Please excuse the formatting :)  
It is full of information if you're ready for a good read!  Thanks for understanding!  

-Briar  :)

What is your style of Photography?

My kids won't sit still for pictures so I'm worried I'll hire you and still get nothing.

How and when do I make payment?

What if I am running late?

What if the weather is bad and we planned an outside activity?

What if someone is sick and I need to reschedule?

What type of photoshop work do you offer?

What should I do to prepare for an in-home session?

What if I love your work, but I hate black and white? (or ONLY want black and white?)

Can we include our pets?

Do these packages include the copyright?

Can I crop the images or use filters on them?

Can I snap a quick picture with my phone camera?

How will I receive the images I purchase?

How long will my images be available for download?

When should I book my appointment?

What should we wear?

 

What is your style of Photography?

PORTRAITURE VS LIFESTYLE VS DOCUMENTARY

PORTRAITURE - FULLY POSED
     When you position the subject at the perfect flattering angle, with hands placed just so and directed to smile or not smile and look directly into the camera or look off into the distance.  Portraiture is posing a person or a family and taking the picture of them that you envision.  Think senior photos, head shots, or even school pictures.  They can take place in a studio or on location. 

LIFESTYLE - LIGHTLY POSED OR LIGHTLY DIRECTED
     When you choose a location that just makes your heart sing because it is so beautiful and time the session for the most beautiful light.  There is some posing and direction, but lots of encouragement to break from the pose and show personality.  As a photographer, I work to draw out real personality, family connections, smiles, and even tears (I won't make you cry, I promise!, but if you do cry, I'll probably try to take a picture).  The images are beautiful and strive to be natural and, most importantly, authentic in their preservation of the way you and your family look and interact with each other. 

DOCUMENTARY - UNPOSED
     Think about all your favorite pictures of your kids...I'd bet almost none of them are professional.  Not that you don't appreciate and even frame the professional shots.  They're professional and beautiful images of your kids.  You do love them.  But...there's that one picture you took when he was 9 months old COVERED in spaghetti sauce.  It makes you laugh every time you see it.  And grateful that you don't have to clean it up again ;)  And then there's that picture someone else took of you snuggling him when he was sick that just makes your heart ache.  Or the cell phone shot of him up to bat at his first baseball game and the picture of his sister high fiving him when he made it home.  They're not beautiful images by industry standards, but they're still your favorites.  Documentary photography is getting those authentic images in professional quality in a setting where none of you need to be behind the camera and everyone can be part of the moment.  Think about preserving something you love doing together - a baseball game, Saturday morning breakfast, camping, going for a walk, baking cookies, anything as long as it's something you already do together.  That's documentary.  <3

NEAT, BUT WHAT IS YOUR  STYLE?
     I am definitely a cross between lifestyle and documentary.  My heart is in true documentary, but I can't help myself - when I see perfect light, I direct my clients (or my own kids) into it.  When I see someone do something out of the corner of my eye while I'm taking a picture of something else, I will BEG them to do it again.  :)  If I'm getting no smiles, I'll try to engage kids or put them at ease with some chatting.  I do that for parents too if you're nervous ;)  Strictly speaking, a documentary photographer would be more of a fly on the wall, not interfering with the family in any way.  I appreciate that approach, but the truth is that I AM there and I am NOT a fly on the wall, so I use my presence to direct in small ways.  :)  But don't worry, I'll still get a few of everyone looking at the camera and smiling :) 

My kids won't sit still for pictures so I'm worried I'll hire you and still get nothing.
     
I promise you that NO ONE's kids are more difficult to photograph than a photographer's own children.  They KNOW all my lame jokes and they're not impressed.  Trust me, I can get a beautiful image for you.  In fact, even if you have already had your session and you felt it was a complete bust, I urge you to wait until you see the images.  You'll be surprised at what I can do with naughty spirited children.  Promise.  :)

Keep this in mind too:
     When kids don't smile, their eyes get bigger.  It's a uniquely beautiful image and I'll work to preserve all the personalities your children share with me. 

