Frequently asked questions
FAQ
"What is your style of photography?"
You can always count on me shooting and editing true to color, However, I like to think my style of photography as a reflection of what I am photographing, whether its cheerful sunny bright colors, or dark moody gothic grunge. My style will always end up being a combination of the subjects personality, the location, the setting, the weather, the emotions, the season, or just the vibe in general. because of that I will photograph just about anything worthy of remembering; good and bad.
I love getting really up close and intimate or really far back landscape style. Black and whites are also very close to my heart, and by default, I give all my clients black and white versions of their colored photos in the hopes that they appreciate it as much as I do!
"What can a proffessional do That an I phone cant?"
I am a firm believer that high end equipment does not classify you as a professional photographer. So what does? While a professional photographer should have extensive knowledge in camera gear and their functions, taking a photo with a fancy camera is really only a very small percentage of what a photographer does and offers. Yes, the end result is getting a nice high-res image, but there is so much more that is involved.
My expertise includes accurate interpretations of weather, tides, location of sun in the sky, light direction and shadow, composition, city knowledge, crowd control, directing flow of movement and posing, anticipative reaction time, file organization, file transfering, and post-processing software.
"Can we meet first?"
of course we can meet! A phone call is perfectly fine for any regular booking but I always prefer to either face time or meet up with couples looking to book for their wedding. However, most of the time we meet during the engagement session. In any case, I am always willing to FaceTime or grab a tea/coffee to chat, get to know each other, and answer all your questions.
"How many photos are included in a session?"
All sessions are different so there is no telling how many photos you will actually receive.
Typically, you can count on a minimum of 1 image per minute of shooting. So 60 digital images for a 1 hour session and 800 for an 8 hour wedding.
"Do you travel?"
Yes please! We can discuss anywhere you would like to go with negotiated travel fees. I am, however, a California photographer so you can always count on me shooting somewhere on the west coast of the Untied States.
"Why should I get Professional photos?"
If you're already here looking for a photographer, then you probably already have an understanding of how important professional photos are! But let me give you my two cents; YES, you can take photos on your phone or even your own DSLR camera, and I have to say they will probably look nice! However, there are a few issues with taking your own photos.
The first problem is that SOMEONE has to take them! and let's be honest, it usually ends up being YOU (talking to the moms out there) and that means your either not in it or you're working to try to get a selfie or tripod situation...not ideal. The second problem is that trusting someone who is not a professional risks mistakes. A few mistakes your friends and family can easily make would be photos that are blurry, too dark, too bright, out of focus, corrupted/not saved, or just plain unflattering. An all-around unpleasant experience, which gives you unpleasant memories attached to your photos.
"How do I book a session?"
To book a session, you MUST fill out the form on my Contact page. You can always message me through email, instagram, or phone, for questions, however, the booking process does not begin until I receive the contact form filled out.
From there, we can discuss more details from your session, and I will send you a contract and invoice. Your booking is not completed until you have signed your contract and paid the deposit.
"How does payment work?"
For most photographic sessions, after we decide on a session date, you will receive a contract to sign and an invoice along with it. The invoice is set for two payments. The first payment is a 50% deposit of the total amount that officially books the day and time of your photo session. The other 50% of the total payment will be made on or before your session date. Your booking is not done until both the deposit has been paid and the contract has been signed.
"Do you run any specials or discounts?"
Yes, I run several mini sessions throughout the year! You can usually find more information about them on my Website under "mini session" or on my Instagram stories titled "Minis".
FAQ
"What do I wear?"
Deciding what to wear can be stressful, but there are some great tips you can use to make it easy! Usually, the biggest mistakes people make when choosing outfits is having everybody match too much, or not matching at all. To avoid this, I would pick between 3 to 5 colors to include in your wardrobe, depending on how many people will be in the picture. The more people in the picture, the more colors you can have in your color palette.
Try to avoid too bold of patterns or colors unless you have a clean background, such as a beach or studio session. If you need inspiration, you can always Google "color palettes" and see what is complementary.
I would try to stay away from the "white T-shirt and jeans" look as much as possible unless you are intentionally looking for that look. If you thought in choosing it is because "Its easy," then please reach out to me so I can help give you some outfit inspiration!
How do I choose a location?
You can always ask me for location advice! But, I am still trying to get to know you and what you like, so doing your own research is extremely important. I will always ask you to confirm that you are okay with the location picked, and do my best to prep you for what to expect at that location if you are unfamiliar with it. Feel free to browse my website or Google for some fun ideas!
"How do I prepare?"
Always plan way ahead of time! Look up your location ahead of time to know when you have to leave or be ready by (Traffic in San Diego can be a bit crazy). It's always a good idea to go check out the location if you have never been there before.
Be early with everything you do! It is much easier to wait than it is to rush.
Mishaps and accidents to avoid are, car trouble, traffic, last minute dry cleaning issues with clothes, rushed or unsatisfied hair and make-up, last-minute weather changes.
