FAQs (Ruth Faison Photography policies)
What does the session fee cover?
The session fee pays for my time, talent, experience and for your in- person viewing appointment. It does not include any finished portraits or digital files. The session fee is due when your portrait session is scheduled. Session fees are non-refundable, however with 48 hours notice your session can be rescheduled in case of an emergency.
What about clothes?
Solid colors typically photograph better than prints and patterns. You want to choose colors that coordinate and that won’t be distraction and take attention away from the face. Most importantly clothes should be comfortable! After your session is scheduled I will send you further details about clothing with general guidelines and recommendations.
When will I see the images?
I will return to your home within two weeks to present your images in a customized slide show. You will place your product order at this time. Please make sure all decision makers are present, as additional ordering appointments incur a $100 fee.
Will I see all the images you take?
While I capture many images during your session, you will see only those images selected by me, the artist, for previewing. I carefully prepare each image to ensure maximum artistry and technical perfection. Images with eyes closed, heads turned, duplicates, etc. will not be shown and are removed from my archives. While it may seem counter-intuitive, experience has shown that reviewing too many images is overwhelming when the time comes to order prints and other products.
Will the images be available online?
Once your order is placed in-person and with a $300 minimum order, an online gallery will be available for 14 days to send to family & friends. After 14 days your slideshow and gallery are archived. There is a $50 fee to reload your gallery once it has expired. All unordered images are purged after 30 days.
When do I pay you?
The session fee is due when you make the portrait appointment. Due to the custom nature of the work, payment for your product order must be placed in full and is subject to a 50% cancellation fee should you change your mind about an order after it is placed. Once an order is sent to the lab, it is deemed non- refundable. Payments may be made cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Payment plan is available – please ask if this works best for you.
What if someone gets sick
If illness occurs on the day of the session please call to reschedule. If you try to keep the appointment, I will most likely request that you reschedule. Sick or uncomfortable people do not like to be photographed and we know that you will not love your portraits nearly as much as if everyone was in good health.
When will I receive the products I order?
Please allow up to 4 weeks for your order to be completed. Your portraits are an investment and heirlooms that should not be rushed. You will be notified by telephone or e-mail when your order is ready and we will schedule a time for delivery to your home.
Miscellaneous:
Please, if at all possible (and I understand sometimes it may not be, especially when there are siblings during a newborn session) have only the subjects to be photographed present for the session. This is especially important with pets and kids, as I will need their full attention on me rather than looking at other members of the family. Of course parents are always welcome!
The Copyright Act protects photographers by giving us the exclusive right to reproduce your photographs. Violations include, but are not limited to, making illegal copies, scanning, printing from home or downloading from our website. It is illegal to copy or reproduce these photographs in any manner without our permission and violators of this Federal Law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties. Please understand, my desire to maintain complete control over the print quality, finishes and presentation of the images and any reproduction outside of the studio may lower the quality of the image and damage my reputation for providing superior portraits. When digital files are purchased I also provide information about how to best obtain high-quality prints and you also receive print releases for these files.