Questions you may have
Frequently asked questions
Choose your session and I'll answer what people ask most.
Engagements
Relaxed time together in soft light, with just enough direction.
We’re not models. How does posing even work?
You don’t need to be. Posing guidance is included, and my job is to give you direction that feels natural, not stiff or staged. I’ll suggest movement, angles, and interactions that pull out the way you actually are together. Most couples are surprised by how quickly they forget the camera is there. That’s exactly the goal.
Where should we do our engagement session?
Wherever feels most like you. There are stunning options, beaches, open fields, golden-hour marshes, and more. I’ll help you choose a location that fits your personality and the style of images you’re going for. Location assistance is included. If you have a meaningful spot you want to use, let’s talk about it.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes, and honestly, please do. Pets are welcome at engagement sessions and they often make the photos feel more real and personal. Just know that locations vary in their pet policies, so we’ll factor that in when choosing where to shoot.
What should we wear? Can we do two outfits?
Two outfits are a great way to add variety to your gallery. Think about one look that’s a little more dressed up and one that feels more relaxed and you. Outfit assistance is included, so I’ll help you think through what will look great on camera and coordinate well together without being too matchy-matchy. I’ll also give you guidance on colors and styles that photograph beautifully.
What if the weather is bad?
We’ll keep an eye on the forecast together and make a plan. Light overcast days actually photograph beautifully, soft, even light with no harsh shadows. If the weather is a genuine problem, we’ll reschedule. I want your session to feel good, not stressed.
Elopements
Just the two of you, or a handful of people, and room to breathe.
Do you help us plan the location? Can you scout it?
Yes, this is built into every package. Location recommendations and custom timeline assistance are included, not an add-on. I want you to walk into your elopement day knowing exactly where you’re going, what the light will look like, and what the plan is if something needs to shift. If it’s a location I haven’t shot before, I’ll do the research so we arrive prepared.
Do we need permits? Will you help with that?
Permit requirements vary by location, national parks, state parks, and some public lands all have different rules. I’ll help you navigate what’s needed for your specific location as part of your planning consultation. This isn’t something you should have to figure out alone, and it’s part of what sets working with an experienced elopement photographer apart.
What if the weather is bad?
We’ll keep an eye on the forecast together and make a plan. Light overcast days actually photograph beautifully, soft, even light with no harsh shadows. If the weather is a genuine problem, we’ll reschedule. I want your session to feel good, not stressful. We always recommend working with an event planner who builds weather backup plans just in case.
What should we wear? Can we do two outfits?
Two outfits are a great way to add variety to your gallery. Think about one look that’s a little more dressed up and one that feels more relaxed and you. Outfit assistance is included, so I’ll help you think through what will look great on camera and coordinate well together without being too matchy-matchy. I’ll also give you guidance on colors and styles that photograph beautifully.
Can we have guests at our elopement?
Yes. Your elopement is your ceremony, you make the rules. Whether it’s just the two of you, your immediate family, or a small group of your closest people, I can accommodate it. Just let me know so we can factor guest count into the timeline and location selection.
Can we bring our pets or children?
Absolutely, just let me know upfront so we can plan around them. Pets and young children can be limiting factors at certain locations (especially national parks and some trails), so we’ll choose a location that works for everyone. The earlier I know, the better I can set you up for a smooth day.
What if we want to hike to our ceremony location?
I’m here for it. I’m equipped for adventure, whatever the terrain requires, I’ll be right there with you. Just be upfront about what you’re planning so I can prepare the right gear and build a timeline that accounts for travel time and the physical demands of the location.
Can you also be our witness or help us find an officiant?
I’m happy to be your witness if that’s what you need. For officiants, I can point you toward trusted options for your location, that’s the kind of logistical support that’s part of working with an experienced elopement photographer rather than someone who’s just showing up to take photos.
Maternity
The glow of these months, kept honestly, before everything changes.
When is an ideal time to schedule my shoot?
The ideal window is between 28 and 34 weeks. Your bump is full and unmistakably present, and most clients are still comfortable moving freely. That said, there is no wrong time, if you are ready to be seen, we are ready to show up.
What should I wear?
Wear what makes you feel the most powerful, the most alive, the most entirely yourself. If you are unsure, we will help you figure it out before the session. Outfit guidance, colors, silhouettes, what to avoid, is provided for every client. We offer suggestions of something that is tight fitted around the belly.
Can I bring personal items or baby details?
Yes, and we encourage it. Sonograms, a baby onesie, an heirloom, the nursery item that made everything feel real. If something belongs in the frame, bring it. We will find a way to weave it in.
Do you travel for maternity sessions?
Yes. We are based in the United States and travel nationwide. If your session is somewhere worth going, we will meet you there. Travel is billed separately.
How are images delivered?
