FAQs
What should I wear to my session?
Your personal aesthetic has various elements in it but the most vital include color, mood, comfort, and personality. I have an entire styling section located under the "styling" tab for helpful tips.
When is a good time to schedule my session?
For outdoor sessions, the 2-hour window before sunset & after sunrise is recommended. This period is called “The Golden Hour” because it produces the most beautiful golden lighting and, in turn, very happy clients.
Indoor session times are a little more flexible-all we really need is one good window that brings in natural light.
​
When should I expect to receive my final photos?
Your edited digital images will be ready for you within 14 days after our session, however, turn-around times may vary depending on the number of images included in your package and during peak seasons (June-August and October-December). When your gallery has been completed, you will receive an email with a secure link where you can access your photos, download them, share with family and friends, and order prints.
​
Do you travel?
I do! However an additional fee will be applied for travel outside 20 miles of Emerald Maple's home location of Mount Holly, NJ. The standard 0.62/mile round trip will be applied to your total session cost.
​
I really want to post my photos on social media. Will my photos be watermarked?
Images posted to your gallery will be selected and edited by EMP and released to you unmarked in your gallery. When posting to social media, I just ask that you not screenshot the images and download them instead for the best quality. Additionally, please give credit to posted images by tagging Emerald Maple Photography on whichever platform you post. Small businesses grow best by word of mouth!
​
What should I expect the day of our session?
We will choose our session day, time and location and arrange a meeting place if scheduled outdoors. I always have a plan so we usually jump right into it! I will guide you to ensure your photos reflect you and your family in the most authentic light. I travel lightly but if there is anything additional you would like to bring that is special to you and would like to incorporate into your photos, please contact me and we can figure out a way to work it in.
​
I'm interested in a newborn session. Do you have cute outfits that we could dress our baby in?
I truly believe that babies are perfect already just the way they are and are happiest being close to their mom & dad. Because Emerald Maple's vision is a natural one, I will not pose or dress your baby, however, I can certainly direct you in the right direction to some amazing newborn photographers who can match your vision!
​
What payments do you accept?
Emerald Maple accepts cash or credit card through Honeybook, Paypal, Zelle, and Venmo.
​
When is my deposit due?
A non-refundable deposit is due within three (3) days after receiving your customized proposal during which time your session date and time will be held. Should your deposit not be secured prior to the deadline, you run the risk of losing your booking. Your remaining balance will be due the day of your session. Payment plans can be arranged upon request!
​
I have a really large family. Are you able to accommodate this?
All sessions are priced for a maximum family size of 5. Additional family members are priced at $50/per person.
​
Will I have access to the unedited images taken during my session?
During a typical 45 minute lifestyle session, I typically take anywhere from 400-600 photos! Unfortunately, due to the size of the RAW image files, I can not provide access to all of your unedited images. The culling process is tedious & extremely thorough in order to ensure I choose the best overall images from our session to edit and provide to you and your family
​
How can I order prints and gifts for my family members?
Emerald Maple's editing style consists of heavy contrast and shadowing to create those dark and moody images that you love. Because of this, clarity and tones may not translate well and images may become compromised when using lower budget printing services and devices. It is encouraged (and super easy) to utilize the professional printing services linked through your gallery to print your photos and create beautiful gifts!
Remember- you've invested in transforming your family into art! Convert them into tangible keepsakes in the highest possible quality so that your family will continue to cherish them decades from now.
​
What is the difference between a "lifestyle" session and a "documentary" session?
This is a great question! Both Lifestyle and Documentary sessions are so much fun because they really emulate your family's personalities, however, I do assist families with prompting during lifestyle sessions. Although I don't "pose" my families, I often create scenarios for them to imagine and re-enact as I shoot. For documentary sessions, these are completely raw. These sessions are unscripted, unprompted and show your family during your typical routine as authentically as possible and generally take place in or around your home.
​
​