Frequently Asked Questions
How much are your photo sessions? All pricing can be found on my pricing page, but if there is anything you are unsure of please feel free to contact me via the contact form or on email - [email protected] Do your packages include digital files? Yes - I'm considered an 'all inclusive' photographer meaning your receive all of your edited digital files within the set price. My packages differ in the number of files you will receive and the prices reflect this. Whilst I guarantee a minimum number that is not a limit - I select the best images and edit accordingly - anything that is edited is yours to keep. There are no hidden costs to my packages - its one price and thats it unless you choose to purchase prints after your session. There is absolutely no sales pressure to purchase over and beyond the package you have chosen. Wow - I didn't realise custom photography cost that much? This is always such a tricky question. Behind every shoot is a whole lot of time you as a client don't see. This includes studio related costs, travel time, editing time, washing time (for newborn shoots!), plus all the other costs of my business such as gear, lighting, and education investment. I try to be as affordable as possible, and because my packages are all inclusive my price is what you pay - there is no further investment required unless you choose to purchase prints through me. Do you run specials? All repeat clients who book a full session with me will automatically receive $100 off any desired packages they book in the future - it's my way of saying thank you! I do run occasional promotions - the most popular being my Simply Kids special which runs through the school holidays. These sessions sell out within a couple of hours - the best way to stay up to date is to follow my Facebook Page. How long do your sessions go for? This is dependent on the type of session. My milestone baby sessions last about 20-30 minutes (really young kids get over it pretty quickly!), and my larger outdoor family sessions can be anything from 45-75 minutes depending on the location and what the light is doing and how well your smallest family members are coping. Maternity sessions are around 30 minutes and newborns can last anything from 2-4 hours. Do I need to book in advance? Yes - I highly recommend you book in advance. My weekend bookings for families book up months in advance. My newborn/maternity sessions are usually one to two months ahead - occasionally I can fit an extra newborn session in due to babies not arriving on their due dates (best thing to do is message me sooner rather than later!). If I am unavailable though I have a large network of fellow photographers who I am more than happy to recommend. |
Is there a best time to have family photographs taken? Yes absolutely! If you have ever heard the term 'golden hour' this is when photographers swoon! 'Golden hour' happens one hour before or after sunrise/sunset so when possible I try and time photo sessions around this time. This can sometimes worry parents especially during the summer months when the sun can set very late, but I assure you, kids cope incredibly well. In fact I'm yet to have any true meltdowns that have been created from the late part of the day - meltdowns are usually due to children being hungry, cold or they're just over me! What happens if the weather is bad? If the weather is looking like it's not going to play ball we will reschedule to another time. During winter I limit myself to one session a weekend to allow for reschedules, during summer I try to keep a spare weekend or two up my sleeve to accommodate. Do you have a studio? Yes! I have a beautiful studio space in Huapai, Auckland. This space utilises both studio and natural light, and is well set up for little people to play in between photos. Do you charge a travel fee? Travel fees are only charged for on location posed newborn sessions. This covers my time to pack and unpack my studio, and the time to come to your home. What do we wear? The age old question! Wear what you feel comfortable in, but avoid clothes with big logos, and anything you don't want to be seen in in ten years time! For families, try to compliment each other if possible - there is lots of advice online - google is your friend! For maternity shoots I recommend bringing more than one outfit - and try and include at least one flowy dress that shows off your bump beautifully. I do have dresses available to borrow for maternity sessions. Is my information private? Yes absolutely. Belinda Coles Photography does not share any of your information without written permission first. Occasionally I get contacted by agencies looking for families for tv/promotional work - if your family fits the bill I will seek your permission first before passing your details on. I will NEVER sell your details, and I do not collate data for mailing lists I'm a little facebook/instagram shy - do you have to share our pictures on social media? Absolutely not. I'm very aware of privacy and social media and therefore will never share anything without your permission first. This is something that is usually discussed during our session - please don't hesitate to voice any concerns you may have around this. |