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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you offer digital images of my photos?
Yes, if you place an order of $699 or more, you will get a digital image of each edited image, but a photo release will not be given for these images. They can be used on your social media, but we ask that you tag Treasures by Tate on the post. A photo print release will not be given for these images.
Why don't you offer high-resolution digital images for me to print?
There are a few reasons, let me explain...
1) Most people aren't aware that portraits taken by a professional photographer are the property of the photographer. While the photographer must ask your permission to use your image(s) in public, they do legally own the rights to your photos. By giving digital images to others to print and edit as they see fit, is like finger painting over a Van Gogh. The photographer has a vision for the images they create, they are art. When this art is taken to a drug store or big box store for printing, rather than a professional photo lab, colors are no longer true and the quality is not the same. This can reflect poorly on the photographer's work and it is why I choose not to offer hi-resolution digital images to our customers.
2) Pictures have always held a special place in my heart. They are meant to be treasured and hung on a wall as art, or kept in an album to reflect on. In the digital age that we live in, we snap pictures on our cell phone, where they stay until our phone is destroyed and we lose them. Unless, of course, they are uploaded to the cloud...until it gets too full and we have to purge some. Some shoot and burn photographers give digital images on flash drives or CD's like they are candy, which seems like a great deal. But, how many times have you scratched a CD so that it is not useable or lost a flash drive? These items are easily lost and damaged and often times, the images are never printed. In my opinion, that's not what pictures were meant for and I'm passionate about the stand I take on digital images.
I found by asking, that most people want the digital images to use on social media and I understand your excitement to share with friends and family. For that reason, my current gallery viewer/shopping cart allows you to share any of your images to your social media pages.
Do you offer Mini-Sessions?
I do offer mini-sessions from time to time. Mainly for holiday card photos or children's photo shoots. Just like and keep an eye on our Facebook or Instagram pages for those announcements.
Is there a sitting fee for my portrait session?
Some of my sessions do have a sitting fee. Please ask when booking if there is a sitting fee for your session. These can be paid via Venmo or cash. *Wedding portraits do not have a sitting fee, as they are priced differently.
WHY DO YOU CHARGE A sitting fee for my portrait session?
Some photographers show up to a portrait sitting, snap several pictures, do a quick edit and hand you a CD or flash drive of your digital images. At Treasures by Tate, a lot of thought before-hand goes into your session. I research ways to make your photos special to you. Sometimes, I may even arrange for special props to individualize your session to fit your personality. When I do a family session with more than four people, I always have at least one assistant with me. They offer a second set of eyes and make sure your photo session runs as smoothly as possible. In addition, if there are any small children, my assistant helps me make sure we have their attention. Because no one works for free, I do pay my assistant which is the reason for the additional fee for families over 4. After your session, I spend hours custom editing your images at my computer, to make sure that everything looks right. Your up-front sitting fee covers our time doing all of these things, which I never put a time limit on.
How far will you go to take my portraits?
For senior portraits, engagement photos, family photos and children's photos, I will travel up to 10 miles from Independence, Missouri, without an additional sitting fee. If you want to do pictures outside of that area, please ask for a quote.
Wedding photos will be on a case-by-case situation. If travel over 20 miles is required, additional costs may be incurred. If traveling out of the region, all travel expenses (hotel, rental car and/or airfare) will be paid by the customer. *Photographer will be responsible for their own food.
why are you more expensive than other photographers?
First of all, I don't think that I'm more expensive than other professional photographers. If you hire a professional photographer - and not someone's little sister with a new camera - you are paying for experience and knowledge. Professional photographers have overhead, not unlike other business owners. I have thousands of dollars invested in equipment, software and props. In addition, I have a business license, am insured and pay taxes on my income. With over 30 years experience, I feel like my prices are more than fair.