Frequently Asked Questions and Tips to Make Your Photo Session Phenomenal
Why Does Professional Photography Cost So Much?
I struggled whether to include this question, but it is often the most often asked, and if not spoken out loud, at least the most often wondered about, am I right?
Let me preface this answer with the fact that no one gets into this line of work for the money. It is HARD. I come home mentally exhausted and I haven't even edited the photos yet which takes the most time. SO many decent photographers don't charge their worth. I try to be in the middle. I want people to have great photos of themselves and their family at a fair price. If a photographer charges less than a couple hundred dollars for 10 photos, they are not paying themselves a living wage. If they are, they have probably never calculated their cost of doing business, or they aren't paying insurance or taxes.
I recently raised my rates in 2025 to reflect all the the time, and it adds up: doing taxes, both federal and sales, answering emails, weather watching (this alone has taken YEARS off my life!), camera gear and computer, photo editing software, childcare costs for my own kiddo, session time, and hours spent editing. Every time I click the shutter is a minute spent later to look at and cull, or edit. It typically takes two hours to edit 50+ photos from a 30 min session.
You are not only paying a photographer for all that stuff above, but for the experience and expertise that goes into making photos great. starting with the pose, finishing on my computer. It SO important to hire a good photographer who knows how to "shoot to edit." Whether you choose me or someone else, you are hiring an artist. Here is one of my own below, straight off the camera, and after editing. Editing is truly my favorite part. It's like magic, every time.
How Much are Sessions?
All session packages can be found under the "packages" tab on my main webpage. Just click the type of session you are interested in on the drop-down, i.e. family, then scroll down the page a bit to come to all the different options, and how to choose a location as well.
Where Will Our Session Take Place?
I do not have a studio, which keeps my costs down.
I have become an expert at knowing the BEST nooks and crannies for several Gig Harbor and Tacoma parks. To help clients choose, I created a blog where every entry highlights a different spot, with pros and cons, what time of day it works, for what type of session, and with examples I've taken at each place. Be sure to click "older posts" to see all of them.
Before I send you available dates for a session, I will first need to know which place you want to use so I can tell you what time slots I have available there.
How Does a Session Work?
After we decide on a date, time and location, you will get a booking link to fill out with a $50 retainer (which is transferable of it rains on our day). I am a huge weather dork (see below) so I will be in super close contact about it the day before your session and in the meantime, my booking software will send you automated email reminders.
After we set up your session, feel free to spam me your pose inspiration or outfit help! At your session, we will walk from place to place and I will have you pose, or use prompts for more a more candid feel. Seniors, I will have a gallery on my phone to look at for ideas for pose inspiration during out shoot if we need it!
I will be showing you the shots on my camera every few minutes so you can see how they are looking and how you like your expression and hair.
Within 72 hours of your shoot, you will receive a preview gallery of a few shots side by side to choose your edited style, and then I will edit up all the rest. Your final gallery will usually include at least 40 images for a 30 minute session, and at least 80 for a 60 minute session. You will then click the "heart" button on your favs, and download your allotted # of favorites and can easily purchase more right from your gallery. If you want any portrait retouching (full list below) like acne, you can tell me the file numbers after they are downloaded and I will spruce them up and send them to you when I am done.
Do you Recommend a 30 or 60 minute Session?
I have become pretty well known for capturing a vast variety in just 30 minutes! That means less time for kids and spouses to complain, am I right? That being said, some locations (like Pt Defiance or Chambers Bay) just need more time due to the drive time, walking involved, and amount of backgrounds. Also, some kids need extra time to open up. But I am a kiddo magnet and I usually win them over pretty quick.
Because I often shoot 30 min session bac to back and because I know exactly how to make 30 minutes work at only a few spots, I only offer 30 minute sessions at a few Gig Harbor Locations:
Skansie Park: 9-10:30AM
Donkey Creek/Austin Park: 9-10:30am
Bella Bella Beach Sandspit on Fox Island AM weekends and PM weeknights
Kopachuck Park: 11am-noon weekends
Sehmel Homestead Park Woods: 10-12pm
Sehmel Homestead Park: golden field and split rail fence area: weeknights only May-Oct, 2.5 hours before sunset
Here are a few full galleries of what is possible in 30 minutes: Skansie Park, Austin Park, The woods of Sehmel Park, the field at Sehmel Park, Bella Bella Beach
Can You Make a Video of Our Session?
