FAQ

I want to book an in-home shoot, but my house doesn't have a lot of natural light. Would the pictures still turn out?

A. We'll make it work! Of course the more light, the better, but all I really need is one good window to get some beautiful images. You'd be surprised at what a little editing can do! If you're worried about it, send me a message and we can discuss our options!

What if it rains on the day of an outdoor shoot?

A. I always keep an eye on the weather forecast in the days leading up to a shoot. If there is supposed to be just a little rain, snow, or chilly temperatures the show will go on. However, if extreme weather of any kind is to be expected, we will reschedule. I'll be sure to reach out ahead of time to find another date that works for us both.

How do you feel about dogs?

A. I have two large dogs myself so I'm used to dogs and have no problem with you bringing your fur babies along. However, I'm a photographer, not a dog whisperer, so just keep in mind that dogs tend to get very excited in unfamiliar outdoor locations, and sometimes even the best trained dog isn't super eager to sit and say "cheese." Usually sessions that include dogs result in a slightly smaller gallery (I still guarantee the minimum image count) as more time is often spent coaxing them into cooperation. But as long as that's alright with you, it's alright with me!
If we're taking photos in your home, your pets are welcome to be included in as many or as few photos as you'd like!

Where are you located?

A. I live in Sioux City, IA. Most of my work is done there and in the surrounding area. However, I frequently travel back to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota to visit family and usually have openings for sessions if you're interested in booking a session when I'm there!
I always announce it on my social media pages when I plan on being home, so feel free to follow me there, or you can just reach out and ask!

What form of payment do you accept?

A. Once we pick a date for your session, I will send a booking link to your email that contains an invoice in two parts - one for the $50 non-refundable retainer fee to reserve your time slot, and one for the remaining balance. The retainer will be due up front, and the remainder just needs to be paid before your session. The invoice has two ways to pay - Venmo or with a credit card via Stripe.

Where will we be taking our portraits?

A. It depends on the type of session you're looking for. For seniors, couples, families, and maternity portraits, we almost always shoot outside. I have a number of outdoor locations I like to use that we can discuss and choose from when booking. Outdoor sessions offer the best lighting and the most flexibility with space and posing options - not to mention beautiful colors and scenery. Newborn sessions are most often taken in the comfort of your own home. This is usually easiest for new mothers and the most authentic, since this is likely where you're spending most of those first few weeks anyways! That being said, there are no rules. You want an in-home engagement session or an outdoor newborn session (weather permitting, of course) - let's do it!

What should we wear?

A. First and foremost, whatever you decide to wear should be something that you feel comfortable in. I want you to love your photos, and it's a lot harder to capture authentic portraits of you being you when you don't feel comfortable with what you're wearing. I will also be asking you to move around during your session, so choose an outfit that will allow you move (and sit on the ground!) with relative ease. Beyond that, neutral colors are always a win! If you'd prefer to incorporate more color, look for colors that complement each other - think earth tones and soft colors. Adding layers and different textures also help to give the photos a little depth. I will send you my free style guide when you book in case you're looking for some guidance! And don't forget to dress for the weather if your shoot is outside!

When will we receive our gallery and how many images will we get?

A. You will receive a link via email to your full gallery within 14 days. Your gallery will come with a download code so that you can download the entire gallery or single images as you wish. I always guarantee a minimum number of images depending on the type of session (see specific session pages for more info), however, there are usually a lot more. When everything goes smoothly and everyone is going with the flow, your gallery will have more images. Sometimes an unsure toddler or a very excited dog take a little more coaxing, which may result in a slightly lower photo count - but regardless of the situation, I can assure you, we'll get some beautiful portraits. Life happens, and that's what we're looking to document anyways, right?