Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I book a session?
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Please give us a call or fill out our contact form. We can discuss available dates and times from there and confirm all the details.
- How far in advance do I need to schedule a session?
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We strongly advise our clients to schedule their sessions at least 2-3 months in advance. However, please do not hesitate to contact us in case you have decided on a spontaneous session. While we cannot guarantee availability, we encourage you to inquire about any unexpected cancellations as there may be a perfect session spot that opens up for you.
- What do I get with the purchase of a session?
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All of our session pricing includes the following:
- Pre-Portrait Consultation - Your initial phone or in-person consultation to discuss wardrobe, location, packages, questions, or any special requests
- Session Time (varies by session type) - Time & talent of photographer • Photographer’s exclusive artistic post-production
- On-line Preview - A watermarked selection gallery to purchase from. (Each session type provides a baseline image range. Some galleries may yield more than others and can be up to 100 images depending on how well your session goes and how many people are included in the session)
- Post Session Purchasing Consultation (Optional) - Can be done in our studio or via Facetime/Zoom to assist with image/product selection or to create a tailored package
- Where can I find the session pricing?
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Pricing can easily be found on our site on the pricing page.
Follow the link below for easy access.
- What can I expect during my session?
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Our Pre-Portrait Consultation should set us up for a successful start to our session. We will meet at our agreed upon time and location, do a quick recap of the expectations for the session, and go over any “must have shots”. We will go to various spots that have been pre-scouted for light and aesthetics and go through a variety of poses as well as capture candid moments. Our sessions are geared towards a fun, pressure free, relaxing, and memorable experience.
- How many images are in a selection gallery?
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We select only those images that are truly exceptional to bring into post production and deliver as your final product. This means you will not see every single image or pose. We eliminate all of the images that are not flattering, blurry, under or over exposed, eyes closed or that are just not true works of art. Depending on what type of session you had, as they vary, your gallery can yield between 55 - 85+ edited images. We believe in QUALITY not quantity. We would rather deliver a gallery that wows you with breathtaking, consistent images rather than a gallery that overwhelms you with mediocre images you most likely will do nothing with.
- How long before we get to see our images?
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The post production process is the most important and time consuming part of any photographer's work and accounts for about 70-80% of the full job. Editing will take 3-6 weeks depending on the season. Our editing is very detailed and because we care about the quality of the work we deliver to you, we will never rush through your work.
- We only want a few images, Do you offer mini sessions?
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Due to the nature of our work and selection process, we do not provide mini sessions. You may choose as little or as many images as you would like with your photo credit, but we only provide full sessions.
Our sessions are designed to give you a relaxing experience. We have found that some of the best images are towards the end of the session when you are more relaxed.
In order for us to give you "just a few" pictures, this means we have to take a lot in a variety of poses and candids to give you the few to select from. If we literally only took a few, chances are you would only be satisfied with one.. maybe two and would want more to choose from. We believe in delivering a gallery that you enjoy looking through and selecting from with a wide variety of options.
- Will I receive a sneak peek?
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Unfortunately, sneak peeks are not offered or provided (This also includes single images for use for announcements, holidays, etc.)
In addition to our extensive hand-editing process, the preparation process alone to simply to begin editing can take up to 4 hours. This includes: saving & labeling of RAW image files, uploading images into editing software, and most importantly the culling process which involves going image by image of your entire session to choose the good images and discard the unusable images.
Due to this process, this is why our estimated turn around time is 3-6 weeks for editing and we recommend keeping that timeline in mind when planning for special occasions such as holidays, announcements, engagements, etc.
- What is included in your editing?
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All editing is left to the judgement and experience of the photographer who will have full artistic license.
3-6 weeks after your session (8 weeks during peak season Oct-Dec), you will receive a fully edited gallery to purchase from. This gallery is edited for color correction, exposure adjustments, selective black and white processing, clarity adjustments, & composition/cropping. This is referred to as a basic edit.
An Enhanced Edit is where we apply our unique signature style to create stunning artful images. Enhanced Edits are available as a la carte purchase or with products or packages. This editing includes the following: tone-mapping, general clean up, light skin retouching and most importantly the execution of our unique artistic renderings.
If you have additional requests above what is included it will be considered custom post production, such as removing or adding entire objects from the scene, changing the size and shape of body parts or other objects in the scene, extensive skin correction, face modifications or hair corrections/modifications, editing for sunburns, editing for stained, ill-fitting or wrinkled clothing, etc. Your clothing should be well fitting. Clothing that is excessively too big or too tight does not translate well in photographs and we request that you wear properly sized apparel.
