FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

That is a loaded question. I don't have set hours. I teach Visual Design during the day, and I'm finishing a Ph.D. so I book based on customer needs and my schedule. I absolutely love everything about photography but after 35+ years I've learned that photography isn't a 9-5 and having set hours is a myth. I try to schedule around the client since my clients are working and going to school, it's just easier to plan after 2 PM and on the weekends.

I am located in Chesapeake, Virginia but I travel extensively around the United States and overseas for destination shoots and educational travel with students. I charge a travel fee for anything over 50 miles. 

If something isn't on my calendar, then I am not there. Because my schedule is extremely busy it is best to make a reservation and keep it. I don't like wasting clients' time, so when I'm booked for a shoot I am 100% focused on creating amazing portraits.

I accept Cash, Checks, or Credit Card (a 3% fee applies). If a large package is ordered, I will break it into 3 payments (50% up front, then two payments of 25%). Everything must be paid in full before delivery of any product. I also can break the portrait session into two or three payments, but we wouldn't schedule an appointment until the session fee is paid in full. 

It depends on the time of the year. I am typically busier during the Spring (April - May) and Summer (June - August). Things slow a bit during the Fall (September - November). During the winter, I have availability but typically attend photographic conferences (January - March). You should plan a minimum of 30 days lead time for all my appointments. This will help me get to know you and create a personalized portrait session for you. Because each portrait session is based on the person, most of my sessions are one-of-a-kind and unique.

My goal is always to have your images ready within 7 days of the shoot. Before you leave your portrait session, you will have a scheduled time for your reveal. 

I have a simple cancellation policy. Like your time my time is valuable. If you schedule an appointment, you are expected to show up. If something comes up, then contact me directly, and we can reschedule. I typically allow one reschedule after that I refund half of your session fee and cancel the session. If you choose to reschedule after a session is canceled and you are refunded half the season fee you must reschedule at full price. I clearly define this in all my contracts. 

We believe in the permanence of high-quality printed wall art, albums, and prints. I partner with the world's best production GraphiStudio to produce museum-quality products. But recognize that you want photos for social media, phone, and other digital purposes. You will receive a phone-resolution digital file for each image you purchase a print for. This is our way of ensuring our clients receive the best of both worlds and that we are not just creating digital files.

Swartz Portraits believes in creating quality prints. In order to maintain this reputation, we do not provide print releases because we want to maintain quality control over our work. The print company we work with has our color profiles and produces excellent prints. 

Once we complete the portrait session, we typically schedule a reveal within 7 days, depending on the time of year. Once we complete the reveal and receive payment, we order the products.  Finished print orders usually take 4-6 weeks to deliver. 

That ultimately depends on what you want. Some clients invest $600; some invest $2,800. If you budget $1,200, that will cover all of your basic needs. But don't be surprised if you love all of your images and you want to purchase more than you budgeted. 

Payment is broken up, making it easier to get what you want. Your photoshoot fee is due when you schedule your shoot. On the day of your shoot, you will make a small deposit ($200) that applies directly to your order. When you order, we deduct your initial deposit, and then half of the balance is due when ordering and half upon delivery. You you need, we can break those into four payments if needed. 

The reality is your outfits will select the background. We always look to match your sets, backgrounds, and locations to your wardrobe. We ALWAYS invite your preferences as to what you like. That is the purpose of the initial consultation. Once we have an idea of what you like, then we ask to see the clothes that you are thinking about wearing. Once we identify personality and wardrobe, we then suggest backgrounds, locations, and sets.

We would love to be able to control mother nature! If it's cloudy or looks like rain, that's OK; no worries. If we have an outdoor portrait session scheduled and it looks like rain, we will call you and reschedule your portrait session. Of course, if you are feeling adventurous, we can always produce a "Singing in the Rain" portrait session. 

We have a list of hair and makeup artists we work with, but if you have someone, you are welcome to bring them to your portrait session. During "Photo Safari" sessions, we pay and provide for the makeup artist and stylist, which is included in your session fee. If you want you use your own stylist, we will pay them up to $100 each.

OF Course! We highly encourage all of those! Activities cover much more than mainstream school activities. Maybe it's dance, art, books, swimming, surfing, or rock climbing. If you want to include your car, please ensure it's clean. Unless it's a 4x4, the more mud, the better! We are here from the start to help you plan what you might bring during our initial consultation. 

That is always a great question from other photographers. We are Nikon shooters. We are currently using the D850, and for portrait sessions, use a Nikkor 80mm or a 70-200mm because the compression is excellent. On top of that, using high-quality equipment allows us to capture millions of colors so your images pop. For lighting, we exclusively use FJ Westcott FJ-400, FJ-200, and L60-B LED lights with various modifiers. We use lighting in and outdoors because we always want our color to pop.

Some schools require you to use "their" photographer so the photos all look the same. If the school allows you to turn in your photo, let us know what they expect, and we will recreate it. There is never a charge for these photos. We will give you the digital file. 

Of course! We encourage you to do this but please tag us in your posts.