FAQs
What kind of equipment do you use?
I shoot with a Canon 5D and my favorite lens is my 50 mm/1.2. I have a flash, but I rarely use it because I prefer natural light.
Where are you based and do you travel?
I live and work in Richmond, Virginia. I am willing to travel up to 20 miles from 23229 for photo sessions. Some of my favorite places to meet families for photos include the University of Richmond, Tuckahoe Creek Park, Midlothian Mines Park, VMFA, Tredegar, and the Fan. Some locations, such as Tuckahoe Plantation or Lewis Ginter, require an additional fee or an appointment with their site coordinator, but I am happy to set this up for you. I will charge a travel fee should your project require me to drive outside of the Richmond area.
What is the best time of day for a photo session?
I strongly prefer to photograph families in the morning and the evening, within two hours of sunrise or sunset. It's the most flattering light for portraits and literally any spot can be photogenic. Shooting in the middle of the day, under bright direct sunlight is the most challenging. "Golden Hour" is just before sunset and is a coveted time for portraits. If you're a family with young kids, however, I encourage you to book a morning session over a sunset photoshoot, since the children will likely be more cooperative during that time of day.
When will we get our photos?
Your will receive an online preview gallery link with all your photos within 1-2 weeks of your session. Once you select your favorites, I will deliver a final gallery of edited images within 2-3 weeks. Fall is my busiest season. You can download all the photos from your final gallery but also share them and order prints or other products.
How many pictures will we receive?
In your final galleries, my clients receive 35 images after a one hour photoshoot and 20 images after a mini session. Additional images are available for purchase at $5 each.
What if we need to reschedule?
If inclement weather prevents us from being able to meet for your photoshoot, I'll contact you within 24 hours to reschedule. If your family is dealing with sickness or something urgent comes up, please let me know as soon as you can and I will happily reschedule. You want every member of your family feeling their best.
What should we wear for a family photoshoot?
Jewel tones and earthy colors photograph best on everyone. I usually encourage moms to choose their outfit first so they feel confident and beautiful. Then mom can select a color scheme based on her outfit and select a few options for kids. Try to mix subtle patterns, solids, and textures for a cohesive look that isn't too matchy matchy. Fathers are usually the easiest to dress and more cooperative than children when it comes to coordinating a family look, so choose their outfit last to bring it all together. The only color I steer people away from is grass green since that color dominates the background of many of my outdoor shoots. I always recommend adding a few accessories like a necklace, nice socks, some bracelets, painted fingernails, a headband, or a hair ribbon, as those details add so much. If the weather is cool, I recommend dressing in layers and bringing a blanket that we can bundle kids up in between shots and use as a base for seated poses.
How do galleries work?
I use Pixieset to organize and share my photo galleries. I send my clients a proof gallery after their shoot and give them time to select favorites for editing. It's easy to tap the heart in the corner of your preferred poses and all you have to do is input your email address so that I know who's marking the favorites. I ask clients to please let me know when they're done selecting their favorites as some people like to look at them over a period of a few days or share with a partner for additional input. After I polish up your selected images, I add a tab for your final photos and provide you with a download pin. You can easily get the full resolution images on your computer or your phone.
