📸 General Information

• What types of photography services do you offer?

o Family, Maternity, Newborn, and Seniors

• Where are you located?

o I am in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, conveniently located within traveling distance to DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

• Do you travel for sessions?

o Yes!  I enjoy road trips and have been kindly named “Queen of the Backroads” because of my love of a good scenic route.

• What areas do you serve?

o I serve the following areas

 DC

 Maryland

 Allegany County

 Anne Arundel County

 Carroll County

 Frederick County

 Garrett County

 Howard County

 Montgomery County

 Washington County

 Pennsylvania

 Adams County

 Bedford County

 Cumberland County

 Fayette County

 Franklin County

 Fulton County

 Greene County

 Somerset County

 York County

 Virginia

 Clarke County

 Fairfax County

 Fauquier County

 Frederick County

 Loudoun County

 Page County

 Prince William County

 Rockingham County

 Shenandoah County

 Warren County

 West Virginia

 Berkeley County

 Grant County

 Hampshire County

 Hardy County

 Jefferson County

 Mineral County

 Morgan County

 Pendleton County

Don’t see your area listed?  Like I said, I love a good road trip!  If your area isn’t listed above, I will travel to you for an additional travel fee.

• What makes your photography style unique?

o My focus on artwork.  Our goal isn’t just to take a bunch of photos that will never be meaningful to your family.  My goal is that final portrait that hangs over the mantle or family room couch, that reminds each family member that they have a place they belong, when the world is hectic and chaotic and tearing us all down, you have a reminder for your family, that they each belong, they are cherished, they are loved, and they get that boost of confidence from knowing that and seeing that displayed in a prominent place in your home.  I am not just taking pictures, WE are creating a confidence boost, a sense of belonging, a reminder of a loving home and making it a beautiful piece of art you can display in your home!

• How long have you been a professional photographer?

o I started doing this professionally in 2006.

📅 Booking & Scheduling

• How do I book a session?

o Call, text or email!

• How far in advance should I book?

o I recommend at least 1 month in advance so that we have the opportunity to discuss what you want to do with the finished art and so that I have time to learn about your family and preferences.

• Do you require a deposit to secure a date?

o I require a $50 non-refundable deposit to secure your date.

• What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

o I am happy to reschedule all the way up to the day of our scheduled session.  I know that life happens.  Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled session will receive a refund with the exception of the non-refundable deposit.

• What happens if I’m late to my session?

o If you are late, you may be cutting into your available time especially with outdoor sessions or sessions that are dependent on ambient lighting or rented spaces.  Unless it is a pop-up themed session, I can give you as much time as you need since I only schedule 1 session per day to ensure that I can dedicate my time and attention to your family.

• Do you offer last-minute bookings?

o If I am not already booked, I will accept last-minute bookings however, I recommend against this option as it does not allow time to be creative and learn about your family, these portraits often look stiff and uncomfortable.  I prefer to invest time into creating the quality artwork that I am known for.

💵 Pricing & Payments

• What are your session fees?

o Our session fee is a flat $300 for families within our travel area.  Families outside our travel area will also incur a travel fee to cover additional travel expenses.

• What’s included in your pricing?

o The experience is included in the session fee.  When artwork is selected, I include the digital at no additional cost.

• Do you offer packages or collections?

o Yes!  Because no two people are alike, I have not created a box for you to fit into, instead I let you build the box!  If you don’t know what you should put into your completely custom package, I will even guide you through that, I am not just your photographer, I am your artwork advisor/consultant and I would love to help you build the package that best fits your family!

• Are prints and products included or sold separately?

o Prints and products are sold separately.

• What payment methods do you accept?

o We accept cash, check, or credit.

• Do you offer payment plans?

o Absolutely!

📷 Sessions & Experience

• What should I expect during my session?

o I will arrive ahead of time to do any prep work necessary for your session so that when you arrive everything is ready to go.

o I will ask questions and teach you new games to get any desired portraits that were discussed during our pre session consultation.

o I will provide guidance when needed for posing your family.

• How long does a typical session last?

o Most sessions are wrapped up in 30 minutes, with Newborn and Senior Sessions being the exception.  I recommend setting aside a solid hour of your day for a typical session so that we are not rushed and can take our time capturing every desired moment!

o A typical Newborn Session can last from 1 – 4 hours depending on the number of outfit changes, backgrounds, and wraps that are desired.

• What should I wear to my session?

o Comfortable solid colors are best, but I will discuss the goal of the session with you before we even pick up the camera, and you will know exactly what to wear for your session.  I have even been known to go through a closet or two with my clients to help them select an outfit.

• Can I bring props or personal items?

o Absolutely!  I love incorporating props that silently make statements about my clients, whether it’s your childhood blanket in your new baby’s photo or a nod to your own hobby or creativity, I will find a way to incorporate props!

• Can family members or pets be included?

o 100%. Family is family, right?!

• Do you help with posing?

o Yes.  I rely on games and questions to trigger the REAL reactions for your portraits, but we can also do a formal posed session, you get to decide what you want to see on your wall when we are done during our planning session.

🎨 Style & Editing

• How would you describe your editing style?

o I like to believe that each portrait guides me, sometimes the style needs to be light and airy, other times it feels like it should be dark and moody.  For me this truly is a creative process that I allow the emotions from the portrait to guide my style.  During our planning session we will discuss this, if you have a preference, I am happy to keep it in mind or incorporate it into the portraits.