Of Course, the world is not perfect, and neither are we! So feel free to let me know if you run into an issue, and I will do my best to help solve it with you.
"Can I bring my pet?"
Yes yes! I love animals! But, PLEASE let me know ahead of time! Some animals require special attention, accommodations, or are not allowed at many locations. Some animals may need a babysitter to come along with you to your session so they can be watched while they are not being photographed. I encourage you to bring toys and treats, and require that the animal is at least walked beforehand to resolve any pent-up energy.
"What time should I be there?"
I would advise arriving 10-15 minutes early, depending on the location. Sometimes the parking lot is not always close to our shooting location. Making sure you have ample time to park and walk to the meet-up spot will allow us to stay stress-free and on time with your session.
"How many people can be in a photoshoot?"
You can have as many people in your session as you want! I do ask that I be notified of groups more than 5 people so that I can make special arrangements if needed. Depending on the size of the group, an additional charge may be added or more time may be needed.
"What should I bring?"
I always say bring more just in case. That includes blankets, extra cloths, props, makeup and hair retouching items. If we are going to be walking around a lot, a walking pair of shoes is a good idea to bring if your other shoes are not great to walk in. I also suggest a easy to carry back pack or tote to put your things in as it is easier to haul around, keep things contained and a lot of times I end up helping you carry it.
"What if it rains on your shoot day?"
There are no refunds for rain. Either the shoot continues in the rain (often a fun adventure), we make alternate indoor arrangements, or we can reschedule the session depending on the schedules of both the photographer and the client.
"What if i need to reschedule?"
I will always try my best to accommodate when things go wrong. However, I can not guarantee That I will be able to reschedule your session for a date that works for you or shoot your session at all. In the case I am unable to shoot your session, partial refund arrangements can be made.
FAQ
"Will you pose me?"
YES!!!!! Posing is something I am known for doing. You should be mindful if your photographer is NOT posing you, as it is an important skill to have as a photographer, EVEN if you are prone to liking or taking candids. Many people tell me that they "love my "candid pictures I take." and while I do a large mix of both traditional posing and candid shots, many of my more popular candid shots were prompted and directed by me. The emotion in the pictures is always real, candid reactions; however, there is a prompt curated to get those reactions.
So don't worry! You can trust that in any regular portrait, I will be telling you what to do with every part of your body, even down to your hair, fingers, and toes!
How can I loosen up for a shoot?
As cheesy as it sounds, taking deep breaths honestly and truly will help you. And I will shout it from the rooftops again and again, PLAN AHEAD. Last minute rushing will always peak your anxiety so make sure you have tried on your outfits, hair and makeup is done early, double check the directions, and arrive early.
Occasionally, people like to have a tiny bit of liquid courage to help loosen up! Although NEVER drink or medicate yourself too much before a shoot as you may get sleepy eyes/red eyes and not be yourself.
"What is a session like?"
Most sessions start out the same. We meet up, chat a little bit and take a look at the surroundings. Rushing you into shooting is never my plan or goal. I might discuss some location ideas with you and make a game plan to where we will start and end. Sometimes I will ask you to show me any outfits or props you brought.
I call the first 15 minutes a warm up. Its a way for us to feel each other out. I always put out low expectations for the warm up period so we can slowly work our way to more fun and dynamic posing. If the warm-up ends up being amazing, then that's awesome, and the shoot will be easy peasy for us!
Are there any dos and dont's?
Do:
Embrace the day for what it is!
Let loose and let go! You're not likely to enjoy your experience or your pictures if you are overthinking or feeling stiff. They are just pictures after all, and in any of the worst cases, more can be taken!
Don't:
Let the little things get to you.
I understand it could be frustrating if the weather wasn't perfect or you left something at home that you needed. But as long as I am there to help you make the day the best it can be, you will want to look back on your pictures and remember being happy, not sad!
"What if I get nervous?"
Being nervous is good because it probably means you have been overdue for your photos and are finally getting them done! So nerves aside, you should be proud of this big moment! Half of what I do as a photographer is making people feel comfortable and confident. I will be supporting you every step of the way.
Your enjoyment during our session is ALMOST more important than your final picture. Because it's not always the prettiest picture that makes us the happiest. It's the pictures that have our happiest memories attached to them that we cherish and love forever.
"How long does a session last?"
The average session is about 1 hour long. But session lengths can vary, and I will always advise with you when you might be concerned if a session is going to be too long or short. You can find session lengths under the pricing and investment tab. I tend to shoot very quickly, and so rarely will you ever need a 2-hour session unless you are planning an event or party.
"What if I'm late to the session?"
I will always try my best to accommodate when things go wrong. However, I can not guarantee that if you are late I will be able to push the time of your session. That's why it is so important for you to plan ahead and back up your day so that you can arrive early at your shooting location.
"What if the photographer is late?"
Accommodations will always be made to ensure you get the shoot you booked, whether that means we push the time back or make other arrangements.
FAQ
"How do you deliver the images?"
