FAQ's
How do I book?
I'm so glad you think that we'll be a great fit for one another! Did we just become best friends? I think so! It's super easy to book - all I require is a non-refundable session fee and a signed digital contract to book your session and hold your date and time. Once I have these things, I will confirm the date and location with you. In the interim, we can start with scheduling your free planning session where we can discuss the details of what you want to achieve, what you should wear, what your favourite TV show is and how you like your steak cooked.
​
OK! I’m Sold! Now What?
Connect with me! Let's get the shoot going!
For those that dont love the unknown - Here's how it plays out:
-
Fill out this form to schedule a planning session and discuss all the detail for your family photo experience.
-
Review the information email received from me and schedule a phone or personal consultation
-
Ask all the questions, pay your session fee and book your family photo experience
-
The actual photo shoot day
-
4-6 weeks after the shoot day will be your photo reveal and ordering meeting
-
2-4 weeks after your ordering session your photo products will be hand-delivered to you by me
-
Tell all your friends and receive a $100 voucher if they also book with me which you can use to order more products.
​
When should I book?
When deciding what date to book your family photo experience, there are a few things to consider.
First and foremost - is there a deadline that you need the final product by? The standard turnaround time is at minimum 6-8 weeks from the session date to final product delivery. Other factors may play into this, such as the holiday season and the actual products selected.
Next to consider - is there a specific location you want to use? Some locations are seasonal and not offered all year long, for instance, outdoor locations. During the rainy season, studios gets booked long before the shoot.
How far in advance should I book?
The sooner, the better! Especially if you need your products back by a certain date. I recommend scheduling at least 6-8 weeks before you need your products back. I order from multiple labs and we want to allow time for any delays.
​
2-4 weeks after your session, we'll meet again for your photo reveal and ordering session, where I’ll unveil your amazing photos from your shoot and I will assist you in ordering or designing printed products.
​
How long should I expect a session to be?
Hair and makeup takes 1 hour, and the shoot itself is about 2 hours long, depending on how much fun we are having :) I suggest blocking out 2-3 hours for your shoot but don’t be surprised if we wrap half an hour early. If we are shooting in a busy area such as a busy public park, it might take us a little longer because we are waiting for people to scoot out of the way, etc. This just takes a little more time. The time frame includes travel time between locations. For my standard family sessions, I say about 1 hour per outfit. Be mindful of how long it takes to change into each outfit as well.
​
​When will our photos be ready?
I strive to have your photos back to you as quickly as possible (within a week or two) but during the busy season it could be upwards of three to four weeks.
​​
Do you offer prints?
YES, YES, YES! This is one of my favourite parts of having my own family's photo taken. Having physical copies of these moments and memories is so incredibly valuable which is why I have teamed up with professional laboratories so that I can offer you the highest quality, colour calibrated prints. During your image reveal and ordering meeting I will assist you to order printed products for your requirements.
​
Please note, the images I send to you have already been colour corrected. This means, that by having your photos printed at a value lab such as Costco, London Drugs or Staples I cannot guarantee the quality nor the colour accuracy of your images.
​
What products do you offer?
I am so thrilled about the line up of luxury printed products. I offer both individual base products or full product collections.
The most popular - and my favorite - product choice is large printed images to hang on your walls.
​
Albums feature 25 images in a stunning, hand-bound album - with over 25 cover options - that will last you decades to come!
​
Images, products, and collections are selected and purchased during the in person reveal and ordering appointment approximately 2 weeks after your session date.
​
Why is it so important to have printed portraits of yourself?
Having professional portraits done of your family is a celebration of who you are now and a way to honour all that you have experienced as a family. The images will not only be cherished by you throughout your lifetime but by your family for many generations to come.
​
Do you edit out imperfections?
I have a TWO WEEK RULE. If it won't be there in two weeks, I will edit it out. This includes blemishes, scrapes, and bruises. If you would like anything further such as severe acne, scars, stretch marks and cellulite (PS, WE ALL HAVE IT) we can discuss that in your pre-session consult. I want you to look at your pictures and see you, not a stranger. I will not alter your body to look thicker, tanner, or thinner.
​
Will you retouch (Photoshop) my portraits?
Yes, all of your photos will be softly and expertly edited. If there is any area of your body that you are sensitive about please let me know.
If this is something you want to change or Photoshop, there is an easy solution and that would be to outsource my final images to an editor of my choice but it would be an additional fee to you.
​
Where are you located? Will you travel?
I am located in the Fraser Valley, beautiful Chilliwack, BC! If you're wanting to go beyond the Fraser Valley, no worries, I'm always up for an adventure and will travel for a small travel fee.
​
Where will the photos be taken?
A family shoot can be done literally anywhere, in Nature, at a park, in a coffee shop, at your home, in your Kitchen, in your Lounge and the location need to be aligned with activities to keep the kids entertained and connected to the shoot.
Family Sessions can also be done in studio and depending on your family size I can rent a larger studio space.
What happens if it rains?
If the weather is crazy/act of god/I am sick/etc, we will put your deposit toward a re-schedule. However, part of our planning session will be to discuss alternate locations should the primary location chosen be impacted by weather.
​
Where is your studio located?
I have a small studio located inside my home in Chilliwack! I love being able to create a comfortable and cozy environment for my clients.
​
What happens when I dont show or can not make it?
If you simply don’t show up to the session, the deposit will not be refunded. If you have booked a family session and need to reschedule your session, your deposit can be put toward a re-schedule as long as I am notified within 2 days of your session. I get it— life happens. However, if you need to cancel and do not want to re-schedule, your deposit is not refunded. Sorry!
​
I have NO idea how to pose and feel I might be super awkward. Will you help me look good?
