What is the process for booking a session and having my pictures taken?

It's pretty simple.  First, reach out to me by phone or email.  Contact me here.  Let me know what you are looking for.  For example, a high school senior portrait and my son is really into the outdoors so we want something to reflect that.  Great.  I can do that. 

Second, if you like me, my work and my price, we set up a date, time and location.  A $75 booking fee holds your spot.  This fee is non-refundable, but if you can't make it happen for some reason, we can reschedule.  Yes, this fee is applied toward your total price.  Now you are on the schedule.  Sit back, relax and imagine how good you are going to look! 

Third, we meet up and take a bunch of awesome photos!  Nobody is comfortable in front of the camera at first.  It takes most people 10-20 minutes to loosen up.  Then the good stuff starts happening.  After we are done with the shoot you go home.  I go to work.

Last, I deliver your photos within 3 weeks of completing the shoot.  You receive a set of high quality jpg files along with a free art quality print of your choosing.  

All kidding aside, I am proud of my work and I want you to be happy.  I want you to have more than a 'sit there and say cheese' photo.  I want real pictures of you.  I want to capture some of what makes you special.  And I do believe each person possesses unique beauty.  Some photographers will flood you with a bunch of mediocre images and call it good.  I'll send you 30 or more really, really good photographs.

Check out my galleries, read the testimonials and please reach out if you have any questions of if you are ready to book a session.

So you have decided to book a photo shoot.  Now you want to inject some of your own style!  That's a great idea!  Here are some basics.

1) Keep it (visually) simple.  We want your face to dominate the photograph.  Don't wear clothing with designs, words, pictures or busy patterns.  These will look really out of place real quick.

2) Bring props if you have something that's meaningful to you.  Items like musical instruments, hobbies, letterman jackets or sports equipment.

3) For the guys, be sure to practice good basic grooming before your session.  Guys need a fresh shave (or beard trim if that's your thing) and trimmed nails.  

4) Ladies should go with a hairstyle they are comfortable with, touch up their nails (if necessary), and wear your makeup normally.  Don't wear makeup or foundation that contains spf as it can look shiny and blue-ish in pictures.  Don't wear super glossy lipstick as it makes white spots from the shine when light (or sun) hits it.  It's nice to include some jewelry, but too much is distracting.

5) Don't worry about blemishes.  I can remove most of those.

6) Relax into the shoot and have a good time.  Nobody is comfortable in front of the camera at first.  It takes most people 10-20 minutes to relax and warm up.  Be ready for it.  It's my job to help you to get comfortable with a camera pointed at you.  I'll talk, ask questions, and tell you silly stories if necessary.  Once you get comfortable, we'll make some fantastic photographs.

It's already time to book those senior portraits/  How do I decide on a photographer?  That's what I'm going to help you with.

1) Do I like the images the photographer has on their website?  

Those days where everybody's senior pictures looked the same?  They are long gone.  Today, each photographer puts his/her own style into the images.  Try to pick a photographer whose images you are drawn to.  It's important to find a style that both the parents and the senior appreciate.  Myself, I want to make your senior look their best.  Pretty (or handsome), confident, and happy.  Others go for a more fashion oriented vibe.

2) Where do you want your pictures taken?

Put some thought into where you want to have your photographs taken.  Some people want an urban feel, like in the city.  They like the angular lines and excitement of the streets.   Others want the look of the great outdoors.  They prefer the organic feeling of outside.  Still others want an indoor studio shoot with it's old-school feeling.

3) How do I feel about the photographer?  

This is one most people don't think about enough.  It's important to call and talk with the photographer if at all possible (yes, you can call me!).  Being photographed can be an intimidating process.  You have someone looking really close at you and trying to make you look your best.  It's crucial that you 'jive' with your photographer.  The best way to feel this out is to spend a few minutes on the phone with them and get a good feeling for their personality.