Christmas Portraits Update
Christmas Portraits are just about ready for release and I could not be more excited.
This blog will go over all the details you will need to know to book. Bookings will open within the week (date DBC) so reading over this blog to know what to expect is highly recommended.
The Christmas set will be shared on socials as it comes together so keep an eye out for updates.
Dates
Although I am close to finalising opening dates, I am waiting on a few items to arrive so this may change before the release. But Christmas Sessions none the less will be opening up in October and continue for a few weeks into the start of November. As always weekend spot will be limited and if all goes to plan, the 14th of October will be opening weekend. So I am hoping to open them sooner than originally planned.
If you are new to booking reading over this information will make it much easier when times are released as past clients would know, weekend spots go extremely fast. So being ready to grab a spot if you need a weekend is super important.
Dates will be available for the first few weeks of November but will only open as earlier dates fill. No exact dates for closing has been decided on as yet.
Please DO NOT leave it to the last minute to book. This happens every year, and every year I end up with upset clients who missed them. If dates fill or you cannot see a date that works for you please contact me ASAP and I can let you know if I may be able to cater a requested date. This generally applies to weekdays, not weekends. But I can also put you on the weekend wait list (in case we have a last minute reschedule (due to illness).
Times
The earliest appointments will be 9am and I am currently unsure on how late I will be able to shoot. As I plan on using a mix of natural and faux lighting, late afternoon sessions/evenings may be available by appointment but again, once the set is complete I will have more of an idea on this.
Session Price $195
What’s Included?
Christmas themed studio session
3 Digital images of your choice
Immediate family members can be included, including parents and their children, up to 6 people
15-20 minute Fully Guided Portrait Session
30 minute Same Day Image Viewing where you finalise your order and select images
Professional Retouching of final images selected, delivered via an online gallery ready to download
Please note - Weekend Appointments will have a minimum upgrade amount of $100
Weekends will show up in the booking calendar as $295 session fee which will include $100 Credit for ordering on the day
Prices are inclusive of GST
Additional images and products will be available to either pre purchase
or purchase on the day. As always, no late orders will be taken.
How Do You Book?
On the day of bookings opening, you will be able to book via an online Booking Calendar. It will have all the details needed in the blog post with the Booking Calendar at the bottom of the page. Then these simple steps will see you booked -
Select your session type (either weekend spot or standard spot)
Days and Times will show up as to what is open and available (if a time vanishes, this means that someone else has booked it)
Select the date and time that works best for you and follow the prompts to pay your deposit
You will receive an email confirming your booking.
Troubleshooting - If you have any issues with seeing the booking calendar be sure to try a different device/browser.
To secure your spot, you will be required to pay $95 booking fee online with a card. No times will be held without payment. As always, booking fees are non refundable. A booking calendar will pop up when dates have opened. The link will be found here at our blog, on our socials and also on our Special Events Page.
The remaining money is due either 48 hours prior to your session date via bank transfer (so it has time to clear) or can be paid on arrival at the studio if you take cash. Cards can be used for upgrades at your viewing however we do not have time to check bank statements or pay with card prior to your session time. Sessions will not take place without full payment.
Like always, sessions run on a tight timeframe so being on time is a must. We do not allow extra time for late comers as sessions are usually back to back. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will forfeit your session fee.
What Happens the Days Following making your Booking
Within 48 Hours you will receive an email from our client portal, this may go to your junk folder so it is very important to keep an eye on both your junk and other folders. This email will have links to your Pricing Guide and Preparation Guide.
These guides will have all the details that you will need to know for the day. Including full breakdown of pricing, upgrade pricing and pre purchase packages that are only available prior to your session. Prep guide will cover where to go, parking, and a breakdown of your session including what to wear guide etc.
It is important to read these early on in case you have any questions at all or would like to set up a prepayment plan for a pre purchase package. Our packages are available for pre purchase only. Individual products etc can be purchased on the day.
IMPORTANT - You will receive email reminders on the lead up, again be sure to check junk folders or add us as a VIP. Please know that we do not follow up every client with text to confirm they have seen emails. We assume that you have received them so if you aren’t receiving them and have looked in all hidden folders please let us know ASAP in case you have added your email incorrectly at the time of booking. This also includes when digital galleries are sent out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase more on the day?
Yes as always additional purchases can be made on the day. This includes digital images and or professional products. We also offer bonuses for those who upgrade prior to the day. All information and a full rundown on upgrades available etc will be in your Pricing and Prep guides which are sent to clients after they confirm their booking. Past clients - Upgrade pricing has not changed in the past few years.
What Products will be available to order?
We have a beautiful range of products available to order on the day. These range from professional prints and framed images to our Christmas range, including ornaments & calendars. We have some packages also available but they are pre purchase only. All information will be available in the pricing guide.
Will Products be ready for Christmas?
For those wanting products to use as Christmas gifts it is recommended you select an early date to allow time for it to arrive. As the majority of our products are hand crafted In the Eastern states we need to allow time for production and delivery so the earlier the better as November and December are the busiest times for both suppliers and couriers. We do everything in our power to have them here however as everyone would know, shipping on the lead up to Christmas can sometimes be unpredictable.
Do I have to do my Viewing on the Day?
Yes, All viewings are done on the day of your session. I have swapped to this method in past years and it has worked much better. Not only does it allow you see your images straight away, it allows a quicker turnaround meaning you have your images sooner.
Viewings are done in our office by either one of our Team members (assistants) or during the week generally I do the viewings after your shoot as I can allow extra time to do so.
I Need To Reschedule, what do I do?
If your session is still weeks away, rescheduling can easily be done via your booking email.
We ask that you ONLY reschedule if you really have no other option especially if it is a day like a weekend that we generally have assistants in for. If it is within 72 hours of your session, we end up having spots go unfilled in which case we would not be able to transfer the deposit to another day. We obviously always try to fill spots to avoid this but I have to cover my assistants regardless.
But I also don’t want you bringing in sick children, obviously sick usually means grumpy so it is less than ideal and although I love my clients I don’t love germ sharing ;) So I do work with you for the best option to cover all parties. I ask that as soon as you know that you will not be able to make it, that you contact us ASAP via text and email (number is in guides). You do also have the option to find a friend to fill your spot for last minute reschedules.
This is another reason why it is best to book earlier spots where possible. On the off chance your children come down with something, if it is at the very end sessions may close before you can reschedule. So it just allows some breathing space.
I would Like photos of all my nieces and nephews together, Can I do this?
I get it, cousin photos make the perfect gift for Grandparents, however Extended families (multiple cousins etc) cannot be booked for one time slot AND OR without speaking to me first. If you would really like cousin photos, you need to get in contact before booking. I take into account a lot of factors before deciding such as age of the children, how many children there are etc.
As most people know, cousins together usually means lots of excitement so when there are lots of toddlers involved it generally will not work. However I have done them and once I know the ages etc I can recommend if I can cater for you and your family or not. This generally means booking back to back time slots for each family and we combine some time for shooting together. This cannot be done on our weekend time slots.
How Do I Receive my Images?
Digital Images are sent out within 10 days of your session, sometimes a lot sooner for smaller galleries. You will receive an email with a link to download your images directly.
Cannot wait to see you all again this year in the new studio!
Kristy xx
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