Frequently Asked Questions

When and how do we get our photos?
After your session, your Spokane photographer will upload your SOOC (Straight-Out-Of-Camera) jpg images to a private online gallery so you can view and select the images you want edited. Once you’ve notified us you’ve finished choosing your favorite images, it generally takes 2-3 days to edit your images and upload them to your gallery.

In your gallery, you'll be able to purchase prints as well as additional edited images if you so desire. Once you've decided on the prints and sizes you'd like to order, we will do a final touch up edit (if needed) on your selected images before sending them to the printer.

What locations are available for Portrait Sessions?
There are so many great location options in the NW! Waterfalls, fields of grains, forests and lakes and rivers, oh my! During our consultation we’ll discuss what you want for your session and we’ll find a place that fits your vision. Depending on the package you choose, your portrait session can be done nearly anywhere in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area. See your Locations page for suggestions yet we're always open to new places and adventurous locations.

Refunds & Weather
Refunds are not given for anything beyond our personal control. On the rare occasion that rain or bad weather is imminent, I am more than happy to reschedule if possible. I certainly don’t want my expensive camera gear getting wet. :-)

My philosophy is very simple: I want beautiful images of you just as much as you do. That said, be flexible, be open. Some of the best images I've taken were in inclement weather. Weather is good - it adds drama and passion to photos.

What is the Difference Between a Sunset vs a Day Session? Will we still get bright, sunny photos with a sunset session?
Essentially, there are two basic kinds of "looks" you can choose between: sunset and morning/day. The difference is in the quality and angle of light. Morning/Day sessions are bright, sunny and cheerful. Sunset sessions are generally warm and soft due to the sun being low in the sky. Neither "look" is better, just different. Since sunset sessions begin an hour before sunset (and go about 15 min after), you still get plenty of bright & sunny photos too, they are simply softer & warmer than that of a mid-day session.

Do we get the full resolution images, so we can make prints?
The Edited images you receive are full resolution, big enough to print posters. You are free to print them wherever you choose. For maximum convenience, you can order prints right from your gallery and they will be shipped right to your door. I use the highest quality professional Canon camera and lenses, the Canon R5 mirrorless, which has more than enough resolution to make gorgeous prints on metal and canvas all the way up to 40 x60.

What if we want more edited digital images than our package comes with?
No problem, you have the option to select and purchase additional edited images ala carte, either individually, or in packages of 5, 10, 15 & 20.

Can we change clothes during a session?
Certainly, just be aware that session time is limited and you'll need to be able to change in public on location. Not all locations have bathrooms. If you really want to change it up, the easiest way is to keep it simple by just changing shirts or accessories. Or bring large towels and have a friend at hand to hold it up for you.

What to Wear
First rule of thumb - anything that makes you feel comfortable and confident. That said, we also recommend choosing colors that complement and contrast with your skin and others with you. White shirts on pale skin seldom looks good. Likewise, black clothes on black skin doesn’t complement either. Think contrast. Try to stay away from stripes, logos or fad clothing... you want images that are timeless and still look good 10 to 20 years from now.

But I'm Not Photogenic!
Good - cuz, neither am I! When I am on "the other side of the camera" I feel awkward, shy and uncomfortable too. So I totally understand. Most people feel that way. So I've learned ways to help my clients relax and even come to enjoy being in front of the camera. You don't have to know what to do, how to pose or what to do with your hands... and it's totally okay if you feel shy. Posing ideas and making you look good is my job. If you're willing to just play with me, try different things, I promise you'll soon actually start having fun. And, as I remind clients before every session, this is digital photography... if we try something and it doesn't look good, we just push the delete button and try again!

How Many Photos Do We Get From A Session? 
The number of Edited Images you receive obviously depends on the package you chose. As to how many images I take during a session -  while I never promise an exact number, I generally end up with at least 200 images per hour, sometimes quite a bit more than that. It depends on how much direction the clients need, the location, the conditions, etc.

A couples session almost always means more images are taken simply because there are only two people to work with. Some families can be very focused and I easily take 350+ images out of a 90 min session. Other families can be totally chaotic and we barely end up with 120.

My philosophy is to give clients as many quality shots as possible, with as much variety as possible. However, quality always trumps quantity.