Question: Where is your studio?
Short Answer: The world is my studio.
Long Answer: I have spent a considerable amount of time weighing the pros and cons of setting up a full time studio. After much deliberation, I decided that I and my clients would be better served by concentrating my efforts on location shoots. Quite simply, a full time studio requires a great deal of overhead costs. In addition, I would have the added expense of hiring a full time employee to man the shop. As with any business, it would then be necessary to pass all of these expenses onto my clients. I believe that most of my clients would rather pay less for the finished product than pay more and provide me with a store front. The reality is that the same high quality professional results can be achieved at any location with just a little extra effort on my part.

Question: If you don't have a permanent studio, where are the photo sessions held?
Short Answer: Anywhere and everywhere.
Long Answer: It really depends on the type of photos you are looking for.
For traditional formal portraits, almost any indoor location will work. Most of my clients prefer the convenience of doing the session at their home. Most people, especially small children, tend to be more comfortable in familiar surroundings. This really comes out in the finished portraits. If you dislike the idea of doing the traditional portraits in your home, or if you don't have the space, I invite you to come to my home where I have a room set aside just for these occasions.
For more casual outdoor portraits, we can meet at the location of your choice. We are lucky enough to live in a region that is filled with beautiful locations to shoot individual and family portraits.

Question: What kind of equipment do you use?
Short Answer: Top of the line professional equipment.
Long Answer: Okay, let me start by stating that it is not the camera that makes a quality photograph. It is the photographer. The same results can be achieved with a 30 year old film camera as can be reached with the new digital SLR that came out last week. However, for all you gear-heads, all of my cameras and lenses are made by Nikon. My backdrop support system and tripods are by Manfrotto. And my studio lights are made by Alien Bee.

Question: Film or digital?
Short Answer: All digital.
Long Answer: The debate over which media type, film or digital, is better has been going on ever since digital cameras came on the market. In my humble opinion, digital has won. Both formats have their strengths and weaknesses. However, for the type of shooting that I do, the advantages of using digital far outweighs it's drawbacks.

Question: How long does each session last?
Short Answer: As long as you need.
Long Answer: I put no time restrictions on photo sessions. The time it takes depends on the location, the number of individuals, and number of posses you would like of each. Rushed subjects equal poor photos.
If you are looking for a general guide as to the time that will be needed; Outdoor portrait sessions with perfect natural light and only one subject can be as quick as a few minutes. Indoor sessions with a backdrop, studio strobes and several individual and group shots can take as much as a few of hours. I leave the decision of when to quit up to the client. When you are comfortable with the number and type of photos taken, the first part of my job is done. I always schedule ample time for each session.

Question: What if I don't like the pictures?
Short Answer: I will re-shoot for no charge.
Long Answer: Sometimes things go wrong. The weather is bad. You are having a bad hair day. You are sick or just in a bad mood. If for any reason you don't like your photos, just give me a call or send me an email and we will schedule another shoot as many times as it takes until you are pleased. I would rather re-shoot a dozen times than have one unhappy client. If you don't love you photos, then I haven't done my job.

Question: Do you shoot pets?
Short Answer: Only with my camera.
Long Answer: Many people consider their pets to be part of the family. I love including them in family portraits, and will gladly take a portrait of your pet alone if you like.

Question: Why should I hire you when I could go to "X" studio and get a package for $9.95?
Short Answer: Quality and convenience.
Long Answer: Budget portrait studios have their place. We have all used them. In the typical scenario, you get your family dressed up in their Sunday best. You pack everyone into the car and drive down to their location. You and your family wait impatiently in line in a cramped little room, pulling on your shirt collars and listening to crying babies. When your turn comes, an entry level employee who hates their job does their best job to get one adequate shot of you while you are not blinking. You pay your sitting fees and leave. Four to Six weeks later, you get a notice that your pictures are in. You arrive only to discover that the $9.95 special has transformed into a spread of dozens of photos of spread out on a table. The psychology behind this is that you will see all of the work that they have done and that will guilt you into purchasing the rest of the photos at GREATLY increased prices. They ask you how many "extras" you need for your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins… You get the point. Your $9.95 deal is now costing you over $200. And to top it all off, all of the portraits look the same. The same cheesy backgrounds, the same blank expressions, and the same look and pose as last year. You've ended up spending way too much money and left with very average, very common looking pictures. Many of which you can't even use. Because in order to get the ones you really wanted, you had to purchase the larger package deals that include sheets of postage stamp sized pictures that aren't really good for anything. Okay, enough about the bad guys.
Now let's look at a typical session with me. I show up at your home or the location that you have chosen. We sit down and I listen to you describe what you are looking for. You look through my portfolio and chose the style that you like. Or maybe you would like to choose several different styles. Maybe you have something completely original in mind. Whatever it is, we work together to make it happen. You prefer black and white photos with a white background. No problem. You would like to try some colorful shots with black or different colored backgrounds. Again, no problem. You need individual photos of your kids, then some with all the boys, then all the girls. Maybe a group shot or two, or twenty, with everyone, including the dog. No problem at all. Once you feel that all of the bases have been covered, we wrap it up. You pay me my inexpensive session fee, and I am off to process the photos. Within a couple of days (not months, days) you will receive an email, or call if you prefer, informing you that your proofs are ready and can be viewed online. You simply go to my website, input the security code that I provide you, and purchase the ones you want in whatever sizes you desire. They will be sent right to your door. It's that easy. And all you have to do is pass on the web address and security code to anyone in your family that may want to purchase their own.

Question: Can I have the photos printed myself?
Short Answer: Yes, but you have to purchase the printing rights to the photo.
Long Answer: I prefer to have all of the photos printed by my professional lab. This ensures that my work is printed with the correct color profile and quality paper. No professional photographer likes the idea of his carefully processed photos being shown on cheap paper from a poor lab. But I do realize that many people like the idea of printing their own. Therefore, clients may purchase both a web version and a hi-resolution print ready version of each photo complete with a print release form.

Question: Can you take a portrait for use on business cards and signs?
Short Answer: Absolutely.
Long Answer: Just like any of my portrait sessions, you can inexpensively purchase the rights to reprint each photo as you see fit. In fact, for only one session fee, I will individually photograph everyone in your office. Each individual can then view their proofs online and purchase whatever they desire.