If I add film onto my package, what would that look like?

If you know me, you know I do a straight-up happy dance when clients add film to their packages.

I approach film with a few different cameras, a few different film stocks, and with an open mind. All of this is dependent on the setting we’re shooting, the lighting, and the session itself. I’m more than happy to talk through preferences with you if you have film preferences, but most clients give creative freedom and allow me to shoot as I see fit throughout our session.

I always say-digital is the “story”, film is the “feeling. I use a few different formats for shooting film including 35mm and 600 Polaroid film. All film shot will be developed, digitalized, and added to your digital gallery. All Polaroids taken will be scanned, and physical copies will be mailed home to you!

I booked a newborn session, do you bring props or is that something I need?

Great question! I have a basket, a baby cushion prop, and a few blanket options for the basket that I bring! Over the years of photographing newborns, I’ve found some parents prefer to use their own swaddles/blankets, and some use a combination of my props and theirs! If you want any specific props, feel free to have those ready and we can absolutely incorporate those into our session!

I want to book a newborn session, however I’m not sure when baby is going to arrive. How do I go about scheduling in advance?

Babies come on their own time! It can be hard to plan and prep before knowing exactly what date your new little bundle will arrive.

When booking a newborn session, I book mamas by their due date! We’ll initially schedule your due date as your session date to get you on my calendar. Once baby has arrived and you’re both feeling good and taking in that newborn bliss, I ask that you reach out to me to let me know baby has arrived. At that time, we will chat about a date and time that works for everyone!

There are a lot of instances where close to nothing goes as planned when it comes to babies and deliveries. Some babies come early or late, and sometimes families can be dealing with unexpected hospital stays for mom or baby. I’ve found having mamas reach out to me once their settled works out really well for planning!

I’d like to schedule a maternity session, how many weeks should I be?

It’s completely up to you when it comes to scheduling and timing of our session! I recommend securing a date as soon as possible due to our schedule filling months in advance. Generally speaking, I usually recommend maternity sessions to be scheduled between 28-33-ish weeks! I find by this time most mommas are bumpin’, but not to the point where it’s super uncomfortable or there’s a ton of swelling! Of course, everyone’s a little bit different with different preferences- I’ve photographed mommas as early as 25 weeks and as far as along as 38 weeks so it’s totally your call!

I have an outdoor session scheduled and the weather is looking less than ideal. Are we able to reschedule? What are your reschedule policies?

Yes! I want these photos to be everything you envisioned! I am absolutely fine rescheduling due to circumstances outside of our control! If you need to reschedule for personal reasons, I allow 1 reschedule, and any reschedule after that point will incur a non-refundable reschedule fee of $50. Please note, all retainers are non-refundable.

I’m nervous that my kids won’t cooperate, how do you ensure you get the shots you need?

As a mom of 3 girls myself (and an absolutely wild Golden Retriever, LOL), I know how it can be. It can feel chaotic and out of control, but rest assured, all will be well. ‘

The best advice I can give is to let go. When all else is failing, and the kids are crying, or misbehaving, laugh it off. There are many times I’m capturing a wild toddler throwing a tantrum and you’d never know it because mom’s facial expression is relaxed and the baby’s back is towards the camera.

I try to incorporate a lot of movement, activities, music, and activities to let everyone loosen up. The first few minutes will likely consist of them warming up to me, but usually most kiddos warm up and are excited by doing different activities! I also know how to be a fly on the wall and direct from afar with kiddos who are experiencing the stranger-danger phase and want me nowhere near them!

How will I receive my final gallery?

We utilize Pixieset which allows us to provide our clients with digital galleries. I love Pixieset not only for their quality digital gallery options but for their print shop!

Every gallery has access to its own professional print shop! Ordering from your print shop is the easiest thing ever (you can browse by clicking the cart at the top of your gallery), and the prints are absolutely impeccable quality.

Unless you order specific prints as an add-on, or Polaroids as part of our session, all photos will be sent via this digital gallery.

If you ordered prints or Polaroids, they will be mailed home to you once finalized after our session!

How long is my digital gallery active for?

One of the most important takeaways from this - BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS!!

Your digital gallery will be active for 60 days after delivery. Hopefully this will give you enough time to download your whole gallery (YES- your whole gallery!!!) and save them to your computer or a USB drive!

I recommend saving all of your photos in 2 different locations for safe keeping. Photos are not cheap, more importantly, you’ll never be able to recreate something like maternity or newborn photos if you lose them!

Some good options for saving and keeping your photos safe: -USB drive -External hard drive -Your computer’s drive -Cloud storage of some kind.

I want to shoot indoors, however I don’t want to shoot at our residence. Do you have options for indoor locations?

We do offer an option for studio sessions!

We utilize 2 different studios for studio sessions - Studio Manor (in Dormont) and Studio 1933 (in Crafton).

I generally send my clients information on both studios and let them decide which they prefer. Both are amazing locations with lots of natural light!

There are additional studio fees that are included when moving forward with a studio session and that fee will depend on which studio is chosen. If you’d like to move forward with a studio session, I will book our studio for us, and the studio fee along with retainer payment is due at the time of booking. No studio will be reserved without a signed contract, paid retainer, and paid studio fee.

I’m ready to book! What are my next steps?

Let’s do it! I am so excited to capture your moments. To officially reserve and book your date, a signed contract is required, along with your non-refundable retainer payment. Once you communicate you are ready to book, the process will look like this:

1. You will receive our contract to be signed.

2. You will receive an additional email with our invoice and payment instructions for retainer and remaining balance.

3. After you’ve completed your contract and retainer payment, you are officially booked!