Whether you are coming to the studio for newborn photography, baby photography, child photography, or maternity photography, your session fee books studio time for you with your photographer, and compensates her for both her time and talent during your session, as well as for the post-session processing work. Unlike other 'fast-food' studios where your session takes 20 minutes or less, your session fee is providing you with a photographer willing to invest her time to capture wonderful images for you.

Included in this fee is:

- An initital consultation and custom planning for your newborn, baby, family or maternity session
-The photographers time and talent for up to three hours
-unlimited images captured during the session
-Archival creation and storage of your ordered images
-The preparation of an online slideshow for your image selection
-A custom in-studio ordering appointment where you will have access to design expertise when ordering your images.

Please remember that your session fee is due in full upon booking a session date, in order to secure your preferred date and time. This session fee is non-refundable, but transferrable to another date (not another person). While a potential date may be discussed during our initial conversation, that date is not held for you without payment. Please ensure that your deposit is received within 7 days of booking your selected date. If not received, Heather Rivlin Photography reserves the right to offer this session time and date to other clients.

I don't see any print packages listed in your pricing. Do you not offer packages?

As a consumer myself, I never like feeling like I have to pay for something I don't want, in order to obtain something that I do want. I want my clients to get EXACTLY what they want each and every time we work together, and so for this reason, I allow my clients to create their own packages. Clients are able to purchase what they desire, in whatever quantities preferred - they have the complete freedom to choose!

In this way, I feel I can give my clients the same flexibility that I always appreciate!

Are prints included in the session fee?

Yes, but only in the deluxe and premium session plans. The deluxe and premium plans provide you with a complete session album of prints, mounted in a custom handbound Cypress album.

Similarly to most services you receive, the cost of the labor and the cost of the product are listed separately.

Print prices refer to the value of the finished products that you receive from your session.

I am interested in newborn photography, and wondered what is the best age to achieve the result I see on your site?

All of the images that you see in the newborn gallery were captured with infants no older than 10 days at the time of our session. Very young newborn babies tend to sleep more soundly during a session, and tolerate the positional changes much better than older babies, who may no longer curl up or maintain the positions that you see in the image gallery. In order to obtain newborn portraits similar to what you see in the newborn image gallery, it is advised that you book your session at a time when your child is as new as possible.

I am interested in booking a maternity session. What is the best time during pregnancy to have photographs taken?

I generally recommend that moms-to-be arrange to have their session take place during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy. This timeframe allows you to be significantly pregnant with gorgeous curves and that pregnancy "glow", but not so far advanced in your pregnancy that clothing changes and positioning would be difficult to achieve during our session. Moms-to-be typically aim for several different clothing options (I recommend 3), and therefore, there is a lot of changing into and out of different styles. As pregnancy progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to do so. In addition, some of the positions that moms-to-be would like to see in their portraits become difficult to attain during the latter stages of pregnancy.

It is best to call for an appointment during the early stages of pregnancy so that the session can be booked well in advance. Because sessions are typically booking 2-5 months in advance, it can be very difficult and sometimes impossible to accommodate a mom-to-be who is in the later stages of pregnancy and needs images captured immediately.

I recommend moms-to-be call anytime from weeks 15-25 in order to make session arrangements.

Do you take a specific number of images per session? My previous photographer specified that he would only shoot 2 rolls of film.

No. I never limit the amount of images I capture during a session. I simply don't feel this is fair. It can take some time for everyone to "warm up" and, therefore, I like to shoot as many frames as is needed to present you with a nice variety of images from which to select. It also allows me complete freedom when capturing your images, and the potential to capture that one special image that I might not have caught had you been limited to a specific number of frames.

Do you shoot digitally or with film?

I am 100% digital and capture all of my images using top of the line professional digital photography equipment and photofinishing services.

How much should I budget for photography, and what do most customers invest in their photography session?

Custom photography is a luxury. Unlike department store, or other chain studios, custom photography affords you the luxury of completely customizing your session to your family's needs. Working with a custom photographer means that you will be working with someone invested in taking the time needed to ensure you get the very best from your portrait experience. Sessions are not rushed, and you are never "just a number".

Most clients who opt for custom photography are clients who appreciate and value high-end custom work, and who have a strong desire to obtain several different images of themselves, their children, and their families. Many clients arrive with a pre-determined plan in place for their images, whether it be that special gallery wall they have always wanted to create, a special keepsake album, or a variety of gifts for family members. If you do not have such a plan, that is OK too, we can work together to determine what your ultimate goal is from our working together.

Heather is happy to discuss your budget, and how you would like to allocate your resources for your session's images in the way that best suits your needs.

Can I purchase all of the images from the session?

Yes you can, and this is easily achieved by booking either a deluxe or a premium session, since both include a complete session album with your session fee.

I have booked a baby photography session, but my child has a scar in a rather obvious place, and we are now hesitant to get photographs created as a result.

I provide digital retouching services for any image you request. Because this is an intensive close-up artistic process, there is a retouching fee for this service. Please refer to my pricing page for details.

Heather Rivlin believes in capturing the true nature of children, and reserves the right to refuse to perform intensive retouching to "correct" any features of a child deemed to be less-than-ideal by parents or others i.e physical deformities, slimming techniques on children, etc...

What if my family members want to select some images of their own?

If you have family or friends who wish to view your session images, and possibly purchase images from your session, it is recommended that they attend the custom, in-studio viewing and ordering appointment with you. There, they will be able to see the images projected to the size they wish to order, and will be able to design any wall displays, storyboards etc.

What if my child or myself is sick on the day of the session?

In the event of family illness, I would kindly recommend that you call and reschedule the session. Children who are sick have difficulty following commands, and are often too sick to make your photographic session successful. Trying to "tough it out" will only result in disappointment, as your finished images will likely not be 'the child you know', and their state of health will show through in the images - the camera doesn't lie!

I would much prefer to reschedule a shoot if it means getting you images that you can truly be proud of.

What happens if I need to cancel and rebook my session date?

I understand that other events in our lives can sometimes interfere with our appointment, and I am always available to reschedule if the need arises. I do ask, however, that you provide me with 48 hours notice so that I can make that time slot available to other clients.

I also understand that emergencies happen where 48 hours notice is not possible, but would kindly ask you to adhere to this time guideline whenever possible.

What happens if I forget my appointment?

Your appointment time has been reserved specially for you, and the studio has been booked for you for the entire day. You have provided a retainer in order to secure your date/time. Failing to show up for your scheduled time means that a portrait space has been left unfilled. As a result, missed appointments result in the forfeiture of your retainer. Should you wish to reschedule your appointment, another retainer will be required.

 

Studio photography in Toronto for newborns children babies toddlers kids pregnancy maternity and family.