FAQ

HOW DO I BOOK?
Wondering how you book your wedding photography or portrait photography session. Give us a call or e-mail. We’ll have a chat about what you’re looking for, I’ll answer any further questions you may have.

HOW DO I CONFIRM A BOOKING?
A 50% deposit is required to hold the booking. For Wedding Photography, the remainder is payable two weeks before the Wedding date, and with Portrait Photography the balance is due at the time of the shoot.

What if I have to cancel my session?

You have 1 week to reschedual your photography session your deposit will be placed towards this. If you do not call us for a new session your deposit is non-refundable. Each photography session is personalized we are not a walkin, there for your deposit is held to hold your time and payment for our time loss.

WHAT DO WE WEAR?
Whatever you are comfortable in! The choice is entirely yours – just think about what you hope to achieve in your pictures, and dress accordingly. Are you looking for a contemporary relaxed family picture? Then jeans work very well, and perhaps same coloured shirts.

Bright contrasting colours (no clashing colours!) make a high impact with children, but can be distracting on adults.

Everyone in black or white can look effective too. The key is to know what you’re looking for – or bring a selection and work together to create some different looks. Choose clothing in similar colours or neutral tones so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright compared to the rest of the group.

The goal of any portrait is to direct the viewers attention to the face or faces in the portrait. Simple, long-sleeved garments in natural colours always work well, but:

Bold stripes, checks and prints are confusing.
Bright colours, such as red or orange, will tend to overpower the face and ruin the portrait.
Ladies should wear light, natural make-up, and unobtrusive jewellery.

WHAT DO WE DO DURING THE SHOOT?
Whatever you or the kids are comfortable with! If you feel awkward, the pictures won’t be great. My aim is to get you having fun and enjoying yourselves – fairly quickly you’ll forget that you hate having your picture taken, and you’ll love the pictures we get as a result. What we do is entirely dependent on what happens on the day!

WHAT IF MY CHILD ACTS UP!
I know how hard it is to be the parent of a child who is about to be photographed. You want to do everything in your power to make the portrait session go as well as possible. But the harder you try, the worse things can get!

I suggest that you tell your young child that "we are going to the photographers to play." Don't tell him or her "to be good" or "to smile for photographer," as this often backfires. My goal is to record a natural expression, and my experience shows that the best way to do this is to see how the child reacts to the photographic situation, then plan my strategy for capturing the portrait. Often I will ask the child questions or give directions, not really expecting him or her to respond in any certain way. As hard as it might be on you, just let me work and don't "coach" the child - all this will do is disrupt the rapport I am trying to establish. This may take all of your will power, but it is really is important if I am to get the most out of the portrait session for you and your child. As the session develops, I might ask you to help direct the child's attention or assist with coaching a certain expression. If so, I will try to be as specific as I can, so that you will know what to do. After many years of photographing babies and children, and with two kids of my own, I have a pretty big "bag of tricks"...

Very occasionally we have a child who is quite definitely not up for it on the day. In this case, persevering regardless will merely create poor pictures, stressed parents (and photographer!) and a really unhappy child. If this should happen we will simply call a halt, have a break, and then try again. Nine times out of ten a break and taking the pressure off is all it takes to relax the child. But if it’s still a no go, then we will stop and reschedule the shoot for another time. The most important thing is for you to relax – if you’re wound up, your child will be too. If you’re ready to simply come and have some fun and enjoy yourselves, I guarantee we’ll get images you’ll love forever.

Babies...
The most intriguing part of photographing babies is that no two sessions are alike; you really never know what to expect! A baby can be grumpy one minute and gurgling the next. So, don't worry, I’m prepared to do whatever "entertaining" is necessary to help your baby get settled. In fact, I do a pretty good job of making a fool of myself because very often that's what it takes to make a great portrait.

Please do keep in mind your babies routine, and schedule a shoot sensibly around feeds and naps where possible. A tired and hungry baby won’t help make the most relaxed pictures!

For slightly older babies, the rules are similar to the adults clothing. Depending on the type of image you’re looking for - and the personality of your child - select something soft and simple, or bright and fun.

Beware of big collars or ruffles around the neck: they always manage to pop up and obscure the baby's face. You are welcome to bring more than one outfit. Above all, dress your child in clothes they are comfortable in. If the session is to be outdoors, use your common sense and dress them for the season. Other possible items to bring are a cute hat, a favourite toy, or simply anything which they are attached to.

When is the best time to book a portrait shoot for my newborn?

It's better to aim for between 6-12 weeks after birth. This gives them enough time to form routines, allowing us to schedule a time that works within your and their needs.

Can you come to our home for portraits?

Of course. Sarah Menefee photography aims to capture you and your loved ones in a comfortable environment. During initial consultation we'll work with you to determine the best place to achieve your desired results.

Can we include our pets in our family portraits?

Pets can be such a big part of our lives. Including your pets in your portraits is a great idea. We suggest bringing treats and leads for easy management on the shoot

Can I get a portrait session gift voucher?

Of course! There's no greater gift than one that lasts a lifetime. Just call and email for more information.

How long are my photos kept?

Some of our customers like to buy their photos in stages. So we keep your photos for up to 6 months, allowing you to purchase them whenever you wish.With an online gallery up for 30 days.

Will I be able to share my web gallery with friends and family?

Your web gallery is password protected and allows you to choose exactly who you wish to view it.

What should I bring with me?

If your child has a particular toy that makes her smile, please bring it along. Toys that make noise are great for smaller children. And a favorite stuffed animal can be a big help for children that are shy and don’t want to take photos alone.

At what point during my pregnancy should my photos be taken?

Your session should be booked approximately six weeks prior to your due date or when you most feel comfortable about being photographed.