Scheduling Questions
What is your photo session availability?
I keep my schedule up-to-date on this availability page.
How far in advance should I book my photography session?
As soon as possible! I only schedule 2-3 photo sessions per week and 2 weekend sessions per month so the schedule fills up quickly.
How do I book a photo session?
You can schedule online here!
Your schedule looks full for my preferred dates. Do you ever have cancellations or last-minute openings?
Yes! It’s definitely worth being added to my waitlist and/or checking with me to see if I can fit you in at the last minute. Some sessions are scheduled month in advance, so it’s not unusual for families to have to reschedule due to travel plans, illness or emergency.
Contact me to be added to the waitlist. No deposit or contract is required to be added to the waitlist.
How do you schedule newborn sessions when we don’t know when the baby will arrive?
Once you’ve submitted your newborn session reservation, I’ll pencil you into my schedule for a week after your due date, and we’ll pick the actual date of your session after your baby arrives to ensure the session takes place within the first two weeks, when your baby will still be very sleepy. Newborn sessions always take place on weekday mornings.
My baby is 4/5/6 weeks old, but I want to do a newborn session. Is it too late?
No way! Your baby is still as cute as ever and will probably start smiling any second now, which is a great milestone to capture. We can still use newborn props and hats for older babies, and I modify the poses to keep your baby comfortable. Your baby will likely be awake for some/half/most of the session, so I prepare for that as well and consider it a bonus if your baby falls asleep. Check the baby session pricing page to read about the package details.
Do you offer in-home newborn sessions?
Because I want to consistently create the highest-calibre newborn portraits, I only offer newborn sessions in my studio where I can create the best environment for posed newborn portraits, which includes lighting, temperature, and sound.
Advantages of a studio session over a home session are:
- You don’t have to clean your house for me or move all of your furniture around to create a studio.
- You don’t have to wait around while I set up and pack up from a home session.
- You don’t need to heat up your home to 80 degrees.
- We’ll have my hundreds of props at our fingertips, including extra fabrics in case things get soiled. No worries that I left something behind or bring the wrong things.
- You get to just sit and relax instead of worrying about doing the laundry or dishes.
- The lighting will be perfect. My studio light is an amazing 5′ wide and too large to pack up and bring along with me. Large lights = gorgeous light. Natural light only works well when you have a sunny day, the light enters your home from the correct side of your house, and you have large windows and room for a “studio” by those windows, which are too many variables to ensure good photos.
- You’re still in a home, not a strip mall or business building. We have our home cleaned weekly. It’s quiet and cozy… and I have snacks. 🙂
Where are you located?
I’m located in Ashburn, Virginia in Willowsford. I’m about 10 minutes from both the Greenway and Rt. 50 in Loudoun County.
Can I reschedule my session if it rains? What happens if someone gets sick?
I do not charge a penalty for weather or illness-related rescheduling as long as your rescheduled session takes place within 4 weeks of your originally scheduled session.
Please do not bring a sick child to your session! On the other hand, do not reschedule if you or your child has acne, scratches or bruises. I can edit those out later.
I will suggest rescheduling outdoor sessions if the temperature will be less than 40 degrees or over 90 degrees, if it’s very windy, or if rain is imminent. I will do sessions in the rain if you wish to proceed as scheduled.
Is there an extra charge for adding more people into the photos?
With the exception of the couples/high school senior/individual session, there is no limit to the number of participants, whether it be three people or twenty, you are paying for my time at the session and editing your photos. I provide the same number of retouched images (around 40 for family sessions) regardless of how many people are at your session. However, as more people are added, the more “posed” the photos become, so if you like a more candid look, limit the number of people at your session.
Do you ever host mini-sessions?
I do not offer mini-sessions. I have lots more fun getting to know your family and letting everyone relax, without having people lined up waiting for your session to end so they can start theirs. No more worries that your baby will cry the entire time or that your toddler will have a temper tantrum. Say “no” to stress! 🙂
Do you photograph any events, like birthday parties, reunions, or baby showers?
I don’t photograph any events, but I do love attending them!! 🙂
Do you do cake-smash sessions for one-year-olds?
