Briefly, we create your portrait in four steps:  A very important Initial Consultation, the actual Photography Session, a Preview Session, and the Presentation. 

Initial Consultation  We want you to be completely satisfied with your portrait investment.  The only way to make that certain is for us to meet with you before the photography session to plan your portrait.  An initial consultation to set both our expectations is as vital to producing a satisfying portrait as it would be for any major addition to your home interior. 

The discussion will range from the location for the photography session to clothing decisions to how and where the portrait will hang in your home.  If you decide to schedule a photography session, we will discuss and initial the contract for the portrait at this session, and accept the session fee (see Payments for more information).  If we can’t meet your expectations as agreed in this initial consultation, we will offer additional sessions free of cost. 

Photography Session    We photograph at your location—your home or another place personal to you.  The photography session can range from 30 minutes to two hours--average is a bit over an hour.  If we travel to your location, we will need an additional 30 minutes before and after the photography to set up and take down our equipment.  

We have some special tips to help ensure a successful photography session that you can read and download.

Sometimes a photography session doesn’t work out well for any number of reasons. If you don’t like any of the previews, we will work hard to ensure you get satisfying portraits that you will be thoroughly happy to display on your walls.  That may mean scheduling a second photography session--free of charge. 

Preview Session   We will endeavor to present the previews of your portrait within three weeks of the photography session—we do an extensive amount of custom work on every portrait, including a significant amount of work even on the previews. We will normally consult with you during this time to be sure we are following your desires.   It’s helpful to have a measurement for the space where your portrait will be displayed.  We will have already narrowed down the selection to the best images from each pose.  

We will schedule a preview session for you to take place within three weeks after the portrait session. During this time, we will discuss all of the package options for your portrait. 

We can also present the previews to you in an alternate location either projected on a portable screen or on a laptop computer.  You will have plenty of time for viewing and decision making in a relaxed atmosphere in our studio or an alternate location.  

(Note:  For professional portraits, you will have an opportunity to select your best images immediately after the photography session.  Please see more information about our Professional portraits.)

There is no charge for the first preview session, and we ask that you have everyone available to make your decisions at this scheduled time.  Additional preview sessions are charged at the same rate as a photography session, unless the additional preview is because of our error or misunderstanding of your desires.  We are always willing to arrange for additional schedules at our cost any time we have mistaken your desires for your portraits.

Presentation   We will schedule the presentation to take place within three weeks after the preview (Presentation of a Herald CD package will be scheduled within two business days after the preview).  Some phases of production are dependent on supplies and outside contractors, however, and may be subject to delay beyond three weeks.   We will let you know about any delays as soon as they happen.