I loooove making videos of my sessions! I can have my iphone mounted to my camera and have a video going the entire session, and then I edit the best bits to music afterwards. Because when else are you going to have video moments of you all snuggling and laughing as a family? It is also great for graduating seniors. You can choose the music, or I can. Families that choose this add-on often say that they instantly burst into tears when watching is and it is their favorite part of the whole experience!
A few more examples:
60 minute mama and me session at home
Senior Girl 60 min session
Senior Boy 60 min session
I've Noticed You Seem to Have Two Different Edited Styles...?
Good eyes! Yes, if you have been looking through my galleries, you may have noticed that some of my work is light and bright, and some are more moody and edgy looking. That is because that dark Boho look is soooo in style right now, but I also love light and bright photos, so I love to give my clients their choice between the two! As far as I know, I am the only photographer in the area that does this. These are not filters, but hand edited style which I create by varying the contrast, shadows, whites, blacks, white balance, and color grading for each spot depending on the lighting conditions that day. Most photographers have one edited style that defines their brand. I have two, and you get to choose yours. More info on how that works is here with an explanation and side by side comparisons: classic or modern?
So, What About the Weather?
Not gonna lie, living in the Northwest and doing what I do is HARD. Like I said above, it has taken YEARS off my life, especially in Oct-Dec (peak time for photos, of course).
It is kind of a lucky coincidence that I happen to be a big weather nerd, Always have been. I even have a weather station on my roof! Sometimes friends actually text me and ask what the weather is going to be because I tend to be more accurate than the people on TV.
Sun is hard but doable, and clouds are best! If we get a dry cloudy day with no wind, you have just won the photo lottery. If it is windy, over about 8 knots at a beachy location, it is best to reschedule (even though it may not seem bad, trust me; hair and wind are the worst and you'll hate every photo, trust me!)
If the weather looks iffy leading up to your chosen day, I will be watching it like a hawk. Unless it's a big system, I do not transfer session days until at least 24 hours out, since forecasts are unpredictable. I have gotten crazy good at predicting when there will be dry spells on a showery day. I will be in close touch via text about what is going on. If you are flexible on our day, usually we can find a "hole" in the rain.
If we need to switch days, your deposit is transferable, but during busy season (Sept-Dec), you may not get your best choice of make-up times. But your photos will get done one way or another!
A word about weather and kids under age 5: cold kids generally don't smile or cooperate. I recommend scheduling your shoot before Nov 1, when the weather here is known to get below 55 degrees. When it gets under 50, that's when I see the most unhappy kiddos. If you must schedule a session then (I do love Nov and Dec light!) then just bundle them up with lots of warm layers. I do not recommend beach shoots for young kids between Nov 1-March 15; it's just too windy and cold for happy smiles.
How Many Photos do I Get Back? Can I Choose The Ones You Edit?
Great question! I have thought about utilizing raw proofing galleries to keep costs down (sending clients images right off the camera, and they pick the ones they want me to edit up), but the way I shoot (mostly backlit), your photos would be pretty yucky and hard to tell what the final product would be. So instead, I cull the images to the ones all in focus, and edit them all for you to choose. This way also saves me time in the long run.
I used to include the entire gallery in my packages, meaning I would chose what I thought were the best 25-30 photos, and delivered them all. But the longer I do this, the more I get picky, like, "what if she likes her face at this angle instead of that angle?" And my delivered galleries were getting bigger and bigger and when I did my cost of doing business, I was paying myself minimum wage, and burning out to boot. So now I still edit large galleries, similar to a baker making a huge batch of cookies, but I limit the number of downloads with the option to buy more. If I over deliver (always the goal to give the most choices!), clients can purchase the whole gallery at a steep discount. I want people to have them all!
I edit all the photos that turn out, meaning they are in focus, everyone is looking at the camera (in posed shots) and everyone has a decent expression on their face. When you receive your gallery, there are usually 40-50 photos in a 30 minute gallery, and up to 100 in a 60 minute gallery. You will then be able to "heart" your favorites. Depending on the package you purchased, you will be able to download that number of images. Additional images are $15 each or you can purchase your entire gallery for a discounted price, right from your gallery. I want people to have them all, so I price the whole gallery at an affordable price (usually $130-160).
What If My Kids Don't Cooperate?
Umm... let's count on it, lol!
