Portrait Session and Studio Policies

Other than generally being available in Richmond, nowhere. I don’t have a studio, there’s nowhere for you to drop by and visit right now.

Your portrait session is always on-location. This could be your home or office, your [de-cluttered] garage, the great outdoors, a rented space…basically, anywhere I can take my truck. I'm a mobile portrait studio available where all roads lead.

We choose the location that works best for us. You can’t get more options than that!

The greater Richmond metro area. I am willing to drive as long as a two-hour roundtrip for particular types of session (i.e. storytelling and legacy work). This means my outer boundaries are roughly Charlottesville, Petersburg, and Williamsburg. 

It's how I prefer to work: extremely hands-on, and bespoke. The Consultation is how we clarify location, concept, number of final images, and overall direction.

Expect to spend 30–60 minutes with me. By the end, you’ll know exactly what we’re creating, how it will unfold, and your total investment. (You'll have my phone number for any later questions.)

Knowing what's going to happen means we're both a lot more relaxed. The more prepared I am, the better the results. Stressed people don't look good on camera (or take good photos).

This is the magic of the Consultation. We build the shot-list based based on my experience and your stated needs. The process is simpler than you might think. There's always plenty of room for spontaneous creativity during the photoshoot.

The shot-list is not like a photo package, and it's not to limit inspiration or brilliant moments during your portrait session. It's the expected minimum of final images you're going to receive. It's to make sure you get precisely what you want out of the session.

If I do my job right, you're going to love the results and want to buy more images! Which is very easy: $99 per additional final image. That's all it costs to have as many images as  you want.

My Creative Fee covers the planning, photography time, retouching, and delivery of your final images. It is determined based on scope and complexity your bespoke portrait session.

I can only give you an accurate rate at the end of our Consultation, however, because  every portrait session has its own requirements and expected outcomes. 

Though the Creative Fee is the main expense of your photoshoot, it's also transparent, and there are no other fees beyond that (unless you want to purchase additional images).

I don't use markup on products, hidden fees or paywalling images to make money. It’s all very upfront, and very affordable for commercial-quality images. Feel free to ask questions at any point in the process if you need clarification.

Anything required for our photoshoot that isn’t covered by either one of us. That could be rental equipment, a rented location, the fee for a permit to take photographs, water and snacks, specific props, etc.

I can’t control these costs, and I’ll do my best to offer alternatives. Payment depends on the third-party, as well. A rented studio usually requires a deposit and payment in advance; a park photography permit is usually paid on the spot.

I accept all major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Zelle, ACH, and cash. All these options can be easily paid online (except cash).

Payment plans are available through Affirm, Klarna, or Afterpay. Checks are accepted if paid with advance time to clear. No crypto.

Please ask during the Consultation if you know you need a payment plan, expect to pay via check, or if you have other financial questions.

Yes. A 25% deposit confirms your session date, my Creative Fee, and your number of final images. The balance is due on or before our session. You'll get the timeline and an invoice after the Consultation.

No. My work is intentional portrait sessions, with an atmosphere of intimacy. I do not photograph weddings or large-scale events.

No. I prefer to focus on adults, no pun intended. The only exception are Grandparent Portraits, and even then it's a case-by-case basis. I connect best with adults (and my style is best-suited for adults).

Yes they are! They require planning, though.

If you want a polished, cinematic video—no. My cameras are capable of recording fantastic video but I have no training in videography or editing video.

If you’re willing to experiment and take a chance on the video not turning out like we’d hoped—yes. You get the raw footage to edit.

At this time, video doesn't go in my portfolio and doesn’t factor into my Creative Fee. Third-party expenses are out of my control.

No, I do not offer RAW files at any point in my process. Any digital files you receive are finished and ready for printing or online sharing.

Yes. It's an additional $1000 for delivery of up to 5 digital images within 24 hours of proofing.

Rush availability must be confirmed at the time of booking. Proofing is expected to immediately follow the session.

If your order is fully digital: 2-3 weeks after your proofing session, unless you’ve selected the Rush option.

If your order includes printed items, the lab and shipping timelines will vary based on the seasonal volume of orders. Generally, expect a turnaround of 3-4 weeks. Labs may or may not offer their own rush options, or expedited shipping through their carriers. I'll keep you informed of your options, and when to expect your items.

It's the opposite of a Model Release. It means your photos won't be used in my advertising, displayed on the website, or used in studio samples/digital mockups. 

My default is to include a Model Release with all sessions so that I may use the photos as mentioned. This is default for most photographers. 

The Privacy Clause option is limited to regularly-priced sessions, not my portfolio-building sessions.

Your privacy is protected in other ways. Your proofing galleries are always private and password-protected.

I don't use AI software in retouching images. I use Adobe, which includes AI in its products, but I tend to not utilize it (and am looking into non-AI alternatives). I'm not uploading your images to any AI server for manipulation, storage, or sharing. 

Any BTS shots or video is done with your explicit permission only (and accounted for with a specific Model Release).

Portrait sessions may involve emotionally-intimate moments. They stay there. Any photoshoot stories I share, I share with permission.  

All images are backed up in multiple locations. 

If you need an image file more than six months after your photo session, there is a $25/hr archival retrieval fee. But I should have all viable images from our photoshoot, and all final images in their final formats. I do not delete paid portrait sessions at any time. 

It comes from being trained on film, which is expensive. I explain this in my various philosophy posts on the blog.

It means I plan when I press the shutter, I don't spray-and-pray, I don't guess at what's captured in the camera. I don't waste shots. 

Those of you who are familiar with Henri Cartier-Bresson's Decisive Moment understand where I'm coming from.

More philosophy posts! Sorry.

I think that B&W is emotionally-honest, and I like it for that reason. I prefer to shoot exclusively in B&W, if I can. I realize that branding and commercial shoots are probably going to have to be in color. But, if at all possible, I'd rather shoot in B&W.

I learned how to see in black-and-white in college, and it's how I continue seeing even now. It's not a filter or affectation, it's how I work best.

I'm open to collaborative offers when aligned with my business and/or creative goals. Please let me know what you have in mind.