Which Session is Right for Me?
Choosing which session option is best for you depends a lot on who is being photographed as well as what you would like to achieve with your session. The petite session is ideal for families with older children, couples, or those sessions where you just want a few photos to document a special milestone. You would be surprised at how much can be achieved in 30 minutes. This gets a bit tricky when small children are involved. As any parent knows, children’s moods and temperaments can be unpredictable at best. :) You know your child’s personality best. If you have multiple small children, a child who might take a while to warm up to the camera, or children with short attention spans who are going to need little breaks here and there, then I don’t advise choosing a petite session. Family photos can already feel stressful for parents.  Feeling rushed is not something you want to add to the experience. When parents are stressed or frustrated, your children will sense it and act accordingly.   In those scenarios it makes it so much more difficult to capture those sweet emotions and connections that I strive to capture with family sessions. I want to make sure we have the time to not only document the smiles but also capture your family just being together and loving on each other.

*Please note that if choosing a petite session, these are only available on select weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and the location will be a nature focused setting chosen by me. I will only be booking a certain number of these a month, so it is best to book in advance if you know you are wanting a petite session. 


What are my options for newborn sessions?
Newborn sessions can choose between the classic or the signature session.  If you are expecting, please contact me by filling out my contact form so that I can send you my newborn welcome guide, complete with all the information regarding newborn sessions. This will help you decide what option would be best for your needs!  I also provide a variety of first year packages for newborn clients as well. 


Do you offer in home newborn sessions?
I do! If you are hoping to have me come to your home to capture newborn pictures, this would fall under the Classic Session category. These sessions are less posed and more focused on parents and siblings holding and loving on the newest little addition to your family.  You will find more info about in home sessions in the newborn welcome guide. 


What does it mean when you say styling assistance is provided?
Your wardrobe for your photo session makes such a huge impact on how your images turn out. I know that finding and coordinating outfits can often be overwhelming. After your session retainer is paid and contract is signed, you will receive a style guide from me and access to an interactive, online styling service for your session. This service is provided to all of my clients, no matter what type of session we are shooting together. 

Style and Select is an interactive styling website designed by photographers with specially selected clothing items that are known to photograph and coordinate beautifully. You start by filling out a questionnaire for who is being photographed, ages, sizes, gender, desired color scheme, and style of clothing you are going for. It will curate a list of items that you can mix and match together to help you visualize what goes well together. This visual tool can help you pull basics from your own closet, or can be used as a guide when shopping locally.   If you find something you absolutely love everything on the site is linked to the website from which you can purchase the item.  Save your results and email them to yourself for inspiration when pulling together outfits for your session. 


What is your client closet?
I have curated my own client closet full of items that my clients can wear for their photo sessions with me. I have over 30 women’s full length gowns in different sizes and colors for women to wear in their sessions if it fits their vision. I also have a variety of newborn - 1 year clothing options and have been adding little girl dresses up to size 10 as well.  I have a gallery full of my client closet pieces for you to look at. This will be sent to you with your style guide after your session is booked. All of my client closet pieces are loaded into the Style and Select styling website as well, so you will see my available items show up in your results when using Style and Select!


Where will we take the pictures?

If you choose an outdoor petite session, I will choose the location for the shoot.  These sessions will be shot in a nature setting in the Independence, Blue Springs, or Lee’s Summit areas.  I will let you know the week before your session where we will plan to take the photos as the scenery can be so different depending on the time of the year. Because petite sessions are only 30 minutes long I want to make sure we are shooting at a location that I am familiar with, can anticipate what the light will do, and have shot at before so I can maximize our time together.

For those choosing a classic or signature session, you have the freedom to choose the location. I provide a gallery full of location ideas for you in your styling and planning guide to help if you are needing suggestions. 


*Please note that some popular locations around the KC area do require a permit to be secured in advance. I am happy to set these up for us, but if choosing a location that requires a permit, the additional fee will be the responsibility of the client and will be applied to your final invoice. 


