FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Complicated seems a generic term for pricing, so I decided it's best to just share my pricing system and you can decide how complicated it seems. I do not believe in flat session fees without wiggle room for circumstances. For instance a Wedding that only needs me for 2 hours is going to have a smaller session fee than an all day wedding. I also offer discounts for weddings that are "silent" (no cell phones, camera's or digital recording devices at the wedding other than us). However, I also don't believe that each outfit change should be an added cost, so my sessions will include an amount of time with unlimited outfit changes during that time. In short, I would state that there are no hidden fees, or added charges, that aren't stated in my quote. I will be upfront about any extra costs (such as physical prints) before the contract is signed and the contract will be clear to state the cost breakdown. I do require a fee, non refundable, to be paid for any sessions more than 1 week out, or for any Wedding, to ensure that date and time are secured for you and only you. This fee will be applied to your full balance owed, but if you cancel you will not be refunded. This is to allow me to ensure no other sessions are booked during our agreed date and time.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am daily looking up new poses, angles, and prop/background ideas for photographs. Weekly I try to better a current skill or learn a new one in the post-editing process as you can always learn more. I find that those who continue to seek knowledge will succeed better than those who think they have learned all they can. The digital photography world is changing by the minute and it's been a blast to watch the changes happen!
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
From a very early age I have been carrying around a camera. Most holidays that involved presents I handed my parents a plastic baggy filled with film to develop. Sadly my High School didn't have photography classes but it did have a yearbook and I enjoyed that immensely. In college I took all the photography classes I could, although my degree was aimed more towards Graphic Design. Post-college I did a lot of free work for friends and family but about 7 years ago I started working on building a career and company. Until 2013 I would do photography on weekends and had a day-time job. But with the birth of my own child, I was able to devote more time to the business and AlonnaAbella Photography became a full-time company.