How soon should I book my appointment?

It depends on the time of year. January thru July books about 2 weeks out. August through December books about 4 weeks out.

Do you shoot on weekends?

Yes and no. I will shoot weddings on either Saturdays or Sundays. Portrait shoots will only be booked for Saturdays; Sundays are reserved for church and family.

Where do we have our session?

Your session will be in one of two places, in my home studio or at a location in San Diego. I am no longer photographing in client homes due to poor lighting conditions and lack of space. We can discuss what will be best for your family during our phone consultation. Be thinking about what sort of photos you want from your shoot. Looking at the “year” tab in the It takes a village galleries will be helpful. Newborn shoots are always done in the studio.

What time of day is best for shooting?

If you have a baby or young child, it is important to book at the time of day your child is happiest. Well-rested children with full bellies usually make the best subjects.

How long does a regular shoot last?

Shoots usually take about one hour, however, I have been on shoots as long as three hours and as little as 30 minutes.

I am pregnant. When should I book my maternity session?

I prefer to shoot maternity photos in month 8 or 9. I want you to have a nice round belly at the time of the shoot. Please remember that maternity sessions are always booked in conjunction with newborn shoots. Please download the complete price list for packages that include both shoots.

I really want you to photograph my newborn. How do I go about setting up an appointment?

I like to pencil in newborn shoots a week after your approximate due date. Once you deliver we can see if that day will still work for your family. This allows me to see what newborn shoots I have coming up even if the date is not set in stone. To get the most beautiful newborn photos, it is best to shoot between day 5 and 10. Yes, this sounds early, but waiting a week or two can change the entire shoot. The best photos come from sleeping babies that let me mold them anyway I like. In other words, call me as soon as you get home from the hospital! See below to see what to expect from your newborn session.

What happens after I book my session?

For a more in depth answer please view the information section of the website. The short answer is… 1) the initial phone appointment, 2) the shoot, 3) the viewing session, 4) your photos are loaded into an online gallery, and 5) place your order during your view session or while your gallery is online.

What if it rains or is overcast on the day of our shoot?

This really depends on your session. Studio sessions will need to be rescheduled. I have a natural light studio and beautiful sunny days create the best light. Outdoor locations can go either way. Some outdoor locations are great on cloudy days others are best when it is sunny. I believe it is always better to wait for an optimum day. Please call the day of the shoot if you are unsure about the weather conditions. Newborn sessions DO NOT need to be rescheduled.

Does the age of my child effect the shoot?

Yes. Please understand that children between the ages of 10 months and three years of age are the most challenging subjects to photograph. Crawling babies and toddlers are essentially moving targets. These shoots will be a little more photojournalistic as these ages rarely allow me to pose them.

AHHH! What should we wear?

Yes, choosing clothing can be difficult, but it is not rocket science. Here is what I suggest…

-Take your families personality into consideration. You can choose solid colors accented with fresh modern pieces, you can put together a fun, funky outfit, or you can keep it simple.

- Keep in mind that on any given day, your family does not all wear jeans and matching shirts. That is why I do not recommend that you all wear the same thing on the day of your session. The clothes do need to look good together, but they should not be identical.

- Sometimes the location will determine what type of clothing is appropriate. We can discuss that during our phone consultation.

- I prefer informal clothing. Formal clothing often makes children uncomfortable and results in a stiff, unnatural photograph.

- No big bows..or big bow barrettes. They detract from the picture.

- No large logos on t-shirts. It is possible to be casual without the surf and skate shirts.

What if my child is sick?

If your child is sick, please reschedule! Shoots with sick children never come out well, and I would prefer not to spread germs to my other clients. It is not uncommon to reschedul shoots due to sickness or weather related problems. You can call to reschedule your session 5 minutes before we are due to start if you need to. I will not be angry. Children are unpredictable and being a children's photographer means being flexible. If you want the most from your shoot, it is best to wait for the perfect day.

The photo session went GREAT! When can I expect to view the pictures?

Your viewing session will be scheduled 1-2 weeks after the shoot.

Do I have to order during my viewing session?

No, but there are incentives for ordering during this appointment, so it is best to be prepared to place an order.

I have placed our order. When can I expect the pictures?

Orders take 4-6 weeks. If an order needs to be rushed, please discuss this with me at the time you place it.

What can I expect at a newborn session?

Newborn shoots usually average about 3 hours, but I have finished in as little as 1 hour and gone as long as 4.5 hours. The timing usually depends on how well your little one is sleeping. It is best to have a flexible schedule on the day of your shoot in case we go over 3 hours.

All newborn shoots are done in my home studio. I keep my studio at a toasty 78 degrees so that your baby can sleep comfortably naked. This does mean that all of us adults will be a little warm, sorry.

I recommend very simple clothing for mom, dad and siblings. I usually photograph on a black backdrop and prefer if everyone is wearing black. I can also do a white backdrop with white clothing if you prefer. Please remember that this shoot is about the baby, and it is best to keep it simple. Everyone involved in the shoot will need to bring an extra change of clothing. We will be dealing with a naked baby for three hours and someone always gets a little pee or poop on them, maybe even me!

Since the shoot can last a while, it is probably a good idea to bring a snack with you Also, be prepared to feed your little one a number of times throughout the shoot. If you are not breast feeding, please bring more bottles than you think you will need. If your baby has a pacifier please bring that as well. Babies are unpredictable, and it is always best to be over prepared.