WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PHOTO SESSION When children are involved, there's always the question of the best time for you to schedule your session. For any photo session, there are lots of last minute questions about what to wear, what other items to bring along, and what to expect.  Still, preparing for your portrait session need not be confusing or overwhelming.  Here are some tips for the different sessions you might come to. PRICING & PRODUCTS Please be sure to look through our Pricing page here on the website, to see the full variety of products and services we offer.  There are specials on popular items, and specialty products that you may discover are perfect for gifts and mementos. Please keep in mind that we require a $50.00 deposit in advance before we can release proofs.  Naturally, this deposit goes toward your full purchase, once you have decided on the prints, products, and quantities you want to include in your order.  If you place your order within a week of receiving your proofs, we offer an extra $10.00 off the purchase total. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BEST RESULTS There's no limit to the changes in outfits you bring; however, keep in mind that your photo session lasts two hours.  That time includes not just picture taking, and changing outfits, but also you and I viewing and choosing your favorite shots on the computer. Every photo session is different, just as every child is different.  Keep in mind times of day that are better for your child when you schedule, so as to get the best of his or her personality.  Usually, the younger they are, the shorter the time span we have to capture them at their best. Depending on the weather, we may want to take some shots outside, too. If you are going to be late, or can’t make it to your session, please call so we can adjust if we can, or reschedule your appointment.  Please be aware that if you are late in arriving, you might not get all the time you want or need on that day, since there are typically other appointments immediately following yours.  You may have to come back another time if we go over your allotted time, so as not to run into someone else's scheduled session. You will always have both full body and close up pictures to choose from.  Any of your pictures can easily be changed to black and white, or they can be color enhanced just as easily. They can be cropped to suit you, and we can even switch a couple of heads around between photos to get the very best finished portrait.  We will play with options like these when we view your photos on the computer, as you pick out your favorites.  You will receive a proof sheet to keep once we narrow down your favorite choices during your session. If you have any pictures you have seen somewhere else that suggest a certain theme or pose, please feel free to bring them in. We will do our best to recreate your ideas.  Books and collages are also great ways to get your pictures together in one great place for viewing, so keep that in mind as you put your ideas together. PRENATAL PHOTOGRAPHY For the most pleasing results in maternity photos, we suggest you bring a plain black or plain white blouse or shirt. Or bring both colors. Something simple, that is easily pulled up to show off your beautiful belly. If Daddy is coming, have him wear similar or complementary colors.  Jeans are usually a good choice.  If you have nothing suitable at hand, we have a few choices of things here that you are welcome to use. NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY Newborns are so precious, and so unpredictable.  Since a lot of the shots will be done with the child in the buff, it is best for Mommy and Daddy to bring an extra change of  clothes for themselves, as they may well end up wearing something wet back home otherwise.  You are welcome to bring along any baby outfits you please, but do remember that baby outfits are baggy.  Newborns tend to scrunch down into their outfits, and end up hiding behind their outfit instead of showing themselves.  We recommend as little of this kind of covering up as possible. That way, years from now you'll have a picture of your baby, not just a picture of their cute outfit. A special blanket or toy is always welcome.  Because parents will be holding the baby for many of these shots, we suggest wearing a plain black shirt to pose them against.  Many of these shots, when finalized, will not show the parents, but will be cropped to show the infant’s size compared to the parent's hands.  Newborns are best photographed at two weeks and younger, but we'll get great pictures even if they come in later.  The younger they are, the more moldable and foldable they are, making for some really unique poses.  Newborns can tend to have splotchy and reddish skin tones.  Taking black and white photos of them can help with that. Remember, we offer beautiful personalized  birth announcements as well. AT THREE MONTHS Although better than newborns at showing off clothing, 3 month old babies still photograph better with few or no clothes, so there is no need to stress about finding a perfect outfit.  We tend to cover babies at this age with a bit of blanket or swaddling cloth, so they can keep their diapers on. AT SIX MONTHS By this age, your baby will be sitting up, or close to it.  If he or she isn’t,  it might be best to wait a week or so to schedule your session, and wait for this skill to emerge so that we can capture these very special kind of photos.  At this age, most babies are easy to photograph.  Typically very responsive, all smiles, they can show off their cute outfits, and aren't prone to crawl right out of the picture.  We have several popular posing themes for this age, including the “Blanket Baby,”  “Mommy and Me,”  “Naked Series,” “Flower Pot,” “Chef Baby,” and of course you will probably have your own ideas and favorite outfits as well. Some of your ideas may well require you to bring in your own props to pull them off properly.  Don't hesitate -- I am always up for a new idea. (If you are doing “Mommy and Me”, my suggestion is to  bring in a white tank top or shirt, and blue jeans.) AT NINE MONTHS Jeans or overalls are cute for this age.  I do have some overalls here in the studio, so there's no need to go buy any.  Jeans or some sort of pants are always cute for the “Brief Case Baby” motif for boys.   Bathtub shots are ever popular, as well as letting them explore a roll of tissue paper, and beyond that just any cute outfit they may have.  Parents you may want to wear jeans as well, as it is cute to have them standing in front of your legs, looking back at the camera. AT TWELVE MONTHS First Birthday!  Did someone say “Birthday Cake?”  Yep, we do that classic free for all.  Of course, you are in charge of getting the items.  