family sessions information
Hey thanks for expressing interest in a family session! Here is tea, the scoop, the 411 on all things family. This page is here to serve you and offer you all the information you might need when deciding to book a session.
As always, reach out with any additional questions or concerns. I can’t wait to get to know you!
info
Every family session has the same core tenants; to know you, to serve you and to celebrate you. The four drop downs below share more about the specifics of what you receive with every family session.
-
My whole heart is to get to know you and celebrate you. That begins way before the shoot even takes place. As part of that process, every family package includes a pre-shoot questionnaire. This questionnaire helps me get to know your family and prep for a fun, heartfelt experience.
-
As part of the family package, you have access to both my style guide and my back pocket ideas for locations. I have a variety of locations that I keep at my disposal but I also LOVE trying new places. If you’re game, I’m game!
The style guide is sent out after you book your shoot and helps take the stress out of choosing what to wear. It encourages you to be genuinely you, while also sharing tips on what looks best behind the lens!
-
One of the things I hear the MOST often from clients is how much the images really captured them. Their personalities, hearts, interactions. A lot of photographers are going to tell you they take unique photos, and yes, they do. But I’m here to tell you that I go deeper, I spend time getting to know you, like really know you. My heart and hands aren’t here to capture the coolest photo, they are here to showcase the real you and capture just a glimpse of the redemption taking place in your life.
And this heart, this thing I struggle to put into words, is what you’ll see in your gallery.
On a more technical note.. within six weeks of your shoot date, you will receive an online gallery with all of your finalized images in it. These images are high resolution images and are sized purposely for printing. The gallery is user friendly and you are able to share it with friends and family, or download any images you want.
-
Larger packages have a small print credit already built into it. Usually, this is enough for one 8x10 print or a handful of smaller prints.
I believe that moments are worth preserving and generations are worth celebrating. This print credit is just a small, simple step in that direction. Printing and preserving photos allows generations to join in joy alongside us.
You have print royalties after this - but I do strongly encourage printing from the list of printers I send you.
*Note: there is always the option to add on more prints if you’d prefer! Locations beyond 25 miles from Aledo, IL void this print credit.
packages
General Family Session
$380
a questionnaire, style guide, and back pocket locations
1-2 hours long
a gallery of 40+ images, ranging from that clean shot for grandma to lifestyle images; playing, laughing, hugging… portraits of each kid, sibling sets, and of course a couple shots of the parents. This package allows for more creativity and fun time and generally results in more images of play and laughter!
an online gallery of high resolution images and a small print credit
any age range, including newborn
available for one family unit up to 7 people
any location within thirty miles of Aledo, IL. Further locations have an additional fee.
I highly suggest this package if you have little ones that can be grumpy in front of a camera. This package is the best option - it allows for time to relax, play and actually enjoy your family and your experience. The amount of time allocated and the flexibility of the package also allows for the best photos to be captured.
—————
Returning Family Session
$240
a questionnaire, style guide, and back pocket locations
45 minutes long
a gallery of 25+ images, ranging from that clean shot for grandma to lifestyle images; running, laughing, hugging… portraits of each kid and of course, a couple shots of the parents… maybe a kiss or two??
an online gallery of high resolution images
available for one family unit, not available for newborns
only available for previously booked clients
—————
Extended Family Sessions
+25/person over 5 persons
a questionnaire, style guide with tips on styling extended families, back pocket locations
one to two hours long (depending on family size)
a gallery of 30+ images, plus 1-2 images per added person. Images include a clean extended family shot, a fun extended family shot, shots of each family unit, 1-2 lifestyle images of each family unit, portraits of grandparents and portraits of children (when cooperating)
an online gallery of high resolution images and a small print credit with the option of adding on a printed album
available for extended families with multiple family units
—————
p.s. depending on your state of residency, there is a possible additional tax fee.
