How it All Begins…
Do you have old family photographs that feel irreplaceable? Your iPhone's photo album might have thousands of photos in it, but something about framed and printed photographs is just too special to overlook. We believe that your family portraits are an investment, increasing in value over time. The photos we create together are meant to be seen, loved, shared, and passed down through generations.
So, with that end in mind, we work to create fine-art pieces for your home that best serve your vision and needs.
SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION: In order to reserve a date, you sign some paperwork and pay a Creative Fee of $550 for a weekday session. Weekend dates are limited and popular and incur a $150 charge. Many clients who work regular business hours find that by scheduling early in the morning or later in the afternoon, they’re able to work a session in with almost no time lost at the office. Given the beautiful colors and temperate whether, Spring and Fall are the busiest time of year for outdoor family photos. If you would like to schedule a session during one of those times (ESPECIALLY if you want a weekend spot), please get in touch as soon as possible.
CONSULTATION: Once you have booked your session we will set up a call to help you get ready for your shoot. We walk you through everything from choosing outfits and a location to strategies to getting kids to cooperate. We have had over 12 years of experience, so we try to answer the questions that typically come up. You will also receive access to our wardrobe styling program which includes links to purchase the items directly or guide you with clothes you already have. A few days before our session is scheduled, we will reach out to confirm the time and location….if at that point, the forecast is questionable (as can happen in the Chicago area) or someone seems to be coming down with the flu, we can talk about our rescheduling options. Otherwise, that is the perfect time to ask any last minute questions.
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Hair and makeup is booked with your session date as well. We want to make sure you feel your best, so please do not hesitate to speak up and let us know if you have any preferences that we can accommodate. Hair and makeup for one person is complimentary, but we can add on additional hair and makeup for others. Just let us know what you need, we've got you covered! Please block off 1-2 hours prior to the shoot to make sure you have enough time for this special service.
THE SHOOT: Yay! It is time for the shoot. You can rest assured that we have planned all the details so that you are feeling relaxed and confident on the day of the shoot. Our hair and makeup team will either come to your home or meet you in the studio depending on the shoot.
The shoot itself should take 1-1.5 hours. We are typically done within 60 minutes but I don’t charge by the hour, so if there is some kind of wardrobe malfunction or child meltdown, I like to stay flexible. If a parent has to leave for an important business meeting but the rest of the family is still available that is fine too…just let me know ahead of time so I can focus on getting that parent in the frame while they are still available.Take a breath, relax….I promise to give the grown-ups (and kids) a break throughout the session as needed, and to make it as painless as possible for everyone involved. If it would ease tensions to serve mimosas at breakfast…I say go for it!
We know that having a calm and unhurried session will help us capture the best images. We want you to enjoy the moment. We hope that the memory or our session is one that you will cherish as much as you do the portraits from our session.
THE ORDERING SESSION: About 2-3 weeks after our session, we will contact you to set up a time to show you the images from the session, discuss your favorites, and go over any photo editing you would like us to make. This typically takes place from the comfort of your home, virtually.
During our call we help you visualize what these images would look like on your own walls. We have tools in place to show you sizing and framing in your home. Your orders will be placed during this session and we highly encourage you to have all decision makers present at this time. If you order an album, you will have a follow-up online review of the design before we place the order.
We offer both collection options as well as a la carte Wall Art. With any print or collection you will receive the corresponding digital portrait. There is no minimum spend you simply buy what you love. Our collections start at $1800 and a la carte wall art starts at $600. Our clients tend to spend upwards of $2000 and we offer no cost payment plans to ensure you get everything that you want.
PRODUCTION: What you are are going to do with your images is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when you are planning for a photo session, but it’s all too often the aspect that gets overlooked….all that time and money invested deserve a better return than jpegs gathering dust on a hard drive somewhere. You’ll never get the same feeling looking at your photos on a screen as you will seeing them on your wall or flipping through the pages of an album, so we include prints with every collection (see below for some of the items you can choose among). Typically you'll receive orders within 6-8 weeks. From portraits to fine art albums, we have chosen the very best archival materials to best showcase the images you have chosen.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN…
The vast majority of my clients walk away from their session relieved by how easy the process was, thrilled with their images, grateful that they went ahead and took the plunge, and resolved to keep up with family photos going forward. I’ve made that process even easier for them. Once you book with me for the first time, you will be invited to join the Before They Fly Away Club which rewards clients committed to documenting their families regularly with discounted pricing, priority scheduling, automated monthly payment plans, and loads of special perks. It’s a hassle-free way to easily create a beautiful record of your family over the years.
There is no obligation to join the club, of course -it’s just an option…if you love what you get (and I’m guessing you will!), joining will mean that regular family photos can be come a set it and forget it part of your busy life. More details to come.
