Session Policies
Our sessions are carefully scheduled so that Christopher can give each client the time and attention needed to create exceptional portrait artwork. The following policies help us protect that time and provide a consistent experience for every client.
Booking Deposit
A refundable booking deposit is required to reserve your appointment. The amount of the deposit will be confirmed when your session is scheduled.
Your deposit is returned after your completed portrait session and ordering appointment, provided the terms below have been met.
Rescheduling & Cancellations
We understand that plans sometimes change.
With at least seven days’ notice, you may reschedule your appointment one time without an additional deposit.
Changes made with fewer than seven days’ notice will result in forfeiture of the original deposit. A new deposit is required to reserve another appointment.
Additional reschedule requests also require a new deposit.
The studio reserves the right to decline a reschedule request and instead cancel the appointment and refund any refundable deposit.
Arriving for Your Session
Please plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment, particularly if you would like to use our dressing room.
Clients arriving late may have less photography time available.
For arrivals of less than 20 minutes, we will determine whether there is sufficient time to proceed with the session. Depending on the circumstances, we may:
- continue with a shortened session and schedule the ordering appointment separately, or
- reschedule the portrait session.
Additional deposits may be required when a separate appointment or rescheduled session is necessary.
Arrivals of 20 minutes or more without communication are treated as a missed appointment.
Your Ordering Appointment
Your portrait experience includes both the photography and the opportunity to view and select your portraits.
For that reason, we ask that all adults involved in making purchasing decisions attend the complete session and ordering appointment.
This allows everyone involved to participate in selecting the artwork for your home.
Outfit Changes
A private dressing room is available at the studio.
Because of the time required to create each portrait session, we limit sessions to one clothing change.
For recommendations on clothing, please see our Dress Code page.
Dogs at the Studio
Our studio creates portraits of dogs and the people who love them.
Dogs must remain leashed while in the studio. Leashes are routinely removed from selected finished portraits during the artistic finishing process.
For the safety of our clients, staff and animals, we are unable to photograph aggressive or significantly reactive dogs.
Please give your dog an opportunity to relieve itself before entering the studio. An occasional accident can happen; repeated accidents may require us to end the session.
Depending on the portrait and composition, a person will need to be included with the dog for some photographs.
For sessions involving multiple dogs, our general limit is two dogs for each participating person age 14 or older.
Cats at the Studio
We are unable to accommodate cats.
Children
Portrait sessions are best suited for children nine months of age or older.
Parents are responsible for supervising children throughout the studio visit.
Mutual Respect
Our work is highly collaborative, and our very best portraits have always been the result of mutual trust and respect. We will strive to be helpful, professional and respectful in all interactions.
We ask that clients and guests extend that same courtesy to our staff, whether by phone, text, email or in person.
On the rare occasion that communication or conduct falls outside that standard, we reserve the right to end the interaction or discontinue the client relationship.
Questions?
If you are unsure how one of these policies applies to your appointment, please contact the studio before your session.
We are happy to clarify the details so that everyone arrives knowing what to expect.