Kids ages 1-3 are the hardest to get to smile naturally, so sometimes the best we can hope for at that age is happy candids with cuddles and tickles thrown in.
My best advice: bribes and practice! Bribes are AMAZING for any age. If you want to provide a surprise of some kind, and hand it to me when we arrive (like in a goodie bag) I can tell the kids that I have a surprise and bribe them with it. Sometimes bribes work better coming from me!
Practice works wonders! In the days and weeks before your session, practice in the mirror at home and see what looking happy feels like.
I'm also a big believer in just letting kids play and see what happens. For really shy ones, I like showing them what their photos look like on my screen.
What if they cry? In 10 years, I’m willing to bet that you’ll cherish the image of your toddler crying big tears just as much as the one that we took 10 seconds later of him happily running toward the camera. My goal is to capture the personalities of the kids in front of my lens, including all of the beautiful quirks, details, and small moments that make up childhood.
A word about discipline: I will tell your kids what to do and how to pose. If they aren't following instructions, it is up to parents to intervene.
How Do I Pose?
I will always tell you how to pose so don't worry! I try to do a combination of posed and candid shots where you look at each other. And there will be a LOT of fake laughing. It feels stupid, but you can't tell it is fake in the photos because your eyes will be sparkling! I will also have a gallery of poses on my phone if we want or need inspiration. And PLEASE, feel free to boss me around! If you have an idea for a shot, or see a cool log you want to try posing on, or want something that I am missing, tell me. I am there to facilitate your vision if you come with one!
Want to practice? Look up Christine Buzon on Instagram! She's amazing at posing the average sized woman.
For single subject shots (headshots and senior photos): it helps if you send me a couple favorite photos of yourself ahead of time, that way I know what angles you like best. Plus, don't worry, I will be showing you photos as we take them on my screen. You can even say, "eww, delete that one!"
I Found Exactly What I Want on Pinterest, Can You Recreate That For Me?
Well, kind of. We can work together on recreating the general poses and idea (and please share them with me!), but every day brings different light, weather, attitudes, etc. Pinterest can be a great source for ideas, but every good photo really comes from a unique moment. We will make your own moments unique as well. If we’re focused on recreating someone else’s photos, that will leave us less time to create shots that showcase the unique aspects of your family. And even if we copy an online photo EXACTLY, you will always compare your photos to that one.
That being said, copying poses does generally work well for high school seniors and engagement shoots, so spam me with your vision!
I Want to Look Good, Are There Any Tips or Tricks I Should Know?
Practicing in a mirror or with your phone camera is amazing. It works well when trying to decide what angles of your body and face you like best, and what expressions (chin down, face slightly turned, etc). For smiling, try unclenching your teeth and have your mouth very slightly open. My favorite Instagram person for flattering pose techniques is Christine Buzan. Look her up! She is amazing with ideas for women of any shape that you can practice at home before hand. I will help coach you on site, too.
Always be aware of the possibility of a double chin. So stick your neck out a *little* farther than you normally would (I'll let you know if it looks odd).
Ladies, if you are body conscious, or have problem areas, please let me know and don't feel bad! I have tricks and can discreetly coach you. Also, if you are at all self-conscious of your upper arms, do not wear short sleeves. You will be hugging your husband and kids and they will be front and center. If you do want to wear short sleeves, wearing a light and airy shawl looks great in photos!
Always remember that the camera can't differentiate between a fake laugh and a real laugh. So laugh. Often.
During posed group photos, look at the camera, not at the kids (unless I ask you to look at the kids or it is a candid). Often, when I go through the group photos, it is the adult who is talking or scowling and the kids are smiling. We will do candids too, where you ARE looking at the kids. Don't worry, I'll tell you which is which!
What Should I/We Wear?
The longer I do this, the more I notice that what you wear matters. But when it comes down to it, wear what you feel good in and, most importantly, what you feel comfortable in. I always tell women to choose an ensemble that they love, and then coordinate everyone else around it. Here are some other tips:
* The number one rule is: don't all wear the same color or pattern! Even white. Your photos will have a Family Blob effect. Two people should never wear the same color, because we can never poise those two people next to each other without it looking odd. Coordinate colors, but don't match.
* Colors to avoid: PLEASE Avoid bright pink. Especially HOT pink and fuschia. Also, NO ORANGE, even in fall. I know hot colors are pretty and I know little girls love them. But bright hot colors do not photograph well digitally (yes, this makes me sad too). Because my photos are so vibrant, those colors become EXTRA and they become the focal point of the photo and take over. Light pink is ok. Patterns with pink are generally fine as long as there are other colors as well. (Also try to avoid bright red, especially if it's orangey).
