Q: What do you mean by lifestyle photography? Do we need to pose?

It’s about capturing a moment of your real life at this point in time - with your family engaging in activities you enjoy doing together. This could be anything from playing with your kids on the bed or dressing up as various action heroes or doing a mini bake session. Think about activities that you enjoy and are important to you as a family. I will direct you occasionally, where to position yourself for good lighting or get a particular angle but otherwise, I try to let things unfold naturally.
By the way, please check out my portfolio if haven’t already so you can get a better sense of my style.

Q: Where do you normally shoot?

Quite often, shoots are done in a home setting because it’s the heart of your family life and where a lot of memories are created. However, I recognise that often folks want to have nice greenery and scenery incorporated into a session. For on-location shoots, similarly it’s best to choose somewhere that has a connection with you; the street where you live, a regular playground or a cityscape that is meaningful to you and your family.

Q: If it’s in the home, do we have to clean the house?

Please don’t stress about cleaning up everything and having it look pristine. Often, a little mess tells a good story.  Just tidy up a bit as if a friend were to visit.   It would be very helpful to have some areas around windows clear so I can hop around and get the best light for us. 
For the bedroom, it would be best if you can have a plain white, freshly ironed sheet/duvet cover on your bed as it makes for a great canvas base for us to capture the main focus of the shoot - children and parent interaction.  If you don’t have any, simple and pastels/pale colours will do just fine.

Q: What should I wear? 

Usually I recommend comfortable clothes in similar and light colours for parents and brighter colours for kids for a colour pop.  The key is to wear something you’re comfortable in and be yourself. You can get some ideas here: https://www.pinterest.com/phoodietravel/what-to-wear-family/ 

Q: How will the session be conducted?

In general, I will arrange a discussion with the key party to discuss what’s the occasion for the photoshoot; maternity,  newborn, family visitors or a day in the life visual diary.   Once I understand this, I will discuss the flow with the parties involved before the session commences.  My photographic style is to capture natural moments – so I try to stay away from overly staged poses unless it’s a portraiture style shoot. 
Just remember to shake your shoulders a bit to loosen up, relax and have a bit of fun - I promise to try my very best! 

Q: What happens after the shoot?

After a week or so, I will usually share some sneak peek highlights with you and via social media.
I usually turn around all my shoots within a 2 week period. The collection will be available for viewing and download in a password secured gallery link which will be emailed to you.  It will remain on the server for 6 months. You may share this link with friends and family to enjoy.  When you download these images, the digital image size will be for print size resolution up to 6R/A4 size. NB: As I don’t watermark the images I send to you, if you do share them on social media, cards etc., I just ask that acknowledge me as the photographer. 

Q: How do you choose what images end up in my gallery? Can I see them in RAW format??

I look at each and every image I take your session to select the best for post processing. I will spend hours (usually into the wee hours of the night) to edit them using professional software to fit a mood and to bring out the best in the collection as a whole.  I am looking for moments that represent your family in an artistic storyline. Because a lot of love and work must go into editing and post processing images in order to make them look the way they do-  it is integral to an artist’s style, I do not share or release RAW files to my clients.

Q: Will I get the digital files after the shoot? 

Short answer is YES! I know a lot of photographers charge extra to release digital files and some may even outfight refuse without watermarking them. My session fees include release of digital images.      

Q: Can I order printed products and canvas, albums etc ?

Yes Yes and Yes !  I’m a firm believer that photos is to be enjoyed outside of the phone, ‘cloud’ and hard drive – they belong on walls, in photo frames. Nothing better than seeing your pictures in print - holding them in your hands and having them on your walls or side table so it's part of your everyday memory of life at home.  Ask me about albums and prints and I'd be more than happy to help you arrange it.

Q: What if we prefer to keep our images private?
The model release (in the contract) adheres to a normal industry standard, which allows me to use the images for any reasonable purpose for my portfolio and marketing. Similarly if you are using the images in press or for marketing use, the copyright credit should be referred back to me.  That being said, if you give permission to use these images, but do not wish to have your real names used in connection with them, I will respect that request to retain your family’s privacy.

Q: What if I have to cancel?
Your session deposit serves as a non-refundable fee. If you cancel more than 7 days before your session, the deposit may be transferred to a session at a future date. However, if you cancel less than 7 days before your session, I reserve the right to retain the amount in full.

If you’ve got other questions, feel free to reach out to me. I’m all ears. Otherwise, sign up here!