● what should I wear?

Wear clothes that compliment your skin tone. Bring options! If you are an actor or model getting head shots, style your clothing, hair and makeup as you would for an audition. Generally simple necklines are good, big prints tend to be distracting, and color is preferable to solid black and white... unless we have discussed a specific theme for your shoot. If you are creating head shots for an agent, its a great idea to check with your agent to see if they have specific requests.

● what should my family wear?

Families look best when you can all agree on a few tones (two primary and one accent, for example) and then everyone finds something they love to fit this theme. No need to be too matchy, but coordinating simply so everyone is happy will make a HUGE difference in the cohesion of the final photographs. If you are planning photos for a space in your home, it is great to keep this in mind while making decisions regarding palette. If you need ideas, check out our Pinterest board for inspiration!

● studio or on-location?

I have extensive experience (and a LOT of love for) finding the right angles and light to make the most of almost ANY location, so if you are in love with a certain area or feel (urban, rural, mountain, your home, etc.) let’s discuss and make it happen! Some of our favorite shots have a parking lot in the background, so really, we can make most any location work! {note that travel fees may apply}

If the weather is inclement (mostly wind and rain -- clouds and overcast are great for portraits), I do have a wonderful natural light studio as well. It is located in a turn of the century cotton mill and is quite unique in its own right, and the light is STUNNING. The studio is located just west of the Platte River on South Evans.

● do you have a referral program for portrait and head shot clients?

YES!! There is no greater compliment than when a happy client sends us a referral! And we love to thank our referrals! We now offer a $50 print credit for every paying referral client you send our way. Please note that photos are only archived for a limited time, so print credits are applicable for past sessions if available, and are always available for future sessions!

● what does my session fee cover?

Your session fee covers time and talent of the photographer. Included in this is a pre-consultation (in person if possible), the photo session itself, several hours of digital artistic edit of your session photos, archiving of files, and for all CREATIVE PORTRAIT sessions, it also includes your viewing/ordering session (see below). For HEADSHOT sessions, the fee includes on-line proofing and your final finished file(s) per package details.

● what is this "in-person viewing / ordering session?"

I love to show your session photos to you in person for several reasons, including making sure the color is seen correctly and helping you with image selection and/or artwork placement in your home (often clients are overwhelmed by this process). I am happy to come to your home so we can sit in your space with the images, or we can meet at my studio or a favorite coffee shop. I will also have samples to show you of some of our most popular items, so you can see and feel the quality for yourself before purchasing a thing.

● are your products archival?

We have taken great care to select products based on their quality and acid-free, archival nature. It is of utmost importance to us to provide products based on their heirloom characteristics. As long as they are well cared for, they should last for generations to come. Please note that digital files are NOT archival and will likely become corrupt and/or unreadable over time (remember floppy drives? CDs are on that path!). This is why we strongly suggest that photos are printed to protect your investment.

● do you sell digital files?

We feel strongly that your photos should be PRINTED to be last for generations (digital files will corrupt and become unreadable over time!). We recognize that many clients do still want digital files (for social media, etc.), so every print or canvas you order INCLUDES the accompanying sized high resolution digital file!

● how long before I can see my photos?

Creative editing takes time! If you have signed a model release you'll usually see a sneak peek within a few days. We try our best to get your photos edited as quickly as possible (maintaining artistic integrity, of course!). You should hear from us within 2 weeks of your session to schedule your viewing session.

● The session fee pays for the time and talent of the photographer, your pre-consultation, session, creative edit of final set of photos, and for your in-person viewing appointment. It does not include any finished portraits, prints or files. A 50% deposit on your session fee holds your booking date and time, and the balance of the session fee is due at the time of your portrait session. Session fees are non-refundable, however with 48 hours notice it can be rescheduled in case of an emergency.

● If you or any member of a family to be photographed is sick on the day of the session please call to reschedule. Sick or uncomfortable people do not like to be photographed and we know that you will not love your portraits nearly as much as if he or she was in good health.

● You agree to hold harmless, Jennifer Koskinen, her representatives, employees and Merritt Design Photo, from any dispute in the event you become injured during your session or while on the studio premises. Merritt Design Photo and its representatives will not be held liable for any injury incurred by you or your family, or any damage to your property during the photo session or while on studio premises.

● You will view your portraits at an in person consultation. You will be asked to order at this time. Please make sure all decision makers are present, as additional ordering appointments incur a $100 fee. All unordered images are purged after 60 days.

● While Jennifer does capture many images during your session, you will see a carefully selected group of edited images by her, the artist, for previewing. She carefully renders each image to ensure maximum artistry and technical perfection. Images with blinks, heads turned, duplicates, etc. will not be shown and are removed from my archives permanently after the artist rendering is complete.

● Due to the custom nature of the work, payment for your order must be received before lab work is ordered, and is subject to a 50% cancellation fee should you change your mind about an order after it is placed. Once an order is sent to the lab, it is deemed non-refundable. Payments may be made cash, check, or on-line via PayPal. Payment plans are available.

● Design work and custom graphics will be approved for color and layout in-person on our professionally color calibrated monitors at the ordering appointment. Only font style, spelling and wording may be approved through electronically emailed proof. Requests for reprints due to color shift on emailed proofs will not be honored.

● Please allow 4 weeks for your order to be completed. Some orders may take longer. Your portraits are an investment and an heirloom that should not be rushed. You will be notified by telephone or e-mail when your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order, we can ship your order to you for an additional charge.

● All ordered images are kept on file for a period of 1 year. Un-ordered images are removed from our archives after 60 days. Re-orders placed more than 60 days after the preview appointment, require a minimum $150 re-order.

● The Copyright Act protects photographers by giving us the exclusive right to reproduce your photographs. Violations include, but are not limited to, making illegal copies, scanning, printing from home or downloading from our website. It is illegal to copy or reproduce these photographs in any manner without our permission and violators of this Federal Law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties. Please understand, the photographer wishes to maintain complete control over the print quality, finishes and presentation of the images and any reproduction outside of the studio may lower the quality of the image and scar our reputation for providing superior portraits.

● Prices are subject to change without notice.