Portrait Photography FAQ

FIFTH AND CHESTNUT PHOTO CO. PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY FAQ

I put this FAQ together to prepare my clients and clients-to-be for a portrait session with me. I have tried to answer the common questions I receive (and some not-so-common). I know that choosing me as your Reno family photographer isn’t a decision you take lightly – if you are reading this, I know that you are looking for the best of the best and you love my work. That’s why I want to educate my clients and potential clients about the Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. experience.

Session Information
My portrait sessions are made up of two parts:
1) A session fee that covers my creative camera time & culling, editing, preparing your images for viewing and other behind-the-scenes stuff I do for your session.
2) A $249 minimum product order (pre-tax) (or $449 depending on session type) at an in-person ordering appointment (or via the online gallery for non-local clients) per session. If you book my Milestone Baby Program or a maternity/newborn bundle, you have a $249 minimum purchase to make for each photo session in your program/bundle. Although I allow you to use images from multiple sessions in an album, images from multiple sessions can not be combined into one digital purchase.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

How would you describe your style?
I describe my style as authentic and heartfelt. I don’t use trendy filters in my editing process, nor do I fall into the hype of other trends because your photos should stand up to the test of time. Over the years, I have developed my own unique editing process to give my images the look and feel that they have.

What kind of investment should we be prepared for?
I offer three product collections per session type, starting at $249. I also have an extensive a la carte menu and added discounts to families who purchase a collection. Most families invest $729 or more in their photo products and display items. Some go all out and purchase my collections that are $1299+. Very few families invest only the $249 minimum. 

Ordering Appointment
If you live in the Reno/Sparks area – your ordering appointment is a required part of the photography process. If you aren’t a local, I make ordering via my online gallery easy! My goal is for you to display your portraits in your home via wall displays or albums (or other photo products) and this ordering appointment is pivotal in achieving that goal.

Digital Images
At the time of writing this FAQ (9/27/18), the download of all the hi-res digital images on my a la carte menu is priced at $499. Singular digital images may be purchased individually at $39/ea a la carte. My goal is always to create professionally produced photographic products for you, and although I love digital images for sharing with friends and family (and for long term safe-keeping) – they most often get stuck on a hard drive or lost when you get a new computer and forgotten. I am very passionate about providing prints, canvases and other physical photographic display items!

Will you travel for my session?
I am happy to travel around northern Nevada & northern California for an additional fee of $50 per 50 miles outside of Reno/Sparks.

Can we book you for more than 1 hour?
Yes, and in fact, I recommend that family groups of more than 6 people book a 2 hour shoot. I also recommend more time if you want more than one outfit. I can shoot for a max of 2 hours for a portrait session.

What if our session is going over time?
I don’t necessarily keep my eye on my watch, but I tend to know when our time is almost up, and I will check to see how we’re doing so that our session ends on time. I don’t want to keep my clients from the rest of their day’s plans by shooting past what has been discussed, and I often have other commitments to attend to.

Can we wear more than one outfit?
In a one hour session, I recommend one outfit for families. Individual subjects can safely get away with two outfits in one hour (high school seniors, baby’s one year session etc). Outfit changes (especially for an entire family) take a considerable amount of time away from shooting time, which seriously impacts your photo results. If you would like more than one outfit for your family, I’m happy to schedule a 2-hour shoot to accommodate that! And if you’d like to change into your clothes once you arrive at the location (rather than wrinkle them during the car ride), plan accordingly and arrive 10-15 minutes early to get dressed and ready.

Speaking of outfits, what should we wear and bring to our session?
I have this whole blog post dedicated to answering this question about wardrobe and props! 

Can you shoot in a certain style that I want or use a certain backdrop at a location?
I trust that you have looked through my portfolio and have chosen me as your photographer because you like what you saw! I use soft, natural light and backlighting techniques to get the beautiful portraits shown in my portfolio. I photograph my clients within certain landscapes at specific directions because I am looking at the LIGHT. I can’t control the light (sun), but I can control where I place you! Occasionally I will take photos in the bright sun, but it’s not often and I usually reserve that for candid shots. If you are wanting something that you don’t see in my portfolio, I encourage you to discuss what you’re looking for before selecting me. You get the best portraits when you trust my locations, backdrops, poses and methods.

