BOOKING A SESSION

For general inquiries, you can simply email me. If you have decided to book a session, you can either email me or fill out our booking form.

Within 24 hours, I will contact you through email about more details. We will schedule a time to talk on the phone before the session, or simply let me know if you prefer to communicate through email. We will talk more about locations, clothing and any other questions you might have.

A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at the time of booking ($35 for mini sessions only). No dates will be held without payment. Payment can be made using PayPal online or mailing a check. Balance is due at the time of the session.

I will send you a link to the payment page. We accept payment through PayPal online. If you prefer, you can send your personal check through mail but allow at least 7 days for your check to clear.

LOCATIONS

Right now with the weather, indoor locations or at their home seem to be the choice of most clients, especially those with very young babies. Maternity sessions are usually best indoors too.

A great spot in your home will be near a big window or sliding door where there's some natural lighting. DON'T WORRY about the mess in your home. I can set a backdrop to make it look like studio. I have some available props like basket for infants and young babies. We can always find a place or corner in your home.

Weather permitting, we can head outdoors if that is your preference. I have some favorite locations that I can suggest unless you have a place in mind.

-Pearl District (very edgy) Downtown Portland PCC/Sylvania Campus Waterfront in downtown Portland
- Pittock Mansion (http://pittockmansion.com/)
- Noble Park (Hillsboro)
- Hoyt Arboretum (http://www.hoytarboretum.org/)
- Portland Rose Garden
- AmberGlen Industrial Park (Beaverton)
- Ibach Park
- Crystal Springs
- and many others.

See sample sessions at http://www.teresacarterphotography.com/index2.html and click the Location menu .

Choice of outdoor location also depends on the ages of childrren joining the session. Small parks seem to work best when you have very young children.

CLOTHING

I always recomment avoiding bright colors, busy prints, or logos as they can draw attention away from your face, which should be the main focus of your photos. For family or group pictures, I always notice that coordinated clothes seem to bring the family together in the photos and create intimacy and harmony. For example, everyone should wear either light or dark colors. Solid colors and denims always look beautiful in photographs. They make the photor look timeless. For adults, long sleeved shirts seem to work the best.

But if you have young children and you want to dress them with colors and prints, then do so. It's really up to you. As a mother, I seem to choose clothes with prints and bright colors too. Just try to use your own judgement on clothing. Let me know if you have any questions.

I'm happy to accommodate clothing changes during the photo session, but it is usually only convenient when your home is the location of the session. Some parks might have rest areas to make changing possible. For indoors, take the opportunity to change as often as possible. In that way, you can make choices as to which outfits look the best in photos.

BEFORE THE SESSION

Especiallly if you have very young children, please try to choose a time that works best for their schedule. After their regular nap or in the morning would be the best time.

Before the session, please communicate with ne trhough my cell phone if you have some problems such as your child is being uncoorperative. If I have an opening for the same day, we can reschedule at a later time of the day without a charge if done not less than 2 hours before your original session time. Otherwise, reschedule fee applies.