studio FAQs

How do i get to the studio, and what is the parking like?

Check out a video on the parking options for a visual explaination, but there is a free lot across the street, free 2-hour parking on 22nd, and metered parking in front of the building. Make sure to check out the entrance instructions, because the stairs are located through the gate and down the hallway at the courtyard. Download the cheat sheet for your phone.

what does the outdoor space offer?

Our courtyard space is the jewel of Midtown! The best way to describe it is Mediterranean foliage (olive trees, citrus trees, and a wall of hot pink bougainvillea).

Do you have an elevator?

Our studio is on the second floor of a historic building and does NOT have an elevator. Check out our quick tour of how to get to the stairs.

For our non-ambulatory clientele, we can enable access through the rear gate and provide a shooting space in the courtyard, or we can request indoor access in the event space downstairs. This needs to be requested and approved well before your appointment, so please give us a heads up so that we can make sure to have the appropriate accommodations!

where are the bathrooms?

There are two bathrooms on the first floor, right behind the staircase.

what background options do you offer at the studio?

We have the natural siding of the building along each side of the studio (brick wall, white wall with tall windows, dark gray painted wall), a rolling background in black and white, seamless background paper in all colors of the rainbow, and many textured/patterned fine art painted backgrounds. We will style the studio according to your inquiry request information and the occasion. Please make your requests in your reservation form so that we can have everything set up for you when you arrive.

are pets allowed at the studio?

Yes! We love our furry friends. However, please make sure that you bring someone to wrangle your pet(s) so that you aren’t running around chasing after them.

portrait FAQs

  • Check out our recommendations for how to pick clothing for your portrait session.

  • The best outcome happens when everyone is on board, but you have to prepare your family by communicating how important this is to you. Not everyone enjoys picture day or the energy around preparing for picture day, but if you have appropriate expectations and let go of perfection, you might be surprised by how much fun it can be, and how it shows in the photos.

    The session will go by the quickest when there is cooperation by everyone. Genuine smiles and interactions are way better than forced smiles and tension!

  • Yes! We love extended family sessions, but extra careful planning may be needed for deciding on the location, wardrobe, shot list, and the amount of time budgeted.

  • Babies and kids are in charge because they can scream and cry and are way more aware of their power, so once you give into that power and just let the photographer play and bond with your child, the more comfortable and open they will be. Also? Crying meltdown pictures are great for when they're teenagers :)

  • Mini sessions are one day with multiple short appointments close together, set around a seasonal theme. They tend to be a lower price, with fewer images included. These are not available to schedule on a custom date or time, and the location is set by the photographer. Make sure you get on the mailing list so that you know when the next mini session date is.

wedding & event faq’s

how many hours do I need covered in a wedding day?

Check out our blog post on how to estimate how much time you may need covered, or schedule a quick call. We will ask all of the questions that we need to give you a good starting point.

what is needed to book?

You will first need to check availability for your date, then schedule a consult call, and if we both feel like it’s a good fit, we would send you a reservation link that will product a contract, and a link to pay 25% of your fee as a retainer for the date.

what is all this talk about a “second shooter” and do I need one?

It means an additional photographer, or an assistant to the photographer. It comes down to budget, experience, and what you want your photographer to focus on. Read more and decide for yourself.

what is a first look, and what is a traditional schedule?

Read an explaination of what the difference between the two are, and how it changes the flow of your day.

why do people take engagement photos?

Couples take engagement photos for many different reasons. Read more about the benefits and then decide what would work best for you.

i know i need a wedding photographer, but what am i going to do with all those pictures?

Not only do you not want to miss out on documenting such a huge day in your life when everyone YOU love will be in one place, you also don’t want to pass by the opportunity to make physical prints of these memories when you looked amazing, and were incredibly happy. Here are some examples of what can be done with these images:

  • Make a family heirloom time capsule of the day in the form of a storytelling album that you can share throughout the years and look at on your anniversary to reminisce.

  • Give gifts of beautiful framed portraits for the family and friends who helped you along the way.

  • Create artwork for your home form the epic landscape portraits mixed with your favorite moments from the dancefloor or ceremony.

  • Make “Thank You” albums for your parents or loved ones who supported you through the planning process.

post-production FAQs

CAN YOU PHOTOSHOP ME?

Whether you have just delivered an infant, or are suffering a bad bout of acne, rest assured that lighting, camera lenses, and angles (coupled with retouching when needed) achieve the most flattering, natural poses with your wishes in mind. 

Additionally, any large artwork you order will be blown up and retouched intricately before being sent to print. 

WHAT SHOULD I BUDGET?

We are a custom photography studio, so we choose images to suit your lifestyle. Typically, wall art plus an album and gifts can bring an investment of $1500-$5500, once your session fee and studio reveal session discounts are applied.

WHY SHOULD I ORDER THROUGH THE STUDIO? 

If you’re going to invest any money in your wall decor or heirloom albums, don’t waste it on cheap, mass produced, low-quality items just because they’re on sale. We are skilled in scale, decorating, color theory, and composition, and have access to the highest quality craftsmanship for your artwork. Take advantage of that knowledge for a full service experience. 

Print release: for each purchased hi-res digital, you have unlimited printing rights for personal use up to 8x10”. Anything larger may be purchased through the studio. 

Gift certificates & future session bookings: Are available for 25% off when added to your checkout invoice.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT STYLE OF IMAGE WILL WORK BEST IN MY HOME?

You’re not a designer. No worries! We are. We’re here to assist not only with providing amazing images, but we also know décor. Bonus: If you can provide us with pictures of your home, we can determine your style and what types and sizes of art will work best with your decorating style. This is best delivered before we determine the location and wardrobe color palette.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE ORDERING SESSION?

Please bring measurements and photographs of your home when possible, along with ideas of items you’re seeking or areas you are considering displaying your portraiture. Pro tip: Take a straight-on phone picture of a wall in your home with a piece of printer paper taped to the wall. We have software that can scale the wall size and project your images, so you can envision what a wall display will actually look like. 

I DON’T HAVE TIME TO COME IN. CAN I CHOOSE IMAGES ONLINE?

Yes, you can. If you already know what you want for an end product, we will provide you with a proofing gallery open for one week to decide on your images. See our video in the rint section for a visual of the process.