Please reach me via the phone number or the contact form provided on the Contact page.
It depends on the package, but generally, photo shoots are between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
There are several locations that I prefer (mostly within Orangevale, Folsom, and Roseville), but I welcome new ideas. A photo shoot can be inside or outside, at my home studio, or your preferred location. For children and family sessions, I suggest outdoors, as it is more organic and offers more natural props. Please keep in mind that some locations do charge a photography fee that would be in addition to the session fee. For the newborn sessions we shall meet in the comfort of your home.
For outdoors, it depends on the type of session, time of the year, weather, and location. The light is typically too harsh in the middle of a sunny day. The best time would be 3 PM - 6 PM in summer, and 2 PM - 5 PM in winter. If we shoot at your home, I prefer late morning (between 11 AM and 1 PM) because that is when homes are usually lit up the best.
It depends on the type of photo shoot, but in general, everyone in the photo needs to feel comfortable in the clothing they are wearing. For corporate profile headshots, you will want to wear work clothes. For seniors, we will discuss the different outfits you can wear during the shoot when we have our phone conversation. You may bring as many outfits as you would like, and then I will help you choose the best ones. For families and children, if you want nicely coordinated outfits, I will provide you links with ideas and we can discuss them over the phone or via email.
For headshots and senior portraits, I highly recommend that you leave makeup and hairstyling to the pros. The difference is like night and day, and the result is worth it. For family portraits, professional makeup and hair styling are optional. I do realize that most women feel comfortable with how they do their own makeup, but I still recommend getting your makeup done by a makeup artist. If you can't or don't have time, I would ask that you accentuate it a bit more than usual.
A signed contract and a model release form is required before a photo shoot. By signing this contract you agree that the images being taken may be used by American Life Photo for the purpose of display, portfolio, advertising, social media, website or publication to promote my business. I do respect my client’s privacy and if for some reason you do not wish your images to be used in my portfolio in social media please let me know before the session.
Unexpected things happen. If you need to reschedule, please call me as soon as possible to reschedule your session. The session fee is transferrable to another date.
Reshoots are at the discretion of the photographer. Reshoots will not be given for poor choices of clothing, make-up, hair issues, behavior problems or not following the recommendations of the photographer.
No, I only accept payments by cash, check, PayPal, Venmo, or Cash app.
Yes, all released images will be professionally edited and retouched. Retouching is limited to enhancing, color correcting, and basic beautification (skin and hair). For senior portraits, the images will be retouched for skin imperfections. Glamour portraits receive more involved beauty retouching. More involved beauty retouching that covers lifting, wrinkles, thinning, etc. is available upon request for a 20% surcharge applied to the cost of package.
You will get access to your digital images via a password-protected gallery. Images will be available in high-resolution and social media sizes.
No, I do not provide raw image files to the clients. Nor do I show them unedited photos. Rest assured, you will get a variety of the best photos from the photo shoot, but I will pick them myself. This is a standard industry practice.