Don't worry, all you have to do is show up and have fun! I'm the photographer and I have been expertly trained in lighting and posing. I will direct and guide you into poses that are flattering for your body type. By the end of the shoot you will feel ready for a magazine cover!
​
I do not expect any of my clients to know what to do in front of a camera. Majority of my clients are everyday humans
​
I’ll help your whole family to pose from head to toe, and it’s my job to find the best light and the angles that will make you feel amazing. Getting the family to engage in an activity like baking a cake or building a large puzzle makes posing easy and entertaining to capture the things you love doing together as a family. All you’ll need to do is relax, and trust me!
What should we wear during our photoshoot?
​During our pre shoot planning meeting, in which we meet over the phone or in person, we will discuss different wardrobe ideas for your chosen photoshoot, and any other details.
​
So many factors play into session wardrobe and we will consider things like the weather, personal style, a theme, body shape, and comfort level.
​
Once you have booked your photoshoot you will receive a detailed family photoshoot prep guide that will cover every aspect of your photoshoot experience including what works best for a family photo experience.
​
​​Will I need to do my own hair and makeup before I arrive to my photoshoot?
Most clients arrive with their hair and makeup already done for their family session and threfore I typically don't include hair or makeup in the price of your photoshoot. If you need it I can definitely arrange a session with our professional hair and makeup artist. A customized hydrating facial prior to your photoshoot so that your skin is glowing for your professional makeup session can also be arranged.
​
​What is considered immediate family?
Immediate family is the spouses or partners, any children and the parents or the spouses/partners.
​
Do you photograph weddings and elopements?
I typically don't do wedding photos but would love to discuss the details of an engagement or elopement shoot further! Please message me directly so we can chat about the vision you have for your very special day.
How much does a session cost?
My family photo experience session fee is $350 and due up front in order to book an appointment.
​
I also offer a variety of heirloom printed products that range from $350 to $3000. I find on average, clients spend around $1500.
​
Our wall images start at $250.00 and go up from there and our stunning Folio box and album collections start at $1500.00 and go up from there. You only purchase what you love, there is no hard sell.
It is my honour to take portraits of you that you fall in love with and and that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
​
What's included in the session fee?
-
Upfront pre-shoot Consultation in person or virtually to set expectations, schedule and plan the shoot
-
Free Family Experience Preparation Guide
-
Wardrobe Consultation
-
Booking of a location to shoot
-
Traveling for me to the shoot within the Fraser Valley
-
2 to 3 Hour Family Photo Shoot Experience
-
Direction and posing to make sure you get the best photos
-
Professional retouching and editing of all images
-
Post Shoot Reveal and Ordering Assistance session
​
Do you offer any payment plans?
I sure do. Photography is such an investment towards the memories you will have of your loved ones and it's important to me to make that accessible. Unique payment plans can be arranged by request, however, no exchange of session or images will be made without full payment.
I require the session fee to be payed before I can confirm your booking.
​
Payment option offered are interest free pre session payment plans. Post session payment plans allow you to pick your final products during the image reveal and ordering session and payment options can be discussed to pay for them monthly, biweekly, or weekly. I will however only order products once I have received full payment for them.
What are location travel fees?
Depending exactly where you want your photographs done travel fees will vary. If we shoot within the Fraser Valley there is no additional fee for traveling. If you require me to travel to Vancouver Island, Whistler or Hawaii there will be a fee but it will be discussed during your planning session.
​
How and when will I receive the files?
If you decide to purchase printed images you will also receive a digital version of web quality with the printed image. Any additional digital images can however be purchased and you will receive the edited images within 2 weeks of your ordering session. You will receive all of the files via my website. You then can download them or send them to print, forward to your friends + family, and post online! Download links do expire after 60 days, so be sure to download your images asap!
For a small fee I can keep your images available as a backup but make sure you save and backup your images once you have downloaded them. I will ask an additional fee if I need to upload them for you again post the 60 days.
​
How long do you store our images?
I clean out my client files every 6 months and cannot guarantee that I will backup the images for you, so be sure to download the images and create your own backups. I do not store the raw files for more than 6 months purely due to the large size required to keep them.
​
Do I get to select the images?
No. Part of my job is making the image selects and choosing the most flattering photographs. The images I do not deliver are either repeats, blurry, or out of focus, shots of you blinking or mid-sentence speaking. I have no reason to withhold any images if there are additional ones I think you would enjoy! I am on your side.
​
Can I have the unedited versions or raw files?
No. I provide purchase images in High quality JPG format which can also be downloaded in a lower quality for web and social sharing.
What if we are not happy with the final images?
I have never had a client tell me they were unhappy with my services in 12 years of photography. Really. This is because I have clear communication + expectations set beforehand. If you have read my FAQ thoroughly and done all you can to prepare yourself for your photoshoot, including picking a location you love, an outfit you feel confident in, then this is the best way to ensure you will be happy with the final result. If I have delivered what I promised to you, photography services of your package of choice, and you are not happy with the final outcome there is nothing I can do outside of performing my professional photography services.
​
What if we don’t want the images used on your social media, website, or anywhere online?
Only if you want them to be. I take image privacy very, very seriously. all of the images you see on my site or social media have been shared with written permission from the client or model. I assume all images are private unless I am given permission otherwise.
​
During the reveal and ordering appointment we will discuss your preferences for privacy. some clients love when I feature images from their session, however, there is absolutely no pressure to share your photos with anyone!
​
The sole way I market my photography services (and how you found me!) is the internet and I rely on sharing my photography to bring in customers. Therefore, I do have a fee if this is something you want to be waived. Please inquire.
​
Where can I keep up with the latest information?
I am so thrilled you want to keep in touch and stay up to date with news and updates from 604Photographer! I can be found on most social media platforms under @604Photographer.
​