“Gina made our family photo shoot so much fun! Everyone was at ease and natural. She captured our genuine smiles and the final photos were a perfect representation of our family.”
Photo Session
How can I prepare for my photo session?
Poke around online for photos that look similar to the vibe you’re going for. I love seeing inspo pics and getting a sense of your personal style before your shoot. Also, make sure you communicate to me any special needs during the shoot, including likes/dislikes, overall vision and goals for the shoot, and if you have any barriers that prevent you from walking, standing, or sitting.
What should I wear to my photo session?
I encourage you to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in. Avoid overly trendy styles or accessories that can quickly age your photos. Be yourself, only elevated. For instance, don’t try something new and wild like a bright red lip or chunky jewelry if that’s something you don’t normally wear. Remember that show “What Not To Wear?” I always go back to Stacy London’s advice: Color, Pattern, Texture, Shine, especially for family photos. Don’t be afraid to mix small prints and colors, or even textures so long as they “go” instead of “match.” Ultimately, if everyone in your party feels comfortable and confident, your photos will turn out better than if everyone is expertly coordinated and miserable. If you need more specific tips, let’s chat about it!
I have little kids, how can I help them through the session?
I find that kids are far more likely to want to please me than their parents. And often the best photos come from quiet moments when we just let kids be kids. So parents: focus on keeping kids safe and out of the mud, and let me do the rest (unless they get really unruly). For really little ones, keep a tissue on hand for wiping drool or snot. And my best tip is to have small “pocket bribes” on hand, like fruit snacks, tic tacs, puffs, or yogurt melts. They’re small enough to not show in photos, and they can really go a long way in keeping kids content during a session. Lastly, avoid asking them to “smile” all the time. The best smiles come from natural interactions.
Gallery
How long will it take to receive my gallery?
Plan on about two weeks from the date of your shoot. It may be earlier depending on other galleries in process, but two weeks is a safe bet! Please note that galleries will not be sent until your session is paid in full.
How many photos will I have to choose from?
Each gallery is edited, curated, and tailored to each client’s agreed upon session package. Most family, newborn, and senior sessions include about 100 images to choose from. An express headshot session or mini session will include about 20.
What is the process/timeline from the date of the shoot to receiving my final images?
Once your photography session has concluded, I upload your images within 24 hours to a cloud-based drive to ensure they’re safe and backed up. Then your images get added to a queue to await culling and editing. The RAW images are imported into Lightroom where I cull through them, conduct any necessary edits to lighting, color, or lens distortions, export the images as high resolution JPG proofs, and upload them to a gallery for you to view. My new gallery platform will allow you to download your chosen images immediately, plus add on extras or purchase the full gallery. From there, how you choose to display them is up to you!
Can I just have all my photos unedited?
Unfortunately, no. Photographers typically do not release unedited or RAW images, as they are not finished products and require special software to open (see below for all about RAW images). The editing process is part of the creative service I provide as your photographer, and the final product is something that reflects my artistic style and expertise. If you are unhappy with how your final images turned out, please let me know so I can make it right!
What are RAW images?
Most photographers shoot RAW images, which are unprocessed data files containing information about the exposure, color, contrast, sharpness, and other settings each image. Unlike JPEGs, which are compressed and edited by the camera, RAW files give photographers more control and flexibility over the final result. This means that each image require some level of nuance before being exported to JPG, which are files that offer you better quality, smaller size, and easier access.
Why doesn’t my gallery include every photo you took?
Part of trusting me with your photo session is trusting that I will deliver the best possible images for you to choose from. Throughout our shoot I will rapid fire shots in order to capture those quick smiles and special moments, but not every photo will be a keeper. During the culling and editing process, I hand pick the final images from the session, then carefully edit each photo to bring it to its full potential. Only the best of the bunch are uploaded to your gallery. I do not include images that are overly blurry, contain closed eyes or unflattering facial expressions, or are duplicates of other images in the same series. It is my goal to provide you with a stunning gallery that tells a beautiful story of your family, your child, or your brand.
Why can’t I have all the images in my gallery?
Your session package includes a specific number of images included in the price, which is set to make my services affordable yet account for adequate shoot time, culling and editing time, and overhead. For those that may have a larger budget, there’s always the option to purchase the full gallery as well as à la carte images.
Retouching
Can I request extra retouching?
Of course! Your gallery will include images that have been edited for things like lighting and color corrections, background distractions, lens distortion, and obvious hair flyaways or facial blemishes. If, upon receipt of your gallery, you would like additional retouching, please ask! Simple requests are included in your session, however more complex retouching may be subject to a $15 charge per photo. This is because I often use a retouch service for more complex retouch requests, like severe glasses glare, head swaps, or major background changes.
Can I edit my photos?
Please do not edit your photos. If you would like changes to your image coloring or wish to add additional face/body retouches, please let me know. While you will have full usage rights to your images, they are copyrighted by me and are a reflection of my experience and artistic style. Editing your images is not permitted.
Payment and Cancellations
How do I pay for my session?
A non-refundable session deposit will be due upon booking, then a reminder and link will be sent to you ahead of your shoot to pay for the remainder of your session. Sessions should be paid in full on or before your shoot date. Galleries will not be sent until sessions are paid in full. I accept all standard forms of payment, including cash, check (payable to Gina Borud), Venmo @ginaborudphoto, and cards.
What if the weather forecast looks terrible for picture day?
More often than not, photo shoots can still happen even if the weather forecast is dicey. Plan to stay in touch via text and we will decide together on photo day if the weather is going to cooperate or not. Session cancellations are most often due to high winds or pouring rain. Even in a light drizzle we can often still make magic happen! In the event of a cancellation due to weather, I will work with you to reschedule your photo session.
What if someone in my party is sick?
If you or someone in your photo party is sick, it’s best to reschedule. I recommend waiting until everyone is feeling fresh so that you will get great photos that you love (without the red and snotty noses.) There are definitely cases, especially with little kids, where they may have a runny nose but feel fine and have a normal energy level. In that case, bring along a snot rag and let’s get your photos done!
If I have to cancel my session, do I receive a refund?
Sessions deposits are non-refundable, but if you have paid for your session in full before shoot day and it cannot be rescheduled, your money will be refunded less the deposit.