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 Warning: This is long. It might be longer than one of those "terms of service agreements" we never read.  I tend to be wordy and love to know everything I can before I pay or sign up for something I've never done.  I wrote this for people like me.  You can take this information or leave it- but I would at least skim before a session with me :) 

 

 

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Booking

Sessions are booked Monday-Friday, evenings. Booking is done through Kris, by email or phone. A non-refundable  retainer of $50 will be required to hold your session date and time. This will be applied toward your session fee.  A link to pay the retainer and sign contract will be emailed to you after we have agreed on a date and time. Both items do need to be completed before your session is booked. 

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Timing is everything, isn't it?  

I would actually say light is everything- but time is important if you want the best light. For seniors and families, sessions begin 1-2 hours before sunset.  September and October are the busiest months, so advance booking is highly recommended. This is flexible for small children with bedtimes- I respect bedtimes! 

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There is a contract. 

I require a contract to not only protect myself, but it also protects you.  It is like a promise we make each other that we will both be professional, adult humans doing business together.  A contract will be emailed to you to sign electronically with your retainer.  Your print release is included in your contract.  A copy of the contract is posted below.  

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What happens next?

So, you've booked a session!  Yay!  I will email you about a week before your session to finalize locations, specific requests and gather all necessary information to make your session run smoothly. Reminder that full payment is due the day of your session. 

 

Location, location, location

For your session I have locations that I prefer and am very familiar with.  Whether you want urban or nature, we can work together to choose just the right location for your portraits.  I will also travel anywhere in Anoka County, although I am completely open to location suggestions!  If you have a family home with plenty of outdoor space or would like a specific city landmark, I am open to discussing those options.  In fact, I love hearing your ideas! Sometimes at our locations or places I will have you sit (or lay) are less than ideal.  I wouldn't ask you to do anything I would not do myself.  Please make sure you have protected yourself with sunscreen and bug spray.  Check yourself for critters when you get home! I have yet to get a case of Poison Ivy or Oak, but that doesn't mean you wont.  I  will always check our surroundings and lay/pose before you do to make sure you don't get a sticker in your bum or anything unfortunate like that.  Moms & Dads, I will treat your babies as if they are my own.  

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Weather

We all know how unpredictable weather here in Minnesota is.  I will make the call for us whether or not to proceed if the weather looks to be terrible.  I like the decision to be made 1-3 hours before the session begins.  We will reschedule  a new time and date that works best for both of us. I understand that rescheduling is frustrating, but cloudy, dark and rainy is not always ideal for a portrait session.

 

Cancelling

Please understand that your session is reserved for you.  I have most certainly turned away potential clients that have wanted your session date. This is why a non-refundable retainer is required at booking. We all make mistakes, but please make absolute certain you do not have appointments, school, meetings, or sports on your session date as you will lose your retainer.  If you are ill, PLEASE reschedule. I am working 80 hour weeks during busy senior season and I cannot afford the time to be ill.  Stay home, we will reschedule.  Don't sweat it- I would much rather find a different date than risk your health or mine. Retainers are not lost on illness or inclement weather.

*In short,  please do not email me that you forgot you have a big game on our session date as you will be required to pay an additional retainer for a new session date. Yes- this has happened and it's no fun. 

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Trust

Because I am an artist first and foremost,  I need you to trust that I am choosing the very best portraits of the session to present to you.   I need you to trust me completely to make you look your best. I will lose sleep over picking the images that are the best. I obsess over your portraits more than you will ever know. I want you to love your photos. Please trust that I am making the best possible decisions for your gallery of images.  I have never withheld an image that I felt you must see, no matter what.  That would just be mean!

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"You can just fix that in Photoshop, right?"

Simple answer? No.  It is never easy and never quick. Let's talk about editing!  Pimples are not within your control and I will absolutely make them disappear!  I will edit blemishes and light scarring.  Unless you specifically ask me NOT to, I will do it.  I will not, however, make you thinner, fatter,  younger, older, or have you wearing something else or a different color. I will remove "buldges" if necessary. Sometimes there are poses where we cant get away from these things and I will absolutely fix them. I will edit your face to magazine perfection.  Unless you tell me not to, I will.  Please treat yourself with the utmost care the week or two before the session-avoid the sun.  My policy is to not edit what is within your control or prevents your photo from looking like you. Extensive editing requires a ton of time, and when there are 20-40 images, that can take hours and hours of extra work.   I want you to LOVE your pictures.  I promise I will do my very best and dedicate my education, equipment, and skill to each of your portraits. 

Please let me know if you have any special editing requests before I start working on your final images.  

