Welcome to our Cozy FAQ Corner!

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1. HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION? HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?

Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis and booked in at least a month in advance for the best opportunity. A 25% deposit will save your special date and time. As soon as your contract is signed and the deposit is sent, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing your appointment is safely secured. Keep in mind that the deposit is non-refundable, since I'm reserving time just for you!

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Booking is as easy as 1-2-3! You have a couple of options:

• Give that lovely "Book Now" button a click, and you'll be whisked away to a scheduling platform where you can check date availability and select your package. You'll be able to pay your deposit and then I'll follow up to get everything prepared for your session.

• Prefer to take it slow or can't find what your looking for? No worries, just fill out our Contact form with your desired date and information. I'll be in touch shortly to iron out the details and confirm your magical photo session.

 

2. WHY DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

Appointments are available exclusively by reservation and are subject to my availability. To secure your preferred date and time, it is recommended to book as early as possible. In the event your preferred date is unavailable, it's advisable to have alternative dates and/or times in mind. Upon reaching an agreement, both a signed contract and a deposit are required to secure the date of your session.

 

3. DO YOU TRAVEL?

Yes, I do! Please be aware that outside of 30 miles from Niceville requires a  travel fee may apply.

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4. HOW DOES THE GALLERY WORK ?

Image Presentation and Selection Process:

 

All qualified images from your session will be showcased in a private online gallery, lightly edited and awaiting your selection. You will receive a link and password via email for access. Once your selection is complete and I am notified, I will finalize edits on your chosen images and re-upload them onto your gallery for download.

 

Your package includes a specific number of images, but if you find it challenging to narrow down your choices and fall in love with more images, you have the option to purchase 'Additional Images.'

 

Family and friends will also have the convenience of placing their orders directly through the gallery. The gallery facilitates full-size and social media-sized downloads, ensuring a more expedited process for obtaining your images. Additionally, my gallery site offers easy access to purchase options such as advanced editing, a keepsake flash drive, ordering prints, etc.—all at the click of a button.

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5. DO YOU OFFER ADVANCED EDITING?

Certainly! However, please note that due to the substantial post-processing time involved, there is an extra fee for such requests. Kindly express these preferences during your image selection process within the gallery. For a detailed understanding of the distinctions between basic editing and advanced editing, refer to the section below – it provides a comprehensive overview for your clarity. :)​

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6. AM I ABLE TO PURCHASE MORE DIGITALS THAN MY PACKAGE ALLOWS?

Absolutely! The package price is determined by many factors, one of which is the number of included images, but you have the flexibility to acquire more. Each additional edited image (if you need further edits) is priced at $25 each. However, if you prefer the images as they are in the gallery, additional untouched images are available at a reduced rate of $15 each.

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6. WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND TIME?

Our goal is to have sneak peeks up within 24 hrs of session and galleries up within 2 weeks of your session.

 

DISCLOSURE: As the primary editor overseeing all image content, I play a crucial role in maintaining a consistent and branded visual style. It is imperative that all images receive my approval before being uploaded to your gallery. This meticulous review ensures that each image aligns seamlessly with our established standards, guaranteeing a flawless and appealing outcome that aligns with your preferences. Your satisfaction is paramount, and we are committed to delivering images that you will truly cherish.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Gallery delivery timelines may encounter delays attributable to several factors, notably during peak seasons and other contributing circumstances. We ask for your patience please.

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7. CAN I EXPEDITE MY GALLERY? 

Certainly! If you need your images delivered more quickly, you have the option to expedite the process for a fee of $150. With this expedited service, your gallery will be ready within 48 hours of your session or payment. To ensure optimal results, kindly notify me in advance if you wish to include this option in your session.

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8. WHAT IF IT RAINS?

In the event of unforeseen weather challenges from Mother Nature, we will promptly reschedule your session to the next available date and time. Please be aware that this might involve scheduling a sunrise session if all sunset slots are already booked.

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9. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

I have a whole page dedicated to this question. Please visit it for more information and guidance,

 

PrEPArING FoR YoUr SEsSIoN:

 

1. HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY PHOTO SHOOT?

We all have our individual routines, but when gearing up for any photo shoot, attention to detail is key. Consider aspects such as hair, nails, waxing, skincare, and the decision on whether to tan or not.

 

Here are our recommendations:

• Hair cut/color: Schedule this 10-14 days before your photo shoot to allow your hair to settle into the new style and texture.

• Nails: Take the opportunity to pamper yourself before the shoot. Visit the salon for a mani-pedi as your hands and nails will be prominent in the pictures. Opt for polished and gorgeous nails, considering lighter tones for a better photographic effect. If in doubt, a clean polish with buffing and shaping can make a significant difference.

• To tan or not to tan. Tanning bed or spray? This answer is not going to be popular with many but we do not endorse tanning prior to a photo shoot. I know many of you are looking for that sun kissed glow but with so many of the results, we find that fake or real, tanning does nothing but age you. And fake tans, girl, no one and I mean NO ONE wants that weird candy orange glow in their pictures.​ Also, skin may appear blotchy after tanning and/or may peel. The last thing we want you to worry about is your skin.

