Some days it feels like I get asked the same questions over and over again. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions for photographers from my clients!
What exactly am I getting in my package?
All of my packages include both digitals and some form of printed artwork. You have the option of adding on more on top of the package. I truly believe in displaying artwork in your home. You should enjoy your family portraits every day, and what better way to do that than hanging the printed artwork?
How long does the whole process take and how soon will I have my images back?
After the session, it usually takes me a week to soft proof all the images. Then I put them up in a proofing gallery for you to choose from. Once you’ve selected your artwork, it takes two weeks to enhance all the files, order your printed artwork and deliver it to you. Some printed artwork may take longer and we will discuss that at time of ordering.
Why is it so expensive?
Some clients find family portraiture to be expensive, but they often don’t consider what goes into the business of taking your portraits. With my studio, its more than showing up, snapping a few shots, slapping a preset on the images, and sending it out. There is my time and talent. On average, I spend approximately one hour shooting your session, and then an additional three hours uploading, culling, soft proofing, editing, ordering and delivering prints. Every image you select is fully enhanced in my style. There is a cost associated with my editing software. There is the cost of the product you order, and even if you don’t order product, there is the cost of my gallery delivery software.
Above that, there is the cost of doing business – the overhead the business itself has. Everything from website costs, scheduling and customer relationship management software, business license, business insurance, backup drives, memory cards, the computer I use, my camera and lenses, studio rentals, taxes, and finally, my own salary. Every business has a cost of doing business and this is all incorporated into the cost of the sessions I shoot.
What products do you offer?
I offer traditional prints, canvas prints and albums.
What all do you edit?
When I enhance your images, I am enhancing the natural beauty that is there. I will adjust for white balance, and exposure. Also, I will remove distracting elements in the background. I will smooth skin if necessary and sharpen eyes. Lastly, I will crop and straighten your images. On occasion, where necessary and I have enough images to work with, I have also performed the odd face switch from image to another, for families where multiple small children won’t all look at my camera at the same time. This is at the client’s request.
Will you get rid of my wrinkles / stomach / double chin / can you slim me down?
No. I usually lighten bags under eyes and reduce wrinkles. I smoothen skin and sharpen eyes. But otherwise, I want my clients to look like themselves. When your children look at these images, they are not going to see those 5 extra pounds you are worried about, or the laugh lines on your face. And when you look back on these portraits in 10 or 20 years, I hope you go “Why was I so hard on myself? I looked pretty damn good!” I will enhance your natural features but I won’t make you look like something you are not.
Can I have just the digitals? Why are they more expensive if I don’t go with a package or order art work?
I want you to have artwork for your home. Digital files can corrupt and eventually be lost. Printed artwork is archival and will last a lifetime with proper care. And with printed artwork, you can see the quality of professional prints compared to a retail shop, who may or may not color correct and the artwork may not look like your digital file. This is why my digital files are considerably more expensive on their own, as opposed to in packages. Also, whenever you purchase a wall sized print (16″ x 20″ or larger) or any album, you automatically receive the corresponding full sized digital with that purchase.
I hope this article helped with your frequently asked questions for photographers. If you’d like to know more, or if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to me here. For now, here are some of my favorite portraits and images I’ve printed over the years or visit my Family gallery for more of my work.
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