FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT CAMERA EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I use a Canon 5D III camera with 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8 lenses and 50mm f1.2 lenses. I use natural light 95% of the time.
DO I GET TO CHOOSE THE PHOTOS I RECEIVE IN MY PACKAGE?
I choose your best photos from the session and present them to you on an online gallery. If you would like to see more photos from your session after this, I can provide you with a proof sheet and additional edited images can be purchased for $25 each.
HOW MANY IMAGES DO I RECEIVE IN MY PACKAGE?
It depends on the package you decide to purchase. Most of my portrait, maternity and newborn packages you will receive 10-15 edited images on a personal online gallery. For weddings, you will see anywhere between 200-600 photos, depending on the package you decide to purchase.
IV'E FOUND A CHEAPER PHOTOGRAPHER, DO YOU PRICE MATCH?
Unfortunately, no I do not price match. My prices have been very carefully selected to cover all costs involved in running a professional & legitimate business and to deliver the highest quality photos. I am a qualified, professional photographer and usually the price you pay will indicate the quality of the final photos you receive. So I will leave that completely up to you!
CAN I HAVE A COPY OF THE RAW FILES?
Sorry, no I do not give out copies of my RAW files. For me the editing process is a vitally important step in delivering a finished photo and it’s what makes my work uniquely mine. You will receive the highest quality jpgs of the finished image files instead.
​
I NEED TO CANCEL MY BOOKING, WHAT HAPPENS TO MY DEPOSIT?
If you need to cancel your booking and don't intend to reschedule, your booking fee is forfeit.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
I prefer bank transfer but will gladly also accept cash and cheque.
DO YOU DO GIFT VOUCHERS?
Gift vouchers are available for any amount and can be used towards any of my photography packages.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?
Generally it is best to schedule your maternity shoot around 30-32 weeks for your comfort and of course due to the unpredictable nature of when your baby will choose to arrive, but I do of course accept bookings right up until 40 weeks. Please get in contact with me to schedule your session as early as possible to ensure my availability around your 30 weeks.
​
WHERE WILL MY SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Maternity sessions are either done in my studio or on location; professional make up can also be incorporated into the session for an additional charge.
​
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY FOR MY SESSION?
The best time for your maternity session is in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon, to use the best light possible for your shoot. So at this stage of your pregnancy, think about what part of the day you generally feel best, morning, or afternoon after a nap, and we will work around that.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY SESSION?
There are many styles of maternity photography out there. My personal favourite style is the soft, backlit shots that show off your beautiful figure in a silhouette. I can also incorporate any special family members into your shoot, and if you prefer to have your photos done at a meaningful location I can certainly accommodate this also. Pregnancy is a very personal experience and I want to capture it the way you want to remember it.
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Make sure you select clothing that shows off your pregnant belly. Tight clothing is best for this. Solid colours often work best. Try to avoid busy patterns and logos as this can distract from the most important part – you! I am happy to work with you to select outfits that will work best on camera. If you desire more natural, simplistic photographs, a lingerie set will look beautiful! I can also provide sheer material that can be used to wear as a wrap. For these kinds of portraits, where there is a lot of skin showing, please avoid tight fitting clothing/underwear about an hour before your shoot, as these can leave red marks on the skin.
​
WHAT ELSE DO I BRING?
If there is anything that will help to personalise your shoot, feel free to bring it along. This could be your baby’s scan, alphabet blocks, or a special pair of booties. The most important thing to remember is; RELAX! This is such an enjoyable experience where you can capture the excitement of your pregnancy.
​
WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN A NEWBORN SESSION?
Newborn photography is a highly skilled and professional niche, so much so that many photographers would not even attempt it! Once you have a newborn session you will see how much goes into creating one of my images. I am a bit of a perfectionist after all and I work hard to ensure every finger and toe is in the right place! The most frequent compliment I receive is how patient I am. Once you can understand how much goes into newborn photography, from the knowledge about babies, lighting, cameras, the posing and photoshop skills, you will understand why your ‘friend with a good camera’ cannot achieve the same images. By investing a session you are investing in your memories. Babies change so quickly that by the time you receive your images back, your baby would have already changed! I love that I am able to capture a single moment in time that you will be able to look back on for years and years to come.
​
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK IN WITH YOU?
Welcoming a newborn into your life is an amazing experience, and for some, the idea of a photo session and the thought of organising one can seem 'too much' once baby arrives. So it can be great to get the ball rolling before your baby is born. It is never too early to book in; I will pencil your due date onto my calendar upon booking. You can then contact me when your baby arrives to schedule your session. I will then fit you into my schedule as soon as possible, usually on the weekend following your message. I only take a limited number of bookings per month to allow for the fact that some babies arrive early and some arrive late. I want to make sure I can schedule each session within your baby’s first 12 days on life and provide the best service I possibly can for my clients.
​
WHEN WILL MY SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Babies are sleepiest and easiest to photograph when they are less than two weeks old. The ideal time frame is between 5-12 days. Anything past 14 days can get a little tricky, as it is difficult to get them into a deep sleep and difficult to achieve those cute, snuggly, curly poses. Also during this time, they are less likely to have developed any skin conditions, wind and reflux issues which may be unsettling for them during the session. Photo sessions are held in the soft light of the morning to use the best light possible for your shoot.
