Frequently Asked

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO HAVE A VIRTUAL SHOOT?

We are proudly transparent about our process and encourage our clients to share every detail of their experience with you.  Click here to read about Beth's experience in her own words and her best advice for planning your session. We will meet inside of a virtual studio app on your phone where I will be able to take photos, using your camera, as if I were there in person with you.  When we first log on you will hear my voice then see my face on screen.  During the shoot I’ll guide you through poses and direct you to position the tripod for the best angles and lighting.  Many of my clients ask a friend to assist with this part and love how interactive the process is.  They love how easy and energizing the process is and feel less camera shy not having a huge camera lens pointed at them. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE STRATEGY CALL?

Planning for your photoshoot is one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. This is my chance to build a connection with you that will have you showing up on shoot day excited to create gorgeous images, with a friend.  I'll learn your story and you'll share your plans for the final images, ensuring delivery of the exact shots you need.  Prior to the call you'll share a mood board.  We'll discuss your aesthetic, comfort level in front of the camera, and the feeling you want your images to convey.  This is an interesting part of the process for me and often so eye opening for you. We are all guilty of getting too busy working on our business and we forget to work within it. These conversations help us remember and bring your vision to life.  I’ll provide you with all the details you need to feel prepared and excited about your session with me. After the call I'll curate the art direction for your session and you'll meet with our in-house stylist.  If we are shooting in your home or office we will lock down setups.  We will also bring forward the threads of your story ensuring our final images showcase your values, experience and feel undisputedly, like you.  

 

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

After you book your session and pay a deposit to hold your date, I will reach out to you to schedule our strategy session.  The day of your shoot you'll log onto an app where we will meet in a private, virtual studio.  You'll clean your camera lens and set your phone up in the tripod, which I will supply.  You'll be able to hear my voice and see my face on the screen during your session.  This allows me to direct you and give you feedback exactly like I am there with you, in person.  Some clients like to invite a friend to the studio to be my "legs" for the session, assist with moving the tripod, and join in the fun. Others really love the privacy of the shoot and are more easily able to relax without another person's energy in the studio, and without a huge, intimidating camera pointed at them.  From there it's just like any other photoshoot.  I'll pose you with clear directions, you'll have your mood board to refer to as a visual reference, and we will get all the shots we need. The images are stored in the gallery until I download them to my hard-drive for editing. Your digital gallery will be delivered 10 days after your session.

 

CAN I PUT YOU ON RETAINER FOR THE YEAR?

Do you need photos multiple times a year for your business? Why resort to stock photos when you can have engaging content for your website and socials.  We open a small number of spots per year for consultants, coaches, creatives, and those within the interior design and fashion space who are looking to up-level their imagery through lifestyle photography.  We support our clients need for fresh portfolio, web, and social content by scheduling quarterly photoshoots. Annual clients receive priority scheduling (aka, you don't have to wait the usual 1+ month to get on my schedule) also enjoy a discounted rate from our single session fee in exchange for a one year commitment.

 

WHAT IS YOUR AVAILABILITY?

Please reach out as soon as you can if you are wanting to book my services. I book sessions  several months out to fully plan and hold the photoshoot vision for each client.  Occasionally, I can book a shoot with less than a months’ notice.  Contact me if you are working in a tighter timeline and I’ll try my best to accommodate you.

 

HOW MANY IMAGES WILL I RECEIVE?

Editorial clients receive a minimum of 200 professionally edited images.  All images are delivered in a beautiful, private, digital gallery where you and your team can download high res or web sized images.  

​

WHAT AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING?

You'll be prompted every step of the way.  We will deliver the tripod for our session to your door and be by your side every step of the way, holding the overall vision of the shoot, for you.  After the consultation, you will have everything you need to choose your ideal location, select your clothing and props.  If we are shooting in your home or office I'll ask you to send a video of the space and help identify places to set up for our session.  An ideal location for your session is one full of natural light.  Some of my clients enjoy the freedom of booking an airbnb or studio to make the session feel celebratory and extra special. 

 

DO I NEED TO HAVE HAIR AND MAKEUP PROFESSIONALLY DONE?

I never require anything of you that you don’t feel comfortable with, but I recommend hair and makeup if it will take the pressure off you. The most important thing is that you feel free to be fully present and yourself.  If hair and makeup helps with that…it's worth it.  

 

ARE THERE HIDDEN FEES?

Nothing is hidden—ever.  There is no up sell and I will not pressure you to purchase prints although our online gallery does have the option of prints, photo books and more!  My priority is delivering the best photo session experience possible, so that's where I focus my attention.  You will have 30 days to enjoy your digital gallery, download images of your choosing, and purchase more if you are inclined.  If you choose to have your photo shoot in an airbnb or studio, those costs are not included in your session fee. 

 

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

If you’ve already put a deposit down for your session and need to postpone, for any reason, the deposit is transferable but not refundable. We can schedule a one-time transfer of your deposit to a new date for your photoshoot.  Please note rebooking your session is subject to availability. The balance of your session is due 7 days prior to your photoshoot date.  If you cancel your session with less than 7 days notice we will refund 50% of your session fee. 

 

WHAT DO I WEAR FOR MY SESSION?

After our strategy call where we will solidify the storyline and creative vision for your photo session, our in-house stylist will reach out for your private consultation.  She will dive into your closet with you to select three curated looks that will have you feeling your best self for shoot day. 

 

DO I NEED STUDIO LIGHTING?

Nope! We’ll make magic with the light you have.  I love working with natural light, it is always the most flattering.  Before our strategy call you'll share a video of you space to ensure there is ample light. We will discuss the ideal time of day, when daylight is at its most gorgeous for your shoot, during our call. If for some reason your space isn't ideal we'll discuss other options such as Airbnb or studio rentals. 

 

CAN YOU EDIT IN A SPECIFIC STYLE?

Our signature editing style is warm with true blacks and creamy highlights.  Visit our gallery and spend time with our images to ensure we are the best for for you. Oh, you're a photographer too and you'd like some Golden style of your own?  Shop our presets here. 

 

WHAT IS YOUR TURNAROUND TIME?

Your full gallery, edited and ready to share will be available within two weeks of your shoot. At that time you'll select the images you'd like to download from the comfort of your laptop, curled up with your favorite coffee or cocktail.  Take your time, you will have 30 days to review, access, download and purchase additional images from your gallery, before your session is archived.  Once your session is archived there is a $150 un-archiving fee to restore your session from the hard drives. You may also choose to host your own gallery for up to one year. *Annual hosting is included in all of our full services packages.

 

CAN I HAVE THE RAW IMAGES?

You will receive your images edited and processed as jpeg files in an online gallery that makes saving and sharing easy for you.  Raw images are very large, trust me — you don't want them crashing your computer. 

 

WHAT ARE YOUR TERMS?

Copyright of all images belongs to The Goldenbrand Studio.  This is standard in the photography industry.  Any departure from this must be agreed to in writing before our session.  Your photos are yours to use in every way possible to promote you and your business, and of course, for your personal use.  *Commercial usage rights are available for purchase.  Please submit your request in writing. 

 

DO YOU PHOTOSHOP THE IMAGES?

We edit for aesthetic not "perfection".  I don't photoshop people. Instead, I encourage you to look at yourself in a new way—the way I see you. You have worked hard to be here in front of my lens.  The images I take will honor that.