FAQ

A custom curated experience with you in mind, this experience includes everything. We start with conversation and continue on that thread throughout your experience - you’ll have many opportunities to connect to yourself and let me connect with you while we plan your transformational experience to achieve results that will take your breath away.

Part of our conversation prior to your session day will include session planning (what’s your vibe?) and wardrobe planning (how do we make YOUR clothes look their best and tell your story how you want it told). We will create a mood board together (Pinterest!) to keep our thoughts in order and our vision clear.

Based on your wants and wishes (and all those pins), you’ll relax while our professional hair and makeup artists bring your vision to life.

With hair and makeup done and wardrobe all planned out, you’ll be ready for your moment - and not to worry, you’re not expected to figure it all out on your own. I’ll explain my vision for each outfit or set, then professionally guide you through ideas and poses that will bring out the parts of you that you’re wanting to showcase.

Once your experience has come to an end, you’ll be walking on air and looking fantastic - maybe you’ll take yourself out for a fancy meal?

I think every day is a milestone, and every day you deserve to be celebrated. How many birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions have passed by without fanfare in your life? It’s sometimes up to you to create your own moment, you just have to start believing that you are worth it. And you are.

Who you are right now deserves to be documented, and you’re reading this FAQ today for a reason - this experience is something you want to give yourself now. You have my permission and encouragement to jump in using your current body (this version of you is a version your people love, you know)?

If you have areas of your body that you’re sensitive about, we have lots of time to talk about that. Rest assured that by using pro lighting and posing techniques, we’ll be focusing more on your heart and soul in the finished image. And if you do end up changing somewhere down the line, you’ll be even more excited to come back and do it all again.

I hear this a lot and understand your fears - we’ve all taken “bad photos.” With trust and guidance though, we can all be surprised by how “photogenic” we look.

According to an article titled “You Can Learn to be Photogenic” written by Michael Walters and posted in The Atlantic, “when someone gets called “photogenic,” what people are really referring to is a practiced sense of ease in front of the camera—and the ability of a photographer and photographic technology to capture it. Photogenicity, in this sense, is more nurture than nature.”

So, building a trusting relationship with your photographer will lead to an ease in front of the camera that will change your mind about photogenicity.

I understand how it feels when you’re not sure if you belong or whether you’ll be welcomed and celebrated. Please rest assured, you are welcome here and will be celebrated here, and yes, this is for you. This experience is for anyone who identifies a desire in themselves to feel seen and recognized in a unique and beautiful way. I endeavor to include as many different types of people in my portfolio as I can so that people will recognize that there is a place for them here. Also, while I have attended conferences and photographed models, almost none of them are pictured in my website gallery. All you need is an open mind and a bit of an adventurous spirit, and I’ll guide you (and your feet and hands) the whole way.

Payment of your session fee is required at the time of booking. The remainder of your payment will be completed at the time of image selection, which may be immediately following your session or some time shortly afterwards. These details will be arranged on a case by case basis.

To book a photo session, get in touch using the contact form here. Once you submit your contact details, I’ll get in touch by phone to start planning.

You will receive email communications leading up to your photo session that include instructions on how to prepare for your session, what to wear, and what to expect. We’ll also talk in detail about this during your planning appointment. Most of this planning involves getting you relaxed and in touch with yourself and your vision for the session, there isn’t a whole lot of preparation required outside of that practice.

In most cases, you don’t need to buy anything. Together we will go through your clothing options and design your session based on what you already own, as your own clothing works best in communicating who you are. If there is a specific vibe you want to achieve that would require the purchase of a special piece, we’ll talk about that at the planning stage.

Yes, hair and makeup services are standard with each session and included with the session retainer unless explicitly stated (Come as You Are sessions, for example). Your look will be your choice, from a no makeup look to full glam. Your session is custom curated for you.

In most cases, sessions last 3-3.5 hours including hair and makeup application. Sessions run at a slow and easy pace, with plenty of room for conversation, wardrobe changes, and breaks where needed. It is recommended that you book yourself out for a full day to let yourself enjoy the time with no pressure. In general, sessions do not run past 2:30 p.m.

This is dependent on the situation and the time allowance on the day of your session. If time allows, in some cases we may sit down and look at your unedited photos immediately. If not, we will arrange a time to meet either in person or over video conference within 1-2 weeks of your session. Once you have made your final choices, editing will be completed and your products will be ordered. Delivery of your handcrafted products from Italy can take 6-8 weeks.

You’re welcome to bring a friend to your session to cheer you along from the sidelines and provide support if you feel you need it. Unless you’re doing a couples session, we do encourage you to leave romantic partners at home, it’s easier to fully embrace yourself when you’re not subconsciously thinking about how your partner is perceiving you.

My personal view on retouching is to only remove or “fix” that which is temporary like blemishes and zits. The extent to which I edit the photo generally will depend on the type of session we’ve done. A raw or “come as you are” portrait will get virtually no retouching, where a more formal, magazine style portrait will definitely receive more attention which will include finessing wrinkles in clothing and evening out shadows throughout. I won’t drastically change the shape of your body with editing tools, because you don’t need to be changed! We can however talk about specifics if you have wants, wishes or concerns.

The photo studio is located in Red Deer at 4920 50 (Gaetz) Avenue. This area of downtown Red Deer is comprised of one-way streets, it’s best to consult your favorite map app if you aren’t local. Red Deer isn’t huge, but one-way streets can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the area.

Paid street parking is available throughout the downtown core, with one public parking lot (Lot P4, pictured near the bottom right of the below map) within walking distance. I recommend clients park along 50 (Ross) Street just west of 50 (Gaetz) Avenue. This becomes important because parking in Red Deer is split into different zones, and some zones allow you to stay parked for a longer duration. The recommended parking zone along 50 Street will accommodate your vehicle for up to 4 hours, ensuring you don’t need to leave your session mid-way through to move your vehicle and avoid a ticket.

The studio is located on the second floor of a heritage building, and does not have elevator access. Growing up with a wheelchair dependent mother, I know how disappointing this fact is for those with mobility or other limitations that prevent them from using stairs. I am fully committed to accommodating my differently abled clients in alternate locations that would best suit their needs. Please start a conversation with me if you’re interested in being photographed and would like an alternate location!

Yes, we’re the only business on the second floor of the building and secured by a locked door at street level with another locked door to the studio.