What if I’m realllllly not photogenic?

Respectfully, yes you are. It’s not you, it’s the photographer. You deserve a skilled person behind the lens to capture your best everything. We live in a time when we are bombarded with tons images of ourselves from folks who (while well-intentioned) don't necessarily know how to factor in all the things. Not too long ago we had to be choosier with our camera snaps and wait weeks to see how they turned out. Imagine!

But the truth is most of us don’t cut our own hair or clean our own teeth; some things are just better left to the professionals. It's my job to deliver a beautifully curated gallery of your top images. I’m able to do that because of all the years (and generations!) of training I’ve had, the professional equipment (Canon 5D mark iv’s for the gear heads!) I use, and the use of fancy software to make every single image stunning. I promise you’ll have a different relationship to this concept of "being photogenic” after we work together.

Ok, ok -- but I'm sure it matters what I wear right??

YES.  Now, I know this can be stressful (and if you're like me -- the LAST thing that comes naturally) but a little planning goes a long way.  The thing about clothes is we want to pick them so they don't distract too much, unless fashion is a big part of your world… in that case; distract, baby!   

Generally….

• Solid colors and dark shoes -- this is purely to keep attention on your gorgeous face

• "Structured" clothes instead of very soft cotton. Super soft cotton is great in real life and feels good, but in photos it shows every little line, bra, undergarment, etc. Thicker material usually gives a little more shape and is a little more timeless.

• Stay within the same color scheme but not matchy-matchy. Check out my family page for inspo.

• For headshots and personal photo sessions bring multiple outfits that we can pick together. Having a few different looks will serve you in ways you never even knew you needed! Most clients use their images for 2 years before needing to refresh!

What about hair & makeup??

This is a total judgment call -- but I will say that no one ever regretted it! There's a reason folks do this in the movies and for modeling -- it brings out our best angles, evens our skin tones, and generally eases our anxieties leading up to the photoshoot as one less thing to think about. There's a way to do it and keep it very natural, and there’s a way to dial it UP and have fun with it!

Not sure where to start with that?? I am connected to a huge network of professionals and we can hook you up!

How many photos do I get, how long does it take, and how do I get them??

All photos arrive in a private online gallery that you can download directly from.  Timing and # of photos can vary but here are some approximations:

- Portrait Sessions (Personal, family, engagement): 30-50 images within 2 weeks

- Events: About 100 images per hour of coverage, sneak peak(s) within 24 hours, whole gallery 2 weeks

- Weddings: About 100 images per hour of coverage, at least 1 beautiful image within 24 hours, sneak peak gallery of 25 images within 2 weeks, whole gallery 4-6 weeks

Can I get the original files along with the final ones?

This is rarely (if ever) a practice with professional photographers, because the images you receive are all individual pieces of art that have gone through many processes by the time you see them. An analogy I like is to think of each image as a final painting. Passing along those sketches could enable someone to make an entirely different piece of art and make it theirs. There would likely be substantial additional cost and stipulations about what was and wasn’t allowed with possession of those sketches. Original photo files are the same. Not saying it’s NEVER happened, but it requires a bigger convo (and contract, and budget) to make sure everyone understands what it means.