Frequently Asked Questions

What Geographical areas Do I Serve?

I cover the entire Outer Banks, but I can also travel throughout North Carolina and beyond. Traveling fees apply when outside OBX.

When Should I Book My Session?

As soon as possible. I book 2-4 weeks in advance.

When Should I Book My Maternity Session?

Maternity sessions are best between 32 and 36 weeks.

Where Do Sessions Take Place?

All Sessions take place on location. I can help you pick a great location either at the beach, park, historical site, nature trails or the comfort of your own home. ( update Covid 19 - I will be wearing a face covering while indoors)

Can You Come To My Rental House And Shoot The Family Photos?

Yes. There is a $50 fee added.

How Long Do Sessions Last?

Most family photo sessions last between 45-90 minutes. That is my standard time quote. However, time may need to be adjust depending on the number of children in the group and their age. If I need more time, I may suggest a short break or try to trick the kids into cooperating a bit longer. But if I am happy with what we've got, the kids can call the shots.

When Are the Photo Sessions held?

That depends on the time of year. In the summer months, I offer a morning and a late afternoon session. The morning session is at 7AM and the late afternoon/evening session is from 6PM to 7PM or 7PM to 8PM.The morning session usually has calmer winds and less likelihood of thunderstorms but it will get hot faster. The evening session has better light and is usually cooler but can be windy or threatened by occasional thunderstorms. 

We are looking for a mixture of candid and posed family photos. Can you do both?

Always! I always try to capture candid images, but posed family photographs where everyone  is smiling and looking at the camera are also treasured keepsakes.

How Should a Family Prepare For a Photoshoot?

Prepare the kids. Depending on their age, they may have some poses they are excited to try, e.g. "one of me on Daddy's shoulders".  Tell your family about the upcoming photoshoot and get them excited. A family photoshoot is another opportunity to spend time together as a family.  Make sure everyone is well fed and rested. You can bring some quick and easy to eat snacks. Feeling cheerful goes a long way in a photo shoot. Plan ahead your wardrobe. You should always wear something comfortable so you can relax and be yourself in front of the camera. For helpful tips and ideas for deciding what to wear, check out my "What to Wear" info.

What to Wear

Neutral, coordinating colors work best. Try not to match! Mix colors that go well together but are not exactly the same. If you choose pastels, than make sure everyone is wearing light colors. if you go with navy or darker colors, then everyone needs to wear darker colors. If you choose patterns, go for smaller ones that do not distract attention from main subject/s. Avoid stripes or large patterns. Fitted clothes will always look better than loose clothing. Avoid logos or graphics. ( Beach locations- best to wear clothing that cover. Tan lines and bare shoulders will stand out. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Dresses and skirts are welcome but you will be sitting down on the sand so make sure they cover the essentials. It may be windy so keep that in mind when you style your hair. You can pull it up, braid it, use an up do or just accept the natural look of windswept hair!  If you wear sunglasses, it is best not to wear them during the photoshoot. Keep make up natural and avoid sparkly, glittery shiny oily products. Do not apply suntan lotion just before arrival as it will look greasy and sand will stick to your skin.)  You Are Looking Great! By focusing on cuts that look best on each individual family member, everyone will arrive at your session feeling confident. And when you mix neutral colors you will be sure that your family portrait will still look great 20 years from now.

Can we bring along the family pet?

Sure! Pets are totally family members! Let's just make sure they are groomed, well behaved and on a leash. Bring a few treats or chew toys to be safe.

When will our photos be ready and how many will we receive?

All of my packages include professional editing of all the raw images.  For a mini session,  my standard turn around time is one week. For a full session, my standard turn around is two weeks. Please let me know if you need them sooner. The minimum number of photos you will receive depends on what package you booked. I tend to take a lot of shots during my sessions, so if I have extra photos you will get them all. All photos will also be displayed online under the 'client galleries". I will provide a password to access the page.

What is Your Cancelation Policy?

I know how life works. Sometimes, is the weather that ruins the day, sometimes, we don't feel quite well. I ask that you please let me know at least 48 hrs in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. I also keep a close eye on the weather and will contact you as soon as I am confident the weather will not cooperate and we will need to reschedule.