Q & A
WHERE WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
There are a number of places we can go between the the areas of Rosemary Beach to Okaloosa Island. I try to reflect your personality and style with the location choices such as the beach, a field, a flower garden, rustic bridges, city, your home, etc.
The exact time will of course depend on the time of the year as well as the location and session of choice. We will discuss this when planning your session.
To get started you can scroll through the Location Gallery.
The exact time will of course depend on the time of the year as well as the location and session of choice. We will discuss this when planning your session.
To get started you can scroll through the Location Gallery.
WHAT TYPE OF SESSIONS DO YOU OFFER?
I have several options .for you to choose from. You can find a summery of each on the SESSIONS page of this website.
WE WANT A GROUP SESSION. HOW MANY SUBJECTS CAN YOU HANDLE?
I have to admit, groups are my favorite {second to children}! I have been shooting groups for many years and trust me when I say we got this, and yes we will fit everyone in within an hour. I can say we will get in the group shot and each family, we do not always have time for the lifestyle shots {but we usually do, esp if you already know what you want in mind}. The key is a list and having one person from your group in charge of keeping up with it, having each family gather and be ready to step in for their turn. That seems to work better than if I keep up with it because I may not remember the right names or groups. For very large groups or if several small children are included there is the option of a second shooter to attend with me.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE SCHEDULE?
We have clients calling months in advance and the summer can get full very quickly. I recommend confirming your session as early as possible.
WHAT DO WE DO IF IT LOOKS LIKE RAIN?
You honestly never really know. It can say 20% and pour or say 100% and be beautiful where you are, and pouring a mile down the road. I usually like to wait until you begin getting ready and just see what it looks like out there. If we both have a mutual date we can reschedule to we will do that. I am all for going out there and just waiting and seeing as well. I have sat in my car and ran out for a quick group shot so we don't waste everyone able to get together, all dolled up and kids bribed. If we just get one image I do not charge for the session (the retainer will cover the time/travel), if we're able to get in at least 15 minutes or so I will just charge for a mini session.
WHAT IF MY CHILD ISN'T IN THE MOOD THE DAY OF THE SESSION?
Many clients worry about posing or their child not giving them their best smile. Please do not stress, the children will pick up on that and become nervous themselves.
Fun, happy, natural pictures make the best photos so please don't worry about whether they are in a cooperative mood. Some children come ready to move and run and some are shy and take a bit of warming up. I have four boys plus one little lady myself, I have worked as a preschool teacher for many years, and I have been photographing children for 6 years now. Know that I will never yell or order your child to do anything, nor will I ever ask or expect you to. I would much rather have a happy child over a perfectly posed child. If my boys have taught me anything it's patience. There are some tricks we have learned as photographers. Bribery candy works great, (it's easier to spoil others children lol) but will only be used with your permission. We want kids to feel like they are having fun, and their pictures will reflect that.
It can help to have the child rested and fed beforehand, as I'm sure it is close to their dinner and bed time.
If you would like images of your child in the water please remember to bring a towel and an extra pair of clothes to wear home.
Fun, happy, natural pictures make the best photos so please don't worry about whether they are in a cooperative mood. Some children come ready to move and run and some are shy and take a bit of warming up. I have four boys plus one little lady myself, I have worked as a preschool teacher for many years, and I have been photographing children for 6 years now. Know that I will never yell or order your child to do anything, nor will I ever ask or expect you to. I would much rather have a happy child over a perfectly posed child. If my boys have taught me anything it's patience. There are some tricks we have learned as photographers. Bribery candy works great, (it's easier to spoil others children lol) but will only be used with your permission. We want kids to feel like they are having fun, and their pictures will reflect that.
It can help to have the child rested and fed beforehand, as I'm sure it is close to their dinner and bed time.
If you would like images of your child in the water please remember to bring a towel and an extra pair of clothes to wear home.
CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE SESSION?
Absolutely! I only ask that you let me know when planning the session. Please be aware however that animals are not allowed on the beach itself without a pet permit, which you can only receive if reside in the county.
I have examples of clients bringing their pets to their session in the Gallery HERE.
I have examples of clients bringing their pets to their session in the Gallery HERE.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SESSION?
I will edit the photographs and put them up in an online password protected gallery within 2-3 weeks. We will set up a mutual time for an ordering session.
The amount of proofs available will depend on the type of session.
Before the online ordering session you should think about where you are going to place the photograph to determine color, size and orientation.
It can take up to 2 weeks for delivery depending on the product. Please let me know if you are in a hurry and I will do what I can to get it to you sooner. If you purchased the disc at the time of the session I will mail it out when the gallery closes.
The amount of proofs available will depend on the type of session.
Before the online ordering session you should think about where you are going to place the photograph to determine color, size and orientation.
It can take up to 2 weeks for delivery depending on the product. Please let me know if you are in a hurry and I will do what I can to get it to you sooner. If you purchased the disc at the time of the session I will mail it out when the gallery closes.
DO YOU OFFER IMAGE RETOUCHING?
Sure! My process is to cull through the images finding the best of each pose to edit. Trust me, I will find the one where you look your best. When you look good I look good! Any further retouching or culling will be subjected to $10 per image fee, such as hair in the eyes or suntan lines. Please let me know if you have any request within the week the images are in your gallery . I purge the RAW images after the gallery ends and they would be valuable if any further editing is requested.