Requirements for “Birthday Cake” photos are whipped frosting – but please no RED frosting as it does not photograph well – a cake big enough to sit in, a birthday hat, appropriate costume or clothing, and a willing baby.  If you want to  bring balloons, you are welcome to do so.  You will want to bring a couple of towels for clean up, and expect a slightly creamy baby to go home with, especially if they really get into it.  You can only clean up so much without giving them a bath. Another cute motif for this first birthday session is “Tuxedo Man.”  This is a picture in a cute little black and white tux with red bow tie, red rose, and top hat.  They can sit at the piano, and play away!  For girls, we have a pink motorcycle (which can be changed to blue for the boys) a do-rag,  a pair of jeans, a pink tank top, and sunglasses.  If you want to, we can even do the famous (temporary) tattoo!  There are many other props at hand as well to pull off that one in a million photograph.  Close-ups are always a must. AT 18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS By this age, toddlers usually have a mind of their own, and don’t see the need to stand still, or pose for pictures.  Don’t be disappointed if you feel you aren’t getting exactly the shot you are hoping for.  I will do my best to capture that gung-ho personality, even if they are in the middle of running away from the camera.  Some favorite themes are the Fairy, Railroad, and the Cowboy or Cowgirl motifs, and the Motorcycle can still be used at this point if they didn’t do it earlier.  Sometimes it is fun to even repeat the bathtub for the girls as well. AT AGE FOUR & OLDER By this age, kids are growing beyond the props stage, and generally do better just showing off who they are in personality shots.  At this age, they can usually pose on command, take a real interest in getting their picture taken, and deliver some really sweet shots.  If they are in gym, dance, karate or some other sport or activity, then they are welcome to bring their own props, and to show off their new skills.  These types of pictures make for great collages, as they show off different sides of a blossoming character. SENIORS PHOTOGRAPHY Bring it on!  I know you girls have been sitting in front of the mirror for years now, pretending you are that model on TV or in the magazines.  Now is your chance to show off.  Bring along any changes in hairstyle or outfit that you like.  We will try to do both indoor and outdoor pics.  If it is blustery outside, a hat and scarf of some sort is always cute, as well as something fall-like.  Bring your favorite outfits, and we will fit in as many as we can.  If you have a special item that represents you, such as a musical instrument, art work, or a favorite sport you play, bring your things in to show off who you are.  We may spend a little more time with you, as you are only  a senior once!  Senior books are also available, starting at $300.00 FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY Family photo sessions are fun.  Of course, Mom figuring out what everyone is going to wear, and when everyone can make it to the studio at the same time without getting into hungry time is always a challenge.  My job is to take the photo when everyone is looking, and smiling.  That doesn’t always happen.  Fortunately, we have great computer technology here at the studio.  If you are in similar positions, and one person is looking the wrong way or has a “Chandler Bing" smile (from FRIENDS),  chances are we can crop out a head, and replace it with a better one from another photo. Picking out clothes can be tricky. My suggestion is to aim for showing your family's personality through your pictures.  If you are casual, it is best to be that way. Do remember, these pictures will be around forever. Solid colors  are best, as opposed to multiple patterns that take away from the focus.  Some people like all black, or all white with jeans.  Some like to have the parents in one color, the kids in another, or a mixture of several bold colors that work well together.  The possibilities are endless.  Be creative, and if you want to bring a special pet, that is fine too.  Just let me know ahead of time and we will make appropriate arrangements. ORDERING YOUR PRINTS There are a couple of ways to order prints of your pictures.  One is to call and place your order, and the other is to send an email.  Whichever is most convenient for you is fine with me.  When putting together your order, keep in mind that the more you purchase, the less expensive it is per sheet.  You may want to get family and friends to order along with you. When you place your order, be sure to be clear, and specific.  Even though your proof may be in black and white, I may not know or remember that, so please write down your choices when you make them. Include the Picture Number, the Quantity, the Size, and any Special Details (like black and white cropping, or remove blemish, etc).  This will ensure that I get your order correct.  If for some reason I don’t, please know I am more than willing to correct any mistake, and make it right for you. Most orders can be paid upon pickup.  Larger orders, and special orders will require a down payment of half or full depending on the order. Books and collages are also great ways to get your pictures together in one great place for viewing, so keep that in mind as you put your order together. If you are interested in a book, you simply put together the pictures you want, and I will put the book together for a viewing.  We will then sit down to make sure the book is how you want it.  For extra personalized books there is an extra charge. ASSEMBLING A COLLAGE Collages are a great way to compile several pictures into one piece without you ending up with ten framed portraits of the same outfit hanging throughout the house, or having to narrow your choices down to just one photograph from many.  If you do decide to make a collage, best results come from a collection of five to nine pictures in each.  These pictures should be from the same or similar background, and genre.  Having more than one outfit represented can make a collage confusing, and hard to look at.  Emphasizing your favorite picture will help me to make the collage the way you like. The best way to decide on collage size is to consider where you are eventually going to display the finished picture, and choose the print size that best suits that space.  Then review the price sheet to make sure the size fits the price you want to pay.  Indicate your plans in your order, and I will make some examples of the collages for you to review. Block collages show a border around the pictures, while a 'fade' collage removes all lines.  Fades can only be done with 11” x 14” print and larger sizes.  Both block and fade collages are beautiful, and can really show off  individual, and family personalities in a way that single photos alone cannot.