Images are usually delivered in a password-protected online gallery and can be downloaded in high-res files. For a fee, you can purchase a USB drive with all of your images on it.
"How long until I will receive my images?"
Most regular portrait sessions can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered to you. Please contact me and let me know if you need them rushed for any reason!
"Can I have the RAW images?"
Unfortunately, I do not give out raw images as they are not considered the final product of the services I offer. My service includes editing, correction, cropping, and sizing. However, arrangements have been made in the past to purchase your raw files.
"How many photos will I receive?"
Every shoot is different! The amount of photos is dependent on how much tie we spend getting comfortable, setting up shots, or walking around. However, you can always expect a minimum and often times you can expect to receive more than the minimum. The minimum number of photos you will receive will be listed on the pricing and investment page for each type of shoot.
"Do you add a filter?"
No. I get this question quite often from people who might be concerned about how the images will be edited. "A Filter" is a basic term and while I understand what people mean by it, it is a very poor way of describing what a photographer does to the images in post-production.
I DO edit the images. Editing can include white balance, exposure balance, highlight and shadow adjustment, crop and rotation adjustments, and color correcting (color is usually corrected with skin tone in mind, not clothing or atmosphere).
Many photographers might also make a few other adjustments for flare and personal style. In this case, if you are not fond of a photographer's personal editing style, then it is probably best that you do not hire them. For example, I tend to edit with true vibrant colors and high contrast!
"How do I download my images?"
You will receive an email from me with a link to a private online gallery with all of your finished photos in it. You can download the entire gallery by clicking the download icon in the upper right-hand corner of the gallery page, or by clicking on the images individually and clicking the download Icon on the image to download just one image at a time.
IT IS IMPORTANT to download ALL of your images and back them up in two different places to ensure they are safe. You will not have access to your gallery forever, and technology has a way of breaking down when you least expect it! So, backup your images ASAP!
"Do you keep my Images?"
I do. I have your images backed up on multiple password-protected hard drives to ensure that they are never lost. But, please don't rely on me to save your images. If you lose your images, I can not guarantee to have them forever, nor retrieve them fast and easy at your disposal.
If you have more questions about keeping your images, please contact me.
"Will my images be private?"
Your online gallery is password-protected, so only someone with the password will be able to see your images. The images in the gallery can not be "right-clicked" and saved. The only way to download the images in your gallery is to use a special pin that will be given to you. Aside from Boudoir, your contract does give me the rights to post your images for social media and marketing purposes. There is an additional fee for those who do NOT want me to use their images for marketing or social media purposes.
In the case that you do not want your images shared, please reach out.
**Boudoir privacy and contracts are different. Please contact me if you are concerned about privacy!
"Can I alter the images?"
It depends on what you mean by alter. My clients have full crop and sizing rights and your gallery will usually include black and white copies so you don't need to adjust them yourself. Some photos must be lightened in order to print them, in which case, let me know and I can do it for you.
As far as other adjustments, The conract signed when booking states that you can not alter the photos editing style.
If you have any issues with the photos I give you, Please ask me about it directly so I can help make it better.
I will not be mad and chase you down if you decide to photoshop any acne, wrinkles, or body parts on your own. For a fee, I can retouch your images for you.
"Can I see all the images?"
Unfortunately no, and I promise you don't want to. All photographers are different and I happen to fall into the category of overshooting, meaning I am culling (going through) sometimes thousands of photos and taking out all the crazy blinking, talking, blurry, improperly exposed photos that don't even begin to make the cut of a nice photo. Saving all of the goods just for you!
I do promise that all the photos you DO see are all of the good ones taken. I send my clients everything worth seeing, even if it seems like a lot of photos!
"Do you make black and White?"
HA! I am the queen of black and whites!
I understand that black and whites are not for everyone... but I don't care! I LOVE them. Most galleries you receive you can expect every single color photo to have a black and white copy. Yes it may be crazy, but I enjoy doing it, especially when I work with people who share the love for black and whites. Black and white images make great wall hangers when the colors in the photo don't match your house aesthetic. They are also great for bringing more focus to the subject of the picture rather than focusing on distracting colors in it.
"Can I print my own images?"
You sure can!
BUT, I always warn people that you will get what you pay for. I try my best to offer affordable printing to my clients because, contrary to what you might believe, printing is usually not as easy as just sending your file off to a random printer. You can obviously do that, but it most likely will not look like the image on your computer screen. Usually, adjustments and sizing need to be made to the image before printing, as well as having knowledge about how your printer and printer paper work with colors.
The best way to find out if you will be happy with a print is to order 1 small print from me, and the same print and size from a store of your choice. If there is no difference or you don't MIND the difference between them, then go for it!
"How should I save my images?"
Depending on what kind of memory technology you have you should save your images in at least 2-3 places. Here a few options to choose from.....
- USB drive (can purchase from me)
- Hardrive
- ssd drive
- Directly on your computer (takes up a lot of storage)
- Internet-based systems such as,
- Google Drive
- iCloud
- Dropbox