Frequently Asked Questions

Questions you should ask your photographer before choosing them:

How much experience do you have?

By conferring the title, Certified Professional Photographer, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) certify that I have demonstrated technical competence through a written exam and creativity through a photographic image submission, which I must re-certify every three years. PPA photographers must abide by a strict code of ethics and have unique skills and training in the artistry and technology of creating beautiful images that will reflect your unique personality and talents.

I have been shooting digitally and using digital darkroom techniques for over 20 years and film and film processing for over 50. I also have a 37 years of experience in corporate technology management that helps me better serve you as a customer and to effectively plan our photography experience together.

I amYOUNG AT ART! Check my Editorial, Fine Art and Personal Projects portfolios and you'll see that my style tends to be classic and clean, with a bent towards the edgy/ethereal/artistic.

If you still have questions, please contact me and we can arrange a consultation at no charge to see how we might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What's your style?

Our memories are the result of our lifetime of experiences and tell our unique story of human existence. My job is to help you tell your story and my style tends to be more classic and clean, with a bent towards edgy/ethereal/artistic for fine art images. I have a deep background in the theater (drama/musical/dance) and that experience carries over into my studio photography work—whether the desired image needs a simple background or a complex theatrical set. Look through my Editorial, Fine Art and Personal Projects portfolios to get an idea of my photographic voice and style.

If you still have questions, please contact me and we can arrange a consultation at no charge to see how we might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

May I see some of your recent work?

This is the most commonly question asked question, and for good reason. How do you distinguish between an amateur and a professional photographer? An amateur may be able to take a few great shots every now and then, but professionals know how to consistently create great results.
As a Certified Professional Photographer, I have unique skills and training in the artistry and technology of creating beautiful images that will reflect your unique personality and talents. I have a deep background in the theater (drama/musical/dance) and that experience carries over into my studio photography work-whether the desired image needs a simple background or a complex theatrical set.

Check out my Editorial, Fine Art and Personal Projects portfolios; my style tends to be classic and clean, with a bent towards edgy/ethereal/artistic for fine art images. If you still have questions, please contact me and we can arrange a consultation at no charge to see how we might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Do you specialize in any one type of photography?

My favorite subjects are people as expressed primarily through portraiture and performance photography. My passion is working with people to collaboratively create art! My job is to help you tell your story and my style tends to be more classic and clean, with a bent towards edgy/ethereal/artistic for fine art images. I have a deep background in the theater (drama/musical/dance) and that experience carries over into my studio photography work—whether the desired image needs a simple background or a complex theatrical set.

Look through my Editorial, Fine Art and Personal Projects portfolios to get an idea of my photographic voice and style. If you still have questions, please contact me and we can arrange a consultation at no charge to see how we might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What does your fee include?

My studio fee covers my photographer's creative fee, preparation for a shoot, the shoot itself and post processing and proof delivery. I offer two types of in-studio sessions: the mini-session and the standard studio portrait session. Mini-sessions are normally twenty minutes to one half-an-hour in length and are appropriate for headshots and other types of basic photography. The standard studio portrait session typically lasts from one to two hours allowing for a variety of poses and costume changes.

Portrait location shooting fees are similar to those for studio sessions, but include scouting, travel, any location specific fees (for example, fees for obtaining permission to enter and shoot at a particular location). Assistants, stylists, make-up artists, set design and production and other professionals will be included in fees, as necessary.

The best way to ensure a successful portrait session is though an in-person consulting session. There is no charge for the initial consultation and all session related fees will be discussed up-front and will always be explained before the session in the Portrait Photography Contract.

To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What are your fees for events and performance photography?

Event and performance photography fees vary by event location, length, number of participants and delivery needs. Rates are calculated based on competitive rates prevailing in the event location geography and cover my photographer’s creative fee, shoot prep, equipment rentals (as needed), travel (as needed), agreed upon event coverage shooting, post processing, proof and final delivery. Assistants, stylists, make-up artists, set design and production and other professionals will be included in fees, as necessary.

Delivery for event and performance photography varies by client need and will be discussed during the event consultation session.

To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling an event, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer an in-person consultation?

Absolutely! My job is to help you tell your story and it’s hard to do that if we haven’t given thought up front as to how we collaborate most effectively. The in-person consultation—whether at my studio (preferably, so that you get a feel of where, how and what we’ll do during the session), at a local coffee shop or in the comfort of your own home—is the time when we begin to make art.

Making art doesn’t just happen out of the air—it’s a project that takes time, and quite honestly work. Like any project, it can only be successful if it is planned properly (and I bring 37 years experience in corporate technology management to bear on our planning to give us that extra edge).

Feeling comfortable during your photo session is the most important thing—if we don’t “click,” it will show in your pictures. This is the time to ask me lots of questions and for me to learn about the story we are about to tell. You should bring along anything that specifically represents you—even examples of the kinds of photos that you like. When you’re relaxed and comfortable about us working together, you become more natural in front of the camera, allowing for great pictures.

To schedule an in-person, phone or video conference consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What  products do you offer and may I see examples of each?

My experience in photography is primarily as a Print Artist. This goes all the way back to when I was making prints in the darkroom as a teenager with my dad. Remember that printed products last forever—so you should insist on a full-service photographer who gives you prints instead of a CD that is just going to end up at the bottom of a drawer.

I am a member of the Professional Photographers of America&#apos;s Print. The Movement. Statistics show that a staggering 53% of consumers haven’t printed a photo in more than 12 months, 70% don't have photo albums, and 42% no longer print photos at all. Why does this matter? Where do your memories go when your phone dies? What happens when photo-site-x goes off-line? How are you going to preserve all those memories?

