FAQS

What should I expect the day of my shoot?
Absolute spontaneity! When arriving at a shoot I always go with what feels and looks good..nothing will be rehearsed. We will meet or talk a few days before you session about what you expect out of your images, and I will do my best to meet your expectations while applying my creative eye and technical skills to the outcome of your overall images. Your session should be fun, relaxed and unique! for more info please see our details page about your your portrait session.

When do I pay?
For Modern Sessions, your artistic fee of $150 is due when you book to hold and reserve your date as well as cover the time and talent of the photographer. Your Artistic fee does not include prints or images on a CD. This fee is non-refundable once your session takes place. Your collection payment is due on or before the session, with the exception of larger collections where the payment can be broken up. You must meet the minimum first by purchasing any one collection before a la carte prints or boutique items can be purchased. After viewing your images within 3 days of gallery posting should you decide not to order your collection you can opt to purchase items a la carte with your collection credit. Collections are carefully pieced together with great discounts and exquisite boutique products plus most include discounts on a la carte items after the initial collection payment. So completing your collection payment first is ideal. In addition, I do advise that you take a look through my sight and read through my details section thoroughly before choosing me as your photographer, different photographers have different styles and mine may not be a good fit for you.

Simplicity Sessions are all-inclusive and the $275 is paid upon booking. (Artistic fees of $75 are included)

What is the Artistic fee?
Your Artistic fee is $150 and is due before your Modern Session. This fee is for the time and talent of the photographer only and does not include any prints, packages or images on a CD. This allows me to focus on creating your art. This fee is non-refundable once your session takes place.

What if I need to reschedule?
Once the Artistic fee has been paid and an unforeseen event occurs..IE rain, illness etc...rescheduling is based solely on my availability and I can hold your deposit for a later date, but this fee is completely refundable in case we are not able to reschedule.


Where do I go for my session?
Any unique location I may suggest or your home.


When will I view my session images?
Please allow 3-4 weeks (Modern Sessions) and 1-2 weeks (Simplicity Sessions) for your images to be placed in your private password protected gallery (excluding major holidays). **Your images will remain in gallery for a time span of 5 days** any additional time in the gallery will result in a fee ($25 for 3 additional days thereafter and a rate of $90 per week after that). Therefore it is my suggestion that you choose your favorite images within that time period. Clients that order within 3 days will receive a special incentive.

What do I wear?
This is discussed during booking and a guide will be sent to you via postal service or email. In general expect to wear lot's of colors.. don't be afraid of those little extras..IE hats funky leggings and such!

When and where do I order?
Once your images are placed in your private online gallery, You may begin to make your selections. Choose the amount of items and images that belong to your collection. All orders will be placed via online order form, shopping cart link or in-person ordering session. You also have the option of sharing those proofs with family and friends right away and they too can place their own orders in there as well. **Any albums, canvas gallery wraps or boutique items must be ordered through me. These can be sent to you via email in my product guide. Based on availability you can request an in person proofing session. This means we can schedule a time to meet and look over some the boutique items. I will help you take measurements for custom framing and give a second opinion in helping you choose the images for your home to be placed on your wall or desk.


Do you offer wedding photography?
No, right now I am focusing on lifestyle and portrait photography. Maybe in the near future who knows?.. However, I currently offer bridal and engagement sessions to enhance your wedding photography experience.


Do you offer Birth photography?
Not currently but I do plan on offering this in the near future. This type of photography takes a lot of time and preparation I will have to set aside time before and after the due date and will be unable to schedule regular portrait sessions at that time. It can only be offered a few times per year due to the unexpected days and times of labor. But this will be coming soon, check back in January!!


What is a High resolution CD?
The High resolution CD contains your chosen proofs from your session. The proofs will maintain excellent quality for most of the print sizes up to 24x36. By purchasing a high resolution CD, Marie Holmes photography is selling you the rights to reproduce the images for your personal use.
If you choose the High Resolution CD Collection session images. You will have the option to order your prints through me or you may choose your own printing lab. I will recommend a few printing companies as well.. but if you choose your own printing lab, Marie Holmes Photography will not be held responsible for any damages or incorrect coloring to your images by the lab. In conclusion, when sending your images out to print please keep in mind that some cropping may occur.

Do I have to buy a collection?
No, I only combine these options to make it easier for you to walk away with a well put together digital package at a discounted rate. If you do not prefer a digital collection, you can always order a la carte and there is a minimum order of $100.


When Do I schedule my newborn session/maternity?
It is my suggestion that you schedule and reserve your newborn session around your last trimester..I typically like to shoot newborns sessions around 3-10 days old. So I will block some time around then. They are normally very posable and sleepy at this age. For maternity sessions only, this is done early on in pregnancy and held in the 3rd trimester.

How do I book a baby plan? 
Baby plans can only be booked as four Simplicity Sessions receiving a total discount of 30% off the regular Simplicity Session pricing. You can opt to have a Modern Newborn session  first or give us a call before your baby reaches his/her first milestone. *Newborns sessions are not offered in this plan set because they take a lot more time and work to achieve a beautiful result. In order to reserve your months 3,6,9 and 12 month sessions the total amount must be paid in full. For each month you will have the ability to choose any *one of the three collections. This gives you the option to display your images in different ways throughout the 4 milestones. In addition all baby plans receive a special gift at the end!


How much time will go into my session from start to finish?
From the beginning plan to spend about an hour or so with me going over your session details and wishes. Shortly a few days or weeks after that your session will take 1-2 hours for a Modern Session, 30-45 minutes for a Simplicity Session. Post processing should be around 3-4 weeks for a Modern Session, 1-2 weeks for a Simplicity Session. Once you place an order you can add another 2-4 weeks depending on your boutique choice. Overall, you are looking at 6-8 weeks turnaround from start to finish.

What goodies do you offer in "The Boutique"?
All items in the boutique are custom created just for you by me! They vary anywhere from custom birth announcements, gallery wrapped canvases, leather bound albums and more. Other than that should you choose to just purchase your high res images on a CD you are free to make these on your own if you prefer they are capable of printing as large as a 24x36 print (larger resolutions can be accommodated but you must inform me first before purchasing a large print anywhere other than my lab. This is done to ensure that your images retain the beautiful look I have created for you. Product features will be posted on this blog for current samples and new items, as well as in a gallery on the main site.


What if I need a copy or replacement of my digital disk?
I store and archive all files for a period of 6 months after that time frame all images all purged and no longer available for reprints or purchase. Additional copies are sold at a rate of $15 and that includes shipping and handling. Prints are always sold at your purchasing price.


Important Reminders*

• Newborn sessions are booked in your last trimester if not earlier and are held during the first two weeks of life. *Maternity and newborn sessions are the most popular of all sessions and do book up very quickly.
• Maternity sessions are booked early in the pregnancy for a date during your last trimester.
• Engagement sessions are booked no later than 90 days prior to your event in order to ensure that your full session is processed and completed before the big day or shortly after..