Can you photograph us in front of Lake Tahoe?
Everyone loves Lake Tahoe. It’s a fact! But if you’re more interested in getting that beautiful blue lake & mountainous skyline with blue sky above it in the background than you are in having soft, beautiful light on your family’s faces, that’s just not the type of photos I offer. I am a natural light photographer (meaning – I don’t bring off-camera lighting with me to my shoots), and simply can’t get that gorgeous blue lake & sky in all it’s glory unless I photograph you with your face TO the sun. That means squinty/unpleasant expressions and sometimes drips of sweat running down cheeks. It’s not my style. I will happily photograph you walking down the beach candidly and get some beautiful lake scenery that way…but I am not a fan of photographing people looking into the sun. It’s not even possible at every location. Some spots are just not situated appropriately to get the pristine Tahoe blue background – there may be shadows caused by mountains or trees in the way, or we just can’t physically shoot in the proper direction due to the shoreline. Although a beautiful landscape can be part of your family portrait (and the Tahoe examples in my portfolio ARE gorgeous the way I shoot them), it is not the focus.

Can I give you a shot list from Pinterest? I really love some images I found there.

I don’t accept shot lists of any kind other than your specific portrait grouping requests such as Kid 1 solo, Kid 2 solo, Kid 1 & 2 together etc (which I honestly don’t need because I will get those shots anyway). Pinterest is a fun tool for planning your session wardrobe and props, but asking me to recreate a shot by another photographer is asking me to copy someone else (aka copyright infringement – yikes). Also, I can’t recreate things like the time of day in which a photo was taken, or a particular landscape that just doesn’t exist at your chosen location. If I attempt to recreate something purposely, you may be disappointed – and I aim to take your breath away with unique imagery. I will photograph you in a way that is true to my artistic vision and style. I enjoy working with families who completely trust me to create amazing images that are authentic to their individual family dynamic. That level of trust is paramount in our relationship.

What happens if my family is late to the session?
Sessions are cut short when clients are late. I totally feel for families who run behind due to extra diaper changes, spills on outfits or naps running off-course (been there!!!) – however, I can not extend the session time. Sessions are scheduled at the perfect time of day to achieve my style of portraiture…and when the light goes away, there is no bringing it back! And of course I also have a schedule of my own at play. PS. Do bring an extra set of clothes & shoes for your kids (and maybe even you) because they could come in handy.

What if the forecast calls for rain/snow?
My inclement weather procedure is to wait until the day of our scheduled shoot to see how the area’s weather is doing about 3 hours before the session start time (our weather in Northern Nevada can be unpredictable despite the forecasts). If anyone in your group is getting hair/makeup done and 3 hours notice is not enough, please let me know so I can plan for more advanced notice! In the case of rain forecasted, a reschedule is usually needed. In the case of snow, a light snow can be beautiful in photos, so clients have the option to go ahead with a snowy shoot (unless it’s so snowy & wet that my equipment is at risk of damage) or reschedule at a later date. 

THE PHOTOS

When will our photos be ready?
Portrait photos are typically ready to view in 3 weeks. I don’t post “sneak peeks” prior to your ordering appointment. I also don’t send out online galleries to local clients until after your ordering appointment.

Can you rush my images?
Since I am a mom of twins, a toddler and a teenager, I can not rush images at this time. To do so, I would have to miss events or other things that are important to me and my family.

Can we have your RAW images?
I don’t transfer my RAW files under any circumstances. Any outtakes, out of focus images or images I just decide not to include in your collection hit the cutting room floor and are deleted prior to your ordering appointment.

THE BUSINESS

Do  you have proper business credentials and insurance?
You bet I do! Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co is a Limited Liability Company, and I am insured and carry state and city business licenses. I also pay taxes – including the state sales sax that I collect when you make your product purchase. In addition, I carry a Washoe County Parks Permit which gives me permission to photograph you in our lovely local city parks.

Tell us more about you, the woman behind the scenes!
Although I breathe, sweat and bleed (mostly because I’m clumsy and will do almost anything for the perfect shot) for my photography business, I also do all of those things for my beautiful family. My motto is “family is my heart” – which has helped me shape my business into something that brings a work-life-balance to our lives. It offers me flexibility to be with my family at important times, and to spend precious time with my kids…helping them grow and learn. It keeps me passionate about what I do. My photography business is such a personal part of myself that it’s sometimes hard to separate, but I am always striving for the perfect balance between being an artist/entrepreneur with being a great wife and mommy. To that end, my availability is limited, and when you book with me, you have a LOT of my attention because I am not working on 30 other jobs simultaneously. I have a toddler, twin babies and a thirteen-year-old stepson. My husband works for the magnificent City of Sparks, where we also live!

I also have graphic design and illustration skills, and one of my dreams is to write and illustrate a children’s book. My work experience has taken me from political marketing to graphic design to the music industry to the corporate world (phew!!) and now my passion for photography since my graphic design days has taken over my life!

If you have any questions about me or how I can provide an amazing Reno portrait photography experience for you, please get in touch. I want to know you, and I want to create portraits you’ll treasure your whole lifetime!