We charge $55 hourly for the custom post-production as the time required ranges depending on the complexity of the project. This includes any image corrections that requires us to take it into Photoshop. Additionally, if you provide us a list of corrections, that is considered custom corrections. Please contact our studio manager for a quote for custom post-production.
- How do we see our Preview Gallery and what comes next?
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Once your gallery is ready, we will send you a link to a watermarked on-line gallery to view your portraits. Your watermarked gallery will expire within 14 days, so please be sure to look over the images, heart your favorite images for enhanced editing. I'm always available for a post session consultation.
- What should I expect during my purchasing session?
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During your purchasing appointment, we will go over all of the options available and discuss what is best to display in your home. It is a good idea to have some sense of what you might like to have (Canvas, Prints, Albums etc.) and where you see placing it in your home, since we will be placing your final order at this time.
For your purchasing session:
• We require all decision makers be present, in person, in order for the appointment to proceed.•The full balance of your order, including taxes, must be paid in order to process your purchase and send it to the lab.
- All images that are not ordered during the time of your Purchasing Session will be archived immediately after your appointment.
- There is a $100 fee to reinstate the gallery for an additional 10 days.
- If you require an additional purchasing session there is a $250 conference fee.
- How much is the typical total investment?
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We are a full service, modern boutique studio with a focus on delivering quality heirloom products that you’ll cherish throughout your lifetime. While you do not have to spend any more than the initial Session you purchased, most families spend on average between $1200-$3200.
Policies
Products
- My product has a defect, can I get a replacement?
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Yes, you certainly can, if it is done within 48 hour after receiving it. You must submit a picture of the defect with a description so it can be submitted to the vendor.
- There is something missing from my order, can you help me find it?
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Yes, absolutely! We will make every effort to make sure your order is correct. Most of the time its a simple delay and will arrive within a few days of your other package but we will help you track it down. We will contact the vendor on your behalf and make sure it gets to you in a timely manor.
- Can we have our job rushed?
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We prefer not to ever rush jobs but if for some reason it is absolutely necessary, there is a 30% rush fee on the total cost of your project for 10 day rush and a 50% rush fee on the total cost of your project for a 5 day rush. Our vendors are separate entities and have their own rules and regulations regarding their rush process and we are unable to make any changes to their policies. However, we can provide you with their guidelines so you can make an informed decision.
- I’ve placed my order, when will I get my heirloom products?
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Once your order has been placed, depending on your purchase, it may take 2-4 weeks for delivery. Any digital files you purchased will be sent within 7 days in a new gallery and remain on-line for 30 days.
We not only deliver exceptional images and heirloom products, but we offer an exceptional EXPERIENCE!
We not only want to give you beautiful memories that last a lifetime but want to give you an experience that you will enjoy and look back on fondly. From our first interactions to our last we are 100% dedicated to giving you the luxury, quality experience you are investing in.
Pricing Structure & No Haggle Policy
- Can we negotiate a special price?
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No, and we politely request that you decline to ask.
We are a luxury boutique studio and we pride ourselves on the quality of our exceptional imagery and are considered a fine art studio.
All pricing listed on April Elizabeth Photography's website is a set pricing based on the expectations of providing our signature artistic style to our work which not only includes the time and talent of photographer(s) on the day of your session but also our post-production process which consists of 80% of the overall process.
We also work on a photo credit style system for many of our sessions in which your investment to your session converts into a photo credit to be applied towards the purchase of A-La-Carte items of digital images, prints, canvases, albums, other heirloom products, or a pre-made package.
Rescheduling, Cancellations, Late Arrivals, No Shows, & Refunds
- What happens if we are late to our session, can we reschedule?
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We strongly suggest that you plan for the unexpected accident or traffic jam. Since most of our sessions are held at sunset we are on a tight time frame with lighting. If you are up to 10-15 minutes late for your session we will continue with the session but you will loose the time during your session. If you are more than 20 minutes late, that is considered a no-show and you loose your retainer. You may reschedule again but you will have to pay the 50% retainer again to secure your new date.
- Can I reschedule my session?
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You can reschedule as long as it is 48 hours prior to your scheduled session. If you have to reschedule more than two times, you will loose your session fee towards. This is to keep from excessive rescheduling. This policy is also in affect for your post purchasing session.