* Solid neutrals are best: Another color to avoid is all black. I know it is slimming but, since I often shoot with the sun at your back, all-black just makes you look too bold and blob-y. and you'll take over the whole photos rather than looking slim. Navy is a great alternative!
* If you are a pale person, don't wear white. You will look ghostly. I get a lot of people asking when they get their photos back to fix their skin. But it's not you or me, it's the white casting up on you.
* One more word about white: Just say no to white shirts. Whites can get blown out. ESPECIALLY If you have pale skin. In family photos, the person wearing white will be the focal point, always. That being said, HS senior girls in short white dresses photograph really well! But no white shirts in family photos. Neutrals like greys and browns are amazing.
* My fav color combination for beach photos is navy, aqua and tans, and small pops of yellow. For forest settings, wear solid colors or big plaids, and no greens or teals or you'll compete and/or clash, or worse, become camoflauged with the background. Neutrals are amazing in the woods.
*Avoid tight/small plaids and stripes.
* Want a look for women (and high school seniors) that can't go wrong? One word: flowy maxi dress in a solid color. The movement of them makes magic when you walk. Ones with short to mid-length sleeves photograph best.
* Like I said before, try to avoid black, especially on children because it overpowers them (though if you love it, we can work with it). Navy, however, works great. Also, if you are an adult and wear black, try to break it up with a necklace or accessory.
* It helps to put the younger children in the brightest color (But not hot pink or orange!); in group photos, this helps them stand out despite their small size.
* For babies and young toddlers: avoid shoulder poofs or shoulder frills. I find they tend to bunch up and block faces, especially when doing candid shots and profiles. I would also avoid dresses for babies. They never look good and always ride up! Same goes for babies in jumpers with wide strappy sleeves. They just never lay flat and always bunch at the shoulders when being held. So what should babies wear? Good question! Something that lays flat and looks good when they are being held. If you have any doubts, text me photos of outfit possibilities before your session.
* for little girls in dresses: cover those underpants with shorts or bloomers! I can't tell you how many good photos are ruined because you see those panties while sitting or twirling!
* Try not to have one child in a bright color and one in a pale color, unless the child in the bright color is significantly smaller than the child in the pale color. (The risk is that one child will dominate the photo and one will recede.)
* YOU DO NOT NEED TO DRESS UP. Really.
* For women, I like to take action shots, so flats work better than heels. If you really want to wear heels then consider bringing along a second pair of shoes.
* No hats with a brim (or your face will be a big shadow).
* I take photos from a lot of different angles, so if you are feeling body conscious, wear something slightly baggy. I LOVE when mamas (and high school seniors) wear long maxi dresses. They photograph beautifully.
* If you have transition lenses and we are doing an outdoor shoot, they WILL turn dark and block your eyes. Consider not wearing them or wearing a back-up pair of glasses.
* Again, ladies, if you are all self-conscious of your upper arms, even the tiniest bit, do not wear short sleeves. You will be hugging your husband and kids and they will be front and center. If you do want to wear short sleeves, wearing a light and airy shawl looks great in photos!
* Search Pinterest for ideas! Type in "Family photos at Beach" (or whatever location you are using)
What About Our Hairstyles?
For family shoots, it is best to pin hair half up and half down, both for moms and girls. I often have you look at each other hugs, or have the kids balance on logs, and I can't tell you how many shots I throw away because there is a "hair curtain" blocking the subject's face! Pony tails are great for kids! My fav style is to leave it all down, but take a bobby pin and twist the front little clump behind the ear.
What Can I Do To Help The Session Go Smoothly?
The BEST thing you can do is to let go and enjoy! I know it’s hard not to be stressed before your session, but kids and babies pick up on anxiety really easily. We’ll have the best chance at getting gorgeous images if we let them happen naturally (with a little guidance from me, of course!) I want your pictures to be amazing and will do all the hard work for you! Your only job is to relax and have fun. And I promise you will have fun, maybe even your husband ; )
Can I Bring my Purse and Stuff?
It makes it soooo much easier for me if you leave everything in your car. I looove having my stuff, but I promise you can do without it for 30-60 mins! I can't tell you how many photos I have gotten home to edit and there in Dad's front pocket is his brick of a phone. If you have to bring it, put it in your back pocket.