     When kids are naughty, they often smile bigger and look adorable getting away with mischief.

     When adults are stressed and frustrated, they do not look adorable.  At all.  Ever.  So put your trust in me, sit back, and relax.  :) 

     Sometimes kids just need to work out their shyness/silliness/energy/overstimulation/tears/fears.  I may take some pictures of those moments, but then I'll give them some space to work it out.  Eventually I'll reengage them and work to earn their trust.  :) 

How and when do I pay?
     
I send invoices to your email through Square so you can pay with a credit or debit card.  Square accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express and I charge no fees for this convenience.

     You will receive two separate invoices.

     When you select a date, I will send an invoice through square for a $50 retainer to reserve your date.  It is due within one week of the date the invoice is issued.  After that week, I will offer the date to other clients.  The paid retainer is non-refundable and will go towards offsetting my time and loss of business on the session date if you should cancel.  There will be no exceptions. 

     The balance owed on the package will be due on a separate invoice that I will issue close to the date of your session.  The balance is due 1 week after the session date and MUST be paid before delivery of images.  If the balance is paid late, an additional fee of $25 will be assessed before delivery of images to compsensate me for additional time spent inquiring after payment. 

What if I am running late?
     
I work hard to be early every single time and I urge you to respect my time and plan accordingly as well.  However, I do realize that life happens to everyone, even crazy time-conscious people like myself.  :)  If you are running late, please call me and message me to let me know that you are on your way.  If I do not receive contact, I will only wait 5 minutes before assuming that you are cancelling our session.  The paid retainer is non-refundable and will go towards offsetting my time and loss of business on the session date, so please give me a heads up if you will be late.  Arriving late will not result in a delayed end time, it will result in a shortened session. 

What if the weather is bad and we planned an outside activity?
     As our session time approaches, I will be watching the weather closely.  Ultimately I will make the final decision on our ability to hold our session as planned.  Don't be bummed if it's not ideal weather - that actually makes for the BEST images with the most interesting light.  Trust me, it is my job to know how to work in all kinds of lighting and weather.  :) 

What if someone is sick and I need to reschedule?
     Please call or message me as soon as you know that you will need to reschedule for personal emergency.  Your retainer will transfer once for these types of last-minute unforseen circumstances.  If I do not receive a message until after the session start time, then I will assume that you are cancelling our session and the paid retainer is non-refundable and will go towards offsetting my time and loss of business on the session date. 

What type of photoshop work do you offer?
    None.  I have photoshop and I know it well enough to use it occasionally, but my style is REAL.  Because it's not my passion, it's not a skill I'm refining.  Every time I found myself erasing food on faces or wrinkles or clutter, it broke my heart a little.  Because it felt like I was whitewashing what was real.  There's no need to erase your wrinkles because they're beautiful.  Your son really does wear his applesauce like that!  (And it's not in every picture).  Your home really does have a foot-tall pile of magazines on the edge of the counter next to the apples. (No? just me?).  :) 

SERIOUSLY, BRIAR, THIS ZIT IS NOT REAL,  IT'S A TEMPORARY NUISSANCE AND IT'S PLAGUING MY FAMILY PICTURES!  YOU REALLY WON'T PHOTOSHOP IT FOR ME!?

     Yes, I will do minor touch ups at my own discretion.  :)  If you know there is something you'd like me to touch up, let me know and I'll let you know if it's included so there will be no surprises.  If I determine that it requires more attention than your package covers and you know you want the work done, I'll give you a quote and a timeline for the additional work along with an additional contract so all parties understand the additional agreement. 

What should I do to prepare for an in-home session?
     Only a few things.  Please don't worry or over-think it.  :)

     DO NOT go on a crazy panic cleaning mission.  I do not want anyone associating my visit with stress cleaning!!  :)  And seriously, I'd NEVER take any pictures of my kids if my house had to be clean first.  Never. 

     DO put away anything you know you don't want photographed.  I will not photoshop unwanted items out later.

