Client FAQ

Q.  What is your photographic style?

A.  My photography is organic.  It is fundamental, simple and natural.  At the end of your session, we will have a mix of heartfelt smiles and candid images to capture your family or child's true personality.  I try and stay away from trends in photography that will age your art (i.e. horrid selective color,  large logos and words on clothing, or props that take the focus away from the subject {Unless, of course, we're trying to sell clothing and hair bows!}) and instead incorporate simple and beautiful props that give a timeless quality to my art.

Q.  What makes your photography experience better than ______'s?

A.  When you download your welcome packet, you'll begin to see that my custom photography is ultimately about you.  It’s about the images you desire to display proudly on your walls for family and friends to enjoy.  It’s about walking by your art each day and having it bring a smile to your face, remembering just how life was at this time:  how your fresh newborn baby fit just perfectly in his daddy’s hands, the way your daughter’s laugh filled a room, the way your son hadn’t quite grown in to his adult teeth yet, how your baby girl looked so grown-up right before she left for college, the way your spouse smelled or how your heart seemed to skip a beat when you looked at each other.  You’ll get all of this, along with my full, undivided attention, personal customer service, and you won’t have to stand in line at the department store. 

Q.  What if I don't know what I want exactly?

A.  Don't worry!  Together, we will figure out what sort of art you would like to display, work together to get our ideas “on film,” and then carefully select your images to be printed and hung in your home, just as you’d imagined. 

Q.  What should we wear!?!

A.  Clothing is key.  Families should not all match, but rather coordinate in a way that expresses each individual's style.  Plan your outfits in layers for more dramatic looks and easier wardrobe changes.  Don't forget accessories like jewelry, scarves, belts, hats, and shoes (for goodness sakes!).  If you don't know what to wear, please let me know and I'll send you a clothing guide.  You can also click the links on the sidebar of the website for ideas.  For newborn sessions, babies are best photographed in their birthday suits, but please bring along any favorite blankets, large baskets from baby's nursery, handmade heirlooms, or tasteful hats and headbands that you would like to incorporate.  Mom and Dad should wear white or light colored tops, and bring along black tops as well.  Mom should also bring a tube top if available, and Dad wear a belt if he is comfortable shirt-less.  We love lots of skin in newborn images!

Q.  Where will the session take place?

A.  Currently, only newborn sessions are done in my home studio.  This includes a few shots of parents with baby, but mainly just baby.  Other sessions occur on location with natural light.  We can go to a location you suggest, or one of my favorite locations (country, open fields, grass, little town).  Locations will be discussed in detail during your consultation to make sure it matches the look and feel you'd like for your portraits.

Q.  What is the best time for our session?

A.  Well, it all depends on the type of session you're looking for!  Some styles are better in the day light for greater contrast and back lighting, while others are best shot with the warmer tones of the rising or setting sun.  Typical outdoor family sessions, for example should be within the first or last 2 hours of daylight.  However, I understand that life doesn't always fit into a two-hour time slot (did I mention I have four kids?), so sessions scheduled during the mid day hours can be worked out at the right locations that have ample shade.  Newborn sessions are scheduled during the bright light of the day, around your new joy's heaviest nap.

Q.  How long do sessions last?

A.  Most sessions last about 90 minutes, but can exceed 2 hours when needed.  I understand that kids need potty and snack breaks (and sometimes adults do, too!).  Occasionally I offer special mini sessions that will run between 20-30 minutes.  Newborn sessions can be anywhere from one hour to four hours depending on the temperament of the baby.  Accidents happen.  Babies eat.  A lot.  I get it.  We make time.

Q.  What happens after the session?

A.  Well, you get to go home and relax!... while I spend countless hours sorting, picking, choosing, enlarging, editing, cropping, texturizing, and adjusting your images to perfection.  You do, however have a wee bit of homework.  After your session, I ask that my clients take a walk around their home with a note pad and pencil to write down any ideas for their new art (blank wall spaces, old decorations that need to be replaced, frames that need to be filled, scrapbooks that have empty spaces, etc.).  In about two weeks, we'll set up a Viewing Session where I will take the time and care to help you select the final prints and options that best suit your needs.  Then your order will be placed and on its way to your door or mine for pickup!

