How should I prepare for a session?
What should you (as a client) do to prepare for our session? Consider what type of photos you are hoping to get in our session. If you can’t think of anything, maybe scroll through my portfolio, Pinterest, or google and put together an image board with your ideas. Feel free to share this with me if you like. If you do not want to put together an image board, that’s fine, we can figure it out together!
Summertime on the OBX can be HOT, please consider bringing a water bottle to combat dehydration!
If you have children, please bring their essential needs and consider bringing a few things that make them happy. A favorite blanket, a few toys, snacks.
If you are bringing pets, please bring their essential needs and maybe consider bringing some snacks or treats.
How do I receive my images?
All images are uploaded to a private password protected gallery online for your viewing. Once your gallery is complete you will be able to download, purchase prints, or buy photo gifts directly from your gallery. Castle Color Photography does not guarantee prints purchased at other printing companies, though you are welcome to print your images anywhere you choose. I have tried to keep the print store pricing comparable to that of Walgreens, Walmart, or other local print companies and it ships directly to your home.
After we have our session, I will upload the proof images to a gallery for your selection (The number of images depends on the package you chose.) Usually within 1-3 days. You will “heart” or “like” the images you would like to choose to be edited and included with your session. Proof images are uploaded in a smaller size and lower resolution. Your images in the proof gallery will be watermarked. The ability to download/share/buy prints is blocked at this time in the process. This step Is meant to prevent distribution of images prior to editing.
During a session, you’ll notice that many images are taken. The number of images depends on a few factors: the size of your family, type of session, or difficulty. We may take as little as 200 images and as many as 7-800. This does not mean you view that many images in your proof gallery. In your proof gallery, I will not include duplicate images, or images that have poor quality, lighting, or posing.
Once you have selected the images, I will delete the proof gallery, and get to work on editing your gallery. Once your gallery is finished, I will upload them in, and you will be able to download your images at full size, resolution, and watermark free.
If you decide you like more images than were included in your original package. You can either upgrade your package or purchase additional images, at a price per image.
Sessions with children
A few tips for a successful session with children:
*Let them be themselves, sometimes when you try to hard to get them to sit still, smile at the camera, or wear the perfect outfit, it makes you as a parent really stressed out. They feel this stress and it can make things much harder for the entire group. The minute emotions get high, it gets MUCH harder to get a good picture of them smiling. If we need to take a few minutes during the session to get acquainted, take a breather, or take a break during so we can have fun and re-group emotions, let's do that.*
*Let them be themselves, sometimes when you try to hard to get them to sit still, smile at the camera, or wear the perfect outfit, it makes you as a parent really stressed out. They feel this stress and it can make things much harder for the entire group. The minute emotions get high, it gets MUCH harder to get a good picture of them smiling. If we need to take a few minutes during the session to get acquainted, take a breather, or take a break during so we can have fun and re-group emotions, let's do that.*
-Feel free to bring them some snacks or drinks
-Make sure they are rested and fed. We can coordinate around nap times/bedtimes to make things a little easier on you (and them).
-Plan their outfit/s in advance so it’s not a stressful thing the day of.
-Feel free to share some of your children’s likes or favorite things in the pre-survey before the session if you think it will help me get their attention. You might see me following them around trying to get that candid shot of them playing or interacting with you. Sometimes the best pictures are the ones we didn’t know we were going to get!
-Make sure they are rested and fed. We can coordinate around nap times/bedtimes to make things a little easier on you (and them).
-Plan their outfit/s in advance so it’s not a stressful thing the day of.
-Feel free to share some of your children’s likes or favorite things in the pre-survey before the session if you think it will help me get their attention. You might see me following them around trying to get that candid shot of them playing or interacting with you. Sometimes the best pictures are the ones we didn’t know we were going to get!
What should I wear for the session?
Something comfortable (This is especially important when you are picking out children’s outfits.) If we are having a beach session, kids WILL get dirty and likely wet. Keep in mind, every kid wants to play in the sand/water at the beach. You can try to stop them, but then you’ll have sad faces. Try to wear things that will not need to be adjusted often. Keep an eye out for those run-away bra straps or hair ties on the wrist.