Yes! The cake smash is included in your baby’s one-year-old session. The cake smash is at the end of the session on a white, gray, pink or blue seamless paper backdrop that can get messy and then thrown away. It usually takes only 15 minutes. You provide the cake for the cake smash, but Harris Teeter gives out free smash cakes! Read more about the One-Year-Old Portrait Session on the pricing page.
Preparing for your session
What should I wear to my photo session?
- Wear clothes you love and that match each person’s style and personality. Do not dress everyone alike.
- Dress as formally or casually as you’d like. I’ll modify the style/feel of the session based on your apparel.
- Wear clothes that don’t wrinkle easily, and iron your clothes. I charge extra for wrinkle removing during retouching.
- Black is the most flattering color if you’re concerned about your weight. It hides a lot!
- Match your eye color. You’d be surprised how much this can do for your eyes!
- Look around your house and match the colors of your outfits to your decorations so that your photos will coordinate with your house.
- When in doubt, neutral colors and earth tones always photograph well.
- Pick a few colors and mix them up so that you all coordinate without looking the same.
- Don’t forget to plan the shoes, too!
- Still want help? Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas for family wardrobes.
- Finally, you’re never fully dressed without a smile. Brush and floss those pearly whites before your session.
What should I bring to my family photo session?
- Snacks for young children
- Your child’s lovey or favorite stuffed animals/toys (go with it… it is something you will want to remember later!)
- If yours is an outdoor session, please use bug spray. We may go into fields and areas that have ticks and mosquitos.
What can I do to ensure my family session goes well?
- The most important thing you can do is relax. Children will be stressed if you are stressed (even newborns can sense stress). We will have plenty of time to get great photos. Think of this as two hours you get to spend having fun family time.
- Be prepared to be a goober. I love it when parents bring out their inner silly to help their children smile and laugh. Don’t be surprised to find that I am a total goober, too.
- Avoid the “cheese” word. Saying “cheese” makes an unnatural smile. I want to capture smiles that come from their core and radiate into their eyes. We will get them.
- Let me know what your children’s favorite things are – toys, tv shows, hobbies, etc. I love to talk about these things with them during the session.
- Please alert me to any physical disabilities or behavioral characteristics that I should be aware of when working with your family.
- Remember that our goal is not to capture perfection, but instead, a perfect representation of who your children are at this point in time. I want your photos to help you tell a story to your children years from now.
What can I do to ensure my newborn photo session goes well?
I wrote a whole blog post about this! Newborn session tips.
Can parents, grandparents and siblings be included in newborn photos?
Yes! In fact, these are my favorite photos, and the ones your baby will cherish the most when he/she gets older. Think of how much you would love photos of your own parents holding you when you were brand new! These photos only take 15-20 minutes, and we do them at the very beginning of the newborn session so you can relax the rest of the session.
Do you have props and newborn hats, or do I need to bring them?
I have over 300 newborn hats and add more to my collection every month! I also have hundreds of props, blankets, wraps, and hair ties. Before you buy anything for your newborn’s session, please check to make sure I don’t already have something similar.
Newborn and Infant Safety
What precautions are taken to ensure my baby is safe?
This is a very important topic for me. I have adopted the following safety precautions:
- I have newborn safety certification from APNPI – the Association of Professional Newborn Photographers International.
- I receive the flu shot and COVID booster every year, and I had my TDAP booster in January 2022 (measles/pertussis/whooping cough).
- I will thoroughly wash my hands prior to handling your baby and whenever we take a break during your session.
- If I have any cold or flu symptoms, I will notify you prior to your session. I will refund your session fee if I am unable to photograph your newborn within two weeks following your scheduled session. At your request, I can refer another photographer for newborn photos and will refund your session fee if you do not wish to wait.
- I will not pose your infant in any glass or ceramic objects. These objects are subject to shattering and grave injury.
- I will not suspend your baby above the ground, a pillow, or cushion, in a cloth, hammock or any other prop. Though these photos may be done safely with Photoshop, I don’t want to create works where a baby appears to be at risk of injury.
