Frequently Asked Questions

Wedding

Family

Cake Smash

Newborn

Maternity

Seniors

Wedding FAQ's

A complimentary Engagement session is included as a way for us to get to know each other and for you both to become comfortable in front of my camera.  I consider it more of a dress rehearsal in preparation for your wedding day.  On your wedding day you won’t have to think too much about what you should do and can enjoy the whole experience more.

A second photographer captures more of your family and guests reactions at the ceremony and reception and different angles of every part of your wedding day.  Often the second photographer will photograph the guys getting ready along with the groom’s reaction to seeing the bride for the first time.  It definitely is helpful and will tell you more of the story of your wedding day.

I wrote a whole blog on this.  My opinion is yes but you have to decide for yourself!  Click HERE to read. 

For any collections I ask for a  $800 retainer and the balance is due one month before your wedding day.  Typically, I break up the balance after the retainer is paid into two payments, the first one is due 4-6 months before the wedding and the second payment is due one month before.  You are welcome to make monthly or bi-monthly payments, whatever works best for you.

You will receive your photos in an online gallery within 4-6 weeks of your wedding.  I will post a preview or “sneak peek” within the first week of your wedding.

For every hour I am contracted you will receive a minimum of 50 images and if you have added a second photographer then it is 75 images per hour contracted.

Yes, high quality prints and enlargements can be purchased in the gallery along with albums and canvases.  You will also receive a print release and have the option of downloading the digital images. 

The best time for sunset photos is about 45 minutes before sunset.  If it is extremely overcast or rainy we may need to do your photos a little earlier.  I plan for 20-30 minutes for your couples photos.  These photos are the images you will frame and put on your walls and give as gifts, so timing is everything. 

When you come to your session I have you sign a Print Release that has a one year retention policy.   That means you have up to a year to download your images and get them on a hard drive or thumb drive that you own. The images will always be in the gallery and if you lose your link or email I am happy to resend it to you.

Family FAQ's

This is the hardest part of the session, picking outfits!  I wrote a whole blog on it and here is the link. 

https://jennmarie.photography/what-to-wear-for-your-family-photo-session/

Most importantly dress for the season.  If you kids are cold or too hot,  they will not be happy. 

That really depends upon how old or really young your children are.  For example, you wouldn’t want to schedule a family session on July 1st as the sunsets at 8:24pm, ideally we should start at 7pm for the perfect sunset images.  If your child goes to bed at 7 then that wouldn’t be the best choice so we can do one of two things.  Start earlier and it not necessarily be the best time but still doable or schedule it in early May or late August. 

YES!  So many suggestions!  Narrowing it down to if you like the water, woods, city, hillside with grass, bridges, beaches, fun spots like a train station or a farm/barn is very helpful then knowing how far you are coming from.  Every spot is so special and unique for each family and I am always looking for new spots that are public and private.

Candy…joking…but really a special treat works.  Letting them know we are going to have fun and play together.  If you can show them a photo of me on my website or Facebook page then they are familiar with me already. Me On Facebook

This photo is a fun one of myself.  You can bring a favorite toy that you wouldn’t mind in photos or if they will give it up, I can use it to make them smile. While I love traditional photos, it is not realistic that your child will stand still and just smile the whole time.  They need to play and run and laugh and I ask them questions like who their favorite superhero or princess is. 

A full family session takes 45-60 minutes.  With small children, plan on 45 minutes.

You will receive a minimum of 35 digital images to download.  Typically I deliver 50-65 photos to your gallery.

If you choose a sneak peek, it will be posted on Social Media within 3 days.  Your final images will be delivered in an online gallery by your email that you can download, order prints and share on social media within one month. You can add family members to the gallery by their email and they can also order prints in the gallery.

Cake Smash FAQ's

The best time to bring your baby in for their one year session is at 11 months.  This allows time for me to edit a few photos and get them right back to you so you can print invitations or order prints for their party.  Also, he or she may not be walking and as mobile but if they are walking typically they love the cake so much that they won’t want to leave it! Read more about Cake Smash sessions HERE.

I have some rompers and outfits that may match the set up available in my client closet.  The first photos are usually in an outfit or dress that matches and are done before the cake.  A romper or short sleeve and shorts are best for the cake smash so you can see the frosting mess on their arms, legs and feet.  Please ask what is available in your baby’s size and I can send you some photos of the outfits.

You will most definitely get messy too, so a change of clothes for whomever is helping me with your baby.  Some outfits for him or her unless I have them already, a drink to wash down cake is always helpful.  Your baby will get all cleaned up in the bath and I have towels for you to use.

Choosing a theme can be fun and overwhelming at the same time.  It helps to think about what your baby loves to play with, watch or do.  Some parents choose a color scheme that will go well printed on walls in their home; a very neutral yet simple setup.  Scour Pinterest or you can look on my Facebook business page in my Albums for any previous sessions that speak to you.  Click HERE to view.

Nope!  You do not; a one tier cake is included.  You can decide on chocolate, vanilla or a fun flavor like strawberry and we can dye a vanilla cake to match the set up.  You can choose from a simple white cake, naked cake or a fun unicorn, mermaid, stump with a bear or deer etc.  Again, scour my Facebook albums and Pinterest for something you love that goes along with your theme.  Have fun looking!

I do not suggest you bring siblings unless they are much older and can sit quietly.  The goal is to have your baby looking and smiling at the camera (me).  Sometimes an older sibling or an over zealous grandparent (I know because I am one!) can distract the baby and they look at them the whole time.  The less people there are, the less distracted your baby will be.  I have no problem with you recording a video or taking behind the scenes photos to share with family members.

