THE J.NICOTRI PHOTOGRAPHY PROCESS
studio in almont, michigan
If you're like me, not knowing what to expect can cause a ton of anxiety. Especially if you are a new mom trying to figure it all out, or even if you're a mom trying to manage several little one's at the same time. Attempting to get out the door can be a struggle in itself! I understand how important it is (or at least feel as if you are) organized and prepared for any outing. To help ease that anxiety, here is in-depth overview of exactly what you can expect during your session with me and how to best prepare in advance.
Book a Session
When you are ready to book, your session fee includes an initial consultation. You can either complete a detailed questionnaire, or if you prefer, we can conduct the consultation over the phone. I highly recommend to book your session as far in advance as possible. This is especially important for newborn sessions, as the number of sessions available to book each month are limited. Therefore, the earlier you schedule, the more likely there will be availability.
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Your initial consultation will cover all aspects of your session to ensure I capture your images in a way that resonates with you and represents your special celebration. This is where you will provide me with the details of your own story so I can learn more about you and your family. We will review who will be included in the session, the location planning, color design, prop preferences, guidance on what to wear, and your requested session dates and available times. So while answering these questions, think about how you would like to display your images, where in your home you will want to display them, and the color palate they will best coordinate with.
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Knowing your end-goal is one of the most important components of your initial consultation. In other words, what do you intend on using the images for? Every session includes digital files, but you also receive a print credit, so it is important that I understand how you intend to ultimately enjoy your images. Of course, you will likely want to share your images on social media with your friends and family, but then what? Too often they are put away, forgotten, or lost. So instead, the next step is to start thinking about what you intend to do with them... possibly a gorgeous canvas that can be displayed in your home as a piece of art? Or maybe you prefer to create a beautiful album so as your little ones grow, you can look through them together. Whether you want quality prints to display in your home, at work, or if you choose to gift them to friends and family, just knowing how you intend to use your images will help me to best prepare and accomplish the end result you're looking for.
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Once I review all of these important details and confirm availability of the dates you requested, you will receive a contract and invoice via email. Your signed contract and $100 retainer is due within 48 hours of receipt. If the contract is not signed and/or retainer is not paid within that time-frame, the contract will expire and will no longer be valid or accessible, and there is no guarantee your spot will still be available. The retainer fee is required in order to hold your scheduled session date and time, and is deducted from the balance of your total session fee.
My studio is located in Almont, Michigan (just off M53/ VanDyke Rd).
l understand that often the concept of a photography session can be very stressful. You're not sure what to bring, what to wear, or how your children are going to behave. Although you may have experienced this agony in the past, I strive to make my sessions relaxed, fun, and stress-free! Don't worry about your kids, I provide several games, activities and books to keep your child entertained and occupied. For your convenience, I also provide refreshments and a variety of snacks at all studio sessions.
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Depending on the type of session, a day or two prior, I will send you a reminder and preparation email that will provide you with my studio address, some helpful tips on what to bring, and how my sessions typically run.
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I also keep everything you need in-studio for your convenience (diapers, wipes, changing pad, pacifiers, lotion, breast pads, blankets, burp cloths, etc.), so there is no need to stress if you forget to bring something with you!
Rest assured, my studio is always sanitized prior to each session and all items used during a session are hand-washed in Dreft hypoallergenic detergent after each use.
In Studio
On-Location
Littles milestone sessions provide the option for one setup to take place outdoors (weather& time permitting). The outdoor setup will be on my studio premises only, due to limited time and short attention spans for infants up to age 1 year. If you would like an outdoor setup, please be sure to indicate this on the questionnaire when booking your session.
Littles sessions age 1 year+ and Maternity sessions provide the option to have the entire session take place on-location outdoors. If there is a particular location that is special to you and your family, you may request that location. Otherwise I will choose one for you based on my experience, preference, and convenience to the location of both your home and my studio. Once a location site has been determined, I will communicate where to meet for your scheduled session.
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When Mini Sessions are offered and held on-location outdoors, I will choose the location, dates and time-slots available.
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If the weather does not cooperate on the day of your session, I will contact you to determine if a reschedule is needed.
On-location outdoor sessions include travel up to 20 miles within my home studio zip code of 48003.
Any locations outside of the 20 mile radius is subject to a travel fee and is based on the current federal mileage rate.
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If there is a particular location that you request to utilize for your session that requires a permit or entrance fee, the client is responsible for obtaining the required documents and payment of any corresponding fees prior to the scheduled session date.
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Receipt of Your Gallery
This is the most exciting part; you finally get to see all of the images you have been patiently waiting in anticipation for!
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Your online proofing gallery will be available for you to view within 1 week of your session date. I will deliver between 3-5 times as many images in your gallery then what is included with your session, in order to provide you with an ample variety of images to choose from. You will have 2 weeks to choose your selected final images and to purchase any additional digital images at this time. However, once you submit your final chosen images, the proofing gallery is automatically closed and you are then put in line for editing.
Within 14 days after choosing your images, you will receive your final edited images in a customized online gallery to view and share.
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All of the images provided in your final online gallery will be fully edited, high resolution, and ready for you to instantly download. In addition, you will also receive both a color and black-and-white version of every image within your gallery.
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You will have the option to purchase additional a la carte digital images for $25 per digital file, or you can elect to purchase them in packages at a discounted rate.
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In addition, to help you reach your end-goal, I offer a wide variety of professional prints and products such as photo prints, canvas gallery wraps, modern metals, luxury albums, birth announcements, holiday cards and more! You will receive a coupon code in your gallery email to use your Print Credit towards the purchase of these items through your online gallery. I also encourage you to request an appointment if you would like to review and create your order together.
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