Here is a listing of frequently asked questions and additional info that should assist you with almost everything regarding, pricing, sessions, ordering.

Q:	How many people can be in a session? You don't mention anything about charging for extra people in the portrait like most photographers do.
A:	Once you book me...I am yours. It is your time with me and you can spend it any way you wish! Larger groups require special planning, particularly for outdoor sessions, so I often like to bring in an assistant for the session.
Q:	Your galleries are full of smiling children, do you do "unposed " photography like I see elsewhere?
A:	Yes. I certainly do sessions that are more photojournalistic and spontaneous in feel, particularly my outdoor sessions... where after our core posed portraits, I capture your kids climbing trees, throwing leaves, jumping off rocks or building sandcastles. For studio portraits, I just try to set the tone to achieve that look during our time right at the start of our session. If you are hoping for non-smiling portraits then please let me know ahead of time, as I don't automatically do them. Once I get kids laughing... there is usually no going back. Some of my themes like Funny Faces or other themes that lend themselves to having a collage done, definitely need a few serious expressions, as well as a host of other expressions. Those sessions also require jumping or dancing... kids just being kids... the more varied images on a collage, the better!! For the majority of themed studio portraiture though, I go for the big grins, as that what this type of photography suggests... playful and fun! Being shamelessly silly with my own children has lent itself to me being able to fascinate babies, make toddlers giggle and bigger kids burst into hearty laughter. That is what I do best, and hence why the majority of portraits show children smiling. I believe with every ounce of my being that parents treasure their children's true smiles... I want to remember my own boys as having a childhood full of them! Nothing melts my own heart more that seeing their true smiles in the portraits that adorn my own walls... except for witnessing their giggles in person. Age seems to decrease the frequency of those all important giggles, so I say capture them while you can and often, and so you have them forever.
Q:	Why are you more expensive than mall and department store portrait studios?
A:	I have chosen my pricing with great care. I tried to think about what I have personally spent as a consumer with other photographers and studios prior to starting As Cute As it Gets, and assessed that a photography studio is truly one of those “you get what you pay for” scenarios. For lack of a better analogy, I have to offer the whole “it’s important to compare apples against apples” statement when advising you in your search for the right studio. I really urge families not to try to compare a proper professional photographer with a mall studio or photographer that offers specials that seem too good to be true. Studios that have such a business model aren’t based on quality at all…it is all about quantity of sessions that can be packed into a day and/or pressured selling techniques. I feel my studio charges exactly what I should be charging for what you receive. I have extensive education and experience both behind the camera and in post-production, so I feel I have put forth the necessary effort to call myself a professional photographer. I have invested in my business …I have great equipment & back up equipment, and have purchased oodles hardware and software. And then there are the themes and costumes which have taken great time, expense and love to create. I have a very solid reputation for doing what I say, and absolutely strive to offer exemplary customer service every step of the way. It is my goal that your experience is absolutely custom tailored to your specific requests, needs, and ultimate satisfaction. A a giant chain or super duper inexpensive studio or photographer that shoots a session and hands you a disc and walks away just isn’t out to do that for you. My goal is hands down to provide you and your little ones with an amazing session that results in a highly customized creation of gorgeous art to adorn your home with…and melt the heart of all who see it. I have a vested interest in making sure that you are delighted and return again and again…I hope that you excitedly recommend me to neighbors, friends and family! My prices are listed, and explained fully, so you can come to your session knowing exactly what the investment will be to have such unique portraits. Also, during this recession, I have been trying to offer as many of my promotionally priced portrait events as possible to assist families, particularly the families that like to come to me for every milestone and holiday. :)
Q:	Do you take a set number of portraits during your session?
A:	No…I take a ton. I will keep going til I know we have exactly what I am looking for. Throughout the session, I will stop and show you certain images, so you are assured we captured several images that are well, “As Cute As It Gets”. Sorry, couldn’t resist throwing that in.
Q:	Why are your 8x10's, 5x7's and 4x6's all the same price?