     That's it!  :) 

     Now, if you're thinking that I have no idea the horror state of your house, just know that my own home is in a constant state of chaos and I avoid cleaning like the plague.  So, if you are looking for the most important things that need your attention, I'd recommend:

     Do a quick window cleaning and counter wipe because reflections show up easily and are difficult to edit.

     Do a quick vacuum/sweep to take care of visible debris and/or pet hair.

     Pick up excessive clutter.  But PLEASE keep the stuff out that you use all the time...you don't want sterile images.  You want life images.  It might make you wonder now, but you'll love it in ten years.

     Keep in mind that if pet hair is part of your life right now, I'm all for leaving it in!  Same thing goes for nose or hand prints on glass or mirrors or countertops.  It's life, and I love capturing those parts too!  I simply want you to feel comfortable :)

What if I love your work, but I hate black and white? (or ONLY want black and white?)
     When I process your images, I personally hand-edit each and every one for the highest quality images.  That includes my artistic eye for processing.  You will receive a mix of color and black and white images determined in the following ways:  Sometimes the processing is determined by my artistic eye which you hired me for while others are determined by available light, mix of light, the contrast of the background, or distracting effect of the colors.  I work hard to give a good mix of both and I process them so that I am proud to deliver them all.  Many images simply do not work when processed differently and I promise to deliver a wide variety to choose from.  If you know you have a preference, let me know before we begin and, although you will still receive a variety based on the above, I will take your preferences into consideration where I can. 

Can we include our pets?
     Yes, pets are part of the family!  Note, however, that I have never had a dog of my own, so I will lean heavily on you to direct and control him, if needed.  This applies to all pets, but I assume that your goldfish will not need additional attention ;) 

Do these packages include the copyright?
     No.  The packages include a print release which will give permission to print the images for life and to share them online.

Can I crop the images or use filters on them?
     No.  The print release does not grant permission to add filters of any kind or to crop the image.  These images reflect my business, so please honor my copyright. 

Can I snap a quick picture on my phone?
     No.  Cameras of any kind are not permitted at the shoot.  Please respect my time and talent and consider that by bringing out another camera, you are missing moments that you are hiring me to capture for you.  Take a break, enjoy each other, and leave the snapping to me. 

How will I receive the images I purchase?
     Your images will be delivered digitally as JPGs via Pixieset or PASS as soon as editing is complete and final payment is received and the final images are favorited.  Some of the packages also include a memory stick of the images (and film if purchased) that will be sent via snail mail. 

How long will my images be available for download?
     Images from the Snapshot package will be held for 1 month, after which time the Pixieset gallery will automatically expire.  If you forget to download them, there will be a $25 reloading fee applied.  There will be no exceptions, so be sure to download your images in a timely fashion!  The Memories and Ticket packages will be held on PASS for 10 years. 

When should I book my appointment?
     Because I am a stay-at-home Mom, I have very limited appointments available so booking in advance is recommended especially in the Fall.  I would recommend 4 weeks or more.  On the minimum side, I do accept last minute appointments as long as there is time for the contract to be digitally signed and the retainer MUST be paid 24 hours in advance of the appointment.  


What should we wear?
     The simple answer is to wear what makes you comfortable.  I highly recommend against trying to match outfits because it's simply not natural.  If you really want to match, that's okay too but when your family feels like themselves, they'll take better pictures.  

     If you really just want me to help with some input here, the more complicated answer has a few parts.  

1. Avoid colors that outright clash.  
2. Avoid too many busy patterns - one of you wearing a pattern is okay and can even bring interest, but not everybody.  
3. Avoid everyone wearing different shades of the same color with no other colors - the images will look really flat and difficult to pop when I process them.  
4. Color combinations that work stem from choosing an outfit with a few colors in it and pulling those colors into the outfits of other family members.  
5. Seriously the most important thing you can do is choose outfits that make you feel comfortable.  If no one matches at all, it will be better than too much matching.