes be super posey-posey, but I prefer my photographs to be candid, and I can guide you into poses and positions that are flattering and relaxed. You will have fun during the session and by the end of our time together, you'll have wondered why you didn't like having your photo taken before.
When it Comes to Kids and Babies...
I'm prepared to go with the flow. No two children's or baby sessions are alike and I'm always up for whatever crazy, entertaining behavior is necessary to get a real, natural smile out of your little one. Don't be surprised if I bark like a dog, sing Old MacDonald or if I ask your kids to be a little whacky with me!
- How Soon After Our Session Will I See My Images?
You will receive a link to your password-protected online gallery within two to three weeks of your session. You will receive your DVD in the mail within three to four weeks from your session date.
- What About Ordering Prints?
All of my clients receive password-protected online galleries to view their images. The galleries also allow you to download individual files and order prints. Even though most of my clients receive a DVD with their session, I always recommend ordering prints through your gallery. The prints from your gallery come from a professional print lab and are of a much higher quality than ordering prints from a chain-store or online print house. You can order everything from wallets and large prints to coffee-mugs and t-shirts, and there are tons of paper and size options so you should find everything you need in your gallery! If you're looking for something high-end and customized, you can also order fine-art prints, canvases, and albums through me.