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Choosing your clothing/Outfits

Families with children, my favorite advice is this: Moms- dress yourself first, then plan everyone else around your choice. When choosing your clothing for the session, choose colors that are natural, and complimentary to your skin.   If you need help, I am happy to help and have a guide to email you if requested.  Avoid uncomfortable clothing you are unable to move in.  You will be on the ground (if health allows) and in the weeds.  Make sure you can move in your selections.   Outfit changes: I have a pop up changing room for my clients to change in.  This means privacy anywhere at anytime.  

 

 

Don't put a filter on it, please. Social Media No-No's and Heck Yeah's!

#nofilter

Me, and every single other photographer beg you, please don't put an Instagram/Snapchat/other filter on your portraits.  You are not only breaking copyright law, you are potentially costing me business.  The photos will not reflect my style and therefore deceiving or deterring potential clients.  My own children are not allowed to change my photos either. I thank you and every photographer ever thanks you as well.  What we love?  Credit.  Give us credit when you post your portraits on social media-We LOVE that!  Please let me know if you prefer not have your images shared on social media. 

Sometimes I do post!

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The day of...

Eat, get a good night's rest, HYDRATE.  Being a supermodel is exhausting :)   Look at your list and pack it.  Press your clothing (or use wrinkle release spray-AMAZING) I will not photoshop wrinkles out of your clothing.  Don't put them in a Target bag- hang them. Please. Have little ones coming?  Bring snacks, toys...bribes? You know your child better than me.  If bribes work, great!  If you know they will just focus on the bribe and not the camera, forget about the bribe.  Be ready to have some fun!  I am going to do my absolute best to make you happy.  In fact, I am certain I care more about this session than you do.  I have incredible nervousness before every session!  I pack and repack, check everything twice (if not three times). My desire to make you happy with your portraits so you come back and have me do it again, or at the very least recommend me to someone else.  I am, without a doubt,  fulfilling my dream of being a  portrait photographer. I can't do that without you.

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After your session

 I will give you a general idea of how long it will take me to deliver your proofs.  It is usually less than a week. When the proofs are ready, I will send you an email with a link to your gallery.  I will ask you to choose your favorites by "starring" them over a few days.  Your final gallery will be delivered in a timely matter. There is an expiration date on your finished gallery.  BACK UP YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS.  I cannot stress this enough. You also have the option to purchase prints and products through your gallery.  I only guarantee print quality when printing through me.  I work very closely with my printer to assure quality. I do not recommend chain stores or worse yet, chain drug stores to print your photos.  In your contract, I have included a print release.  Store this in a safe place.  If you choose to order through me, I will hand-deliver your portraits and inspect them to make sure they are correctly colored and flawless.  They will be delivered in person or by mail within 2 weeks of your order date.  All sales are final.   I also offer elegant, hand-crafted albums and other products to showcase your portraits.  Click box for details on albums  

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FAQ's

What is a proof?

A proof is an unedited (or very lightly edited) image that comes straight out of a camera.  I deliver proofs instead of fully edited images because I have spent years collecting data from my clients on what they prefer.  100% of my clients want to choose their own photographs.  I was spending an enormous amount of time editing images that they never used or cared to have.  What I find beautiful, you may not. What you may see in your child's smile, I may not.  You know your face and your child's face best.  Sometimes it is just a smirk that you adore- how would I know that? That is why you get proofs! I go through every image from our session and take out the ones that are not "printable".  Examples of this are blinking, blurriness or multiples of the same pose.  Out of those, I lightly edit them- I mostly just lighten or darken them.  I deliver on average 70-100 images in a proof gallery.  I use proofs to keep my costs low and to save your time and mine. If you find that you cannot let any image go, you may purchase as many as you wish above an beyond the promised amount. 

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How do you come up with pricing?

My price list reflects the amount of time I spend with you and editing your images.  It also reflects the equipment, computer programs, and photographic services I require to be in business. I am also insured and pay taxes on every session I do. This price reflects my cost of doing business.

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What if I want my friend to come with to the session?

I welcome parents, friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or whomever is going to make you feel your beautiful self.  I do not recommend "mixing" sessions.  For example, a senior session with a family session.  I will make an exception for siblings or twins (separate fees).  If you want to schedule a session for two people at the same time ( an example would be two very good friends want their session together), I am okay with this- but they are drawbacks I can discuss with you. 

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I have to work, do I need to attend my senior's session?

Short answer, no.  I do not require a parent to be present- but it is highly encouraged.  This does not mean you need to follow us around, but hanging around the car reading a book is perfectly fine. Having said all of this, your child should have the final say on whether or not they want you actively present during the session.  Some seniors are so much better without mom or dad there. Some really want a mom or dad with. In any case, please be overly kind to your child during their session. This is their day and we all know how quickly a teen can turn into a monster.  No offense to any teen reading this - I can turn into a monster too! 