As for bags and stuff, if you absolutely need to bring some stuff, a backpack is easiest. We will be doing lots of walking from background to background, and often times I like to take candids of that walk, and that isn't possible when you have stuff. I can carry a small backpack for you though.
Can I Bring My Dog(s)?
YES! I am a Dog Person. Please bring a way to tie them up at each spot we shoot so we can get some photos with and some without, because having pets means that not as many photos will turn out where they are "looking." No matter what, don't look at the dog in the photos... keep looking at me!
As much as I love ALL dogs, please leave reactive or aggressive dogs at home.
A word about their leash: make sure it is a standard leash (not a retractable one) and a NEAUTAL color (not pink or red), and that there are no poop pages tied to it.
I Have Transition Glasses; Can I Wear Them?
These things are the bane of my existence. They get black and block your eyes even in dark shade, and there is no way to edit them in post. If there is any way to wear a different pair of glasses, or nothing at all, please do!
Can I have my Session at Home?
Yes! I do in-home newborn session all the time. For family or senior sessions, we can work together to find a time on your property or yard where the light is best (when the sun is at your back).
But be warned: I have noticed over the last few years that at home sessions with kids from ages 2-10 is distinctly harder. I often get home more exhausted than usual and think, boy those kids were extra spicey! And then it clicked: kids are more comfortable at home. This can be a good thing. But it also means that they are more comfortable to be naughty and act up because they are in their safe place. So sometimes going to a neutral location can make your kids "fall into line" better. Something to consider!
Do You Offer Extended Family Sessions?
Yes, and they are SO fun! They are a bit more pricey since the more people there are at sessions, the more groupings are involved, and the editing time usually takes me 3x longer than a typical family session, not just because of the wide array of groupings I click and edit, but for the individual face face brightening I often have to edit in big group shots. It isn't unusual to have a final gallery of over 100 photos for you to choose from.
Each session includes shots of each family alone, their kids alone, individuals of each kid, kids with grandparents, grandparents with adult kids, candids, and several big group shots at different locations, and anything else you can think of. It really is like event photography, hence the higher price point.
Here are full example albums: Skansie Park, The DeMolay Sandspit and the woods of Sehmel Park
Sessions take 35-50 minutes, depending on the location and how many people there are, and you will end up with close to 100 photos in your gallery to choose your final downloads.
These shoots are a great deal, because each family is basically getting their own mini session (valued at $250) at the session.
Because of the high output of images, and the fact that families want all the photos to share digital files between everyone, packages start at $650 for two families and 20 images for download (or one family and one set of grandparents), and $125 for each additional family or set of grandparents (with 5 more image downloads per add on). You will receive a fully edited gallery and get to choose your favorite images to download. Extras are $15 each, or you can buy the whole gallery for only $135 and easily share all the files with the whole family.
If you would just like one big family portrait and nothing else, I can usually get that done in 10 minutes with one background, available at Skansie or Shemel Park only, at select times when I am already there. I don't recommend that option for toddlers, who can take time to warm up, or for having a wide array of choices to choose from. Contact me to get an exact quote.
Can You Photoshop Out Acne, Wrinkles, Double Chins, Weight Gain, Stray Hairs, etc.?
I am a pro at making eyes pop, getting rid of acne and wrinkles! But if you want someone's head swapped from another photo, or a hand removed from someone's shoulder, then this is outside the reach of my business. There are amazing editing teams you can google who can (for a fee) help with more extensive cosmetic edits. (edits usually range from $8 to $10 a photo).
Taking a 3D person and mushing them into a 2D version can make things appear on the body that aren't normally there. For body and face modifications, I recently got some new software that is ULTRA awesome. I can diminish double chins and even slightly shrink you and your arms. I can also include teeth whitening, acne removal, and eye bag removal and wrinkle diminishing.
When you fill out your booking link, there is an option to proactively edit every photo in your gallery. You will get a before and after look at a photo to make sure the edits are ok before I proceed with the rest. My headshots and senior portrait packages includes portrait editing at no extra cost.
Here is a list of things I can fix and/or enhance, all included in one flat fee at booking:
double chins
face slimming
acne
backlit and stray hairs
skin smoothing and complexion evening
teeth whitening
removing grey hairs off a dark-haired person
filling in a hair part-line (if you have thin hair)
dark circles and eye bags
glasses glare
forehead glare
wrinkle diminishing on forehead, neck and face
tasteful torso shrinking (i.e. slight 5-7 lb weight loss)
arm shrinking, stray backlit hairs.
