The session we will share together will be one hour long and scheduled on Monday through Thursdays at either sunrise or sunset. As crazy as it sounds to do a sunrise session, the majority of my sessions are in the wee hours of the early morning. It doesn’t work for every family (definitely consider sleep/nap schedules before we book in), but the light at that time of day is incredible, plus the streets and parks are a bit more empty so we have the world to ourselves.

Let’s meet up at sunrise or sunset for an hour or so to go for a hike, explore something new, adventure into the wild, take some photos of love personified, and make some lovely art together.

Sessions

01 1800

LIFESTYLE SESSION

Two hours to document extended time together or family events

Additional hours are $500. Up to 4 hours total.
02 1200

New Client Session

1 hour lifestyle session

Travel included up to 1 hour from Baltimore MD
03 800*

Return Client

1 hour lifestyle session

Travel included for up to 30 minutes from Baltimore MD

*Discounted because I love getting to photograph growing families! Applicable to anyone I've photographed as the primary client at previous sessions or weddings.

FAQ & Answers

Will all of my images be edited?

All of the images I deliver are print ready! They’re edited for exposure, contrast, sharpness, and color tone. My goal is for the final result of the session to feel like how love and family feels like; warm and comforting.
What is required to reserve our session?

Whenever you’re ready to book your session date, I’ll send you an online contract for you to fill out online. Both the signed contract and $450 payment are due to secure your session date.
What are the payment options?

I accept checks and cash and will send you information about the best way to make payments along with the contract. The session fees are split into two payments; $450 due with the contract to reserve your date and the final amount is due on the day of the session.
What if there’s inclement weather?

For local clients where travel isn’t involved, I usually will recommend rescheduling if the weather is calling for 60% chance of rain or more the day before our session. At least a 24 hour notice is needed for us to make other arrangements if cancellation or a reschedule is necessary. Simply overcast days give really brilliant, soft light, but we have some options for rainy or snowy days like:

• An indoor rain plan (a coffee shop, a museum, an in-home shoot)

• We grab some umbrellas and shoot anyway (Pacific Northwest style) I want you to love everything about your photos and your experience working with me, so if reschedule we must, reschedule we shall!
How long before we see our photos?

Your portraits will be posted online 4-6 weeks in an online gallery for you to share with family and friends to view and buy prints! I’ll also send download instructions for your high resolution files for you to print from, share, post on Instagram and Facebook, etc. I’d love for you to share your images, but you are only asked to please not edit or modify them or use them for commercial purposes. I also love seeing your favorites if you don’t mind tagging me @nessakphotography!
How many photos will we receive?

Portrait sessions average about 80-100 images while 2 hour events are 100-180 images.
Can I see a full gallery before I book?

Yes! Let me know if you’d like to see a completed gallery online – I love sharing full sessions to give you an idea of what a full session is like!

Black and white or color?

Oh don’t make me choose. I deliver every single image in both black & white and color.

I love the warmth my processing brings to photographs of families, but I also feel like there’s something special about taking all the distraction of color away from the photos and just focusing on you, light, shadows, and emotion in the images.

My favorite part of this is that once you finish looking through all of the images of you and your loved ones in all of your warm colorful bliss, you have an entirely new gallery to view with a monochrome filter.

Some of my favorite images present themselves to me once I see them in black and white.

Let’s plan an activity around your house, in your favorite park, museum, cafe, or just a place that feels inspiring.

I’ll share this here because I have a few ideas on how to plan for a session I’ve written in this article –

Session Planning Guide

But let’s talk about your session! Give me an adjective. Tell me about an outfit you want to wear. A feeling you want to show. I’m always happy to share sessions from previous clients for inspiration, but more than anything, I’d love to chat about what you want to get from your photos.

Do you want to do a session walking to your favorite cafe in your neighborhood?
Would you like some photos of your family making breakfast together in the morning?
Do you want to have an evening out at a carnival?
What would a rainy day playing board games feel like to you?
Does a picnic on the beach feel like the right kind of chaotic for you?
What’s your favorite family outing on a sunny day?

What to wear

I trust everyone’s judgement and also, I’ve written additional tips that I give both couples and families for clothing choices

Session Planning Guide

And if you’re a visual learner, when in doubt, go to Pinterest. So I’ve put together a board of inspiration for you!

Clothing Inspiration

Think of wearing outfits to the “same event.” Make sure your kids are the same level as dressed up as you. Think of how the colors go together; I LOVE primary colors as a pop, but dressing everyone in warm colors or in cool colors can be a nice way to create visual cohesion.

And of course, feel free to send photos! As a part of our planning process, we’ll also discuss location ideas together, work through conceptual ideas for the shoot, and decide on something that perfectly suits portraits for everyone.