FAQ : GENERAL & PORTRAIT SESSION
DESIGNING FOR YOUR HOME
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE BOOK A SESSION WITH ALLYSON?
The entire portrait process takes place in three different meetings with us.
The Pre-Session Consultation, your Session and your Ordering Appointment.
THE PRE-SESSION CONSULTATION
First come meet us and see what we are all about! We focus the portrait experience around just that, an amazing experience. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and a commitment to each family’s relationship and the creation of unique art for their home. At your complimentary consultation we will get to know you and you us. We’ll discuss your goals and personal style, so that we can create a session for you that complements YOU. Great portraits begin with a great relationship. Tell us about your home and your vision and we’ll add in our creativity to make it happen.
WHAT IS THE PRE-SESSION CONSULTATION?
This is where the excitement starts! We get to talk about what we can do to create the ideal session for you. When you book a Platinum session, we want to know everything about you, your kids, your family, your house, your style – EVERYTHING! We will talk about clothes, and we would love to see images of your home so we can talk about certain wall spaces and plan for something that fits you. When your session day arrives, we’ll have a plan so everything goes smoothly–which means LESS stress for you.
PLATINUM SESSION is a fully customized session for the entire family with attention to detail regarding the design and planning of your session. Platinum sessions are full sessions and offer 30-40 images for you to review and purchase from. Client may also choose to add on albums and wall art with “Create Your Own Collection” or “a la carte” options.
BABY ONLY SESSIONS are shorter, but still complete session of baby only. offer 20-30 images for your to review and purchase from. Client may also choose to add on albums and wall art with “Create Your Own Collection” or “a la carte” options.
WHEN DO I GET TO SEE THE IMAGES?
You will get to see your images at the studio in a projected slideshow presentation set to music during your Viewing & Ordering Appointment 1-2 weeks after your session. With a Platinum session, we will help you with all of your final decisions on images and products that we have custom designed just for you. And remember those snapshots of your home you sent us? We can show you what your images will look like right on YOUR wall! This is one of the best parts – so please feel free to bring as many people as you would like. But don’t worry! If family lives out of town, a gallery of your purchased images can be posted online for them to view following the ordering appointment. In addition to your Digital Collection purchase, you will have the option to order wall size images and/or albums should you desire. Or you may simply print on your own after we upload your images to our easy, self-order online lab.
CAN I BRING MY OTHER KIDS TO THE ORDERING APPOINTMENT?
Of course you can! Children are welcome, BUT if you would like a chance to relax and concentrate on the beautiful images and products that we will be creating for you, then you might want to arrange childcare. Or we can schedule your appointment when your children are in school.
WHAT IF I ONLY WANT A FEW SMALL PRINTS?
What we are is a full service, high quality studio. Allyson spends an unlimited amount of time on your session from photography to post processing, and then provides you with the highest quality images to choose from. If you want gift prints only, we recommend you invest in smaller digital files so you can print the files how you like up to 8 x 10 in size or choose traditional prints from our “a la carte” and collection options.
WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENT DO MOST FAMILIES MAKE?
Most of our clients choose invest anywhere from $700 to $1100 on their sessions. However, everyone’s needs are different – some spend a little more and some spend less. Clients who select our baby only can typically invest less.
WHY CAN IT BE SO EXPENSIVE?
Quality, custom photography by a specially-trained portrait artist is not for everyone, and takes an enormous amount of time and creative commitment. We are priced in order to continue the premier service we provide to our clients. For example, there are discount stores, department stores and boutiques. We are the “boutique” of photography studios with a fine art product and service that comes with this business model.
WHEN DO I GET TO BRING EVERYTHING HOME?
Quality takes time, so please allow 4 weeks from your order date for completion of your order. Custom designed albums and orders with framing will take longer. But it’s worth the wait!