When you come to your session I have you sign a Print Release that has a one year retention policy.   That means you have up to a year to download your images and get them on a hard drive or thumb drive that you own. The images will always be in the gallery and if you lose your link or email I am happy to resend it to you.

Newborn FAQ's

The morning of your session try to keep your baby awake as much as possible and feed him or her just before you leave the house.  Putting lotion on any areas of dry skin will help with the editing process.  I have warm blankets, burp cloths, a bottle warmer, extra diapers, wipes, and lotion.  There is coffee, tea, water and snacks available as well as a comfy rocking chair. Please bring in a clean pair of shoes to change into when you arrive at the studio.

You will not need to bring any clothing for your baby as I have outfits and wraps available for your baby.  We will discuss colors, textures and styles you like and I will choose some options for him or her.  If your baby uses a pacifier for soothing you can bring it along to help settle your baby. 

A full Newborn Session takes up to 3 hours.  Why so long?  Between wrapping, changing, settling, feeding and changing diapers it can take 21/2 to 3 hours.  If you are bringing siblings it adds a little time to the family portion of the session.  The wrapped Petite Session takes up to one hour.

Family photos are done first and then siblings.  This typically takes 20-40 minutes from the time you arrive.  I do have soft blocks, books and children’s magazines in the studio for them to play with while they wait for me to wrap the baby.  Once we are done with sibling photos the best thing would be to take them home (bring 2 vehicles) or I am 7 miles away from Belfast and there are lots of things to do for the remainder of the session there.  Restaurants, parks, the pet store, Belfast Free Library and a toy store (Out on a Whimsey) that is very fun! 

If you choose a sneak peek, it will be posted on Social Media within 3 days.  Your final images will be delivered in an online gallery by your email that you can download, order prints and share on social media within one month.  You can add family members to the gallery by their email and they can also order prints in the gallery

A full Newborn session offers 10 digital downloads and the Petite session offers 5 digital downloads.  More will be added to the gallery than what is included.  This gives you the option to choose the ones you love. Additional images can be purchased for $15 each.  You do not have to purchase additional images as you can order prints of ANY and ALL of them in the gallery.  The entire gallery can be released for an additional fee depending upon how many images are in the gallery total.  Please ask me and I will give you a price after they have all been edited.

When you come to your session I have you sign a Print Release that has a one year retention policy.   That means you have up to a year to download your images and get them on a hard drive or thumb drive that you own. The images will always be in the gallery and if you lose your link or email I am happy to resend it to you.

Maternity FAQ's

The best time is at 32-34 weeks gestation.  This is before you get too uncomfortable and the chances are lower that you will go into labor this early.  Your bump is the perfect size to photograph at about 33 weeks.!

You will not need to bring any clothing for your baby as I have outfI suggest a flowy, pretty dress you are comfortable in and a casual dress or outfit.  Typically you will have to change in your car if there are no public restrooms so layering is helpful.  I have a handful of dresses to offer.  Feel free to inquire as to colors and sizes.  A few online companies that I love are Lukalula , BumpShow, or Shein.  Some of my clients have had great luck on Amazon.com and I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality as well.its and wraps available for your baby.  We will discuss colors, textures and styles you like and I will choose some options for him or her.  If your baby uses a pacifier for soothing you can bring it along to help settle your baby. 

By scheduling your session at 32-34 weeks, we can hopefully avoid missing your session, however babies can be unpredictable!  I would apply your retainer toward a future session like a Newborn, Milestone or Cake Smash session.

I have a studio located in Waldo, near Belfast that we can use.  I always suggest an outdoor session whenever possible.  In my opinion, you get more variety, however an indoor session with some gorgeous gowns is beautiful too.  Also, if you have other children they are happier outdoors where they can run and play.

When you come to your session I have you sign a Print Release that has a one year retention policy.   That means you have up to a year to download your images and get them on a hard drive or thumb drive that you own.  The images will always be in the gallery and if you lose your link or email I am happy to resend it to you.

Senior FAQ's

The Shine collection is up to one hour therefore there is only time for one location however you can change as many times as you want just know that the more time you take to change the less time you have for photos.  Sparkle and Dazzle there are no limits on locations.  I would suggest two locations if there is more than a few minutes of travel.

That depends on when the deadline is and when you schedule your session.  As long as I have 3-4 days before the deadline, I can add all the sneak peek photos to the gallery and you can choose one right away.  If the session is scheduled after your deadline then my suggestion would be to ask the yearbook coordinator if you could submit your photo late and give them the date we have scheduled.  Most of the time they agree and it is not a problem.

My suggestion for girls is a dressy outfit and a casual one if they want something casual as well. Maybe a hat, necklace, scarf, dressy or fun shoes. For guys, a button down shirt and khakis or dress pants and shoes.  Maybe a hat or suit jacket along with a casual outfit.  The more dressed up they are the more they will love their photos but in the end they need to be comfortable.  If your Senior plays an instrument, plays sports or has a fun hobby, art or skill, I say celebrate it.  Document it and make it fun.  Just let me know and I can plan a fun way to display it.

A composite is two or more images put together to make one image.  It can be sports or dressy and casual photos put together in an artistic way.  These are super fun and popular with seniors who do sports.

YES!  So many suggestions!  Narrowing it down to if you like the water, woods, city, hillside with grass, bridges, beaches, fun spots like a train station or a farm/barn is very helpful then knowing how far you are coming from.  Every spot is so special and unique for each senior and I am always looking for new spots that are public and private.

If you choose a sneak peek, it will be posted on Social Media within 3 days.  Your final images will be delivered in an online gallery by your email that you can download, order prints and share on social media within one month. You can add family members to the gallery by their email and they can also order prints in the gallery.
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Jenn Marie Photography, 1372 Waterville Road, Waldo, Maine 04915  207-322-5430