RESERVING A SESSION

+ HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK A SESSION?

Two months in advance is ideal to get first choice in dates. If you want your session sooner, I can advise of the remaining dates I have available. If you would like to reserve a newborn session, I only accept 2-3 sessions each month, so reserving in your 2nd trimester is recommended.

+ WHERE IS MY PHOTO SESSION DONE?

I am a both a natural light, on-location photographer and studio photographer. I have an extensive list of beautiful locations in the Los Angeles & Orange County areas for you to choose from. If you have a location in mind, that’s fantastic too! Some clients prefer to be photographed in the comfort of their own home, and I do that as well. I will make any location work and look fabulous on camera.

**Some locations require permits; which will need to be purchased by the client.

+ WHEN CAN WE DO THE SESSION?

I am a full-time photographer, so I am available most weekdays. If you want a weekend session, contact me 2-3 months in advance, as those fill quickly.

+ HOW DO I RESERVE A SESSION?

1. Use my contact form to let me know as much information as possible about your photography needs.
2. I will get back to you within 1 business day and let you know my availability and send you my available packages.
3. Once a date and package is chosen, sign your contract online and pay your deposit. All of this is done online via my online booking system. Easy peasy!

+ I’M A PHONE PERSON, CAN WE FIGURE THINGS OUT OVER THE PHONE?

Yes of course! Call me anytime.

+ WHEN DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY SESSION?

An initial deposit is due to reserve your date. This is paid upon signing your photography contract. Depending on what sort of package you select, the balance is due either on the day of your session for all portrait sessions. For newborn sessions, your balance is due once the final gallery is delivered and you have chosen/built a package.

+ DO YOU HAVE A REFERRAL PROGRAM?

Yes we do! Visit our referral page for all the details!

PHOTO SESSIONS

+ WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE PHOTO SESSION?

Once your session is reserved I will email you a style guide that will give you some advice on attire & props for the session. In addition, I can schedule a style consultation on the phone with you at no extra charge. During that consultation we can go over the location and we can put together a style plan for your session (props, attire, theme etc).

+ SHOULD I GET MY MAKEUP & HAIR DONE FOR MY PHOTO SESSION?

This is optional and depends on your style & budget. Photo sessions are a special occasion, so more than half of my clients get their makeup & hair professionally done for the photo session. If you plan to do your makeup yourself, wear a few shades darker eye & lip color as cameras tend to “wash out” makeup. Please let me know if you would like me to refer you to a hair stylist or makeup artist.

+ WHAT IF I AM LATE TO MY PHOTO SESSION?

I schedule your session based on the best available sunlight. If you arrive late, it may jeopardize the lighting and impact the success of our session. Regardless if our session starts late, the end time will be the same. Do not be late!!

+ MY CHILD DOESN’T BEHAVE FOR PHOTOS. SHOULD I EVEN ATTEMPT A PHOTO SESSION?

Yes of course! If there is an especially challenging camera shy child, I will bring my assistant(s) along with me to the session to help grab their attention and get some laughs. In addition, I bring the “magic bag” to each and every session. This bag holds special prizes for kids who smile! I also bring “Sammy” who is a monkey who helps me take photos. I have a lot of experience in dealing with camera shy, unruly and plain wild kids of all ages. All these services are included in every package.

+ HOW LONG IS THE PHOTO SESSION?

Sessions range from 30 – 90 minutes depending on the package and the kind of session. Newborn sessions are no less than 2-4 hours.

+ DO YOU HAVE A STUDIO?

Not yet… soon! I have access to a couple spaces that I use as a studio until I do get a space. Kiddie cake smashes, makeover/glam sessions, and headshots can all be photographed in this space. I photograph family sessions mainly outdoors to show a diverse collection of poses and backgrounds in a natural setting.

+ DO YOU BLOG EVERY SESSION?

No, I do not. Between having working as a full-time photographer and respecting some of my more private clients’ wishes, only 25% of the sessions I do get blogged. With that said, when you sign your booking contract with me, you’ll be able to specify if you wish to be blogged/featured on social media or not. I respect all my clients’ wishes for privacy 100%.

+ DO YOU OFFER ANY PRODUCTS LIKE PRINTS OR ALBUMS?

Yes, I offer fancy, premium quality albums and wall art that both are guaranteed against fading for 100 years. I source my products from a professional print house that services only professional photographers. My premium flush mount albums are a huge seller, mostly because of the huge variety of color options and great quality. I have a couple samples; let me know if you’d like me to show them to you during your in-person consultation.

NEWBORNS

+ WHEN SHOULD I RESERVE MY SESSION?

I only accept a limited amount of sessions each month, so reserving in your 2nd trimester is recommended. If you procrastinated, contact me asap and I may be able to fit your session in depending on how busy the month is.

+ WHEN ARE NEWBORN SESSIONS DONE?

