Documentary family session guide
A documentary family session is completely organic, not directed, and the environment should not be changed. During the session, the photographer is allowed into your home to transform the interwoven layers and the unfettered emotions of your daily life into an everlasting record of your family history. * Location * Activity * Pricing * FAQ
I love photographing familes in their homes. Both parents and children are more relaxed. Home is where all the authentic moments happen. The in-between moments during the familiar routine (meal time, cooking, care-taking) will become your most treasured memory in the future. So don't change anything about you and your home. Be yourself is not just a motto, it is a tested guide for creating unique and memorable images for your family. If possible, we can also incorporate some outdoor time into the session. It can be as simple as doing yardwork or playing at the doorstep. We can venture to a nearby park as long as the place means something to your family. A smaller park may work better as there is less walk, so you can get more time to be with each other and make memories. In addition, a small park tends to be less crowded.
Location
ACTIVITY?
Do what you normally do. Doing something completely new may make it hard to bring out natural behaviors of a family. Loving tender moments come more naturally in a most familiar environment while doing the most familiar family routine.
PRICING
1. Al la carte package :
Session fee: $500. This includes the travel to and from your location (within 30 miles of 20850), 3-4 hour time documenting your ordinary extraordinary family. 15 high res images of your choice are included with the session fee (check with me for 2016-17 special pricing). After the session, your personal gallery (usually 100~200 images) will be delivered to you via email. The images can be purchased in two ways: Online custom order: You can order prints directly from your online gallery. Note that the gallery expires within 10 days unless you purchase the digitial collection below. Digital collection: You can obtain all the high res digital images from your personal gallery and a video slide show. The price is $450 if the purchase is made within 3 days after the reveal of the gallery and $700 afterwards. Your personal online gallery will be available for one year after the purchase.
2. All-inclusive package: $850, which includes the session fee for the 3-4 hour documentary session, all high res images and the video slide show.
FAQ
My house is messy, should I clean up the house before you come?
My own house is constantly cluttered with books, newspapers, magazines, school papers, clothes, toys and various random objects. The mess is just a sign that there are more important things in your life. You don’t need to make your house spotless for the shoot.
What should we wear?
Whatever makes you feel good and comfortable. I do suggest avoiding busy colors and bold patterns.
My house can be dark at times, should I turn on all the lights?
Unless it is pitch black, it is usually not necessary. Your house may be brighter than you think (at least for the camera sensor). But if it is too dark for your activity, feel free to turn the light on. Just do what you normally do, don't turn the light on for me!
I don’t like having my pictures taken, can you just photograph the kids?
The session is not just for you. It is for your children too. It is important for them to look back to that time in their life, to see how much they are loved and how much they are treasured. So the parents are integral part of the session.
We don’t have any children, but still want to document our life here and now
Of course. I have done session with just the couple (https://vimeo.com/140104428). It can be just as great! But do let me know in adavnce.
Can you make me look skinner or remove wrinkle?
I don’t work towards making pretty pictures. My one and only goal is to make beautiful photos that will tuck your heart strings in the year to come. I won't retouch the digital negative raw files to change you to someone else.
How do we book you?
I will send you a contract that can be signed electronically. The deposit is 50% of the session fee and is due at time of booking.
When will we receive the gallery? Under normal circumstances, the gallery is delivered within a month.
What is print permission?
With the purchase of high resoluation images, you will also have the persmission to make any sized prints for personal use. However, the print permission does not include use that results in financial gain, including but not limited to: advertising, stock photography, print sale profits, or resale of any nature.
I am a very private person and would like to purchase copyright release of my image
Yes you can. For additional $500, I will transfer the copyright from the photographer to the you.
Can we get the raw files and edit them ourselves?
Raw files are like digitial negative, I do not give raw files to any of my clients.
Product guide
Digital storage media had gone through several revolutions rather quickly; the preferred storage media today might become obsolete in 20 years. In addition, it feels different to hold a physical print from a high quality print lab. You can also display your investment on the wall and around house. For display, sizing guide and ideas, please visit the Pinterest board I created to help you to select appropriate print sizes:
https://www.pinterest.com/rong0896/print-and -display-size-guide/