I can basically take 10-15 years off a face!
Things I cannot fix: extreme weight loss, shaving a man's face, squinting, head swapping from one photo to another.
Al a carte portrait retouching is $15 per photo (for as many things fixed on the list ^ as you want), and can be paid to me directly after you download your photos via Venmo, Paypal, or Zelle. Once you download them, let me know the file numbers of the ones you want retouched, what you want done, and I will make a different gallery to send to you to download them when I am done.
What is Your Cancellation Policy?
I know how life works. Kids get sick. Weather ruins the day. And I want to make things as easy as possible for you.
I require a $50 deposit to save a slot, but if anyone gets sick or if it rains the photoshoot can be rescheduled anytime within 6 months (subject to availability - please don't wait until the last minute to reschedule!).
If you cancel within a 48 hour window for any reason aside from illness or weather, then your deposit is non-refundable and you can reschedule another day with another deposit. (The 48 hour cancellation period does not apply if the cancellation is weather related AND we have been in contact about the possibility of rescheduling due to weather).
Further, if your photoshoot was subject to a seasonal promotion (like a 20 minute mini or Santa photos) and you need to reschedule to a traditional session, then a higher rate will apply, but you can use your balance towards a standard session.
What Kind of Camera and Lens Do You Use?
I photograph with a mirrorless Nikon Z6iii and my favorite lens right now is my Nikon Z 50mm f1.2. It makes the background super blurry and the subject tack sharp, my signature look. If you want the background a bit sharper that what you are seeing in my portfolio, please let me know what the shoot and I will adjust my settings.
All images are edited in Adobe Lightroom, with more detailed fixes in Photoshop CC.
I am mostly a natural light photographer (no flash) which allows me to be quick and flexible. I always place the sun at your back so it is flattering and you won't be squinting.
How Long Does It Take to Edit my Photos and How Do I Get My Edited Images?
Editing images to make them the best they can be is my FAVORITE part of the job! It typically takes me 4-5 hours to edit each hour of shooting. I usually finish all galleries and have them back to you within 7 days of your session. Even during my very busiest season (Sept-Nov), your wait should never be more than 10 days. I typically send sneak peeks (to choose your edited style) within 48 hours.
When your photos are done, you will receive and email with a link to your online gallery with detailed download instructions to for both your computer. The images are yours to print and share wherever you like.
Where Should I Print My Images?
You are free to print them wherever you want! I do NOT recommend printing your images at Shutterfly, Target, Walmart, CVS, or Costco. These labs are not designed to handle printing professional photography and the sharpness will never be as good as a professional lab.
But for the best quality tack-sharp prints, I recommend ordering prints right from an album I can set up for you. After your download your photos from the selection gallery, let me know and I can put them in this type of album for you. They are affordable, ship quickly, and are super high quality. Along with basic prints, there are tons of cool products to choose from, including canvases and metal products.
How Did You Get Into Photography?
I grew up with a Dad who was an architectural and wedding photographer, and I was always taking photos myself. I followed my dream and became a violinist, having a full performing and teaching schedule.
During the pandemic, my violin performance schedule went from 60 to zero overnight. I still taught violin lessons over Zoom, and one day I casually asked one of my students, a graduating senior, what she was doing for the rest of the day. She said that since there wasn't a graduation ceremony, her mom was going to take cap and gown photos with her iphone at a park with her brother and sister (triplets!). I could not comprehend being a mom to triplets and missing out on such an important milestone as seeing them graduate, so I said, "tell your mom that is ridiculous, I am going to take your photos!"
I adored everything about our session and decided I wanted to take more cap and gown photos, so I created a Facebook group called The Cap and Gown Project to provide free graduation photos for anyone that wanted them. When it was over, I wanted to keep doing it full time. And here we are!
Do You Offer Gift Certificates?
Yes! Here is a link: Gift Certificates
OK, We Are Ready to Book, Now What?
I can’t wait to work with you! Please send me a message using the Contact tab above and include the following info:
1. The location you want to use. If you don't know, click on my Blog tab; I created it just to help clients choose a spot. Each entry spotlights a different location with pros and cons and examples if photos I have taken there. Be sure to click on "older posts" to see them all!
