Question 1

What are your hours and how can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

My general business hours to respond to inquiries and messages is between 9am-6pm however hours available for sessions will vary by session type as well as time year and sunset times for outdoor sessions. Newborn sessions are available only in the mornings with available start times from 9am (no earlier) to 10:30am for full sessions and 9am to no later than 11am start time for mini newborn sessions.

Other studio sessions available from 10am-4pm and outdoor sessions from 10am to 6pm with later times available on request during warm season only.

I am closed most holidays so that I can be with my family too.

While I do aim to respond to messages as quickly as possible, I do ask for 24-48 hours so that I can be fully available to address your questions. I do have two other jobs, so this can affect my response time as well as availability.

The best way to reach me  is via email and my contact form. I prefer email communication to keep everything in one place as well as to keep a clear line of communication to ensure there are no misunderstandings. I also have two other jobs and a family of my own so I do respond to all email messages as soon as I am available and able to give it my full attention.

Question 2

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

For safety, my address is not publicly available anywhere online but I am in the area of 6th Ave North. After you book a session, you will receive a confirmation email one day before your session with location and parking details as well as a reminder of our illness policy.

Question 3

How soon should I book?

Accepted Answer

Once you know that you want to book your session, the sooner the better to ensure availability and time to plan and prepare for your session. I have few dates per month available for sessions and I take a limited number of bookings each week.
For newborn sessions, this is especially important as I currently only offer one newborn session in a day and I often need to order items for a session. 
Once I receive your completed questionnaire with your requests/preferences, and depending on what and where items are coming from, it can take time to be processed, shipped and then arrive. Short notice bookings are still possible, however they will be set up with what I have on hand in my studio at the time.
For full customization and to ensure I can bring your full vision to life, please book as soon as possible at least 2-3 months prior to your due date.

Question 4

How do I book?

Accepted Answer

Booking is simple and takes just minutes!
I offer an online booking system which you can find here and it will take you through selecting your session type/package, date and time, fill in the contract and pay the session retainer. All steps must be complete to secure your booking. Most sessions include a questionnaire as well, some are attached to the booking steps, others will be emailed after booking.

Please keep an eye on your inbox/spam/other folders for email communication and follow ups to ensure nothing is missed and everything I need to prepare for your session is completed on time.

Question 5

Late Policy and Communication

Accepted Answer

I understand things happen especially with a new baby in the family so late arrivals are often expected but please communicate with me if you are going to be late.

Your session time is when the session is to begin, which means you need to be at the studio or our location spot at least 5-10 minutes prior to so that we can connect and begin on time. If you know you will be late, please be respectful and communicate to me. Not doing so shows lack of consideration for my time. I am an understanding person and respect that your time is valuable, as is mine, and I ask for the same consideration in return.
If you are late, it will result in reduced shooting time, set ups photographed and number of images available.

Due to much short time slots, if you are late for a mini session especially on event days where I have back to back sessions scheduled, your session will be limited by the remaining time left or your session may be cancelled without refund.

This isn't to be mean, but to be respectful of my time as well as my other clients who will not be pushed back to accommodate a late client and I may not have the availability to fit you in at a later time. If your session is cancelled due to lateness, you will need to book a new slot if available.

If you need to re-schedule due to illness, please reach out as soon as you know someone is unwell rather than waiting until minutes or a short time before the start of your session unless of course someone becomes ill in such short time.

Question 6

What if I need to re-schedule?

Accepted Answer

I understand that things come up and/or can prevent your session from happening on the scheduled day so I do allow re-scheduling if there is an emergency situation, due to health or poor weather.

This applies to both of us and while I have not had to re-schedule a session for any reason besides weather, I am human as well and understanding must be equal for emergencies or poor health.

With regards to weather, I do wait until the day of to make the call as our forecasts can change almost hourly and we may get lucky and beat whatever poor weather is on the way so I generally do not re-schedule for this reason until I have confirmation that we cannot proceed.

I am an understanding person and respect that your time is valuable, and I ask for the same in return. If you need to re-schedule due to illness, please reach out as soon as you know someone is unwell rather than waiting until minutes or a short time before the start of your session unless of course someone becomes ill in such short time.

Again, I understand things happen so re-scheduling might be needed and I am very flexible but this is being abused quite frequently. Sessions always require re-scheduling due to illness on your end or mine, and of course due to emergency on your end or mine.

