Frequently Asked Questions:1. What kind of pictures do you take?
a. I photograph maternity, newborns, children, family, graduating seniors, and weddings. I am open to trying anything new so please feel free to ask!
2. Do you have a location?
a. I don’t as of right now but we are looking for a home in the Keokuk area and will be then have an available studio. Like me on Facebook to keep up to date!
www.facebook.com/memorylanephotog .
3. How do I book with you?
a. All you have to do is send me an email
memorylanephotog@gmail.com or give me a call (319) 795-6924. We can talk about dates and time that will work best for you.
4. What happens after I book with you?
a. I will send you an email with an information sheet (questionnaire) that I need you to feel out so I can get a better idea of what you would like. From here I will pick out some locations (if you do not have any in mind) and will email you with our meeting location. After this I will send you an email with the contract so you can read it before the session. I will bring the contract with me to the session where you may then sign it.
5. When is the best time for pictures?
a. Outdoor pictures - first couple hours in the morning (8am-10am) or last couple hours before the sun goes down (this time varies depending upon the year). I prefer to have sessions Monday-Saturday (Sunday is my only full day with the husband) but if Sunday is the only day that will work for you, then we can make it work.
6. How long do the sessions last?
a. How long they last is up to you! I photograph until you are ready to stop. The session cost depends on the amount of time, so if you have a specific time or cost in mind let me know up front and I will let you know at the session when we are getting close to that limit so we can wrap the session up in time.
7. Do these prices include tax?
a. No they do not. Iowa sales tax is 7%.
8. When do I pay you?
a. The session amount is due after the session is finished. I accept cash or check. Later when you place your order for pictures the amount is due either by check or PayPal before I can place your order.
9. How long does it take before I can view my pictures?
a. The average time for editing after the shoot is one week. If I have other photo shoots to edit first it will take longer. I edit photo shoots in order. I will email or call you once your images are available for viewing on my web-site. You can then view the pictures in your album.
10. How do I place an order?
a. You can call me or email me. I prefer you not send a message through Facebook because I have had clients in the past send me messages and I never received them.
11. How long do I have to place an order?
a. Your album will be available for six months from the day I put your album up. The prices that you were quoted when you booked your session are good for up to three months after your album is put up on my web-site.
12. How long does it take for me to receive my pictures after I have ordered?
a. Once I have received your payment I will place the order within 24 hours (on business days when lab is open) with my lab. For general portraits I should have them within two business days. For canvases and other specialty products it will take a little longer.
13. ‘Custom Photographer’ verses a ‘Department/Super Store Photographer’-Why is there such a big price difference?
a. There are so many differences and so many reasons why there is such a big price difference but I am going to give you the shorter version!
First, according to a few articles I have read online the super stores/chain department stores that offer photography studios have a small price because they do such a volume of clients (they want you in and out in 30 minutes). A lot of photographers that works at these stores have no experience, no education, just short training how to click the shutter button. Some have no idea how to even use the lighting equipment, just told not to move them. They are actually losing money on the studio but consider it a win because they get you in there and hope you spend money elsewhere (on clothing, groceries, etc).
COST - Custom Photographers have so many costs. Some of them are: insurance, income tax, sales tax, cost of web-site, internet, cell phone, rent (if they have a studio), equipment costs & repairs, software & upgrades, computer repairs & upgrades, plus the actual cost of the prints and products that we order from the lab. This is a HUGE reason why we can’t charge $10 for 30 pictures (plus we pay more than 10.00 for those 30 portraits at our lab, we would actually be paying for some of your portraits out of our own pockets). We also have a lot of time and money into education, whether it is via books, internet, webinars, seminars, or college. For some we also have cost of driving to and from the locations and cost of a babysitter while we photograph.
TIME - Unlike the department store photographer we average about 10 hours into each session verses their 30-60 minutes all together. We have the initial calls/emails for setting up a session, emailing of forms, contracts, etc, time prepping for the shoot (typing up a shot list, finding best locations, loading up equipment, cleaning equipment, charging batteries, checking all equipment to make sure it is working properly, clearing SD cards, etc), arriving to location unloading, the actual 1-3 hour session, loading up, unloading everything at home, uploading pictures, working an hour on the sneak peek pictures, uploading them to face book, editing portraits throughout the week, uploading images to web-site and then notifying client that portraits are ready. Once the client places the order, I write it down, type up an invoice, email them the invoice to make sure all is correct then I place the order with the lab (once payment is received). Once prints arrive I go through to make sure everything is there and correct, then I package them and deliver them to client.