Session Information ~ FAQ
What will the session be like ?
We will have a pre-session consultation via phone or email to plan the time, location, choice of photo session and your expectations for the session. I will ask you to think about what you are looking for from our shoots, ie. and specific "poses" or pictures you want to make sure to "get". I do both indoor and outdoor, natural light portraits, both posed and candid. I have portable studio equipment to set up in your home and lighting to supplement indoor light if needed.
For outdoor sessions, lighting is typically better early morning or late afternoon/sunset time ... often cloudy days are better than super sunny days when dealing with shadows or sun in your eyes. I will work with you to set up the best time & place for your photo session. The session will be more of a PLAY DATE than a formal sit-down-say-cheese-and-have-your-picture-taken atmosphere. I want you and your family to get comfortable with me and the camera on them. I am totally fine with getting down on the ground and taking some time to get to know you family & child(ren).
How long will the session last ?
Typically an hour to 90 minutes, usually no less than 60 minutes to get a complete photo session. Family, Maternity & Newborn sessions tend to run longer, to 2 hours. Newborn sessions could possibly take three hours with breaks for feedings, calming, dressing (or undressing. To be honest, husbands are typically the first to be "done" with the photos ...
What about clothes ... what should I wear ?!
For families and children, try to stay away from busy patterns and big logos/words. Go for simple, comfortable, solid clothing. Some simple patterns are fine -- but try to stay away from items that will distract. You do not need to be all matching, but coordinating colors & looks tend to photograph best. Present yourselves how you really are - casual, or dressy it's up to you! Feel free to bring a second set of clothes or a change of shirts/outfit for a different look.
For beach portraits, white or solid tops and jeans look great on film. Bare feet are essential and fun.
OR, go all the way in the other direction ... if your child has a flare for fashion, FUNKY can come across so cool in photos and really brings out your child's personality. Bright tights, tutus, cowboy boots, rain puddle boots, bright tops & skirts .... plaid, feathers, boas, stripes. If it will add to your child's inner fashionista and fun personality, bring it and we will have a blast!! :)
If you have a favorite prop you want to be incorporated into the photos, please let me know ahead of time - a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, chair, hat, scarf, umbrella ... just give me a little heads up to make sure we make it happen for you. Try to keep your outfit changes to two total ... If you are unsure of which will work better, bring it along and ask for me advice. I will be happy to give you my recommendation, plus it always helps to have options.
For maternity sessions, a nicely ironed white man's shirt looks great, as does a snug fitting top such as a sports/yoga bra top, tank top. A dress (and even jewelry) you feel your best in .... and something you are comfortable in! Other suggestions include a poncho, an open front sweater. I also have material that we can wrap around you or you may bring your own. Maternity pants should be dark colored- try to stay away from ones where the band will show up. Jeans are always a great look, as are yoga-type pants.
Maternity clients should roll the waistband of their pants below the bulk of the tummy about 30 minutes before their sessions to prevent the lines on the tummy. 7 months into the pregnancy is typically the best time to be photographed, but is up to the individual. A phone consultation prior to the shoot is preferred, we can talk about what types of pictures you are looking for and also any special items you would like to include in the pictures.
Newborns (age 2-6 weeks) can have some of the best pictures unclothed (with or without diaper). Dress your infant in loose-fitting clothes so no creases or fabric impressions will be visible after removing the clothes. If you do not feel comfortable having your infant photographed without clothing, please dress him/her in the simplest outfit you have. Again, a phone consultation prior to the shoot is best to ensure images that reflect the personality of your family. I want to make sure you get the photographs you will treasure. If there are any props you would like to incorporate, just let me know ahead of time.
A Note to Parents:
Children can be sometimes very shy -- and take a while to warm up to me and the camera -- or the total opposite and be quite active and outgoing. Please do not get upset with your children if you think they are behaving badly, not listening or won’t even smile! I am completely prepared for children to be do their own thing. I expect it, it's okay and it is typical! If you get frustrated with your children during the session they tend to sense it. I will do my best to get to know your child(ren) and will give them time to feel at ease and comfortable. I want you all to have an enjoyable time at your session. I know it can be stressful getting ready and getting to your appointment on time but I hope that once you arrive all of your nerves and stresses will soon disappear and we can get down to having a good time. It's a good idea to have some small non-messy "bribes" on hand --- a little candy (not M&Ms ... too messy!), a drink of water or juice, crackers or fruit snacks.
What happens after the Session ??
What else do I need to know ?
Copyright Notice:
Sales & Payment:
We will have a pre-session consultation via phone or email to plan the time, location, choice of photo session and your expectations for the session. I will ask you to think about what you are looking for from our shoots, ie. and specific "poses" or pictures you want to make sure to "get". I do both indoor and outdoor, natural light portraits, both posed and candid. I have portable studio equipment to set up in your home and lighting to supplement indoor light if needed.
For outdoor sessions, lighting is typically better early morning or late afternoon/sunset time ... often cloudy days are better than super sunny days when dealing with shadows or sun in your eyes. I will work with you to set up the best time & place for your photo session. The session will be more of a PLAY DATE than a formal sit-down-say-cheese-and-have-your-picture-taken atmosphere. I want you and your family to get comfortable with me and the camera on them. I am totally fine with getting down on the ground and taking some time to get to know you family & child(ren).
How long will the session last ?
Typically an hour to 90 minutes, usually no less than 60 minutes to get a complete photo session. Family, Maternity & Newborn sessions tend to run longer, to 2 hours. Newborn sessions could possibly take three hours with breaks for feedings, calming, dressing (or undressing. To be honest, husbands are typically the first to be "done" with the photos ...
