FAQ
What types of sessions do you offer?
A little bit of everything! Family, baby/kids, events, seniors, engagements, specialties, portraits, weddings and even boudoir.
When will we receive our images?
Regular sessions are delivered within 2 weeks, events are typically 3-4 weeks based on type of event, weddings take more TLC with 6-8 weeks but you will enjoy some sneak peeks as I work. Need your photos done in a specific amount of time? No worries, I offer an expedited delivery so you can get your photos back sooner! Regular Sessions: $75 additional fee for return in 7 days, Small Events: $150 additional fee for return in 10 days, Weddings: $350 additional fee for return in under 4 weeks.
Do you watermark your photos?
Yes, and no. Once you purchase photos, I will release them without a watermark. You may see watermarked images shared on my social media pages.
How will the photos be delivered?
The photos will be delivered to your email with a link to your online gallery. From there, you will be able to download your photos with the pin number provided. You may also request to purchase a flash drive of your photos.
How long do you store my images for?
I store your images on a separate hard drive and they will be there for many years. I ask that when you download your images you also back them up some place in case something happens to my hard drives. Once you have downloaded your gallery, I remove it from my site. Galleries are up for 2-3 weeks to allow you time to get your downloads. Wedding galleries stay up for 4-6 weeks to allow you plenty of time to share.
Do you have a studio?
Not at this time, if called for sometimes I may rent a space but honestly I prefer natural settings more. There are plenty of outdoor locations that are perfect, and you can choose a place, also in home “lifestyle” sessions are very popular now and create beautiful memories of you in your own home. A travel fee is required if the location is over 25 minutes from O'Fallon, IL for regular sessions and 1 hour for weddings.
Can you fix blemishes, dry skin etc.?
Of course! Basic retouch is included in all final images. Such as, lighting, un even skin tone, blemishes/pimples, a stain on a shirt etc. Some sessions such as weddings and newborns are higher cost due to the amount of time editing that goes into getting into more detailed editing for examples new babies may have blotchy, bruised, rashed skin that needs more TLC and wedding formals may have someone with an unwanted pimple, a stain from the day, etc. Regular sessions don't have higher editing cost because they are quicker edits, if you have something specific you want edited or change you can reach out about cost of adding detailed edits to retouch all images you need.
Can I see ALL the images from my session?
Short answer, no.
Long answer: no, because I take A LOT of pictures. I don’t want to miss that perfect moment. So I end up with some out of focus pictures and plenty of bloopers. There are a bunch of duplicate pictures. But I promise I will keep all of the perfect pictures for you to see!
Do I have to pay a deposit and can I get a refund?
Booking deposit: $250 is due at time of booking events, weddings, and some larger packages this will reserve that date and time for you. This amount is applied toward your purchased package price and is refundable unless cancelled in less than 2 weeks' notice. $50 deposit at the time of booking for regular sessions this is applied to your session and is refundable unless cancelled in less than 3 days' notice. *Weather/ or my need to cancel is refundable. You may reschedule your session once with no effect on your deposit. Rescheduling a 2nd time will result in the deposit being non-refundable and you will need to put a new deposit down if you decide to re-book at a later date.
My package only includes a set number of photos, but I'd like more, what do I do?
No worries, you always have the option to buy more.
$5 per extra Image
or
Purchase your full album for 40% off total cost.
Can you talk about your pricing?
Absolutely! The price of sessions and packages are based off many factors. Average amount of time spent at a session or event and editing photos is included. Fee's: I use editing software that is paid for monthly, this website which is a yearly subscription to include plenty of memory storage to be able to share your images easily with you and leave them up to allow you plenty of time to download and share. On top of that I have and will continue to invest in the best gear to give my customers quality photos to look back on for a lifetime. For example, my mirrorless dual slot memory camara allowing me to see in real time what the shot will look like and record to two SD cards in case one is corrupted your images won't be lost! I always have a flash, extra battery's and memory cards on me at events and sessions to ensure everything goes smoothly. In addition, taxes are included in the price so there will be no hidden cost. The only extra cost that can come up are clearly laid out such as adding a 2nd photographer or an extra hour to weddings/events, travel fees past the distance listed in the FAQ above, and purchasing extra images on packages.
