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How do you work?
My approach is to be as unobtrusive as possible. I prefer to work on location with natural light as opposed to posed, studio work. I am looking for genuine personalities and natural expressions to capture.
While I don't typically "pose" subjects who are past the age of sitting up and walking, I ask everyone to be flexible in terms of trying out some ideas. This may include using objects in your home, rearranging furniture, leaving the current location to go elsewhere, lying on the grass or jumping on the bed, etc. My goal is to get some great shots and it may require you to be silly or to step outside your comfort zone.
When you book your session, we will talk in depth about what kind of portraits might be best for your family. We will discuss location, wardrobe, personalities and interests of the subjects being photographed.
Where will the session take place?
The simplest answer is, I come to you. I prefer to work at the subject's home if possible. This may be near a natural light source like a window or outdoors, weather permitting. I also know of a number of outdoor options like local parks that are ideal. Early morning or late afternoon is best for any outdoor images.
What should I wear?
My style is to focus on the personality and expressions of the subject and not on the clothing. For that reason, it is always best to stick with solid colors, preferably in a very light or very dark shade. Please avoid logos, printed words, or very busy patterns. Ten years from now, you don't want to be distracted by the style of clothing in the photograph.
For "naked baby" portraits, please remember that diapers and elastic clothing leave skin marks that will appear in a photograph. For that reason, please keep your child in loose fitting garments until the time of the photo session.
For family portraits, it is not necessary that everyone wear matching outfits, but please keep your wardrobe simple and coordinated. Avoid different patterns and be sure everyone is wearing similar colors and styles. Jewelry and accessories should be minimal. Please remove watches.
What can I expect my proofs to look like once they are ready to view? How many proofs should I expect from the photo session?
The answers to both of these questions vary from session to session. Proofs are simply the non edited digital versions of the images I took. Examples of two photo session (one portrait session and one birthday party) are both under 'Client Events'. Simply enter your email address to view them. You will also see other client events here that are password protected as your images will be once they are uploaded.
As you will see, an hour of shooting can produce anywhere from 40-60 printable images. The images seen here have not yet been enhanced in anyway and will be color corrected and edited as necessary before printing or burned to the high resolution DVD.
How can I make my child's photo session go more smoothly?
Do your best to make sure your child is well-rested and fed. I am a mother of two and am very aware that we can't predict a child's mood from one minute to the next, but a little preparation goes a long way. Have snacks (bribes) on hand. I try to make the session fun and keep it very light instead of barking poses at the child. The best thing we can do is to just set up an activity for a child (reading, playing, running, exploring, pretending) and then allow me to stand back and capture it.
When should I schedule?
Certain times of year are obviously busier than others. Winter Holiday sessions fill up as early as October so please schedule accordingly.
How soon can I see my images?
In approximately two weeks, your images will be available to review in a private, online gallery. The gallery will then remain available for 14 days. Be sure to submit your order before the gallery expires. There is a $25 fee per week to republish the gallery after the expiration date or to extend the gallery beyond its original 14 day availability. The gallery can be emailed to friends or family with your email and password.
When will my prints be ready?
After you place your order, your final prints will be ready in approximately 3-4 weeks. Specialty items like custom print orders or fine art prints may take 4-6 weeks. Holiday orders may take longer due to high volume.
What is the difference between your prints and the ones I could purchase from my local drug store?
I often get this question because of the price difference between professional prints and non-professional. The prints you get at a local store are on very cheap paper and with very inexpensive ink. The color in the original image will be altered when printed. Also, non professional prints will fade and deteriorate quickly. It’s basically the same thing as your inkjet printer at home, only it’s faster. Images appear flat and will yellow and fade quickly.
The images you purchase from a professional photographer have been digitally color corrected, cropped, and retouched where necessary. Each and every image has been optimized. Our images are printed on Kodak Professional Endura paper for the longest lasting images. Archival life of 200+ years guarantees the memories of your life to be enjoyed by generations to come. Professional UV coating further protects your family archives.
Can I order more portraits from my session in the future?
Certainly! I can keep your images stored for one year but keep in mind that reorders will be subject to the current prices. After one year, all images must be purged due to storage availability. Reorders are subject to a $100 minimum.
Are the digital files or negatives available for purchase?
Yes. I offer this option for Private Portrait Sessions in addition to Professional Prints. Please see the price list with your session for further information. If you choose this option, you will have the rights to print or reproduce all the images as you wish. All the images on the disc are high resolution (72dpi) and are appropriate for printing images up to 8x10.
Studio Rhubarb retains the full copyright of all images. It is illegal to scan, copy, or otherwise reproduce any Studio Rhubarb images without express written permission. We reserve the right to use all images in promotional materials, including brochures, website, and photographic competitions.