Between Two Flashes

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, 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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7. WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND TIME?

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

 

PLEASE NOTE: As you are aware, life can throw in hurdles that can effect this timeframe. Gallery delivery timelines may encounter delays due other factors, notably during peak seasons and other contributing circumstances. We strongly ask for your grace and patience please.

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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.

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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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

It is strongly discouraged 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 editing are widely used in the photography world, but they don’t always mean the same thing. Some photographers even use them interchangeably, which can be confusing—especially for couples planning their wedding. That’s why it’s important to ask your photographer for specifics. In this post, I’ll break down exactly what I mean by Basic Editing and Advanced Editing so you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect and what questions to ask.

 

My Editing Process

Every photo I deliver to a client is edited. At a minimum, I correct lighting and exposure, adjust color temperature, crop when necessary, and apply my own signature style to enhance the final image.

Editing can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes per image. That might not seem like much, but when you multiply it across 800 to 1,000 photos, it adds up to hours of work!

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What Is Basic Editing?

The first step in my Basic Editing process is culling—sorting through all the images to determine which ones will be delivered. Over the years, my selection process has become more refined, but naturally, some photos won’t make the final cut (blurry shots, accidental captures, or images where everyone has their eyes closed—hey, it happens!). If a photographer doesn’t cull images for you, you may end up sifting through hundreds of unnecessary photos yourself. And if they’re not culling, they’re likely not editing either.

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Once I’ve selected the best images, I apply Basic Editing, which includes:

• Adjusting exposure and color balance

• Cropping and straightening when necessary

• Applying my signature style for a polished look

 

For minor touch-ups, I also include Basic Retouching, which means up to 10 minutes of work per image, such as:

• Removing blemishes

• Brightening teeth

• Smoothing skin

• Eliminating small distractions (like a stray wire or speck of dust)

 

What Is Advanced Editing?

For a select few images—or upon request—I offer Advanced Editing, which involves more intensive work. Since this level of editing requires several hours per image, I do charge an additional fee.

Examples of Advanced Editing include:

• Detailed retouching: Professional skin smoothing, blemish removal, and whitening teeth

• Hair fixes: Removing stray hairs from the face, shoulders, or back

• Background adjustments: Extending, enhancing, or replacing backgrounds

• Body sculpting: Subtle weight reduction or reshaping

• Object removal: Eliminating unwanted distractions from clothing or the scene

• Artistic stylization: Custom edits to match a specific look or aesthetic

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Final Thoughts

Every photographer has their own definition of Basic and Advanced editing, so it’s always best to clarify what’s included before booking your session. Hopefully, this post has given you a solid starting point for discussing editing expectations with your photographer. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to chat!

Let me know if you'd like any tweaks! 😊

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