Things to Consider +

Here are some things to consider to help make your session the best it can be!

WHO DO I INCLUDE?
Often parents and grandparents tell us that they would like a portrait of “just the kids”, and that’s understandable since our kids and grandkids are so importrait to us. However, don’t underestimate the value of you, as a parent or a grandparent will have as your kids grow up and show their portraits to their future generations. This can best be summed up by one of David’s favorite sayings:

“We photograph Our Kids & GrandKids for Ourselves...

We photograph Ourselves for Our Kids and GrandKids...”

Let that sink in for just a minute, and see if it changes your perspective.

We will definitely allow enough time for your session to do both the whole family and breakdowns of “just the kids”, or “just the parents”, and individuals as desired.

DO I BRING MY PET?
We strive to capture your family with all of its personality and feeling. For some of us, our fur-babies are an integral part of our family.

If that is the case with you, we would love to include your favorite pet in your portrait.

If you are considering bringing your pet, please click here to review our pet policy.

WHERE DO I HANG MY PORTRAITS?
Choosing the correct location for your portraits will have a major effect on their overall impact and enjoyment.

Again, we have three simple guidelines that can help you make that decision.

• The portrait should be hung in a “Gathering Space”. This is a place where friends and family gather as they visit such as a living room, great room, or a dining room. Portraits hanging in these areas will be seen by all of your guests and you will enjoy it everyday.!

• Place the portrait on an uncluttered wall where it will have maximum effect. This is referred to as a “Place of Honor”.

• A very practical recommendation is to avoid hanging it in a place where it would receive direct dunlight. Direct sunlight can damage any artwork. In the absence of direct sunlight, your portrait will last for generations!

Clothing Suggestions and Guidelines +

Choosing clothing for your session:

Clothing selection is extremely important to the success of the portrait creation process. Clothing should support, but never dominate the image, If someone is distracted by clothing or accessories which are busy, trendy or flashy, they will not clearly see the main purpose of the portrait, which is to capture the personality and style of the subject(s). To help in selecting clothing for your session, we have developed three “Clothing Guidelines”.

THREE CLOTHING GUIDELINES:
• First: Fit your personal style. whether you are casual, semi-formal, or formal. We want you to dress in a way that is natural for you. This is not a special occasion”. This portrait should reflect the family your close friends know and love.

• The second rule is: Simplicity! We prefer solid colors. No bold patterns such as plaids, stripes, or polka dots. Nothing that is flashy, trendy, or distracting. This is also true for ladies jewelry. Simple and understated is better. No huge “Bling”.

• The third rule is: Coordinate! Colors and styes should coordinate or match. If one person is dressed in white and another wears black, the person wearing white will stand out and the one wearing black will get lost. We want each person to have good visibility or impact and no one dominates or is lost. If you choose a color other that black or white, make sure the shades don’t clash.

OTHER DETAILS:
Capri length is not recommended. Full length is better. Generally long sleeves are best for adults, whereas young children often look cute with short sleeves or short pants.

Makeup should be normal or, if anything, slightly less. We use natural looking lighting here so no one will look “washed out”. We can always add more during retouching if desired.

Hair styles should be a style you are used to wearing (for both men and women). Wear your hair in a way people are used to seeing you wear it. Wearing a new or experimental hairstyle on the day of your session Is Not recommended.

You do not need to arrive dressed for the session. This is especially true for babies and children, in order to keep them as neat and fresh as possible.

We provide a dressing room for you and your family to use. Complete with infant changing table, if needed.

If you have any questions regarding a clothing idea, please don’t hesitate to call 423-378-5044 or send a text to 423-408-4135.

We are more than happy to assist you in your selections.

Selecting Your Favorites and Ordering +

You will view proofs, choose your favorite images and order immediately after your session.
That reduces the number of visits you need to make to the studio (AND…)

You get to see the images as quickly as possible, when you are the most excited to see them!

BELOW IS STEP BY STEP WHAT TO EXPECT ON SESSION DAY
• Your Portrait Session is 1st, next

• A pause or brake for 20/30min. between the session and viewing your proofs

• After the brake we will view proofs, next

• You begin to narrow down the images to your favorites & finally

• Your order is placed. (Est about 3 hrs total at the studio.)

If this is not ideal for your schedule, no problem. We are happy to separate the appointments for you. We will simply schedule your session for one day, and schedule another day for you to come back by and view your proofs, choose favorites and order.

It is important to have everyone in the household that is involved in household decision making be present to view proofs and when ordering.

Wether your planning the “one appointment and done” approach or you have split your appointments up, eventually each of you will be viewing proofs, selecting favorite images and placing an order..

So- You have a tiny Homework Assignment that we would like for you to complete before your session day.

Homework- Take time to look around your home (remember do this before session day) and choose several locations that you deem suitable to display fine art. Now that those locations are chosen, measure the walls (height+width) and rough est. of the room size as well. Jot those measurements down and bring those in with you on session day. You are also welcome to snap a pic with your phone of each location you have chosen, and share those with David. Either measurements of your display locations or a couple pics of those spaces will do, and will also come in extremely handy upon narrowing down your images and on into placing your order.

Check out our Inspiration Page for several display examples if you like.

When you view your proofs here, David will project your favorite images in actual scale sizes for you. He is then able to simulate your art, hanging on your wall (from those measurements or phone pics your going to bring in) so to insure a perfect portrait size to fit in your unique and custom location you chose for your portraits. Its really neat actually!!

Pet Policy +

Yes, we do allow pets inside our studio.

As long as your animal is not vicious. Please, no aggressive or unfriendly pets. All pets must be potty trained as well. You will have plenty of time to walk your fur baby before the session begins. Throughout your visit with us, you may come & go as needed to take outside breaks with them.

We do not allow animals to be kept inside vehicles even with the car running, windows cracked or down. It’s simply not allowed while your inside the studio.. If your pet is overly anxious & cannot settle comfortably (before or after the session), please make arrangements for him or her to be picked up. We are also happy to schedule viewing of your images (after your session) for a later time in the day so you have time to give them a ride home.

We don’t want any part of their visit here, to be traumatic. We want it to be a fun day for them too!

Cancellation Policy +

Your Studio Session Date and Time is Important.

Please mark this day on your calendar as soon as possible upon booking with us.

We attempt confirmation calls (or text messages) several times prior to your official Session Date you have booked with us. Our 1st attempt is made approximately one/two weeks out, our second attempt is made approximately two/three days out and our final attempt is made the day before your Session Day.

This gives anyone ample opportunity to notify us of any changes that need to be made.


Our studio is very busy, all year around. In order to help us avoid day to day timing issues we ask that everyone simply confirm their appointments.

If an Emergency comes up preventing you from making it to your scheduled session date+time please call or text to let us know.

If you are running behind, (no matter if it’s 5min. or 25mins.) please let us know. Depending on how far behind you are, your appointment time (possibly day+time) may need to be adjusted.

We understand life happens and we are happy to work with you, when we can. Simply let us know whats going on. Once we’ve been filled in, we can assist you and your situation as best as we possibly can.