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Hair and Makeup?

If you choose to have hair and makeup done before your session that is wonderful! If not, that is wonderful too!  If you would like a list of hair and makeup professionals, I would be happy to provide a list of artists in our area.

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I want something very specific- will you accommodate?

I am open to any ideas you have and the more involved you are in your session, the better it will turn out.  No idea will be turned away without thought and discussion- I promise.  Besides the fact that I LOVE collaborating with clients!

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Our session was a disaster- my kids, my husband, my grandma didn't cooperate. 

This happens- but it has never been so bad that there aren't enough images to deliver.  For parents of teens and older children: When I have a session for my own family, it is discussed weeks and days before it takes place. My expectations of them are known weeks, days, and minutes leading up to the session.  The more cooperative a family is, the quicker it is over.  Let them know this. Let them know how important this is to you.  Mom guilt has always worked nicely in our house :)   As far as young children who really do not know what cooperation means- well, leave that up to me.  I promise, I am not at all frustrated or losing patience.  In fact, it brings back some pretty great memories of my own children's monster moments.  If we treat this more like a playdate than a "job', we will all have more fun! Playing and just letting them be children for our time together make the best pictures! Most of the time, I just need a short time of happiness in children to get the images we desire. If you fear that your children or family will not cooperate during a session, let me know and we can discuss further how to make this pleasant and memorable for everyone.  Including you!

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What about Covid?

This little devil of a germ has ruined so many days and fun for us, hasn't it?  So- first and foremost- I am  vaccinated.  If you are sick- CANCEL.  If you feel "off"- CANCEL.  If you've been exposed to a person who is sick or has tested positive - CANCEL.  This is not something I am willing to risk, nor should you.  I have compromised family that I need to protect as you may too.  I will not do the session if I have any kind of symptom and I will let you know that we need to reschedule ASAP.  Illness is not a reason to lose retainer- please remember that.  If you get sick AFTER you've seen me, it is your responsibility to tell me and I will do the same. It is our job as human beings on one planet together to not do harm to one another. Masks: If you want me to wear a mask- I will happily do so.  I do not require you to wear a mask as I am photographing you.   In short- lets take care of each other and have respect for each others level of "Covid comfort".   I sanitize props and equipment between sessions and follow all mandates/laws regarding Covid. 

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Contract:

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This contract is subject to change without notice.

 

This contract is between the photographer and the Client as detailed below.  Kristine E Photography, LLC by Kristine DuBois is referred to hereafter as “Photographer”.  The Client agrees that He/She is responsible for all parties involved with the agreed upon photo session.  If there is an individual involved in the photo session who does not agree to the terms of this agreement, the Client assumes responsibility.

The Photographer is responsible for providing the Client a photographic service as detailed in the Agreement.  The Client undertakes to engage the Photographer for this coverage for the price as detailed below:

 

Non-refundable retainer of $50.00 is required to reserve your  session date and time. Final payment due by date of session.  Payment by cash or check or credit card is expected before session begins.  Any arrangements made with photographer for a payment plan must be paid in full before any images are released to you. Your session includes session time, a specific number of digitally enhanced images based on package purchased (noted above in session details) for download and print release. The link to your private gallery will be emailed to your email address within four (4) weeks of session date.  Additional images are available for purchase.  If you have not received your portraits within 4 weeks (or the discussed delivery time), please contact Kristine immediately to make certain your email has not bounced. Photographer is not responsible for bounced email delivery due to typographical error or otherwise. Prints/and or USB will be mailed or delivered within 4 weeks. Your images will be available for download through gallery for one month.  Please back up your photos.  Additional fee ($25) is required to re-open the gallery for download. Original files are stored for a maximum of one (1) year. When printing your photographs, I suggest professional consumer labs for best results. I only guarantee quality of prints when ordered directly through me.  All of your portraits are available to purchase within the online gallery.  You have to option to purchase prints through your gallery for up to one year. Please inquire.  Processing time for print orders is within 1-2 weeks and will be shipped or hand-delivered. If your session includes a flash drive loaded with your images, it will be delivered within one week of final gallery delivery.