There are plenty of services (primarily on-line) that promise to take a mediocre photograph and turn it into a magnificent piece of fine art, simply by printing it differently. Don't buy that—a quality print starts with a quality photograph, created with a specific piece of art in mind.

Are you looking for a large-format portrait to hang in your formal room? Perhaps a collection of intimate shots for your family room or an album for the living room where you can share lots of memories? I offer all of these and have samples available in my studio. The labs I work with offer a variety of products and I can work with you on printing and pricing options based on your specific needs. Images that we choose to print also become available for uploading to your favorite social media site.

If you still have questions, please contact me and we can arrange a consultation at no charge to see how we might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

How should I prepare my family before the session?

Our families seem to be going in a million different directions at the same time these days. How on earth can you even get them together in one place at the same time, much less make sure their hair is combed?

Don't worry. One of the big reasons we have an in-person consultation ahead of time is to work out those details. With good planning, your family can feel comfortable and have fun together while being photographed.

In the consultation, I'll probably ask you for things you might not even have thought of and you are bound to have lots of questions for me. What colors and styles of clothing are best to wear? Should you bring a change of clothes? How do you handle a fussy child or plan for nap times? Let's create a checklist so that everything falls into place on the day of the shoot!

Let's make your photo session that one special time when everyone does something together more important than just saying, "Cheese!" Let it be a memorable occasion that only shared creativity can give.

To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take a picture like this one?

Find pictures similar to ones you would like to display on your mantel and show them to me. This will help us both understand the style and genre you want, and we will be able to determine if you and I are a good match. A professional photographer will always refer you to someone they feel will better accomplish your vision if they are not the right fit.

My job is to help you tell your story, even if it means I'm not the right person to make the image that you need. As a long-time photographer in the Atlanta market, I can help you find someone who will fit your needs even if I cannot.

So go ahead and ask me if I am capable of taking the same kind of picture; do not settle for a simple “yes.” Simply put, you should not hire me if I'm not able to explain why and how I can or cannot create the same effects.

To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

How will I obtain my proofs and when can I expect them?

Usually within two weeks—depending on the season and how big of a session we had together—I like to have an in-studio review of your photos and a conversation about how we begin to put them into memories and to tell your story. Through my website, I also offer an online portal where your photo proofs are stored that makes it easy for you to select the photos that your are interested in if we cannot get together in-studio.

Why is this important? Well, first of all, looking at proofs on a computer is not really the best way to envision how they will look in your home. In the studio, I can show you, for example, what size print might look best on a particular wall. Before this in-person proofing session, you will get instructions for making pictures of your walls with your smartphone to really jazz up the experience.

Also, when you are in my studio for your shoot, you're concentrating on hair, make-up, clothing and poses and the last thing you want to think about right then is what a page in your album might look like!

Most importantly, this is the best way for me to make sure I accommodate your needs – you can look and feel what you're getting will look light and can state your preference upfront to avoid any false expectations!

To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

How much do your prints cost?

Try to remember that your portraits are an investment, rather than an “expense.' The consultation, portrait session and selection process are all investments of your time. More importantly, these are images that you (and your family!) will keep forever, so go into the selection process during the in-studio proofing review with an open mind, but make sure you understand what you are paying for.

Don’t be fooled by seemingly super low rates offered by a lot of photographers—many will undercut their standard session fee or offer super low prices on prints because they aren’t running a legitimate business or don’t have the experience. Make sure you convey your own expectations clearly. This goes for your session timing, budget, image printing, delivery methods, timelines, etc.

There’s NO substitute for experience.To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Certified Professional Photographer” mean?

When life’s biggest moments are unfolding, you’ve got one chance to capture that perfect memory. Don’t risk it to just anyone. Trust your photos to a Certified Professional Photographer.

When you choose a photographer who’s Certified, you’re starting with quality—you hire a trained professional who can consistently meet and surpass your expectations.

Certification as a Certified Professional Photographer, conferred by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) means that I have demonstrated technical competence through a written exam and creativity through a photographic image submission, which must re-certify every three years. As with any certification, there are certain standards that must be met for you to become a CPP: the PPA and its Certification Committee follow certification standards set by the Institute of Credentialing Excellence. These standards are used for the written certification exam and ensure the questions are always relevant and up-to-date.

PPA photographers must abide by a strict code of ethics and have unique skills and training in the artistry and technology of creating beautiful images that will reflect your unique personality and talents.

There’s NO substitute for experience. To schedule an in-person consultation or for more information about scheduling a session, please contact me at no charge to see how I might best be able to help you create the images that you are looking for.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions

What does Photo Kairos mean?

Photo Kairos comes from the Greek words phōtos (“having light”) and kairos (“the right, critical or opportune moment”).

To the ancient Greeks, kairos meant time: in the moment, the now, “the gods’ time.” The other Greek word for time was chronos, referring to time on your watch‐chronological or sequential time.

In kairos, time seems to stand still.

John Stewart, referred to “Your Moment of Zen.” Lawyers dictate that “What is said must be said at the right time.” Einstein said that time is relative.

The baby smiles; the dancer makes a perfect jump; the clouds suddenly break: What happens in that brief moment of time when the camera shutter is open will never, ever happen exactly the same way again. That is “The Decisive Moment.”

An image is the shadow cast by the interaction of light and time‐it is the result of photos kairos. Our memories‐whether they be synaptic or graphic‐are the residue of our lifetime of kairos and tell our unique story of human existence.

Join me and let's explore light and time together…

Return to Frequently Asked Questions