What does the session fee include?

I am an all inclusive photographer. This means the session fee covers my time to capture and edit your photos, and return them to you quickly. You will also receive access to all images via high-resolution digital download! Prints and fine art, such as metal prints and canvas are available to purchase once your gallery is ready to view, usually within one to two weeks.

I only need digital images so I can print them myself. Is that okay?

Absolutely! Once your gallery is ready, you’ll receive an email to view your images. From there, you can decide if you would like to download the digital images individually, as a gallery, or simply order PRINTS directly from your gallery. Downloading digital images allows you the convenience to instantly share the images you are most proud of with your family and friends via social media or email. You may also choose to take these images to your own lab for photo processing.

However, I strongly encourage my customers to consider ordering PRINTS directly from their online gallery, as the print quality in the images from my professional lab is incomparable to most outside labs. I also discourage my clients to take their images to pharmacy photo labs for processing. These labs tend to offer lower quality photo processing, and your photos can appear oversaturated in oranges and yellows. This type of photo processing is not representative of my work.

If you are to invest in the TIME of taking your photos, please consider investing in the ART you will hang on the walls of your home for years to come!

How much can I expect to spend on my photo products?

It depends on what you decide to do with your final images and how you intend to display them. Each family is different and spends differently. My clients spend anything from $200 to $1,500 and beyond on prints and products.

As you first view your new gallery, you may find you love one photo more than another, but then find yet another photo you love and you just have to have it. What I suggest is to keep in mind the importance of capturing these special moments, and how quickly time passes. Many families budget in annual photos every year to capture the growth of their children and their changing families. I can ensure the photos you purchase will truly be a precious investment you are proud to share with others. I take great care to deliver only exceptional images for all my clients!

What’s your photography style?

I specialize in Lifestyle Photography, and I understand and appreciate how LIGHT is the foundation for all things photography. Depending on the location, I may bring along a strobe or two on my shoots, along with various modifiers to achieve the desired look for my photos. I began as a natural light photographer, but as I continue to study and understand light, I have learned how to achieve a natural light look with the use of strobes.

I exclusively focus on families, newborns, and graduating high school Seniors. I mostly shoot photos outdoors, as I started out as a landscape photographer, and fell into portraiture quite by accident. I took a photo of my youngest daughter, Sarah, age 5 at the time, jumping in a field at a location of Stallion Springs known as “The Bench,” and entered it into a local photo contest. I won first place in the Portrait category, and TO MY COMPLETE SURPRISE, the photo also won Best In Show among all photos entered. This was in 2015. Since then, I fell in love with the style of marrying landscape with portraiture. I also enjoy using a variety of background textures in my work, which you may notice in my work on this site. Many of my clients come to me for this type of look. However, I do also take photographs indoors, especially for families with young babies. If you are looking for some indoor shots, I will happily come to your home where we can take some more posed images and then move on to an outdoor location for a completely different look. If this is something that interests you, please let me know.

Do you do newborn photography?

Yes! I now offer in home newborn lifestyle sessions. This has quickly become one of my favorite types of sessions, because these beautiful families are allowing me into their homes to document such an intimate time in their lives. These sessions last one to two hours, as we go with the speed of the newborn. I usually do these sessions mid-morning for the best light, but also because this is the time of day when baby is less fussy. I do not bring props or place baby in awkward poses. Baby is perfect just as they are. No props are needed. When I arrive at your home, I’ll have you give me a tour so I can find the room with the best natural light. This is often in the master bedroom, and sometimes in the nursery. All I need is one good window. Nothing else.

What happens if the weather is bad?

It would be great if we could order the weather, right?!

As long as it is dry, we can go out. If it is cold, we can bundle up! However, heavy rain, high winds, thick fog all put a stop to an outdoor shoot unfortunately.

I will keep an eye on the weather forecast before our shoot. If it is looking very bad, I will be in touch with you first thing in the morning to discuss other options. This may mean changing the time of the shoot or rescheduling for another suitable day.

Where will we go for our outdoor shoot?

