How are you different from other photographers in my area?
There certainly are a lot of professional (and many non professional!) photographers out there these days, huh? I realize you have many to choose from and I am flattered that you are considering me for something so special to your family. I am truly lucky in that I love what I do for a living. These are not just photographs to me, but art. I strive to give you what you are looking for and have fun doing it! It is my goal to find something important to you or your family and turn your session into something that is unique to you!
How long does this process take?
From start to finish, the process for a custom family portrait session can actually take several months, depending on your schedule and my workload. It’s definitely an investment of time, but the end results are well worth it. Here’s a timeline for a typical session:
- 2 weeks to several months – booking, planning, and getting ready for the session.
- 1-3 hours – the session itself
- Up to 3 weeks after the session, you’ll receive your images in an password protected web gallery!
- 1 week to place your order
- 1-2 weeks you will receive your completed prints &/or files
- If you purchased an album or other press product, they are custom made and will arrive within 4 weeks of purchase.
What is the session “deposit”?
Each session deposit includes a print credit. This means that everything you pay up front as a print credit goes right toward ordering your images and fine art products, whether you choose prints, wall art/canvas, custom frames, albums, or digital files. The deposit holds your date and time so that I can be sure to not book another client on the day we plan to create your photos. There is also a session fee included in the session deposit for the time and talent of the photographer.
How much does it cost?
Please see the Session Information page for the types of sessions I offer and current pricing.
Why do you only do a limited number of shoots per month?
Plain and simple? I want to be picky! And I want YOU to be picky! Custom photography is not cheap for my clients and I want to devote all the time you need to your session. As you may have noticed there are many different styles, skill levels, and types of photography businesses out there for you to choose from. I want you to choose me because we are a good match. Limiting my sessions per month allows me to spend quality time communicating with my clients, on location, as well as during the many hours processing the images from your session, and preparing your prints and products. You are paying for a luxury item and it is my goal to provide that. I cannot do that if I am spread too thin and it is not fair to you and your hard earned money.
I want to book a session with you – how do I do that?
Simple! Just contact me and I will see what I have available and we can talk details. You can contact me to schedule a session on the website, email me at info@amandajanzenphotography.com or give me a call 785.826.6181. Upon booking you will receive a password to my private client lounge, which includes a digital welcome guide, product descriptions, and pricing guide to help plan your session. The session contract and model release are all taken care of in the client lounge. I also have a link that allows you to pay your session deposit via paypal for client convenience. If you are booking a newborn shoot I recommend that is done long before your baby arrives and you will have an open ended date reserved during your birth month as we never quite know when they will arrive! Please remember to contact me as soon as possible after the birth, as photographing your newborn in the first 5-10 days of life is ideal.
Do you photograph weddings?
At this time my focus is on lifestyle portraiture for children and families, so weddings are not in the cards right now. I *do* however, offer engagement and bridal sessions if that’s something that interests you. Since my circle of photographer friends is also focused on children’s photography, I don’t know any wedding photographers to personally recommend, but as I do come across them, I will add them here.
When should we hold my maternity photography session?
I usually try to do maternity photos in the 3rd trimester.
Can you photograph a birthday party, family reunion, or do you offer event photography?
I specialize in sessions for members of the same immediate family only (ie. mom, dad, plus children). I do not offer event photography.
How did you get started? What kind of training did you have?
I got started much like every other mom who does photography: taking pictures of my child and family! I bought my first DSLR (a Nikon D3100), joined groups/forums, read EVERYTHING I could, and played, and played, and played until I started getting results I liked. And that’s that. I just learned by reading and doing and making a lot of mistakes along the way.
Do I really need to fill out the Questionnaire?
Absolutely! It helps me get to know your family better. The better you answer the questions the better I can ‘style’ your session and taylor it to fit you! Please take a few extra minutes and fill out all the questions on your questionnaire. I promise, it will be worth it!!
What is a model release and why do I sign that?
Along with a contract outlining much of the information you see on my site here, I offer a model release to be signed with it. It states that I own the copyright to the images and have your permission to post them online for marketing purposes. (my website, blog, facebook, etc). You may opt out of signing a model release as long as you are comfortable with not seeing any of your images online, including receiving web/watermarked files to match your full resolution digital files or prints for your online use.
Where will we hold the session? What are some good locations?
We will hold the session wherever we want, but it’s very important that we work together to determine the best location. I have several go-to locations (natural or urban) in the area that I love and I’m always open to new ideas as well. Once your session is booked, tell me about the kind of feel you want to your images or let me know which images speak most to you on my website and we can determine the best location for your session. Newborn photo sessions are usually held within your home, my home studio is also available if you feel your home will not work.
Do you have a studio?
At this time I do not have a dedicated studio. My home office does provide sufficient natural light so I am available to set up an in-home studio using natural light only.
What time of day will we be doing our session?
Great question! An indoor newborn session is done during the day, typically around 10am. This is the time of day when the sun filters through your windows at home lighting up your rooms to make the perfect conditions for pictures. Outdoor newborn sessions will most likely be done closer to 5pm depending on the location we choose. All other sessions are scheduled about an hour and a half before sunset. This is the best time of day for lighting and will produce the best images.
What should I/we wear to the session? How can I pick the right clothing?
I am working on getting together a what to wear guide in my client lounge. I also have a link to my pinterest account that has What to Wear board for you! If you still want help, you can certainly give me a call or I can look over all of the clothing options at the session itself to help you decide what outfits will look the best on you and in your images.
I remember you taking a specific image at our session, why don’t I see it in the gallery?
I will only show you the best images. This means that an image you remember being taken could have been blurry from movement, or someone’s eye was closed, etc. I only want you to see the best images from your session so that’s what I’ll show you!
I’m nervous about dealing with the digital files. Will you tell me how to print them and where to go to get prints made?
No worries. I provide very simple instructions along with my personal consumer lab recommendations on your image CD.
What size can I print the images?
These are high resolution images so you can pretty much go as big as you want.
Do you offer holiday cards or birth announcements?
Yes! I do create cards and announcements for session clients. These are custom designs and almost always, I create them from scratch so that they are unique to you and your images. But of course, if you are also purchasing images on CD, you can certainly create your own cards and announcements as well.
Do you have a referral program?
So glad you asked! Yes I do!! I LOVE my clients and it’s the highest form of a compliment when you refer someone to me! So, to say thank you for your referral you will receive a $25 print credit from me when your friends book and pay for their session. Just a little something to say ‘Thanks for being so awesome!!’.
Do you offer payment plans?
I don’t advertise it, but yes I do. I understand that my photography is an investment and want you to get custom photography. Even if it means making installments. Just ask me, we can set something up that works for you. The only requirement is the session fee must be paid at the time of booking and the remainder of your payment plan is paid in full before you receive physical prints. This doesn’t mean we can’t do your session or that you won’t see what your images look like until your payment plan is paid in full. It just means you won’t get what you ordered until you are all paid up. I’m sure you can understand why. Any questions, just ask.
Are you licensed or insured?
Yes! I am licensed as required by the city, county, and state as well as set up to pay the appropriate income, city/state, and sales taxes. I am also insured for liability and have my equipment insured as well.
Where do you get your business cards, thank you cards, albums, books, etc. printed?
I use several different printers and vendors, but they do not serve the general public.