What about clothes ... what should I wear ?!
For families and children, try to stay away from busy patterns and big logos/words. Go for simple, comfortable, solid clothing. Some simple patterns are fine -- but try to stay away from items that will distract. You do not need to be all matching, but coordinating colors & looks tend to photograph best. Present yourselves how you really are - casual, or dressy it's up to you! Feel free to bring a second set of clothes or a change of shirts/outfit for a different look.
For beach portraits, white or solid tops and jeans look great on film. Bare feet are essential and fun.
OR, go all the way in the other direction ... if your child has a flare for fashion, FUNKY can come across so cool in photos and really brings out your child's personality. Bright tights, tutus, cowboy boots, rain puddle boots, bright tops & skirts .... plaid, feathers, boas, stripes. If it will add to your child's inner fashionista and fun personality, bring it and we will have a blast!! :)
If you have a favorite prop you want to be incorporated into the photos, please let me know ahead of time - a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, chair, hat, scarf, umbrella ... just give me a little heads up to make sure we make it happen for you. Try to keep your outfit changes to two total ... If you are unsure of which will work better, bring it along and ask for me advice. I will be happy to give you my recommendation, plus it always helps to have options.
For maternity sessions, a nicely ironed white man's shirt looks great, as does a snug fitting top such as a sports/yoga bra top, tank top. A dress (and even jewelry) you feel your best in .... and something you are comfortable in! Other suggestions include a poncho, an open front sweater. I also have material that we can wrap around you or you may bring your own. Maternity pants should be dark colored- try to stay away from ones where the band will show up. Jeans are always a great look, as are yoga-type pants.
Maternity clients should roll the waistband of their pants below the bulk of the tummy about 30 minutes before their sessions to prevent the lines on the tummy. 7 months into the pregnancy is typically the best time to be photographed, but is up to the individual. A phone consultation prior to the shoot is preferred, we can talk about what types of pictures you are looking for and also any special items you would like to include in the pictures.
Newborns (age 2-6 weeks) can have some of the best pictures unclothed (with or without diaper). Dress your infant in loose-fitting clothes so no creases or fabric impressions will be visible after removing the clothes. If you do not feel comfortable having your infant photographed without clothing, please dress him/her in the simplest outfit you have. Again, a phone consultation prior to the shoot is best to ensure images that reflect the personality of your family. I want to make sure you get the photographs you will treasure. If there are any props you would like to incorporate, just let me know ahead of time.
A Note to Parents:
Children can be sometimes very shy -- and take a while to warm up to me and the camera -- or the total opposite and be quite active and outgoing. Please do not get upset with your children if you think they are behaving badly, not listening or won’t even smile! I am completely prepared for children to be do their own thing. I expect it, it's okay and it is typical! If you get frustrated with your children during the session they tend to sense it. I will do my best to get to know your child(ren) and will give them time to feel at ease and comfortable. I want you all to have an enjoyable time at your session. I know it can be stressful getting ready and getting to your appointment on time but I hope that once you arrive all of your nerves and stresses will soon disappear and we can get down to having a good time. It's a good idea to have some small non-messy "bribes" on hand --- a little candy (not M&Ms ... too messy!), a drink of water or juice, crackers or fruit snacks.
What happens after the Session ??
- Within one week of your session, I will post preview pictures on the blog & FaceBook fan page. I will send you a message via email or FB with a link to the blog & preview.
- Within two weeks I will post an online private, password-protected gallery album and email you the link & passwords. This link can be shared with family and friends.
- Your online album will stay active for 30 days from the date it was posted. After 30 DAYS your password and album will not be active, you may request for access to your album for an additional $25. You will order from these images.
- For additional products (CD, calendars, books, ect) & prints ordered from RitzyPics: you can let me know the image #, size and quantity of prints you wish to order and I will work with you to create a book or calendar. Prints will be ordered thru me and delivered directly to you in beautiful packaging and will be at your door within two weeks from receiving your payment.
- For orders under $60, a $10 processing fee will be added.
What else do I need to know ?
- A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking your session with RitzyPics.
- If you do need to cancel or reschedule due to illness or weather, we can work together to plan the next available date.
- Please be ready and on time for your session. I will be there on time, usually a little bit early, and I expect you to be as well. If you are running late, please be courteous and give me a quick call on my cell phone. (Cell # provided to you when we have our pre-session consultation.)
- Please give at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel.
- If the weather is uncertain on the day of your photo session, we will be in contact to make a final decision or to reschedule a date.
- $20 additional fee if over 30 min. of travel time outside Providence, RI.
- The session & package fee covers the photographer's talent and time for set-up, photography time, post-session production, extensive editing to photographer's style, creation of on-line album to view/share, CD of images, prints, and shipping & handling of products to you.
Copyright Notice:
- All images on this Website, my Blog and my FaceBook FanPage are protected by Copyright Laws.
- Images on FaceBook as "previews" are considered property of RitzyPics. My logo must remain in view should you use the photo for a profile picture.
- Reproduction in any form is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: scanning, emailing, copying and printing via an at-home printer.
- Please DO NOT put images on Facebook, MySpace, or any other internet websites without my permission.
Sales & Payment:
- A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required at time of booking.
- All sales are final. Remainder of Fee is due at the time of photo shoot.
- Due to the custom nature of this work, refunds are unavailable.
- IF by some rare occasion you are not satisfied with your photos, I will work with you until you ARE happy & satisfied.
- Full payment is due at time of order of any additional prints or products.
- At this time, cash and checks made out to Amy Ritz are the only forms of payment accepted.