I want a unique session or something changed on a package, will you work with me?
Yes! I love doing new and fun shoots and if you follow my page on facebook I sometimes offer mini session discounts and specialty sessions. You can click contact me here on my website and write about what you are looking to get done and I will reach out to help customize a package for you. If you see a package on here that is close to what you were looking for but you prefer to remove or add or have any special accommodations you may need then please reach out. I am here to work with you.
Can you tell me more about your wedding packages?
The wedding packages are for those who want to capture the most important times (ceremony/formals/reception) or the full day including getting ready and maybe even an after party if the venue ends early and you have something set after or using some of that time to cover a few hours on another day such as the rehearsal or shower. Both full coverage packages include a second shooter for part of the day depending on how big your wedding is or how long the day may help in deciding what's right for you. Yes, these packages can be customized to fit your needs and budget. If for example your going non-traditional or your wedding party/guest list is small and you don't feel the need for two photographers or you don't feel you need the max amount of time listed then we can talk about modifying the package to fit your needs and save on cost. If the package includes something you don't need such as engagement photos those can be modified by removing or switching it to a one year anniversary shoot. If you are looking for coverage for an elopement, vow renewal that would be under 3 hours and small, then you can reach out for a customized price, so feel free to reach out with any questions.
I don't want to miss out capturing memories at my wedding but am worried about cost, do you offer any discounts?
I love doing weddings! It's my main focus in my photography journey right now so I am willing to work with you as much as I can. I know from experience how much planning and cost for so many different vendors can be stressful on your mind and bank account so I offer a few things. First for any wedding package the deposit is required then payment plans will be discussed and encouraged! My payment plan is unique as on the packages two larger packages I offer partial payment to be paid AFTER your wedding day within 6-8 weeks. This means besides the sneak peaks and maybe partial album your photos will not be released at the end of my editing timeline until the remaining balance is paid. Your contract will list your deposit and the amount that is due two weeks before the wedding and the remaining balance left to pay before the images are fully released. I find this helps couples who don't want to miss out capturing their day short themselves on photography due to unknown cost at the end of a wedding day for amounts / tips etc. that may still be owed to bar tenders/D.Js/ etc. Second, I offer a small cash discount depending on the package this can save you anywhere from $50-$150. Lastly, as discussed above I am here to work for you, so if you want to take out product offered, time, second photographer etc. I am here to discuss options with you.
What else should I know about booking you for my wedding day?
I used to think wedding photographers and videographers were overpriced until I started doing them myself, first as a second then on my own for very little cost to gain experience. I quickly lost money as I needed to invest in new/better equipment, extra batteries, SD cards and up my subscriptions to increase the memory my editing software and website will hold. The hours and hours I put into editing, plus working the wedding, hiring a 2nd when needed and tax time hitting quickly had me realizing why experienced photographers' prices higher. That being said I still do my best to cover everything at a reasonable cost and understand a photographer is not the only one you're hiring for your day which is why I offer payment plans etc. as stated above. There is no limit to the number of photos your will receive, I go through and only delete out of focus/blurry images and maybe a few with too many duplicates from trying to get that perfect shot. Other than that, every single photo is edited including adding some black and whites because who doesn't love some of those! You get every image uploaded onto your online gallery to save and share with whoever you would like. I also provide a print release; you are not required to get prints or products through me. Larger packages include a photo gift, but the images are yours to print or create anything you want. Most places won't require the release but it's there in case you need it. Booking with me also covers any meet up's/ phone conversations we may have to prepare for your big day, the contract will cover other details such as short breaks needed etc. and a document will be provided for you to fill out that gives me as many details ahead of time to help me be ready with the timeline of the day and a shot list to do our best to capture everything you want. I will also provide you guidance and tips for the ceremony and more to ensure you enjoy looking back at your photos for years to come.