FAQs
For Client Gallery related questions, go here.
Why are you a photographer?
The short answer is because I love photography. I love interacting with my clients & I love to create beautiful & unique images for a variety of people with all their personalities, ages and quirks! If that’s too easy of an answer for you, then I’ll tell you a little about me & photography. When I was in High School, one of my best friends was really into photography & she & I would goof off on the weekends shooting around town. After heading to college and deciding I had no idea what to minor in, I chose photography on a combination of a whim & feeling so lost in my Spanish classes I knew that wasn’t a good decision (I was an English major, by the way, so the Spanish & English combination would have created several unique opportunities). So Photography it was, and after enrolling in my first 2 classes & realizing that I would have lab time for every art class I took, and deciding I’d do it anyway, eventually I realized that photography was something I loved & that I wanted to pursue it. So with the help of some awesome family & friends, I got a few sessions set up under a “Pay what you think is fair” contract & went for it. Since then I’ve become a bit more consistent as far as pricing is concerned, but that’s what you have to do to make a successful business!
What’s an “Web-Ready Image”? And a High-Resolution Image?
A varying number of Web-Ready Images come with each Portrait Package (except for the Basic Hour Session). These are images that I give you with the package so you can post them online with facebook, myspace, flickr, or any other online social network. Post them all over the place, I’m not picky. I want you to be able to share your images. That’s part of what getting a photo session is for: so you have lovely images of yourself (your child, your family, fill in the blank) to share with others. However, these are not sized for printing (though they are printable, they’ll just make small prints). Basically, I give you regular print credit with packages so you can buy images for your house, your grandparents, your parents, etc. And since the world has become so technologically based, these Web-Ready images are my way of giving you “print credit” to share digitally.
High-Resolution Images, on the other hand, are digital “negatives.” You will receive the digital enhanced version of each image you purchase in High Resolution. When you purchase the High-Resolution Images, no watermarks are left on them and I provide a printing release so you can order prints anywhere. However, as a word of caution, all photographic printers are not the same.
I know what a Bridal Session is & an Engagement Session, but what’s a Day After session? Won’t I be on my Honeymoon?
Yes, you will be on your honeymoon the day after (or at least leaving for it!), but a Day After Session doesn’t have to be quite that literal. It can be one day after or 4000 days after (that’s about 10 years, in case you don’t want to do the math). Of course, I can’t logically let you do a Day After session 10 years later (it won’t work out for my taxes & who knows if we’ll even be living in the same state!) but I think you get my point. The Day After session is a special time for you & your new spouse to get all prettied (or handsomed) up again & go take some photos that are more edgy, unique, or whimsical. Usually on a wedding day, you’re worried about time, about getting your dress (or tux) dirty, about whether your aunt is going to make it from out of town since her plane was delayed, or any other variety of events. So, I like to offer the opportunity for another photo session in a more relaxed environment. This can go as far as Trash the Dress type sessions, or simply be a chance for me to capture the love that’s developing between you & your new spouse in your new house. You & your spouse can choose to wear exactly what you wore on your wedding day, veil, cummerbund & all, or you can personalize it as much as you want, trading those Cinderella shoes for converse and leaving the tux jacket at home. It’s all about your style & the images you want to make with your new spouse. (Note: In no way do I want you to believe you’ll have to re-rent the groom’s tux. Though I won’t protest either way, I do want you to be aware that you can create a cute & creative session with a vest, tie or maybe him in jeans & a t-shirt while the bride takes the chance to go all-out just one more time!)
First Look?
The First Look has become more popular, I believe, in the last few years. It’s a chance for the Bride & Groom to meet BEFORE the wedding & have some photography done as well as share some words & secrets alone. Typically no one but the photographer(s) are present besides the Bride & Groom & it’s a chance to enjoy your love before you are surrounded by well-wishers & family. I, personally, am a HUGE proponent of the First Look & wish that my husband & I had planned one on our wedding day. However, I wasn’t aware of it’s significance & my photographer didn’t press the point, so it earned mere moments of my attention in the wedding planning process. I don’t want this to happen to my clients. I realize there is some serious significance ascribed to not seeing each other before the wedding, however, as ceremonies get bigger (in some cases) and wedding days get more hectic, I believe it is very important for the Bride & Groom to take a little breather together before they officially commit their lives to one another. Also, it affords a chance for great photographs of the couple (a much larger chunk of time can be devoted to Bride & Groom photography since your guests will not be waiting on you at the reception) as well as getting the family photos done early, so the Bride & Groom can go straight to the reception & start the party. A final, and very significant comment for me personally, is that the First Look guarantees that you will see each other’s faces at the initial moment – when he sees you in your wedding dress for the first time, and when she sees you all formal in your tux. At my wedding, the chapel was a little large (not massive by any means) but just large enough for me to NOT be able to see my husband at that first moment & so I regret missing the look on his face the first time he saw me. This is a moment that I do not want other Brides (and Grooms in the reverse) to miss! This is me strongly urging you to consider doing a first look & having a very serious discussion about it as a couple if necessary (also, of course, feel free to ask me any questions you have & I’ll do whatever I can to answer them!)
I thought you did Weddings & Seniors & other Portrait Sessions like Children, so why is there only a Converse in your Blog Header?
Okay, so maybe no one has asked me this yet, but I wanted to include it anyway. This is the low-down on Green Shoes – I can’t find a single pair of Green heels (though granted, I am just a little picky since it’s necessary that they be comfortable if I’m going to shoot in them). Since that is the case, I will have to purchase a pair & get them dyed green. It’s on my to-do list, I promise, but it hasn’t gotten onto the “done” list yet. So, keep your eye on the header & you’ll know when I’ve found that perfect pair!
Why are your answers so long?
Okay, no one has asked me this either, but I do have a tendency to write a paragraph when a one word answer will do. I was an English major after all (but don’t be afraid of sending me emails, I only use my red pen on my husband’s Master’s papers!). : ) But this is my way of warning you that I do get wordy if I’m responding to emails, as well, so don’t be surprised if you get a whole thesis from me instead of three sentences!
And finally, if I haven’t answered your question, always feel free to ask me! Plus, it’ll let me know exactly what everyone is thinking “she’s crazy!” about & I can expand my FAQ page! : )