• Do you retouch images?

o Yes.  Cameras are really good at capturing data and sometimes that data is unflattering, so I correct the data to ensure that you look how I see you; Beautiful!

• Can I request specific edits?

o Yes!  If there is something that you are self-conscious about, share that with me during the planning session and I will make sure to pose you in a way that hides or flatters that thing.

• Do you provide black and white versions?

o When a portrait conveys an emotion that just feels right in black and white, that is how I edit that photo, if you are looking for the classy elegance of black and white, that is what we will create!  If you love a portrait and want me to make it black and white, I will gladly do that for you!

• Will I receive all the raw (unedited) images?

o No, we do not provide unfinished art.  That is like asking the painter to give you their canvas while the paint is wet and then smearing your hand across the canvas.  You will receive finished digitals or finished works of art from this artist.

🖼️ Image Delivery

• How long does it take to receive my photos?

o Typical turn around is up to 2 weeks

• How will my images be delivered?

o I personally deliver the finished art to your door and even hang it on your wall (or place it in your hands if it is not wall art)!  If our session was a destination session, your art may be shipped to you instead.

• How many images will I receive?

o As many as you have purchased in your custom package.  When we build your custom package during our planning session, if you want one 30x40 to go over the fireplace, you will get a digital copy of the portrait you chose as well as 10 additional digitals of your choosing for sharing on social media, if you choose and album of 15 images, you will receive digital copies of those images to share on social media

• Can I download high-resolution files?

o Yes.  High-resolution files are available at an additional cost

• How long will my gallery be available?

o If you have purchased a digital package, your gallery will be available for download for 1 year.  After 1 year we archive our files.

🖨️ Prints & Products

• Do you offer prints, albums, or wall art?

o That is what I do!

• Can I print my photos anywhere?

o If you wish to DIY your portraits, you may do so, but I recommend against printing anywhere.  I can recommend professional photo labs that will deliver high quality portraits to the public if you are a DIYer.

• Do you help with designing albums or wall displays?

o That is what I do!

• What print sizes do you offer?

o Wallets all the way up to 30x40 but I can also produce custom sizes if you have a specific project in mind.

• Are your prints professionally produced?

o Yes!  I use a professional photo lab that serves professional photographers and they take particular care to hand make each finished product!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Portrait Sessions

• Do you photograph large groups?

o Yes!  I am from a big family, so I know how important it is to capture the whole family from time to time!

• What ages do you work with?

o I work with all ages, fresh babies all the way up to regal family matriarchs!

• How do you handle young children during sessions?

o I handle them like CEOs, young children get tired of portrait sessions quickly so I like to get queues from them to see where to fit in the desired poses for the finished art, sometimes we do it first, sometimes they need to come out of their shell before I can get them to pose and other times they are just not having it.  I only schedule 1 session per day so that if a toddler or baby needs more time, I can give it to them, no need to worry about time constraints.

• Can we do outfit changes?

o Yes!  We will plan any outfit changes when we have our planning session!

• Do you offer studio and outdoor sessions?

o Yes!  I am an on-location photographer with studio equipment so if you want a studio session, I can set up a studio in your home or we can rent a local studio, all of these options will be discussed during our planning session.

💍 Events / Weddings

• Do you photograph weddings or events?

o No, sorry!  But I can recommend some great wedding photographers if you ask!

• Do you offer engagement sessions?

o Yes.  However you may want to check with your wedding photographer, many of them include a complementary engagement session!

⚖️ Policies & Legal

• Do you have a contract?

o Absolutely!  Contracts protect both of us.

• Do you require a model release?

o Yes.

• Can I share my images on social media?

o Absolutely! I would love a little love in the captions or comments if you loved your session!

• Do you retain copyright of the images?

o Copyrights are automatic, when someone creates something, they own the copyrights, I extend those rights to you in the form of a Photography Release which will be provided at the end of our session.

• What happens if there is bad weather (for outdoor sessions)?

o We will do our best to work around the bad weather but if it is unavoidable, we can reschedule for our next available date.

💡 Extra / Differentiators



• Do you offer mini sessions?

o Nothing about what we do is mini, instead we offer themed pop-up sessions, they are a fast-paced session with a photographer selected theme!  These are usually offered as an experience.  Examples of this type of session would be The Williams Portrait Studio Santa Experience which includes a photo session with Santa, optional family holiday portraits, 25 holiday cards, a gift from Santa, your names on the Nice List, and a nice kid certificate.  Or The Williams Portrait Studio Mother’s Day Experience which includes a family session and 1 16x20 framed finished art print.

• Do you provide wardrobe guidance or styling help?

o Absolutely!  Let’s talk about what to wear!

• Do you offer gift cards?

o Yes!  The gift of portraits is a wonderful, empowering gift that has so many benefits!

• Can I purchase additional images later?

o Absolutely!  Your gallery will be available for self-service for 1 year after our session, after 1 year, I will have the gallery archived and the prints are available for full-service printing.

• Do you offer commercial or branding photography?

o This is not my specialty but if you absolutely love my process and want me to be your photographer for a commercial or branding session, I am happy to serve you!