Q.  What if my child is shy?

A.  When photographing children, I take the time before the camera comes out to make sure that they are comfortable.  It's not every day kids have a big black thing in their faces, and it can be a little bit like going to the dentist!  But trust me, I know how to warm up kids (and I don't need to bribe them with candy, either!).  I know lots of songs and little games that will open your child right up and have them smiling in no time. 

Q.  My mom is in town.  Can she come along?

A.  Sorry, but not unless she's actually included in the session.  Grandmas have a wonderful place in this world, but it's not standing around at your session saying "look at me"  "over here"  "*clap clap clap!*".  Bringing along "extras" on the set is really just too distracting for everyone.  Newborn sessions may include a Mom and Dad (and up to one sibling for an additional fee, see price list for details).  Up to two parents may attend a child's session.  One parent, sibling, or friend may attend a Senior Grad's session.  And up to one female friend may accompany you at a KYSO session.

Q.  I love photography, may I bring my camera along?

A.  I'm so glad that you love photography!  I get super excited when clients have a vision for their portraits and we can collaborate ideas!  However, I really appreciate when clients respect my set-ups and photographic ideas by not shooting from the sidelines.  Feel free to try something that tickles your fancy later on at home (being cautious, of course!)!  I'd love to see what you get! 

Q.  How much should I plan to invest?

A.  Your investment can be as little as $250 (the amount paid in full by the start of the session which covers initial consultation, unlimited email correspondence, actual time behind the lens at a single session, time spent in my digital darkroom, viewing session, free use of any images I post online to share on social media {please post a link back when you use my images!}, AND $100 print credit, woah!) and can be as much as you'd like to invest.  (Of course, my hope is that you'll love your photos so much you'll take down every piece of someone else's art hanging in your home and replace it with your custom photography images!!  You'll be so much happier looking at your child's sweet face than that crummy old Monet, anyway!)  Also, I have no print order minimums because I believe everyone should be able to have custom art of their family to cherish. 

Q.  Are digital files available for purchase?

A.  Well, let me tell you a little story.  I used to sell the digital files on a nice custom etched disk... but then I saw what happened to them.  Clients were printing my art at Wal-mart and corner pharmacies.  It broke my heart.  So what did I do?... I lowered the prices of my smaller desk prints to make it easier and more affordable to send Grandma and Aunt Lucy prints to hang on the fridge.  Prints to be proud of, that are color-correct, and on quality luster paper.  Now, if you still want to purchase a disk, and you promise you'll do them justice, I might just let you purchase them.  Honestly, I recommend purchasing a disk, because it's the best way for you to preserve all of your memories from our session together.  Although I usually keep full res images from sessions for 6 months, there is no guarantee after your first order is placed that I will have your images on file.

Q.  May I copy or scan my prints after I purchase them?

A.  No.  It's against the law.  And I will find you.  Photographs from images remain copyrighted by Mariann at Organique Photo, LLC.  If you think you will need to print the images again in the future, please ask about purchasing a full resolution disk.  I am not responsible for keeping your images past your viewing session and completion of your first order, although I usually file them for up to 6 months.

Q.  Do my final images come in color, black & white, and sepia tones?

A.  The final images that you'll get to see in your viewing session are art.  They will be a mix of color and black and white.  I rarely do sepia tones, as they just don't really suit my style.  I do, however, love pastels, warm and light tones, deep and dark tones, high contrasts and textures.  Colors in post processing are altered based on what best suits a particular image.  You'll never have all images in both black and white just to make it look like you're getting more bang for your buck.  But if there is an image that you'd like to see, I'd be more than happy to edit it a particular way.

Q.  Do you shoot weddings or other types of photography?

A.  At this time, I am open to photographing newborns, maternity, children, couples, families and real estate.  I believe that a wedding should be photographed in a special way by a wedding photographer who knows all of the ins and outs of that genre.  My photography is focused on children and families, and I believe that having a boutique style allows me to narrow in on my specialties.