Q: Where are you located?
My in-home studio and viewing room are in Maple Valley. However I’m an on-location photographer and will meet you at any location within a 20 mile radius of Issaquah.
Q: I want to book a session, now what?
Yahoo! I’m so excited to meet you. Contact me and tell me what kind of session you are looking for. Feel free to give me any ideas you have for your session too! I will get back to you to plan a pre-session meeting. At this meeting we will discuss exactly what you’re looking for in your session, go over prices, and you’ll get to see some of the cool products I offer in person!
Q: What is included in my session?
All sessions include a 1.5 hour session at the location of your choice within a 20 mile radius of Issaquah. After your session, you will have 30-40 images to choose from at your selection appointment.
Q: When and how can I purchase the images?
After your shoot, we will have a selection appointment which will take place at my in-home studio in Maple Valley, WA. At your appointment you will view your images first on screen and then use printed proofs to help make your decisions. Because your ordering will be done at this selection appointment, it is important that all decision makers be at the scheduled appointment. We set aside about 90-120 minutes for this appointment. We ask that you do the same.
Q. How much should I expect to spend on my final prints?
Criativo Photography emphasizes the importance of having something beautiful to hang on your walls at home that you will cherish for years to come. Beautiful albums are also a great option for being able to enjoy many of the images from your session. At the selection appointment, you will be able to view these products in person.
You can purchase images a la carte or in packages. Most clients spend between $500-1,300.
Q: Are all your photos retouched?
The photos you see after your session have been color corrected. The ones that you choose to order from will be more cleanly finely retouched.
Q: What if I have specific ideas for my portraits?
Great, I love it when you have ideas of what you want! I will do my best to capture the look you are going for. Bring examples of portraits you like. You can find lots of great examples on the Internet, in books, magazines, or by looking at friends’ portraits. It’s much easier to show me what you like than to try to explain it in words.
Q: How do we choose a location?
Your pictures will be more meaningful if you choose the location for your session. While it may seem like a daunting task, it’s incredibly rewarding!
Here are a few tips in choosing the right location:
1. Choose a spot that is indicative of your personality. Don’t simply choose the beach (and wear white shirts and jeans!) because everyone else is doing it…go to a place that represents YOU!
2. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Maybe you don’t want to do pictures at the park or in your home. Feel free to suggest a more “funky” location: your favorite coffee bar, the ragged alley downtown, etc. Beauty is everywhere…the photographer just has to find it!
3. Choose a location that offers landscape diversity. It’s totally awesome to shoot, say, at a local park, but all the pictures are going to be green. Which is fine, but if you think things through you can perhaps find a park that’s close to a downtown area for an urban option as well. This affords the luxury of having more options when choosing your final portraits.
Q: How long do you keep the digital images from my session?
I ensure protection of your digital images for one year from your session date.
Q: Do you travel outside of the Seattle area?
I photograph mainly around the greater Bellevue area. Traveling fees may apply to areas beyond my 20 mile radius from Issaquah. Traveling fees start at $25. Fees will be quoted individually.
I love to travel! I am available to travel out of state or out of the country. Contact me for details.
Q: What should I wear?
General Tips for Clothing:
• Solid colors or simple patterns look best. Busy patterns on clothing are distracting.
• Medium to dark shades create a timeless look.
• Darker colors are slenderizing.
• Small jewelry/accessories compliment your face better. Avoid large, distracting accessories.
• Make sure your shoes match your outfit. They might show in some poses. You may even want to go barefoot for a less formal look.
• Long sleeves are better for adults to focus attention on the face. Short sleeves are ok for infants and children.
General Tips for Grooming:
• Simple hairstyles and natural makeup are best.
• Don’t get your hair cut within 48 hours of your portrait sitting. Ideally, haircuts should happen 2 weeks prior.
• Limit your exposure to the sun for a few days before portrait day.
• Have any hair and makeup supplies available for quick touch-ups.
Children: I recommend clothing that is comfortable and fun! Including fun accessories is a great way to add a personal touch. Try to avoid logos and large prints as this will be distracting. I encourage you to bring at least one simple outfit such as a white shirt or dress. Clothing changes are welcomed. I also strongly recommend that children (and even families) go barefoot in photos. Shoes are usually dirty and formal looking. It can also be fun for your child to bring some favorite (fun) dress up clothes to play with!
Families: Try to wear clothing that has the same tone and belong in the same color family. *Think of it this way: Dress your family like one big outfit- coordinated but not perfectly matching!
Maternity: Bring outfits that will match the style you are going for. If you want traditional bare belly photos, make sure to wear really loose clothing earlier in the day so there will be no lines or indentations showing on your skin. If you want a more casual look, bring fitted tank tops and comfortable pants. Another great look is any pre-pregnancy jeans that you may be able to wear if they are not zipped. As always, keep your clothing selection simple and avoid busy patterns.
Bring any props you’d like to include in your portraits—baby booties, a rubber ducky or a stuffed animal make adorable props. An ultrasound picture can also add an interesting effect.
Boudoir: Bring a selection of outfits to reflect the different moods you’d like to capture, from modest to playful to sensual. Choose colors that are best for you, but that are not too similar to your skin tone. Be sure to include jewelry, accessories, and shoes. You can have fun incorporating some items to personalize the image for your man (a tool belt, his white shirt and tie, his team t-shirt), or you may have some other items that have more personal meaning to you.