After you book your session, you will complete a questionnaire where you can select an ideal location for you and your family. This may be a local park, urban area in the city, family farm or ranch, such as a location only you have rights or access to, etc. A specific location like that may make your photos that much more special and meaningful. If it’s a personal family location, I may request to visit it prior to the shoot so I can plan the session better. I have locations in Bakersfield and outlying areas I can suggest for different seasons of the year. Some suggestions may be different than you were thinking…such as Vasquez Rocks, or the Mojave Desert. I am also open to traveling to the beach for a shoot. Please note, travel fees apply to any location outside of Bakersfield. Fees vary upon location and are charged at a rate of $1/each mile. (For example, 50 miles outside of 93312 would be invoiced at $50, etc.)

What if my children misbehave and carry on during the shoot?

I fully expect them to! I love a bit of mischief during a shoot and often get some good shots while this is going on. Please don’t worry about it. Believe me when I say, I know what it is like! I have children of my own, all girls in a blended family, of varying ages. Some love the camera and ham it up, and some look the other way when the shutter is clicking. Trust me to take control of the shoot! I have seen so many adorable photos of little ones with eyes looking to the side instead of toward the lens, and I cannot tell you just how PRICELESS they are! Remember that our children usually tend to behave better for others, right? So let me deal with as much as possible and you will probably find your kiddos will pay more attention. As a parent, I know it can be hard to bite your tongue and step back in these situations but it is harder to capture great images when parents are angry and children are upset. So let me take the pressure off you. I have a few tricks up my sleeve by now!

Do you fix things like acne on teenagers?

Absolutely! Carefully editing each selected image is all part of the service, so there is no need to worry about getting a break-out on the day of your shoot!

I only want one photograph taken. Can you do this?

I take lots of photographs of everyone individually, in different combinations and in lots of different ways. Often the best shots are taken in the last half hour of the shoot when everyone is relaxed and having fun. The result is a ‘story’ and a true representation of your family. Taking one photograph just would not give you the best of my work. Please feel free to refer to my pricing packages to give you a better feel for what I offer. Thank you for understanding!

Why can’t I see all the images from our shoot?

Quite simply, you would not want to! For every great shot, there are plenty of blinks, grimaces and strange facial expressions. I only want to show you the best and ask you to trust me to carefully select these.

I don’t like getting my photograph taken. Can we just do a photoshoot of the kids?

Of course, this is no problem! I love to get parents involved, but this doesn’t always happen.

Do think carefully about it though. Perhaps you feel you are not photogenic or that photographs draw attention to your insecurities. However, remember your kids don’t care about any of these things and without exaggerating, images with their parents will be one of the most important things they have in the future. I bet you wish you had more with your own parents…Please TRUST ME to pose you in a way that will flatter you, giving you photos you will not just LIKE, but will LOVE!

How long after our shoot will the images be ready?

I know you will be excited to see your images which is why I aim for a QUICK turnaround. Your images will be ready for you to view within TWO WEEKS…sometimes sooner!

How do we see our images when they are finished?

I love showing your images to you! I may post a sneak peak via my social media pages on Facebook or Instagram within a few days. When your images are ready, you will receive an email to view your entire gallery. From there, you can purchase your prints and canvas from your gallery or download your free digital files.

Can I share the cost and invite extended family along?

Of course! Please be sure to book the “Extended Family” session. Many families decide to arrange a shoot along with their parents and/or siblings, nieces and nephews. This is the purpose of the “Extended Family” shoot. I will happily take individual and group shots and make arrangements to email each family their own gallery. Please arrange to gather the email addresses of each person “in charge” of the ordering for each family from the Extended Family shoot. This is how everyone will receive their individual invitation to view their own gallery.

We can only be available for a shoot on a weekend but you only seem to have weekday availability?

Weekend slots are snapped up very quickly and quite far in advance, meaning many families opt for weekday slots. I encourage you to think of your shoot like any other weekday appointment a few hours off work and/or school. After all, it’s a special occasion!

During the Summer months, an early evening shoot is possible duing to the lighter nights. The light can truly be gorgeous at this time, and these often are my favorite shoots!

During the rest of the year, shoots must take place earlier in the day to maximize available light.

How do I book?

If you have decided to go ahead and book a photo shoot with me - GREAT! All you need to do is book through my pricing page. I will do the rest. Don’t put it off. Get in touch and let’s start planning your shoot. I’m looking forward to working with you!