Here is a listing of frequently asked questions about pricing, sessions,
ordering...all sorts of great questions families have asked me.
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! Large groups require special planning, particularly
outdoors, as shading all of you at once may require some creativity or at least
an extra set of hands on my part!!
Q: You came to the
school of my friend's
child...and the
playgroup of another of
my friends. My child's
school has never
received anything about
one of your events to
even book you...how do
they set something like
that up?
A: I don't actively
pursue school or
playgroup events...I
have only done them when
asked. Now that I have
opened the studio in
Orange I unfortunately
do not have the time to
do offsite events...but
would love to have your
group come to the new
studio. If there is a
minimum of 20 children
or families each day of
the event, then I
absolutely can work out
special pricing
and...and even discuss
the option of
fundraising for your
organization! All my
themes are available for
events...my most popular
themes are my messy
ones.... themes that
involve lots of
sand....like my mermaid
and beach day themes.
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 I capture your kids climbing
trees, throwing leaves, jumping off rocks and building sandcastles. For studio
portraits, it depends upon what type of theme we are doing at the time. Some
themes, such as formal portraiture, ideally have a serious look or slight
smile. That is something we decide upon when planning your session, and I set
the tone to achieve that look during our time in studio. If you are hoping for
non-smiling portraits then please let me know ahead of time, because 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 Fun Art Collage Creation
done, definitely need serious expressions, as well as a host of other non
smiling ones. 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 silly with
my own children has lent itself to me being able to fascinate babies, make
toddlers giggle and bigger kids roll with hearty laughter in front of me.
That is what I do best. 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 the true 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: Why are you more expensive than mall 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 have
researched what other
higher end boutique
studios are charging and
considered the hundreds
of thousands invested in
the themes I so uniquely
offer. For lack of a better analogy,
the first thing I can say is that it is important to compare apples against
apples when researching photography. I really urge families not to try to
compare a proper professional photographer with a mall studio.
I can go one step
further and also offer
that not all proper
professional photography
studios go to the extent
of being a boutique
studio that is designed
around offering unique
themes and exemplary
customer service. The process from start
to finish at each type
of studio is just so different that you can't make a fair comparison.
It is my goal that your experience
is absolutely custom tailored to your specific requests and needs. Professional photographers
like myself generally
have invested lots and
lots of time in
education to become an
expert in their field,
and certainly in my
case, have chosen to
specialize in a
particular type of
photography. I
specialize in children's
themed portraiture. You
will not find many
photographers out there
that offer themes...as a
parent myself, that was
the main reason I
started As Cute As It
Gets. This type of
photography is my utter
love and joy, and I
absolutely wanted to
share it other moms and
dads! Creating all the
one of a kind themes and
costumes I offer has
required an absolutely
amazing investment on my
part...happily done of
course! Having a staff
of talented post
production artists to
spend hours turning your
images into works of the
works of art also
requires my pricing to
be where it is. There
are so, so many factors
worked into my pricing,
and believe it or not, I
am at the lower end of
what a studio like mine
charges. My goal is
hands down provide you
you and your little ones
with an amazing session
that results in a highly
customized creation of
gorgeous art to truly
melt your heart with and
adorn your home with.
I have a
vested interest in making sure you are delighted and return again and
again. I could list the giant list of what is wrong with mall studios
and the other
photographers out there
that are giving less
than 100%,
but I have a feeling if you are
on my site you probably could whole heartedly
recite 99% of the things on that list anyway. So that means that you will be
sure not to compare me against
a mall studio, but
rather against other private professional photographers
that have stunning
images and detailed
websites like mine to
allow you to get to know
their love of and
commitment to what they
do. I am friends with many other talented
photographers in the
area and in Southern California...we
all have different
specialties and all
believe in giving our
clients our all. The reason I write so much in this part
of the website is that hopefully after reading this you will really know if I
am the photographer for you or not. Having a photographer that you click with
and communicate with truly increases the likelihood of your being delighted
with your experience. I
hope to attract parents
that hands down believe
what I offer is what
they have been searching
for as I created As Cute
As It Gets to meet the
needs of those not
getting them meet
elsewhere. I absolutely
have the right way of doing business, where moms and dads walk away thrilled
at the experience & value they received, and are super eager to refer me to
neighbors, friends and family! So to wrap this section up...in consideration of
all the things I offer , I have chosen to go pricing comparable to other photographers
at this stage of their career. I feel my pricing is full of flexibility
and options....and straightforward as can be. I have an extensive pricing
section...I do not believe in the whole "tell em after the portraits are
taken" approach. My prices are listed, and explained fully, so you can come to
your session knowing exactly what the investment will be to have such amazingly
unique portraits.
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 and at the rate I pay my post production team, was sorta, uh,
defeating the purpose of being in business.
One family ordered 20
different mermaid images
from a session, and each
takes about an hour to
perfect...I realized at
the end of the session
that my 4x6 didn't pay
for the hourly cost of
my production artist,
let alone the lab cost,
the shipping cost and
the packaging cost.
Plus, assigning 20 hours
of post production to some orders
would just through my
whole entire turnaround
time for the order. 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
a 40x 60, so
I have recognized the flaw in the old business model, and gone with the
industry standard of all gift prints, whether it is a 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10, being
priced at the same minimum pricing.
It is my art you are
paying for, not the
piece of photo paper it
is printed on. 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. Taking this
approach one step
further, I have created
a "Create A
Package" option for the
families that order wall
portraits. Once an order
for a wall portrait is
placed, special further
discounted pricing opens
up for gift prints or
products using that same
image. So far the
feedback has been great
on the new program and I
am excited to
offer a pricing
structure that ensures
that I will stay in
business!!!
