FAQ

Hello There!

How are you feeling?? Most people who enter the FAQ page are overwhelmed and nervous about reaching out! I get it, hiring a photographer is overwhelming and confusing. There are so many different types of photographers out there! Let's address some questions you may have according to me googling "what questions should you ask a photographer" so that I could put myself in your shoes!

1. What kind of camera and equipment do you use?

I use a FujiFilm xt100. It's a mirrorless digital camera that feels like a film camera. In fact there are lots of setting "recipes" out there to mimic old school film styles with this camera! And while I've been taking photos for a long time I am really new to the technical side of things so I'm not at a level where I'm ready to completely geek out on photography equipment.

2. What kind of photography experience do you have?

Technology is so readily available now that I have been doing product photography for small businesses with literally my iPhone for years. Where my photo shoot experience really took off is when I had my own small business and I needed not only product photos but lifestyle images for my website and social media. Coordinating photo shoots with models, makeup artist, scouting locations, styling, finding props, and all the other little details that go into place really set me up for understanding everything that goes into a shoot day. I have loads of photos in the portfolio section of my website all organized by project but my favorite is my 31 days of Halloween series. 

3. What do you enjoy photographing the most? And why, or what would you say is your specialty?

I love shooting friends! Really any two people is super fun but there's something so fun about a friend photo shoot. Actually that is exactly what made me dive into freelance photography! Please enjoy the following rambling story: me and my sister Hannah planned a super fun scavenger hunt day for my niece for her 17th birthday. We went all over town doing random tasks and the final task was to pose like a model for a photoshoot. The photos came out so good and were a complete blast! Fast forward to a few weeks later my friend Ella is planning an adventure day for her friend that was visiting from Michigan and she wanted to end the day in a friend photoshoot just like I did for my niece! I spent about an hour with them playing Lizzo on a speaker, helping them dress up in sparkly outfits, and directing them to pose and dance around while I snapped away. It was so much FUN! I walked away thinking holy crap I could do this for a job. So to finally answer the question I've asked myself, my specialty is for you to have fun and capture that. Don't get me wrong, I love being creative. I spend a ridiculous amount of time on Pinterest trying to imagine how I can cute-ify everything in my life. Creativity is like breathing for me. But I also really love community and connection and I want you to see your photos and remember what an amazing time you had! 

4. Can you tell me about your method or process?

The method to my madness is all about movement! The goal is to get you to loosen up so you don't feel or look stiff in front of the camera. Music always helps so if we're at a location where it's possible we will blast some Madonna or Lizzo or Panic at the Disco; whatever you're into! As far as my process on the post production side of things; I really try not to rely on photoshop too much. I want to brighten up the colors and make everything pop but I'm mostly leaving the photos as is.

5. What is the timeline for your sessions?

There are a lot of variables to consider but for a simple shoot it should be about an hour to an hour and a half of shoot time and turnaround time to get your photos is 3-5 days from the shoot day. If it is a much more elaborate shoot with multiple locations and outfit changes then the shoot time could be anywhere from 3-5 hours and the turnaround time is 1-2 weeks for the final photos.

Please, please, please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions! 

You can now book my photography services for Austin, TX! Send me an email emthibs@gmail.com to start talking about your photoshoot!