FAQ
Do you travel outside of Tacoma-Seattle?
In most cases, yes. I travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and could be talked into traveling farther with ample notice.
How long have you been doing this?
I started my first photography business in 2009 as a part-time endeavor. It was 2013 when I became interested in seniors, high medical needs, and grief, and it was 2016 when I went full time as a photographer. It was 2017 when I decided I needed to learn how to paint.
How many photos do we get?
You choose how many images or prints you'd like to buy from your selection of proofs, from just one to all of them. There aren't any prescribed packages or order minimums. Proofs are the images you'll see from the session that are available to you; mini sessions yield five proofs, regular length sessions have 20 proofs, adventure / half-day sessions have 80 proofs, and the number of proofs varies for small businesses, weddings, and nonprofits.
How do we get our photos?
You'll have access to an online gallery of your images where you can download the image files you purchased or order prints. You'll also be able to share your gallery.
Do you retouch photos?
Nope. Seeing real life is important to me.
What is your turn around time?
It depends on the time of year, the type of session, and my current executive function. For sessions that are about an hour long, I usually have proofs ready to view in two weeks.
How do we book you?
If we haven't worked together before, we'll start with a chat so we can decide if we are a good team. If we both think we are a match, we can book the session then. Once we've worked together, you can send me a message and I'll mark you down on the calendar or you can book a session online.
Can you help us with planning?
Yes. Well, sorta. The planning I do is more about understanding your family, your connections, and your emotional needs. I don't worry about props and stuff like that, and the styling is your real life, so that part's already done.
How far out do you book?
During the dry time of year (May - October), I generally book about six weeks in advance and leave room in my schedule for urgent Friends of Conan sessions. In the soggier Pacific Northwest months I can usually schedule sessions within three weeks.
What if my animal is really shy or fearful with new people?
We can try a series of short visits to build trust, and I am able to give ample space by using a telephoto lens. If your family member is really shaken up with new people, though, a photography session is likely going to create unnecessary stress and that will show in the photographs. This is something we should talk about.
Can I be in the photos? Do I have to be in the photos?
Yes and no. It's totally up to you. Lots of people don't want to be photographed and some do. I respect your decision and won't try to talk you into changing your mind.
Can my kids be in the photos?
Of course! We can talk about what you have in mind when we plan the session, and it's worth remembering that the main focus of the session is going to be the non-human family member.
Can you reproduce a photograph as a painting?
I can, but I'd much rather make something for you that is unique. Painting in a way that looks like a photograph isn't something I enjoy, and those are commission requests I usually refer to other artists.
I know exactly what I want for my painting. What happens next?
I'll probably refer you to another artist. I like to create with a lot of freedom and most of the paintings I create don't follow my initial plan. When someone tells me exactly what to do and how things should look, I don't do very good work. I want to work with people who tell me how they want to feel when they see the art and then respond to that.
Do you do "real" paintings or is everything digital?
I create both. Most of the pieces I create are digitally made. Using digital media makes creating more accessible for me, and I also avoid getting dog hair and cat fur in finished pieces. Plus, the digital pieces can be printed as stationery and other cool stuff. "Real" pieces happen, usually with families I've created for previously, and they typically take longer.