Before the session:
Once contacted by a client, we will set up an in-person, telephone, instant messenger, or email consultation at a time that is convenient for both the client and Christina — this will be during the evening or on a weekend.
During the consultation, we will go over the purpose of the session that you want and the type of portraits that are desired. In addition, we’ll also discuss the ‘look’ that is desired so that we can determine locations and props that will fit your wants and needs. We’ll finish our consultation by selecting a time and date that fits best into your schedule. Due to daytime commitments (work and college), most sessions will be conducted in early evening on a Friday (summer months only) or on weekends (early to mid-morning or mid to late afternoon are the best times for natural lighting). We will gladly consider arranging sessions on weekday holidays (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day) that we are off work/not in class.
Sessions:
When: Primarily on Saturday or Sundays, early to mid-morning or mid to late afternoon being the best times for natural lighting. As mentioned above, we’ll also conduct sessions on weekday holidays that we are off work/not in class (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day).
Where: All photography sessions are shot at the site of the client’s choice–their home, urban/downtown areas, a park, roadsides, fields, or anywhere outdoors or indoor locations that have great natural lighting. We will try to stick with locations that do not charge a permit fee so that we do not have to pass that cost on to you, thus keeping prices affordable. However, if there is a location that you highly desire that charges a photography session fee, we will be more than happy to arrange a session there and will quote a price that includes the permit fee. Most locations that charge a permit fee usually have a set fee (normally averaging $75) or charge by the hour.
What: CMP focuses primarily on “natural light photography” as much as possible. Studio style portraiture is currently unavailable. We do have a small selection of solid colored backdrops that we can use indoors (well lit locations only) or outside for maternity and newborn/infant portraiture only. Backdrops are unavailable for any other portraiture style we currently offer.
Pets and Props: Pets are very much welcome in photography sessions, as well as any props that clients want to include. Please let us know in advance what types of props you want to include or what types of pets (cats, dogs, horses, etc) so that we can create a plan ahead of time to best maximize your session time.
Session Types: Currently, Senior/Anytime (aka individual), couples/engagement, Rock the Dress (bridal/prom), family, maternity, newborns/children’s portraiture photography are available for scheduling.
Wardrobe: All portraiture sessions have two wardrobe changes (three outfits total) that can be fit in a two hour session. All sessions are planned around your personality and interests — we can do casual, formal, or anywhere in between.
However, while we want your personality to shine, we recommend keeping outfit choices simple and classic so that the focus is on you, not your clothing. By staying away from distracting/busy patterns and keeping clothing choices simple, it will allow the focus to remain on you and not to be distracted by what is being worn. For group and family sessions, we recommend a complementary classic look to clothing — coordinating colors that complement rather than distract from your final images.
Weather: If inclement weather interferes with your scheduled session time, CMP will reschedule your session at a time that is most convenient for both you and CMP.
Rescheduling: No fees will be assessed when reschedules are due to weather or major illness (either the client or photographer) or location conflicts on the date of choice.
After the session…
Because we do have other full time commitments that dominate much of our time during regular weekday business hours, turn-around time on online proofs will average two to three weeks depending upon what may be going on at that particular point in time (including other sessions we are editing in addition to yours), as well as the number of photos taken/edited. Our goal is to have online proofing and slideshows online for you to view within two weeks of your session date, but it occasionally does take us a bit closer to the three week mark with longer sessions/events photographed or during our ‘busy season’ leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will provide you with an estimated turn around time for proofs and slideshows at the conclusion of your session. Sneak peeks are posted on our blog while we are editing your images.
Depending on your print/product needs (which will be discussed during the consultation), we’ll provide you with an estimated order delivery time when we send you the access information to the proof and slideshow galleries. We use several professional photography printing services we’ve selected based on their product quality and cost savings and will place your order with the one that best fits your purchase needs. Turn-around time on print orders will primarily depend upon the printing service used–we have to upload your images to their site and wait for them to process through that company’s queue, then wait for the shipping company’s delivery. Rush service is available on a case-by-case basis and will be assessed an additional fee to cover the shipping and handling costs incurred from the printing service. The closer your order/reorder is placed to a holiday period, the longer orders will take. If you are purchasing prints for graduations or Christmas cards, please place your order at least a month in advance of when you need prints so we can have them to you in plenty of time. We are not responsible for delays in delivery that are beyond our control (i.e. printer and delivery company schedules).
If you have any questions regarding session information that is not listed here, please let us know and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