Photos are delivered through an online gallery in both print and social formats. Sneak peeks within 48 hours (or 24 hours for Journey Collection clients), with the full gallery following shortly after.
What physical products are included?
The Memory Collection includes a Signature 11″ × 14″ framed print in a handcrafted wooden frame made in America. The Journey Collection includes a Satin 8x8 book curated with your best photos, plus one grandparents print.
Can my partner be included?
Absolutely. Partners and older children are welcome at the session. We typically begin with solo portraits and add in any additional people toward the end of the session, so you have both.
How do I book?
Reach out through the inquiry form. A 50% deposit is required at booking to hold your date. The remaining balance is due on or before your session date. Booking typically requires at least one week of lead time.
How do we figure out what to wear?
Outfit assistance is included, you don’t have to figure this out alone. The general guideline: think coordinated, not matching. Soft neutrals, layered textures, and earth tones photograph beautifully and feel timeless. Avoid busy logos or patterns that compete with your faces. I’ll give you direction during our planning process so you show up feeling confident and put-together, not stressed about whether everyone looks right.
Where will we take the photos?
I’ll help you choose a location, if you do not have one in mind, that fits your family’s vibe and the look you’re going for. There are incredible backdrops, from open beaches and marsh views to parks with gorgeous light at golden hour. If you have a spot that’s meaningful to your family, let’s talk about it. Location assistance is included in every package, and I’ll help narrow it down based on the season, your session time, and the feel you’re after.
What if our kids don’t cooperate?
Honestly? This is one of the most common things I hear before a session, and here’s the truth: kids act like kids, and that’s actually what makes the photos feel real. I’m not here to force stiff poses, I’m here to capture your family as you actually are. I keep sessions relaxed and playful, which means even the reluctant ones usually come around. Posing guidance is included, and I’ll give the whole family direction so nobody’s standing there awkwardly wondering what to do.
What exactly is a Mommy + Me session?
It’s a session designed exclusively for you and your child, or children. No partners, no extended family, just mom and her kids. The focus is on your relationship: the way you look at each other, the way they reach for you, the moments that are happening right now that you’ll want to remember forever. If you want to include dad or the whole family, that becomes a Family Session, but Mommy + Me is its own dedicated experience, just for the two of you.
My kids are older. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Mommy + Me sessions are typically for children ages 1 through 13, and each session is adapted to meet your child where they are. Older children get comfortable in front of the camera quickly, and the bond between a mom and her child doesn’t have an expiration date. We’ll adapt the session to whatever season of life you’re in.
I’m not comfortable in front of a camera. Will you help me?
Yes, and that’s one of the most important parts of my job. Posing guidance is included in every session. You’ll never be standing there stiff and awkward, wondering what to do with your hands. I’ll give you direction that feels natural, and I’ll keep the session warm and relaxed so you can actually enjoy it. Most moms tell me they forgot they were being photographed by the end.
What should we wear?
Think soft, cozy, and coordinated. Neutral tones, textures, and layers tend to photograph beautifully and make the focus the relationship, not the outfits. Outfit assistance is included, so I’ll help you think through what to wear based on your session location and the look you’re going for. If you’re unsure, bring a couple of options and we’ll decide together.
Where will we shoot? Can we do this at home?
Yes, in-home sessions are a beautiful option for Mommy + Me, especially when you want to capture the real texture of your everyday life together. Outdoor sessions are gorgeous too, especially at golden hour. Location assistance is included, and I’ll help you choose what fits the story you want to tell.
How long is the session? Will my toddler make it?
Sessions are designed to be relaxed and focused, not a marathon. We’ll talk through timing during your planning conversation so the session fits your child’s natural rhythm. I keep things playful and move with the energy in the room, not against it.
How do I book?
Use the booking page to choose your session and book a call. We settle your date and details together, and a 50% retainer holds it. If you have questions first, send an inquiry through the contact page and I’ll reply within 24 hours.
Is a deposit required?
Yes. A 50% retainer is required to secure your session date.
What’s your rescheduling policy if someone gets sick?
Life happens. If someone wakes up sick on session day, let me know as early as possible and we’ll find a date that works. I want your session to feel joyful, not forced, so if the timing isn’t right, we’ll reset and get it right.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Life is unpredictable, and I get that. If you need to cancel, your deposit is fully refundable as long as you let me know more than 48 hours before your session or event. If you cancel within 48 hours of your shoot, Satin & Silk Studio retains the 50% deposit, because that time has been held exclusively for you and can’t be filled on short notice. If something comes up and you need to reschedule rather than cancel, reach out as early as you can and we’ll find a date that works.
How far will you travel?
We are based in the United States and travel nationwide. Travel is billed separately from your session.
When will we receive our photos?
Sneak peeks arrive within 24 to 48 hours, depending on your package. Full galleries arrive within 7 business days for most sessions, with print-resolution images and a personal print release.
Still wondering?
Ask me anything
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