Family Photography FAQ
What are your rates?
For a full session – includes a 1 hour session with a minimum of 30 edited images to choose from. The session fee is $275 with a $625 minimum print/product purchase.
For a half session – Includes a 30-minute session with a maximum of 15 edited images to choose from. The session fee is $185 with a $375 minimum print/product purchase.
How do I know if I need a full or a half session?
Half sessions are for small families. If you have only one child and the adults intend to join in on the photographs, or you have two children and the adults do not intend to join in on the session, this is a perfect option for you. Remember, there is only 15 images included in this package so it’s difficult to document everyone with their big smiles and also capture beautiful loving intimate moments with a half session.
Full sessions are for medium size to large size families. Families of four or more (including adults) or families with three or more children (without the adults). This session will give you everything that you are needing. There is plenty of time to capture beautiful portraits AND intimate moments. There will be a minimum of 30 edited images to choose from so there is no need to worry about not capturing everything your heart desires.
Do you shoot with a second photographer?
I do have an extremely talented second photographer (our wedding photographer Samantha) that you can add to your full family session for an additional $100. Adding her to your session allows her to capture a more editorial, lifestyle, carefree look to your session while I am concentrating on your family portraits. This is the perfect add on to ensure that we capture the laughter, snuggles, and emotion that goes on behind the scenes. This will add an additional 15 edited images to your viewing gallery. Let’s face it, you know how much effort and time you put in to selecting clothing and getting everybody ready for their session so why not have two photographers capturing all those beautiful moments of your session so nothing gets missed.
Are all of our images professionally edited?
Yes! Every image that you receive has been artfully hand-edited. No batching in bulk groups. All those stay hairs, and blemishes will be removed and each image made to be perfect pieces of art. We carefully edit but do not over edit.
Where are you located and how far will you travel?
Our studio is located in downtown Naperville. Most of our sessions are located in the Naperville or Chicago area. We know all the great locations to shoot and will tailor the location to fit the look that you desire for your family photo shoot. If you need us to travel to you, please contact the studio to discuss travel fees.
Will some of our images be in black and white or will they all be in color?
Both! Your images will be presented in black and white AND color.
How long does it take before we receive our products and photographs?
Your images will be ready for your gallery viewing within 7 business days. Once you have decided on the images that you would like to print, your prints will be delivered within 1-2 weeks.
Do you offer digital images?
Yes. Some of our packages include digital images. There is a minimum print purchase requirement in order to purchase your digital images.
Why don’t you offer the purchase of just the digital images?
We are a print studio. It is extremely important to us that the pieces of art that we so lovingly created for you do not fade away and become forgotten about on your computer. Our sessions are created for you to have pieces of art for your home or office. Not just to post on social media and keep in your digital archives. With that being said, once you have placed your print order, and you have met your minimum purchase order, the digital images will be available for purchase.
How many pictures will we get to view at our gallery viewing?
There will be a minimum of 30 images for you to view with the purchase of a full session and a maximum of 15 images with a half session.
If we purchase the digital images do we get the copyright of the images?
No. You will receive a “copyright release" in your contract, which just means that you have a release to have your images printed on your own, at any lab you choose. It’s not the same as a copyright. The copyright means that I am the creator of the images, and I own the copyright. Selling or obtaining "the copyright" is not possible, but you will have the right to print and share your images as much as you'd like. Although you do not have the right to sell the image or have it published.
Do we receive the raw, unedited files?
No. The raw, unedited files aren't available for viewing or purchase. The images selected for editing are images that I’m proud of and represent my high expectations. Please know that any images not delivered were not up to my standards and so therefor would not be appealing to you either!
How will we view our images?
Once your images are ready for you to view, we will schedule a private viewing of your gallery in our studio. Your gallery will be presented to music on our large screen television above our studio fireplace. You can enjoy a glass of wine or cup of espresso while you enjoy your private gallery. Our gallery presentation software makes it very easy for you to narrow down your selection and makes decision making pain free. We are able to present the images to you in the size that you are considering so that you can see what it will look like hanging on your wall. We promise that this is an easy process that you will enjoy.
Do we place our print order at the gallery viewing?
Yes. Your gallery viewing is the time that you place your prints/product order. Please bring all of the important decision makers in this process to your viewing. It is important that everyone involved in the decision-making attend at this time.
Do you offer other products besides prints?
Yes. We have some of the best products on the market. We offer coffee table books, custom designed holiday cards, hand torn prints, beautiful desk calendars, Canvas galleries, images printed on metal or wood and much, much more. Many of these items are perfect for gifts for family. Our products are all printed by the nation’s best labs to ensure the very best printing possible.
Do you offer framing services?
Yes. We are a full-service photography studio. Please mention at your gallery viewing that you are interested in having your prints framed so that they are ready for hanging when you pick them up. Our studio manager will help you in selecting the perfect frames for your images.
If I decide to order a coffee table book, how long will it take to print?
It will take approximately two days for us to custom design your book. Your book proof will then be sent to you via email for you to review. Once you have given us the go ahead to print, your book should arrive at the studio within 7-14 business days.
Do you have insurance?
Of course! I would be foolish not to. Rest assured I am covered.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I use only the top of the line professional Canon equipment and the newest most current editing tools available.
How long have you been in business?
Alicia’s Photography has been in business since 1995. I have personally photographed thousands of families, children, seniors, and newborns since 1995. I feel blessed to know each of my clients. Many of which I have photographed annually over the years. It is amazing to me how close I have become to many of the families and how I cherish my relationship with each of them.
Over the years I have had many of my images published nationally and internationally. They have graced the covers of France’s Parents magazine, and many American magazines, blogs, and websites. I feel honored to have the recognition but feel even more honored that so many families around the world have trusted me to capture their family’s memories.
Can you hold a date for me?
No. I'm so sorry, but I can't hold a date or pencil you in. To be fair to everyone I can't hold a date without a paid session fee. I accept bookings on a first come/first served basis. We schedule so many sessions daily that it would be difficult to pencil you in without a session fee.
What is your payment schedule?
Your session fee is due at the time of scheduling. There is nothing else due until the time of your gallery viewing.
What if it rains or somebody in my family is sick on the day of our session?
We are all parents too so we completely understand that life sometimes gets in the way. We also know very well that mother nature doesn’t always have the same plans for the day that we do. Don’t worry, we will find a time that works for both of us to reschedule your session.
How soon should we schedule a family session?
ASAP. I can’t "hold" dates or "pencil you in". We book our days as they are taken. Our busy seasons tend to be fall and around the holidays because everybody is looking to get beautiful images for their holiday cards and holiday gifts. So, if you have a specific time that you would like to schedule your session, you should probably call the studio as soon as possible to ensure that you get the day and time that you need.
Do you schedule sessions on the weekends?
I do. But because weekends are precious time that I like to spend with my family and because my weeks are always jam packed with work, I have to guard my weekends with my family in order to have quality time with them.
With that being said, I do offer weekend rates. If you would like to schedule a weekend session, my session fee is $500 with a minimum print/product purchase of $625.
Can we take pictures during our session?
No. I ask that you please keep your cell phones and cameras put away during our session so that we can concentrate on your session. You’ve hired me to create your images so trust me to do just that. It’s difficult to keep all eyes on my camera if you have your camera out during the session.