I can and will fix any flyaways I am able to get before getting the images to you. I do not remove anything permanent unless asked, such as moles, birthmarks or tattoos. These are usually easy fixes and I do not charge for this type of edit
I can and will fix any flyaways I am able to get before getting the images to you. I do not remove anything permanent unless asked, such as moles, birthmarks or tattoos. These are usually easy fixes and I do not charge for this type of edit
WHERE CAN I SEE A CURRENT PRICE LIST?
CAN I REQUEST SPECIFIC PHOTOS TO BE TAKEN?
Yes please! In fact I recommend creating a list of important must have images down to 'in case we have extra time' images. This is your session, I want to make sure you are getting just what you came after.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?
I do have a few tips to help the day run smoother. A blanket or large towel can hold everyone's purse, phone, etc. A fold up chair is nice for older ladies/gentlemen who would like to rest in between shots. For ladies, bobby pins and hair ties in case the wind is not conducive to your hairstyle (and please, now is not the time to tame the mane. I have naturally curly hair and I speak from experience, the beach will not allow you to straighten it. Hairspray will work for flyaway wisps and for mens' hair). If you have any special heirloom item or a childs favorite lovey feel free to bring it for a few memorial shots as well. Oh, if you bring a pacifier or bottle make sure to bring a bottle of water to wash the sand off when it inevitably falls.
WILL MY IMAGES BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE INTERNET?
While I do occasionally post my favorite images on Instagram, Facebook, the website and blog I do ask permission first. When you fill out the questionnaire form there will be a place for you to accept or deny permission to post online.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR UNABLE TO SHOOT ON THE SCHEDULED DAY?
Be reassured I have never once left a session stranded. In the last 5 years I have but only twice not been able to make it. A few times I have even left the emergency room and made sessions on time. If this should ever happen and we cannot agree on a mutual rescheduling date I do have a network of photographers I work with and we help each other out. They are similar in price and style however it is of course ultimately your choice.
Digital image information
Many clients these days prefer digital images and we love to give you want you want! While the digital images do not come with every session there are session options that do.
The disc will include all edited images you see in your online gallery. I do not give out the RAW unedited images as they are not completed work, much as a manuscript is to a novel. The images you will receive are high resolution and are guaranteed to print as large as 8x10. You are free to print as large as you'd like however without seeing the image and prepping it for the size I am unable to absolutely guarantee above an 8x10. Feel free to ask me to pull it up and give you my opinion on whether an image would work larger. I do include a print release.
Why do they not come with the session for free? A custom photographer spends A LOT of time and money creating the picture in the same manner whether they are sold as a print or download.
Where you print them matters as well. You paid good money for these pictures, you want them looking professional. As do I, when you say you received these pictures from Susi Photography I want them looking their best! When you buy a print from me I use a professional company. When purchasing your custom CD I will provide you with information on how to get the best print. HERE is a great article explaining why and includes example pictures from different printers and their quality.
Click HERE for more information on printing from your disc.
The disc will include all edited images you see in your online gallery. I do not give out the RAW unedited images as they are not completed work, much as a manuscript is to a novel. The images you will receive are high resolution and are guaranteed to print as large as 8x10. You are free to print as large as you'd like however without seeing the image and prepping it for the size I am unable to absolutely guarantee above an 8x10. Feel free to ask me to pull it up and give you my opinion on whether an image would work larger. I do include a print release.
Why do they not come with the session for free? A custom photographer spends A LOT of time and money creating the picture in the same manner whether they are sold as a print or download.
Where you print them matters as well. You paid good money for these pictures, you want them looking professional. As do I, when you say you received these pictures from Susi Photography I want them looking their best! When you buy a print from me I use a professional company. When purchasing your custom CD I will provide you with information on how to get the best print. HERE is a great article explaining why and includes example pictures from different printers and their quality.
Click HERE for more information on printing from your disc.
A little about the editing process
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I’d love to tell you a little bit about the editing process. During a photoshoot, I’m making real-time adjustments to lighting to create the perfect shot. I’m also occasionally firing “burst” of shots to ensure that I get an image with no eyeblinks, and to make sure we don’t get any shots of a person starting to talk or brushing their hair out of their face.
It’s necessary to take these images, they are part of the working process of art, just as a painter sometimes tries a few colors before making the final stroke. Or how a writer might try a couple of words before landing on the right one – she doesn’t publish all three words, the first two just served to lead to the third. All images are captured in a raw color format, so the image-making process is not finished, even when the shoot is over. My job at that point is to discard the eyeblinks and my own testing shots to select the real pieces of art that all the other shots helped create. I take those shots and spend a great deal of time working with them by hand to tone the color, smooth any imperfections, and produce heirloom pieces of art that are up to my artistic standards – the same quality of work you saw in my portfolio. I do not release any RAW images not included with this set of final images, because they were neither created nor intended as final products – they simply enabled me to work out issues that arose to ensure you’d get the high quality images you received. |
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LOCAL BEACH HEALTH INFORMATION
Check to see if your beach passes the water bacteria count.
Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.
Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.