A:	Back in the day when I used to have them all priced differently, I found over and over again that because my 4x6 price was the least expensive on my pricing menu, that I was selling a lot of different 4x6s. The price of the 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 from my lab are not that big a spread from each other, but perfecting an image in post production takes the same amount of time for 4x6 as it does an 8x10 or 40x60. Yet, I still offered the 4x6 and 5x7 for less than an 8x10 assuming it was the way it was. Then one day years ago, a family ordered 20 different 4x6 mermaid images from a session, and the realization that each one certainly would take the normal hour or so to perfect left me feeling that my pricing lacked business common sense. The quick conclusion was that As Cute As It Gets was not long for this world unless I changed that one simple flaw. It now seems to be the industry standard of higher end studios to offer all gift sized prints, whether it is a 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10, priced the same. That is how a small studio doesn’t go under…way under. I read on another photographer’s site something that seemed to sum her decision up to go with this model and I will quote it, “It is my art you are paying for, not just the piece of photo paper it is printed on.” That makes sense, right? I know my regular clients totally get that, but is important to me that my potential clients appreciate my rationale. Also, consider this….if you are ordering more than one gift portrait of the same image, then my pricing more than fairly drops down for the subsequently ordered portraits of the same image. For 2011, I have added packages back in to my price list, allowing families to get a break on ordering multiple prints.
Q:	Are any prints included in the session fee?
A:	Session fees are separate from the price of the portrait prints. The session fee includes the time spent prepping the studio with the themes of your choice, the time spent during the session itself, the creation of your presentation, the time during the presentation, the retouching, perfecting of and sizing of your images during the preparation of your order, as well as making sure your print and product orders get to the various vendors, and then the packaging of your order and then of course getting your As Cute As It Gets order to you as quickly as possible.
Q:	What are my portraits printed on...I am suspicious of digital images…I had a photographer once that ran the images off on his home printer!
A:	The digital files go to arguably the industry’s most preferred & largest professional lab where they are printed on the finest archival materials. This photographic paper, along with all my other lab products, such as my canvas and press printed cards, will last generations.
Q:	How long does it take to get my portraits? Can I rush any of them?
A:	During the majority of the year, the turnaround for portraits can be up to four weeks. I have learned over almost ten years of being in business that trying to set quicker turn around times just results in my staff and I stressing out. The majority of the portraits, especially themed portraits, require substantial post production. The portraits are often ready much sooner...but I would rather surprise you than disappoint, so I say that long just to build in a cushion. I am happy to rush a portion of your order, particularly if they are birth announcements, as they are the one thing families are super anxious to send out. During the busy holiday season, I have extra post production artists on hand to handle the crazy volume my popular holiday themes present me with, so holiday cards are always streamlined, coming back to you with a week of your proof approval.
Q:	My child just fell and ended up with quite the bruise...should I reschedule?
A:	I do offer complimentary retouching on all ordered images...so unless the bruise has caused swelling that alters the shape of the eye, nose or mouth, I can definitely make it look like it was never there...free of charge!
Q:	You ask for 48 hours notice to reschedule...what if my child becomes sick on the day of the session? Do I lose my session fee?
A:	As we all know too well, kids get sick without much notice! If you wake up the day of the session and find a sick little one, then call me as soon as you can to let me know. I definitely want your child to be at their happiest and full of energy! Your paid session fee will just be held as credit for when you reschedule. Bringing a sick little one and hoping for the best usually ends up in disappointment....as they generally just want to be held. :( Please note that not showing up without calling unfortunately results in your session fee being forfeited.
Q:	I love your pregnancy sessions...when should I plan to book one?
A:	As you never know when the big event might come in the last few weeks of your pregnancy, I suggest coming during your 34th to 36th week. You will likely be much more comfortable too! I do book out several weeks ahead during most of the year, particularly around any holiday, so I definitely suggest booking early as possible to ensure that you receive the ideal timing for your session. :)
Q:	Why isn't the Sandman Event at the real beach anymore?
