FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
What a customer should know about my pricing is that I offers packages for every budget in all areas of photography. My prices include meeting or talking with the customer to get to know their needs prior to the photo session. If I am hired for weddings, I meet several times with the bride and this is just a standard part of every package. My prices include my time at the session and my time and expertise in editing photos both in Lightroom as well as Photoshop as needed.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
If you go to my website, you will see a section under DETAILS ABOUT SESSIONS. There, you will see step by step how I work with my customers. In a nutshell, I contact them through email or phone call to make sure my style of photography is right for them. I have them look at galleries of similar sessions on my website. If they like what they see then we agree on a package or tweak a package to fit their needs. I want someone to love my work before they hire me. Next, I send a contract to them to sign in advance, if it is a weddings. If it is a regular senior portrait, family, engagement etc. they will sign at the time of the session. I send emails with suggestions on clothing and colors to compliment the customer prior to the session, as well as ideas for props for senior portraits and little ones. I may send the customer some sample poses for feedback, for example for engagement and bridal portraits, and get a feel of their style. The customer can send me their favorite poses as well. Most of my family sessions and little ones are unposed. However, there are times for posed photos as well. After the session I upload a few of my favorite edited photos within a couple of days for social media and in the customers free online photo gallery. It usually takes about 2 weeks to edit a short session and about 6-8 weeks for 8-10 hours of coverage for an event or wedding. However, as I complete editing a batch of photos, I will upload to the viewing gallery for the client and email them so they don't have to wait so long to at least see the photos. Once all photos are edited and in the gallery, depending on the package chosen in the contract, I will mail or deliver the flash drive and the customer can order any additional photos from me through my site from the professional print company I have partnered with or from another print company. The customer can also share the gallery with family and friends who can also order prints. Prints, ordered through my site, will be shipped directly from the professional print company.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Being a great photographer is about more than being able to take great photos. It is about being a people person and knowing what they need and want. It is about knowing how to talk to and relate to people, especially little ones. You can hire the most expensive photographer with tons of awards and credentials, but if they have no personality and don't work well with people, then it can be a horrific experience! If children don't like the photographer, they certainly are not going to smile! I will start with my photography training. Over 15 years, I have taken several online free and paid photography courses. I also attended photography classes at the local Technical College. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours teaching myself how to become proficient in Lightroom and in Photoshop editing. I have studied many wonderful photographers and then applied what I learned. I look back on photos from even 4 years ago and see how my photography has evolved each year. I joke and say that my training was "on the job training" because I started photographing my daughter in natural pageants 14 years ago. I could not afford to pay for composites and headshots for the pageants, so I studied and practiced with taking her photos. When I submitted the composites, portfolios of headshots and they won many times, I was hooked! I am a Nationally Board Certified K-6 teacher. I also have a masters in school administration, degree in Psychology and have a Special Ed Certification. I have 28 years experience working closely with people of all ages, especially toddlers through seniors. I am hardworking, dedicated and professional in ALL that I do.