Frequently Asked Questions: Family Sessions

Frequently Asked Questions - Family Session

Hopefully this FAQ section will answer many , if not all, of your questions about a family session. Should you have anything else that you would like answered or if you would like to receive a full information pack, please get in touch with me via the contact page or send me an e-mail at rachel@rachelwildigphotography.com and I will respond promptly.

When do I need to book?

Ideally, your session will be booked as early as possible as I can be booked up for some months in advance, particularly on weekends. I only accept as many bookings as I can reasonably shoot, edit and return to my clients for proofing in my targeted time frame of two weeks.

I currently shoot sessions 7 days a week. For outdoor sessions I strongly recommend considering booking early morning or late afternoon shoots to ensure optimum lighting conditions as the light at this time is soft and flattering. The absolute optimum time is approximately an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.

If you have young children, consider when their best time of day is as this can be a major factor in how the session runs.

How long will the session last?
Usually between 1 - 1.5 hours for a family of 4-5. The length of the session may, of course, be shorter or longer than this as it is more about trying to achieve the images that you have expressed that you would like than filling an allotted time with the shoot.

If you have young children in the family, I will also be mindful that they may need refreshment and comfort breaks so this amount of time should be sufficient to include some time-out from the camera.

Who may attend the session?
Anyone - Grandparents, Parents & Children as well as four-legged friends! A great number of my family sessions include multiple generations and are often held when families are briefly reunited either from around the country or across the globe.

The session fee covers immediate family up to six members and additional people may be included at an additional cost levied at the discretion of the Photographer since the time allocated to the shoot may need to be extended.

Where may the session be held?
Family sessions may be held either at your at your home, in your garden or at a favourite location of your choosing such as a beach or park. I am completely mobile and able to transport all necessary camera & lighting equipment and props. I am happy to recommend some of my favourite shoot locations should you be unsure about where might be suitable.

Please consider the mobility of the members of your family when selecting a location and ensure that everyone is able to reach the shoot easily. This is particularly relevant for those with children in prams/strollers or those requiring the use of wheelchairs or other walking aids.

How should I prepare for the session?
Your input to the planning of the session is invaluable in making it run effectively. Have a think about what you would like to get out of the session and whether there are any particular poses or props that you would like to include. Please share with me a shot list of the combinations of family that you would like to photograph together so that no-one is over-looked.

Consider any items that you would like included in the images such as favourite toys, balls, balloons, bubbles. The list of options is endless.

Please bring along a change of clothing for younger children, some drinks and snacks and possibly something to attract their attention if they will need something to occupy them when we're not shooting.

What should we wear?
Some of the nicest portraits are produced when the subjects are in complementary (not necessarily strictly coordinated) outfits. These images will be around for many, many years to come, so a neutral palette with some splashes of colour work best.
Match the clothing with the feel of the shoot that you want to achieve, be it formal or more natural and candid.
For children, bring a change of clothes (or two) to the shoot even if you are only planning on one outfit in case of accidental food or drink spillages or a paddle in the surf. With a teething baby, try to avoid colours such as grey which will obviously stain if dribbled on.
The most important consideration is to opt for what you feel comfortable with and in.

What happens if I need to cancel or postpone?
People get sick and circumstances change meaning that occasionally cancellations or postponements are unavoidable. Wherever possible, I require 24 hours notice of any changes to our booking and I will show you the same courtesy.
I require payment of the session fee upon booking to hold your appointment and this will be forfeited in the case of an outright cancellation without mitigating circumstances. Subject to availability, I am happy to reschedule to accommodate changes due to illness.

What happens if it is forecast to rain on the day of my outdoor shoot?

Many of my outdoor shoots are held in parks and beaches and the weather is a large contributor to achieving the kind of images that you want. Each individual session will be evaluated on its own merits to determine whether we should go ahead or postpone the shoot until dry weather. I will be as flexible as possible in re-arranging the shoot to a convenient time in the case of wet weather.

Why do you recommend a professional print lab?

I have discovered the real value of printing with a professional lab through many years of experience.Commercial outlets often produce prints with a strong colour cast that does not match the original colour file. This colour cast can be particularly apparent in skin tones, completely ruining a beautiful shot. Pro lab prints are made using Kodak Supra Endura paper which is guaranteed to stand the test of time, lasting up to 200 years with minimal fading.With professional print labs you are guaranteed a better quality and more colour accurate image. After all of the effort that went into planning, preparing for and taking part in a professional photography shoot, please do not underestimate the importance of subsequently purchasing a high-quality printed image.

What is included in the session fee?

A pre-shoot planning session to discuss your requirements (usually by e-mail or telephone);
The cost of travel to your home or an alternative shoot location. (Please note that shoot locations greater than 20km from Freshwater may incur an additional travel charge to be levied at the discretion of the Photographer);
The photographic session which will last for an estimated 1 - 1.5 hours;
A minimum of 50 images hosted in an online gallery at low-resolution and watermarked from which you may make decisions on further print and digital file purchases.
Two 5x7" and one 8x12" prints;
A review session is optional and may be held to review images and to place print orders and any frame requirements. I have samples of albums and wall art available for inspection in my studio.

What does "low-resolution" mean?

Low-resolution files (72 dpi) are digitally compressed files that have been purposely reduced in quality for screen display only. They will appear pixelated when printed. Low-resolution files are provided by the Photographer solely for the purposes of reviewing the session images for print or product selection. They may not be printed as no print-release is provided with these files. The files will also all feature a light watermark.

High-resolution files (300 dpi) are available for purchase as singles or as collections. These do not feature the Photographer's watermark.

Professional lab prints are available for purchase at very reasonable prices starting from $40 for a 5x7" print.

What is a model release and do I have to sign it?

When you book a photographic session with me, I will ask whether you are prepared to sign a model release. This is a requirement to enable me to utilise your session images for commercial purposes such as offering you a sneak peak on Facebook, producing a session blog with some of my favourite images or adding images to my website.

You are under no obligation to sign this release if you would prefer your images to remain private.

If you have signed a model release, I will provide a sneek peak to Facebook within 24-48 hours of the session.

Can I purchase a session as a gift?

Absolutely! Gift vouchers are available for all of my sessions including maternity, newborn, babies, family and mini-sessions.

How long after the session can I expect to see my images?

I endeavour to provide you will your session proofs within two weeks of the session. If you have signed a model release I will happily release a "sneak peak" to Facebook and/or Instagramas quickly as a day or two after the session.

Once prints have been ordered, you can expect to receive these within 10 days. Print and product orders are placed with my print lab every week or 10 days.

How do I book?

Send me a personal message via my contact page:

Tel: 0400 872791

E-mail: rachel@rachelwildigphotography.com

I require payment of the session fee to secure your session. This ensures that no other bookings will be taken for this time and date. Deposits may be made by Australian bank transfer, cheque, cash or Paypal.

All print costs must be paid in advance of the order being submitted to the printer.

﻿​﻿﻿Frequently Asked Questions - Family Session