• FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the sessions that I am NOW BOOKING

Headshot Sessions, Branding, Adventure Sessions, Events, Weddings and custom sessions can also be booked by emailing: hello@lydiabrewerphotography.com

In an attempt to streamline client communication, I have gathered a list of frequently asked questions and responded with links to support my answers. These answers apply mainly to children and family portraiture but some responses can be applied to events and weddings as well. If you have specific questions about a session, please don’t hesitant to reach out.

What is your approach to a photo session?

My main objective as a portrait photographer is understanding and connecting with the person(s) that I am photographing. I have been repeatedly informed that I excel at this. I take time to get to know my subjects. Or, alternately, if I am photographing candid images, I study facial expressions from afar and allow my subject space to not feel my presence - because I am hunting for their natural reaction. During family sessions I will alternate between asking for certain, specific poses and asking my clients to play games and enjoy one another - so, I can capture true natural reactions. Secondary to that (but probably most importantly) I want it to be a positive experience for everyone. I honestly feel that a successful session is one where everyone has a great time.

I will attempt to gain the attention of your kids at the very beginning of the session. Mainly because children assume that the family photo process is going to be a drag. I want them involved, engaged and loving it. So, if I pull kiddos aside at the beginning, it’s because I am attempting to warm them up to the experience. I will play a game with them and my camera where they show me all their best silly faces (and usually it makes them smile for real.) I’ve been known to say “film is free” meaning: I will take as many photos as needed to pull a beautiful / perfect family portrait out of what feels like a lot of goofing around. Because that is the nature of kids. The more you fight their impulse to be wild, free and themselves, the harder it will be to create happy photos. Please be patient with this process. It’s crucial for me to connect with your kids in order to make the rest of the session successful.

In addition to studying photography for the last 25 years, I have also simultaneously worked with children as a preschool teacher, private nanny / house manager and Mom for even longer. So, when I say “I understand children,” I really understand them!

What types of sessions do you photograph?

I am thoroughly a portrait photographer. My vast understanding of lighting conditions and how to manage supplemental light allows me to have a wide range of focus. I cover in-home, studio or outdoor children’s portraits, families, senior sessions, headshots / branding, events, weddings and roller derby. 

  • Children - Connecting with kids is usually my main goal and greatest gift.

  • Families - Fun, posed and candid family portraits that promote play, showcase personality and capture connections.

  • Seniors - Unique, individualized portraits that truly capture personality.

  • Headshots  / Branding - Professional, posed, authentic and fresh headshots and branding sessions for corporate companies and individuals. 

  • Events - Mostly candid but some posed photos that properly document and thoroughly capture the essence of any event.

  • Weddings - Capturing every key detail of your wedding day with grit, kindness, soul and a lot of fun.

What is your favorite subject to photograph?

There is no better way to challenge me than to tell me that your toddler will not look my way. Also, I really enjoy senior sessions because of the individualized attention that I am able to give my subject. My personal project is roller derby - I have been a roller derby photographer for 10 years for up to 6 leagues at a time. My derby name is: RAW Power. (It’s an Iggy Pop reference / file format joke.)

What is the best way to communicate with you?

Emailing me is the best way to reach me directly. Since I am booked solidly through most weekends, all emails received on the weekends (that are not directly related to a session scheduled that particular weekend) will be responded to on or before Tuesday of the following week. My phone number is reserved for communication on the day of our session.

To book a session please visit our scheduling page.

A message about connection through social media: 

I do not book jobs through Instagram, my business Facebook page or my personal Facebook page. All social media requests for bookings will be redirected to email. If you have a question about a session, please review the information on this FAQ before emailing me at hello@lydiabrewerphotography.com alternately, you can book directly via my scheduling page.

How much do sessions cost?

Rate information can be accessed here.

How do I pay?

Sessions that are book through the scheduling site require a $100 booking fee to reserve but you are welcome to pay the full amount at the same time. If you choose to be billed later, I will email you a copy of your invoice. You are welcome to pay electronically by following the link on my invoice, through Venmo @Lydia-Brewer-Photo, in person - in cash or by check. I do ask that you pay in full 2 weeks before our session date. I invoice sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you have not received your invoice, please wait until the following billing day.

What is your background in photography?

I have been studying photography for over 25 years. My first camera was a Pentax K1000. I was trained on film and in the darkroom. I worked as a preschool teacher all through high school and college and spent a lot of time photographing the kids. Most of my rolls of film contained equal amounts of children and they did rock bands that I was following at the time. I earned a commercial photography degree from The Art Institute of Seattle in 2001. When my daughter was born in 2007, I became a nanny / house manager - which allowed me to spend my days with her and my evenings and weekends on my business. After an internship in 2014 with a wedding photographer, I rebranded, rebuilt and branched out. I have been a full-time photographer since 2014 but occasionally still care for kids - because I really do enjoy them.

Credentials, Awards and Affiliations:

When are your mini sessions?

I offer a series of mini sessions on warm, sunny evenings on Spring and Summer weekdays. I do this because this is when I want to be out taking photos and trust me, your kids feel the same way! It is SO much easier to explore a park or garden when the weather is nice and the days are long. Mini sessions are offered at a discounted rate on select weekday evenings between March 1st - August 30th. These sessions are not only for families, they work well for people with special circumstances, high school seniors that are not interested in a full session, headshot refresh, social media / dating profile photos, small branding sessions, etc.

