FAQ

HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION?

So many ways! Use the Contact Me section here on my website, send an email to ellenheatherphotography@hotmail.com, shoot me a text to 0408086896, message me on Facebook, Instagram, or give me an old fashioned call on the phone!

DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?

No, all I need to lock in your booking is a phone number. We will then chat a few days before your session to confirm time and place.

Payment can then be made on the day with cash or via bank transfer.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?

I can book up to 2 years in advance for weddings, so once you have a date locked in, its best to lock that in asap to secure your date.

Family sessions can be booked at any time, just know that weekend sessions are generally in higher demand, and during wedding season and Christmas time my weekends can be very full, so i may not be able to be as flexible with dates those times of year

Newborn sessions can be tent booked in around your due date, but as newborns can generally come anytime from 37-42, its best to contact me as soon as bubs is here, and we lock something in then. You will at least then know how you are feeling, when you are out of hospital etc then too.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

Outdoor sessions are always tricky to book in advance due to weather being completely unpredictable.
We will stay in contact the week of your session and I will let you know if it seems best to rearrange your shoot due to rain etc. We can always change to a studio session if needed, otherwise we just find a new date.

WHEN AND HOW DO I RECEIVE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS?

As a photographer editing is half of my job, and I do it completely myself. Timing can depend on how many sessions i have at the time,

the time of year (Christmas is always busy, as is wedding season) as well as what may be happening in my personal life.

I aim to get family and baby photos back within 4 weeks if possible. Weddings can be 15-20 weeks.

DO YOU OFFER PRINTS?

No, I only offer digital images, but i can point you in the right direction for amazing prints.

ARE YOU WILLING TO TRAVEL TO US FOR OUR SHOOT?

Yes! I love to travel and explore new locations for shoots. My travel fees are $60 per hour that I have to travel from Goolwa, SA.

WHAT TIME IS BEST FOR OUR SESSION, SUNRISE OR SUNSET?

You want to have your session in the 90 minutes around sunset, and the 90 minutes around sunrise.

Why? That gorgeous Golden light!

My outdoor sessions are always based around this golden hour if possible ,and create that dreamy-light-filled images.

Location, weather, and childrens ages can heavily factor into this timing though, so message me to discuss options.

In summer sunsets can be from 7pm onwards which can make it trickier with younger kids as that can be around their bedtimes, so consider this when choosing your timing.

WHAT TIME IS BEST FOR OUR MATERNITY OR NEWBORN SESSION?

Maternity shoots are best taken at the 30-36 week mark, for your comfort, mobility and a those beautiful bumps shots. For newborn sessions, I love photographing them at their most squishy, around the 1-2 week mark but with lifestyle sessions you can schedule a session up to the 6-8 weeks of age. Make sure you book your newborn session while you are still pregnant – at the moment I book out 6-8 weeks in advance

WHAT AGES ARE BEST TO PHOTOGRAPH MY CHILDREN?

Easy! ALL AGES! They grow and change so much, that any age is amazing to capture!

However, some of my favorite milestone ages are

- Under 10 days

- 12-13 weeks

- 6 months (or sitting)

- 1 year - can be a cake smash or birthday shoot

I then find every 2 years can work for family photos unless another sibling is added. Family photos dont need to be a full session, it can be a mini shoot or Christmas photos yearly to have updated smiles to show those missing teeth!

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS HAVING A BAD DAY?

I am a Mum of 2, and there is not much that I haven't seen from my kids. So, don't worry, I know kids have bad days. I have a diploma in the art of distraction and use it all the time to get kids involved during the session. My sessions are fun and move quickly. I encourage silliness and fart noises! Your job is to relax and snuggle up to your family. I'm also never above bribery, so bring along the lollies if you think you need them!

I HAVE THE CUTEST PET EVER, CAN I BRING THEM TO MY SESSION?

Absolutely! Pets are encouraged at every session. Bring along your dog, cat ,bird, snake, kangaroo, whatever kind of pet you own, i will want to be friends with it!
I do recommend bringing a friend or family member to come and keep your animal company while we do some photos without them.

I AM A PRIVATE PERSON, AM I ABLE TO MAKE SURE MY PHOTOS WON'T BE SHARED ON YOUR BUSINESS PAGE OR WEBSITE?

Of course! I will never share your photos without asking first, so do not worry about offending me or feeling like you have to have your photos shared on social media. I am happy to keep them just between us!

As a business which is mostly reliant on word-of-mouth recommendations, photos being shared is my advertising. Instead, it would mean the world to me if you could let friends know if you had a good experience. I appreciate all of the support for my business.

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Whatever makes you feel good is the easy answer!

In a nutshell:

The best advice is to choose clothes that you feel comfortable in, and that are simple and neutral as possible.
Clothes with illustrations, text or logo are distracting, so steer clear of these if possible.
Texture! Knits, Linens, Denims, mix and match for more depth in your images.
Think about the colour palette between you all. - No this does not mean matching jeans and white tops, it means complementing tones. Navy, light blue, mustard, white, tan, olive green, maroon, cream etc.. all colours that will seamlessly blend in together.
Try to avoid black if possible.
Think about the weather! Is it cold? Kids cannot fake being warm and it will show in your photos if their little teeth are chattering from wearing a summer outfit in the middle of winter.
You can also change outfits partway through the session if you’d like. Bear in mind your child’s willingness to change clothes though, if your child really doesn’t like being changed, it’s better to minimise the number of outfit changes.
Take your watches off beforehand, to give skin a chance to relax and any watch marks to disappear. Watches can be quite distracting in close-ups of you holding your children. The same goes for hairbands on wrists.
Remove Phones and Keys from pockets! No one loves a big rectangle lump on their leg in a family photo!
Think about where you will be displaying these photos in your home, will the backdrop and your clothing colours match in nicely with your home decor?
Shoes? Depending on the location you choose, sometimes this doesnt need to be an issue. Studio or beach i would suggest you go barefoot. Other locations, just remember shoes also need to match into your outfits.
Dont forget that baby wraps, blankets and picnic rugs can be part of your styling
Keep location in mind. Will you be going to the beach with a lot of neutral tones and blues in the background or will you be in the bush with more greens around you? Select a colour palette for your outfits that will complement the setting of your photo session.
Make sure nobody ‘stands out’. When you plan the clothing of everyone involved in the photo session, make sure nobody ‘jumps out of the picture’ For instance if everyone is in blues and greens and your daughter is wearing her bright pink dress she will most likely jump out of the picture. To avoid this, lay each family member’s outfit together on a bed next to each other. This really helps to see if the outfits will look good together.

WHERE SHOULD WE HAVE OUR SHOOT?

We live in an incredible area full of beaches, trees, paddocks and more.

Some of my shoot locations can be found here on my website, but there are others if you had something different in mind.

Shoot Locations | ehphotography

Some locations may not work for your situation with accessibility, timing, weather etc., so reach out and we can discuss what suits you best.

I do also have a studio in Goolwa if you were wanting something more simple.

HOW LONG DO YOU STORE OUR FILES FOR?

I try and store files indefinitely, but do not guarantee the storage of your images once the final gallery is delivered.
I do have multiple backups, but please make sure that when you receive your gallery that you back it up in multiple locations on the off chance something happens to mine.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Shoot me a message and lets have a chat!