Policies & Session Information
Welcome! I'm so excited you're considering a photo session with me. The information on this page outlines what to expect before, during, and after your session, including booking details, payment information, scheduling, and gallery delivery timelines. These policies are in place to provide clarity, help with planning, and ensure a smooth and enjoyable photography experience for everyone. If you have any questions prior to booking, please don't hesitate to reach out.
1. Booking & Deposit Requirement
A session is not officially booked until a 50% non-refundable retainer deposit is received via Venmo and you have confirmation that it was received. This retainer deposit reserves your date and time.
Clients will also be asked to provide a valid email address and contact information at booking. The email address will be used for session communication and to deliver galleries. You will not receive un-necessary emails or spam from me!
2. Remaining Balance
**Check or credit cards are not currently accepted.**
The remaining balance is due in full on the day of the session and must be paid in cash. Clients are kindly asked to bring the exact amount, as the photographer does not carry cash and is unable to provide change.
If balance is not paid in full on the session day, sneak peeks and final image galleries will not be posted/delivered until the remaining balance is cleared.
3. Illness & Emergency Cancellation Policy
If a child or immediate family member becomes ill, clients must notify the photographer as soon as possible. Same-day illness-related cancellations will be rescheduled rather than refunded, with the non-refundable retainer applied to the new session date. Re-occurring same-day cancellations may be subject to full session payment in order to re-book.
4. Short-Notice Cancellations
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled session may require full session payment to re-book future sessions.
5. Client Cancellation Policy
Client cancellations result in forfeiture of the non-refundable retainer and will require a new deposit to book a future session.
6. Photographer Reschedule Policy
In the event the photographer must reschedule due to illness, emergency, or weather, the retainer will be transferred to the new session date.
7. Arrival Time
Sessions begin and end at the scheduled time. Clients are encouraged to arrive 5–10 minutes early to allow time for parking, settling children, and final preparations.
8. No-Show Policy
No-shows forfeit the retainer and may require full payment to re-book a future session.
9. Weather Policy
Weather decisions are made at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled session. Exceptions might be made in extreme circumstances, but sessions will not be canceled due to conditions such as overcast skies, wind, or extreme temperatures. Overcast days typically provide soft, flattering light, which is perfect for photo sessions!
Sessions will only be rescheduled in the case of unsafe weather conditions or a complete washout due to rain. Cincinnati weather can be unpredictable, and showers may dissipate or miss the shoot location entirely. Careful considerations will be taken before rescheduling, and sessions will not be canceled in advance based solely on a future weather forecast.
10. Severe Weather Exception
Severe or unsafe weather conditions will allow for a penalty-free reschedule.
11. Session Location Selection Policy
To ensure the best possible experience, clients are asked to select their session location within 8 days of booking. During high-demand times (mid-September through October), clients may be asked to select their location at the time of booking. Last-minute location changes on the day of the session may not be possible, as multiple clients may be booked and adequate planning time is needed for lighting, travel, and setup.
12. Session Timing
Sessions are typically scheduled for early morning or evening to take advantage of soft, flattering natural light. Mid-day sessions are generally avoided due to harsh sunlight that can affect image quality. Scheduling during the preferred times ensures the most beautiful lighting and a comfortable experience for you and your family. This timing does adjust some when daylight savings occurs.
13. Gallery Delivery Timelines
Galleries are typically edited and delivered within 2–3 weeks of the session date. During peak seasons (such as fall) or busy time periods, delivery times may be slightly extended. Clients will always be notified if additional time is required for editing time-frames.Standard full sessions are edited in the order they are completed. Mini session images are edited and galleries are sent within a week, as fewer images result from those. Please keep these editing time-frames in mind when scheduling your sessions for any senior yearbook submission, Christmas card, or personal need deadlines.
14. Editing & Shooting Style Acknowledgment
By booking a session, clients acknowledge that they have reviewed the photographer’s portfolio and are comfortable with the overall shooting and editing style. Posing, composition, lighting, and color tones are consistent with the photographer’s artistic approach and cannot be altered to replicate another photographer’s style.
15. Raw Images
Raw, unedited images are not provided to the client.
16. Respect & Equipment
Clients are responsible for supervising children and for respecting the photographer’s equipment, props, and setups. Damage caused by misuse may result in repair or replacement fees.
17. Refund Policy After Session Completion
Because each session includes dedicated time, preparation, and post-processing, refunds are not available once a session has been completed or the gallery has been delivered.
18. Client Preferences & Social Media
At the time of booking, please inform the photographer of any preferences regarding sneak peeks, gallery images, or social media sharing. For example, if you would like sneak peeks to be held back until given the all-clear, or if you prefer that children’s identities not appear on social media, please let us know. While the photographer loves to share images from sessions, client privacy and preferences will always be respected.
19. Print Release & Lab Recommendations
Final edited image files include a personal print release and may be printed at the client’s preferred print lab. For best color accuracy and print quality consistent with the photographer’s editing style, professional labs such as MPix, Nations Photo Lab, or Shutterfly are strongly recommended. Please note that some online print providers may outsource printing to third-party facilities, including drugstore or grocery store labs, which can result in inconsistencies in color, cropping, and overall print quality. The photographer cannot guarantee the quality of prints produced outside of the recommended labs.