Re-Scheduling multiple times may require a new retainer fee due to holding multiple dates and times for you that are unavailable to anyone else and with my limited availability with 2 other jobs, this impacts how many clients I can book and income I need.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

While I have not had any cancellations, it is something to be prepared for as unfortunately they can happen.
When you book your session, a 50% session retainer fee is due and this fee holds your date and time and covers my time and financial investment up until your session takes place.
Due to the nature of custom photography and that the majority of my sessions take place on weekends and those dates are valuable and limited especially for newborns, I turn away all other inquiries for your date and as such I need to be protected in the event of a cancellation.
To be fair to all of my clients and myself, this 50% session retainer fee is non-refundable but can be transferred to another date.

Question 8

Do you charge GST?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do. I am a registered business with Canada Revenue and must charge GST to all clients, for all services and products.

I am a legally operating business which means I am licensed, charge and pay taxes on my income as required by law.

Question 9

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

I currently accept e-transfer, cash and visa or mastercard. I also offer payment plans so you are able to get everything you are wanting out of your session.

Question 10

What if my child is uncooperative during my session?

Accepted Answer

This can be a tough one because no one knows your children better than you however I have worked with many families over the years with all different types of children and I have yet to come across a child I cannot photograph.

It comes down to an understanding of children, the different ages and stages and how to best gain their trust if only for a few minutes to capture some great images. I get down on their level, I lay on the ground so they can sit beside me and look at my camera. I show them what's on it and they love seeing themselves on the screen. I let them show me things and I get excited about the things they're excited about. I don't tell them to sit or stand and smile at me, I follow them and play peek a boo around things and I keep my camera up at all times.

The images I capture of young children aren't always posey but my client's favorite images are the candids, the ones of their children just being themselves because that's where I capture who they are at that stage in their life and those are the most genuine smiles.

My early childhood education and experience running a dayhome and working with children of all ages and abilities gives me a great head start in being able to work with your children and that combined with your open and honest communication about your child, their personality, their likes/dislikes etc, I am positive we will be successful!

The most important piece of advice I can give parents is not to go into this with the expectation that your child will not cooperate, even if you're basing that opinion off of past experiences. The best thing we can all do is be patient and calm and allow your child to be free to run and explore and give them time to warm up to this strange person following them with a camera.

I need you to trust that I know what I am doing and I have the knowledge and experience to help your child be a part of your portrait session, however they are able to do so.

Question 11

Who owns the copyright of my images?

Accepted Answer

As the creator and artist of the images, under Canadian copyright law I am the copyright owner of the images however you do have the freedom to share and use your images for personal use only and they must remain unaltered. This means no editing or filters can be added.
I offer full printing services however my clients are able to take their purchased digital files anywhere they like for printing with the understanding that I cannot control or guarantee color or quality if you choose not to print through myself or at a professional print lab.
What you cannot do is provide them to any sort of commercial entity for commercial use or sale, so if an organization or company contacts you about using my artwork to promote their business, just send them my way and I would be happy to discuss a usage agreement. This includes any business you may operate.

Question 12

Do you deliver the RAW files?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer RAW files as these are created by myself to ensure the maximum amount of information received as possible to work with, and the final images representative of my work are what you as the client receive.

Like a meal at a restaurant or a cake from the bakery, I provide a finished product rather than the ingredients to make it.

RAW files are not representative of my work, these are the original files of the created images that are then hand edited by myself to create the final artwork for delivery and use.

Question 13

Contracts

Accepted Answer

Please ensure you fully read your contract before signing it as this contains important information about your session, package details, timelines and policies. This includes details often asked at or after a session such as number of images included and gallery delivery times. I edit and deliver galleries in the order that they take place so I may not start on yours right away.
Your gallery email will also state how many images are included in your package and how to purchase more if available.

Question 14

General Communication

Accepted Answer

I communicate primarily via email to keep all communication in one place as well as to have a clear paper trail to ensure no misunderstandings happen. I know not everyone checks their email regularly but please do so during our business relationship so that you do not miss anything. You will receive all documents, reminders and follow ups via email including delivery of your online gallery. Some sessions will have a questionnaire emailed to you after booking and these are often missed or forgotten but they are necessary for me to plan and prepare for your session.

It is also important to check spam/other folders as sometimes emails may fly away there due to your email providers settings or filters.

Along with ensuring to check for email communication, please read them thoroughly so that you do not miss anything. I often receive emails back asking for a gallery password or how to do something once a gallery is delivered and this information is included in every gallery ready email sent. The passwords are at the end of these messages.

Question 15

Package details and questionnaires

Accepted Answer

The website pricing pages, booking pages, your booking emails and contract will all contain the details of your package chosen and what it includes. This is important to know before your session date as I will be prepared for your session based on the package chosen and your responses in your questionnaire.

