Things people wonder...
CURRENTLY FULLY BOOKED FOR FAMILY PHOTOS UNTIL 2020
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
My style leans more towards the artistic, emotioanlly raw, candid, unposed, and documentary side using natural light. My main goal is to tell the story of your wedding day. I get a good amount of posed pictures, but I'd say my main focus is to capture images that are more in the moment. My editing style has been labeled as, "Sally Mann in colors" and is definitely, but not limited to a more moody tone with vibrant tones. I tend to mix it up based on the overall feel of the photo, and the lighting.
WILL YOU TRAVEL?
You betcha! I charge a fair amount for travel. For weddings, I'll include travel in your quote. My engagement sessions and portrait sessions are done at my scenic location in Fair Oaks with no extra charge. However, I LOVE going elsewhere, and to locations unique to you. Just let me know where this awesome location is, and I'll give you a travel quote. I charge for hours on the road and gas.
WILL YOU HOLD OUR DATE?
Unfortunately I can't hold dates for anyone. I get many requests, and it's hard to hold dates for the "unsure people". During your wedding consultation you will have the option to book with me, but if you need more time then your date will be up for grabs to anyone that might want it. The same goes for any kind of sessions. I advise all those that are serious about booking to pay your deposit upon scheduling. Thanks for understanding.
WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK?
Weddings 1-2 years in advance. April, May, June, September, and October sell out the fastest. However, we have also booked weddings in as short as 1 weeks notice.
Portraits - Typically you should book about 2 months in advance. Feel free to check in to see if I have any cancelations.
CAN WE GIVE YOU A SHOT LIST?
For weddings, a list a family members is a must. It will help keep things moving a long, and organized. I insist on letting these familly members know they are getting their photos taken so they don't take off to the reception. Also, having someone designated as the family coordinator will also help speed things up so that we can all get to the reception on time. Other than those shots, and the few favorites of yours we go over at our second consulation I have to say, my style shines better when I'm not confined to a massive checklist. I like to see the light, the emotion, and be creative on the spot, and make do with what is given to me at that moment. If you decide to still give me this massive checklist I will more than likely just stress out making sure I get everything on it verses see moments at your wedding. So don't worry about all the basic things like, "kiss at the alter" - I know about that one.
ARE YOUR SURE THAT START TIME ISN'T TOO LATE FOR OUR PORTRAIT SESSION?
My style is best 60-90 minutes before the sun sets...during magic hour...(weather permitting). Yes, I'm positive the time I suggested is more than wonderful.
DO YOU DO FUN, CREATIVE PINTEREST PHOTOS AND POSES?
I think I'm creative? I'm more into poses that portray the best of you, so if that happens to be a so called "Pinterest" photo, awesome.
DO YOU HAVE A STUDIO?
I don't. I specialize in natural light photography - which means I have no backdrops or studio lights. However, I rock the great outdoors and indoor spaces.
DO YOU DO SLEEPY/NAKED BABY PHOTOS?
Yes and No. My style for newborn photography is more of a "lifestyle" session. It's mostly unposed, candid, and very documentary. Within the hour I don't recommend doing naked poses of the baby, because time goes by super fast...not to mention too many outfit changes can upset some babies. I love to capture the moment just as it is, and I encourage you to have items special to you and the baby available to add to the photo. ie: blankets, shoes, toys, etc. I come to the *hospital within a couple days of birth or to your *home whenever you would like. There is a fee for travel outside of Sacramento, and for sessions longer than 1 hour.
I do have a combination session that includes the cute posed sleeping pictures, and lifestyle session. This includes both Allison's and my style. She has props, and backdrops that she will bring to your home.
DO YOU HAVE PROPS?
I do not. But I do encourage you to bring your own. Signs, chairs, blankets, or anything that is unique to you are definitely a good thing to bring (if you want). I do like to think my photos look great without props, or the beautiful scenery is the only prop I need.
DO YOU USE PHOTOSHOP?
Plain and simple I'm not a photoshopper. It's not my style for weddings and portraiture, however, if you REALLY need something fixed, changed, altered, or retouched I start at $25 per image, and go up from there depending on the extent of the retouch. I think everyone looks beautiful the way they are, and do not encourage having me make you or the scenery look any different. I use an occasional artistic overlay for maybe a picture or two, but other than that you won't see me spending hours retouching every image in photoshop.
WHAT DOES EDITING MEAN?
I define editing as adjusting various tonal elements of an image in order to showcase it as the best result possible. These adjustments include but are not limited to: Exposure, white balance, clarity, shadows and highlights, saturation and vibrance, sharpness, and cropping.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Weddings - up to 6 months. I spend a lot of time making sure it's the right punch of color. Starting in 2018 we are shifting our focus to wedding photography, and taking on less portrait sessions, which will take up to 3 months to deliver your images.
Portraits - up to 8 weeks.
There are no guarantees I can send images earlier than the time frames listed. Time frames are more of an "ish", and I do my best to not rush my process for your benefit.
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL WE GET?
Weddings - about 100 per hour.
Portraits - 25.
HOW LONG WILL YOU SAVE OUR IMAGES?
Portrait, family, lifestye newborn, couples, and graduation sessions - 30 days
Weddings - 1 year
I encourage you to back your images up by uploading them to a cloud service, downloading them to an external hard drive, DVD, or other device.
WHAT TYPES OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE A RESCHEDULE?
For outdoor portrait sessions I will typically reschedule your session if it's raining pretty bad, windy, and or but not limited to severely hot weather. (over 100 degrees).
CAN WE RESCHEDULE OUR PORTRAIT DATE?
If you are sick, an emergency happens, or things just are stressful, please do. I want you to be your best in the photos, and if you aren't feeling up to snuff that could show in the pictures. If I'm feeling ill, I will also be rescheduling things with you. But, do keep in mind my calendar is jam packed, and if a reschedule happens I can only do so much in getting you a date in a timely fashion. Sometimes it might be months away from the original date if you reschedule. All deposits paid are non refundable, and will be credited towards your future session.
WHEN DO YOU POST YOUR FALL/WINTER PORTRAIT SESSION DATES?
On July 1st I post those magical dates on my Etsy link. (Go to book now - hover over investment). All dates before that are posted 2 months prior on the 1st of every month around noon.
WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND WE PRINT OUR IMAGES?
www.blurb.com - albums
If you print your images at Costco, I recommend using their online service and lightening the images three notches brighter, because Costco likes to print my images darker. Also, TURN OFF AUTO CORRECT on all print service sites. I can also print your images for a magical, and hefty fee.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS OF OPERATION?
Mondays* - off
Tuesdays* - off
Wednesdays - open
Thursdays - open
Fridays - open
Saturdays - open
Sundays - open
*I understand some elopements, weddings, and events are on Mondays and Tuesdays so please don't hesitate to ask me.