A:	Starting in 2005 the Sandman Event was perfected by being moved to a studio environment. It ran super smooth at the beach in 2002 and 2003....it was just luck apparently...because much to my surprise 2004's temperamental weather and mid 2005's terrible sand erosion on our beaches just truly put me in a deep panic about the upcoming 2005 Sandman Season. I decided to be creative and find a solution as it clearly looked there for a while that there wouldn't be any 2005 Sandman Events at all. It turned out to be easier than I had hoped! In years past, the weather sometimes forced me to move families digitally into better looking Sandman days....so to make the studio images work, I just took that well practiced technique and put a couple things in place to make it flawless. I had long since brought sand into my studio for my mermaid, hula, and surfer themes, so I just basically set up the same...only adding in a lifesize sandman backdrop to give kids more of a tangible feeling about the point of the session. It would be hard to get anyone excited about an invisible Sandman! Also because you are truly posed in more than a ton of real sand and are against the backdrop in the same place you will be in when I move your images over, I can cut and paste you into my master Sandman files perfectly. The lighting is flawless, which has made me completely spoiled...how could I ever return to making him at the beach? I have to admit that I am not broken hearted to never have to have to show up at 4am on the freezing, windy beach in pitch black darkness with a snow shovel and work feverishly for four hours with three other people to have him ready each day for my first session!   I have had handfuls of families that have done the Sandman now at the beach and in the studio, and they marvel at what a better experience and end product the studio produces. Several of those families too were ones in years past that had Sandman sessions in previous years cancelled due to record scorching sun, miserable rain, or troublesome wind. To actually be able to not worry about their session being a go or not was great for them. This is so the way to do it...in an air conditioned studio with holiday music going in the background. I also can do the event late into the evening....I went this last year from 8am to 10pm! Beats stopping when the sun goes down!
Q:	I would prefer you to come to my home. What is the extra charge for that?
A:	As the drive time and set up/break down for home visits takes away from time at the studio, I do have an additional fee. I charge $1000 on top of your session fee for home visits in Orange County and $1500 for Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego. It is not a very economical option for most families but worth it for some if you really can't make it to my studio or one of my events. I have had several celebrities chose this option due to privacy issues.   I feel that the work on my website, in clients home and all over my studio walls is well is a total extension of my personality. I put everything I can into my art. Everyone is motivated by one major internal drive, and mine is to be acknowledged for my creativity. I can’t allow something to go to the lab that isn’t perfect….it needs to be my full vision. If there is one thing my Customer Comments section is full of, it is the recurring compliment on my ability to offer portraits that show real smiles from their children...where their eyes are lit up with joy or twinkle with an impish grin! I find a way to let their playful, giggly self pop right out. It is my absolute favorite part of what I do, and I get the greatest feeling when I see that first giant smile.
Q:	Can I purchase a disc with my session? If not, I can always scan my portraits, right?
A:	Ok. Get a coffee and sit back and read this….I tend to be a bit longwinded on this subject.   I release all the images ordered in 4x6 resolution form on a disc as a complimentary feature with my largest package or similarly priced a la carte order. The disc comes with a letter of release, allowing you to go ahead and legally have reprints made of the images at any photo processing establishment or online service.   Allow me to reiterate that the disc comes with an official photography release, allowing you to take the image to any photo processing counter or send the images off to any online printing service with my full permission. It is important to me to mention the value of the disc and release form. There are actually families out there that are not aware that they aren't supposed to copy professional images without the photographer's permission. It is my job in this profession to educate everyone that the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), of which I am a very active member, works hard to make sure stores and online services ask for a release form if the portrait appears to be a professional image. I have had clients cell phone me from Costco or Target saying that they weren't being allowed to pick up their prints without a release because the images they sent in appeared to be professional and that they needed me to fax something in. This sort of scenario is just kinda awkward for everyone involved, so I try to let everyone know that my art is absolutely reproducible with the minimal investment.   