This is particularly aimed at the newborn weekly mini as that session is very specific on what is included. Additional set ups, colors, props and poses are not available for this session. Additional people outside of parents and children are not available to add on to this session.

Question 16

Weekly Newborn Mini

Accepted Answer

The newborn weekly mini is only available Monday-Friday and on the dates posted. This session is not able to be booked on your preferred date and time, but based on the availability I offer for it. If the session must be rescheduled due to illness or emergency, we will discuss alternative weekday date options.

This session is very specific on what is included and has 2 options - baby only and immediate family add on (mom, dad, siblings only). Additional set ups, colors, props and poses are not available for this session. Additional people outside of parents and children are not available to add on to this session.

Question 17

Promotions and Sales

Accepted Answer

When there are promotions or sales happening, the discounts or codes may not be applicable to all sessions and always exclude mini sessions - these are already highly discounted and affordably priced as it is.

Question 18

How long does it take to receive my photos?

Accepted Answer

Every session is different and this depends on how many sessions I have on the go at one time as well as how many images I am working with from your session.

I edit and deliver galleries in the order that sessions are done so I do not believe in bumping up one over another, each client deserves the same amount of effort, time and priority from me. If you have an event for which you need your images for, you need to plan accordingly and ensure the time between your session and the event are not too close together.

General turnaround time on portrait sessions is 2 weeks but some circumstances may require additional time.

Question 19

How many photos do I receive?

Accepted Answer

Every gallery is different and there is no set number of images taken or delivered in your proofing gallery. Generally, most full session galleries have at least 30 images in them, some a lot more. Your package will include a specified number of digitals but you do have the option to purchase as many additional images available in your gallery as you like if they're available. Mini sessions will have a specific number of images included.

Question 20

Are parents and siblings included in a newborn session? Can I bring extra family members to my session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, depending on the package you choose.
The full newborn packages state if it is baby only, or with immediate family which is mom, dad and siblings or if immediate family add on is available. Many questionnaires are submitted with additional people listed without communication to me prior, please don't assume this is ok as there is additional prep and fee requirements to add grandparents and additional time to your session.

Grandparents may be added on to specified sessions where the add on is offered on Maternity, Newborn and Family and Grad sessions. These images will be done either first or last so they can arrive only for their portion of the session. As my studio is in my home, it is small and I do not have seating space for the additional members to remain during the entire session.

Additional family members cannot be added onto a newborn or other studio session, but a separate family session can be booked for photos of others with your new baby. These images will only be baby being comfortably held by family members, not posed.
Newborn sessions need to be calm and the limited time we have spent on safely posing baby, allowing baby breaks and focusing on parents and siblings with the new baby.

The weekly newborn session is either baby only or with immediate family add on including mom, dad and siblings only without the option to add grandparents or other family members. These sessions are much shorter and focused on baby on their own or with parents/siblings with limited set ups.

I no longer offer very large extended group outdoor sessions so this must be discussed prior to booking.

Question 21

Do you offer sessions outside of Lethbridge?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I'm born and raised in Lethbridge so I've pretty much used all the areas around here and I love venturing out of the city for some new scenery for some amazing photography! If you have a great location in mind for your next session, I am totally up for some travel, subject to a travel fee depending on how far out we go!

Question 22

Am I allowed to share my images online?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You are free to share and print your images as you wish, for personal use only and so long as they remain unaltered and without filers of any kind.

It is not required but very much appreciated if you tag my business page or name. Word of mouth is my main source of business so if you love your images, please let others know where you had them done!

Question 23

Is your studio pet free?

Accepted Answer

My studio is not 100% pet free. My own pets do not have access to the studio however I do photograph my dog at times as well as allow clients to bring dogs for sessions but they are kept in the non carpeted room without all the newborn fabrics and props. The room they are allowed in is carpet free and does not have anything that comes into direct contact with baby and is cleaned after each session.

If this is a concern for you and you are not 100% comfortable with the idea of pet's being in my home or studio, we will not be a good fit together for your session.

Question 24

Is your studio scent free?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no. All homes have a scent and I like to keep my home and studio smelling fresh and clean. The only scent I use in my studio is lavender mainly for newborn sessions to help with calming baby. If a client has allergies to scents, I will not freshen the space with lavender however I cannot guarantee 100% scent free as this is a home based studio.

Have questions? If your question is not answered here, please reach out and I will be happy to assist!

Frequently asked questions