Common Portraits Questions and Answers

Common Portrait Photography Questions
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• What is the CD of the entire session and can I print from it?
• Does a portrait photography session require a deposit and when is payment due?
• How long do I have to purchase my images?
• What is the turn around time on an order?
• How long does it take to see your proofs?
• What is good to wear to a beach photography session?
• Why do you suggest beach photography in the evening hours only?
• Map to preferred beach photography area at Springmaid Beach.
• Map to Huntington State Park and Atalaya Castle.

What is the CD of the entire session and can I print from it?

For Portraits:
The Photo CD is all the shots from your photo session that you see in your online gallery.  The images will have been color corrected and look very nice but the only images that will receive full Photoshop touchups on the disc will be ones you've chosen also as prints.

What are the resolution options?
Images will open in a new window, you may need to click for magnification.

• Standard Photo CD (High or Full resolution recommended for reprints)
  At least 800x600 resolution suitable for small prints, maximum of 4x6 depending on printing service, pc and small digital photo frame viewing and e-mail.
  <Click Here For Example>
• High Resolution Photo CD
  At least 1600x1200 resolution suitable for up to 8x10 prints as well as high resolution large photo frames.
  <Click Here for Example>
• Full Resolution CD
  Original full resolution files suitable for enlargement printing and any other use desired.
  <Click Here for Example>
• Photo CD files are available on CD, DVD or as instant digital download.

You are allowed to print as many images from the CD as you like, there is no copyright protection or watermarks.  I will provide a copyright release form on request, normally this is not required for printing. Most locations such as Wal-Mart can print images for you directly from the CD if desired or you can copy them to your pc or a memory card.    Please see this page on Smugmug.com for very good information on required resolution for a desired print size.

Does a portrait photography session require a deposit, when is payment due?

I now ask for you to pay for your setting fee when scheduling the appointment.  You can pay this by credit card using Paypal or by sending a check.  If weather or other conditions keep us from being able to keep the appointment we can do our best to reschedule. If we are not able to reschedule you will receive a full refund.

Photo packages or prints can be purchased any time you desire.  I want you to be able to look at your proofs on this website from the comfort of your home.  Pick what images you want printed as part of your package, and any additional images you would like to purchase.   I will e-mail you an invoice for the total, after payment your images will be printed and mailed to you within just a few days.

How long do I have to purchase my images, how long will they be stored? (Policy Change)

My policy has changed on archived photos.  I now store beach session for a minimum of 1 year, if you wish to have copies of images after that I highly recommend purchasing a Photo CD and you can have your images indefinitely. I've recently changed my policy slightly. Because of having a few clients that take unreasonable amounts of time to order a package, I now ask that you pick a package and order prints within 60 days of your gallery going online. If you do not order a package in this time your gallery will be removed and there is a $25 fee to reinstate the gallery. Once you order at least one package of prints your gallery can remain up as long as you desire for no charge for other orders.

Please note for a wedding because your package is prepaid, you can take as long as desired picking out your album prints.

What is the turn around time on a picture order?

Typically after I receive your payment I get your order sent for printing within just a few days.  The printing service has a fast turn around time, I've never had it take more than a week for a client to receive an order.  I can't guarantee a time but usually a maximum of 1 1/2 to 2 weeks.

Of course wedding albums will take longer to be completed. My printing service usually prepares and ships an album in about 4 weeks. If you add to that the time it takes for me to prepare the images for the album, 6-8 weeks at the most under normal circumstances.

How long does it take to see your proofs on this website?

Typically it takes less than a week to process the images from your session and post them online, however there may be times it takes longer when I'm very busy or for a wedding or a large event.

What should we wear to a beach session?

A family group needs to look unified for a good group portrait.  The style and color of clothing really needs to coordinate.  In fact some photographers view clothing harmony as the primary element in a fine family portrait.  Clothes should be coordinated for color, tone, and style.  For example, it's good for everyone to wear similar length sleeves, similar color shirts and pants, similar color shoes (or no shoes at the beach), and have a similar pattern if any on the clothing.  A favorite look at the beach is a white or black T-Shirt and Khaki Pants or Blue Jeans.  The color and texture of your clothes can be whatever you like, but try to make them match using the above suggestions if at all possible.

Why do you suggest beach photography only in the early morning or evening hours?

Unlike in a studio, in nature you have to use whatever light you can find.  The best place for an outdoor family portrait is in the shade, away from direct sunlight.  However, on the beach, shade is something that is very hard to find.  In direct overhead sunlight, shadows on the face can be very harsh, for example there will be shadows under your eyes and nose.   If you have ever seen a typical beach snapshot, you will see faces that look unattractive and eyes that are closed or squinting.  This is why it's really best to avoid the times of the day when the sun is overhead.

Later in the day, around 3 hours or so before sunset, the light becomes much softer and easier to deal with.  I have a large disk that diffuses the light, when the sun is lower in the sky I can use this disc to shade the faces of a small group.  I also have a light reflector that I can use to fill in shadowed areas of a face, for example if you want a portrait with the setting sun behind you.  For larger family groups, the light becomes even more difficult to manage.  That is why for a large group of 6 or more I highly recommend photography no more than 1:30 before sunset for beautiful images. 

Why do you suggest Myrtle Beach State Park Area for photography?

I used to suggest the Springmaid Beach area because it is right next to the state park, and parking is free.  However due to some recent storms the dunes in this area have been messed up pretty bad.  The State Park however is mostly unaffected.  I also prefer the state park because parking is easier to find, there is a nice pier that is very conveniently located, and there is a really pretty area with old oak trees that can give some shade from the sun.

Please note entrance into the park is $4 for adults, $1.50 for children, and free for 5 and under. You have to pay this when entering the park.

You can put the following address in your GPS or use the map below for directions.

Myrtle Beach State Park
4401 South Kings HWY
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575

Map Instructions:  To get directions from your location to the State Park, Click on the Push Pin with your mouse, then click "Get Directions: To Here" and enter your location or the name of your hotel.  The blue area is the actual beach photography spot.

Where is the Atalaya Castle Located?

Atalaya Castle is in the Huntington Beach State Park. There are a number of pictures on this site from that location. Click the blue marker for directions.