FAQ

How long does it take you to edit my session for viewing?

It really depends on how busy I am. Sessions generally take 2 weeks for full editing and preparation for viewing, but during peak seasons editing can sometimes take a little longer. Wedding sessions generally take  6-8 weeks to prepare because of the large volume of images involved, but in peak seasons may take longer.

Do you offer online proofing?

I no longer offer online proofing. My reason for this is quit simple. I  want to offer my clients the highest quality customer service possible. If I am not available to sit down with you and show you your images, answer questions and show you samples of everything I have to offer, then I have failed you. As my client I want you to have access to the best service I can possibly provide, and this cannot be accomplished via email and telephone alone. My clients deserve the best of what I have to offer, and that includes my time.

How long do orders take to process?

Order processing time takes 3-6 weeks. In order to reduce costs to my clients and myself I prefer to send several orders in together instead of paying shipping on each individual order. This helps me to keep my cost of doing business down so that I can pass the savings on to you through great prices and jaw dropping specials!

How many images will I see from my session?

The number of  images varies depending on the type of session you request. For the Itty Bitty session you can expect to see 24 images. This number has proven to be the ideal for the majority of my clients. For those desiring more images from their session, you can request The StoryBook session and receive an additional 24 images to view.  Pricing can be found in “The Details” section of the menu bar above.

The images that are chosen for your proofing session are images that have met the high standards of  your photographer. Images with closed eyes, unflattering poses or facial expressions and multiple shots of the same pose are removed from your set during the preliminary edits and are permanently deleted. The selection process is done very carefully with high industry standards in mind as client satisfaction is our ultimate goal. The selection process is part of the benefit of a custom portrait session and is done entirely at the discretion of the photographer. All the images not chosen for your gallery are permanently deleted from the system.

How much does the average client spend?

In addition to the initial investment of the creative fees, the average client spends between $300 and $800 for their custom portraits. Most clients purchase collections during their proofing session. It is important to note that collection pricing is only available during your proofing session. When you purchase a collection you can save up to 50% off from regular à la carte pricing. Part of our  consultation process is determining what is a reasonable investment for you, so that we can customize packages and special pricing to meet your needs.

What does à la carte mean??

À la carte means “according to the menu”. It is a term frequently used by boutique studios to describe the investment of individual prints and enlargements. Most professional photographers offering à la carte pricing also offer collections at a significant savings for the clients.

Where do you shoot your sessions?

The world is my studio!!! After 6 years of working in a studio setting, I began to feel uninspired and repetitious in my work. I began searching for ways to revive my vision for my work. The studio had become bland and boring for me, and I needed something more to chew on. It was around this time that I connected with a successful lifestyle photographer in Saskatoon and she began to mentor me. Her vision for her business was so much deeper than I imagined, and her creativity endless. Through observing her and numerous conversations we had I began to develop a new vision for my work, and my style began to grow and change as well.

So I made the switch to on location sessions only. The well of creativity in me has never been deeper! I love to get out of the house and explore new locations. It keeps me fresh and the creative applications are infinite! Using your home and hand chosen locations adds a personal touch to your images ensuring your portraits are unique and distinctive as well.

This does not mean I cannot offer studio style images. If you look at my galleries you will see multiple examples of studio styled portraits, many of which were done in clients homes. There are many techniques that can be utilized by a seasoned professional to manipulate light and create portraits that emulate studio work. The best part of all?? I come to you! No more struggling to get all the kids packed up and out the door. No more wishing you had than one special outfit that was left behind. This is especially great for new parents. I remember how tiring new babies are:) Now you have the option to sit and relax while I create beautiful art work with your precious bundle in the comfort of your own home.

For my out of town clientele desiring studio images, I can set up in  my home to offer you the same great images you see on my portfolio, or we can go to one of the many great locations I have handpicked for my clientele. There are many interesting areas in my community that make for interesting and distinctive backgrounds. For those of you that love to be outside, the world truly is my playground:)

Do you travel to offer your services?

SURE DO! Actually I LOVE to travel for my work. If you can get me multiple bookings I can offer great discounts on the travel expenses as well, since it’s divided equally among everyone. My travel fee is .45 cents a KM round trip for sessions located more than 50km away from where I live.

Why should I hire you when I can go to a national chain department store studio and get my portraits done cheaper?

When you are looking at options for your photographic needs, there are two things to consider: is it more important for you to have a picture that shows what you look like at this particular moment in time? Or do you want to capture  personalities, features and  relationships in a way that is unique, creative & beautiful? For every individual the desired outcome is different!

When you hire a professional photographer it is not just about the end result, it’s about the experience. Department stores are based on high volume traffic and sales. They aren’t looking for that quirky smile your two year old gets when he has a mischievous thought in his head, and they aren’t available to come into your home and create images that are distinctively you. They don’t have the time to let your child relax and get accustomed to them, cause there is another appointment in 15 minutes! They won’t put the time into getting to know you or your family, cause that is not their job or the corporations vision for business. They just want to make money.

Hiring a professional means personal service, attention to detail, and making you feel great about your custom portrait experience. So I guess what it comes down to is this, if cheap portraits are all you are after, I say “Go for it!”. If custom portraiture is what you want then you should call me:)

Why does custom portraiture cost so much?

It all comes down to quality, experience and time. When you purchase a custom portrait you are not paying for the paper the image is printed on, you are paying for the artwork that has been produced, the time invested in producing that artwork, the experience of the photographer and personalized customer service.

Anyone can snap a picture and print it out at a consumer lab for $1.99, but not just anyone can style an image and manipulate the light to create a work of art. Most professional photographers spend countless hours developing their craft. Education costs money, equipment costs money and don’t forget about the countless hours that go into the creative process as well.  Photographers should be compensated financially for their time just like anyone with a job. After all, would you work a regular job and put in hours of overtime for free??

Please check out the following link to learn more about custom portrait work HERE.



All images and text are © Natanis Davidsen - 2010