It’s important to ask as many questions as possible when you’re looking for a photographer and before your photo shoot. This is why I’ve decided to share my frequently asked questions or FAQs. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, please feel free to send me an email!
Before Your Photo Shoot:
Question: Where are you located?
Answer: I’m located in Lakeville, Minnesota, but I serve the entire Twin Cities region and surrounding suburbs.
Question: What are your hours?
Answer: I’m available for photo shoots on weekdays and weekends by appointment only. If you need to reach me for any reason, feel free to email me between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Question: What type of sessions do you offer?
- Family Photos
- Senior Photos
- Maternity Photos
- Newborn Photos
- Milestone Photos (3, 6, 9, 12 month photos)
- Headshot & Branding Photos
Question: How do I book a photo shoot?
Answer: If you’re interested in booking a photo shoot with me, there are a few different ways to do so. You can head on over to my contact page, click here to send me an email, or go to my direct booking site!
Question: How soon should I book my photo shoot with you?
Answer: It all depends on the type of photo shoot you’re wanting to book:
- Family Photos: 1 month before your desired date.
- Senior Photos: If you’re a junior in high school, the winter or spring of your junior year is the time to reach out to me! My senior session dates fill up fast, so DO NOT wait until the last minute to send me a message. Most yearbooks need senior photos submitted to them by the end of October or early November. My books open on March 1st for senior sessions.
- Maternity Photos: The best time for a maternity photos is when you’re 28 to 36 weeks (7-8 months) pregnant. This ensures that you can move and walk around comfortably.
- Newborn Photos: Contact me before or right after you have your baby! The ideal time for newborn photos is 2-4 weeks after they’ve made their grand arrival.
- Milestone Photos: 2-4 weeks before your desired date. If you’re looking to have the milestone photos taken in a studio, please reach out to me at least 4 weeks before your desired date.
- Headshot & Branding Photos: 2-4 weeks before your desired date.
Question: How do I pay for my photo shoot?
Answer: There are two answers to this question based on how you want to go about booking your photo shoot. All payments can be made conveniently online. I do not accept cash or check payments.
- If you’d like to book the photo shoot yourself, you’ll click the link for my booking portal. From there, you’ll choose the session type you want to book and find an available date and time that fits your schedule. Next, you’ll answer a few questions so I can get to know you before your session. Then, you’ll review and sign the contract. Finally, you’ll pay the non-refundable session retainer. You’ll receive another email a week before your photo shoot to pay the remaining session balance.
- If you want to chat with me before booking, email me or fill out my contact form, and we’ll go through the booking process together. Once we figure out a date and time, I’ll email you a contract and invoice through HoneyBook. You must sign the contract and pay the non-refundable session retainer within 72 hours to lock in your photo shoot date and time. The remaining balance is due one week before your photo shoot. You can use your credit/debit card to pay the invoice online. I do not accept checks or cash payments.
Question: Do you have a studio?
Answer: I do not have a studio because I am a natural light photographer and primarily have photo shoots outdoors. If you’d prefer to have your photo shoot indoors, we can either have the photo shoot in your home or rent one of the many studios around the Minneapolis area. Keep in mind that the studio rental fee will be added to your session fee. If you choose to have your session at a studio, I’ll send you my curated studio guide with photos of each studio and their rental prices.
About Your Photo Shoot:
Question: I booked my photo shoot; now what?
Answer: I’ll send you a reminder email 3 days prior to your photo shoot date. This email will include the address to your photo shoot location, suggestions of things you should bring, and what to expect. Please notify me of any special requests at least one week prior to your photo shoot date.
Question: What do we wear?
Answer: After booking with me, I’ll send you an outfit guide that’s full of excellent tips and ideas on what to wear to your photo shoot!
Question: Do you have any location suggestions?
Answer: Boy, do I ever! I’ll send you a location guide to help simplify your choices. If you have a specific style of location you’re looking for, let me know, and I’ll send you a narrowed-down list of places that will fit your needs.
Question: Can I bring my pet to my session?
Answer: ABSOLUTELY! I love all kinds of animals (except for tarantulas – please leave those at home)! If your photo shoot is taking place in a studio, please let me know ahead of time so I can verify with the studio owner if pets are allowed.
Rescheduling: I totally understand how life can change in a blink of an eye. Please do your best to let me know within 48 hours of your photo shoot. If you or someone in your family happens to get sick a few days before or on the day of your photo shoot, be sure to contact me ASAP and we’ll reschedule. Don’t worry; rescheduling is free of charge!
I have clients of all ages that I work with, and I cannot risk passing on anything to my other clients or my family members. Your photos will look better if you and your family feel great and are at your best!
If the weather isn’t cooperating (e.g., it’s freezing cold, there’s a blizzard, raining cats and dogs, or 90+ degrees), we will reschedule your photo shoot. Again, rescheduling is free of charge!
Tardiness: Again, life happens. If you know you’re going to be late, give me a call or send me a text to let me know! However, your photo shoot time will not be extended. For example, if you have a 45-minute photo shoot and you’re 15 minutes late, then you’re photo shoot will be 30 minutes.
Cancellations: Please notify me at least 72 hours in advance of any cancellation for the credit of the retainer to go towards a future photo shoot. If we have a studio reserved for your photo shoot, please notify me a week before your photo shoot date so I can give the studio owner enough notice. As the photographer, I reserve the right to deny service to any client(s) who have a repeated history of cancellations.
After Your Photo Shoot:
Question: How do I view my photos?
Answer: 2-3 weeks after your photo shoot date, I’ll upload your photos to a private online gallery. Once the upload is complete, I’ll email you a gallery link! From there, you can download, share, and print your photos however you wish!
Question: How many photos do I get to pick from, and how many edited images will I receive?
Answer: For family, maternity, newborn, and milestone photos, you’ll get the entire hand-edited gallery (minimum of 50 images). For senior photos, the image amount depends on which package you choose. You can check out the senior photography page if you’d like to learn more about what each senior package has to offer! For headshot & branding photos, you’ll also receive the entire gallery (minimum of 15 images).
For Mini Sessions: You’ll be able to download the images advertised for the mini session package for free. You can also purchase the full gallery if you wish.
Question: Where can I print my photos?
Answer: There is a print store conveniently attached to your online gallery, which I highly suggest ordering your prints from. Pic-Time works directly with high-quality printing companies, and the print products are shipped directly to your home! If you decide to print your images elsewhere, please keep in mind that I am not responsible for the print quality of the printing lab you choose.
If you have any questions that weren’t covered, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can send me an email at hello@kristenelizabethphotography.org
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