FAQ

Before Booking Your Photo Shoot

I hate having my photos taken!

A. I haven’t come across many people who say “oooh yes, I love having my photo taken!” so you’re not alone in thinking that. But the way I work is that we wander around on the shoot, chatting and larking around and then I will work around you & will do my best to alleviate any anxiety you have before/during/after our photo session. Getting your picture professionally taken should be fun. I make sure that you are relaxed, comfortable in front of the camera and get some great shots. But please bear this in mind, the more you put into the shoot, the more you will get out of it when you get your final photos back. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens.

How do I go about contacting you for a shoot?

A. Please go to the Contact Page, fill in the quick form, and submit it. Within 24 hours, I will contact you to begin scheduling your shoot. We are a digital business, and I book and confirm my shoots entirely over email, though I do make exceptions if it makes more sense for me to jump on the phone with you.

Scheduling Your Photo Shoot

Do you offer studio photography or outdoor photography?

A. Most of our photography is done outside in various outdoor locations. Why? Because it's fun. You get a variety of different backgrounds, like graffitied walls, the ocean, etc.

Do you offer family sessions or newborn/maternity sessions?

A. I offer family shoots and newborn/maternity sessions. From October - December, I offer family mini sessions where in 30 min you will get at least one awesome shot for your family holiday card. They are booked on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about my family sessions please visit www.snugglebugsphotography.com

How long do shoots last?

A. Basic sessions generally last around 30-45 minutes, while Deluxe sessions tend to last around 45-60 minutes, it varies in length, depending on driving times and the number of locations.

Preparing for the Photo Shoot

How should I prepare for my shoot?

A. Once you confirm with me, you will receive a link to a page that includes extensive guides on how to prepare for your shoot, including tips on makeup, grooming, what to wear, etc.

What should I wear for my shoot?

A. I always recommend wearing clothes that make you feel confident and attractive, basically ‘you on a good day‘.

Avoid wearing anything too tight or too baggy as these don’t work well on camera. So anything which gives you a flattering shape works best.

I love a bit of colour pop, so if possible do try and bring at least one item of clothing that’s a bright colour.

Most of our shots are from the waist up or shoulders up so you don’t need to worry too much about the bottom half. This makes it much easier to get lots of different looks without bringing too much with you. Layering is always good: jackets, jumpers, shirts, t-shirts can be mixed and matched really easily.

Women can also use accessories to change a look. It’s amazing how a change of lipstick and/or hair style mixes things up.

Do you offer makeup services?

A. While I don't offer hair and makeup services directly to my clients, I do have a list of vetted artists I would be glad to recommend to you unless you opt not to use them. All booking and payment is done directly with the artist. While you are scheduling your photoshoot with me, you can contact one of the stylists to make your hair and makeup appointment.

Fatima Naqi
Instagram: @fatimanaqi.makeup

What if it's raining, sand storm the day of my shoot?

A. If heavy rain is forecast for the day of your shoot, we will try to reschedule you as soon as possible. If the forecast is light or intermittent rain on the day of your session, we generally wait until about an hour or two before the shoot to make the decision. I will call you and you can either choose to reschedule or pick a rain-friendly location if you need to do your shoot that day. If this is not a suitable option, I will call you for a reschedule. There may be a wait time to reschedule your session.

What is your cancellation policy?

A. Please notify within 24hrs by way of email. Last minute cancellations will not be refunded.

DURING THE SHOOT

Am a bit of an introvert, does it matter?

A. Not at all. We are trying to capture a true version of you so we just want you to relax and be yourself. I pride myself on being able to work with pretty much anyone no matter how shy, outgoing or introvert they may be. I am used to working with a whole array of personality types, so you’re in good hands.

If we're in public, how do we avoid people staring?

A. I think we have to face facts: we will be in public doing something that you don’t see everyday so some people might take a gander. However, I think it’s important to remember that we will just be something these people think about for approximately 1 to 2 minutes before going back to their own thoughts. These photos, however, are helping you find something that is pretty important to you - for social media photos, job hunting or online dating. I always say to my clients that for the time that we are together, we are in our own little world, focusing on getting some great shots of you. No one else really matters during that short period of time, especially people you are never going to see again.

I'm over 60, does age matter?

A. Oh heck no! We love working with clients of all ages.

After the Photo Shoot

How can I pay for my session with you?

A. I accept cash or I can invoice you online. Payment is due at the end of your shoot. Please note that your photos will not be processed or returned to you until payment is made.

What happens after our shoot is over?

A. Within 5 days of your session, your images will be ready to view. You will get an email from me with the subject line, “Your Photos Are Ready.” This email will contain a link to an online gallery, where you will be able to view the images and download them one by one.

How much retouching do you perform on the photos?

A. I do minor retouching and processing of photos. This includes removing minor blemishes, doing color correction and minor skin smoothing, and adjusting clarity and vibrance.

Occasionally, I will include narrowing or slimming down body parts but not head swapping, or any other further edits. This service however is not guaranteed.

Additionally, I do not offer graphic design services. You are welcome to hire someone else to do that once you receive your photos.

Is there any chance I can keep hold of the original RAW files?

A. I don’t get asked this question very often but every now and again it pops up and so I wanted to share my policy on it. The answer is no, sorry, I don’t share RAW files. There are a number of reasons for this, but from a customer point of view I believe that you are paying for a finished product – which includes the editing/light retouching of each image. The images captured in camera represents only about 50% of the work I do to create our final image. I am just as passionate about the time I spend in the digital darkroom finalising the images as I am about the time spent out on shoots, it’s a hugely important and integral part of my creative process. To hand over RAW files would be akin to asking an artist to hand over an unfinished painting along with a paint brush and some paint or asking a chef to hand over the ingredients for an amazing dish for you to put together yourself. Thanks for your understanding.