When picking an outfit, don’t forget to consider your shoes! (unless our session is at the beach, then barefoot is best)
Accessorize, don’t be afraid to bring hats, glasses, scarves or some suspenders. The more creative your outfit is, the better. If it doesn’t work, or you end up not liking it, we just won't use it.
Some clients prefer to color coordinate their wardrobes and others like to just wing it. Dressed is best. If you do not have color coordinating outfits or something special, then just show up as you are, and I promise that is good enough. If your session involves a group of people and you want to coordinate colors, 2 colors shades or different shades of the same color work well. For the beach, I personally really love the blue/green and black/white/tan color palettes for the beach. IF you are struggling, reach out to me! You can also check out the color wheel for some inspiration. Monochromatic (The same colors but different shades) and Complementary colors (Colors opposite of each other on the color wheel) work well and seem to be a safe choice. I love color, so any colors you choose are good for me!
When picking an outfit, don’t forget to consider your shoes! (unless our session is at the beach, then barefoot is best)
Accessorize, don’t be afraid to bring hats, glasses, scarves or some suspenders. The more creative your outfit is, the better. If it doesn’t work, or you end up not liking it, we just won't use it.
Some clients prefer to color coordinate their wardrobes and others like to just wing it. Dressed is best. If you do not have color coordinating outfits or something special, then just show up as you are, and I promise that is good enough. If your session involves a group of people and you want to coordinate colors, 2 colors shades or different shades of the same color work well. For the beach, I personally really love the blue/green and black/white/tan color palettes for the beach. IF you are struggling, reach out to me! You can also check out the color wheel for some inspiration. Monochromatic (The same colors but different shades) and Complementary colors (Colors opposite of each other on the color wheel) work well and seem to be a safe choice. I love color, so any colors you choose are good for me!
How long will it take to receive my images?
I am responsible for taking the photos as well as producing the final product. My usual turn around time is 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to 3-4. May-September are the busiest times in the year for most professions on the OBX. Sometimes it’s sooner, sometimes a little longer. For larger events it may take a bit longer during peak season. I usually try and send out proof galleries within a few days of our session, then you can make your selection.
When is payment due?
Payment is due the day of the session, before the session starts. I accept Venmo, ApplePay, and cash. If payment is not received, images will be held until payment is received.
I do not ask for a retainer or deposit for most sessions, I understand that life happens and instead just ask if you need to cancel that you do so within 24 hours of our session time/date.
If you book a session that requires rentals of equipment or venues, a non-refundable deposit will be required for the rental of the equipment/space.
Can I edit the photos you took myself?
Why all the red tape, what is the big deal? The photographs taken in our sessions are a direct reflection of Castle Color Photography. The products I sell are my services and the photographs taken.
Example: If you as a client go and throw an Instagram filter over top of my carefully edited photographs, it is harmful to my professional reputation as those images no longer represent Castle Color Photography.
Editing the images yourself is a violation of the contract you signed prior to the session.
If you have more questions about this topic, please see the below question about copyright or reach out to me directly.
Copyright
As a photographer, the moment I press the shutter button and capture your image, I own the copyright to that image without having to take any additional steps. A copyright is the exclusive legal right of creators to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, or create derivative works from original work. A copyright gives its owner the exclusive right to license those usage rights to others. (From ppa.com) Copyright is a way of showing ownership of intellectual property. Similar to when you buy something at a store, the receipt is the proof that you own that item. Copyright covers photos, videos, films, music, and any sort of original work that someone creates. To make things clear, before our session I will have a contract for you to sign that highlights all of this information. The contract will contain a copy of Castle Color’s Privacy Policy, Model/Client/Minor Consent Forms, and Photograph Release Forms.
As a photographer, the moment I press the shutter button and capture your image, I own the copyright to that image without having to take any additional steps. A copyright is the exclusive legal right of creators to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, or create derivative works from original work. A copyright gives its owner the exclusive right to license those usage rights to others. (From ppa.com) Copyright is a way of showing ownership of intellectual property. Similar to when you buy something at a store, the receipt is the proof that you own that item. Copyright covers photos, videos, films, music, and any sort of original work that someone creates. To make things clear, before our session I will have a contract for you to sign that highlights all of this information. The contract will contain a copy of Castle Color’s Privacy Policy, Model/Client/Minor Consent Forms, and Photograph Release Forms.