FAQ
Q: Where are you located?
A: I am located in Columbus, GA and generally serve the Columbus area, Phenix City/Smiths Station area, and Auburn/Opelika/Valley area, but am willing to take on sessions in other close areas. Travel fees may apply, see below.
Q: Do you do Headshots, Individual Portraits, Family Portraits, Product Photography, Quinceaneras, Debutants, Bah Mitzvahs, or Corporate Events?
A: Yes, we shoot just about everything you can think of. If you have an event or session in mind, please contact me for Event pricing.
Q: Does your studio provide videography services?
A: At this time, we do not offer video services.
Q: When should I have my maternity photos done?
A: Maternity sessions are usually held in the third trimester. Between 27-33 weeks is a great time to have them done!
Q: How to I reserve my session date?
A: To reserve a session date, please contact me via email, my website, or via Facebook.
Q: Is there a perfect time of day for my photos?
A: There is! We call it the golden hour, and it's 1-2 hours after the sun rises & 1-2 hours before the sun sets. It is THE best time to shoot. You get the most amazing warm, glowing light during this time, with no harsh shadows or blown-out sunlight. Overcast days are also great days to have a session.
Q: What should I/we wear to my/our session?
A: You should keep close to your original style, it's who you are! Be comfortable, yet stylish. Choose a color palette with about 3 or 4 different colors in them. Color palettes can contain about 1-2 neutral colors, a primary color, and a "pop" color. The entire family's outfits don't have to match, but try to build each person's outfit using the palette of choice. Use different textures, layers, patterns and accessories! If you can find a palette on your own, browse Pinterest and find one you like. Pinterest is FULL of great color palette ideas!
If you still need help, there is a style guide for different session types on my Pinterest account, Here.
Q: What if I need to reschedule?
A: That's no problem at all! I know that life happens, and things happen that are beyond our control sometimes. I try to work with everyone. I usually excuse good reasons for canceling, but bad hair days, bloating and other cosmetic issues are not a good reason for canceling. Please try to contact me at least 24 hours in advance if you need to reschedule. Your first reschedule is free, but any other reschedules for the same session, or repeat cancellations will result in an additional non-refundable retainer being required before the session is rescheduled. If you cancel or reschedule without setting up another date and time, then your retainer will be considered forfeited, as per the contract. Scheduling another session will require another retainer to hold your appointment. Repeat reschedules or cancellations may result in terminating any future business between the Client and Jessica Estes Photography.
Q: Do you charge a travel fee?
A: I generally do not charge for travel if your session is in Columbus, GA or Phenix City/Smiths Station. Anywhere other than this area, I will charge a $1/mile expense. If your session is to be held somewhere other than those listed, please contact me to see if there will be a travel expense.
Q: Do I have to put down a deposit/retainer?
A: Yes, there is a retainer due to book any session. This retainer is put in place to be certain that clients are serious about booking. This retainer is non-refundable, so please take your session appointment very seriously. No calls/no shows will result in your session being forfeited, and Jessica Estes Photography shall have the right to terminate any business and future business with that particular client. Being late to your session, without a valid reason, may also result in the aforementioned consequences. Weddings will require a retainer of 10% to complete booking, with the remainder due no later than 60 days prior to the wedding date.
Q: How much do you charge for wedding day coverage?
A: My packages start at $1200 and can be upwards of $2500, it all just depends on exactly what you want for your big day! I also have A La Carte items for purchase. Please contact me for complete pricing.
Q: What happens if we go over the contracted amount of time for my wedding coverage?
A: I understand that not everything goes as planned during a wedding. I never pack up before the contracted time, and I do not leave on the dot when time is up. If a session looks like it will go over the contracted time, I will ask you whether or not you would like to extend the session. If you would like to extend, I will charge a rate specified in your contract, rounded to the closest 30 minute increment.
Q: Do we get all of the images you take?
A: Each session has an alloted number of photos that they will be given. I take lots of photos during each session, then I weed through them and choose only the best. I upload them to a private online gallery for you to choose only the ones that you want. If you would like more photos than the alloted amount with your session, others may be purchased for $11.50 each.
Q: Can I have copies of the unedited photos?
A: I do not provide RAW or unprocessed files from our shoots, because I believe in delivering a finished product. However if you absolutely need your RAW images, we will provide them to you along with your edited photos for an additional fee of $1500.
Q: Do we get the rights to all of the photos?
A: You will get the right to PRINT the images whenever you want, wherever you want. This is not to be confused with Copyrights. You may not sell your images, submit them anywhere for personal gain(ex:contests) or publish your images without the written consent of Jessica Estes Photography. Jessica Estes Photography holds the sole COPYRIGHT of all images, unless purchased. You may not "re-edit" the photos, alter them in any way or change anything about them. Doing so may result in legal issues. However, purchasing the copyrights to the images will allow you to do anything you would like with the photos, and is available for an additional $1500 per session.
Q: When/where can we expect to see our photos from our session?
A: Most of the time, you can expect to see your first sneak peek on my Facebook page within a week of your session. Post production for sessions are typically completed within three to four weeks after the date of the shoot, for most sessions. To be on the safe side, please allow 4 weeks to receive your completed photos. If you require the images to be completed prior to four weeks after the date of the shoot, a rush-process fee of $100.00 will be charged. For Weddings or Events, please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. If you require the images to be completed prior to 4-6 weeks after the date of the event, a rush-process fee of $300.00 will be charged.
Q: How long does it take to get my prints?
A: Product creation times vary, however in general, print orders will be completed within 3-4 weeks after the product order is submitted, occasionally sooner. It is safe to assume that you will get them 4-5 weeks after your session. Similar to the post production process, if you require rush-processing, a fee of $100.00 will be charged. Additional fees for rush shipping may also apply.
Q: Do you backup our images? How can we ensure that our images won’t be lost?
A: Your images will be backed up for 1 year from the session date. On the anniversary of the session, your backed up images may be archived or purged. If you would like a backup USB of your images, the USB is $150. To place an order for this USB, please contact me well BEFORE the 1 year is over.
If you have ANY questions that aren't addressed above, PLEASE feel free to contact me! I would be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have!
Revised 6/2015 © Jessica Estes Photography