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2. BE WELL RESTED AND NOURISHED

I strongly advise against attending the session on an empty stomach, especially when children are part of the photo shoot. Be sure to pack some light snacks to maintain their energy levels. The photoshoot setting can be unpredictable and occasionally challenging, so patience is key. While babies may cry, adding an intriguing element to the shoot, our goal is to keep parents stress-free! Additionally, don't forget about hydration—bring a bottle of water for the thirsty ones.

 

 

Valuable tips and advice to Enhance Your Photography Experience

 

 

1. ASK DAD TO BE A CHEERFUL PARTICIPANT ;)

Oops, Dads, we get it... Well, not every Dad follows this script, but if yours does, pretty please put on that cheerful hat and join in the fun! I know "the family photo session" might not scream "Dad thing," and it's not their favorite, but trust me, capturing these family moments is super important. These pictures will be like a magical time capsule for your kiddos when they're all grown up – cherished and loved for years and years! 😊

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2. CONSIDER INCORPORATING ITEMS/ACTIVITIES YOUR FAMILY ENJOYS TOGETHER IN THE PHOTO SHOOT

Having something interactive to do, not only engages the little ones, but also brings out genuine smiles which can make a world of difference. Whether it's games, sports, reading, or enjoying a tasty treat—whatever your family loves—having an activity adds authenticity to the photos, resulting in beautiful and genuine moments captured.

 

3. PLAN BATHROOM BREAKS STRATEGICALLY

Restrooms may not be readily accessible during certain on-location shoots, especially beach photo sessions.

 

 

4. EMBRACE THE BEACH EXPERIENCE

If you're up for a beach session, get ready for some unpredictable vibes and sandy toes. Rarely do we encounter a breeze-free beach day – most of the time, it's a bit gusty. So, fly-aways and a touch of sand may happen – and guess what? That's totally cool! We've got tools to brush off the sand, and feel free to bring your hair tools for touch-ups between shots. Sometimes you just gotta say, "Beach hair, don't care!" The secret is to let loose, have a blast, and enjoy every moment!

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5. EMBRACE THE "UNSCRIPTED" PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE

My absolute favorite! Not every shot requires everyone staring at the camera with matching smiles. When your family is engaged, sharing love, and enjoying each other, your eyes naturally focus on your loved ones, and your smiles become genuine. These are the photos you'll treasure the most, capturing emotions and showcasing the authentic connection and love within your family.

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Basic editing vs advanced editing explained

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The terms ‘Basic’ and ‘Advanced’ in terms of editing are used quite often in the photography world, but can mean wildly different things. Some photographers even use them meaning the same thing, which can be very confusing to a couple getting married unless the photographer is specific about what they mean or unless you ask them to explain. So, in this post, I will explain what I mean by ‘Basic’ and what I mean by ‘Advanced’. After reading, you will have a better understanding of what the terms can mean (as I said, it can vary from photographer to photographer), so that you know what questions to ask to better understand what you will receive.

 

I edit every photo that I send to a client. To be specific, I correct for lighting/exposure and color temperature, crop the image if necessary, as well as adding my own ‘signature’ touches to the images. 

 

Editing a photo, as I use the term, can take as little as a few seconds or a few minutes, depending on the desired effect. It may not seem like a lot of time, but when spread out over 800 to 1000 photos, it means hours and hours of work.

 

My first step in the ‘Basic editing’ process is to cull the photos. This means I go through all of the pictures that were taken and determine which pictures will be delivered. While the percentage of photos I keep has increased over my years as a photographer, there are still the occasional shots that do not get delivered – someone stepped in front of my camera, everyone has their eyes closed, etc. etc – hey, sometimes things happen. If your photographer is not culling your images for you as part of editing then you will be left to sift through all of the pictures yourself. Also, if a photographer is not culling the images, it is probable they aren’t editing them either since one of the main reasons for culling images is so that you don’t waste time editing photos that will not be delivered.

 

When simple editing won’t do the trick, retouching begins. For me, basic retouching means up to 10 minutes of work on an image – removing blemishes, brightening teeth, smoothing skin, or even removing an unsightly wire…

 

I usually only get into ‘Advanced editing’ for a handful of images per wedding or upon request from a client. Personally, I charge an additional fee for this type of work. Why? Because this type of editing can take several hours of work to make sure you get perfect images. 

This type of editing can include all or some of the following:

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• Teeth whitening

• Removing stray hair on a face, shoulders, back

• Professional skin editing (blemishes removal, smoothening)

• Background enhancement (solid color replacement, extending)

• Weight reduction

• Small objects removing

• Pro correction

• Working on the details (in this case objects removing from the clothes)

• Liquify effect

• Stylization (following the client's style)

 

Every photographer’s definition of ‘Basic editing’ and ‘Advanced editing’ can mean different things. What is important is to be sure that you understand what your photographer will be delivering to you and what they mean. Hopefully, this post has given you a basis to start from in your discussion with your photographer. If you have any questions about this topic, please don't hesitate to call to discuss!

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