FAQs
What type of photography do you do?
I am a motherhood and family photographer, so I greatly prefer any photography involving moms - maternity, newborn, family, pets, etc. I love capturing everyday moments and turning them into memories that will last a lifetime. I am happy to shoot other types of sessions, but these are my favorites.
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Why should I hire a photographer?
Experience in producing high quality images under less than ideal conditions. Cellphones capture great pictures - some of the time. Professional cameras, and those trained to use them, capture great images all of the time. Experience capturing those natural, authentic moments in the best possible way also makes hiring a photographer a good choice. In addition, a photographer can edit your photos to make sure the subjects stand out, color and light are ideal and distractions are removed. Photographs from a professional camera are also of much higher quality, leading to higher quality prints, canvases and gifts.
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Are deposits refundable?
I do not charge a deposit. I charge a retainer. This is a fee to secure the service and your preferred date. This fee is non-refundable because it takes away my ability to offer my services to other clients on that date and time, and it helps to avoid no-shows. The retainer is a portion of the session cost and covers all the work that takes place prior to the session. You will pay the balance prior to your session start time.
When will we get our finished products?
Editing takes time. If I have a couple of sessions to edit, it could take a while to get your photos back. You can usually expect your images back within 3-4 weeks. Delivery details can be found in your contract.
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Do we get all the digital images you take?
No. I take 100s of shots, many are duplicates to ensure that I capture the right moment at the right time. Many are terrible photos, some are blurry, some have limbs cut off, others have awkward faces, or distractions. As a professional, I select photos that are of the highest quality. If I end up with additional high quality photos outside of the amount included in your package, you will have the opportunity to purchase them through your online gallery.
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What is your cancelation/rescheduling policy?
You can reschedule one time for no charge with 72 hours notice. Your retainer will be used to secure an alternate date. Any additional reschedules will require a $50 rebooking fee, in addition to session fee and the already collected retainer fee.
If you cancel your session and opt not to reschedule you will forfeit your retainer fee. Any additional funds paid will be returned to you.
Occasionally, the weather will not cooperate, and this can lead to last minute reschedules. I am not responsible for the weather, but I will gladly reschedule at a mutually convenient time as many times as necessary for no additional fees, as we can't predict the weather!
If I need to reschedule your session more than twice, for any reason other than weather, you will have the option to reschedule again or cancel with a full refund of any money paid, including the retainer.
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How long will our session take?
This depends on the package purchased, the situation being photographed, the people involved, and any bystanders that insist on getting in the way. The session will take UP TO the amount of time listed in the package, typically 45 minutes for all sessions (other than newborn), but may take less. I stop when I am confident that I have enough amazing photographs to return to you. At certain times throughout the year I may offer "mini" sessions of 15-20 minutes. These sessions are only available on the days scheduled.
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Do I get the copyright/ownership of my photos? Can I have the raw images?
When you purchase images from a photographer, you are purchasing the art that they have created. An artist always maintains copyright over the images they create. You are, however, granted a limit use license with your purchase, meaning you can order prints, gifts, or items with your photos on them, you can post them on social media and online, and/or use them for your business in a way that does not generate profit (if you need to produce profit from my images, you will have to pay for a more extensive license). You may not edit the photos you receive in any way (other than basic cropping for prints and social media). The images you receive should reflect the style in your photographers portfolio. This means no filters. Applying filters to an edited photo takes away from the photographers creation. Talk to the photographer if you are not happy with your images.
Often, non-photographers will ask for "raw" images thinking this just means the unedited version of the photographs. A raw image is a file type that the camera uses when taking pictures. You likely do not have the software necessary to even view raw images. As for unedited images, photographers do not give these to clients because they do not represent the photographers work (editing and style), and photographers do not want their unfinished work circulating - it's a bad look.
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Why is it so expensive?
There is more to photography than just clicking a button on the camera. There is planning involved before the session, guidance on what to wear, guidance on location choice, the actual session time, and then the editing time to make sure you're receiving perfect images back. A 1-hour session can easily take 5-6 hours to complete when including the work prior to the session and the work after the session.
And, is it that expensive to have life-long memories captured for your family? How much did you spend on your last hair appointment? On your last night out? On your last weekend away? On your last trip to the zoo? Or the Red Sox game? Or that Taylor Swift concert? My opinion is that it is not expensive when thought of in context and compared to money that we spend on other things, but you are entitled to feel differently.