If you have a question you don’t see answered here, please get in contact via email ([email protected]) or by sending a text or WhatsApp message (07832 196657).
Can I buy a Gift Certificate for a friend/family member?
Photographs are one of the few things we keep as we go through life, so a Gift Certificate for a photoshoot is such a thoughtful present.
I offer printed Gift Certificates in £50 denominations, or e-Gift Certificates for any figure of your choice. Don’t worry if you’ve left it late! I can get a personalised e-Gift Certificate emailed over to you within a few hours of receiving payment.
You can cover just the cost of the session fee, the session fee and a product (such as a Digital Collection, Framed Wall Art, Heirloom Album or Fine Art Canvas) or something in the middle: part-payment towards the session plus a product.
I hate having my photo taken. Will I enjoy a shoot with you?
I totally get it – I hate having my photo taken, too. I’m worried I won’t look my best, and I’ve had so many disappointing portraits taken before. This is because the person taking the picture doesn’t know how to flatter me. So I do understand, and almost all of my clients feel the same way.
However, I use lighting, posing and camera techniques to flatter my clients. I know how to make you look your best and look out for anything out of place (hair, dress etc) before I take the shot.
Most importantly, I think having your portrait taken should be enjoyable. That’s why my shoots are super relaxed, fun and confidence-building. I’ll make you look and feel your best. I’ll guide you through everything, it’s all super-easy, and I’ll use lots of interaction to help you feel at ease in front of a professional camera.
And like my other clients (from kids to teens to grandparents), afterwards you’ll be surprised by how much fun you had! 🙂
Are studio or outdoor portraits better?
They both have their advantages, so it depends on who is going to be in the photographs, where you want to display them, and the style you prefer.
Outdoor shoots are great for:
- Energetic older kids
- Backgrounds with visual interest and texture
- Getting beautiful ‘golden hour’ light just before sunset
Studio shoots are great for:
- Babies and infants
- Flattering, consistent lighting at any time of day, throughout the year
- Clean, timeless backgrounds
- Privacy and the ability to change outfits
- Avoiding wet and cold weather
I specialise in studio photography at my Bicester photography studio, which means no crowds or onlookers, no weather to deal with and no need for my clients to pay for permits to have professional photography on private land! In the studio I have the world’s most flattering light, all day every day. My clients are able to change as many times as they’d like and get beautiful, timeless and relaxed images that show off every detail, captured in a relaxed but private space.
What should I wear for my photoshoot?
Once your shoot is booked, I’ll send over an Outfit Guide that will help you select clothing that will look amazing on camera. It includes example outfit choices, recommended colour palettes and the three things to consider when choosing what to wear, as well as some tips for looking your best.
I’m also very happy to talk through your clothing options, and as you’re having a studio photoshoot, you can bring as much as you want with you! We can look through everything at the start, and discuss what would work best with the different studio background colours.
You can also lay out (or try on) your outfits in advance and send over a picture by email or WhatsApp if you’d like some additional feedback on your clothing choices.
Having said all that, you can of course wear whatever you’d like! These are your portraits and it’s up to you what you wear in them. The tips and guidelines are just suggestions for a visually appealing look from a photographic point of view.
How will you get my kids to cooperate?
“Say cheese!” are two words you won’t hear from me. I’ll be using prompts and games to get authentic interactions and happy smiles between family members, but I’ll also be looking to capture a gentler side, too – those expressions of curiosity, wonder and even the occasional sulky face are all part of who we are! So let’s capture it all, not just the grins.
What if my child is ill?
If you or your child feels ill on the day or in the lead-up to the shoot, get in contact and I’ll do whatever I can to rearrange for when everyone is feeling their best.
Do you offer evening/weekend photoshoots?
No – I currently offer midweek photoshoots only, typically with a 10am start time.
Do you have props?
Yes, I have a selection of timeless props in neutral colours, such as rugs, baskets, bowls and boxes. These are perfect for newborns and babies up to about one year old.
For children, teens and adults, I use stools and boxes as posing aids for some images.
My baby is older than two weeks. Have I left it too late for newborn portraits?
Those adorable, curled-up sleeping newborn poses are easiest to achieve in the first two weeks of life. However, some babies relax into them even after two weeks, and I’ve successfully delivered newborn-style images for babies up to two months’ old. Every baby is different, so I can’t guarantee we’ll capture every newborn pose, but we can definitely capture some beautiful images in the newborn style even if your baby is a month or two old.
Can I have newborn portraits with their older sister(s)/brother(s)?
Yes, of course! I normally schedule these for the start of the newborn session, so that older children can leave with dad or a grandparent afterwards. Newborn shoots are pretty boring for older siblings, and we want to keep the room as calm and relaxed as possible so our newborn can drift off to sleep. If it’s not possible for another adult to head off with the siblings after we’ve got their portraits, then we can have a separate shoot at another time that week to get all the children and/or family together. There’s no additional session fee if the sibling/family shoot takes place within seven days of the newborn shoot.
What happens after our photoshoot?
About 7-14 days after your shoot, I’ll send you a link to an online gallery with approximately 20 beautiful pictures to enjoy. You’ll be able to choose which images you’d like to keep (and in what format – wall art, an album and/or digital files). Payment is due at the time of ordering and can be made by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, PayPal or bank transfer. I also offer payment plans, with your portraits ordered once the full balance is paid.
Depending on what you order, your final products will arrive approximately 3-4 weeks after ordering them.
Will my photos be used in your next book or magazine article?
I always check that you’re happy for me to use images from your portrait session in magazine articles and/or published books. Typically, my clients are proud and flattered to be featured in this way, but please do let me know if you feel differently.
Can I opt out of my portraits being shared online?
Yes, I operate an opt-in policy for using clients’ images, so nothing will be shared without your permission.
However, being able to share the photographs I capture is an essential part of running a photography business – after all, seeing my work is usually one of the main reasons clients book me!
So wherever possible, I’d love to discuss the various options. For example, some of my clients are happy for me to share their images, but ask for their names to be withheld. Others would like to choose which images are shared online after they’ve seen them.
What do I do next?
If you’d like to see what kind of images you can expect from a portrait photoshoot with me, click on one of my blog posts (these will show up on the right-hand side panel on a larger screen or are accessible by scrolling down the home page on a phone screen). You’ll see the range of portraits I capture in a session, get a feel for my style and also find out what goes on behind-the-scenes.
If you’re ready to contact me, you can call me on 07832 196657, email [email protected], or pop your details in this enquiry form.
Sarah Plater AMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 and Young Families Photographer of the Year 2022 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).
© Sarah Plater Photography. All rights reserved.
