Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:  How far in advance do we need to make a reservation for a beach portrait?

A:  Since we have limited availability for beach portraits, we recommend booking as soon as possible so that you are assured of a time that is suitable for you.  Occasionally we get last minute openings, so we may be able to accommodate you on short notice.

Q2.  When is the best time of day to have a portrait taken?

A:  For beach portraits, the lighting is best at dawn and in the early evening, varying between 6:30pm and 7:30pm during the summer months.  There are also fewer people on the beach at this time.  There is more flexibility with timing at other outdoor locations that provide more shade.  Indoor portraits may be scheduled at any time.

Q3.  I am concerned about taking my very young children out for a beach portrait so late in the evening.  Do you have any suggestions?

A:  We understand your concern about your little ones and the evening hours.  This is a concern of several parents each year.  Rest assured we have had hundreds of successful beach portraits with infants and young children during these times.  Keep in mind that your children are on vacation, in a new environment and out in the fresh air.  These factors all help your child adjust to staying up a little bit later than normal and maintaining a good mood.  If possible, we do suggest making sure your children are well rested beforehand.  Whether that means later to bed the previous evening, sleeping-in that morning or a nap that afternoon, you know what will work best with your child.

Q4.  What should we wear?

A:  You don't have to have everyone match exactly, however, we do recommend coordinating outfits.  Visit our Before Your Shoot page for more details on how to dress for both indoor and outdoor portrait sessions.

Q5.  What if it's an overcast day?

A:  Great!  Overcast conditions actually provide excellent lighting for portraits.  Think about it . . . you won't have to squint from the bright sun and shadows will be soft and natural.  Clouds act as a natural diffuser to give us nice soft lighting.  So . . . DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE CLOUDS!

Q6.  What if it rains?  Do I lose my deposit?

A:  If it looks like rain, we will wait until the last possible minute to see what happens.  Many times the rain misses us and we are able to continue with a great shoot.  If it does actually rain, we will contact you by phone to reschedule your session.  If rescheduling is not possible, we will refund your deposit.

Q7.  Do we have to travel to Sea Isle City for a beach portrait?

A:  Not at all.  We will travel to whichever Jersey Shore beach you prefer to have your beach portrait taken.  We serve the Jersey shore from Brigantine through Cape May including Longport, Margate, Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Avalon, all the Wildwoods and, of course, Sea Isle City.

Q8.  How long will our portrait session take?

A:  Most beach portrait and other outdoor family portrait sessions will last in the neighborhood of an hour.  This may vary depending on the total number of people in the session and the total number of children.

Q9.  How many and what kind of poses do you take?

A:  Your portrait session will include some traditional family poses as well as different relationship groupings.  For example, Mom with the kids, Dad with the kids, grandparents with all the grandchildren, etc.  We aim to include as many different combinations as time will allow to give you a nice variety to choose from.  If time allows, we will also do some "fun" poses as well.  If you have a specific pose or grouping in mind, please let the photographer know before your session is over.  We are very flexible and will try to accommodate you as long as there is enough time and lighting is sufficient.

Q10.  How do I know what size Wall Portraits to order?

A:  This is a great question as many of our clients are looking for that great piece to hang over the mantel or decorate their beach house with.  Typically, the more people there are in a photo, the larger the Wall Portrait should be.  As a rule of thumb, the faces in a group Wall Portrait should be 2 to 5 inches in height to be visible from across the room.  If your group portrait consists of six or more people, we recommend at least a 20x24" portrait.  We will help you choose the correct size Wall Portrait when placing your order.

Q11.  Do you offer photo cards, especially Christmas cards?

A:  Absolutely!  We offer several photo cards for Christmas and Hannukah.  Check out all our sample cards under Products.  Please note these are photo cards printed on photo paper, not press cards.

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