{Q & A}
Here are some common questions and answers to help explain my details and policies.
What’s the normal process of our session?
Can I share the images online?
When I do pay for the session and do you accept credit cards?
What kind of photography services do you provide?
My package comes with photo credit. How does that work?
How long have you been a photographer?
What are some of the lenses you can't live without?
What’s the normal process of our session?
After you contact me, I will call or email you within 24 hours. We’ll figure out a time and location that is available for both of us. We’ll meet at the location of your choice. If the location is over 20 miles round trip, you’ll pay a nominal travel fee. The photo shoot should be a pretty relaxed and fun session. We’ll plan for enough time to get some great shots. If there’s a specific style or look that you have in mind, let me know before-hand, so I can plan accordingly. The full fee is expected at the end of the session. Cash, check, or Chase Bank Quick pay is accepted. A copy of the receipt will be emailed to you and you will be able to use that as the print release. After the session, you will get access to an online album for your orders in 2 weeks for a lifestyle session and 4-6 weeks for weddings.
Your photos stay up online for two weeks for lifestyle sessions and a month for weddings. After your gallery expires if you have not ordered, there is a re-upload fee of $25 to re-host the images again as it costs me to host them for additional time.
Yes. Depending on the package that you select, you will be able to order your images from your favorite vendors. The basic package is limited to 4x6 prints, and the middle and top package can be printed at any size. I’ll recommend which vendor I would send them to. You have already invested money and time in your photos. I would recommend that you don’t print your beautiful images off a store kiosk. The color and paper that is used is not calibrated as well as a pro lab. Just like you probably wouldn’t buy a brand new car and use store-bought spray paint on it. Finish off your images with the best print lab possible.
With the technology today, you don’t have to wait for a CD. All images are now accessible online including downloading the images straight to your hard drive. A back DVD is available to be mailed to you for an additional cost. You will get a receipt with a print release that states that you can make prints of the images. Please be aware that the copyright stay with the photographer. If you would like to use the images for publication or commercial use, please contact me.
Feel free to share the images in any social media site you like. All I ask is that you give me credit for the photos (“Photo by Michael Bathan Photography”) somewhere in the caption. Who dosen’t like to get a shout out once in a while? The photography business is mostly word of mouth.
Clothing is very important. It’s one of the first things everyone notices when looking a portrait. You want the clothes to add to the image and not to distract. I would stay away from large prints and logos. They’re just too distracting. Go bold with some colors. Mix it up. Feel free to accessorize...scarves, hats, belts. They add to the image. Stripes and plaids are in. It’s great to have a color tone theme, but I wouldn’t get the exact color shirts and match too much. If you’re a Pinterest fan check out my board on What Should I Wear On My Photo Shoot. But, most importantly is to be you. Be comfortable. When you’re comfortable and the whole family is comfortable, the photos look better.
When do I pay and do you accept credit cards?
The full session fee is expected at the end of the session. When you do that you will get instant access to all your images when they become available. I do not accept credit cards. As a small business, I to try to keep the overhead and session fees as low as possible so I do not accept credit cards. Cash, checks, and Quick Pay from Chase Bank is great.
My package comes with photo credit. How does that work?
You will get a coupon code to redeem at check out of your online order. The amount of your print credit will be subtracted from your total. Print credit can not be used for shipping or albums.
What kind of photography services do you provide?
I photograph seniors, babies, maternity, family, engagement sessions and weddings. Occasionally I will photograph sports events and commercial photography. I volunteer my time to photograph 5K events that have a good cause. But pretty much anything that has something to do about people, I am able to photograph.
How long have you been a photographer?
I started photographing professionally since 2009. Like many photographers it started as a passion and an outlet for my creative side. I started photographing my family then it led to to friends then their friends and so on.
Why are your prices lower than some photographers?
Good question, simple answer: I don’t typically advertise a lot and I don’t have a lot of overhead. My business has been based on referrals since I started. My client base is built on word of mouth recommendations. And I am grateful for the recommendations through the years, and especially the repeat clients. I value my clients and keep prices low b/c THEY advertise for me!
I’m all about Nikon. It’s what I started with and it’s what I’ve been using ever since. Nikon D4 camera, Nikon D3s camera, Nikon 70-200mm F/2.8, Nikon 85mm F/1.4, Nikon 24-27mm F/2.8, 50mm F/1.8. SB 900 & 600 flash. I love off camera lighting. I'm about mastering the light and sculpting the light. So I trigger my lights with Pocket Wizards. What doesn't fit in my bag are my portable studio lights from Paul C. Buff.
What are the lenses you can't live without?
In shooting a wedding: 24-70mm, 70-200mm. For portrait anything, my Nikon 85 f/1.4 is my go to lens. You can’t go wrong with the 85mm. It’s sharp, clean and just plain awesome!