What kind of photographer are you?

I’m a photographer that likes to capture the natural, soulful moments. The kind of moments that you want to cherish forever. Those giggles from your child or an embrace from your partner. I love capturing my clients as authentically as possible! That means less posing and more just being yourself. 

I’ll be there all the while to guide you, but I love stepping back to let you get in your comfort zone and just hang out with your favorite people for an hour. My work tends to have dramatic light and bright pops of color to match the heartfelt, joyful moments being captured.

Where will my session be held?

The location of your session is your choice! I shoot at both client’s homes as well as parks, beaches, or any place that’s special to you. Check out my roundup of some great spots to shoot in the greater Seattle area to get some inspiration.

Do you use a flash?

I don’t use a flash—I am a completely natural light photographer. That means if you booked an in-home session, we’ll shoot your session in areas of the home with the most light.

When do you shoot Newborn Sessions?

It's a myth that there's a PERFECT time for newborn sessions. I've shot newborn sessions within the so-called "sweet spot" timeframe (between 7-14 days old) and have also shot them at six weeks old. Guess what? I haven't found one age to be better or easier to shoot than the other. Book this shoot when it feels right for you and your family!

I encourage newborn sessions to be shot in-home so your little one is as comfortable as possible. Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a ton of outfit changes on-hand just in case :)

What should I wear?

Check out THIS BLOG POST (look at question #2) for ideas on what to wear. Although this is a family-specific post, a lot of the tips apply to all of my sessions. Just remember—the main objective is to be yourself! 

What happens if our outdoor session gets rained out?

I’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather on the day of your shoot. I always wait until just a few hours before a session to reschedule since Seattle can be so unpredictable weather-wise. 

If we need to reschedule, I always book clients with a backup rain date to make sure we have another option available that works for everyone.

I saw some poses on Pinterest I liked—can we use those?

Pinterest is an awesome source of inspiration! Instead of using photos you’ve found as a strict guideline for your poses, it’s better to use them more as a general source of inspiration. 

When we focus too much on recreating someone else’s work, we won’t have as much time to get the special, unique shots that highlight who you are and what makes you unique (and those are always the best shots!).  

What makes a session go smoothly?

Being relaxed! The best thing you can do for your session is to take a breath, go with the flow (the flow even including rambunctious kiddos), and try to really enjoy the session. It’s actually pretty fun to be a model :)

THIS BLOG POST touches on ways to best prep for a family session!  

What if our home is too dark for an in-home session?

Out of hundreds of in-home sessions, I’ve never had a home I haven’t been able to shoot in! The darker homes I’ve shot in always have a patch of gorgeous, moody light and I always shoot these sessions midday to make sure we have the most possible.

Will I receive digital images?

Absolutely! Every package I offer includes professionally-edited, high-resolution digital images.

When, how, & where can I get print products?

As soon as your images are complete (1 week after your session), you’ll be able to choose your package. All of these packages either include a print credit or a photo album and you can also order them a la carte as an add-on to any package!

How do you choose which images to include in my gallery from our shoot?

I carefully look over through each photo to decide which doesn’t make the cut. Most often, the images that are removed contain blinks, the light was too harsh/too dark, were unflattering, or they just simply weren’t as good as others from the same pose and setting. 

How far out are you booked?

I am usually booked out 4 weeks in advance, but this can vary! 

Do you offer mini sessions? 

I offer both spring and fall mini sessions every year. Keep your eyes posted for dates—they sell out fast!

How much does all of this cost?

Portrait sessions include 1 hour of photo coverage and start at $750. All that’s required to book is a $250 retainer that will go toward your total. You can take a look at all of the pricing details here. 

How do I book a session with you?

Great question! You can email me at kiersten@kierstenmariephoto.com or send me a message right here.