- I would like to cancel my session, can I get my retainer back?
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We work on the session fee that is non-refundable. Your retainer covers our consultation, emails, phone calls, contract writing, planning and administrative fees. So we do ask that you are sure you would like to proceed prior to scheduling your appointment. As long as it is prior to 48 hours before your scheduled session, you may transfer your retainer to someone else in the form of a gift certificate if you decide not to have your session.
- What happens if I don’t like my images and I want a refund?
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Once a portrait session has been performed, the full session fee is non-refundable, as it covers the time and skills invested up to and through that point. Please be certain that the style we have presented in our galleries is the right fit for you before you secure your session.
- Gift Certificates & Credit Policy
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All Gift Certificates or Pre-Purchased Sessions are valid for redemption within 1 year of purchase. Any prints, canvas, or products offered as promotional gift, gift certificate, or bundled package will not be honored after 1 year. After 1 year, we will only offer the original purchase price as a credit to be applied towards our current session fees.
Additionally, any credit/retainer from an approved rescheduled session will only be valid for one year from original session date. After 1 year, credits may be applied towards our current session fees.
Handling of Digital Files and File Storage
- Can we get the RAW images?
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We do not provide RAW images. We believe in delivering a finished product and shoot with the end product in mind. RAW images need to be edited for a final product and we prohibit any manipulation that is not our own as they would not reflect our work.
- What happens if I lose or forget to download my digital files?
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There is a $50 replacement fee for an additional 14 day on-line gallery once we have archived your images. We suggest that you download your images immediately and back them up to a cloud storage if possible.
Rain and Unpredictable Weather
- What if it rains on the day of my session?
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All weather can certainly be unpredictable. We will make every effort to get you rescheduled at a time when it is convenient for you.
If you are visiting from out of state:
We will make every effort to try to get you in the very next day or before you will need to depart, however we can not guarantee a sunset session. We ask that when scheduling your session that you do it with two days left of your stay incase a session gets rained out, we will have additional days to work with. If it rains three days in a row and we are not able to get you rescheduled we will refund your retainer minus a $150 admin fee. This is the only exception we offer for refunds.
Rights, Use and Manipulation to Images
- Can we get the rights to the images?
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For personal photography sessions (Senior Portraits, Fashion, Couples), you are paying for our creative time and a license for print and personal use. While we will provide a print release for digital files you have purchased, all rights to the images remain the photographer's. This is common industry standards to avoid misuse and unauthorized manipulation of the images that would misrepresent our brand and compromise our reputation. It also protects the photographer from having the images printed commercially without photo credit or compensation for their work. Anything beyond reprinting and personal use will require our written permission or the purchase of a Commercial Image License.
- Do you use our images from our session on your website?
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We do use the images from our sessions to promote our company (body of work), by working with us you agree to allow us to use your images on our website, blog and other marketing material unless you directly request otherwise in writing.
- Can we edit our own images?
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We stand behind our images as works of art that represent the quality standards for our company. For this reason we prohibit any manipulation to our images that is not our own, as it would not reflect our style or brand. Please understand that we take our service to you as a professional very seriously and you have hired us for our quality, artistry, expertise, and reputation. In order to protect our reputation and the quality of work that we provide to our clients, we must maintain full control over the presentation of the images. Depending on which type of session you have purchased, you will be provided either a print license or commercial image license, we still retain the copyrights to all of our images.
- Do I need to sign a model release form?
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Under the tab "Do you use our images from our session on your website?", our website states:
"We do use the images from our sessions to promote our company (body of work), by working with us you agree to allow us to use your images on our website, blog and other marketing material unless you directly request otherwise in writing".
Our body of work is both editorial and serves as a portfolio which falls under "fair use" since the images are owned and copyrighted by the photographer. Although you may still be requested to sign a model release if the photographer feels it is necessary, has intention to use them commercially either contracted by a company or for our own companies commercial use. Usually the photographer will ask permission prior to posting on the website or any social media platform which would require some form of written communication between both the photographer and client serving as written permission (text, email, letter etc.).
You will be required to sign a model release if the photographer will be using them for any commercial client contracted by April Elizabeth Photography. This may or may not be with compensation to the model but it is discussed and agreed upon prior to the session. You may also be required to sign a written agreement/ release to the company in which is contracting the work (magazine, marketing firm etc.).