We're on Location Lifestyle Photographers Delivering:
Fun. Relaxed. Natural.
Photography for you to cherish for years to come! Life Happens... why not capture it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Every Portrait Session Fee covers Time, Talent and most Travel LOCATIONS.
This includes the consultation, Portrait Capture, Image Editing and Proofing each individual RAW image crafted for display.
You will receive Digital Images from your session (the amount you'll receive depends on your session package). Keep in mind that NO prints are included with your session fee, unless it is part of your package or promotion. However, Professional Prints are available for purchase directly from your gallery for your convenience with various print packages from a photo lab we love and have trusted for years.
The Sitting Fee is your 1-2 hour of Photography (depending on your selected package).
(*this EXCLUDES Newborn Sessions - as they will need extra time for feedings and baby time).
Location(s) of your choice in the time given (unless otherwise specified)
A 2nd Photographer or Assistant Coverage may be included depending on the session type/location
All family sessions will get group, individual, sibling and parent photos as well.
Within a few days of your session, a Sneak Peek of your shoot will be displayed on Blog & Facebook, but never your entire album and never posted without prior consent.
Within 14 days, a Private Online Password Protected Gallery will display ALL of the best chosen edited portraits for you to review and purchase from.
25 selected images (unless otherwise specified by your photographer) of your choice from your private on-line gallery will be delivered via Download within 14 days of your selection, depending on the time of year and how many other photo sessions currently being worked on.
(*For those of you that would like to purchase a USB or Photo CD with the entire collection of their session also have that option for an additional charge).
A print release is also included allowing shared print privileges to share images as you please to blogs, etc. (*Keep in mind, SMH-Photography retains full copyrights to all images.)

PRINTS & PACKAGES: We use a Professional Photo Lab for all prints. Prints are of the highest quality and not reproduced on a home printer. We also make several different packages conveniently available for additional purchase directly from your Online Private Gallery, as well as A La Carte prints if you prefer. The print packages are not limited to just one pose per package giving you a wide variety of portraits in your package! Other Specialty items you'll see are Canvas Wraps, Announcements, Cards, and much more!

Q:
ANSWER:

It depends on the session type and what you want to remember when you look back at your portraits later in life. Here's just a few of my suggestions:
First of all, dress for the season and the session... then let your personalities shine!
Solid colors work best, and stay away from busy prints and patterns. Horizontal stripes are never flattering... So try picking between 2-3 main colors, and add a splash of another (ex: white shirts/khaki or jean bottoms with a splash of another color). Also, remember the color scheme in your home. These photos will adorn your walls, so coordinating color palettes with combinations you are obviously drawn to will create a feeling of unity.
Be you: Wear clothing that YOU feel good in. If your child wears a pair of rain boots everywhere he goes, it makes the most sense to have him wear them for pictures as well. Remember, you want to capture everyone as they are NOW and let's have fun with it!
Layer your outfits as the season permits with colors that pop (some bright not fluorescent). It adds flare and variety to your poses.
Shoes: Ladies, the sassier the better! However, be sure to bring a pair of flats or flip flops to swap out as you need to for the longer sessions.
PROPS and ACCESSORIES: Props don’t always have to mean fake. Bring along the heirloom quilt, the bouquet of flowers, that modern stool, the vintage suitcase you’ve always thought was neat. Discuss things your family enjoys doing together and bring those “props” and accessories that will help compliment who you are. If your family enjoys playing music together, bring your instruments to your session. If your family enjoys boating, suggest doing your session on a boat or at the very least near the water. If your little one has a security blanket or teddy bear he never parts with... bring that too! Or perhaps your daughter likes crafting cute headbands, and mom loves tulips... let's incorporate it! Bring along items that will represent who each individual is AND we'll make it a "custom" session. Here's a few more photo examples from PINTEREST
One more thing... we live in a desert, so be sure to bring some water along in case you get parched! Then make sure you get a good night's rest. Relax and be ready for a great portrait session!