- Baskets and other props that may become unstable will be weighed down or held steady with your hands, later to be edited out.
- Any time a baby is posed on a table, stool, or bench, an adult will be present within six inches from the baby and will later be edited out of the photo.
- I will not pose your baby on top of or against a pet. Animals are too unpredictable. We can however, get photos of your baby and pet together in other ways!
- I thoroughly clean and sanitize all props and soiled linens after each session (all linens that touch a baby’s bum are considered soiled).
- Though I take every precaution to keep your baby safe, the responsibility of your infant’s safety is your own. I encourage you to speak up if anything makes you uncomfortable during your session. No photo is worth your precious baby’s health and life.
After Your Session
How long will it take for my photos to be edited?
Typically around 2 weeks. If you need to see them sooner, please let me know when you schedule your session.
What retouching will be done to my photos?
General editing: I will always edit away blemishes, bruises and scratches. I may lessen the appearance of pock-marks, shaving scars and mild acne scars. Extreme scarring may be smoothed, but not removed as it would dramatically alter the person’s appearance. Skin will be smoothed a bit so that it looks naturally soft. I edit away the most-ambitious/distracting stray hairs. Under-eye circles are removed or lightened on adults per my discretion so that it looks natural. I generally leave laugh lines.
Additional charges of $100/hr may apply for any requested enhancements (1 hr minimum, charged in hourly increments): Examples: Gray hair removal, frizzy hair cleanup, hair color touchup at roots, body/face shaping, double-chin removal, head swapping, removing wrinkles from clothing, removing bra straps or bra lines, cleaning/whitening teeth, etc.
Maternity: I may do a little body-shaping to reduce the look of bloating, so that you look like yourself.
On newborns, I will lessen the appearance of stork bites, clean up goopy eyes, and remove peeling skin on the face. I do not edit away:
- Umbilical cords or scabs inside the belly button (please let me know before your session if you would like the belly button area hidden/covered),
- Mongolian spots
- Hemangiomas
- Birth defects (Please discuss with me any concerns before your session).
- Peeling/flaking hands and feet (I may remove some, but not all, per my discretion. Please massage Aquaphor on your baby prior to your session if this is a concern).
Here’s a blog post I wrote that shows before and after retouching images, so you can see the care I put into perfecting your images.
How do I view the photos after my session?
I will prepare a slideshow for you and load your retouched images to a private online gallery. Your gallery will be open for two weeks.
When is my final payment due?
When you receive your slideshow and gallery link, you will also receive an invoice for the final payment. If payment is not made within 14 days, a 5% late fee will be added. After you have made payment, I’ll turn on the download functionality, send your store credit coupon code, and order your thank-you keepsake ornament.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, I accept all major credit cards, including American Express and Discover.
Can you help me choose products to order?
Yes, absolutely! During your optional post-session meeting, which can take place in-person or over Zoom, we can design holiday cards, announcements, a gallery wall or an album together. I will also show you samples of the products I offer and answer all of your questions about them.
Product and pricing questions
How much are your photo sessions?
Please review the pricing page for session packages. The packages listed on the pricing page are the only packages I offer.
Please contact me for product pricing (prints, canvases, albums, etc.).
How long will it take to receive my product order?
Prints, cards, and announcements usually arrive within 5-7 days. Canvases arrive in about a week. You will be able to download digital images from your gallery the same day they are purchased. Albums will arrive around three weeks after the proof is approved.
Why are your prices higher/lower than other photographers in the area?
We all have different talent levels, equipment and experience and offer varying levels of quality in our work. We also take on different numbers of clients based on our business’ needs and capacities.
Though this is my full-time career, I work with only a few clients a week in order to give each person the best experience possible. For each session, I devote on average 15 hours of planning, preparation, shooting, editing, presentation, and delivery.
In return for your investment, I will give you a fun experience to remember and intricately-crafted pieces of art that stand the test of time. You will look at your photos for years to come and smile because they so perfectly capture your beautiful self and family. You will use your photos to tell your story to your children and their children. You will know in your heart that your portraits are absolutely priceless.
Have more questions? Please contact me. Thank you!