Many families like to compare photographers before making their decision of who
to go with. The system I offer is very much the industry standard. In
years prior, it probably made it hard to compare my pricing because my
pricing didn't fit the normal model. Now everyone can compare apples to apples.
I am now very competitively priced against the other private professional
photographers in the Southern California
market, and for all that
I offer with your
session, am in many ways
less expensive. As
always, offering exceptional value for your experience is super important to
me. I wouldn't
have it any other way.
:)
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 viewing slideshow or
online viewing gallery, the retouching 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: Can I purchase a disc with my session? If not, I can always scan
my portraits, right?
I release all the images
ordered in 4x6
resolution form on a
disc as a complimentary
feature with a minimum
purchase of $2500. 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.
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
on the disc they
made themselves from
scanning my
professional images
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 artist is
absolutely
reproducible with
the minimal
investment. Very few established photographers
release their images....because it is technically loss of future revenue. I
offer the disc, along with other complimentary products for ordering at certain
amounts, because it is just a nice thank you for those making a
substantial investment. I believe that my clients deeply appreciate this
feature, and will be back and again and again over the years because of my
offering it. I try to make the disc an attractive option by placing on every
image you ordered in gift portrait or enlargement form...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! 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.
So having the disc it a great thing! It will produce an image way better
in quality than one you scan anyway. This disc will print up to 4x6
images beautifully! You can also use the disc to pop into your computer
to e-mail images or create a screen saver with as well! 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!
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 printing up what appears to be a professional portrait
whether it be on disc or your actual real 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. I am sure you
understand. As for 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...meaning every portrait you 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 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 corrected versions and not notice the difference. 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!
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 our
industry strives to
provide for each client.
Q: What are my portraits printed on...I
am suspicious of digital
images.
A: The digital files go to one of the nation's premiere professional labs,
White House Custom Colour, where they are printed via on the same professional
archival photo paper as if I had sent proper negatives to them. This
photographic paper, along with all my other products, such as fine art canvas
and fine art watercolor paper, as well as all my card stock products, 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 and cards can
be up to eight to ten weeks. I have learned over the last six years of being in business
that trying to set quicker turn around times to impress my clients just results
in my staff and I stressing out. The majority of the portraits, especially
themed portraits, require substantial post production. They are often
ready much sooner...but I would rather surprise you than disappoint, so I say
that long just to build in a cushion. Most of the time, 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, even though I have extra post production artists on hand to
handle the crazy volume
my super popular Sandman and Snowglobe
Events present me with,
my turnaround is much
less during the
holidays...usually just
a week or two on cards.
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?
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: Why don't you allow me to order online anymore?
After 6 years of As Cute As It Gets ordering being done exclusively online, I
have chosen to try doing proper sales sessions. I never thought I would, but
several reasons have led me to switch over to this system. With life being so
busy for most families, having the portraits online means just one more thing
that families have to fit into their home schedule. I would set a 30 day time
period for viewing them, and for the majority of families, on the 29th day, I
would have most families call and say they needed an extension because they
just hadn't had the time to sit and go through the shopping cart process.
Months often would stretch into several months. As you can understand, you
cannot run a business based upon wondering when orders may or not come in.
Having a formal appointment that can't be missed means that you are for lack of
a prettier term..."required" to order. That is great for both of us! My regular
clients love this new approach for As Cute As It Gets for several reasons. One,
most families are now able to place their order quicker than they would have in
the past. Two, rather than posting online tons and tons of unretouched images
for you to sort through, I personally select quite a few of the best images
from each series we take, and perfect them before you see them. That way, you
are seeing the images the way I envisioned them when I took the images. During
your image presentation, we go through an amazing slideshow presentation of all
the perfected images, allowing us to discuss each one, comparing them on a big
screen side by side...narrowing them down to your very favorites. We can
discuss my recommendations for wall portraits, gift portraits, collages, purses
and jewelry and other fun products. Because the images are already retouched
and finished to perfection, the order promptly is submitted to the various
vendors I use.
For certain time
sensitive events, mainly
holiday themed events, I
do offer the online
ordering, just so that
the timeline is as
expedited as possible
for you.
Q: My family out of state used to order online, I really, really will miss the
online system. They are going to be crushed.
With a minimum purchase of $1000 at your viewing presentation, I am happy to
assign a login and password so that your family and friends can view the
slideshow online along with a viewing gallery to order from. The slideshow and
viewing gallery will be up for 3 days only, and can be extended for $50 per
week.
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: Your Sandman Event dates have been booked solid each year I call. How on
Earth do I get an appt for this year?
The Sandman Event...and now my Snowglobe Event....are undoubtedly my most
popular events, and the dates post online and start booking August 1st each
year. The events are 50% full by the end of the first week of booking.
The Sandman Event and The Snowglobe Event runs most weekends in late Sept, Oct
and then finish up in early November.
All card orders for the
holidays have to be in
by mid November. I get tons of calls starting each
Thanksgiving weekend for the holiday events, because that is when families
start thinking about holiday cards...sadly I have to refer all of them to the
following holiday season. Mark August 1st on your calendars!
Q: Why isn't the Sandman Event at the real beach anymore?
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 the Inland Empire, Orange County or San
Diego and $1500 for Los Angeles. 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 the
constraints the paparazzi sadly places upon them.
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