When will we receive our images?
I strive to get your photos back to you as soon as I possibly can because I know you are excited to see them! You can expect my turnaround time to be around 1 to 2 weeks.  During peak busy seasons it will likely be closer to the 2 week timeframe.  I put a lot of time and love into editing the images from your session making sure that your images are consistent throughout your entire gallery. 


How do we receive our images?
Your images will be delivered and showcased through a beautiful, high resolution, downloadable, online gallery.  Depending on what session you booked, you will receive a certain number of digital downloads that come with your session. 

Petite - 15 high resolution downloads
Classic - 25 high resolution downloads
Signature - 35 high resolution downloads

I will edit each image for color corrections, consistency, and will apply gentle skin smoothing before uploading to your gallery. Upon receiving your gallery, you will see my logo watermarked across your images and I will provide directions for how to make your final selections.  At that time you have the chance to let me know if there are any minor retouches that need to be done to your final selections.  Basic retouching can include: removal of small flyaways, drippy noses on the little ones, perfecting newborn skin, and clearing up blemishes.  This type of basic retouching on your final selections is included in your session fee. Once your images are completed, I will then add your final selections to your gallery in both color and black and white with the watermark removed for you to download. 


Will you do photoshop work on my images? 
Your session fee does not include extensive photoshop work. This is why wardrobe is so crucial in making sure you choose clothing that flatters you to look and feel your best in your photos. I do not alter your appearance or remove/add items to your photos. Photoshop requests can be made, but these images are often outsourced by me and will include an additional fee per image. 


What if I want to download all of the photos from our session? 
You always have the option to purchase additional digital downloads, tangible products from your gallery store, or if you love them all and can’t choose, you can even upgrade your gallery for an additional fee to include all of the digital downloads.  The cost for upgrading your gallery to include all of your digital images is $100.  Individual downloads are available for $15 a piece. 


What can we get with our $50 print credit? 
Your gallery is directly linked to my online store.  From your gallery you can order a variety of professional quality prints, canvases, greeting cards, photo albums, print boxes, USB drives and more.  Your $50 print credit can be used on any tangible print products I provide.  The only thing that you can not apply the print credit towards is purchasing additional digital files or gift card purchases. You will have one month after your final gallery is delivered to use this print credit before it expires. Clients who choose a baby plan with me can save up their print credits to use all at once at the end of their baby plan. 


What if we don’t want the print credit? Can we just have that amount discounted from our session? 
Unfortunately, no. This print credit is complimentary to all clients who book a session with me.   My biggest desire is for your images to be displayed in your home and I want you to see the quality that professional prints provide.  You invest so much into professional photography and I want your photos to be displayed just as beautifully.  If you choose not to use your print credit, your session fee will not be altered. 


Do you photograph extended families?
I do! My regular sessions include one family unit.  Sessions involving extended family are an additional fee of $100.


Do you travel for sessions? 
I do travel for sessions. Travel rates will be applied if your session is further than my 25 mile radius of Independence, MO (64055). Please contact me directly to discuss your options and I can create a custom quote for you.

 
What if I need to reschedule?
I am a mom of 3.  I completely understand that life happens.  If you need to reschedule your session, I ask you to please just give me as much notice as possible.  Your session deposit can still be applied to your rescheduled session as long as the session takes place within 6 months of the originally scheduled session. 


What if the weather is bad the day of our session? 
My goal is for you to end up with beautiful images that you love, so if I know that the weather is going to prevent us from achieving that, I will always give you the option to reschedule.  If I can tell that we might be in for a rainy day, muddy conditions, or really strong wind,  I will reach out to you and discuss our options for your session. 


I can’t wait! How do I book my session? 
Yay! I am so excited to work with you! Let me know you are ready to book and I will send you a link to my calendar so that you can reserve your session.   I will also send you a contract and invoice for your non-refundable retainer of $100.  Once these two items are completed, your session date is officially booked. The remaining balance for your session is due the day of your session.