2. What package you would like. All my package prices are located under the "Sessions" tab above. Prices are at the bottom of each page.
3. How many family members and their ages. It helps me to start thinking up poses and groupings!
4. Optional: your session goals, if any.
Once we decide on a date and time, I will send you a booking link to fill out a questionnaire and sign a contract. A $50 retainer is due upon booking to reserve your date. It is deducted from your total. You can pay both the retainer and the remainder (due the day of the session) from that page via Paypal. And don't worry if you don't have either; you can use Paypal as a guest and use a credit or debit card.
Santa Photos! How do they work?
I offer 10 minute private Santa photos in Gig Harbor every year! Usually the end of Nov, and beginning on Dec, two dates only. Signups are announced to my former clients first via email, and then on my facebook business page, usually in mid October. You can also check my mini page here.
What I love my Santa sessions most of all is the sheer amount of fun and creative poses we can capture in such a short time. These are not your standard Santa photos! Bring your whole family, even your dog! Spend 8-9 minutes with Santa, doing lots of different creative poses, which can include a few, if not all of the following:
* a family photo (with or without, Santa, or both!)
* looking at a scroll with your child's name on the Nice List
* reading a book (help Santa find objects in Holiday Eye Spy)
* ornament dangle (for babies)
* is his beard real? Give it a tug!
* making a heart out of two candy canes
* whisper a secret in Santa's ear, and of course,
* The Classic Santa Photo.
Choose 5 edited images for digital download from an edited gallery of at least 20 images with a 4-5 day turnaround: $200 There is an option for 1-2 day rush editing at checkout for $25. You will receive your images in an online gallery with download instructions to print wherever you please.
In addition to lots of traditional and unique poses, your kids will also have time to tell Santa what they want for Christmas (bring your lists, kids!) Parents may also pass Santa a note on arrival if you have any special requests for Santa to tell your kids ("listen to Ms. Johnson in class" or "please put your legos away when you are done playing with them"). The look on their faces when Santa delivers a message only your family can know about is priceless!
ABOUT SANTA
Santa is a joyful retired Tacoma PD cop, who famously toured Tacoma Schools in the Harvey and Beula show in the 80's and 90's as the human sidekick of Beula the motorcycle. If you would like to bring your aviator sunglasses, he will have his as well for the coolest Santa photo ever. All tips generated at booking will go to Santa.
PHOTOS ARE AT ASHA YOGA STUDIO IN GIG HARBOR.
Photos will be in the DOWNSTAIRS studio. It's a big beautiful space with easy parking, tall ceilings, and great light! You can walk down the outside stairs from the main studio, or you can also park on the lower level to avoid the stairs. 2609 Jahn Avenue Northwest Suite F5 & F10, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
THE FINE PRINT
* Session deposit and fee is non-refundable.
* $50 deposit due at booking and the rest is due the day of the session; you will get an email reminder.
* If you or the kids are too sick the day of, your session fee can be used towards a traditional family session with me within 6 months.
ADD ONS
I have a few add-on options this year:
* 1-2 day turnaround for $25 (regular turnaround is 3-5 days)
* Fine portrait editing including wrinkle smoother, acne eraser, eye bag removal and double chin eraser! Obviously not for kids, but if you want to be in photos with the kids and feel less self conscious, it's a great option ($40 for your whole gallery to be retouched)
* Standard session is for a family of 3 kids and two adults . Add extra kids/people for $20 each.
* Proactively buy the whole gallery for 50% off: Sessions come with 5 photos chosen from a gallery of at least 20, with lots of different poses. Chose this option at time of purchase to get them all. Or you can also easily buy extras when you receive your gallery, for $15 each, or $100 for the entire gallery.
SESSION REQUESTS
*Sessions start at the agreed upon time. If you are late, sessions cannot be made up. It is strongly encouraged that you arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to the start of session.
* Please wait in lobby or car until 2 minutes before your scheduled time in case the kids before you are shy about having an audience.
* Please make sure children are fully fed and ready before session begins for optimal moods!
* Please make sure hair is combed and/or clipped away from face and face is clean and free of runny noses or eyes.
* Santa will never force a child on his lap. If you want a crying photo, we are game, and Santa can "cry" too for the ultimate funny photo. If you have a verrry shy kiddo, parents are encouraged to join, so dress in something you don't mind being photographed in, just in case.