​
MY BABY IS ALREADY BORN. IS IT TOO LATE TO SCHEDULE A NEWBORN SESSION?
No! While I recommend that newborn sessions take place during the first 12 days, I am always happy to photograph older newborns with the understanding that it may not be possible to achieve the type of images that work with a very young newborn. I often do have to turn away last minute sessions due to being completely booked.
​
WHERE WILL MY SESSION TAKE PLACE?
All newborn sessions take place in your home. If your baby needs a feed, a nappy change or anything else during the session, you can do what you need to do to keep your baby comfortable and happy.
​
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY SESSION?
There are two styles of newborn photography, the posed/studio style and the more natural lifestyle shots. The focus of the studio style session is styled shots of the baby using blankets, wraps, hats, headbands etc. The session can last anywhere from 2-4 hours with feeding, changing and posing. A lifestyle shoot is a more casual approach to newborn photography, capturing more natural images of the baby, their family and their home. This can be done up to 6 weeks old and the session lasts no more than 1-2 hours. Please let me know when you book which style you would prefer, and of course I can do a mixture of both.
When I arrive at your house I will assess the lighting and determine the best locations for photos. The baby’s needs then dictate the flow of the session.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY SESSION RUN SMOOTHLY?
The most important thing you can do is relax. Beyond that, I recommend that you try to keep your newborn awake for an hour prior to the session, and that you feed your baby just prior to my arrival, or while I am setting up my equipment. Feed in only a nappy and a loose blanket so there are no marks from clothing on the skin and we don’t have to bother baby by undressing them. I will bring a heater but please have the house warm in preparation. This is very important in helping the baby stay asleep to achieve those delicately posed photographs. How warm? Enough for us to be sweating should be enough, and baby will be very happy. Expect frequent feeding and mess. J Dummies are also extremely helpful for allowing me to calm your baby during the session.
DO YOU INCLUDE FAMILY PHOTOS WITH A NEWBORN SESSION?
Yes, absolutely!
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
Simple is best. I photograph newborns wearing nothing at all or with minimal clothing. If you have special outfits you would like your newborn to wear, I am happy to accommodate, but keep in mind that numerous clothing changes can be disruptive to newborns. I recommend that the rest of the family wear clothing that coordinates without matching exactly. Skin on skin portraits are beautiful also. If there are to be other children involved in the session, they should wear clothes that they like and in which they are comfortable, although it is generally best to avoid busy patterns and logos. I’m happy to work with you to select clothing for your session, and will also accommodate clothing changes if you’d like a variety of looks.
DO YOU BRING PROPS TO THE SESSION?
I will bring an assortment of outfits, hats, headbands, blankets, wraps and baskets. Please let me know if you have any personal items you would like to incorporate.
​
HOW DO WE BOOK WITH YOU?
Easy! Fill out my contact form specifiying your date and I will send you all the information you need to know. If I am available and you would like to go ahead with booking, I do require a $100 deposit to retain your date.
​
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE BOOK WITH YOU?
After you book a wedding package with me, we will schedule your engagement session if your package includes one and our pre-wedding consultation. I will keep in touch with you until the wedding day. We can make changes to the schedule we would have arranged upon meeting and I can answer any other questions you may have; I am only ever an email away.
​
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE SICK AND CANNOT BE AT OUR WEDDING?
Unless I am in hospital or absolutely bed ridden, I will be at your wedding with bells on! I have never missed a wedding before!
​
ARE YOU INSURED?
Without a doubt. Yes. Yes. Yes.
​
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS AFTER THE WEDDING?
Waiting is tough, I know. But I put a lot of care into sorting, choosing and editing your photos to provide you with a high quality finished product. You can expect to receive your digital files within 8-12 weeks after your wedding date.
HOW DOES IT WORK ON THE DAY?
I will visit both the bride and the groom before the ceremony, to capture you both getting ready. Please consider the rooms you will be having these photos in, make sure it is light, bright, clean and uncluttered. Please also have any details you wish to be captured such as rings, shoes, bouquets, jewellery, perfume, cufflinks, copies of the invitation, menus etc. ready before I arrive.
​
If you decide on a ‘first look’, we can get most of the family portraits out of the way before the ceremony so that your family can enjoy the start of the reception and this also allows more time for the bride and groom’s portraits after the ceremony.
​
For family group portraits after the ceremony, depending on the size of your family, I would allow at least 20 minutes. Please designate a person that knows everybody on both sides of the family to help gather everyone for family photos. This is extremely important in helping this part of the day run smoothly. Please make sure all family members are aware and know to be present until family portraits are finished.
​
After family portraits are finished, I take the bridal party for some fun group photos. Then we take some time alone for you to relax and to let your big day sink in. This is for you to spend some special moments together as a newly married couple (while I snap some more photos, of course). Natural late afternoon light is very flattering for these portraits, so we will consider the time of day when arranging your schedule. I may also sneak you out of the reception for a few minutes while the sun is setting, for…can you guess? Some more photos.
​
SHOULD I MAKE A LIST OF THE PHOTOS I WANT?
You do not need to make a list of the candid photos that you want, because you can be assured that I will be there to capture them. If you like particular poses, lighting or styling of some photographs, please feel free to share them with me so I can make sure you will be entirely happy with your final product.
Still have an unanswered question? Please contact me!