F.A.Q.’s:
WHERE WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
I am always scouting out locations in addition to a few I like to use all the time. I really love when you pick a location that has significance to you. The more you love your location, the better the images with be! I usually photograph in public outdoor spaces because we do not need to pay a fee or ask permission. In general, private spaces/indoor spaces require special permission and certain venues also charge an additional “photography fee” above the standard entrance fee, all of which you would be responsible to pay.
WHAT TIME WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
The best time to photograph outdoors is in the hour and a half leading up to sunset, more commonly referred to as the golden hour, or the hour and a half after sunrise. The golden hour is constantly changing with the seasons. You can refer to a sunset calendar for the specific time of year you want to schedule a session, in order to find out what the ideal time would be. If possible, we want to avoid midday to minimize squinting in the bright sunlight and avoid harsh shadows.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF INCLEMENT WEATHER IS FORECASTED THE DAY OF OUR SESSION?
Sunset and sunrise on a relatively clear day are the best conditions for photos, but an overcast day can be nice too. A cloudy sky acts as a natural soft-box, eliminating shadows and allowing maximum freedoms of shooting in any location. If the weather on the scheduled day of the session looks less than desirable (i.e. torrential rain, blizzard), I prefer to reschedule for another day with the best conditions.
DO YOU TRAVEL? AND IS THERE A TRAVEL FEE?
Yes! I love to travel and I especially love adding stamps to the ‘ol passaporto. I do not charge travel fees for weddings or sessions that take place within 30 miles of York, Pennsylvania. Destination weddings require flights and accommodations for the night before and the night of the wedding.
DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
Yes, for weddings only. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve the date and should be returned along with your contract. This deposit will be applied to the final cost. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the wedding day. All other session fees are due the day of the shoot.
DO YOU OFFER PROFESSIONAL PRINTS?
Yes! Print your photos—don’t let them live on your computer! You will be able to order them directly from your very own password protected gallery on this site. Please contact me for a price list if you would like to know costs ahead of time. I do strongly recommend taking advantage of the access to the pro-lab print services because they are archival quality and guaranteed for 100+ years. All of their print products also go through additional color correction and sharpening processes by a lab technician(yes, a real human being!) and not an automated algorithm like so many other printing services to ensure that every image that goes out is of the highest standard. You deserve to own a professional product when you pay for a professional service. I value my work and wish to have it represented in the best way possible. Please do not go print your images at the big “W”, drug stores, and consumer labs that offer discounts all the time—you will see cost savings, but there is virtually zero quality control!
DO YOU WORK ALONE?
I am the primary photographer and I have personally shot all of the photos that appear on this site. That being said, for weddings in particular, adding a second shooter can provide even more comprehensive coverage. You should not feel obligated to hire a second shooter, as past clients will confirm, I am something of a photo ninja and often defy all logic associated with time and space! Second shooters are not always necessary despite what wedding planners or the internet might lead you to believe.
WHAT IS A “FIRST LOOK”?
Sometimes couples want to photograph some of their portraits before the wedding ceremony. In order to capture the awe of seeing one another for the first time, we would arrange a place for you to see each other for the first time on the wedding day.
There are benefits to photographing some of your portraits before the ceremony, including: having more time with your guests/getting to the reception more quickly, timing—if your ceremony is scheduled for sunset and we need time for natural light portraits, and looking as fresh as possible for photos(especially in the hot summer months!). It is still important to carve out time during the golden hour to capture some images in the most flattering light. Sunset photos are a must for the bride&groom!
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
First and foremost—be yourself! Everyone has their own unique sense of style and personality and your clothes should reflect that. Choose something that is comfortable and that you can move freely and walk in—this includes footwear too! Please also be sure to avoid any articles of clothing with large logos or text that can be distracting. Please stay away from neon colors too! Neon colors have a tendency to create awkward color casts on skin that cannot be removed in post-processing. Think about your location and how your outfits will play against the background. Your wardrobe should complement the surroundings without blending in too much.
Don’t be afraid to mix colors and patterns. Coordinate and complement but don’t get too matchy-matchy. Start with a basic color palette and go from there. It is easiest to pick one article of clothing that has several colors on it and pull other items that relate back to it. You can achieve this with bright colors or a more neutral, soft palette.
Layers and texture add detail and depth. Using accessories and layers allow you to change them up a bit throughout a session to give multiple looks without having to do many wardrobe changes. Layers and textures (tweed, crochet, lace, hand-embroidered details, knits, ruffles, ribbons, etc.) are beautiful and can create interest in photos, especially important when working with a more neutral color palette.
If you don’t feel confident in your choices and need a little assistance in making the final decision, you can always send a few quick shots of the outfits in contention so I can lend some guidance. There is an entire board on my Pinterest page dedicated to images with outfit inspiration as well. Below are some great examples of mixing and matching outfits for a dynamic palette.
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WHAT TO EXPECT:
NEWBORN
- Newborns are ideally photographed within 7-10 days of birth. The sooner the better. After the 10 day mark babies are much more alert, active, and it is much more difficult to achieve curled up poses.
- Sessions generally last 3-4 hours to allow a cushion of time for soothing and feeding the baby.
- Sessions take place in the comfort of your home. It isn’t difficult to prepare for a session in your home so don’t panic! I will take a look around to scope out the best places to utilize. Ultimately most of the session will take place in either the bedroom, living room, or in the nursery. The most important thing is finding an area with large windows and ample amounts of light!
- I will bring an assortment of blankets and hats with me but you are more than welcome to add some personal stuff to the mix!
- You can contact me at any time during your pregnancy to give me an estimated due date, I will then make a tentative booking and when your new lil’ nugget arrives you can contact me to arrange a suitable day and time for your session.