Newborn sessions are done within the first 7-14 days of life. On average, babies are 1 week at the time of the session. I can photograph your baby in a newborn style for up to 1 month old, but most likely there will be less variety in the photos. As the child gets older, the less they sleep/cooperate during the session. If your baby was born premature, I have experience photographing preemies.

+ WHERE WILL THE NEWBORN SESSION BE?

I’m proud to be one of the only newborn photographers in this area that will give you the choice of location. The session may be In the comfort of your own home OR in my studio space, the choice is yours. If you opt for an in-home session, I will photograph your new arrival in the brightest room of your house. I bring all necessary props, blankets, hats, attire and sets. No need to clean the house up, I only need a small area to work in and I understand how chaotic things are when there is a new baby in the home.

If you live further than 15 miles from Chino, CA and still would like a session, I can come to your home for a small travel fee OR I can offer an in-studio newborn session.

+ WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE SESSION?

If you could time a feeding to occur around the time I arrive (in-home sessions), or after you arrive (for in studio) that would be great! If not, that’s okay too! Have your baby undressed down to his/her diaper, and have them loosely wrapped in a blanket. Have readily available in my workspace a set of diapers, wipes and any other supplies I will need to change the baby. I gladly change diapers throughout the session to ensure baby is comfy at all times.

Try NOT to bathe your baby too often prior to the session. Bathing promotes the peeling of baby’s skin.

I bring all the props, blankets, baskets, wraps and hats for you to choose from. If you would like me to incorporate some of your own pieces into the session, please have those ready for me upon arrival and I will gladly include those in the photos.

+ DO MOMMY & DADDY GET TO BE IN THE PHOTOS TOO?

Yes, of course, siblings too! If you want to include grandma & grandpa, they’re welcome too. During the times your baby is most alert for the session, I will spend that time getting a variety of photos of everyone with baby. Once baby is calm, I need a very quiet, warm (no drafts!) environment to work in. I have a small space heater to ensure a comfy environment for your babe.

+ MAY WE WATCH YOU PHOTOGRAPH OUR BABY?

Yes, of course! I limit the audience two 2 people. I ask that you sit back, relax and watch quietly. Many parents start the session off by watching and then go relax elsewhere…even nap or pump! I believe in a safe, open work environment where the parents can feel like they can watch me work at any time.

+ MAY WE SNAP SOME PHOTOS OF BABY DURING THE SESSION TOO?

Yes, but please keep it to a bare minimum. It is disruptive to my concentration and creativity if I’m constantly being interrupted by someone trying to take a photo from behind me.

+ DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH TWINS?

Yes, of course! An additional charge applies to cover extra edit time, shoot time and an assistant.

WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS

+ DO YOU SHOOT WEDDINGS?

Yes, however I limit my bookings to 10 each year.. I LOVE weddings, but also love my family, and reserve time to spend with them. I do know many wonderful wedding photographers that I can refer you to if I’m already booked to capacity.

+ DO YOU SHOOT PRE-WEDDING/COUPLES/ENGAGEMENTS?

Yes. Very much so!

+ IF WE CANCEL THE WEDDING, DO WE GET OUR MONEY BACK?

Unfortunately no. Retainers are paid to reserve your event date. Once the date is reserved, I do not accept new clients for your date. If the wedding/event is postponed or rescheduled, and I am available for the new date, the retainer can be applied to your new contract. Rates are subject to change, and may be different from the time of original booking.

+ WILL THE IMAGES BE EDITED, OR RETOUCHED?

Yes! All delivered images will have color and/or exposure correction (if needed) and edited in my signature style. Advanced/Cosmetic retouching is available upon request; any additional charges will be discussed at time of inquiry. (i.e. slimming/reshaping body parts, retouching wrinkles/blemishes, swapping faces, and/or any heavy manipulation of a scene)

GENERAL

+ WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?

I shoot with professional grade gear. Currently I use a Canon 5D Mark III body. I believe in maintenancing all my equipment regularly. Just like taking care of a car.

+ HOW DO YOU SAFEGUARD MY PHOTOS BETWEEN THE TIME YOU PHOTOGRAPH ME TILL THE TIME YOU DELIVER THE PHOTOS TO ME?

As soon as I return from a shoot, I backup your photos onto a hard drive and place the original memory cards in a fireproof & waterproof safe. I also save a copy of all photo files to my secure server online. After the photos are edited, they are backed up again onto the secure server online. Your photos are then uploaded online to your final photo gallery, where they will remain available for you to review and download for 2 weeks (depending on purchased package), and then are digitally archived for 1 year.

+ WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

I accept cash, check, credit/debit cards, Paypal, and Venmo. In addition, I offer flexible payment plans on sessions booked 6 or more months in advance. There is a 3% convenience fee added to your package if you wish to pay with Paypal, Credit, or Debit cards.