frequently asked questions

+ WHAT DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH?

I photograph people, pure and simple. I use a documentary(ish) approach with families and children to preserve moments, tell stories, and build connections (see the next questions for more on this). I work with high school seniors and business professionals to make honest, artful portraits. I also shoot nontraditional, fine art school portraits for several schools each year, and I have full-wedding experience.

+ WHAT IS A SESSION WITH YOU GOING TO BE LIKE?

I aim to capture a sense of your present life because things are ever-changing and those backpacks on the floor and handprints on the storm doors won’t be there forever. My style of photography stems from my belief that the extraordinary lies in the ordinary and real is more interesting than perfect. YOU are the heart of your home, not the perfectly organized bookshelves or the fluffed decorative pillows and matching throws. I am reactive versus proactive, capturing your life as it unfolds, stopping time and allowing you to see the beauty within the everyday. This means the pressure is off. You don’t need to worry about how everyone looks or what everyone is doing because the results will be best when all parties are able to simply be themselves. During the session, you’ll spend time hanging out as you normally do, and I'll just happen to be along for the ride with camera in hand, making conversation or quietly observing, depending on the moment. I’ll document what happens without relying on prompts, posing, or too much intervention. And in the end, you will have a collection of meaningful images that work together to reflect who you are and what life feels like right now.

+ WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE FROM START TO FINISH?

Because I give individual attention to each family and session, no two look exactly the same. As far as a general process, though, this is what you can expect:

• Initial Contact: You’ll share some general information about your desired session on the contact form at the bottom of this page. I will respond within 24-48 hours to set up a phone call.
• Follow Up: We’ll chat and make sure we are a good fit. I will answer any questions, and we will discuss how you plan on using your images as well as which parts of your life are most meaningful to you. Then, when you are ready, we will set a date and time for the session itself and handle the session fee.
• Continued Contact: After we schedule your session, you will receive a questionnaire to return to me, and we will refine the details of the story you'd like to tell. I’m always an email or phone call away if you have ideas or thoughts you want to share.
• Shoot: We will meet up as planned for the session, stress-free and fun! Kids will be kids, you’ll roam around as you normally do, and we’ll create images that will forever remind you of this stage of life. We will go over product options and the follow up process.
• Choosing Your Products: Once I have carefully hand-edited and processed your photos (within 8 weeks), I will create an online, private gallery of your images and send it your way. You will then be able to choose which products you'd like to invest in. I'm available to help you make custom product decisions, as much or as little as you need me. Purchased digital files will be available to download immediately, and printed items will be sent to your home as soon as they are ready.

+ HOW LONG DO THE SESSIONS LAST?

I don't time sessions, but the typical short family session falls right around 30 minutes, and the full family session lasts anywhere from 60-90 minutes. If you’d like a longer session (half or full day storytelling session) or a special package, please let me know and we can discuss options.

+ WHAT IF OUR KIDS ARE GRUMPY OR ACT UP?

Guess what? That fear alone is the perfect reason to book with me. I love and relate well to kids in any mood, and I will meet them where they are and roll with it. We will tailor your session around times that tend to be best for your family, and I won't put any pressure on kids to do anything in particular while I’m photographing. Parents can sit back and relax when I arrive beacuse I'll spend some time just earning the kids' trust. From my experience, they will open up and naturally show their personalities with this approach.

+ WILL YOUR CANDID APPROACH WORK FOR US IF WE LIKE TO DISPLAY IMAGES ON OUR WALLS?

Yes! In fact, most clients invest in wall art featuring their favorite images. I am motivated by capturing families and children in their element, with all of their unique features and true personality. It's just more of an "in-the-moment" verses a "smile-and-say-cheese" capture, resulting in beautiful, natural portraits and real moments. These are the photos that will make you smile when you walk by them year after year because they will take you right back to this moment in time.

+ WILL WE DO ANY "LOOK AT THE CAMERA AND SMILE" POSES?

My goal is to capture the true, authentic emotion between you and your loved ones. The results are most natural when you are all relaxed, and highly-posed sessions tend to be the opposite of that. However, we will definitely sneak a few loosely-posed family portraits into each session because I know that can be valuable, too.

+ WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR FOR OUR SESSION?