*shoot locations over 25 miles from Aledo, IL do not receive a print credit.
a note on mini sessions:
I get asked about this a lot. I get it, they are more affordable and everyone needs that perfect shot for Grandma!! I do host a mini session series every once in a while (multiple mini sessions in one day) but I do not offer them individually. My business stands on the legs of knowing you and celebrating you and mini sessions don’t offer that tender care.
If you are interested in this, you can fill out my contact form and check mini session and I will make sure to put you on an email list for when I do offer these.
like the lifting of a veil
“You see even more clearly the beauty that is there. There is something about the way you can capture people and their emotions, you see them in a deeper way… it’s like the veil is lifted and we get a glimpse into what will come.”
— client review, 2021
quick reference timeline
You’re either wondering about the timeline or totally haven’t even considered it (two types of people in the world, right?). Either way… here is just a quick idea of the general timeline of a family shoot so 1., you know and 2., you can plan… if you’re the planning type that is.
Initial Contact: …nowish. Once you’ve decided, “Yess!! This is my gal!,” we choose a date and I send you over a contract to hold that date and an invoice for the retainer. This retainer (which is up to 50% of the total session cost) holds your date and is due upon the signing of the contract. The remaining cost of the shoot is due at the time of the shoot.
Booking: I keep at least a four week window between booking and the actual shoot. When you book your date (date chosen… contract signed.. retainer paid) I send over the questionnaire and we get to work!
Preparation: Depending on how far out you booked, I’ll reach out 4 weeks before your shoot to discuss or confirm location and begin discussing styling. I am always here for questions and am happy to give you an idea of what I think will look best behind the lens! I do a little prep on my end here too, planning for what shots you desire, location scouting and letting you know about any extra things I think will help you and your kiddos have a blast!
Shoot Day!: I’ll confirm last minute details with you 24-72 hours in advance and then we meet up for shoot day! Expect to receive that address confirmation from me at least 24 hours before the shoot. Please note that delays in your arrival do cut into your shoot time. Please communicate with me - I will stay at a location for 15 minutes and then leave if I have not heard from you.
Delivery: The delivery of your images can take up to six weeks. Usually, I deliver quicker than this but during busy seasons, this timeline may be the case. These are delivered via an online gallery and will come through the email you provide.
Post-delivery: I will follow up with you to make sure you’re satisfied with the photos and send you a request for feedback. Let us know how we did! My heart is always to learn and grow. This feedback helps me serve you and future clients even better!
location
some quick notes on choosing an indoor or outdoor location:
In-home sessions generally happen sometime between 9AM and 2PM depending on your home. If you are interested in shooting indoors but do not want to shoot in your home, I offer studio sessions for an additional $60 at a local studio in Bettendorf.
Outdoor sessions generally happen in the evening during a time of the day called ‘golden hour’. During the summer and early fall the start time for this is somewhere between 6-7PM. This time changes depending on the time of year - generally the colder it is outside, the earlier golden hour is.
When booking, please consider if you would like to have an outdoor or indoor shoot and book a time that reflects this desire! If you’re unsure, that’s okay! Just be sure to book a date that has both early and late availability and shoot me a message letting me know. We’ll work together to decide.
& other stuff
If you are unsure about location, part of the questionnaire aims to slim down the options based on your preferences. It also asks you about your kids and their interests. I come ready for real, and I come ready for rowdy.
We do this thing together.
you in?
If you’re ready to book a session, click on the link below! It’ll reroute you to my Calendly site, where you are able to see a calendar of my availabilities for family shoots. You are welcome to book a shoot directly through Calendly or shoot me an email with your preferred date. You’ll see this on the booking site, but please note that exact times of a shoot may change! We will talk about this weeks leading up to the shoot. The booking site is available as an easy way to cross examine calendars!
I’m so excited to get to know you, serve you and celebrate you!
If you’re uncertain about location, styling.. if your kids will behave.. all the things… don’t fret! We will discuss all of that after booking. Got a question? Shoot me an email - I’d love to hear from you! Let’s do this thing!!
love,
Addie