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Cancellation:  

In the event of a termination or cancellation of this Agreement by Clients, the Clients agree that all retainers and fees already paid to the Photographer will not be refunded.  Clients understand, acknowledge and agree that Photographer's services are in demand and that substantial effort, planning and reservation of time, as well as potential declining of other contracts and/or engagements, may and/or will result from entering into this agreement, and thus precise loss or damage from termination of the contract may not be ascertainable and/or predictable, and thus the deposit will not be refunded due to termination or cancellation of the event for any reason.  No refund will be provided if the session is cancelled. Upon signature and receipt of the retainer, the Photographer reserves the time and date agreed upon for the session. Cancellations due to weather at the Photographer's discretion, will be rescheduled to a date and time that both Client and Photographer agree to.  In the unlikely event that a cancellation has been repeated more than three times due to weather at Photographer's discretion, the Client can request a refund of retainer without rescheduling. Rescheduling due to anything other than illness on the clients end will require an additional non-refundable retainer to secure a new session date and time.

 

Digital Negatives, Prints and Copyrights: All images and copyrights are the property of Kristine E Photography, LLC by Kristine DuBois (“Photographer”). Photographer retains the exclusive right to copy, edit and distribute any/all images under this agreement to the public for any reason including, but not limited to: advertising, marketing, sales, competitions, education, and monetary gain.  The mediums for display could include newspaper, magazines, books, television, and the internet—but are not only limited to those mediums.  The Photographer retains these rights even if the image files are turned over to the Client.  All photos created by Photographer are copyright protected.  It is a violation of federal copyright law to copy, scan or allow photographs created by Photographer to be reproduced.  This includes digital files to be reprinted, duplicated, digitally reproduced copies or altered digitally or otherwise without Photographers express written permission.  The Client may print on their own, their personal photographs with the written consent of Photographer only once in possession of the digital images.  The negatives/digital files remain the sole property of Photographer and will never be given or sold.  You may not alter given images in any way including, but not limited to, cropping, using "filters", enhancing color, light, etc. 
 

Print Release: Photographer (Kristine DuBois) agrees to grant these image rights to the client with a non-exclusive, limited, perpetual license.  This license allows the Client to do the following with the images:

Display images for personal use

Print the images for personal use

Upload, email, or electronically transfer the images or files for personal use

Publish the images on their personal social media websites

Model Release: Client grants Photographer and her legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs of Client, Client’s child or children, or any member in which Client has included in photograph. The images may be included for editorial, trade, advertising, and other purposes in any other manner and medium; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same.  Client hereby released Photographer and her legal representative and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs. Client grants Photographer permission to display selected images resulting from this assignment as an example of Photographer’s work and for entrance into photographic competitions and release all claims to profits that may arise from the use of images. Use of these images includes any and all social media platforms and website exposure.

Limit of Liability:  We take the utmost care with respect to exposure, retouching, and transportation of digital captures, proofs, and prints.  However, in the unlikely event that all the original files are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed within or beyond Photographer’s control, Photographer’s liability is limited to the refund of all payment received or a re-shoot can be scheduled at no additional cost.  The Client shall assist and cooperate with Photographer in obtaining the desired photographs, including but not limited to specifying persons and/or scenes to be photographed; taking time to pose for photographs at the Photographer's direction. The Photographer shall not be responsible for photographs not taken because of the Client's failure to provide reasonable assistance or cooperation of all individuals in session. 

CLIENTS UNDERSTAND AND ASSUMES ALL RISK, AND FURTHER AGREES TO  WAIVE  ANY AND ALL  RIGHTS TO ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS,  CIVIL ACTIONS AND/OR LAWSUITS, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND REGARDLESS OF ANY ALLEGATIONS OF NEGLIGENCE, BREACH, INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY CLAIMS ALLEGING  MISSED OR LOST PHOTOGRAPHS AND/OR OPPORTUNITIES.    
Under no circumstances will Photographer, its agents, contractors, staff, employees and/or third party associates be liable to Clients or any other persons or entities for any loss, damages, claims, injuries or any other claims.  Clients hereby expressly and irrevocably waive and forever relinquish all rights to make any claims against Photographer, including but not limited as set forth in the preceding paragraph, and including but not limited to any and all claims arising from or related to  lateness, accident, neglect, human error, loss of materials, damage to materials, damages from processing, camera malfunction, materials lost in the mail, fire, casualty or otherwise lost or damaged, acts of god, equipment problems or other failures. This waiver applies to Photographer's services and goods, including the Images.  Clients shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by Photographer, including but not limited to Photographer's attorneys’ fees, if any such claim is asserted, demand made, civil action instituted or lawsuit filed. 

Photographer disclaims any and all liability to Clients; however, should any loss or damage be proven by Clients to have been sustained due to Photographer's gross negligence, recklessness and/or intentional act or omission, then the Photographer's liability is limited to the return of all payments received from the Client under this Agreement.

The undersigned has read and understood the contract and agrees to the terms and conditions in their entirety.

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