I will be shooting in a way that puts your family at the focus of the photos, not the cleanliness of the house or the matching outfits. It’s the connections, the expressions, and the dirty little feet that will make your photos special, not the perfectly made beds or trendy attire. This means you can wear what you normally wear and free yourself from the stress of preparing and then forcing everyone into clothes they don’t like. Comfort is key, and favorite outfits or whatever your child grabs from the drawers that morning might be the best choice. If you typically wear sweatpants and t-shirts around the house on a Saturday morning, that's what you should wear for your session! Two things you will want to do: check for clean faces/noses and rogue hairties around wrists.

**In specific scenarios, you may want to coordinate a bit. In that case, I suggest selecting a few colors or a color scheme to work in with neutrals, but please don't wear matching jeans and white shirts. Other general suggestions: Lean toward muted or bright (but not neon) solids, subtle patterns, and colors that look best on you. Avoid big logos/brand names and print. Include layers and pieces with texture. I’m happy to lend a hand on this.

+ HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE OUR HOME?

As far as preparing your house, I vote to let go and leave it more or less how it typically is. Part of what is special about this stage of life in your home is the physical environment, and that is different for everyone. Kids may be running in and out, leaving footprints and leaves on the floor, and rooms may be full of favorite toys or stuffed animals, and that's all a piece of your current story. I urge you to take a deep breath and allow your home to be relatively true to life. If it makes you feel more comfortable to tidy up a bit, that’s absolutely fine, but please don’t feel like you need to make the house look perfectly put together (unless that is how it is on the regular)!

**One note, it is helpful if you can spend a few minutes before I arrive opening curtains and doing anything else to make the house as naturally bright as possible.

+ DIGITAL FILES VS. PRINTS? WHICH CAMP DO YOU FALL IN?

Because the goal for any session is to tell your story and interactions through a series of related images, purchasing all of the digital files is a popular option. However, as time has gone on, I truly see the importance of using your favorite photographs as printed pieces of art and storytelling. Owning the digital files does allow you to archive them to print, share, and use however you want at any point in the future. But, often the files just live on a hard drive because…well, life is busy. So, I believe in promptly printing your favorite images to view on the daily, not only because that will make you happy, but also because there is no guarantee your digital files will be maintained, looked at, or used by others in the future. But the prints and albums? Those will be cherished and regularly enjoyed for generations to come. Those are what you will grab in case of an emergency and what your kids will flip through on the couch. The tangible art is a lasting piece of your legacy. Clients typically choose to purchase an album and/or framed wall art in addition to digital files.

+ I DOWNLOADED MY PURCHASED DIGITAL FILES. NOW WHAT DO I DO?

Please make sure your files are backed up safely, ideally in several locations. Technology changes and fails, and what's relevant today won't be years from now. This is just one of the reasons I suggest printing your favorite images in addition to keeping any purchased digital files routinely backed up. You will receive a print release for digital files with information and my lab recommendation. I cannot stress the importance of lab choice enough. Please ask if you have any questions! When sharing any digital images to social media, please make sure to tag/credit me. I value word-of-mouth referrals above anything else, so I am excited when people find me through friends and family.

+ DO YOU OFFER MINISESSIONS?

I hold my version of minisessions on specific dates in the fall. They are booked on a first come, first served basis and initially opened to those on my email list (sign up at the bottom of this page to join!). Minisessions are then announced on Instagram, so make sure to follow me @devonalbeit for updates as well. They fill quickly!

+ I'M NOT SURE IF WHAT I WANT FITS IN WITH YOUR OFFERINGS. DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM QUOTES?

Yes! Do you want something different than you see here, such as photography coverage for a Day-in-the-Life, extended family/reunion, backyard wedding, or other special event? Please don't hesitate to reach out and let me know what you are thinking. I am happy to work on putting something together that meets your needs and vision.

+ DO YOU TRAVEL?

I love to travel and am always up for the opportunity. If you are looking to book me from afar, I would love to chat about it. As far as more local travel, I have a milage fee for anything outside of 20 miles from 43212.

+ DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?

I recognize and respect that quality photography is an investment in all ways (and a worthy one at that), and I am happy to offer interest-free payment plans for 6 months to help spread out the costs so you can capture today comfortably and, ideally, continue to do so year after year.

+ HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK?

Sessions should be booked as soon as you are ready, especially if you have a specific date or timeframe in mind. Because I offer a complete experience (meaning I’m giving you dedicated attention from the time before the session until you have tangible art in your hands, if desired), I book a maximum of four sessions per month, so they go quickly.

+ I'M READY TO BOOK A SESSION! HOW DO I DO THAT?

I'm so excited and honored to hear that! Please click on the button below to fill out the contact form.