Spring Family & Maternity Mini-Sessions

Great question! Here is an overview of the entire process and what you can expect from working with me:

1. Pre-Booking: You begin by learning about what’s included in your session and my photography style. I am a big believer in transparency and helpfulness. That’s why I explain my services in great detail on my website. I display my prices, add-ons, deliverables, and timeframes online so you know them beforehand, and there are no surprises. I also provide many photos so you can get a good feel for my style. And if you still have any questions before booking, I’m only a quick message away.
2. Booking: I’ve designed my scheduling process to be fast and hassle-free, ensuring your ease. You start by heading to my booking page and selecting your desired session. Next, you will pick the date and time from my calendar, fill out a short form, and pay your $100 deposit.
3. Session Prep: After I receive your booking, I will review it and send you a detailed prep guide within 1-2 business days. It will also include access to an online styling service. I am also available to answer any questions via email or text.
4. A Few Days Before the Session: I will monitor the weather a day or so before your session. If we need to reschedule due to rain, I will communicate all the details. I will also email you specific location information and coordinates for where to find me in the park. Finally, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance of your session.
5. The Day of the Session: We meet at the designated location and have an easy and relaxed session. I will guide and queue you so you always know what to do.
6. After the Session: You will receive your proof gallery within four days after your session to pick the photos that you want for hand-edit. After you see your proof gallery, you may decide on any upgrades. Please reply with your picks within seven days of receiving your gallery to keep your place in my editing queue. After I receive your picks, I will deliver the final edited photos within seven days.
7. Beyond the Session: I am grateful and honored that you’ve picked me to help document and celebrate your family’s life. My mission is to help you create a collection of meaningful family photos through the years. I hope you will find my online resources and updates useful. You will also get priority access to all of my seasonal offerings.

The ideal time for your maternity shoot is when you are between 28 and 32 weeks pregnant. However, every woman is different. It’s all about how much your belly is showing and how comfortable you are moving around.

Arboretum Spring Sessions only last two to three weeks, so scheduling your maternity session around their blooming time could be tricky. But if you are lucky, I recommend snatching this session.

Please book at least a month in advance to ensure availability and give yourself time to prepare.

If it rains, I will work with you to reschedule your session during the two make-up days. I will refund your deposit if the make-up days do not work for you. (You can also convert your Spring Session into a regular outdoor Family or Maternity Mini-Session.)

If you have a flexible schedule, we can wait until the morning of your session to decide whether to proceed or reschedule. The weather forecast can be unreliable, so if your family is willing, we can still show up to the session. If we get rained out, we reschedule, and you will not lose your deposit. With this approach, I can shoot most of the time.

Also, don’t worry about cloudy weather. It adds a unique and moody feel to your photos.

After you book your session, I will email you detailed prep information, including the outfit inspiration guide and online styling service, to help you look your best for the session.

You can also email or text me with any styling questions.

The Mini-Sessions are designed to be short (20 minutes) and economical. So there will not be enough time for an outfit change.

At this time, I do not offer a client wardrobe. However, once you book your session, I will send you a prep guide with recommendations on where you can rent or purchase high-quality gowns.

If your kiddo is not cooperating – don’t worry (because they will feel that). I will follow their lead and do my best to capture happy moments.

There will never be any pressure to look into the camera to smile. I have plenty of tricks to help get your kiddos engaged and interested, so 99% of the time, I can get you plenty of shots. (And for that 1% – we will work together to do our best.)

I will guide, prompt, and direct you the entire time, so you don't have to worry about a thing. I aim for natural-looking poses while also capturing candids along the way.

Of course! Pets are so fun to include in the photos. When booking, please let me know if pets will be joining and what kind of pets.

After we do a few shots with the pet during the session, you’ll need to prepare in advance how to keep the pet safe while we work on the photos without the pet.

A Mini-Session includes 10 hand-edited images (that you pick from a gallery of 40–60 photos).

After you see your proof gallery, you can purchase additional hand-edited photos for $20 each. Information on purchasing additional images will be included with your online proof gallery.

In addition, a full-gallery upgrade is available for $200. It includes all the images in your proof gallery with a standard color edit (as they appear in your proof gallery, no hand-edit). Photos will be in full print resolution with print rights.

(See the next question for more information about the difference between hand editing and color editing.)

You will receive your online proof gallery within four days after your session. You will have seven days to pick your images for the hand-edit. Seven days after you submit your selections, your hand-edited photos will be delivered via an online gallery.

If you purchase the full gallery upgrade, you will receive the download link within 48 hours of payment.

Color edit includes an overall color adjustment to make the photos appear brighter, more colorful, and properly exposed.

In addition to the color edit, hand edit includes basic skin smoothing, removal of blemishes, bruises, and a few fly-aways, as well as more detailed color adjustments. It gives your photos a more “polished” look.

Payments are made by credit card. A $100 deposit is required to book your session.

The remaining balance is due at the time of your photoshoot. An invoice reminder will be emailed to you a day before your session. The proof gallery is delivered after the payment is made in full.