Gold Coast photographer frequently asked questions

Questions?
I’ve got answers!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Firstly, yay! Shoot me an email with the kind of session you are thinking and I can get back to you with a couple of dates. Once we find a suitable date and you pay the non-refundable booking fee, the fun begins! We can chat about locations, outfits and what to expect on the day.

  • First things first, let’s talk about you! What is it that you like to do together? Let’s start there. I have some beautiful spots I can recommend depending on what kind of shoot you have in mind, but let’s always start with your favourite places that are meaningful to you.

  • Generally, family sessions last around one hour, however I recommend leaving a little bit of extra time before/after the session so you don’t have to dash off if things go a little over.

  • Absolutely! Because our furry friends are part of the family too, right? There are plenty of dog-friendly locations we can shoot at.

  • Definitely! Once your session is booked, I’ll shoot through a handy guide with a few tips and tricks for creating a harmonious ‘look’ but as a general guide, avoid ‘matchy matchy’ unless you regularly all get around in white linen and denim. Consider coordinating a couple of complementary colours, avoid clashing patterns/large logos/graphics. When it comes to your family photos, comfort is key. If you’re not comfortable, you won’t look comfortable.

  • Because Mother Nature can be an unpredictable gal at times, if the weather is looking dicey we will make a call on the day of the shoot. If we need to reschedule, we will do so at the next convenient date for both parties.

  • I’m a mum too, so I get it. Oh boy, do I get it! You go to so much effort organising every little detail only to have your strong-willed toddler refuse your carefully selected outfit. I’ve been there! My main advice is to go with the flow. Let them wear the costume. It may not be the exact vision you had in mind, but it’s far better to have a happy toddler and happy parents than it is to have the Insta-aesthetic. And truthfully, one day your kids will be past the ‘dressing-up phase’ and you may be glad you captured it while you could.

  • I occasionally offer studio mini sessions (follow my Instagram for release dates), but generally, I prefer shooting on location to capture natural and unique moments for your family photos.

  • I try to avoid having a pre-determined shot list so we can just allow the shoot to flow organically. There are some gentle prompts throughout that I might suggest as we move through the session, but generally speaking I prefer to just hang back and let your family do your thing. That said, if there’s a particular shot you would really love, feel free to shoot it through to me prior to the session and we can discuss.

  • You can typically expect to receive the initial gallery within two weeks after the session. Then, it’s over to you to choose your faves (ideally with a wine in hand) and, depending on the chosen package, I try to have final edits done within one week.

  • These things happen! If your kids are feeling unwell or become sick on the day of the shoot, please let me know as soon as possible and we will work together to reschedule the photo session to a more suitable date when everyone is feeling better.

  • I’m a mum, I get it! In my experience, it’s best to follow their lead. My approach is to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere to make the children feel comfortable and engaged during the shoot. We'll work at their pace, stopping for breaks as needed. Tickles, jokes, adventures are all part of the session. If all of that fails, there’s always bribery (kidding, maybe).

  • You betcha! Feel free to run outfit suggestions past me prior to the day or ask any questions you may have along the way. I’ll send through a brief guide on how to prepare and what to expect on the day, but most importantly, relax and have fun—this is my most important tip.

  • Absolutely! Having multiple outfit changes during the photo session is a great way to add variety and diversity to your family photos. It’s also great to have a back-up if one of the kids spills something on the way to the shoot (it’s happened before!) If you wish to have different looks throughout the session, feel free to bring along a couple of options, just be sure to let me know in advance so we can allocate time accordingly.

  • Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera, I get it! I am much more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it, so I absolutely understand. My approach is to create a relaxed and supportive environment and I won’t ask children to smile if they don’t want to. Instead of forcing poses, I will offer gentle direction and encourage natural interactions to capture authentic expressions. I also find that engaging in fun activities or prompts can help distract camera-shy members. But sometimes, they’re just not feeling it, and that’s okay too.

  • Yes! One thousand times, yes. I’d be delighted for you to share your photos on social media, all I ask is that you tag me in the post. Okay, I lied, I have one more teeny favour to ask – please share the web resolution photos you download and not screenshots!

    If you plan to use the photos for commercial purposes or any other uses beyond personal sharing, let me know ahead of time and we can negotiate additional usage rights.

  • If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this! And here’s the truth – no, I won’t Photoshop you. I think you are beautiful just as you are. In five/ten/twenty years you won’t want to look back on an altered version of you – you (and your children, and their children) will want to see you, just as you are. So be kind to yourself.

  • Due to family commitments with my little ones, I’m predominantly a Gold Coast based photographer, but never say never! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have a location in mind that is outside of the Goldie and we can chat. Sessions outside of the Gold Coast may include a travel fee.

Gold Coast photographer

Let’s PRESERVE your STORY, today. JUST as you ARE.