FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
WHAT TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?
Kent Avenue Photography specializes in Maternity, Newborn, Family & Brand photography. We share our time between the California Bay Area and Charlotte North Carolina. We photograph indoor/outdoor, natural-light sessions, with the goal of capturing your family or brand in the most beautiful light. We shoot 100% film photography for it’s soft, airy tones and timeless quality. We work to carefully-craft a uniquely personalized experience for each individual client! Learn more about us here.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO MATERNITY / NEWBORN / FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY?
We believe that every family is unique, therefore every session should be unique. This being the case, we take the utmost care in designing and preparing for your session. Communication is so important. Upon booking, we will reach out to you with our Getting to Know You form to learn a little more about your family ~ any wishes (or hesitations) you may have and your ultimate goal for our time together. We use an editorial~inspired, storytelling approach to capturing your family and creating gallery-like art for your home! Learn more about our session experience here.
DO YOU OFFER MINI SESSIONS?
We do not. Our approach looks to provide you with a collection of images that speak to this particular season in your family’s life. In our experience, it is not one image that tells this story but a series of moments that speak volumes. We are enamored by the dance. Our goal is to not only deliver your portrait .... but your story.
We do however celebrate (2) studio events. For (7) consecutive years, we have partnered with a local floral designer for our annual Motherhood event as well as a December Holiday event. These are abbreviated sessions for those looking to capture an image in celebration of Mother’s Day or for your annual holiday card. We hope to continue with these sessions when the unique challenges posed by COVID subside.
SESSION DETAILS
WHERE WILL MY SESSION BE HELD?
Sessions are held at home or at one of our beautiful California Bay Area or Charlotte, North Carolina outdoor locations. ( pssst, we travel upon request!) Learn more about our session experience here.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
Upon securing your session date on our calendar, we will forward you our Portraiture Planning Guide with lots of sweet bits on our upcoming time together, as well as links to several of our (wardrobe / hair / makeup) Pinterest boards which serve as a little fun inspiration! In addition, all of our clients have access to our curated client wardrobe where you will find a beautiful selection of designer dresses in soft layered neutrals for both mama, child and newborn.
WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME OF AN AVERAGE SESSION?
While we typically put aside 1-2hrs for every session, most sessions extend about an hour. You are our priority. We have been hired to collaborate with you to create art for your family. Please do not feel as though a little hiccup will derail our session. Such is life ~ in fact 9 times our of 10 this is the way! We are not shooting the entire time; we have built in time for potty breaks, snacks, meltdowns (yup) etc. Sessions are super relaxed and go with the flow.
Our goal is to create a morning or afternoon that is completely enjoyable for your family! We have a framework that we use to guide us during our time together; keeping us on track while allowing plenty of time for serendipitous moments to unfold. Our goal is to create a complete gallery that speaks to your family’s dynamic and love. Your only job is to show up and enjoy your family! Learn more about our session experience here.
HOW MUCH DO SESSIONS COST?
We collect a ‘design fee’ as well as a ‘purchase minimum’ to secure your place on our calendar. The ‘purchase minimum’ acts as a retainer, and is issued in the form of a credit to be applied to your final online order. We offer a wide variety of Collections and à la carte products. Our full pricing menu (including fine art small gift prints, fine art wall prints, heirloom albums, digital files, etc) is available upon request. To learn more about our pricing, please see here.
MATERNITY / NEWBORN
IS THERE A DISCOUNT WHEN BOOKING BOTH A MATERNITY & NEWBORN SESSION?
Yes. When booking a Maternity and Newborn session together, the session fee for your Newborn session is waived.
WHEN DO YOU RECOMMEND NEWBORN SESSIONS TAKE PLACE?
Many photographers suggest photographing newborns within the first 7-10 days. However in our experience, we find that photographing newborns a bit later at about 5-6 weeks is really enjoyable. Newborns have often had time to get to know their families a bit and little ones are starting to settle into their features. We have found that it is just an overall relaxed and enjoyable experience. Especially at home where your family is extra relaxed and comfy. There is honestly no pressure. Families typically shoot within the first few months of their child's arrival. Learn more about our newborn session experience here.
IMAGES
WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE OUR IMAGES?
Each and every hand-edited image is carefully crafted and prepared. You should expect to receive your online gallery approximately 3 - 4 weeks following your session date.
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL WE RECEIVE IN OUR GALLERY?
You will receive approximately 30-35 images in your online ordering gallery. Print products and high-resolution digital images are available separately for purchase.
WILL ALL THE IMAGES PROVIDED IN OUR GALLERY BE RETOUCHED?
Each and every image is very carefully reviewed. All images will receive any necessary color correction and minor retouching. One of the reasons we enjoy using film (aside from the way it renders light so beautifully) is it’s painterly quality and the way it flatters skin tones. Should you wish for more in-depth edits, we are happy to provide you with a custom quote for this added service.
HOW MUCH DO SESSIONS COST?
We collect a ‘design fee’ as well as a ‘purchase minimum’ to secure your date on our calendar. The ‘purchase minimum’ acts as a retainer and is issued in the form of a credit to be applied towards your final online order. We offer a wide variety of Collections and à la carte products. Our full pricing menu (including fine art small gift prints, fine art wall prints, heirloom albums, digital files, etc) is available upon request. To learn more about our pricing, please see here.
PRODUCTS & ORDERING
HOW DO WE PLACE OUR ORDER FOLLOWING OUR SESSION?
We will forward you an online link to view your curated gallery of images as well as a coupon code for your prepaid retainer,. You will then apply this coupon code upon checkout toward the balance of your online product purchase. Products are prepared with the utmost of care and delivered right to your doorstep!
DO YOU OFFER FINE ART PRINT PRODUCTS?
Yes. Fine art small gift prints, wall prints, heirloom albums and birth announcements are available for purchase. Products are available both a la carte and as packaged Collections. Should you need help, we will work to guide you in selecting art to grace the walls and hallways of your home. Clean, fresh images to breathe life into your space, preserve your family legacy, and remind you (and your children) of the incredible love you share! Contact us here to learn more about our full pricing menu.
SHOULD I ORDER PRINTS DIRECTLY THROUGH KENT AVENUE OR PRINT ON MY OWN?
Images ordered through our online gallery are guaranteed to be of the highest quality. Each is printed by our professional lab on archival quality Fuji Matte photographic paper. Our computer is calibrated to our lab's printer, assuring accuracy in color, brightness, etc. Please note that we are unable to guarantee quality of images printed from consumer labs.
CAN WE PURCHASE DIGITAL FILES?
Yes, Digital files are available both individually and at a discounted packaged rate.
BOOKING
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK?
We photograph a limited number of Maternity / Newborn /Family / Brand clients each month to ensure a completely customized experience. Our California clients typically book 6 months (to a year) in advance while our North Carolina clients typically book approx. 3 months in advance. If you are interested in newborn sessions, please inquire while you are pregnant so that we can work together on timing your session.
HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION WITH YOU?
Ah, we can’t wait! Please begin the first step in our process and help us get to know you by filling out our online Contact form. We reply to all of our inquiries within 48 hours. Once you have filled out our Contact form and we have discussed availability, you will then let us know when you are ready.
We will then forward you over our online Model Release (with pre-paid retainer request) and Getting to Know You forms to book. Session dates are unable to be held and are booked on a first come, first serve basis. Upon completion of signed online forms and prepaid retainer, your date will be added to our calendar! And then the fun begins. Please see here to get started!
