FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
Great question! High-end equipment does not do all the work to create great photographs but when used shrewdly the results are outstanding! I use both full frame mirrorless and DSLR camera bodies paired with professional lenses. Full frame camera bodies have larger image sensors that produce higher resolution photographs than non-professional hobby/student cameras. Professional lenses are different from inexpensive hobby lenses due to higher quality glass and better electronics and internal motors. The large apertures offered by professional lenses aides in creating shallow depth of field and light-gathering. These lenses are faster, smoother, and create visually appealing background separation. The Contrast and Clarity of an image is what most people will notice right away when comparing a cheap lens to a higher-end lens. I tend to control the lighting at my sessions as well. At times I will find the ambient light to be ideal for my subjects but to stumble on these superb conditions is like playing the lottery. I am always ready with reflectors, on and off camera flash as well as ambient light modifiers like softboxes to control lighting. Typically I do not use flash for young children and newborns or those with specific special needs as it can be startling.
HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION?
Booking a session with me is simple – follow this link to my contact page and fill out the form. Once you have made contact I will offer you a date and time for your session based on your needs. After a deposit is paid your date and time are reserved only for you! You can also email me directly at sdsacredphotography@gmail.com
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY IMAGES?
I ask for up to 12 weeks to deliver a full edited wedding gallery. For any type of portrait session I ask for up to 3 weeks. I am known for a speedy turnaround time, so I like to get your photos back to you quickly and address any additional edits. Need your photos done in a specific amount of time? No problem. I offer “rush fees” so you can get your photos right away.
5 Day Rush Fee For portraits – $120
For weddings 7 days – $250
48 Hr Rush Fee For portraits – $250
*My rush fees are priced to offset income lost because I work as a image retoucher 7 days a week retouching other photographer’s image orders and sending off their final galleries to their clients
A common question clients ask is “how will I get my images?” Follow this link to my gallery delivery page to learn how.
WHAT PACKAGES DO YOU OFFER?
I offer three basic image packages for portrait sessions, however, they are subject to change based on your personal needs. Click HERE to learn more.
HOW LONG DO YOU STORE FILES FOR?
I do my best to keep copies of everything I’ve ever photographed indefinitely, but can not guarantee the storage of images once the final gallery is delivered. I have multiple hard drives and multiple backup locations. I do ask that when you download your gallery that your files are backed up to multiple sources. Once the final gallery is delivered download it, I remove it from my Smug Mug after 30 days. If you need to get back into it at any time I can offer an an unarchiving fee of $50 to reopen it on your behalf.
DO YOU GIVE OUT RAW (UNEDITED) FILES?
The answer is no. Under no circumstance are RAW files given, sold or viewed. When you book a session with Sacred Photography Michigan you are purchasing Suzanne’s photographic vision and style. My settings in camera and light modifier settings are the foundation for post processing magic. Other photographers may use post processing to fix in camera errors while I utilize post processing for polishing what was already started in camera. I also am known to go the extra mile in terms of skin and hair smoothing, fly-away taming, de-fuzzing of clothes, redness removing, etc that make my galleries stand out from others’. While I do my best with providing lint rollers and help with posing the downfall of high resolution cameras is they see every little flaw- the blackheads, boogers, sweat beads, dandruff and more! Retouching undesirable details must be done after the photos are captured in camera.
“Chefs don’t serve raw pork and photographers don’t serve RAW files.”
WILL YOU WORK WITH MY BUDGET?
I wish that I could work with every budget! I understand that not everyone can afford the luxury of professional photographs. From time to time, I will try to work within a set budget if I have the date and time available. If you have a special circumstance like this, please message me so we can chat more! Working with a limited budget? SPM would love to work with you and has flexible options – pictures are an important investment and I would love to see you have the beautiful images you deserve without settling for inexperienced or bargain photography.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY SESSION?
Once your session is booked you will receive a handy Preparedness Guide to help you plan for your photoshoot – smart planning starts here 😉
BOOKING FEES / CANCELLATIONS / RESCHEDULING / TARDINESS
BOOKING FEES: $50 – 25% of your package price (depending on session type) is required upfront to reserve your date. This is NON-REFUNDABLE. No exceptions. This fee covers initial communication, all planning, location hunting, and blocks off a specific time frame for your session. When you pay your deposit you will be signing a contract that has these FAQs and more written into it so there is no detail left undisclosed to you.
CANCELLATIONS: If you no call no show, you are forfeiting your booking fee and I will not schedule with you again unless there is an emergency where communicating with me to cancel would not take precedence. Please be mindful that when I block off a time spot for you, I am holding that spot for only you. Therefore, I am not able to schedule someone else.
RESCHEDULING: I understand that life happens. People get sick, and things go wrong. If you need to reschedule for any reason, please try to give me 48 hrs notice. If you happen to fall ill the day of your session, please reschedule. I work every day with all age groups and cannot risk passing on anything to my beloved clients especially newborns which is my area of specialty. Your photos will look better if you are feeling well rested and at your best! If rescheduling more than 60 days out, a new booking fee will be required. (The new booking fee will be waived if we have previously discussed a date, and for special circumstances such as travel, military, health reasons.)
TARDINESS : Please plan enough time to get to your session. Whether that be getting the kids ready or navigating through rush hour traffic or Michigan’s never ending road construction. If you are running late, please call or text me. I respect every single client’s time and put an incredible amount of effort into scheduling and planning a session, so please respect mine. If you have a 60 minute session scheduled and you are 20 minutes late, you will then have a 40 minute session. If you are more than 30 minutes late without calling, you will forfeit your booking fee and I will have the right to cancel the session. I of course understand unforeseen circumstances such as illness or accidents. If I am late I will communicate that with you and your session time will not be affected. I am known for being extremely timely as your time is important and valuable.
