SESSION GUIDE

Choosing a location.

Together we’ll choose the best location for your session based on the type of session it is; maternity, infant, baby, kids, family, engagement, bridal, etc. New and fun places are great, so let’s think of ways to show-off your personalities. If you’re the outdoorsy type, we’ll meet at a park or field or trail. If you have a little princess, we might shoot her session in the yard at a tea-table, or maybe a tractor for your little guy. Downtown/rural buildings, old doors, steps, gardens, parks, campus, coffee shops, and playgrounds make great backdrops. Let us know what’s on your mind!

If we have to shoot indoors (weather/newborns), it’s important to use as much natural light as possible. So, please send us a few photos of your rooms beforehand so we can be prepared. (cellphone pics are fine) We want this session to be relaxed and personal, so to keep the focus on you don’t be surprised if we move furniture or decorations. (We’ll put everything back!)

Working with children.

Children sessions should be fun! They work best if we take the lead with the kids, but we’ll certainly ask if we need your help. It’s nice if we take a few minutes to warm-up to each other, so we enjoy working at their level, or one-on-one.

This session should be about the child(ren), so let’s highlight her/his personality with some favorite personal items. A doll, colorful toy/stuffed animal, or hat/boots, whatever she’s attached to at the time. Even a bottle of bubbles, a ball, hoola-hoop, or an umbrella are some fun ideas.

Please make sure your child has gotten plenty of sleep the night before and has eaten prior to the session. (a well-rested and fed child will last a lot longer!) Remember, a parent must always be present during the session.  And, please know that it’s your responsibility to make sure your kids stay safe and that infants/babies are always within your arms’ reach.

Hair, make-up & nails.

Please keep hair and make-up natural and simple, and remember to clean and trim everyone’s fingernails and toenails (especially mom/dad for a newborn session). Oh, and don’t be surprised (or offended) if I ask your child to remove her bows or ponytails.

Illness

If someone scheduled for the session is ill, we’re happy to reschedule. When we’re ill we always reschedule Newborn Sessions. For other sessions, rescheduling due to our illness will be considered case by case.

IMAGE GUIDE

SWP digital philosophy.

Your session images they tell your story and should stay together. So, to avoid having to decide which one or two or three images you’d like to order, or the size images you need right away, we offer high-resolution, digital negatives with limited image release, on a DVD. Once you purchase your images on DVD, you have the freedom to print as many copies as you might want, in any size you choose, anytime. This makes print shopping fun and simple; consider giving framed photos as gifts, or create personalized scrapbooks, or design beautiful wall galleries. Let us help you! We provide printing tips and instructions, along with a 20-page wall design guide.

Limited Release?  By Federal law, SWP owns the copyright on all images taken by SWP, and copyright ownership can not be sold to clients, for any price.  But, we're willing to offer our clients a Limited Release on session images, for use by them only; not including friends or family.  (you'll receive a signed release form giving you permission to use your images-labs will require this form)

Proofing and ordering.

Shortly after our session we will post a few of your images on our blog, where you can view a sneak-peek right away (subscribe to www.sarawisephotography.squarespace.com). A few weeks later, we’ll upload your proofs to our image hosting website (Pictage), where they will remain for 30 days. During this time you can view your images carefully and decide which images you or your family/friends would like to order as prints. (for those who do not purchase the DVD.)