Frequently Asked Questions

How much are your packages?

Because everyone has different needs, we offer both 'package pricing' and ala carte (individual items). There is a labor fee for your session; then you choose which pricing structure fits you individually. Our ala carte pricing can save you money by allowing you to purchase exactly what you need without having extra unused photographs stuffed in a drawer somewhere. Our average portrait client invests from $200 to $600 for a larger portrait for themselves and several smaller ones for gifts. If you want more detailed pricing on all our portrait options, just email us and we will be glad to accommodate your request. info@colonialphotography.com

What is your payment policy?

The session fee is due the day of your session and is separate from the purchase price of your finished portraits. We gladly re-schedule portrait sessions in cases of emergencies, illness, or weather.

There is a $75 deposit fee to take your preview portfolio out of the studio, which is later applied to your portrait purchase.

If you live locally, you may pay 50% of your portrait order at the time you place the order and the balance will be due on your delivery date which is about four weeks later. All out-of-state orders and Internet OnLine orders are paid in full at time of submission. Shipping is available for an additional fee of $5.00 within the continental United States. We accept most major credit cards except American Express. Additionally, we accept cash, checks, gold bullion, Rolex watches, and sometimes firstborn children if well behaved. (Just kidding)

 

How long does the process take?

IF you would like your portrait to be designed specifically for you, we recommend a FREE 15 to 20 minute chat session where we'll discuss your needs as well as the clothing, lighting, and location that will enhance your portrait. Then we'll be better able to determine the time frame in which your session needs can be met, anywhere between 10 minutes for passports to an hour or more for multiple clothing changes.

You may choose to view your digital files immediately after the actual portrait session thru our computer projection system (if you scheduled this time in advance) OR approximately one to two weeks later in a printed spiral-bound portfolio. The advantage of our computer projection system is that we can zoom in to see details which are often overlooked on small paper proofs. We can also project your portrait to whichever size you are considering for your wall so you can better visualize the finished product.

Your finished portraits will be ready for delivery approximately four weeks after you place your order. Custom orders, certain times of year, or manufacturer delays in delivery could extend the completion date.

 

What clothing should I choose?

Because we want viewers of your portrait to see you and not your clothing, we highly recommend solid colors! Long sleeves and pants or skirts will cover adult arms and legs which pull the viewer's eye away from the face. They will also be visually 'slimming.' Because young children have small arms and legs, sleeveless tops or dresses and shorts will suffice. For a more classic 'painting' look, please avoid large prints.

At your free design consultation, we take into consideration your eye color, hair, and skin tones to determine what colors would enhance your individual beauty. For an outdoor location, colors that are darker than your skin and in the cool tones usually work best to enhance faces, which are the main subject of the portrait. Darker colors will always be more visually 'slimming' than lighter colors. For indoor portraits, the rule of thumb is light clothing for light backgrounds and dark clothing for dark backgrounds.

If you are organizing clothing for a family, you may place articles of clothing on a bed or couch - then step back to see if any one piece of clothing stands out over the others. If it does, you'll want to replace it because all individuals should carry 'equal weight' in the portrait by the colors that they wear. For large combined family groups, often it works well for each group to wear a certain solid color. Just be sure that all the colors chosen are in the same density or shade...all pastels or all darks. Mixing shades in your portrait will result in one group being more prominent than another. At your free consultation in the studio, we can show you visual examples of what works best.

 

What are your studio hours?

Mon. through Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some evenings by appointment only. Since we may be out of the studio photographing on location, it would be wise to call before visiting the studio.

Colonial Photography ~ 118 Parshley St. SW ~ Live Oak, FL 32064 ~ 386.362.2223

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