2024 mini session fests will be held as follows:

  • DISCOVERY PARK MINI SESSION FEST will be held September 21st 2024

  • WILD HEARTS FARM MINI SESSION FEST will be held September 28th 2024

  • WINTER STUDIO MINIS will be held October 19th 2024

These sessions are carefully scheduled and curated, highly structured and in a location of my choosing. They are typically not customizable. I take the time to scout the ideal location and make a plan around an entire day or half day of sessions with many families. Because of this, I am able to offer these sessions at a reduced rate - because I am able to condense the amount of hours that go into the planning process. Any available mini sessions will be visible on the scheduling page.

Any sessions booked between September 1st and December 25th will be considered a full family session and charged my full family session rate - please plan accordingly.

How far in advance do I need to book with you?

My calendar is typically booked out 6 weeks in advance. However, I do reserve a few days a month for last minute bookings and rescheduled sessions. These reserved dates are technically days that I would otherwise be editing images - so they are subject to availability. Keep in mind that I may not be able to honor this statement during my busy seasons and please plan accordingly. If you have a particular date in mind or you would like to inquire about booking, feel free to send a booking request or email hello@lydiabrewerphotography.com.

Is there a contract?

All clients are required to sign a contract. You will need to pay close attention to the information you receive after booking a session. From there, you will be directed to your contract page - which is also where you will purchase your session. Sessions are not considered booked until they are contracted and paid for.

Do I have to pay taxes?

Yes, since I am a taxpayer, I also have to be a tax charger.

Do you have a rain plan?

I have literally no trust for the people that predict the weather - they have lead me astray too many times. Because of this, I do not cancel sessions until 24 hours - possibly even hours before - and it has to be absolutely pouring.

What is your cancellation policy?

  • If Client cancels their family session less than 72 hours before the session is scheduled to begin, they understand that their session fee is not refundable.

  • In the event of an approved reschedule, the Client understands that they must make a reasonable effort to re-book their session within six months of the original date. 

  • I may need to reschedule the session due to weather and in this case I will alert the Client as soon as possible. In this case, the Client will not be charged a booking fee and will priority reschedule.

  • Late Arrivals. In the event that the Client arrives late to the Portrait Session, the amount of time late may be deducted from the time allotted for the session. I will not provide a refund or other compensation for the time deducted from the session due to late arrival of the Client.

Rescheduling?

  • Rescheduling is allowed for clients that cancel their sessions prior to 72 hours before the session start time.

  • Please note that re-booking a canceled session must take place within 18 months of the original session date.

  • Please refer to your contract for a more in depth explanation.

What do we wear?

Follow the link for tips and tricks.

Can we bring our dog?

Yes! Absolutely. I am an animal person. Just know that dogs change the energy of a session - especially when kids are involved. Dogs are only good for a handful of photos before they’d rather just do dog stuff. I have taken thousands of images while standing on a dog leash because of this. I am a dog person. And a cat person. But I’d avoid bringing your cat. That would be chaos.

My toddler is impossible, are you sure you can photograph them?

As a previous child care provider, I've basically seen it all and have an extreme level of patience that can only come with decades of experience with kids. There are very few people (kids included) that I have not been able to level / connect with. I have a pretty relaxed / calm manner about me / my approach to photographing kids. I want the photos to be about the person / people in them. So, I don't have any expectations or an agenda. I am constantly shifting my expectations during a session to meet a child or family's needs / interests.

Do you own a studio?

Yes, here you can find information about the studio. Please note that it is very small and can currently host no more than 3 people at a time. I am working on an additional glasshouse right now and expect that space to be available Summer 2024.

Do you shoot with natural light or studio lights?

Both! It depends on the type of session I am conducting, the time of day and the time of year. I have found it easier to capture children and families without the use of lighting gear - mostly because they are far too busy and it’s impossible to keep up with them if I am also fussing with lights. Instead, I plan these sessions around the best possible lighting conditions.

How many photos will I get?

The amount of images that you receive depends on the type of session conducted, how smoothly the session goes and how much editing is required. Full family sessions often yield between 75 - 150 photos and I deliver between 400 to 600 images from each wedding. 

Where can I view my photos?

I will create a custom gallery for you and provide you with a download PIN. The files that I upload to that site are full / high-resolution versions. This gallery is connected to an incredible professional printer. Prints and products can be ordered directly through the gallery. You can start an order by clicking on the shopping cart at the top, right corner of any photo. Additionally, custom orders are available and will need to be processed through my directly. You can inquire about an order by emailing me at hello@lydiabrewerphotography.com.   

I forgot the link to my photo gallery and/or the PIN. Can you help?

Yes, just email me at hello@lydiabrewerphotography.com to access that information again. 

What is your turnaround time?

Please allow 4 weeks to process family sessions and 8 weeks for weddings. Rushes are available on case by case basis but charges do apply.

How long will you store my photos?

I can guarantee that your images will be available for download from my image hosting site for up to six months after our session. Please download all of your photos and save them in a safe location. There will be a fee for galleries that need to be re-uploaded.

Can I have the RAW (unprocessed) files?

I do not deliver RAW files under any circumstances. That would be like delivering the mac without the cheese.