Q: ANSWER: Lots! From posed, candid, fun, and natural! Don't worry. I assure you that I take more than enough photos to capture the perfect shots. After your portrait session, I sort through every photo individually to find the most amazing ones to be presented to you. The number of Final Images you receive is determined by which portrait session option you purchase, which will always be at least 25 photos for your Portrait Photo CD, and at least 75 photos for Engagement Sessions.
During a full day wedding event, on average, your online gallery will display more than 250 beautiful pictorial images of your special day. Keep in mind, the number of photographs taken depends on several factors, such as the number of guests, hours of coverage and type of event (partial or full wedding day coverage). However, every image that you receive has been hand-edited, one at a time, without batching in bulk groups or mass-producing the results.

Q: ANSWER: Yes! Prices are subject to change due to summer-seasonal specials and/or promotions. Keep in mind, once you book your session your total will be locked in as agreed upon at time of scheduling. And be sure to ask about our referral program and how to get money back in your pocket or free prints! Link up with us on Facebook to see if there are any latest promotions!

Q: ANSWER: Weddings tend to book as early as 12-18 months in advance. Therefore, we only take a limited number of events and Portrait Sessions each year to ensure all our clients get the care and attention they deserve. And because we accept bookings on a first-come first-serve basis, we turn away other clients based on your date. Therefore, we cannot secure a date without a retainer and a signed contract.

Q: ANSWER: Depending on your session type, payments may be made by check or cash, and on occasion through debit/credit via FB/PayPal. Checks are to be made payable to SMH-Photography. All Fees are non-refundable, but are transferable for reschedule.

Q: ANSWER: We edit in Adobe Lightroom and only use professional Canon camera bodies, and professional lenses and flashes. We bring backup equipment, batteries and memory cards to every scheduled event.

Q: ANSWER: There is no Travel Fee for family, portrait or engagement sessions within 25 miles of Phoenix. Weddings have an extended 35 mile limit outside of Phoenix.

Q: ANSWER: A sample of your photos will be posted online within one week for regular portrait sessions after the shoot on Blog and/or Facebook. Then, within 2 weeks of your Portrait Session, your Private Online Gallery will display ALL edited portraits ready for viewing, and print purchasing (weddings have a 6 week time frame). If your session includes a photo CD or DVD slideshow, then that will be delivered via mail (USPS), along with a print release authorization for you to upload, print or share images to blogs, etc. The time frame for any professional print orders from our website will depend upon shipping methods you select when purchasing.

*Note: To respect your privacy, your photos are never posted without your prior consent.

Q: ANSWER: A Print Release download is available for each of our Clients in your Client Album, for shared print privileges. Keep in mind, SMH-Photography still retains full copyrights to all images for use of promotional material, including our website, blog and advertising.

Read here to find more on Editing Other Photographer's photos.

Q: ANSWER: The Professional Photo Lab we use provides an outstanding quality of prints, and are required the absolute best in digital printing. Depending on your Shipping Method you select at checkout your Prints and Photo Packages will arrive within 14 days. You'll also find other unique photo gift products as well, such as Canvas Wraps, Calendars, Announcements, Cards and much more!

*Disclaimer: While we strongly recommend our lab services for prints, you are free to order prints from other labs if that is your preference. However, if you should choose to use a different printing company other than our professional high quality lab, we are not responsible for the quality or coloring of your printed images.

Q: How long will my online gallery be available for ordering professional prints and other merchandise? Your online gallery will be available for 30 days from the date of our initial viewing unless otherwise noted. There is a $25 fee to re-open a gallery after this time has elapsed.

Q: ANSWER: Yes! All I ask is that you please be sure to give credit to our website and name. This protects my copyrighted work and helps with referrals. Thanks!

Q: Will you post my photos online? The only way we can use your photos is if you give us permission by signing our online model release section of the questionnaire.

Are you ready to schedule? Would love to hear from you! You can book your session by submitting your request HERE. Once you've notified us of your Session request, we'll lock in a date and you'll receive our link to complete our online "QUESTIONNAIRE" and/or "CONTRACT AGREEMENT". Form(s) and a retainer payment will be necessary to finalize your Booking Date for all events.