Very few established photographers used to release their images...it kinda defeated the purpose of being in business. However, nowadays more and more photographers are going with the model of offering the disc with certain level of investment. My level of investment used to be $2500 for the disc, and now it with the recession I have placed it much, much lower. I place every image that you ordered in gift portrait or enlargement form on the disc as a 4x6 (or 5x7) resolution file...these images absolutely include any retouching I happen to have done, as well any editing or tinting you have paid for when you ordered those images. The signed release allows you to do any non commercial thing you want with it! You are welcome to take it anywhere to have prints 4x6 (or 5x7) created, as well pop the disc into your computer to order online, e-mail images or create a screen saver with them. So for the moms who scrapbook...this is a dream come true! For those with a ton of family...a big savings! For those that like to make their own cards and announcements, a big help! I do not however include on the disc the images that required super specialized custom art creation like collages, cards/announcements or my Baby Bits images. Due to the extensive work that went into creating them, it is important that they are the products I only sell. I am sure you understand. If you would like any of the iamges from these art pieces on the disc, just order them as individual portraits and that qualifies them to go on your disc. I do however give a low-res Facebook sized file of all ordered images to you, and that does include collages, the main image from your card/announcement and your Baby Bits. The PPA (Professional Photographers of America) works hard to educate about US Copyright Laws, and comes down hard on establishments that do not ask for the release form when scanning or printing up what appears to be a professional portrait. Copying images without my permission just isn't ethical, and is against US Copyright laws, just like pirating music and movies off the internet...actually only worse, because I am not a giant conglomerate company able to absorb such big losses. Doing so just hurts the industry and drives up prices. As for getting the non-ordered images on disc, I do not release them... I like to only give you the retouched, color corrected, and appropriately cropped versions of your images so they print out beautifully! Years ago I used to offer all the images from the session on the discs as option with a very large purchase...meaning every portrait taken...but ran into two unexpected problems. Even though it was clearly stated that the disc contained all the final corrected versions of the portraits ordered and then all the other, unretouched portraits that weren't cropped or color corrected, clients were printing them all up and calling saying that they just didn't look as good as the corrected versions next to one another in a frame. The unretouched images were never intended as a replacement for ordering, they were more of a memory disc so that years down the line a parent could look through them again and smile at over a a couple hundred images of their little ones at a particular moment way back when. This happened over and over again, so I just stopped doing it. The second dilemma came with those that would print up the unretouched portraits that weren't color corrected, cropped, etc. and have them enlarged well beyond the 4x6 resolution they came in, and put them in a frame next to the ordered versions and not seem to care that it looked pixelated because it was suddenly a 11x14.  I just really take such pride and delight in my final images and want everyone who sees them at your home, workplace, or scrapbooking night to be dazzled and ask where you had them done!I feel that the work on my website, in clients home and all over my studio walls is well is a total extension of my personality. I put everything I can into my art. Everyone is motivated by one major internal drive, and mine is to be acknowledged for my creativity. I can’t allow something to go to the lab that isn’t perfect….it needs to be my full vision....and that takes time. I don't just crop and send off to the lab.  I believe my art has value, and that is why I have a clientele that has kept me in business for 9 years. I believe the As Cute As It Gets experience from start to finish itself has value.  If there is one thing my Customer Comments section is full of, it is the recurring compliment that I am worth going back to again and again. If I had to narrow things down to just one thing I do that I believe makes me worth the investment, it is my ability to get real smiles from children...where their eyes are lit up with joy or twinkle with an impish grin! I find a way to let their playful, giggly self pop right out. It is my absolute favorite part of what I do, and I get the greatest feeling when I see that first giant smile. The secret to the art being amazing is that your child's true smile is the magical ingredient. :) Hi-res versions of the images are not available so please do not ask.... selling them would really defeat the purpose of being in business, and I work so, so hard to offer what my studio features. It is heart breaking to me that there are non professional photographers out there that do what is called in the professional industry as "shoot and dump", which is taking pictures and handing their clients the full disc of their uncropped, non-color corrected, unretouched images. Avoid photographers like these like the plague...they ruin the industry....they are just trying to make a fast dollar and are not invested in proper education for themselves to become a professional and do what they do because they can't be bothered with the hours of customer service and technical expertise our industry strives to provide for each client. Phew. Got that off my chest. Thanks for being my impromptu therapist. I feel better now.

 

© Copyright As Cute As It Gets Portrait Design 2002-2012